I made my return to New York Fashion Week this season and I couldn't be happier. Gone are the long days at Lincoln Center and I'm very okay with that. Hello Manhattan! It was fabulous to hop around the city, with my partner Alex, from show to show. 

On the first day that we arrived to NYFW, timing got the better of us and we missed the Jill Stuart presentation. (So) we gratified our hunger and then hit the streets. Later in the day we attended some of the Art Hearts Fashion shows at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, followed by our support of a couple of Art Institute of Atlanta students who were showing at a smaller venue. By then end of the night, Alex and I were whipped from travel and runways and decided to turn in... of course, not before enjoying some NYC thin-slice pizza! (Don't worry, we walked nearly nine miles that day!)

The next day, Sunday the 12th, we started out at the Pier 59 Studios where we caught a glimpse of Fern Mallis and a couple of runway shows. (See runway finale videos above.) VERDAD, made its NYFW debut to a roaring crowd and Custo Barcelona shimmered with metallics and lames. These were both very exciting, chic and modern runways. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you, that on the first day, as we were "Lyfted" to our hotel - ROW NYC, very very noisy place, don't stay there! - I spotted a pair of designer pumps clacking down the sidewalk to a limo. As my eyes wandered upwards, it was la fabulosa Nina Garcia! The celebrity designer sightings continued with Alexander Wang walking out of Barney's as we were walking up and a priceless visual of Queen DVF herself holding court on a white leather club chair at her showroom. Across the street from DVF is Jeffrey, so of course, we stopped in. We met up with Jeffrey Kalinsky and chatted for a bit. He is celebrating 25 years of Jeffrey Fashion Cares in Atlanta this August - kudos!!!

Monday morning began with an appointment at the Frye Corporate offices. Their offices are on the 60th floor and there was a wind advisory in effect... Yikes! So what that the building was swaying...this was one of my fave stops on my NYFW tour! The Frye Company's Director of Marketing & PR is a super genuine, gorgeous and lovely person who carved out a very generous hour+ to meet with us and show us around. The rich leather scents throughout were fabulously intoxicating.

By late afternoon, our next runway was Sherri Hill at Gotham Hall. Famous for her prom and pageant-wear, the designer presented evening looks that sparkled with sequins, beadwork and glam. Real Housewife, Lisa Rinna and hubby Harry Hamlin walked past me after the show. I recognized the razor cut hair and signature LIPS. The front row for Sherri Hill looked the the cast of Pretty Little Liars and Mean Girls.

We ended our evening back at the Art Hearts Fashion shows. I stood next to the jewelry designer for Rich by Richie Rich and had a fun chat about him and his show which I had an invite to but I wasn't up there yet.

February 14th rolled in. It was Valentine's Day and our flight was at 4:45PM. We made a decision to skip fashion shows and enjoy a day to ourselves. After checking out of the hotel, we took a car to Little Italy where we feasted on authentic pasta dishes and red wine. Happy Valentine's Day to us! To walk it off some, we wandered into Crate & Barrel where I noticed a ridiculous line of teenagers waiting to get into a showroom - there was a huge freakin' line with bouncers and security as all this teen spirit eagerly awaited entry into Kylie Jenner's Pop Up Shop... whatevs. Alex and I went somewhere better and with no line - the Acne Studios showroom.

NYFW came to end for us - though it's lives on through my collection slideshows! I'm already dreaming of NYFW September...

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