I gleefully anticipate what's next in fashion, and I love to network with interesting people and close business deals. I'm a PR guy, so Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is all I need in life to get by. Any reason to wear a variety of studded Christian Louboutin loafers on a daily basis will always win in my book. With high-profile clients in town, I was granted access to sit in the front row at some of the biggest shows of the season and attend the best parties in New York City, every fashionable guy's dream.
The shows showcasing the spring 2014 collections got off to their usual, high-octane start with the arrival of clients ready to be seen. So I did exactly what any good publicist would do: I made sure that my clients were glammed-up and caused a scene at Lincoln Center. As soon as one arrived, it was an immediate "movie" -- as in, grab your popcorn and watch every moment.
Holding a confirmation ticket for a coveted show at "the tents" makes you feel like a kid who just received a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. The pomp and circumstance of arriving at the security entrance is glamorized by a sea of photographers snapping images of every well-dressed celebrity and patron.
My client and I were immediately greeted by the iconic Joan Rivers, accompanied by her Fashion Police camera crew, shutting the fashion game down. Hey, Joan, it was an honor to receive a "best-dressed" award from you two years in a row! This "Joan Ranger" loves you and highly recommends considering me in as a substitute for George Kotsiopoulos whenever he's on assignment.
Of all the jaw-dropping shows at Lincoln Center this season, my favorite was the glamorous, 1970s-inspired Reem Acra show. I'm a huge fan of both all-gold everything and the disco ero, so I was right at home. The standout looks were a gold-draped, one-shoulder column and a gold-metal, hand-painted, draped halter dress.
Fashion Week completely consumes New York City, so some of the best fashion moments took place at event spaces throughout Manhattan. Standout collections not housed at Lincoln Center included the Junk Food Vintage collection NFL Elements, curated by Kristin Cavallari, which comprised fun, football-inspired fashion for women; House of Roderick Presents Fall of Artemis, which comprised exquisite couture jewelry showcased by the sexiest theatrical production of the season; and Quarter Water, the breakout, inaugural, high-end men's streetwear collection from a design team comprising brothers from the concrete jungle.
It's clear that "the people" have taken fashion back. The dark and heavy spirit of previous seasons has lifted, and we are no longer using gimmicks disguised as style. (I'm talking to you, neon color blocking.) We are back to having fun with fashion and trying something new as a collective.
PR-guy-spotted trends: seductive plaids made of silk, crop-top everything, and cobalt blue.
The party and event scene for the entire spring 2014 season was diverse and full of energy. The 3.1 Philip Lim for Target Stylescape celebration featured the best mix of celebrities and industry insiders, not to mention a killer interactive cinemagraph installation. People's Resource and Development Association's third annual Shop Indie 4 a Cause Fashion and Trunk Show provided a high note for community empowerment within youth entrepreneur programs. The series of events surrounding New York Latin Fashion Week displayed the most genuine support for heritage and pride.
The exclusion of Fashion's Night Out wasn't missed like I thought it would be. Hopefully Anna Wintour & co. will revamp the program to coincide with the fresh energy of this great season.
Partying in the name of fashion is officially over here in New York City, and it could not have come at a better time. This PR guy hustled hard. Now I can sit back and soak my feet while I pitch clients.