New York Fashion Diary, Part II: Scammers, Sunflowers, and Ballet Flats
I'm tired.
At Polo Bar the other week, I ran into my old friend Sid Mashburn. “Jess Graves!” He said. “What are you doing here?” To which I said, “Fashion Week! You too?” Sid, a menswear designer, replied, “For me, every week is Fashion Week.”
This is why the man’s a legend. For him, every week is Fashion Week. Me? I pooped out after five days.
I haven’t “done” Fashion Week in almost ten years, and I’d forgotten what a grind it can be, even when you only attend a few things. I stayed at The Ned, which is basically Soho House, but in Midtown. Bad call for someone who needed her rest. On Saturday night I gave up trying to sleep through the party on the roof for the third night in a row, got myself dressed, and joined in. It took me until Monday evening to recover! I am not built to party. Apparently, it was a zoo this year because Tiktok taught people how to scam their way in? I didn’t see any of that firsthand, but honestly, I think of it as a big trade show. You go because there is a work-related reason, and if that’s not why you’re going, then you’re going to look silly. (The only scam I witnessed was Vogue World.)
A few final highlights from my notes:
Moda Operandi did a little post-show champagne toast after Carolina Herrera. I am still thinking about this army green shirt dress (above).
I know I am such a simp for them but Khaite’s runway show was, again, everything I want to be wearing right now. There was a little party at the showroom where you could make pre-orders later in the week and everything is SO good. Oh, the angled heels! The leather! The sparkle! The python! The PVC! The oversize earrings! What I love about Khaite is how well it blends from season to season. I don’t feel like something that’s three years old looks off with something brand new. Moda Operandi’s got most of it on trunk show right now.
Tote Signaling is stronger than ever in NYC, now tumbling over into the luxury space with this collab between Bottega Veneta and The Strand I went to the Soho store to peek at it IRL — the woven bag, which is the best piece, sold out within a day.
Does everyone suddenly seem to be doing this sort of loop bun, with a half-pony? Just me? Is this the next iteration of the slicked-back middle part bun the girlies have been rocking? Hannah Bronfman made it look killer.
Jonathan Simkhai was a confectionary delight. My exhaustion won out and my hair appointment ran long, so I had to miss the runway, and the photos gave me FOMO.
Another interesting runway was COS! Simply because it was all buy-now, wear-now.
Speaking of hair, I am in love with David Mallett salon at the top of The Webster. (I see Ryan!) I got annoyed with the fact that every time I go to a salon in the South it takes five hours and comes out medium-tacky. Not everyone is meant to be a blonde, just give me a glossy brunette and a blowout that doesn’t look like I just walked offstage at a pageant, please. No “beach waves”, no balayage, no bows. Just tousled sexy French girl hair. I was chided for using Olaplex shampoo (I had no idea about the multiple class actions) and have dutifully switched to David Mallett’s simpler formulas. I’m pretty sure I also took a photo of every floral arrangement in The Webster to knock off at home.
Just down the street was the Guest in Residence pop-up. My Mom’s a big knitter so Gigi Hadid’s whole artisanal schtick with this brand really tugs at my heartstrings. The cheerful spray of sunflowers for the taking was a lovely touch, too. (Pairs nicely with the Birkenstock Boston clog moment happening right now.)
Yes, the Miu Miu ballet flat is truly everywhere.
I sort of gave up on the fashion pursuits towards the end of the trip and just focused on seeing friends. My buddy Fred took me to Lucien for martinis and then bestie Daniel showed up the next day so we could go to Hunt Slonem’s studio. We had a ball chatting with the artist. Shout out to Bryan at DTR Modern for hooking us up with such a special experience. I also made some time to see the Barbara Kruger exhibit at MoMA.
Daniel and I spent more time in Soho after Hunt Slonem. We visited RW Guild for lunch, where I introduced myself to (legend!) Jean Godfrey-June who was having lunch with (legend!) Tata Harper. I also had a Nicoise salad to make anyone weep, it was so good. (I figured out they are using Ortiz anchovies and tuna in it. If you think anchovies are ick, I implore you to reconsider!)
Back to ATL!
It looks like I am hosting Thanksgiving this year, which made me glad I indulged my dish kink in New York — I came home with bowls from Dinosaur Designs and Rinka salad plates from RW Guild:
Souvenirs! Ormaie perfume / David Mallett salt spray / Hunt Slonem bunny / Khaite boots / RW Guild Rinka plate / Ginori ashtray / Frankie Shop shirt / Tata Harper lip and cheek pot / Barbara Kruger book / Dinosaur Designs bowl / The Row bag A few other things worth noting…
I am very, very into the Athena Calderone x Crate and Barrell collection that dropped this week! I got to meet her in New York and she is even chicer in person. Some people just float, you know?
In other collab news, also a big fan of the Wardrobe.NYC Hailey Bieber collab, especially that oversize coat and blazer.
It’s the Shopbop sale, and there’s some good stuff this round. This Marni dress (as seen on Kendall Jenner, who is killing New York street style right now). These dope clogs. This Little Liffner bag, which I own and use all the time as a neutral. This Good American shirt, which I also own — looks extremely expensive, but is not. And this very, very good skirt. Use code STYLE. Ends tomorrow!
