New York Fashion Week: Expectation vs. Reality

This past weekend, through Marist College, I went to Son Jung Wan’s fashion show at New York Fashion Week. Fall New York Fashion week is one week dedicated to notable designers who wish to show their spring lines. Designers, bloggers, retailers, and fashion icons all around the world come to New York for the special week. NYFW is specifically known for the glamour and wealth that surrounds it. When many think of NYFW shows, they think of long lines, a limitless number of photographer, supermodels everywhere you look, and lavish after-parties. However, my experience at New York Fashion Week was not at all what I expected it to be.

Expectation: Everyone at the event will look beautiful.

Reality: Almost everyone was beautiful. There were a few guests who clearly did not know how to dress or groom themselves, but they were overlooked because the majority of the crowd was beautiful. While waiting for the show to start, I realized that everyone surrounding me was flawless; not a hair was out of place, their nail color matched their outfit, and their outfit had clearly been hand picked specifically for this event. It was crazy. The guests could have been mistaken for models.

Expectation: Paparazzi.

Reality: None. Instead, the photographers working the reception carried polaroids. Being the teenage girl that I am, I cherished each polaroid and was more than happy to take them from the photographers. However, as expected, the photographers lined the end of the runway, snapping photo after photo of each look during the show.

Expectation: “I’m going to be here for a while”.

Reality: The fashion show was roughly thirty minutes. When I took my seat, I purposely made sure I was comfortable because I really felt that I was going to be in the venue for a decent amount of time. However, the show began right away and ended soon after. The time was not due to a lack of clothing to be shown, it was more due to the fast pace nature of the show itself.

Expectation: Celebrity models.

Reality: There were no celebrity models to be found. Well known models have just recently been seen as celebrities. Models known for walking in the majority of NYFW shows like Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne, and Gigi Hadid did not attend. Many think that models like these attend all NYFW shows; that is not the case. Celebrity models only walk for popular designers who have become a part of large fashion houses built on consumerism and the need for a designer outfit.
At the end of the day, Son Jung Wan’s show was an amazing and great experience. Having the privilege to attend a true New York Fashion Week show for the first time was also a great learning experience. The reality of NYFW is that not all designers have the wealth and popularity to be able to create lavish shows. Instead, these designers let their creations, the true purpose of the show, be the show’s focal point.