These are the days of my life’ photographing Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Spring 2009.

An introduction is necessary to bring you up to speed on the madness of my decision to jump on an opportunity that only existed on my wish list up to two days prior to departure, All thanks to the decision of two dear friends who bought me a ticket and the domino effect of everyone else telling me; to go for it! And candidly saying: ‘you can stay with my really good friend of mine’… so Kiwi.  Even my kids said; Mum are you stupid! Why aren’t you packing already? I couldn’t think of any other reason except the depressing ‘I couldn’t afford to’ and in  this situation isn’t really a reason.   So, the assault was on to get my business, family, house, home stay students and wardrobe, most importantly in order over forty-eight hours, before take off.

It was in LA airport where I fully realise what I had taken on, and the cold reality that I may be over my head this time- as at this stage on arrival in NYC at 1am, I had absolutely no idea where I was going to stay, worst sernerio I could stay at my old haunt the Chelsea Hotel but for one night only then I was introuble cause I had another twelve days of New York City and fashion week with a budget of 50 dollars a day!

 I was considering these options as I walked passed a fly looking black woman and thought to myself how Fab her make up looked, we made eye contact as I thought to myself; Hmmm she must be somebody. 

As I boarded the plane for NYC I passed her in first class and made my way down the  plane looking for my seat 38B, I always squirm at the site of a full plane dreading the thought of who I was going to sit by for another six hour flight. In the very last seat at the back  I saw a spunky black boy and hoped I was sitting next to him, as luck had it… I was.

Long story short! ‘Terrelle’  is his name and he’s the makeup artist travelling with the  woman in first class Niecy Nash who is lead in Do Not Desturb, http://www.fox.com/programming/shows/new/donotdisturb.htm

We got on so well that we sorted the accommodation delemma, Im staying with his designer frind in New Jersey City who get this! happeneds to be one of my MY SPACE  friends LOL,  Terrell is also EVA’s first cousion from Americas Next top Model’!!! she phoned while we were in the air, and we spoke on the phone to each other for a bit (we have a LOT in common!)

So at the end of the day, all things turn out well if you keep the faith, and especially if your travelling on the right path.  Gotta give thanks.

Day One
 

Showed up to the tents on Monday to find out Fashion Week starts on Tuesday,  OOPS! Oh well, may as well wait in line to be registered for the week, ‘NYC so hot right now!’

Ok, here I am Day One, its all happening and the buzz is maxing as everyone is queuing and posing in their finery, bcbgmaxazria is my first show, big wouldn’t describe the audience and camera pit to match.  As the lights dimmed for the show to start the audience sparkled like stars in the sky with their LCD screens glowing from their cameras and phones, cool, cool, cool.

The frocks were floaty, soft silks draped from one piece of fabric, held together cleverly with a stitch, models mirroring one another’s look, thin, waif creatures navigating themselves round corners looking to topple at any time off their stilt-like heels.  Ana Wintour is in the house with her signature look and like clockwork she wins gold for the sprint out the door. 

NICOLE MILLER

Colour is back and to prove this Nicole Miller used a mosaic pallette of muted brights, beautifully draped, with clean line elegance.

 Perry Ellis

Pastel shades this spring for men, worn by beautiful all-American boys, I can see it now, but only in Ponsonby!