Photos and text by Walter Grio.
Unlike the previous fashion weeks in New York, this time, I had a few friends come along – Jennifer Harlow, Lais Lacher, Lisa Klein, Anastasia Lambrou, Jennifer Field, and Kristin Lyle. It was great to have someone to talk to while waiting in line for the shows, but more importantly, someone to hang out with afterwards.
For the first time since covering the shows at MBFW New York, I did other things outside of the shows. I went to an after party at a rooftop bar, had lunch with Debra Messing (she was there so that counts, right?), met a friend who lives in London and had lunch with her, brunch at the Mercer Kitchen in Soho, enjoyed a private tour of the American Ballet Theatre studios, and of course photographed the latest collections from some of the top designers around the world.
Of course this sounds pretty awesome, which it was, but I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn’t so sick!! I started to feel sick before I left for NY, and by Friday night, I had completely lost my voice. I couldn’t talk and when we were at dinner, I had to type on my phone to show what I was saying. I’m not sure what I had, but fortunately, I didn’t have a fever or anything else worse. What I did have was a runny nose, major unfashionable phlegm, and zero voice for two straight days. MJ had his flu game. This was mine.
Worse, I almost got in a throwdown with this photographer from Elle magazine. He was so arrogant and stood in front of me while standing on a box. This eliminated any chance of me getting any sort of shot. I told him he couldn’t do that. And all he said was “Oh yes, I can.” I was screaming but nothing was coming out. It was comedy.
In the end, I prevailed and he let me switch with him. These photographers think they’re so entitled. Let’s face it – it’s great to be shooting runway, but we’re not exactly shooting a cover for Vogue Italia. So don’t act all Mario Testino on me. On the other hand, I have met some nice and friendly folks in the pit (CNN and Getty Images photographers specifically).
Afterwards, all of us were so stoked and wanted to take Fashiontographer to another level – mainly so that we can get invited to more shows – and actually have seats, instead of standing. The more important PR reps think you are, the better your seats and position at the pit. I’m totally all for it so hopefully next time, the Fashiontographer name will mean something more to PR folks and designers. I’m pretty pleased considering that 7 people came with Fashiontographer. We even got invited to the Christian Siriano fashion show and we didn’t even request for a ticket. Not bad at all. Hopefully next time I won’t be so sick.
Shows I photographed this season, in order:
Nicole Miller
Charlotte Ronson
Ruffian
Lacoste
Jill Stuart
Mara Hoffman
Hervé Léger by Max Azria
Vantan Tokyo
Monique Lhuillier
Venexiana
Tracy Reese
Custo Barcelona
Diane Von Furstenberg
Falguni & Shane Peacock
Carolina Herrera
Carlos Miele
Reem Acra
Norisol Ferrari
Badgley Mischka
Vera Wang
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