For the fashion insider, or for anyone reading this, it’s a lesser-known fact that the “Fashion Week” New Yorkers just love to call their own is really a month-long hoopla. After Lincoln Center’s parade dies down, and with it the groupies who throng outside, the billion-dollar industry’s elite travel to London, Milan and conclude in Paris. For those of us not lucky enough to attend, media coverage conveys the endless parties, designer show after show, and most importantly, fashion! And for this year’s fall 2015 collections, there was quite a lot to see.
There’s more to each show than initially meets the eye. Each model, specifically selected for the show, has a painstakingly chosen hair, beauty and nail look, not to mention the jewelry and accessories (did you see those piercings at Givenchy?!). Her (or his) perfectly effortless look comes from fittings and alterations, sometimes at the very last minute, and her choreographed walk is practiced at a run-through. Publicists and PR people, cameramen and crew, not to mention stylists and hair and makeup artists (and there are many) add to the frenzy backstage before she makes her way out into the spotlight. Pay attention to those fantastical surroundings – a set designer was probably involved, transforming the space with transient creations, and that music didn’t happen by itself.
And the seats? Guests are carefully placed, often divided by rows that delineate who have made it, and goodies often await on those assigned benches or chairs. Many of them will dress the part, whether it’s rightfully there’s to claim or not, for a sea of photographers stationed outside. You may spot a star of the more recent “streetstyle” craze – extra points for Caroline Issa, Elisa Nalin, Natasha Goldenberg and Natalie Joos, double points for a Vogue editor, triple if it’s queen of the trend Anna Della Russo (even more if she’s actually wearing a crown) – where what you wear outside matters as much as what’s being worn inside the security-adorned entrance.
And then, the show begins.
These formerly closed-door affairs no longer need be invite-only. Some of the biggest maisons allow a live feed to stream online of their collections. Editors, buyers, stylists, bloggers, fashion news sites and even critics all grant us access through their (usually) public accounts to feel as if we are there. You can spot a bobbed Anna Wintour from behind if you know what to look for, or the coif of a newly platinum Kim Kardashian West if you don’t. Reviews of the shows are instantaneous and if you truly can’t wait, there’s someone ‘gramming or Tweeting the show at that very moment.
From the comfort of your dorm room bed, you’re virtually in the front row, and in the most literal sense. Video loops let you see the fluidity of those bohemian dresses at Chloe or watch whip-thin Kendall Jenner stride toward you as she makes her way down the runway. You can even see that wonderful gesture to mothers at Dolce & Gabbana.
And that’s certainly not all. Images of Jeremy Scott’s cartooned and graffitied models at Moschino, the Proenza Schouler show (were those clothes not a work of art?), fabulous and fun shoes at Sophia Webster and that football field at Tommy Hilfiger are all there for you – all you need is WiFi. Stars galore at Tom Ford, those shoes at Gucci (!), a foam runway at Mary Katrantzou, that Burberry fringe and the tailoring at Stella McCartney – you get it all and without the inconvenience of transcontinental travel (or the packing).
We, at The Observer, put together a list of some of the best accounts to follow for insider access into Fashion Month, or to check out the industry action. The pout of a Valentino-clad Ben Stiller declaring Zoolander 2 reality, or excitement at a Cara Delevingne sighting at Chanel may fade, but never mind that. With a scroll of your finger, you get to relive the whole experience again. Until September, that is, when we’ll do it all again.
For Front Row:
Nina Garcia, Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire, @ninagarcia
Miroslava Duma, Streetstyle darling and Buro247 founder, @miraduma
Margaret Zhang, “Shine By Three”, @margaret_zhang
Nausheen Shah, Stylist, @nausheenshah
For Gorgeous Clothes:
Matches Fashion, @matchesfashion
Net-a-Porter, @netaporter
Style.com, @styledotcom
For Celebrity Sightings:
Derek Blasberg, Author and Editor at Large of Harper’s BAZAAR, @derekblasberg
Kim Kardashian West (Need we say more?), @kimkardashian
Amy Astley, Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, @amytastley
For Hair and Makeup:
Sam McKnight, Hair Stylist, @sammcknight1
Pat McGrath, Makeup Artist, @patmcgrathreal
For Brands Themselves:
Maison Valentino, @maisonvalentino
Tibi, @tibi
Zac Posen, @zac_posen
Erika Bearman, Oscar de la Renta, @oscarprgirl
For Behind-the-Scenes Access:
Women’s Wear Daily, @wwd
Vogue Magazine, @voguemagazine
Glamour Magazine, @glamourmag
Kate Foley, Stylist, @real_kate_foley
For Style Outside the Shows:
Adam Katz Sinding, Photographer of Le21eme.com, @le21eme
New York Times Fashion, @nytimesfashion
“Style Du Monde”, @styledumonde
For Best Blogger:
Camille Charriere, “Camille Over the Rainbow”, @camtyox
Chiara Ferragni, “The Blonde Salad”, @chiaraferragni
Danielle Bernstein, “We Wore What”, @weworewhat
Rumi Neely, “Fashion Toast”, @rumineely
For Industry Access:
Harper’s BAZAAR, @harpersbazaarus
W Magazine, @wmag
Tina Craig, “Bag Snob”, @bagsnob
“The Coveteur”, @thecoveteur
For Models:
Karlie Kloss, @karliekloss
Gigi Hadid, @gigihadid
Cara Delevingne, @caradelevingne
Jourdan Dunn, @officialjdunn
Kendall Jenner @kendalljenner
For Fun with Fashion:
“Man Repeller”, @manrepeller
“The Cut”, @thecut
“Refinery 29”, @refinery29
If this isn’t enough to even out your “followers” and “following,” believe me, there are plenty more out there. And when people ask how you’re so up to date? Well, who knows? Maybe you were there.