Wearing: 3x1Denim jacket| Staud bag| UO shirt (similar) | H&M hairpin

A super low-key NYFW Saturday, Rebecca Minkoff deputed her SS20 collection at Chelsea Pier 59, followed by an afterparty celebrating Concept Korea’s 10th anniversary. Which meant I got to chill and hangout in New York City instead of running to show after show. My cousins were kind enough to help me with a photoshoot for an idea I’ve been having called “OOTD x 3”, which I’ll post soon. I’m basically just recapping all the Instagram Stories I posted (lol) I do post a lot of them!

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Rebecca Minkoff

Pregnant and Pumping: Mommy & Me

What started as my handbag obsession has become a literal journey into my womanhood through Rebecca Minkoff’s latest presentation. Saturday’s presentation was the most inspiring, relatable “girl power” one I’ve ever seen. Many brands have been making small movements in their shows, I remember pregnant Slick Woods modeling at the Fenty show. This was different, this felt like a complete showcase of womanhood, from working mothers to pregnant mothers, it was fun yet empowering.

Rebecca Minkoff Fall-Winter 2020

“Becoming a mother was one of the most transformational and important things that has happened to me. This is why in honor of our fifteen-year anniversary, we are launching a collection that celebrates the joy and life that children are.”

Rebecca Minkoff Fall-Winter 2020

"Rebirth" — the theme for Rebecca Minkoff’s SS20 collection as well as the debut for her new sustainable children’s line. Aptly named collection, not only for the rebirth of 70s style colors, sleeves, and prints, but also the rebirth of womanhood. What made the collection spectacular were the models themselves as they represented every woman. Every part, every stage, every journey of a woman — models were pumping, pregnant, breastfeeding, ready to head to work, or stroll through the park. The presentation set the stage, literally, for a picnic in the park, complete with strollers and benches. It told a story. Leave it to Rebecca Minkoff to use her own experience and journey to stay ahead of the game and empower us all.

The collection is the perfect summer ready-to-wear outfits. I could easily see myself dressing up for work on Monday or casual day out on Saturday. The floral prints and puffed sleeves mixed with accents of pink, yellow and blue, models on swings and kids eating ice cream, made it feel like summer already (despite the cold NY Saturday it was). Minkoff seamlessly incorporated breast bumps, pregnant and breastfeeding models meant to 'showcase all the parts of a woman, from working to having a family.'

On top of all that, Minkoff also incorporated a sustainable approach to her latest children's collection. For the children’s collection, the brand is using block-chain technology by way of a partnership with Resonance, which creates software for fashion brands. Basically, they plan to use the technology to work based on order trends, to increase or decrease based on consumer demand — meaning less water and waste (hopefully).

Wearing: Cedric Charlier dress| H&M jacket (similar) | F21 shoes

Today marks Day 1 of NYFW for me, although it officially started two days ago (I had work), I was happy to begin with the Blancore show. It marked the first time I had ever been assigned a front row seat (!!!) a major moment for me, exactly one year since my first time attending NYFW. It’s crazy to look back at the journey. A year ago I never thought I would be attending shows, much less being given an actual seat — but honestly, I know I’ve been putting an immense effort to get to this point. I may not have 100k followers on Instagram, but I write articles on the experiences anyway. I hope if you’re reading this I’m able to transport you through the experience of New York Fashion Week 2020.

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Blancore

The Elf from Lost Land

The “Lost Elf” collection was created to abstractly represent the waste humans leave behind by creating live versions of the toys we used when we were young.

Blancore Fall-Winter 2020

“True to their modern and effortless aesthetic. The block colors, silky dresses, and draping fabrics showcased a dynamic collection.”

Blancore Fall-Winter 2020

 New York-based brand Blancore who showcased their new Autumn/Winter collection at Spring Studios on Friday (February 7).

The “Lost Elf” collection was created to abstractly represent the waste humans leave behind by creating live versions of the toys we used when we were young, and I was widely impressed with the designer’s choice to use the show as a platform to raise awareness on sustainability. The models were all made to be life-like dolls dressed in pastels, accessorized with elf-like hats and pointy shoes. The shapes and structure of the collection were extremely innovative. Unique jackets were laid over long skirts reminiscing further on  the “Lost Elf” theme.

This collection was born out of a desire to raise public awareness about sustainability and the importance of growing this practice. “Lost Elf” is an abstraction created to represent the waste humans leave behind, by reminding us of the forgotten toys of our childhood. Through imitating the toys so easily discarded in our youth, BLANCORE reflects the environmental issues the world is currently facing such as air pollution, deforestation, and glacier melting.

“Lost Elf” opened on theme with a male model dressed in a pastel pink and blue ensemble, accessorized with an elf like pointy hat and pointy shoes. These whimsical elements are carried throughout the show to create a collection that truly felt like it was filled with real life toys.

BLANCORE closed the show with all of the models returning to the runway to form two lines and face the audience members. A blue light filled the room as the models closed their eyes and a brief song was played that featured a child singing about elves. This moment brought the show full circle and really set it apart from the usual fashion week presentations.

Pamella Roland

Into the Palace of Versailles

Pamella Roland Fall-Winter 2020

“Tiffany glass and intricate stained-glass windows are the inspiration for this season’s collection, blending shades of bold and muted colors.”

Pamella Roland Fall-Winter 2020

This season, Pamella Roland based her fall 2020 collection around the Palace of Versailles. Many of her dresses have followed the same formula for several seasons now: shiny, glittery, body-con, red carpet–ready, and with all the makings of a gown that will catch the light of the camera. But Versailles felt like a good fit and added a bit more lavish pizzazz to Roland’s dresses. A disclaimer: This writer has never been to Versailles, or France for that matter, but I could somewhat gauge the over-the-top excess of the historic site through the designer’s signature megawatt pieces.

A shoulderless dress with bishop sleeves that was slathered in sequins–literally blinding–was a hot hit. The same sentiment went for a strapless tube dress that was reminiscent of crushed pink glass. These simpler pieces hit home more than the boisterous looks, like the emerald green frock with a huge train streaming behind it.

The item that stood out the most wasn’t spangly or glittering at all. Instead, it was a tapestry coat that appeared as if florals had been blotted onto it. The sleeves sprouted different-colored ostrich feathers. Did it evoke Versailles? I have no idea, but it was exquisite.

Wearing: Choosy pants | Urban Outfitters jacket (similar) | Adidas shoes (similar)

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Quite the Start (2020)

Anyone else feel like its day 74 of January 2020… so much has happened in the span of 3 weeks, I forget 2020 just started. For those feeling underwater, you’re not alone. I’ve seen an increase in online support, people actually speaking out how they’re feeling. From the fires in Australia, the clear climate crisis, Trump attacking Iran with impeachment yet to happen, the Royal family changing course, Puerto Rico earthquakes, airplanes crashing, Paris on strike, Kobe and Gigi are now gone — like I said, there is a lot happening these days. It’s hard to catch a breath, plus our daily commutes in traffic, there’s too much plastic, too many unanswered emails, too many social media notifications. You are not alone! It’s a lot to take in, I know — even as I write this, I stress. We’re all in it together, life is still beautiful. I’ve dealt with a lot of ups and downs this month. Took me 2 weeks after NYE to bounce back into work, which was great for a week, up until the Kobe news — now I feel like we’re all feeling a little down. It’s hard, but we’ll bounce back. Life is short, that’s not new information, but it’s also the longest thing we’ll ever experience. Enjoy it.

“Love lasts forever no matter what happens. To help people with Alzheimer regain their memory, an exhibitor has created an interactive journey based on the Wrinkles movie ”

— Love me Hug me

What would you say to me, if I lost my memory and can not recognize you?

I had the pleasure of being invited to experience Love Me, Hug Me — a pop-up art installation in New York City. The exhibition themes as a love story of a couple whose love memory is gradually stolen by Alzheimer’s disease, and it is aimed to appeal to everyone to cherish the present and seize the memorial moment.

Will love ever be forgotten? 

Through the 7 room experience, you walk through the journey of the characters. It tells the story of Modesto and Lolis. Starting with a short love film at the start of the exhibit — you walk through Momento Terminal, Twisted Playground, Pink Station to the Secret Galaxy, eventually to find peave in Fading Zone and finally Love Crossroad. The founder, Elaine Hong, was inspired by her grandparents’ love story and the movie ‘Wrinkles’ to create this pop-up exhibition. As she grows up, Elaine wondered why her grandmother kept telling grandfather stories and walking him down the road they had been. 

Stage Seven: Love Crossroad

Stage Five: Secret Galaxy

The pop-up is what you’d call, Instagrammable, as most of us enjoy taking beautiful pictures (like Museum of Ice Cream - style), but this exhibit is so much more than photos. If you actually follow the love story, if you let yourself feel it, if you think of your loved ones — this place touches your heart. What makes me, me? It’s my memories. As someone still dealing with the loss of a parent… the biggest way I keep my mother alive, is through the memories of her. To keep memory from slipping away is a way to keep those we love with us. Needless to say, I had to wipe away tears by the 7th room.

Momento Terminal (Room 2): aka the butterfly room, represents pieces of faded memories. The sweet memories. Of a happy life, turned to butterflies.

Secret Galaxy (Room 5): a quiet space where all you see is the light within the darkness. A place for soul-mates.

Fading Zone (Room 6): to go from the serene galaxy to here, you felt the confusion. Unable to recognize a face, but be surrounded by so many, you’d feel lost.

“I think pop-up is a trendy art style and easy to understand for Millennials. I hope Love Me Hug Me would appeal to the young generation to pay more attention to Alzheimer’s group. Grasp the moment of love before memory fades away, we need to keep that in mind. ”

— Elaine

Live life with intention — understand how precious our time and moments are. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, but Alzheimer’s disease takes away piece by piece. I can’t imagine the fear. So keep those struggling with it close to you, keep your loved ones in your heart and life. If this exhibit has taught me anything, it’s that feelings are more powerful than words. and there is nothing quite like the reassurance that someone is loved and safe with you.

Which ends with Love Crossroad (Room 7): although Alzheimer’s conditions worsen, being surrounded by loved ones can help ease the fear. We can help our friends and family find meaning in life, renewed, everyday — through love.

Photos by Luis Cardona

Love Me Hug Me is proud to announce a new pop up exhibition, officially collaborated with CaringKind, a New York’s leading expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving. With interactive capabilities, Love Me Hug Me lets participants experience a touching immersive love story. It tells the story of the reoccurrence of a couple whose love memory is gradually stolen by Alzheimer’s disease.

The event debuted in New York City on December 1st at 139 Wooster St, New York, NY 10012. 

10% of ticket sales will go to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to provide support to these individuals and families.