One of the maannnyy perks of being a PR girl is the multitude of fashion and beauty blogs you are exposed to while “keeping up with the news.” I can absolutely say that my career has influenced my sense of style, and not just because the job requires a more professional wardrobe. Being exposed to so many stylish blogs, magazines, television and tumblr sites over years have served heaps of inspiration to my closet, and the fashionable epiphanies just keep on coming. Below I’ve listed my bread & butter of fashion sites that I visit as soon as I learn of an upcoming event, party or date.
Stylelist has undergone several makeovers over the years. The site reminded me how fabulous it was with a recent slideshow from J.Crew’s Jenna Lyon’s office. Swoon.
A great resource for outfit inspiration, especially when coming down with a case of the New York all-black-wardrobe syndrome. These outfits stay sharp while showing personality.
This week we had a little taste of fall with a chilly breeze and grey skies in New York. It got me thinking of all the fabulous things about fall I’m looking forward to – apple cider, new snappy boots, pumpkin-flavored everything, cozy sweaters, getting out of the chilly rain and into a welcoming place. However, we’re also in that fun period of time where it isn’t quite fall, but definitely not summer. The long flowing or puffy coats that will come out in November are still safely stowed in dry-cleaned heaven.
Fashion this fall is full of my favorites – vintage inspired pieces and sharp, tailored, color-blocked classics. Below are a few of my favorite fall coats that are completely appropriate for the testy weather.
PR girls of all ages and in all places love their handbags. We are sure you know The Sak Brand from their amazing family of handbags – they’re one of the largest handbag companies in the world. We recently got in touch with Andrea Coppola, one of The Sak Brand’s very lucky and very sweet PR girls, to give us an inside look on working for the brand and her thoughts on PR. And – sweet bonus – The Sak Brand is looking for fall interns! Check out our interview with Andrea below to learn more.
Describe working with The Sak Brand Group… what makes it unique to other PR firms in the city?
Working with The Sak Brand Group has been like finding a needle in a haystack. The company, product and people are amazing and it has been a fantastic learning experience. Because the company has a flat structure, there is no hierarchy and it is a very collaborative environment which allows for lots of creativity with little red tape. Also, because we are not an agency and are based in house we get a sneak peek at the entire process from design to when it hits the shelves. And with 4 completely different brands (the sak, sakroots, Elliott Lucca and Lina) you get that same variety as if you were at an agency.
How did you get your start in public relations?
I always knew I wanted to be in fashion, just not sure what I would be doing. I started as a receptionist at a Corporate Fashion Office in 2005 for a retailer and within 4 months had a trial for the PR Assistant position and I loved it. The rest is history.
What do you love about having a PR career in New York City?
It’s the place for fashion. All of the top magazines and companies are at your fingertips. Your resources are endless.
What is one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in the past year with The Sak Brand Group?
You should always be in a position where you are continuously learning. And also that it is great to network with others in the field to bounce ideas off of.
What do you look for in an up-and-coming public relations professional?
Someone who has passion, thinks outside the box and just gets it. I think a lot of people really have no clue what the public relation field is.
We understand you’re hiring interns! What can they expect from an internship with The Sak Brand?
Because The Sak Brand Group is a small company, the intern will have a very hands-on experience and be assisting with everything from sample pulls to lookbook shoots to social networking to press previews. Also, because we are not an agency and are an in-house team, you get to see the full process; starting with a handbag drawing on a piece of paper to when it hits the shelves!
Any last words of wisdom you can share?
Get as much experience as you can and always love what you do because it will make your days that much more satisfying
Want more information on an internship with The Sak Brand? Tweet us at @nycPRgirls or email Andrea directly at acoppola@thesakbrandgroup.com
This past Monday, I journeyed down to SoHo to check out the TollaCole Spring/Summer 2012 collection during New York Fashion Week. The display was held at the Waterhouse & Dodd gallery with models in colorful gowns aligned next to works of art. Check out some of the gowns below. One standout detail – feathers of course!
Have you attended any New York Fashion Week shows?
The much-anticipated collaboration between Italian designer Missoni and Target launched yesterday. The response online and in stores was sheer madness. The Target website crashed throughout the day and stores were sold out of the coveted Missoni merchandise within hours. Therefore, view the below items with caution. Initially, Target had planned to stock store shelves through October 22. That is if our favorite Missoni pieces are still available! Odds are, our favorite signature Missoni zigzag patterned items may already be sold out.
The diverse collection features everything from housewares, clothing, accessories and even the most stylish bicycle you have ever laid your eyes on. Too bad this is probably as close as we’ll be getting to our favorite pieces. Sigh.
You can view the entire collection online at Target, if it is back up and running. If not, check out the full Missoni Lookbook via Fashionista.
Did you already score a few of your own favorite Missoni items? If so, was it madness in the stores or did you luck out online? image via Fashionista
Though Fashion Week can be the highlight of the fall season, even PR girls can get a little carried away and swiftly burnt out after a day (or three) full of shows. Luckily, there are gaggles of fashionable ladies to follow on Twitter and Facebook who will keep us up to speed with the events of the week. Whether you’re taking a breather at PJ Clarke’s around the corner or hope to enjoy the shows from afar, here is our list of must-watch NYFW attendees.
@byemily: We almost giggle with happiness when this California native makes her pilgrimage to New York for the Lincoln Center tents. Love Emily’s blog? You’ll love following her cameos through the shows
@theglamourai: Another one of our daily read’s, Kelly was named one of 50 Most Stylish New Yorkers people last year. Love following her daily schedule and tuning in to see what she’ll wear
@dkny: One of our favorite PR girls will be providing a quirky insider look into the shows this week
@nytimesstyle: An active news reel for fashionistas. Up to the minute information and photos during the shows, after-parties and prep events
@cutblog: New York Magazine’s Fashion Section twitter handle. Follow the editors as they trek through all the shows, and highlight celebrity appearances
By now you know exactly which Fashion’s Night Out event, or two, you will be participating in tonight to kick off Fashion Week. This will be my fourth Fashion Week in NYC and every year I feel the need to top the number of shows and events I attend each season. Usually at the top of my list is attending a show. Whether you are sitting in the first row watching a designer’s debut collection or standing in the back of a crowd, on your tippy toes, straining to see an iconic designer’s umpteenth collection; there is no other feeling like the adrenaline rush of attending a fashion show. Don’t get me wrong, experiencing Fashion’s Night Out and even finding any excuse to linger around Lincoln Center during Fashion Week is exhilarating on its own. However, nothing beats the thrill of attending a fashion show in person. So don’t let that pesky little detail of not having a press pass, six-foot frame, or celebrity status stop you from experiencing Fashion Week for yourself. Here are a few ways you can score a seat at Fashion Week this season:
Is this seat taken?
Volunteer – A and I took advantage of an impromptu meet up held by Kelly Cutrone in Washington Square Park last year and scored free seats to a show. And to think, all we had to do was sit in the park and eat pizza with a PR icon. That show lead to others, including assisting in the prep and production of a fashion show where I decided to fully immerse myself in the Fashion Week experience and volunteered to help dress models back stage. Let me tell you, putting on a stellar show is no small feat. There are numerous people who are involved from the most minimal task of checking names at the door to helping models step into their heels. Contact the PR teams directly or other event volunteer organizations who staff shows for the opportunity to volunteer. Not only will you get to experience Fashion Week behind the scenes, this experience can be listed on your resume and can set you apart when trying to break into the fashion industry.
Buy Tickets – Attending Fashion’s Night Out The Show last year was one of the most amazing experiences of my New York life to date. Standing within inches of Blake Lively, Anna Wintour, Michael Kors and Vera Wang knocked me out of my stilettos. Not to mention watching Gisele saunter down the cat walk in front of Lincoln Center. I was in awe, absolute and utter awe. I was heartbroken to hear that this year The Show would not go on for a second year, but American Express is providing access to their cardholders who can purchase tickets to select shows.
American Express card holders can purchase tickets to a number of Fashion Week experiences, including a DKNY Cardmember-Only Fashion Show on Thursday, September 15. Before the models hit the runway, Donna Karan will offer the audience exclusive insight into her inspiration and design approach for the collection.
Sneak In – Now, I do not condone this tactic. I have never opted to sneak into a fashion show or any other event for that matter, largely due to the fact that I have a difficult time keeping a straight face and I am honest to a fault. However, I have heard first hand of many a Fashion Week sneak success story. Even one that landed said sneaker seats away from Rachel Zoe! I have to admit, I wish I had the cojones to pull this off. If you decided to take your chances and try to sneak into a show, do so with the out most confidence, like the PR betch you are.
Live Stream – If all else fails, you can always experience Fashion Week via live streaming. Some might even argue that virtually attending a fashion show could be better than the real thing. You are able to more closely critic the styles strutting down the runaway opposed to standing in a crowded event space. Also, you gain access to shows like Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez and Carolina Herrera. More than thirty shows will be live streaming this season. You can find some of these shows onFirst Comes Fashionand the YouTube channel, Live from the Runway.
What shows will you be attending this week and how did you score your seat?
Fashion’s Night Out is only one night away and if you’re like us, you can’t wait to celebrate a night full of socializing and of course, shopping. Last FNO, MA and I had an amazing time meeting the cast of Project Runway and Rachel Zoe and her team at the Piperlime pop-up store. This year, the amount of choices are so overwhelming that we’re all still trying to figure out where to go! Below are just a few of the events happening tomorrow night.
Scoop NYC 861 Washington St
6:00 p.m.
Zac Posen hosts the block party with tunes by DJ Jus Ske and an appearance from the Man Repeller. Shop early and receive a custom Scoop NYC Birchbox with any purchase of $150 or more.
Miu Miu 11 E 57th St
6:00 p.m.
Bring your inner muse to Miu Miu with bloggers Sea of Shoes’ Jane Aldridge and Tavi Gevinson. The attendees of the night will be photographed during the evening, and the one with the most inspiring costume will be rewarded with a surprise. Plus, Miu Miu is selling adorable accessories exclusive for Fashion’s Night Out.
Bloomingdales 1000 Third Avenue
6:00 p.m.
Stylist Rachel Zoe and supermodel Erin Wasson will be at the store celebrating the launch of their collections with appearances by Alexander Wang and Richard Chai. At the Clinique counter, you can get one-on-one fashion advice from Milly designer Michelle Smith and a fresh new makeup look.
Bergdorf Goodman 745 Fifth Avenue
5:30 p.m.
Through 6:30 p.m., meet Oscar de la Renta for Le Metier de Beaute as he signs his limited-edition “Face of Fashion” fall kaleidoscope palette by Le Metier de Beaute. From 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., watch third floor designers and their canine companions hit the catwalk with host James Aguiar and guest judges Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa, Santiago Gonzalez, Naeem Khan, Monique Lhuillier and The BagSnob’s Tina Craig. Then from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., meet Jason Wu as he signs his limited-edition FNO doll, exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman.
Teen Vogue Block Party Bleecker Street at West 11th Street
6:00 p.m.
Essie is offering free manicures to all attendees at the annual block party with Essie’s celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein, who helped create nail art for the occasion and Teen Vogue beauty editor Eva Chen. Plus, catch a performance by Sky Ferreira.
PR girl tip: Pick one or two stores located near each other and stick with it! The city becomes complete chaos and moving from store to store will have you standing in lines a majority of the night.
I’ve always secretly wanted to be ambushed on What Not To Wear. Not that I am in need of a makeover by their standards, but sometimes you just want an entirely fresh new look. I have found myself in this mindset lately, in need of a new look. However, I love my style, just need a revamp. I realized, there area a few simple measures you can take to change your whole look and appearance without having to stage a reality show intervention. Here are a few small tips to give yourself a mini makeover this weekend.
There is nothing geeky about Anne Hathaway’s chic look
Pretty posture – This is one of the easiest ways to give yourself a whole new look and confidence. Whether you are strutting your stuff down the streets of Manhattan or pounding the keyboard at your desk. Make a conscious effort to sit up straight and keep your shoulders back. Having perfectly polished posture will make you appear taller, more confident and posed.
New do – We are creatures of habit, I rarely switch up my hairstyle (straight, down, boring!) during the week, unless it is for an event. You don’t need a special occasion to show your tresses some love. If you are really daring, consider going for a completely new cut or color. If you aren’t willing to get a new cut or dye your locks, simply try a new style. Consider braids, buns or a new twist on the modern ponytail.These styles are all relatively simple and can play up your facial features. Determine your face shape and find a style that best suites you.
Bold frames – Geeky frames are (still) so hot right now! When Anne Hathaway wore oversized dark rimmed glasses paired with a gorgeous Gucci gown, I knew geek-chic was here to stay. I especially love this look for fall. Be daring and try a bold frame in lieu of contacts or just for fun.
Make up Makeover – Typically stick to the same color scheme when it comes to your lids? Mix it up! Your eye shadow palate is in need of a make over if you have been using the same rotation of shades for the last few months. Though my hair is slacking ,this is a department I like to keep fresh. There are so many luscious, bold and vibrant pigments out there! Not sure where to start, I’d suggest visiting Sephora or Mac as their beauty specialists are always helpful regardless of your eyeshadow expertise.
What are some other ways you can revamp your look this weekend?
Though we’re a few years past joining the pilgrimage back to school, it doesn’t mean that we don’t like to celebrate the return of fall with some freshly sharpened pencils and a fresh look at our wardrobe. Since summer is my favorite season, the only way I can cure my blues when it goes away is wandering through the new collections for the cold months ahead. I’m loving the preppy, British-inspired looks this fall with a twist of the bohemian and mod.
Below are some of my favorite picks to get you in the co-ed state of mind.
