NYFW SS15: Day 7

I wore: Ralph Lauren with Wildfox sunglasses
Image by Lord Ashbury

So at last we have come to my final diary from NYFW SS15! I have to tell you, I was so so sad to leave. I’m a London girl, it’s my home, where my family and best friends are but I am utterly determined to live at least for a few years in New York. There really is just something about the city that makes me feel so energised and positive, a sentence that as a Brit I find physically painful to utter, but it’s true. I first visit the big apple en famille aged about 11 and was instantly obsessed. Those feelings have only grown stronger since then, especially given how much fun it is during fashion week. But enough random ramblings from me, let’s talk about the shows. And what an exciting show I kicked the day off with, none other than Ralph Lauren.

Ralph Lauren SS15

As you probably gathered from this week’s exciting announcement, I’ve been working with Ralph Lauren as their key ambassador for the launch of their POLO Women’s line at Vogue’s Fashion Night Out in London. Much like New York itself, Ralph Lauren is a brand that’s long been dear to my heart. From the polo shirts I begged and pleaded with my parents to buy for me to the catwalk creations I ogle today, the company is a story of masterfully creating a lifestyle brand that people all over the world want to identify with and one which I respect, admire and whose products I covet enormously. It’s a thrill to be working with them and it sure as hell was a thrill to see the show. Totally worth getting two hours sleep on the red eye and going straight into back to back shoots and LFW in order to stay and see!

Ralph Lauren SS15

Ralph Lauren holds not one, not two but THREE shows, such is the demand for tickets. This means that despite being one of the biggest names on the calendar, there’s an intimate feel to proceedings. Held inside a river adjacent studio that had been decked out in magnificent chandeliers for the occasion, the scene was set for something special and something special it certainly was. As the man who first came up with the notion of elevating American sportswear, an aesthetic now seen pretty much everywhere with varying degrees of success, no one but Ralph could have pulled off the fusion of opulent silks, glittering jewels and ankle grazing khakis that glided down the catwalk. It was a perfect execution of haute meets earthy; olive green jodhpurs and neat safari tailoring paired with sky high heels, exotic skin accessories, the most regal silk and chiffon swathes and gobstopper gems a’ plenty. When metallic organza came applied to skirt suiting and even a parka, it’s shimmering wondrousness took my breath away. And it wasn’t all fatigue greens of course, RL has a knack for colour popping. Those khakis moved through ice brights and leather panelled noir by way of tantalising tangerines to a neon brights, full skirted red carpet finale. It was moneyed but elegant, fashion fantasy grounded in an element of the everyday. In other worlds, it was Ralph Lauren doing the thing that has made him one of the most influential men in the industry and beyond.. and boy, did he do it beautifully.

With the kind of spring in my step and song in my heart that only such a wonderful show can generate, it was onwards and uptown to Lincoln Centre for J.Mendel. I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t really know much about the brand and had some sort of idea that it was all expensive furs and the kind of gowns Upper East Side women of a certain age wear to charity galas; expensive, luxe and dare I say it a little fusty. Oh how wrong I was. What I saw on the catwalk was no doubt massively expensive and indeed very luxurious but fusty it most certainly was not.

J.Mendel SS15

Bold, arresting hues, strong grid like patterns – I later learned, produced in collaboration with Mendel’s long term friend, the artists Enoc Perez – thigh skimming hemlines and slick, contemporary cuts. Oil slick leathers in black and fire red had just the right amount of bad girl about them while abstractly embellished party dresses just begged to be taking dancing until dawn. Even the gala worthy gowns came sliced and reconstructed, splashed in abstract patterns and deliciously offish hues or with thigh slits up to there. Overall though, it was definitely the majestic multicoloured furs that stole my heart.

And so my friends, that’s NYFW SS15 over and out! I really hope you’ve enjoyed these posts. London’s coming your way soon…

Love Ella. X