Warming Up for NYFW

Melissa and I are so excited to be reunited for the first time since she moved from NYC to France in March. NYFW is the moment we look forward to all year, and this season is no different. I always come back from working backstage feeling like I can change the world, wanting to wear things I haven’t touched in ages and seeing everything with a fresh perspective. My heart beats faster just writing this.

Let me take you back to how I ended up at my very first backstage. Back when I was taking sewing and pattern design classes, my course was in the same building as the college-level fashion design program. Even though I wasn’t in college yet, I became friends with many of the students. One day they had a field trip to Rio Fashion Week, called Fashion Rio, and I somehow found my way to join them to watch an independent show.

When we arrived, I freaked out. I was so happy I could cry. I was pinching myself the whole time, in complete ecstasy just to be there. Walking through the space, I spotted a familiar face: a senior student named Ramon. He was wearing a shirt that said production. I asked, “You work here? What a dream, how did that happen?” He tossed a shirt at me and said, “Someone just dropped out, do you want to work with us?”

I didn’t even blink before saying yes. I lived hours away and didn’t have a license yet, but I knew I would find a way to make it work. That night when I got home, I woke my mom up to tell her what happened. I remember it so clearly. She called one of her best friends to ask if I could stay with them that week so I wouldn’t have to commute. Then she broke her piggy bank and gave me cash to support me in following my dream.

My mom is a humble woman who never came from money, but she has always believed in me and always did everything she could to help me chase my dreams. I wish I had more photos from that week, it was over a decade ago, before smartphones, and photos backstage were not allowed. I was so cautious not to ruin such an amazing opportunity.

That week was the spark that never went out in my heart. And today, here I am, getting ready to work at NYFW, still pinching myself. Thank you, Mom.

What would you love for us to share from NYFW? Brechós, street style, special finds from the city? Let us know in the comments. For this nugget there is no catalog, just story and inspiration.