My trip to New York Fashion Week and the US Open: 2024

New York Fashion Week was easily the most unlikely thing to pop up on my calendar, but when stars aligned and I was invited to a LTK x NYFW party, I couldn’t pass up it up. I hoped this would be a learning opportunity and a helpful deep dive as I try to figure out where I see myself headed in this industry. Curtis was able to come which made the whole thing feel like a win-win because we’d also get some alone time, which is hard to come by! Here’s a closer look at how we spent are days, what I wore, where we went, and probably way more information than anyone needed, but it was fun to jot it all down and reminisce on what we were doing this time last week, which is way different than our typical weekend agenda of household chores and catching up on typical life stuff that we’ve been majorly procrastinating!

We used hotel points for this particular trip and without the girls in tow, went with a new area of the city. We stayed at The Ritz Carlton NoMad and had a wonderful experience. NoMad stands for North of Madison Square Park and we found it to be pretty centrally located. The staff of the hotel was warm and welcoming – they struck us as genuinely upbeat and eager to help however they could. The property was well secured with multiple doormen at any given time. The entrance was beautifully decorated in celebration of the US Open and the energy of lobby was undeniable.

We were upgraded to a Skyline room and it was about as iconic of a NYC view as one could ask for. No matter how many trips I’ve made, and even for Curtis who has had some years where he spent nearly as many days working on site with NYC clients as he spent at home, we agree there is something uniquely mesmerizing about looking out over the rooftops and skyscrapers / it never gets old! Our room was sleek yet warm. It served as a tranquil oasis to come back to throughout some action packed days. The beds were super comfortable and the deep soaking tub was a favorite of mine along with the Diptyque toiletries.

Despite being a relatively compact hotel, there are multiple restaurant and bar options by globally acclaimed chef, JoséAndrés. Not only was everything we tried delicious, it made life easier to be able to pop downstairs for a little nosh or order up snacks. We loved Zaytinya where the menu is inspired by Turkish, Lebanese and Greek cuisine. We had the best dolmades I’ve ever tasted in my life and it’d be no exaggeration to say I am still thinking about them. We were told about Nubelez, the rooftop bar, when we checked in, which has a food menu as well. We finally made it there toward the end of our trip and were immediately kicking ourselves that we hadn’t made it a priority to grab a drink up there every day. The views were incredible. We could see every major landmark – even the Statue of Liberty – and the drinks were perfection. Whether you’re staying on site or not, I’d consider a reservation at Nubelez just to take it all in. We had the concierge grab us a table but anyone can book via Opentable.

If we’d been there any longer, we would’ve made it a point to try the other well known restaurant onsite, Bazaar. With a unique menu described as “Japan meets Spain” we were intrigued and could tell it was a foodie destination. Our previous stays in the city have predominantly been in true Midtown (especially up near Central Park) as well as in the West Village and SoHo. It was fun to try a completely new-to-us area that proved to be convenient. The hotel even has a complimentary house car for guest use that is available from noon – 8PM for any destination within a 2 mile radius, which covers quite a bit of territory. It is also super walkable – for instance, we took the train in from Newark to Penn Station and since I became the carry-on queen for this trip (thanks to these compression packing cubes and my go-to suitcase) we easily walked from Penn Station to the front door of our hotel in under 10 minutes. It is also situated immediately at the entrance of the 28th Street-7th Avenue subway station which we used for a few of our errands to quickly and efficiently get around.

DAY ONE

We booked the earliest United Airlines flight out of SRQ (Sarasota/Bradenton) and were in the air by 6 AM. When we landed at Newark (EWR) at about 8:30 AM my mom had gotten the girls off to school and we were already headed to take the train to Penn Station. As I mentioned we walked the quick jaunt to our hotel and got checked in. By a miracle, they had our room ready way ahead of check-in, so we were able to change and set about exploring the area. We had lunch at one of our favorites, Hillstone, which was just a few minutes walk away from our hotel, and then after some casual shopping I grabbed a blow out at Dry Bar, while Curtis walked around the area a bit more.

We meandered back to the hotel, talking the scenic route through neighborhood parks to listen to pop-up jazz bands and take in the giant bushes of hydrangeas that were still going strong. We stopped by Ralph’s for an iced coffee and Curtis kept calling it Barney’s which I’m pretty sure was eventually on purpose, but it made me laugh and now I think we’ll probably always call it Barney’s – sorry Ralph!

That evening I had a NYFW event with Naturalizer and The Confident Collective. As I said earlier, my desire to be here at all comes from a place of curiosity, of a desire to learn and grow, and find my place in this industry, and I don’t think I could’ve dreamed up a more inspiring kick-off if I tried. Naturalizer worked with Universal Standard, a leader in the size-inclusivity movement as a brand who famously designs for sizes 00-40, and were able to get comprehensive and accurate fit data to develop a range of inclusive shoe offerings for women of all shapes and sizes. For boots and beyond they now offer Narrow, Medium, Wide and Extra Wide options. I was gifted my first pair of Naturalizer shoes in time to wear them for the night and I walked through their fit process to see if my size recommendation would actually be accurate and holy smokes, it was. Even after walking around all day, with my feet so sore and blistered to the point where I had to stop into a Nordstrom Rack and pray I’d find comfortable replacement shoes in a size 11, the minute I slipped into my new booties I knew they were the real deal. (They’re on sale as of publishing this post, and come in black and silver too!)

I wore this Tuckernuck dress and unbuttoned it lower than usual to give it a bit more sass, because it’s the kind of dress that could literally be worn to church or brunch, so I wanted to jazz it up! I went braless thanks to my favorite body tape that works for women like me with bigger chests to give lift and support when you don’t want to risk a bra popping out and ruining the vibe. Curtis crushed it as my unpaid intern photographer to document my first ever NYFW outfit, and then I was on my way.

I had no idea what to expect, as it probably isn’t shocking to learn this is my first time in the city during NYFW. I literally knew of no one going to the event, and however I may seem online, the prospect of walking in to this kind of thing cold, was daunting. I did see the eternally stylish, Allie Provost, who I’d met briefly last year at our friend Blair’s launch party for her Atlantic Pacific x Tuckernuck collection. Allie’s outfits are a work of art. They are full of classic style, yet full of fun and whimsy, and you should absolutely follow her, if you’re not already!

This evening’s actual event at The Georgia Room was a combination of a cocktail party and a live podcast recording. CeCe Olisa was a lovely and gracious host, who in addition to being an advocate of size inclusive fashion and body positivity, is a blogger, influencer, founder of Cocoa by CeCe, and member of Naturalizer’s Ambassador Collective this year. The founders of The Confident Collective – plus size models and body activists, Raeann Langas and Kristin Zias – were on site to lead an insightful and inspirational interview with another Naturalizer Ambassador Lauren Chan, a multi-hyphenate if there ever was one, as a model, former editor, and brand founder, who lives the mission of inclusivity in fashion. I’ve already listened to the episode again. It was about The Power Of Confidence and Changing the Fashion Narrative. More recently, the sense of urgency and motivation to extend sizes and continue solving issues of inclusivity and accessibility has dwindled. I’ve only been doing this for a few years, and am new compared to the careers in fashion that many of the women in attendance have had, and already I sometimes fall prey to my own feelings of frustration as I detect apathy and backsliding from brands.

The conversation was eventually opened up to a Q & A and it was at that moment I realized Nicolette Mason was in the crowd who among other points, spoke to the importance of supporting the brands who are making an effort. That now more than ever, community and collaboration – like this very event – is key to pushing through any kind of stagnation. I literally whipped out my notes app to write down Lauren’s feelings that we’ll one day look back to the issue of size inclusivity in fashion like the peaks and valleys of the stock market, and that even if we’re in a lull, it is part of a bigger picture wherein the status quo is ultimately disrupted – but only if we keep at it. Once we wrapped, I was glad to be able to tell Nicolette in person how much seeing her featured earlier on in her career especially when she first started contributing to publications like Marie Claire, helped shape me subconsciously. She was easily one of the first plus sized women I saw confidently sharing her style and speaking openly about the challenges facing women in the extended size category. It was an unexpected surprise to be able to reconnect with her and I look forward to following her more as she continues to make an impact in the fashion world. Back at the hotel with Curtis, I ordered up some late night dolmades and cozied up with a view of the skyline before falling asleep.

DAY TWO

Continuing on my quest to learn, I quickly jumped at the chance to attend a breakfast panel put on by the Junior Board of the Accessories Council. My friend and writer Brittany Romano is on the board and I was elated when I saw that their event would overlap my stay. It was an intimate conversation with two founders and business leaders in the accessory community. We heard from Marina Larroudé who is the founder of the namesake shoe company, Larroudé, which according to Accessories Council writer, Rosanne Robinson, at just 3 ½ years old, Larroudé has already garnered global attention with annual sales of 250,000 pairs of shoes and a realistic path forward to reach their goal of $100,000,000 in sales by 2025. Also on the panel was jewelry designer, MoAna Luu, founder and creative director of MANLUU, which she describes as a “contemporary expression of her Creole heritage.”

The conversation was led but Junior Board member, Andrew Werner, who is a brand founder himself (Fleur Pins) and a highly sought after photographer. I’ve listened to a lot of panels, podcasts, roundtables, etc … and this one was expertly executed. Andrew facilitated a discussion that primarily focused on how brands can pivot during financially difficult times. I think it sometimes gets lost that creators like myself are also a small business and having the opportunity to pull back the curtain to listen to the challenges and strategies of more traditional businesses helps me better understand how influencers can be partners in success, while also planning for our own financial stability. You can listen to the conversation HERE.

I left with an immense amount of respect for both women, their brands, and for the Accessories Council. As I got the chance to chat with other members of the Junior Board, I found myself thinking, should I just move up here? Maybe I could just commute? A 2.5 hour flight isn’t that bad, is it? Obviously kidding, but I can’t speak highly enough about my experience!

I met up with Curtis to change since the temperatures had risen. It gave me a chance to wear this new Tuckernuck leopard situation or “leppie” as my friend Sabrina Chazen calls it. (For more of my leppie picks, you can shop this post.) We had a quick lunch at a spot that actually seems to have started in Florida, Pura Vida, but had a location right by our hotel. The siren call of empanadas was too delicious to resist. We learned that it’ll soon be opening a location in Sarasota, so if you’re local stay tuned!

We bopped around afterwards with the goal to end up at Never Fully Dressed which for anyone else who wants to visit, they are located at 243 Elizabeth Street. I first discovered the brand after listening to Megababe founder, Katie Sturino’s podcast, Boob Sweat, where she had on the founder, Lucy Aylen, who discussed the future of plus size fashion and the challenges their brand overcame when extending sizes, as well as how that decision is ultimately is paying off. I knew I couldn’t miss out on the chance to shop in person, in a store that stocks Women’s US sizes 2-24. I wish it weren’t the case, but it is a truly rare experience to find myself in a fitting room where the question of “can I get you another size” isn’t an empty formality but a real possibility that whether I want to size down or up, they actually might have what I want. Not to mention, I took a risk that every plus size woman knows was a terrible idea, and packed without knowing exactly what I’d wear to the last event of my trip – an LTK party with the theme of “Fashion Week Chic”.

I wish I’d had more time than I did so I could try on everything in the store, but I grabbed what I could with 20 minutes and prioritized things I’d been curious about, like their iconic wrap skirt and shirt. If I lived in a cooler climate – frankly anywhere other than Florida – I’d have walked out with a leather option and am seriously considering the denim version. I still had no idea what I really wanted to wear to the LTK event and while I don’t know if I’ll ever feel NYFW Chic in my whole life, no one has a bad time in sequins, so I bought one of their Jem dresses in this citron color.

Determined to hustle back to the hotel, I left with a pep in my step. We kept passing by storefronts of brands I’ve only ever seen online and would’ve loved to experience in person and it took everything in me not to dilly dally, especially when Curtis saw the Supreme store, which had a crazy wait because it was some sort of drop day.

We couldn’t help but get sidetracked when we passed Elizabeth Street Garden. One of my favorite things about cities like NYC is how around every corner is a museum, an exhibit, interesting architecture, pop-up farmers markets and neighborhood parks that are full of musicians, artists, people with their computers propped up working remotely – even doing nothing at all but a little sunbathing. In a “that’s so New York” moment, I learned that the set up we saw going on (amidst the general use of nearby residents just doing their thing) was for a Libertine fashion show that would later that day be attended by Martha Stewart and Thom Browne. It was reportedly fashion and part activism because as it turns out, the garden has been in the middle of a contentious legal battle wherein the city plans to use the land for affordable senior housing, despite the claims of the garden’s nonprofit that there are win-win solutions that don’t involve getting rid of a beloved, public green space. It appears the case may already be settled, with a reported demolition date set for September 10th, but that date has come and gone with no sign of bulldozer as of this moment, so perhaps there will be a happy ending after all.

US OPEN: Women’s Semi-Finals

We headed back to our hotel to perform a quick change and head to the US Open Women’s Semi-Finals. As a lifelong tennis player, I was positively giddy to get tickets to this grandslam. Even in the nosebleeds where we were, watching the matches in person was riveting. Curtis’s enthusiasm had been tepid, but 10 minutes in and his spirits were entirely different. There is something uniquely exciting about tennis, and even though he and I have been to Wimbledon together, I think since he typically enjoys other sporting events, he forgot how fun it can be to see live. The tables turned as I reminded him of the game’s rules and scoring system, a role usually reserved for him during pretty much every other sporting event we watch together.

Not only does the pace keep you captivated, so does the fact that each point holds so much possibility. At any given moment, a player could be completely down, about to lose a game – or even the set – and in an instant, turn things around. The energy of the crowd is entirely different too. I feel like in most mainstream sports, within the crowd you can very clearly determine everyone’s allegiance. Not just because of jerseys and accessories emblazoned with team names and mascots, but overall it’s usually a very “us vs. them” situation. With the individuality of tennis, I find that while we might have someone we’re pulling for, ultimately the crowd wants to see a good and fair match. We would’ve loved to see Emma Navarro win, and were elated by Jessica Pegula’s comeback after the first set to beat Karolina Muchova – same with many of those around us – but it was exciting and inspiring to see the sheer force behind Aryna Sabalenka’s newly reworked serves, and to root on Muchova after having been sidelined from a wrist injury. Everyone loves a great point and claps accordingly. Of course when Sabalenka of Belarus beat Navarro and was greeted with an enthusiastic roar of the stadium she joked “oh now you’re cheering for me, too late” because in any home court experience like with the US Open, American finalists (like Navarro) are going to be on the receiving end of national pride. But the good-natured tradition of being a polite spectator and above all else, genuinely admiring athletes at the top of their game, adds to the positive energy of the experience.

In addition to the matches, I loved looking at everyone’s outfits. It was a mostly clean and classic prep aesthetic, with an Americana bend. Think sweaters over the shoulder plus lots of cable knit and pique polo majorly represented. Footwear was varied but on the whole it was a win for the cute sneaker moment. Small crossbody purses were the majority as well. There were a surprising amount of satin slip skirts styled in a preppy, Carolyn Besette-Kennedy way. I personally can’t believe I didn’t pack my American Flag Sweater, so I’ll just have to go again and redeem myself! From a practicality standpoint, I’d say wearing a midi length dress was the smartest move I made. No danger of flashing anyone who might look up from below, and it comfortably covered the whole plastic seat while sitting so my legs never got weirdly sticky or sweaty. We left wishing we could cancel the rest of our plans and just pull up permanently to Arthur Ashe stadium to for the remaining matches, but I had more NYFW fun ahead the next day.

If somehow you’ve stumbled here in preparation for attending the 2025 US Open, first of all hi – I hope to see you there! But also, practically speaking, I was consistently advised by seasoned NYC residents I trust to take the train from Penn Station to the Mets-Willets Point stop and it was the easiest (and cheapest) thing ever. I believe you can also start at Grand Central, but given the way routes and service changes each year, I’d double check this intel. Give yourself ample time as the closer you attend to the end of the schedule, the more packed the entrance to the train’s platform becomes. We almost didn’t make it on because the unusually dense throng of people got bottlenecked at the top of the stairs.

Once you’re there, the signature Honeydeuce cocktails are actually *that* delicious. It’s pretty simple – just vodka, lemonade and raspberry liqueur over ice with a garnish of honeydew melon balls. Apparently the souvenir cup doesn’t actually cost anything extra, however we learned they were only being given out at the “Honeydeuce Express Bar” bars outside of Arthur Ashe. I’d bet they are in the premium lounges and clubs as well, and it’s possible that the availability of cups may this vary from day to day, but make sure before you stand in a line hoping for a souvenir cup that it’s a bar that provides them. In other souvenir news, they sell verified balls that were used in the open in the main gift shop, and in general they had a great selection of cute and sporty items – even TRVL Designs bags branded with the US Open logo. We took the train back to the city exhausted but buzzing from the excitement.

DAY 3

I was so grateful we’d left our morning schedule clear to sleep in, knowing we’d be out and about late the night before. We enjoyed bagels in bed courtesy of my angel husband running out to get them and gradually got up meet with some of his work friends, before he had to earn his keep once again as my NYFW street style photographer. We took a leisurely pace to walk and explore before getting a few pictures in Madison Square Garden. I never fail to get a copious amount of compliments when I’m wearing Fanmmon and this day was no exception. I was stopped multiple times on the street by people admiring the embroidery and asking where it was from. I love seeing women’s eyes light up when I tell them it is made-to-measure at no additional fee, and that even colors can be customized. We headed back to our hotel and grabbed a bite a Zaytana before I needed to get changed for the LTK event. Since we had yet to try out the acclaimed rooftop bar, the concierge made reservations for us and I cannot possibly overstate how incredible the view really is. The bar is flanked by two outdoor patios that give a real 360 experience. I loved the jewel toned and slightly deco style of the interior myself and we got lucky with a table right up against the floor to ceiling windows. The cocktail menu looked delicious but I kept it classic with a cosmo, which came out the perfect shade of light pink that all cosmos should aspire to. Curtis enjoyed one of his favorites, a Hemingway daquiri, and also spoke highly of it.

I was running later than I’d like because I’ve discovered “a New York minute” must mean extremely late, but I finally made it to the LTK x NYFW party at Fouquet’s. Inside I found Brooke Jensen and Leigh Williams and it was such a gift to spend time with two colleagues I so deeply admire. I’d bet anything if you’re reading this that you already follow both ladies, but if not, go ahead and do yourself a favor. Not just because they find incredible deals and have great style, but because in a world where it is too easy to pretend to be something you’re not, it is obvious that they have the best hearts. Their warmth, kindness, and sincere desire to make sure everyone feels included, shines through.

The party was a surreal experience for many reasons, among them having gone to undergrad at SMU with the founder and President of LTK, Amber Venz Box. We were both in the 2006 pledge class of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and from watching on the sidelines as she built RewardStyle, to eventually jumping in the game as a creator on LTK, not a day goes by that I don’t think of how incredible it is that I get to work in a job that simply didn’t exist back when we were pomping homecoming floats or planning pref night. Aside from enjoying the impressive production of the event, it was special to be able to reconnect with her and say exactly that. It was also wild to be surrounded by a guest list was full of Bravolebrities, reality TV stars, and social media superstars with huge platforms and brand deals that could pay off my mortgage. Not to mention, the room was exploding with well-known creators and true fashion industry veterans.

I can’t help but feel out of my depth at events like this and realistically, I know that even for the more seasoned in attendance it can be intimidating to navigate this kind thing. But the only way to learn to swim is to get in the water, and what’s more, as a plus size influencer I feel a keen sense of responsibility to show up whenever I’m given the chance. The opportunity for organic networking and conversations that spark ideas, connection, collaboration, and change – let’s just say I will keep doing whatever I can do to be there.

I want to tell you what a pleasure it was to connect with women like Emily Kammeyer Sumner who at first we bonded over babies (she is a new mom to a precious baby boy) and the love language of dinner parties, but when we pivoted I learned she’d been the Chief Technical Designer at Universal Standard for many years and her heart and passion for inclusivity shined. She was on her way to the Christian Siriano show – another leader for dressing and loving bodies of all shapes and sizes – but for this event, I don’t know that our paths would have crossed, and I hope that they do again! I got to meet Makeda Saggau-Sakey, founder and writer at Glamazon Diaries. I’ve been following her on Instagram and am inspired not only by her style, but by the way she radiates confidence. Funny enough we both were featured by Mestiza as a part of their Spotlight and Tastemaker series! You can read her profile here and mine here. And lucky me, my friend Brittany was also attending the event, and graciously introduced me to many lovely people while there. Her resume of well over a thousand articles published routinely for Glamour, Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, Cosmo, Oprah, and more, is impressive, but nothing can beat how warm and hilarious she is. She’s as kind as she is talented! As much as sorority recruitment trained me for small talk, this week showed me I’m woefully out of practice and am due to brush up my skills with an expert like Mariah at Old Soul Etiquette. However it also reminded me how grateful I am for people who can go deep and be authentic, so finishing the night off with Brittany (+ we got Curtis to rally for a night cap as well) was the perfect cherry on top of the day.

PRINCETON

We took a quick detour to see some of our best friends, Susan and Ale, in Princeton, NJ before flying home to our girls. Usually we have our little travelers in tow, and while they were missed, it was fun to get quality time with our goddaughter and godson even if it was just for one night! Susan and I grew up together and I count our continued friendship as one of my greatest blessings. I think anyone who lives a plane ride away from their people knows how hard it is to do life apart. I wish so much that we could be just down the road, popping over for casual diners or impromptu hang outs while our kids run around together. And while that may not be our reality, we’ll keep planning trips and making it happen however we can! Before I left the city, I’d gotten a special delivery from Talbots with the perfect preppy look that needed a moment on the iconic campus grounds. Bonus points, it was cool and crisp outside which I tucked away in the memory bank for when we’d later get hit in the face with literally 80% humidity as soon as we stepped out of the airport. After a laidback afternoon enjoying the most beautiful weather, we took a train to Newark (EWR) and were home before our girls were asleep!