NYFW Diaries: Day 1 | Rack Addik

New York Fashion Week was an absolute (freezing! ha) whirlwind of inspiration, and I cannot wait to share my diaries this week on the blog with you. I’ve come back a more inspired and positive person, and couldn’t be more thankful for the brands and companies that allowed me to work with them this past week.

2017 has been a year that has forced me to focus on finding the positives in life, and have it directly inspire my work and how it relates to the world around me. In an effort to focus on just that, I only RSVPed to shows and brands that really spoke to me. That said, Rack Addik was an obvious choice.

Rack Addik, the creative line by Kelly Dempsey of Project Runway’s Season 14, was one of those lines that sparked love at first sight for me. A fan of her work since her Project Runway days, I was excited to see what this season had in store, and was ecstatic when I found out it would have a grunge inspiration. Hosted by AMCONYC at Gary’s Loft in Midtown, her Fall/Winter 2017 collection was titled “Glitter and Grunge” and was unapologetically fashion forward. Kelly shared, “My collection is an endeavor to take the ‘idgaf’ attitude of grunge and modify it by adding a bit of glitz and glam. What strikes me about the grunge mentality is that it’s audacious to a point where limits become absent. My aesthetic has never been cookie cutter, and I believe my attraction to remain authentic is the true underlying foundation of my work.”

From heeled sneaks, fur, to beanies, I was in love. The collection was a true mix of glamorous details fused with an authentic spirit of street style, and one that even touched upon athletic inspiration with track pants, and comfortable yet sleek bodysuit stylings. It’s a collection that I’d actually wear on the street, and I plan to! The more rad fact? You can shop the runway directly via AMCO’s site here!

Kelly’s message through the brand and this line really resonated with me. I truly believe fashion is an art form, which should never be labeled. All too often, especially in the fashion industry, we tend to gravitate to labels, whether it’s the ones we choose to adorn ourselves with or the ones we attempt to fit those around us into. It’s a struggle I often face as well, being labeled as a rebel, or “fashion forward.” Kelly’s authentic style and outlook on the industry was truly inspiring and relatable, and I love her for that.

I dress and apply makeup as a way to express my creativity and artistry, not to be perceived a certain way or fit a specific mold. It’s an expression of who I am, not who others expect me to be or who I want people to think I am. Holding onto your authenticity is the one of the hardest, yet most rewarding challenges we all face.  She said, “I always thought that once you put a label on someone or something, you are creating restrictions that are unnatural. I wear what I want, when I want because I am me. I do not dress with the objective to be labeled. I believe that real beauty is present once you are able to look at someone and view them without confinement.”

The Rack Addik show was the best way to kick off Fashion Week this year, with an honest and real take on fashion culture. I’m super excited to shop the collection and blend it into my upcoming ensembles of street styled activewear!

Outfit Details

Shirt: Plunging Strappy Tee, Forever 21

Skirt: Asymmetrical Mesh Layer Skirt, Forever 21

Tights: Large Hole Fishnet Tights, ASOS

Boots: Gigi Boot, Stuart Weitzman

Jacket: Orla Faux Fur Leather Biker Sleeve Coat Grey (OLD), Missguided (similar here)

Makeup Details

Foundation: Too Faced Born This Way, Natural Beige

Primer: Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer, in Luminous Light

Blush: Marc Jacobs Air Blush, in Lines and Last Night

Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, in Granite

Eyes: Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette, Cool Palette

Lashes: Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara, in Black

Lips: Le Marc Lip Creme, in Blow