Blogging in Brooklyn: Essence Street Style Party

Cab view of me crossing over the Manhattan Bridge

While I was in New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, I had the opportunity to venture to the other side of the Manhattan Bridge and attend the Essence Street Style Party in Brooklyn.  Anytime I think of Brooklyn, I always think of that line from the Sex and the City movie where Miranda was contemplating the move from Manhattan to Brooklyn and says, "New York Magazine says that Brooklyn is the new Manhattan." Then Carrie looks at Miranda with the side eye and remarks, "Whoever wrote that LIVES in Brooklyn!"

  

Looking up at the Manhattan Bridge

It's so funny to me.  This is what pops into my head everytime I think of Brooklyn--as if it were not the same or better as Manhattan. As my cab crossed over the Manhattan Bridge and circled into Brooklyn I was curious to see exactly what this quote from the movie meant...and honestly, I would have to agree with Miranda. I thoroughly enjoyed Brooklyn 10 times more than I did being in the city. It was family friendly, I could breathe and my whole aura was more calm. Brooklyn had character. 

The Essence Street Style Party was thrown in conjunction with all of the events being held for Fashion Week. It was underneath the bridge and near Dumbo Park. While there wasn't as many vendors as I was hoping for, it was definitely a break from all of the Lincoln Center Fashion Week madness and a chance for me to relax and connect with Essence readers and down to Earth folks. I put a lot of thought into my outfit and wanted to really showcase what Dallas was all about (just in case I was asked). So I put on this fabulous skirt from Dallas brand Phantasie, paired it with an olive green top, leather-esque belt and peep-toe booties. And let's not forget, my Tom Ford shades to finish the look!

I felt good and was surprised when I was stopped on the street to take photos...I know for a fact it was my Phantasie skirt that was getting all of the attention. There are drawstrings on the side of the maxi skirt that you pull to create the bubble skirt effect.  If you want a straight maxi skirt then you release the drawstrings...so a 2-in-1 skirt!  I loved it and so did the people of Brooklyn!  Anyways, enjoy these photos! It's just another day in the life of the traveling, Dallas fashion writer.

A view from the block party

The first lady of NYC speaking at the block party

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SS15: NYC Street Style

Have you ever wondered what was meant by the term "street style"? I must admit, I really have come to appreciate this category of fashion and style but didn't truly give it the attention it deserves until I arrived in New York City for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Street style is derived from elements of street fashion and much different from day to day conservative and contemporary fashions. This type of self-interpretive style most definitely differs from state to state. From the steps of the Lincoln Center to below the bridge in Brooklyn, I've captured some of my favorite street style looks during my stint at Fashion Week--and I'm delivering them right to you.  Enjoy and be inspired!

All images credited to: Leah Frazier

A new twist on booties...and the rolled jeans look is still in!

My all-time favorite look from New York Fashion Week SS15

This guy stopped me to take my picture but I couldn't help doing the same. I'm digging the hair and the high tops...a little throwback to my childhood days!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SS15: Haze Collection

Shades are the new black--and for those of us who may have a slight addiction to accessories (myself included), we are much aware that the perfect pair of shades can upgrade any outfit from drab to fab within a matter of seconds. I now introduce you to the Haze Collection--a collection that I was able to view during New York Fashion Week on September 5, 2014 at the Hudson Hotel.

While apparel is said to have its seasons and trends, the same can be said for shades or "sunnies" as the fashionistas would like to call them. Over the past year, there has been an upsurge in the aviator shades trend with the reflective and color-stained lenses. Hopefully this too will pass (aviators are everywhere!) but another overarching trend in shades have definitely been "the bigger, the better".

Although the Jackie-O oversized shades trend is one that I don't see dying down anytime soon, it does appear that lens sizes for shades in the future are slimming back down but the overall styles of shades are becoming even more grandiose.  Pops of colors in neons are in with even more selections of lens colors from bright gold hues to bright bronzes.

Whatever your preference may be, Haze has an assorted collection of sunnies that are perfectly matched with what you already may have in your wardrobe. From t-shirts and jeans to leather with an edgy flair, my current fashion obsession is definitely with Haze. Enjoy a sneak peek as to what you can expect from Haze for this upcoming spring and summer and dive even further by searching their current collection here online.

All images taken and to be credited by: Leah Frazier

New York Fashion Week: What I Wore, Day 1

This was my first year to go to New York Fashion Week as a fashion editor and since it is always a mystery to those who see everything on television and want to really know the insider deets on what goes on, I'm here to give it to you straight.  Over the next couple of days, I'm going to give you all of the details from what I wore to designer shows to the notorious NYC street style.  So stay plugged in and get a first hand view on how it all went down for me at New York Fashion Week.

Cab Ride to the Lincoln Center..Karen Walker shades are poppin!

Press Credentials to Fashion Week

Day 1 for me entailed 2 runway shows, 1 designer brand launch and 1 fashion presentation.  All in all, this included 2 outfits for me: one for the day events and another for the night events.  Here's how I decided to get into a New York state of mind.

Day 1 "day" outfit: NeoBantu Skirt, Freedom of Animals Veronika Tote, Karen Walker shades and Dolce Vita animal print booties

Day 1, "night" outfit: Diane von Furstenberg dress purchased at Clothes Circuit / worn to the launch of the luxury travel line, Andiamo

Partying on the rooftop of the Hudson Hotel for the Haze Collection sunglasses SS15 presentation / Shoes by: Jessica Simpson

Rooftop night view of NYC in the background on top of the roof at the Hudson Hotel...purely amazing! I feel so blessed to have seen the things that I have seen and to have traveled to where I have traveled over the course of my life!  To God be ALL of the glory!

All is S'well: An Insider's Sneak Peek Inside the V.I.P. Fashion Week Gift Bag

Have you ever wondered what's inside those swanky V.I.P. gift bags at all of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week ("MBFW") shows? Admit it, we're all a little curious. Well, I've received some insider info on what will be in store for the V.I.P. guests at Fashion Week from September 4-11, 2014 and I must admit, I'm pretty stoked.

I'll be in attendance this year at New York Fashion Week and I can't wait to cover all of the designer shows and to attend some brunches and after parties. Hopefully I'll spot a celebrity or two...but since I will most likely NOT be V.I.P. (insert sad smiley face here), at least I'll know what's in those hard to get bags, huh?

Inside each of the V.I.P. gift bags at some of the designer shows will be these fashionable, limited edition S'well resuable bottles.  Of course, it wouldn't be V.I.P. unless it was a limited edition AND had an exclusive MBFW design by Richard Haines. The 9oz. bottles are available in Yellow Zinc, Silver Lining and Angel Food.

Ok, so you're asking yourself...what's so special about these bottles?  S'well bottles are made from non-leaching, non-toxic 18/8 stainless steel.  That means that beverages can stay cold for 24 hours and hot drinks can be hot for 12. If you're a huge coffee drinker like me, these are really impressive numbers.

These lucky V.I.P.-sters will be taking these limited edition bottles home, but you can get one off of the website for the affordable price of anywhere between $25-$45.

This is only one of the many items that will be in the V.I.P. gift bags and as I find out more, you'll be the first to know. Make sure you stay tuned in as I travel to NYC and give you all of the insider deets on Fashion Week as if YOU are sitting front row.

Is there something you would like to see covered at New York Fashion Week that you would like for me to explore? Contact me through the blog, and I'll see what I can do.  XO ~ Leah