My Top Street Style Looks at NYFW!

New York Fashion Week, Midtown Manhattan

“But I’m takin’ a Greyhound on the Hudson River line,
I’m in a New York state of mind” – Billy Joel

Outfit Details:

Marguerite Boot, Pink Pantsuit, Pink Bodysuit, Belt, Black Boots, Sunnies, Pleated Striped Maxi, Plaid Capris, Fitted Blouse, Black Pants, Snakeskin Boots 1, Snakeskin Boots 2, Graphic Turtleneck, Banda Bags, Leopard Loafers, Fedora, Sweater Dress, Earrings,  Beltini

New York Fashion Week is a fashion lover’s dream come to life! It’s a world where women come from all walks of life come to revel in the fun and fantasy found both on and off the runway. This was my first experience at NYFW. I was absolutely floored when I was chosen to be one of ten inspirational women to be flown to NYC by Designer Shoe Warehouse and Create & Cultivate, and to have the opportunity to walk the NYFW Runway at DSW’s Runway Redone. 

Which led to the immediate and most important question: What’s a girl going to wear?! I had all of two weeks to pick myself up off the floor, pull myself together, and begin creating some fun looks to hit NYFW in style. 

Fortunately for me, I’ve created some beautiful long term partnerships with some of my favorite brands and designers. The first one I reached out to was Jaclyn Jones USA. Her shoes are absolutely out of this world. They regularly grace the feet of many a celebrity fashionista, and lucky for me Jaclyn and her team whipped up a pair of custom made shoes from their upcoming fall collection that hadn’t hit the shelves quite yet! 

Two weeks later, my first choice of the Marguerite Boot in Gold Metallic was tucked away in my suitcase as I rolled into the awesome Redbury Hotel, ready for prime time in NYC. This pair of boots will get any woman noticed. Not only are they drop-dead gorgeous, they are also as comfy as your favorite pair of slippers with a 4mm cushy insole deftly hidden within its flawless design. I’m amassing quite a collection of Jaclyn’s shoes and each time I add another favorite to my list. An added bonus, Jaclyn’s shoes are guaranteed to attract a lot of attention!

Another designer that’s high on my list is Nicole Frank, the innovative woman behind “The Wardrobe Evolution.” Her designs are the essence of “functional fashion.” Every piece has multiple purposes and is interchangeable, washable and even, wickable. I chose this beautiful pink pantsuit as it combined classic style with the latest in fashion technology. I loved how the black stripe ups the style factor and helps to elongate the leg. The jacket has removable sleeves to be worn as a short-sleeved look or you can choose optional sleeves to change up the style. I’m wearing a long-sleeved bodysuit by Nicole Frank that’s custom dyed to match. 

I love adding a distinctive belt to accentuate the waist. I found this one at BCBG. It felt like the perfect compliment for the suit. The boots are black suede with silver metallic details and they are available for a steal at YOOX, one of my favorite designer discount websites. This pair flew off the shelves but I’ve linked a couple similar styles by the same brand. The sunnies are also a designer find from Le Specs at Nordstrom Rack. I highly recommend taking a tour of Nicole’s wide range of designs on her website and her IG Gallery. You can use the code “Nicole25” to take 25 percent off your purchase.

Trina Turk is a brand I lust after and just so happens to have a darling boutique right here in the South Bay. You can count on her designs to be vibrant, colorful, and timeless. When I saw this maxi dress with the accordion pleats, I fell in love. I had no idea that the dress happens to be completely wrinkle-free. The halter top is one of my favorite cuts as it naturally accentuates the shoulders with a beautiful gold necklace that’s built-in. The dress lent itself naturally to the addition of the Jaclyn Jones metallic gold boots. I tossed on a navy bag I had purchased on sale last season at Intermix.

Trina Turk is known for lively patterns and brilliant use of color and these plaid Capri trousers are no exception. The gold button trim definitely adds to the style factor and seemed to beg to be paired with Jaclyn’s boots and a simple white fitted blouse from J.Crew. All that was needed was the natural backdrop of colorful graffiti provided by the streets of NYC!

Every time I hit the Big Apple, I have to “cram in” as much as I possibly can; especially my suitcase which cost CGO $100 when it weighed in at 58 lbs! I also made the rounds to meet up with some of my Forever Fierce Sisters, Karen Brooks, Kelly, Lauren and Candice for a yummy breakfast and a well-needed latte. I tossed on a creamy wrap I had found at Nordstrom along with a pair of darling pants from Zara. I couldn’t resist wearing the pair of snakeskin boots I had grown fond of at the DSW Runway Redone Show.  I added one of my favorite fall finds, a graphic turtleneck from H&M, along with a hat from Nordstrom and a leopard print belt from my Fierce Sister, Tani Isaacs of Beltini Santa Monica. 

After breakfast, I headed over to meet some clients and brought along my vegan Weekend Traveler Bag from Banda Bags. The first time I saw a Banda Bag, I was awestruck and the experience of carrying one of these beauties around was a delight. I got so many comments on this bag! Just like the rest of this wardrobe, form and function combine for an exceptional combination! Use CATHERINE25 and get 25% off of any product on their website! Stay tuned for more of Banda … you’ll fall in love just as I have!

I ducked into the ladies room and did a quick presto chango to meet up with the Easy Spirit PR Team in their light-filled showroom overlooking Central Park. I tossed on their leopard print loafers, a pair of skinny black jeans and grabbed my Metallic Backpack from Hammitt LA and was ready in a flash. 

Speaking of the DSW Runway Redone Show, I was lucky to be styled by a celebrity stylist who selected a striped sweater dress by JOA along with the snakeskin knee-high boots by Jessica Simpson. If you haven’t had time to watch the DSW Runway Redone Show, you can still see the entire show right here. It’s definitely a highlight of NYFW and most likely, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! 

This past week was filled with a lot of highlights. I experienced things I never thought I would experience in my lifetime. Walking the NYFW Runway was definitely a dream come true. I’m grateful to DSW and Create & Cultivate for thinking outside the box and giving real women from many different walks a life a chance of a lifetime. A huge thank you to some of my favorite brands who came through in a nanosecond’s notice to get CGO ready for NYFW in the latest styles and trends. 

Next time, it’s two suitcases. Cheers Beauties! Stay Fierce.