NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

  • Oct 13, 2014

A long time ago, when I first started taking fashion pictures, I would spend hours and hours looking over photographs from fashion weeks all over the world. The incredible clothes, the beautiful models, the atmosphere, the wonderfully dresses guests, the glitz and glamour. I followed photographers who attended these shows and made a promise to myself that one day I would too.

When I found out that our America trip coincided with New York Fashion Week I knew it was my chance. No matter what I was getting in. After researching the accreditation process I contacted my friend Sarah of StyleMelbourne for advice and help. I have photographed at Melbourne Fashion Week for Sarah numerous times and she is an expert at fashion week accreditation. With her invaluable help we put forward some examples of my work, and I couldn’t quite believe it when she emailed me to say we had been accepted. I was in, I was going, New York here I come.

I cannot thank Sarah of StyleMelbourne enough for helping me bring this dream to life.

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Butterflies running havoc in my tummy I packed my bag early in our little hotel room before starting my journey to the Lincoln Centre. Deep down I wasn’t convinced they would even let me in…. It had to be too good to be true? Who was I? Just a small time photographer from Australia, surely there had been a mistake and I was about to make a fool of myself in the media accreditation office. I caught the subway a handful of stops, and felt like a little silly with my eyes glued to my iPhone maps trying to decipher if I need to be walking east or west. As soon as I exited the subway station it was obvious which way to go, all I had to do was follow the trail of fabulously dressed fashionistas.

Seeing the Lincoln centre took my breath away, I gave myself a little pinch just to check I wasn’t dreaming… and then I made my way towards the entrance of the centre (snapping a few pics first of course!). I followed the signs to the media office, held my breath and walked up to the nice looking girls behind the desk. Fingers crossed I told her my name and she started to shuffle through the passes. It felt like time was standing still as my butterflies were trying to fly out of my mouth and I was attempting to play it cool. And then all of a sudden she pulled mine out! This beautiful pass on a lanyard that actually had my mugshot on it! I felt like I was in the Fashion FBI or something. I was wayyyy too excited about my media pass as I stumbled my way through thankyou’s and walked towards the Lincoln centre entrance. After flashing my pass I was in through the first set of doors, feeling totally disorientated I must have looked like a deer in the headlights because a kind security guard asked me if I needed any help. I whispered to him that it was my first time photographing fashion week and I wasn’t sure where to go. He smiled and gave me a quick intro, showing my where the media ‘centre’ was (more like a bunch of seats and desks in the middle of the room), towards the back was where the entrance to the theatres, the toilets and a cafe was also to the side. He wished me luck and I went to explore. They have these fridges with FREE drinks! Was it Christmas? I thought so. I wasn’t very adventurous and just grabbed a bottle of water.

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Luckily from my experience of Melbourne Fashion Week, I had some idea of what was to come next. I needed to find the entrance to the Zimmerman show, and fast. Photographers can be known to get to a show two hours before just to secure a good spot in the media pit, especially because the important (seasoned) photographers will already have marked their position with masking tape leaving not much room left for the rest of us, especially a newbie like me. I knew if it was difficult to secure a spot in Melbourne, it was going to be impossible in New York. The media pit (riser) at fashion week is a very hierarchical place. My plan was to to keep my eyes down, play it low profile and make sure I didn’t cause any trouble (aka get in someones way or take someones spot). I wanted to experience Fashion week, to live and breathe it, and more importantly, enjoy it!

I found the line for Zimmerman and was surprised that there were only two or three others waiting already. I sat down and prepared myself for the boring wait. Fashion week is far from glamorous for a photographer… It’s not really practical to wear something extravagant, it’s a much better idea to thrown on a pair of jeans (you’ll probably end up on the floor), some sneakers (people stepping on your toes is very likely), and a comfortable tee (it saves any of those awkward ‘see right down your top from above’ moments). As a photographer you’ll spend most of your time waiting, outside, inside and then all over again. You’ll have to jam in like sardines into a tiny space that would comfortably fit 20 people when there is actually 100+ of you. Expect lens whacks to the head, strange smells and dead legs. But every single moment is so worth it. Because when those lights dim, and the music starts and that first model steps out into the light, nothing else matters. I forget about all the bodies pressed up against me, I wouldn’t even know I had pins and needles, it’s just me, my camera and the sound of a thousand shutters.

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Zimmerman was my first show and my god it was amazing. I secured a great spot on the floor in front of the media riser. I love photographing from the floor because no one will end up in front of me (being short in the pit is a disaster) and also because I shoot with a  24-70mm which is relatively short so I need to be close. I don’t have much of a plan of attack when I shoot runway’s, it just sort of happens. For me it is all about the clothes, how they look, how they move, that should dictate how they are captured. Count the steps as the models walk, 1 and 2, 1 and 2, snapping away when her legs are parted in stride. I don’t want to capture the same boring pictures that are taken of every runway every year. I want something a little different, trying to show you even a snippet of the magic that is in that room.

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My favourite details: half moon shoes, soft pastel lace and breathtakingly perfect silhouettes.

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After the show I step back out into the madness in front of the Lincoln Centre. Hundreds of photographers zipping about and snapping street style. Fashion trendsetters being called out from left and right to pose for pictures. Others just hoping to spot a celebrity. I hung around for a little bit soaking it all in and taking a few sneaky snaps. It’s really not my style to specifically ask someone for a picture because I’m shy… so I observed from afar and fawned over some incredibly dressed ladies.

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On my second day I photographed the Mara Hoffman show. After another hour or so wait in the line and a few candy crush levels later, they came over to tell us they were about to let us into the theatre. Another thing I forgot to mention is that before they let us in, a very serious security guard comes over and tells us that we must walk, and not run, and if any of us run then we will be kicked out. It’s right about now that I feel like I’m a child at kindergarten and I’m being told to not run with the scissors. But he’s right, and i’m thankful he was so strict because when those doors are opened all common sense leaves these camera wielding adults… it’s a jungle! Taking Kath and Kim’s power walking to a whole new level. I scored another prime position on the media riser floor and felt like I had just won a marathon.

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My favourite details: I loved the Mara Hoffman show, it was so my style. It felt like a little bit Frankie magazine, a tiny bit Gorman and a lot of rainbow colours! oh and wonderful statement hats and cacti! How could you go wrong?

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The moment the show finished and the house lights were turned on, I was swept up in a  sea of photographers, moving like fish in the stream. We shuffled from one theatre to the next as one, and before I knew what happened I was now in the media pit for Herve Leger by Max Azria.

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My favourite details: I loved the unique U shaped runway, hints of gold, embellishments and clean lines. Sleek, sophisticated and sexy.

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Two runways in a row and I was exhausted. I ventured back out into the madness and snapped some more pictures of passersby.

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I thought this girl was amazing! She looked so young and yet she was confidently directing and photographing fashion elites, and also dressed so fabulously!

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On my final morning at New York Fashion Week I had planned to attend the J.CREW show, but after arriving I realised they were only letting in backstage access (which I didn’t have) so I decided to see which other shows were about to start, and as luck would have it, this lead me to photographing the Badgley Mischka runway.

While crouching yet again uncomfortably on the floor of the riser, I was people watching as everyone filtered into the theatre. Out the corner of my eye I saw a small, elderly gentleman in a blue coat with a camera. I knew instantly it was Bill Cunningham. It might sound strange to say this, but it was this moment that was the highlight of my entire week. Not the fashion, the runway, the glitz or the glamour, but seeing this incredible man photographing at New York Fashion Week. I saw a documentary on Bill a few years ago and was captivated by his passion. I share so many of his ideals and consider him an extremely talented photographer. Someone more confident than I would probably have gone and said hello, but I am much more comfortable just watching, and soaking it all in. And from what I’ve seen of Bill I think he likes to do that too.

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It’s funny how these things happen. I had no plans to attend the Badgley Mischka show, but it was most definitely my favourite. The dresses were out of this world, and they moved so gracefully down the catwalk, a photographers dream. The models were fresh-faced, natural and stunning. It was right out of a fairytale. And to make it even more special, Naomi Campbell made an appearance at the end with a showering of balloons. A magical ending to a life changing week.

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Never, ever give up on your dreams. No matter how big or impossible they may seem. It’s not luck that will get you there, but drive and determination.

Absolutely anything is possible if you set your mind to it, and let your heart follow.

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2 Comments

  1. Weeli

    14/10/2014

    Well done Claire! Great shots and an amazing story!

  2. Lydia

    13/10/2014

    Oh Claire, I’m so proud of you. And the dresses of the first show are definitely my favourite! The flowing lace ahhhhwwww my heart explodes

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