Fashion & the Flu

I woke up Thursday morning and the first thing I thought was “oh no, not now.” The night before I went to bed unusually physically tired but not sleepy and started coughing…by morning, the coughing became painful. Not so much a sore throat…then the nose started running. I was getting sick…with Karen Walker only two days away.

I don’t remember much of what I did that day, except getting sent to do a pick up at a very upscale magazine. It was like out of a movie…right off 5th ave, security downstairs, glass doors requiring buzzing in, white walls with trendy art in the lobby and one receptionist at a big desk. But running that errand showed me how sick I was getting…throughout the day I felt progressively worse.

I was dizzy just riding the subway, tired with just walking some…I wanted to sit on the sidewalk and close my eyes. I started to get chills up my spine…when I got home I had 101 degree fever. I went to bed fully dressed around ten that night and didn’t get up again until almost twelve the next afternoon. I spent that entire Friday doing nothing, trying to rest up as much as I could. I was miserable.

Finally, Saturday came. We arrived at the office at 11am dressed in all black. All the interns were briefed on what our responsibilities would be. Some were assigned to goody bags, other sign in, others collecting press passes…I was told I would be working with the director of the company. Still feeling sniffly but heavily medicated, we headed to the Altman Building for the show. Loads left in cars rented for the event, while some took cabs.

The building had been used for shows earlier in the week, so much of it was already set up. White wood folding chairs, white draping, the runway, where the cameras would line up at the end of the runway…and we were off to our tasks. I began following the director and doing whatever she needed, then got sent to help a past intern with directing check in traffic. Photographers, assistants, all checking in…editors, models (one with a camera chasing behind her), press teams. Some aghast and surprised that they were not on the list…some finding the procedure for seating “ridiculous.” It was all there. We had Fiji Water and a bottled coffee company sponsoring the show and at one point I got thirsty and was brought downstairs to the fridge. There the models were being primped and primed, interviewed and photographed…just like TV. Though it was interesting, the fridge beverages and huge table of food caught my attention more. I even got to stand face to face with Karen. It was all there…even the late models.

And for all the work, the show only lasted about 15minutes. We got to watch the whole thing, which was awesome, and just like that it was over. The swarm clapped and was out the door off to the next one. We headed back to the office for pizza and then started to get ready for the after party at the Soho Grand.

The grand was a trendy spot, only a few blocks from the office. Soft lighting, huge windows exposing the city, comfy couches and personal bar (which was “open” for wine and vodka). Tired as I was, I knew I could not miss my first real industry party. Most people went in what they wore to the show but I took the opportunity to get jazzed up.

I payed for my fashion day on Sunday and Monday, spending them in bed using up tissue boxes and cough suppressants.

By Tuesday I was back at work. The sales aspect was very busy considering the recent show, but it was business as usual…