The final shows are in sight! Carlene Thomas-Bailey ends New York Fashion Week FRow at Rachel Zoe, getting a new look with Bleach and partying with Alexa Chung and Florence Welch...
Friends, we are at the end of New York Fashion Week *cue sobs*. As I write this, I think someone is actually running the diamond encrusted fashion baton over to London for its turn. That said you'll be happy to know that I did not slow down for the final shows day - in fact I did quite the opposite (rest schmest).
I started my day runway side at Rachel Zoe. The reality star and LA based vintage loving stylist always has a huge buzz around her and this year was no different.
Since launching her line at fashion week in February 2011, she's gone from strength to strength, and in that time she has lost an assistant (Brad Goreski, who now has his own reality show) and given birth to baby boy Skyler.
While Zoe is normally all about the Oscar worthy gowns for her celebrity clients or the bohemian Seventies chic look she rocks on a daily basis, the collection was influenced by a much tougher aesthetic (think lots of leather separates).
And when it came to FRow, Miley Cyrus - who was in town celebrating her Cosmopolitan magazine cover - caused quite a stir when she arrived. Naturally, with babies being the hottest designer accessory, Skyler was pottering about but I still think Harper Beckham will take the crown for most fashionable toddler at NYFW.
Dipping out the Lincoln Centre tents after the show, I made my way to Union Square to hang with the girls behind Bleach London at their red balloon-filled, Hello Kitty-covered pop-up salon in the W Hotel.
I met them a couple of seasons ago, so this year it was all about catching up over Coca Cola, while having bright pink, green and blue hair extensions added to my hair. Between the room and the hair I was reminded that the Dalston based Bleach London crew always bring much-needed colour to fashion week, perfect during dark winter collections.
As I sat in the chair my hair went from a short blond highlighted bob to a rainbow-coloured Nineties Bjork-inspired extravaganza with a zigzag parting - my homegirl Nicole Kahlani truly hooked me up.
With a few hours to spare until the Bleach London after party in the hotel club, I headed over to the Smurfette show, a runway collection to promote the new film Smurfs 2. While there wasn't a furry blue creature in sight, the clothes were fun. Comic inspired pieces included a cape, printed with the word Alakazam! was a highlight.
After the show, I did a quick costumer change, before heading over to W Hotel's Lilium bar where Florence Welch and Alexa Chung were in charge of the music. This was quite literally the best way to end fashion week. I danced till 2am to tunes from Drake (a Florence favourite) to 'NSYNC and Ludacris. Fashion week I'm sad to see you go. Until next time...