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My New York Diary with Dior.

May 15
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When I was approached by Dior to join them for the Dior Cruise 2015 show in NYC, I was ecstatic. One of my favourite brands showing their Cruise 2015 collection in one of my top favourite cities. This press trip was like no other, but then again who can compare anything to Dior? A legendary brand with so much history that really defines luxury. Your first question, why show in the US? In the show notes, Artistic director – Raf Simons explained,  “America is a constant inspiration for me, The pop culture, the energy, the fluidity… there is just something so alive here. What I always like in America is that there is such a melting pot of styles. But there is always a look – a strong look. Whether it is uptown or downtown, East or West coast, there is always a strength and reality to how women dress here.”

Day One:

After 13 hours and a half of flying on the. Emirates A380, touched down in the Big Apple and checked into one of New York’s top hotels, The Carlyle Hotel, part of the Rosewood Hotel group in the Upper East side. I fell in love with the Carlyle, a favorite among the fashion industry has something a little more than just a typical five star hotel – the hotel has its own distinct smell, the monogrammed initials on the linen to the Kiehl’s toiletteries. That afternoon, I was booked in for a 60 minute massage after the long flight at the hotel’s sense spa. If you’re looking for one of the most relaxing non fuss pampering session, book in at the Carlyle (not to mention one of the most comfortable massage beds and head rest!) We ended the day with dinner at The Crown with the International press over a 3 course meal of Kale salad, Gnocchi and lemon tart.

Day Two:

We started the day with a visit to the MoMa (museum of Modern art) to check out Sigmar Polke’s work before heading to a beautiful lunch in the middle of Central Park, the newly renovated Tavern on the Green. The table setting was the most beautiful thing I’ve seen and we were welcomed by deliciously handsome men wearing Dior blazers. After finishing up the matcha Green tea desserts, we were off to the hotel for a quick change (I went for head to toe in Dior!) before the highlight of the whole trip…

Time for the main reason of the trip… The Dior Cruise show! Christian Dior really went for quality and gave guests the full experience. I loved the fact that we were there for a Cruise show and took a Cruise ferry boat to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, by the banks of the East River. With Dior stamped on the boat and Dior covered seats, all aboard to head to the Dior show! As soon as we got on to land, we had the most beautiful view of Manhattan and surrounded by chic women ready to head to the show. The show space was minimal & all white with ceiling to floor windows, and the celebrity guests included Rihanna, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Marion Cotillard, and Leelee Sobeiski to name a few.

This season, Raf wanted to go for something powerful, “This freedom is something I admire in the way particular American women dress. And I feel a really strong energy coming from American women in their response to the work I am doing at Dior – and historically to the response America had to the work of Christian Dior himself. It is a reciprocal relationship and I wanted to return that feeling.” The pure American style was a large part of the collection, still keeping true to the French roots with the silk scarf (also called the French carré), The two styles added up to a powerful, strong collection with a lady like, free spirited aspect. A main theme in the show was hard and soft within the construction and textures of the pieces, as well as the style. A palette of white, black, reds and pinks in sheers, lace and twill. The trends displayed in the collection were mainly printed silks and tweed. Personally, I had my eyes on the Christian Dior logo bags… The beauty look was light, sophisticated and elegant that Peter Philips created and styled for the Cruise show.

 

The long yet eventful day ended with a dinner at one of NYC’s top restaurants that are known to host industry dinners, Indochine. Guests like Lee Sobeiski, supermodel Laetitia Casta and Allison Williams from the show ‘Girls’ were among the celebrities that joined the vietnamese cuisine dinner before officially ending the night with an after party at Boom Boom Room.

Day Three:

The trip ended on a great note with a morning visit to galleries including American artist, Sterling Ruby’s exhibition – he collaborated with Raf Simmons on the first couture show, as well as a few other galleries in Chelsea and Meat packing district before ending at a chocolate marshmallow factory. After 4 hours of Gallery hopping, we were ready for lunch… You don’t come to the U S of A and leave without a hamburger and cheesecake so we went to the popular meatpacking district favorite, The Standard Grill. Don’t leave without trying their burgers!

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