Day in the Life of an Assistant Fashion Stylist: NYFW F/W 2023

 The biggest day of my fashion life took place on Sat, Feb 11, 2023: I worked as the Assistant Fashion Stylist to support the ORAZ showcase during New York Fashion Week!

So, I know you’re dying to know what happened! Let me take you along the journey with me of the days in the life of an Assistant Fashion Stylist - it was a wild four days can so buckle up!

Day 1 of NYFW: The Fashion Stylist (& my girlfriend / sister) and I woke up at the wee hours of the morning and drove from Maryland to NYC. Touched down, and immediately met with the Designer to conduct the model call. I unpacked and arranged our accessories (shoes, earrings, rings, gloves, headpieces, etc.), lined-up the shoes in order of size, and began dressing the models from head to toe based upon the moodboard looks. This may sound like a cute profession, but it requires a great deal of skill: you to have a good eye for model body type, facial structure, catwalk to make sure that a model has the “IT” factor to strut their stuff on the runway. It also takes a great deal of discipline to do this type of analysis for hours at a time, sometime without eating!

Day 2 of NYFW: The Fashion Stylist and I scooped our photographer from La Guardia Airport and hit the NYC / New Jersey streets to finalize touches for our celebrity fitting later that evening. Malina Weissman from Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events walked the red carpet of and sat front row at the ORAZ show, so my job as an Assistant Stylist was to recommend the designer’s dress that best fit her overall look, mood, and body type. Using my stylist kit, I aided the Fashion Stylist in tailoring one of ORAZ’s black couture dresses to her petite figure.  Once we fit her in the dress, we said, “This dress was made for you!” And, she wore it just like it was made for her! 

Day 3 of NYFW: This was our first and final opportunity to preview the runway prior to the show, and we also performed a last-minute fitting for a few models who were casted for the show.

Day 4 of NYFW: Day 4 of NYFW is, showtime! Upon arriving on location, I met the other assistant stylist hired to participate in the showcase. Immediately, we unpacked our inventory, arranged all accessories, steamed runway garments and participated in model fittings with the Designer.  

A huddle with the Designer to discuss runway timing / logistics was the calm before the storm, and ignited butterflies in my tummy! Less than 30 minutes later, I led the team of assistant stylist through the moodboard of the show. I oversaw as stylist dressed the models, applied accessories, put on their shoes, and answered questions pertaining to each model’s look. Each model was prepped and ready for their runway debut!

Reflecting on NYFW, I felt confirmation that I am supposed to be a key player in the fashion industry. Electric energy courses through my veins as I happily practice styling, a creative activity that immeasurably elevates a person’s mental, physical, and spiritual state.  The best part of this experience is, I worked with a team of African American fashion stylist during Black History Month during NYFW! I can’t wait for my next NYFW experience!