Written by Emma D'Arcy
Fashion Week marks the beginning; a new season, a new collection, new talent with great promise that catches the eye. As the fashion industry captured our attention with a spectacular show of creativity from New York to Paris that sashays towards the future, we are (stylishly) reminded that autumn is officially here.
Working in the media and advertising industry, Fashion Week is always an exciting time, with parties, events and collections galore as the seasons shift – I have always admired the sensational outfits of the audience at the shows as much as the models on the catwalk! Images that stand out in my mind vary from fantastical hat creations in a rainbow of colours, to the dramatic silhouettes of the fashion models in their finery. The intoxicating combination of glamour, the electric atmosphere and inspired creative expression on display make for a theatrical spectacle. This year, London Fashion Week took on an added layer of creative significance as it marks the city’s cultural reopening, with a whole host of physical and digital immersive experiences showcasing an array of established and up-and-coming talent. On the world stage, London, Paris, New York and Milan once again offered the fashion industry’s latest collections of creative stories, whilst celebrating looking to the future with stunning, atmospheric shows and innovative showcases for the online crowd to enjoy.
It’s a time to fashionably reset. The ‘Back to School’ feeling, the anticipation of fresh starts, new opportunities – even new restaurants, shows and seasonal menus – and a brand new season of cozy layers to envelope yourself in on those slightly cooler, darker evenings. The cozy cable knits, classic leather boots (coveting Stuart Weitzman’s range currently) and lush cashmere scarves start to make an appearance, and I usually invest in a new coat (I have my eye on a forever trench or oversized wool-blend coat), at this time of year. It’s the changing seasons that require this wardrobe reset, so I combine this with clearing out any items that haven’t been worn for six months to the local charity shop (easier said than done, as I’m sure you’ll agree, but the intention is there!). The rest of my summer wardrobe gets shelved until my next long-haul sunshine break – which will hopefully be sooner rather than later – ideally February, when I really need a dose of sunshine after winter!
Beyond the glamour of Fashion Week marks the changing of seasons. I love the changing colours of nature, the most spectacular of which I discovered whilst walking in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park when I lived in New York City recently. The brightest shades of reds, yellows, oranges and changing greens are magnificent! Travelling around upstate New York and beyond to Boston, Massachusetts, I regularly enjoyed driving along the winding highways to glimpse gold-coloured forests and appreciated the brilliance of nature’s seasonal display.
Autumn is time for cozy coffees, log fires and fire pits, plenty of long refreshing walks in the crunchy orange leaves, and restorative yoga and pilates. I also tend to think about setting a few (reasonably achievable) intentions for the month ahead. This year it’s going to be all about connecting with close friends I haven’t seen for too long, delving into new career opportunities, and exploring ideas about where to call home for my next chapter. It’s an exciting time to reset, to appreciate and enjoy some of your favourite seasonal changes as we move into cozy golden October nights and all the exciting possibilities that the new season brings.
