WWD photographer Steve Eichner sees it all and shares his unique perspective from the front lines of New York Fashion Week — from the runways in the morning to the after parties and after-after parties at night.
Jill Stuart Show
10:36 a.m.: “Let’s get a fun shot of you blowing smoke with your breath. It’s so cold out. It’ll be cool!” I gesture to Atlanta de Cadenet. “Not right now. It won’t look good,” she says. “Come on, it’ll be fun,” I press. “No, no,” her friend chimes in. Feeling rejected, I bark (half kidding): “Well then, I won’t take any more photos of you and you’ll never be in WWD again.” Then I apologize. “Sorry, I’m early morning grumpy and need coffee.”
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10:48 a.m.: Valentines Day flowers backstage — nice gesture.
10:57 a.m.: Something I have never seen before at Fashion Week: a model backstage with playing cards stuck in her hair as part of her catwalk prep. Apparently this is not uncommon. As I snap away, one of the dressers says, “You’ll edit me out, right?” Yeah, there’s an app for that.
Misha Nonoo Show
12:03 p.m.: Live string orchestra playing. Nice romantic touch, Misha.
12:10 p.m.: “It’s going to be freezing cold tomorrow,” says a bubbly Meghan Markle. Yeah, I know — can we snuggle to stay warm?
12:13 p.m.: “Do you have a Valentine’s Day date?” I ask Alina Cho. “Yes, with Altuzarra, then with the Polo Bar.”
12:16 p.m.: “Will you get a picture of Dame Jillian Sackler?” a public relations flack asks. “Yeah, I need a picture of anyone whose name starts with ‘Dame,’” I tell her.
12:32 p.m.: “Is that lip piercing new?” Yes! Rumer Willis seems pleased I noticed.
12:44 p.m.: Time to shoot the show. I eye an open spot on the front row next to my girl Meghan Markle. “Yes, yes, come sit,” she grins. Maybe I won’t have to wait for tomorrow for that snuggle…?
Alexander Wang Show
4:32 p.m.: Of course the show is at some out-of-the-way location all the way downtown on the FDR Drive. He always does this to us. I decide to subway it to the show. The D train service is canceled and have to wait for the local F. Ughhhhh.
4:47 p.m.: Finally get to the East Broadway station. I’m running late through a snowstorm. Freezing, jogging and slipping. #fualexwang!
5:03 p.m.: Made it! The show set looks like the inside of a drainage pipe.
5:28 p.m.: “Can I see?” Nicki Minaj squeaks. “Sure,” I hand her my iPhone with the Instagram pic I just grabbed. She smiles in approval. “You don’t take a bad picture,” I flirt. She hams it up for a few more, as I soak in every curve. I’ll never wash my iPhone again.
5:35 p.m.: “Over there! Look, smile, honey,” Kim Kardashian giving North West possibly (but unlikely) her first posing lesson.
5:37 p.m.: Kanye sits in between Kim and Nicki. One could insert a thousand punch lines: Kanye Butts in. Not Enough Room on the Bench. Butt Anyway. That’s a Minaj I’d like to participate in!
5:55 p.m.: Very “Bride of Frankenstein” is how I describe the show walking back to the subway with the WWD fashion assistants. “We loved it,” they say. “Yeah, it speaks to you kids. I loved it too.” Alex, you are forgiven.
Love Magazine Signing at Bookmarc
6:31 p.m.: Hundreds of fans swarm the tiny shop.
6:33 p.m.: “Can I get a shot of your dates?” I ask Derek Blasberg of the ladies on his arm, Natasha Lyonne and Zoe Kravitz.
7:09 p.m.: “Here’s Kendall Kardashian!” Marc Jacobs announces as the model arrives. They stand together as the cameras flash. “Can I see?” Kendall asks me. Weird, second time today a celeb asked to inspect their picture.
7:14 p.m.: Fans are literally pressing their noses against the window to see Kendall and Gigi Hadid.