To say NYFW with TRESemmé went by in a New York minute is an understatement, but it was undoubtedly one of the most memorable career experiences I’ve had to date! I went to three shows – Rebecca Minkhoff, Chromat and Libertine – and went backstage to see how the hair looks were created by Justin Marjan and the rest of the TRESemmé team.
TRESemmé also hosted us for a welcome brunch where I met other influencers from around the world, and they held a mentorship session for us that same evening. The mentoring session was a thought-provoking activity for me as we discussed our fears and dreams for our careers. TRESemmé is committed to female empowerment in the workplace particularly, and I definitely left the session feeling relief from some of the mindsets holding me back from my aspirations. What stood out the most for me was that we often fear we may be dreaming too big to start something new, but we don’t give ourselves credit for how much we’ve already achieved in our lives. And if we’ve made some dreams come true before, why can’t we make other dreams a reality too? I got a bit teary-eyed as I remembered 20 year-old Aqeelah, who started a fashion blog ten years ago, not realising it would bring her into the same spaces as the global heavyweights in her industry. Imagine she knew persisting at her little digital hobby would take her all the way to New York Fashion Week to make her presence count! And to think when I started my blog, I used to lurk outside the show doors at the CTICC to get standby tickets at Cape Town Fashion Week!
Something else that was super important to me was to share the “spotlight” and power the presence of women in the fashion industry back home by wearing clothing by female South African designers and/or entrepreneurs. I felt beautiful every day and I’m so thankful and honoured to have been dressed by so many amazing women. Keep scrolling for outfit credits and to see where each look is from. Don’t forget to check out the vlog below for an even better look at everything that went down!
xx
Outfit details: Ray-Bans from Sunglass Hut, Soltura blazer, Phi Casa frill blouse, custom-made leather skirt, hat from Global Village Dubai, Primark leather gloves, Witchery boots, bag from Istanbul.
Backstage at Rebecca Minkhoff. Check out the vlog at the end to see the show!
[Left: Holly Meadows, Justine Marjan and I at the TRES Trendsetter Session, Right: Meeting Tezza!]
[Left: Between shows we went to the Brooklyn Bridge!, Middle: Can we take a moment for how fabulous TRESemmé products have been for my hair?, Right: It’s really special being able to work and travel with my favourite plus 1]. Outfit details: hat from Istanbul, Wildrose Nino teddy coat, Dune London boots, Soltura turtleneck, Country Road denims.
My look for the Chromat show! Outfit details: leather cap and trench are both from Istanbul, Carducci trousers and Kurt Geiger shoes from Spitz.
A few of the hair looks backstage at Chromat. Check out the vlog at the end to see them in the show!
Left: Getting my hair done at the TRES salon to shoot with India Hartford Davis, Right: One of the final images from my shoot with India. Outfit details: Alysu faux fur, Haute Hayah dress, Stuart Weitzman boots from Spitz.
Can we take a moment for this guy? Left: Not only did he kill it at capturing NYFW, but he looked amazing too! Perfect hair achieved with TRESemmé heat defence spray before blow-drying and sealed with TRESemmé firm hold hairspray. Right: Looking dapper in Carducci.
My look for the Libertine show. Outfit details: Phi.Casa dress, Primark gloves, Amanda Laird Cherry belt, Pichulik earrings.
Touristing in Times Square! Wearing my Alysu faux fur again, Brett Robson trousers and Dr Marten boots from That Shoe Lady.
Exploring Washington Square Park on our last day in NY. Outfit details: Soltura turtleneck, Crystal Birch beret, Wildrose Nino leatherette set, Dr Martens from That Shoe Lady.
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By sharing her personal style, fashion and beauty advice, written reflections and more, Fashion Breed is a place for women to learn, relate and connect.
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