Sept. 9th 2015
4am alarm wakes me up to a dark sky in L.A. Im filled with so much excitement... We are heading to NYC people. Its the first time traveling with James for work. He's on his way to NYFW while Im on my way to meetings and recording with the guys that did Usher's "My Boo" (EXCITED EMOJI)! Theres so many thoughts going through my mind, one of which is food... of course. Where I'm going to eat first, what am I going to see... and oh just the pure fact that I get to be in New York while fashion week is happening is just amazingly thrilling.
As we landed, it was already late. Making our way to the hotel - Gansevoort Hotel - there was a shift in the air. Oh, Magical New York how I've missed you. Settling in for the night it dawned on me how incredible tomorrow was going to be.
As I woke from am amazing sleep, I rush to the rack of clothes my stylist prepped for me. "even though you aren't going to be there for fashion week, doesn't mean you can't look the part" oh Kenny.. Putting my first look together was exciting on its own. The pops of dark green and mustard yellow really pulled everything together and I was off to my first meeting with the head of the New York office Sesac.
On top of the Carnegie Hall Towards looking over Central Park
Looking out at New York City and all its wonder from up here, it gave me a since of determination and drive. It made me laugh a little because my friends who were from New York would always say that if every person has a little bit of drive like the people from New York do, we would have had flying cars and talking cats by now….(lets take a moment to take that all in…yes they would say talking cats). Now back to more serious matters. Sitting down and started our meeting, we took my career apart. Rebuilding the weaker parts and making a stronger, more fierce me. I sat there with the team for hours, going over plans and talking about where I’d like to be in five years. The most amazing advice I walked away with that day was “Do what feels good, music is about your soul; not about anyone else’s.”
Running from meeting to meeting was serious and Late was my middle name that day. Meeting with James for a late lunch at Two Hands NYC, I was happy to finally eat something. Now before we get into fashion, lets talk about my other favorite ‘f’ word..food. My eye wandered their menu and landed on their Avocado Toast. They topped it off with a sunny side up egg and bacon..omg. It was the bomb.com guys. The cozy little spot was a nice hide away from the busy streets and never sleeping New York. Sipping on my chia latte, and taking a breather from the craziness outside, I was glad to be with a familiar face again; if only for a little while.
As the days went by, transit to the meetings got easier. I met with some friends, went back and forth to New Jersey to finish my song, and try to take in as much of New York as I could. After lunch at ABC Kitchen with James, we stumbled upon a Farmers Market some blocks down. We found some amazing produce and of course, my cheese connoisseur found a local cheese maker and we bought several slices of cheese for later. We made several more stops at key must eat places and one of them being CHLOE. Amazing, and extremely healthy because everything is vegan. A definite must-try.
One of the most memorable parts of New York was that we were there for September 11th. The Tribute lights from ground zero was the most incredible sight to see in person. From the Empire State Building Observation Deck, we look over the city that never sleeps but there was a quite about that night. Like everyone stood still for a little while and remembered all of those who were gone. The night before our last, James, Gianni (James’s Friend from Switzerland) and I got a chance to go to the Sleep No More. If you haven’t heard about it, look it up. Another little gem in NYC thats a must try.
View from Empire State Building of the Tribute Lights
Walking down the streets on New York made me realize how amazing and different the fashion and the culture was. I saw so many muted tones, textures on textures, and fur. Lots of fur. All black, lace and leather was clearly in and it was of course my go-to. I must say that (fall) season my style has evolved a lot. I played around with lots of texture, leather on a nice big sweater. Collars, and some modern twists on plaid. The 70’s was really in and I ate it all up. Here are the recaps babes, x.
