All About NYFW

Foreign Exchange floral top, H&M shorts and necklace, Madewell belt, Zara heels

There are absurd amounts of color bursts all over this ensemble, but I want to say that the clean black lines pull everything together. Though in retrospect, perhaps the black belt was a smidgen unnecessary -- the shorts stayed up just fine. Jk we all know that accessory > utility. Sometimes.

I also realize I'm a little late to the floral print party as we're ushering out the summer and welcoming the fall with open arms, but something about this top beckons me to wear it long into the season. Ah, and my modest arm candy (arm parties are really not ideal under the sweltering sun -- makes for all sorts of unsightly tan lines) consists of a gold bangle gifted by my godmother and a woven bracelet I bought from Somaly Mam made by survivors of modern day slavery.

Now, onto some serious stuff!

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NYFW

It's amazing how with hard work, a wee bit o' a luck, and a giant leap of faith, circumstances have led me from LA to NYC for the most incredible summer of my life. Interning without pay (trust me, my bank account cries every day) is a small price I pay for the insane amount of self-discovery and personal growth I've experienced. I took a huge risk by throwing myself into this crazy, bustling city, but I'm here because this is the fashion capital of the US. This is where I need to be -- where I want to be -- and I've been loving every second of it.

As loud and clear as my passion for fashion rings true, I'm not going to pretend like I have an extensive grasp on the industry, because I don't. Let's be real here -- UCLA is no Parsons, and seeing as how the majority of my friends work in finance, I'm pretty much on my own. So far, my independent research and late nights spent perusing print and online editorials have brought me to the cusp of distinguishing between fashion as a hobby and as a lifelong dedication.

But living a fashion life through glossy pages and pixelated screens only goes so far -- nothing quite equates to being physically present at a show among some of fashion's elite. It's remarkable how much of the intricate detailing of the garments and even hair and makeup is lost in the lenses. You have to see these shows in person. Moreover, being able to fully witness and absorb the art that is fashion while surrounded by the industry's influencers is a once in a lifetime experience in and of itself.

 Despite my current residence in the heart of Manhattan, NYFW remains so close yet so far. I am but a few connections and credentials shy of access to the runway shows of some of the most remarkable designers of the century. Everyone speaks of the glitz! The glamour! The sparkle and shine of NYFW! I, of course, cannot attest to this, having never been present in NYC at this time of year, but I am aware of the nitty gritty of it all. These extravagant productions are born from hours of toil and labor and stress and sweat and love and tears. And sheer brilliance.

There's so much more for me to learn. So much to take in and digest. I can hand you a copy of my resume and tell you how I accomplished this and that, which landed me such position at x company and consequently, such position at y company. I can tell you how everything in my professional life worked out systematically as a direct result of what preceded it. However, when it comes to telling you why I decided to come out The Big Apple for free, I'm unable to intellectually articulate my feelings into well-strung sentences. Intuition. Passion. Fulfillment. What more can I say?

(via Tumblr)

Nineties Midriff

H&M sheer cropped top and sunnies, Zara denim shorts and heels, Madewell belt, thrifted necklace

Contrary to my preconception of NY's cityscape being nothing more than an urban jungle peckled with sewer grids (detrimental to my heels) and bags of trash piled high, there are quite a few scenic spots, including the High Line Park, which runs the length of several blocks. The High Line was born from the repurposing of the West Side Line (once a railway) into a park, now home to meadow shrubbery, neat architecture, and pop-up vendors. The view is especially beautiful during the sunset as it overlooks the Hudson River. Romantic stroll, anyone?

Don't know if you can tell, but I was really trying to channel my inner 90s child with the midriff-exposing cropped top and frayed denim. Just happened to be lacking some black boots (I basically left my entire shoe collection back in LA - cry time). So, I made do with these Zara heels, which I love dearly and therefore you'll be seeing them quite often. Reasons why I love 'em? Ankle straps - check. Walkable heel - check. Pointed toe - check. Le perfect shoe for traversing Manhattan.

Now, I leave you with this! The intro's kinda jungle-y, suitable for an urban jungle. And "High For Me" as in, the HIGH Line Park. Yes? No? I try.

Cadillac - High For Me by Cadillac

The Lion King on Broadway

F21 sheer maxi, Bar III cardigan, H&M necklace, Zara heels (here), Longchamp Le Pliage tote

Last week, my cousin from Maryland came to visit, and catching a Broadway musical was an automatic must on our touristy NYC to-do list. The Lion King is my favorite Disney classic, so I figured the musical would be just as great, if not better, and would thereby justify the $--- we paid per ticket.

I filtered through most of my thoughts as the night progressed, but here are a few.

• Our two seats, front and center of the mezzanine. Perfect.


• Zazu is played by a colorful dude in a strange hat and topcoat who occasionally refers to his bird puppet as a separate entity. What is up with that.


• Huh. The dialogue is practically word for word from the film. With the exception that joke. And that joke. Wait, those jokes were terrible!


• Ah, "Be Prepared" (as performed by Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed and Ensemble). A marvelous musical number! A classic! What the. But they've just tacked on a weird rock and roll spin to it. With out of place, half naked men dancing on the stage. WHAT ARE THEY DOING. Needless to say, I was not a fan.

Perhaps I went in with too many expectations, but to be fair, I must have seen The Lion King over 100 times on VHS. Okay, maybe 50. Nevertheless, it was a night well spent with my cousin and righteously finished with some well-earned ice cream.

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And a few things on what I'm wearing. This black maxi is one of the few gems I've found at Forever 21: the sheer bottom half is obviously more transparent in the sun and priced at only $17, it was basically a steal. The holey Bar III sweater provides more insulation than you would expect, and ah, my trusty Longchamp tote. It's boring and bland, but by golly is it durable and handy. Far too many times it has saved its contents from the rain and my abuse, easily making it the perfect travel bag.

Alright world, thank you for bearing with the poor quality of my photos and my incessant babbling.

I bid you goodnight!

Bright Lights

F21 floral top and accessories, AA shorts, Steve Madden boots, Gap hat, Tory Burch bag

Admittedly, I've felt like a lethargic blob for the past few days, and in my spare time, have had my rear glued to the couch for spurts of The Vampire Diaries marathons (thank you, Netflix). I hardly consider myself a vampire fanatic, and a few weeks back, I would have scoffed at the new me. But after undergoing the stages of shame, denial, and finally acceptance, I'd say I am now enlightened.  Yes I like The Vampire Diaries and right now, nothing sounds better than opening up a bag of herb pita chips and watching back-to-back-to-back episodes.

As for what I'm wearing, I tried my best to stay cool in a breezy, floral top and high-rise shorts. Thought the panama hat would be a nice touch, even though I'm not usually a hat person.  I am, however, a sucker for heels, so I love these comfy Steve Madden Pembrook boots (still available here in some sizes) for the added height and agility to chase after subway cars.

These photos were taken right outside a little Peruvian restaurant near Christopher Street. If you've never tried Peruvian, you must. Peruvians know how to eat, and rest assured I'll likely have several posts dedicated to just that.

Summer Layers

Zara vest, Noble tank, Trouve silk trousers, Zara heels, vintage clutch, jewelry from F21 & H&M

 Here's the outfit I wore to the Intern Queen Party several weeks back, where I met some of the most amazing girls ever. Turns out you can layer and still stay cool in the summer heat. Sorta. I've learned firsthand that summers in NYC are not for the faint of heart and certainly not for the perspiration prone. The subway stations instantly become saunas, and for that matter, silk trousers are my salvation.

I've also learned that walking through Times Square really brings out the roadrage LA driver in me. But instead of four wheels, I'm maneuvering stilettos around subway vents.

Introductions

Free People denim jacket, Tucker for Target dress, MIA studded suede heels, F21 accessories

Hello world. I'm Ivana, and I've decided to embark on (yet another) journey of fashion, foodage, and wanderlust chronicles. Aptly named Cut and Taylored, this blog serves as an outlet for my fascination with intricate cuts and designs and structural pieces, as well as my efforts in honing my personal style. In the meantime, I'm transitioning between cities and am currently working in NYC, so I'll be sure to share my adventures here and there. Stay tuned!

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