Sep 21, 2012 >> Elise Bergman’s NYFW Diary

We think Elise Bergman is cool. And when we heard that the local design darling—known for her unfussy and playful line of women’s clothes—was heading to NYFW, we asked her to keep a daily diary of her favorite stops.

With plans to squeeze in buying appointments for Roslyn boutique, accompany her brother and sister—the two cool cats behind indie band Wild Belle—and attend Lincoln Center shows, Elise’s time spent in NY is in one word inspired.

Follow a trip to NYFW through the lens of designer Elise Bergman.

4:15 PM >> Look at my initial pile of clothes for NY and realize I might need just one more fun outfit. Decide to make myself something new and start cutting apart a thrifted skirt with a graphic giraffe print.

9:47 PM >> Finish the high-waisted pencil skirt. Think it needs one more element to be Fashion Week worthy. Find a jacket on my rack of vintage clothes with complimentary colors and experiment with mixing prints. The result: a funky detachable peplum.

11:23 PM >> Try on a couple outfits before packing. Ask myself if it’s okay to wear white after Labor Day. Decide that my new peplum looks a little more me with a solid black skirt than it does with the giraffes. Will revisit the trend of mixing prints, but going to leave it alone for now.

2:45PM >> Arrive to NYC.

5:07 PM >> My sister Natalie tries on samples from Mulberry.

8:10 PM >> Head to Mulberry in Soho for Fashion’s Night Out. Wild Belle is on deck to DJ.

8:45 PM >> Meet up with my friend Julia Felsenthal (writer/editor for T: The New York Times Style Magazine) and walk around the neighborhood. The streets are packed and the lines to get into most stores are very long. Stop in a few places to people watch and spot some covetable fall trends (embellished sleeves at 3.1 Philip Lim, floral swimwear at Zimmerman, leather details at Isabel Marant, and statement sunglasses at Ilori). Try on some sunnies and try to justify a $300 pair from Persol or a $595 pair from Balmain, but leave the store empty handed.

10:44 PM >> Late night bite: the most fresh and delicious sushi and sake from Blue Ribbon.

1:07 AM >> Head to a party in the meatpacking district where legendary photographer Mick Rock has some photos on display—think David Bowie, Blondie, etc—and grab a snapshot of my brother Elliot with the photographer.

2:02 PM >> Spend some time in the garment district where Natalie has a fitting and I grab some essentials (zippers, hooks and eyes, grosgrain, boning, etc). Snap a covert shot of metallic trims at Mokuba, an amazing spot with more ribbons and trims than you could dream up uses for, though I sure came up with some fun ideas while I was in there.

6:32 PM  >> Nicole Miller Finale on cool lit backdrop (galaxy, floral, and tribal prints unite).

7:00 PM >> Waiting for the Charlotte Ronson show to start.

7:23 PM >>Surrounded by flashbulbs and photographers taking photo after photo of Rachel Zoe, Cory Kennedy, Paris Hilton, Harley Viera Newton, and loads of other “it” girls. So, I do some creeping of my own and snap shots of the back of Rachel Zoe’s head (shortly after this an angry intern booted us back a few rows—there’s no being star struck at fashion week).

7:39 PM >> Charlotte Ronson Finale (flirty florals meet sporty silhouettes—her collection goes from feminine to edgy and a nautical theme ties it all together).

10:09 PM >> Home cooked dinner at Julia and Jake’s new place in Red Hook, Brooklyn (arugula salad, fresh pesto and penne, and halibut in a tomato, caper, and green olive broth—yum!).

10:00 AM >> En route to VPL donning my camera, Mulberry bag, and one-of-a-kind floral print Carter Dress and hoping I don’t get totally drenched by the rain.

11:39 AM >> VPL = asymmetric draping mixed with elements of activewear, stripes and brush strokes, billowy meets boxy.

12:55 PM >> Vegetarian brown rice BiBimBop with my friend Marina (a freelance fashion consultant) at Chelsea Market before catching the train back to Lincoln Center.

2:29 PM >> Ukulele trio at Mara Hoffman.

2:40 PM >> Mara Hoffman’s tropical finale (upbeat, playful, bold embellishments, and color blocking).

4:35 PM >> Boy By Band of Outsiders finale (feminine draped chiffons paired with impeccably tailored minimal pieces, Japanese inspired textiles, warrior princesses).

9:00 PM >> Hang out with my friend Kathryn Chalmers (marketing manager at Gilt Groupe). I find a familiar face on her fridge.

1:00 PM >> Today is buying day. Visit showrooms to look at SS13 collections for Roslyn. First stop: International Playground.

2:30 PM >> Second stop: the News Showroom.

3:27 PM >> Third stop: Denise Williamson Showroom.

4:40 PM >> Take a break from showroom appointments to do some shoe shopping.

5:00 PM >> Visit an old friend who recently opened her shop Stone Fox Bride in Soho. Awesome vibes and unique offerings for ladies on the lookout for something different. Chat about custom designing a dress for the store. Take a few notes: “crepe back satin jumpsuit, bustier bodice with romantic skirt, bird cage veil, send sketches next week.”

10:17 PM >> Wild Belle plays a set at Le Baron in Chinatown [PHOTO BY THE MUSIC.FM]

Want more of Elise in your life? Visit EliseBergman.com for more information.