SLIDESHOW: FASHIONISTAS AT MACY'S [59 IMAGES]
On night seven of Fashion Week, I headed over to Macy’s in Downtown Crossing. The promotions team at Stuff@Night had pimped me out to emcee and give style tips at their Fashionistas event. I have to say, there are a million worse things in life than being forced to shop and drink — or is it drink and shop? Who’s counting, anyway?
The event brought together an interesting mix of industry and common folk. Gianni Mazzotta from Peroni beer, one of the event’s sponsors, flew in from New York for this and other Fashion Week festivities. (A side note: I’ve known Gianni for eons — we share a cousin and have encountered each other at many an Italian family function, where adorable little old ladies from the old country pinch our cheeks, the men play bocce ball in the back, and the fashion is all very Sopranos.)
I wanted to calm my nerves before announcing the show, so I had Phoenix VP Mike Bornhorst grab me one of the yummy little Absolut (another event sponsor) concoctions. Funny thing about me: shove me in front of a camera or on the radio and I’ll own it. Live crowds, not so much. And thanks, Brady Bunch, but envisioning everyone in their undies just doesn’t work for me.
I managed to stop my hands from shaking long enough to get up on stage, thank the sponsors, and announce the first of two shows. Styled by the über-talented Lydia Santangelo, the show was colorful, funky, and fun, and the models (I think mostly from Maggie) looked adorable and totally rocked the runway. I was taking many mental notes for my own personal shopping list. There was a time when the thought of shopping at Macy’s downtown made me cringe. Downtown Crossing is dingy (thankfully the city has big plans to clean it up) and just not my cup of tea. And to be honest — I always am — the selection just didn’t seem contemporary enough. But the retailer has completely stepped up their game recently. Their “Impulse” section, where my “editor’s closet” was stationed, had a really fun mix of French Connection, Ben Sherman, Matty M, BCBG Maxazria, and more. I went home with a cream-colored fringe top from French Connection. Actually, I didn’t go home with it; I put on in the car to wear out to the next event — and may have excited (or offended) a few parking-garage attendants in the process. Sorry, guys, a fashionista’s gotta do what a fashionista’s gotta do ...
— Erica Corsano
