Day 4 of New York Fashion week got off to an infinitely better start than the previous one. I had forsaken the parties in favour of a much needed early night so felt sprightly and ready to hit the shows. My first port of call was in fact, not a show at all but a visit to Kurt Geiger’s gorgeous new Bleecker Street boutique where they were bringing us Brits a bit of home comfort with an all day English tea party. I adore Kurt Geiger’s shoes and team there so it was a real treat to see the both of them out in NYC and indulge in a decent cup of earl grey (easier said then done in Manhattan!). In celebration of the latest stateside Kurt Geiger outpost they had also managed to get their hands on a black London taxi which they very kindly said I could use whenever I fancied. I have to say that having a car and driver at your disposal, even just for one afternoon, makes fashion week an infinitely less exhausting experience.

I wore… Shorts suit & poloneck jumper: Theory, Coat: Sandro, Hat: Maje, Bag: Mulberry, Boots: Massimo Dutti

After drinking countless cups of tea and falling in love with a pair of adorable white croc flats and matching clutch bag I hopped in the Kurt Geiger cab and headed uptown to Lincoln Centre for the Trina Turk presentation.

I have to admit, I don’t know a great deal about Trina Turk but I really liked her collection for Banana Republic last Summer. The American designer’s latest offerings included plenty of the bold colour combos I’d previously admired, applied to classic wardrobe staples to see the well-heeled woman through both Autumn and Winter. Oversized fedoras, flared trousers and floor-sweeping maxi skirts in a palette of mustard, plum and aubergine gave some looks a distinctly 70′s feel while a sharp houndstooth knit and red leather skinnies combo referenced the previous decade. While it didn’t really appeal to me personally Trina Turk’s AW13 collection was undeniably elegant and will no doubt sell like hot cakes.

Trina Turk AW13

After that I decided it was definitely time to replenish my caffeine levels with a trip to, you’ve guessed it, Starbucks. The nearest one is literally 100 mentres from Lincoln Centre but navigating the Street Style snappers lined up outside generally takes around half an hour. Then again, when none of them want to take your photo it does feel vaguely depressing. Coffee in hand (and some down coat) I returned to the tents for show number two, Diane Von Furstenberg. The inimitable DVF is something of an industry institution and always pulls in a top class FROW. This time around was no expection and before even taking my seat I spied Coco Rocha, Carine Roitfeld and Olivia Palermo. By the time the show began the “Theatre” was absolute packed, no mean feat when you consider the vast size of the venue. Cara Delevgine opened, all flowing locks and saucy swagger in figure skimming animal print. The show notes opened with the statement that “life is a party” and the collection reflected this sentiment entirely. It was a veritable feast of eye-popping hues and vibrant prints that simply oozed Studio 54 decadence. When it comes to colour, Diane Von Furstenberg is fearless and her label’s latest offerings included everything from rich earthy hues to luscious jewel tones and shimmering metallics. As promised the collection featured many a party-ready frock but there was also some really fantastic tailoring, my personal favourite being a magenta silk trouser suit. The closing look was a breath-taking, floor sweeping cobalt blue halterneck number that will no doubt soon be a red carpet fixture and after the models took their final lap, Diane herself came dancing down the runway to the sound of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”. All in all the show was fun, feminina and fabulous, surely the very essence of what DVF is all about.

Diane Von Furstenberg AW13

I left the Lincoln Centre with a great big grin on my face and made a beeline for the London taxi Kurt Geiger had kindly let me carry on using that afternoon. My next destination was the lower east side for Y-3. Held waaaaay downtown in an actual warehouse the Y-3 show was just about one of the hippest I’ve ever attended. Then again, you wouldn’t expect anything less from the Adidas line designed by Yohji Yamamoto. Unsurprisingly there was a whole lotta comme des garçons on the FROW and I felt unbelievably grateful for having decided to wear my red beret/flippy mini combo the day before. Y-3 was a seriously late starter (I need to stop bothering to mention this) but I was having such a good time basking in the sheer coolness of the whole situation I didn’t particularly care. Just as I was starting to tire of people watching Carine Roitfeld arrived, a Wild West soundtrack struck up and it was time for the show to begin. This was directional sportswear at its most fashion forward with sculpted silhouettes, innovative technical fabrics and distorted proportions galore. Black on black looks were punctuated with neon accents and day glo waffle knits and there was even some very neat tailoring. The overall aesthetic was 90′s streetwear with an avant guard twist and seriously wow-worthy trainers. Re-imagined trench coats and tweed looks were unexpected but strangely fitting. The collection was achingly cool and masterfully constricted and a finale of zip topped, voluminous creations hinted at Yamamoto’s legendary couture creations.

Y-3 AW13

By this time I’d sadly had to say goodbye to my driver and decided to walk home which took rather longer than expected. That evening I once again ditched the parties in favour of dinner with an old friend but rest assured, I haven’t come over all sensible and definitely made up for it over the next two evenings!

Love Ella. X