What's In Your Bag?: Editors' Fashion Week Necessities
1/10Mulberry Alexa Camera Bag: The newest addition to my fall wardrobe. It's seamlessly practical, deceivingly spacious, devastatingly chic. (Also, hiding inside the small pocket is my trusted bright red Canon Power Shot.)
Tory Burch bright yellow wallet: It's big and bulky, just the way I like it. Carries all my treasures, from Anita's baby pictures to a pass for a free massage at Bliss (you never know what that might come in handy).
Lucas Papaya ointment: The best lip balm from down under.
Marimekko notebook for show notes: Check out their new flagship store in 5th Avenue!
My tomboy daughter's Teck Deck skateboard: Don't even ask how that got in there.
Masai bracelet: Sweetest gift from my old intern Liana who traveled to Kenya this summer.
Propolis drops: Best homeopathic remedy to boost my immune system. During shows, your immune system is on a slippery slope!
Swiss Army knife and Garrity flashlight: Leftover survival gear from Hurricane Irene.
Baggy of almonds: Quick healthy snack! By Paris shows, my healthiest snack is a baguette with butter and cheese.
iPod Shuffle and Paul Frank headphones: For Subway rides between shows.
2/10Proenza Schouler PS1 in Smoke: Big enough to fit an iPad and a lot of stuff. It's like Hermione's magic bag!
Metrocard: For when I can't find a taxi.
Starbuck card: Caffeine is an essential, obviously.
Comme des Garcons pouch: It holds everything and it's helpful that it's neon because I can find it easily in my bag.
Burt's Bee hand cream: I shake a lot of hands backstage so this keeps them soft.
Clean Well hand sanitizer: To stay germ free.
Tissues: I always get sick during Fashion Week.
Visine: Helps me look awake even at late night parties.
Stack of vitamins: I keep Vitamin C, B12, and Echinacea handy.
Deborah Lippmann nail polish remover: Because there is nothing worse than chipped nails.
Shu Uemura lash curler: For quick pick-me-up.
Nivea lip balm: Better than lipstick and gives the perfect tint.
Band aids: Even with blisters, these help remind me to keep calm.
Business cards: A fashion week essential.
Yes to Cucumber face wipes: Because sometimes makeup artists like to demonstrate new trends on my face, and some looks are best kept on the runway.
iPhone
Olympic EPL1 camera with SFK chain: Because even cameras should be pretty during the shows.
Berocca: The English equivalent of Emergen-C.
Tatcha blotting paper: A day of shows can take its toll on my skin.
Engraved Smythson planner
Chanel pencil: To feel extra fancy pants backstage at shows.
3/10Jason Wu Mini Miss Wu bag: I love the bright color and compact size. My goal for the season is to de-clutter and downsize.
Smythson Fashion Diary: Yes, I am a member of that dying breed who still keeps a paper date book. This one doubles as a notebook, so I can jot down trends, news, and anything else of interest while I'm at the shows. As a writer, I still like to see certain things in print!
Rosebud salve: The best lip moisturizer. And it smells like roses.
Nars lipstick in Roman Holiday: The perfect sheer pink, and it's super moisturizing.
Tic Tacs: Hopefully for after my meal, and not as my meal!
iPhone: This is my "office" for the week—one-stop shopping for email, internet, and Twitter. It doubles as my camera, too. Basically, it's my lifeline!
Lancome automatic eye pencil in Fumee: For quick touch-ups between shows and dinners/events.
Ralph Lauren sunglasses: Finger's crossed I can get through fashion month without losing these. Last season in Paris, I misplaced my favorite Lanvin sunglasses at the Chloe show, where they were miraculously found and returned to me by another editor, only for me to lose them in a taxi as soon as I got back to New York!
Business cards, corporate card, cash: For wheeling and dealing ;) Also, my Starbucks gold card for caffeinating (member since 2008!).
4/10Rebecca Minkoff black bag: l love this bag —the stud detailing and chain strap really make it special. It's also the perfect size and holds everything I need.
Nicole by OPI nail polish: I carry red nail polish just in case. There are tons of different shows and events during fashion week so I'm prepared to fix any mani/pedi situation.
Sony camera + battery: I always have my camera and a charged battery—easily two of the most important things in my bag. I'll be taking pictures of all the new accessories at my appointments so I can reference them future shoots and projects.
Orbit: Love anything peppermint or spearmint!
Fashion week credentials + invites: These are must-haves to attend shows—can't get in without credentials and invites.
iPhone: I never go anywhere without my phone. I'm tied to my email and it's useful to jot down notes and take quick pictures at the shows.
Thierry Lasry sunglasses: Love these sunglasses and I'm really hoping the rain will clear (for a least one day) so I can wear them.
5/10BlackBerry: I never leave home without it. Even though I use my iPhone for email, photos, and Twitter, I'll never let go of my BlackBerry. (I'm obsessed with BBM!) During shows, I like to jot down any cool accessories I spy in my BlackBerry notes section.
Stella iPhone case: I love the chain lining and the mango color. And it's roomy enough to stick my Fashion Week badge in there as well. I usually lose my badge the first or second day of shows which is a complete disaster. Hopefully I do a better job this season.
iPod, Nixon headphones, and case: I never leave home without my iPod–especially during fashion week. When I get stressed going from show to show and sitting in the inevitable traffic jams, I tune into Adele to calm my nerves. And when I want to get pumped up waiting for a show to start – the new Kanye & Jay Z album will be on heavy rotation.
YSL hot pink coinpurse: I've never been a wallet person (because I like teeny bags). This is the perfect size for carrying my Business Cards, bank cards, and to stash my receipts for the week.
Chanel lipgloss: So sheer, it's perfect.
MCM notebook: I loved the color of this notebook, and it's the perfect size—small enough to slip into any of my bags & clutches
6/10Miu Miu bag: I've had this bag for about four years now and it is what I consider a classic. It is big enough to hold everything I need for fashion week, and still looks fresh season after season. I like to make it fun by tying on an Hermes Twilly scarf, or this cute furball keychain.
Miu Miu green wallet: I love the bright color of this wallet and it never gets lost in my bag. It holds my metro card for running on the subway between shows, the trusty American Express for taxi and meal expenses and my lucky $2 bill that I carry everywhere.
Kiehls lip balm: The miracle balm that cures chap lips and works great for dry cuticles and hands as well.
Double Bubble bubble gum: If not bubble gum, there is always some type of candy in my bag for a treat. Smarties, Pez, Werthers Originals and sour gummi worms are in heavy rotation.
My Droid and a cell phone: I'm not so much of a power player that I need two cell phones, but one is for work and the other I just can't let go of. Either way, I'm working away between shows whether it's making calls or sending emails.
Purell hand sanitizer: Keeping things germ free! The fashion week flu is inevitable, but this can help keep germs at bay.
Moleskin notebook: My favorite place to keep my fashion week schedule and to write notes and sketch during shows. After fashion week, I look back on my notes as we start working on trends for the new season.
L'oreal Infallible lip gloss: My drug store cheap chic go-to; the best poppy red for your lips. I always stock up for fear it will be discontinued.
Pen or Pencil: Of course always a little fun, either in a bright color or with a little turtle eraser on top, because I have to keep myself smiling during the intensity of fashion week.
Small perfume: Though it says Calvin Klein, it's actually filled with the custom scent I have made from Memoire Liquide.
7/10Mulberry Alexa Bag: I love, love, love this bag for many reasons, most especially because the more you knock it around and wear it out, the better it looks. Genius!
Lavender Oil: I bought this on Amazon. I dab a little on each of my wrists—it smells amazing. It's supposed to have a calming effect, though it may just have a placebo effect. Hey, whatever works!
Smythson Keep Calm and Carry On Notebook: This was given to me by my former intern (thank you, Lena!). It's great for jotting down notes during shows and, obviously, remembering to keep one's sanity.
WWD: I read it every morning, fashion week or not.
Milk Duds: Confession: I have a Milk Dud problem. I'm up to a box a day at this point. They're such a great treat to have between shows—you just have to make sure you aren't walking around with chocolate on your face!
Wallet: I've never been one for the big, zip-around wallet—the zipping and unzipping is too much work and I end up just throwing everything straight into my bag. This card-holder (from the Spanish brand Loewe) is perfect for me.
Camera: I always have my camera with me in case there's a look I want to snap.
Phyto Hair Gel: It's supposed to rain all fashion week, which is bad news for us curly haired girls. In an effort to avoid the disco queen look—and to allow the people sitting behind me at shows to see—I'll be carrying this tube of Phyto Defrisant Balm with me. This is the only hair gel I've ever found that doesn't create that crunchy, straw-like effect.
Cle de Peau Foundation: My cheeks tend to get very rosy—and not always in a good way—especially when I'm stressed! This Cle de Peu foundation is expensive, but does an amazing job of evening out one's complexion. (I use the YSL compact for a mirror.)
iPhone: I wish they would make an app for finding your show invites.
Tape Recorder: In case I have to interview someone on the fly.
Gum: It's always gratifying to be the person who actually has a piece of gum when someone asks for it.
8/10Louis Vuitton Lockit bag: It's so roomy and can fit everything, from an umbrella to a spare pair of shoes. Also, since it's a classic neutral color, I can be sure it'll go with whatever outfit I'm wearing.
R&Y Augousti wallet: Got this as a gift from my former boss. I love how chic it is, plus I can easily stuff it with the dozens of taxi receipts I collect during Fashion Week.
Hermes leather notebook: I'm sort of old school when it comes to taking notes backstage. During interviews with hairstylists and makeup artists, I usually scribble down their quotes and pray that I can read my horrible handwriting later.
Help Remedies "Help I Have A Blister" bandages: This may be the most important thing in my bag! Heels + running from show to show = destroyed feet!
Colored mechanical pencils from Musee National d'Art Moderne in Paris: Writing things down in bright green and orange feels cheerier than plain gray.
Marc Jacobs umbrella: So I can tackle rainy days stylishly!
iPhone with Rory Beca-designed Power Support USA case: I'm constantly tweeting and taking photos of models' hair and makeup backstage.
L'Occitane Limited Edition Desert Rose Lip Balm (launches in October): I hate when my lips feel dry and chapped. This clear balm smells really pretty.
Sony digital recorder: If I spot any celebrities or the designer backstage and want to get a quickie quote from them, I'll whip out this recorder since it's a lot faster than getting my notebook and pencil ready.
Kashi Go Lean Protein & Fiber Bar: Sustains my energy when I feel the 3 pm slump coming on.
Colgate Wisp Mini-Brushes: Perfect for freshening my mouth after a cup (or three) of coffee.
Hair elastics: I always carry at least a handful of them, since I inevitably end up losing a couple during the week.
Bottega Veneta card case with MetroCard: When going back and forth between Lincoln Center and our office in Times Square, I'm all about taking the subway.
Fresh Sugar Passion Tinted Lip Treatment: During the day, I like to wear a very subtle hint of color on my lips. This is the perfect sheer red shade.
Nars Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Place Vendome: If I have any nighttime shows or parties to attend, a swipe of this gloss instantly glams up my entire look.
Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm: When I desperately need a zen moment amid Fashion Week chaos, I rub this into my temples and take slow, deep breaths.
9/10Chanel Bag: Makes me feel pulled together and polished, even when I'm crazed, running from backstage to shows!
Valentino sunglasses: I love the cat eye shape!
Marimekko notebook: A must-have for note taking backstage.
Kitty coin purse and headphones: At the end of the day I tend to just zone out on my way home. Music helps. My dad gave me this leather Kitty coin purse from Austin shop Tesoros when I was eight. I think I've carried it around with me ever since!
Kindle: In the rare down time, it's nice to have a non fashion-related distraction. I'm a bookworm!
RMS Beauty Lip and Skin Balm: I will lose my mind if I have chapped lips. This butter keeps them healthy.
Nars Lip Gloss in Nana: This sheer, plummy shade is my go-to this fall.
Chanel Rouge Laque in 77: The perfect "sure, I just wake up looking this good!" color. Super natural!
Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask: I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr. Alkaitis products, and I keep this mask handy in case of emergencies.
iPhone: A must to stay connected to email and Twitter!
Chanel Nail Polish in Lilac Sky: I love this pretty pastel.
Stephanie Johnson Snap Mirror: I'm one of those people who is constantly worried that I have something in my teeth. A mirror is a must-have.
10/10Proenza Schouler Fall 2010 Emerald PS1: I love the unexpected color of this bag. Surprisingly goes with everything!
Kate Spade notebook: Even though I work on the internet, a good old fashion notebook is essential for recording my thoughts at shows and writing down people I meet's contact information.
Ray Ban sunglasses: Has a classic shape that never goes out of style.
iPhone: The most important item in my bag. Helps me stay connected to the office, take photos on Instagram, tweet show updates, and keep on top of Tumblr.
Vintage coin purse: Perfect for stashing extra USB chords and chargers.
Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk: Adds an extra boost to my hair at the end of a busy day of shows.
Comme des Garcons wallet: The shiny silver leather makes collecting receipts from cab rides more chic.
Chanel pressed powder: Great for a between show touch-ups.
MetroCard: Although not always the most glamorous mode of transport, the subway is definitely the fastest way to get around New York.
Muji card case and business cards: Great for handing out cards to new contacts as well as storing ones I collect throughout the day.
