I’ve been trying to write about my New York trip for ages but you can say I have suffered a little writers block recently and putting my thoughts into words has become somewhat of a feat.

I’m still kinda pinching myself after an incredible week at NYFW. It was a personal goal for me to attend the shows and the experience has certainly exceeded any expectations I could have had. The streetstyle was insane, probably one of my many favorite moments. The beauty and fashion coming down the runway was both inspiring and definitely motivation to work harder and create more beautiful content as a South African fashion & beauty blogger. A part of me wants to make a global impact and represent our country on a global scale, as a global player. New York reignited that drive in me and I hope some day I can do that.

I had flown there to see the Michael Kors show after meeting the global PR in Cape Town at their store launch and chatting to the brand they had graciously invited me to attend and gifted me with a gorgeous rose bouquet and tri-colour Mercer handbag. Before heading into the show Niquita and I were mobbed by the fashion paparazzi capturing streetstyle for their various websites. It was a pretty rad feeling, although I was kinda nervous!

The MK show itself was exactly what I expected in terms of the biggest players in fashion and entertainment in attendance and the clothing was beautiful. What I didn’t expect was being so emotional about sitting at a runway show with Anna Wintour across from me and Kendall & Bella walking the runway as I watched the production in awe. The ambience in the room was incredible, from the music to the fashion and guests everything was perfect. It was something I dreamt of! I also attended the Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung shows, and wish to attend more next time.

Another top experience was meeting and chatting to Maybelline’s spokes models at an exclusive rooftop party for the brand. (Incl Jourdan Dunn Herieth Paul and Adriana Lima).The event was so intimate that I could chat to each of the models, no body guards or fans just us having drinks on a roof top in New York – I mean pinch me!

We connected with bloggers and influencers from around the world at Tressme’s rooftop brunch in Soho, hosted by beauty blogger Marianna Hewitt, I am a huge fan of hers so it was great being able to chat to her in persona and get to know her in an intimate setting. She chatted to us about her favorite products from the brand too.  Of course these rooftop moments meant lots photo opportunites for Niquita and I.

My highlight of the entire trip was just being able to express my style with no self doubt or worry that my style is too OTT or crazy. New York is so special, everyone appreciates bloggers and fashionistas by everyone I mean the hotdog vendors, cab drivers and awesome coffee shop owners.  Walking around New York in – 4 degree weather with people saying “aye you look really cool today” gives you some kind of powerful feeling! It kinda inspired me to start expressing myself in the same way at home, just be the care free human that I am in New York!

I definitely felt like South Africa was represented for the first time here as I was welcomed at events with excitement and intrigue. It’s so important for Africans to be showcased on a global and local scale and I’m happy and excited that I can do that to some degree, but we still have a long way to go. I hope I can continue to represent the fashion bloggers in our country globally, wish me luck!

Xo Aisha