This was created by Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore for Michael Kors
Talk about a New York minute! Singapore’s very own Andrea Chong flew thousands of miles to the Big Apple and found herself immersed in the pulsating energy of New York Fashion Week. From speaking to Michael Kors about diversity to going on a food trail around the city, Chong recounts every moment in New York. See her visual diary above and read about her day below:
6:00AM I have very horrible jet lag whenever I travel to the US. I’m awake in the middle of the night because I get “stomach jet lag” (it’s lunch time in Singapore, after all!). But usually in Singapore, I don’t usually sleep beyond seven in the morning. I need at least five to six hours to feel afresh. My alarm’s your typical iPhone alarm. It’s nothing special. I’m a light sleeper, so any tune will wake me up just fine!
6:10AM The first thing I do when I wake up is check my emails and Instagram. I’m not exactly a coffee person—I’m more of a teh peng siu dai (iced milk tea, less sweet) person! Fish ball noodles from the hawker centre is my go-to breakfast option, but I guess it’ll be hard to find in New York…
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6:30AM When it comes to getting ready for the day, it takes me 15 minutes for makeup and another 20 minutes to do up hair. My approach to style is straightforward: I always put on outfits that are fuss-free—but classy! What I wear isn’t really dependent on my mood. But on days when I don’t have to shoot, I’m pretty much in off-duty staples such as t-shirts and denim shorts. I think I’m an efficient packer—I brought along five pairs of shoes for New York Fashion Week.
7:10AM New York’s traffic is notoriously bad, so I leave early just to make sure I won’t be late for my interview with Michael Kors. I also spritz on some Narciso Rodriguez perfume before heading out.
8:00AM I meet the designer himself! During our quick chat, Michael mentioned that the fall 2018 collection is all about celebrating diversity and women from all walks of life. I think that’s also what continues to excite me about fashion—that you don’t have to stick to a definitive style. Fashion is always evolving and it’s fun to try on different trends and silhouettes.
10:30AM And the show begins! I spot Bella Hadid wearing a piece from the Michael Kors x David Downton collaboration. Downton’s a British artist famous for his elegant fashion illustrations. Besides the beautiful clothes for every occasion, there were women of different ages, races and body shapes walking down the runway. I guess this is the magic of a fashion show: It is the amalgamation of everything, from the models to the music, celebrities to the photographers furiously snapping away. New York Fashion Week is definitely an experience!
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1:20PM If there are five people I’d like to have lunch with during New York Fashion Week, they would be Kim Kardashian, Alexander Wang (because he’s Kim’s friend), Michael Kors, Blake Lively (because she’s Michael’s muse), and Kaia Gerber! We can all have pizza and hang out at a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city… just like the one I discovered above a hotel near the Grand Central Terminal.
2:30PM I’ve pencilled in a visit to the Michael Kors office to take a look at the outfits up-close. It’s definitely an eye-opening experience! Re-sees are essential because they let us get up-close and study all the details on the clothes, bags and accessories.
7:00PM I go on a food trail around East 14th on 2nd Ave. My boyfriend and I chanced upon this area during a trip to New York two years ago, and we always hang around here whenever we get hungry! My recommendation? Start off with Artichoke Pizza, followed by The Halal Guys, then a pit-stop at Gong Cha (yup, you heard that right!), then Milk Bar for some Cereal Milk Ice Cream, and finally, Insomnia Cookies (a must have: Snickerdoodles!). If you have more space in your tummy, make Momofuku Ramen your last stop!
Related article: New York Fashion Week: 10 Best Looks From Michael Kors Spring 2018
10:15PM I scroll through Facebook and Instagram for about 15 minutes to unwind before bedtime. Some of my bedtime grooming regimes include applying a clay mask twice a week. Right now, I’m alternating between Dior’s Hydralife range and Philosophy’s Purity Clay Mask.
12:35AM I settle into bed. I fall asleep easily, except when I obsess about work. Then I’ll stay up until I feel sleepy!