Two times out of the year, the fashion frenzy of fashion week begins where every stylists, designers, models and fashion bloggers make it their lively goals to attend all and any shows or events all in the name of fashion.

Fashion fashion fashion fashion fashion.

Try comparing that to the exhausting tongue twister, Peter Piper Picked a peck of pickle peppers, which I’ve perfectly perfected by now. That’s pretty much all you will hear with so much enthusiasm that sends a fashion guru into a seizure of excitement. Though for me, not so much. I’m not a fashion blogger; because keeping up with the trends just seems so tedious and unnecessary in comparison to having some form of ones own personal comfort and identity, but I was a kick butt fashion event coordinator for three seasons.

Because I made very little effort in aligning myself with this months social trend, I can honestly say I didn’t put my best heel forward with researching a surprise event that I found in my inbox. I had already made up my mind that I didn’t want to obligate myself with this months festivities, considering that last year I nearly wore everything black in my closet to lessen the fashion rivals of who wore it best. I don’t think people understand the preparation it takes in having to one up every year when you just want to lounge in sweats and a t-shirt.

Hypebeast and Coach teamed up to create an event introducing a new wave of ideas and inspirations created by the people of the millennials for the men’s 2015 fall collection. I’ll be honest, I haven’t stepped into a coach store since I bought my mother her first hand bag.

In Orange County, it was all about Tiffany’s, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dooney & Burke. Coach was never the ultimate line I remember seeing, but for the adults, maybe. Clothing wise, we stuck to Nordstrom, Bebe, BCBG and Juicy Couture. But this is Men and clearly things have changed where what was once considered dated and conservative, is now spicing it up to attract all fashion statements.

Coach held an event at the Grove, which I’ve passed by a million times not taking notice to their new line of clothing that would appeal to my fashion senses. I figured this was something that would allure my friend Efrem, being that he is practically a mini version of André Leon Talley. He knows everything fashion to the point of annoyance. We’re like ying and yang, I don’t care and he does. I’ve outgrown my adolescent years of being a label whore and he’s a guy who has worn many fashion hats past the basic prints and logos.

I really didn’t know what to expect when attending. In my mind, I thought there would be gaunt models posing in selective items of clothing and stiff servers holding trays of rabbit food and champagne. Dare I say my initial perception was horrible bad judgment. Not only was the store packed, but the crowd was young, hip and trendy. I mean some of these guest were half my age, but we’re not about to do that math right now. If this event would’ve been what I had assumed, these guest would’ve been watched like a micro hawk for every step that they took. This was nothing like a store in South Coast Plaza with snooty security and sales personnel’s. This was something away from the norm.

I showed up before Efrem and naturally I’d wait in my car so we could walk in together, but I was expecting to see someone I knew to make small talk with. Unfortunately, none of my social friends and acquaintances were in attendance, so I just went into work mode. Towards the back I noticed a crowd of people and was interested in seeing what was going on. Funny how right as I step into the room of photographers and videographers, a Q+A panel was waiting to begin.

Four men and the person asking the questions were sitting in chairs facing the crowd each holding a microphone. Chef Ari Taymor, HYPEBEAST managing editor Alexander Lendrum, rapper artist G-Eazy and DJ/Producer Trevor Skeet. I had no idea who these guys were, but I wasn’t necessarily there for a personal interview. So, I went blindfolded and that’s how I prefer it at times so I’m more open to my nights being spontaneous. I still stood in the room and recorded the interview being given by writer, Dj and producer Josh Madden. While the last name sounds awfully familiar, I still didn’t have the slightest clue of who he was. No way! He’s the third sibling to Joel and Benji Madden. I didn’t even know they had a third brother non the less one that could be their triplet. I could tell that the majority of the guest in the room either knew all or at least one of these gentleman. I surely couldn’t understand  nor hear all of the questions and answers while the guest speakers mumbled into their microphones mixed with the noise volume in the back round, but basically they gave an outlook on their men’s “must haves” for everyday men’s fashion.

Gaining basic ideas from their daily routine of living to their celebrity fashion influences. I can’t really say I find it new or inventive being that looks are constantly changing and reinventing on a regular basis unless you’re Lady Gaga who can make raw meat look good.

Sorry Peta…

This was just another incentive to street wear being the staple part of fashion today. Strangely, a lot of the people I asked about the event had absolutely no idea what they were there for and here I thought I looked stupid for attending without knowing the full extent myself.

After the Q+A, Efrem showed up. At first I thought he’d be turned off by the sizable crowd, but I knew he wouldn’t want to feel claustrophobic amongst the amount of people in such a small space, so we went more towards the front.

It didn’t take long for trays of hors d’oeuvres to be passed around that our panel chef, Ari Taymor, whipped up. Beef tar tar with what tasted like peanut sauce wrapped in lettuce, roe fish eggs that had a punch of salt from the ocean and salmon drowned out by goat cheese on a mini bagel. The model servers knew to bring the trays over my way as if I had a sign on my forehead saying “feed the models”.

I probably could’ve gotten away with taking the entire tray especially to make their job easier. In fact, one guest and I joked about going head to head for the last bite on a tray. He grabbed it first thinking I was delegating the to servers.

One particular girl, Jessica, was an absolute sweetheart laughing at me as I shamelessly ate everything in sight. Such a huge personality that compliments these types of events making them all the more fun and engaging. Come to find out, she’s a creative thinker herself involved in music. So definitely check Jessica out!

There was one girl that somehow worked the room taking photos with other guest as if she were a starlet. I’ve never seen her before, not in any social scene I know of, but after she got her fix of a slighted notoriety bliss, not one person could recall who she was. All I saw was pounds of makeup and a lace front wig, but props to her for having people fooled and keeping me entertained.

Aside from my overall mission of food, Efrem and I went straight towards the photo booth. They had it propped in the corner where it was left open for guest to have a little bit of fun together. Definitely broke the ice of having a few photo bombs. The closer to the evening is when Dj Trevor Skeet, who also happened to be a part of the Q+A started cranking the music up. Groups of guest were doing their own Soulder leans and Dougies where even I jumped into the mix.

I even opened myself up to the Macallan Whiskey bar with one sip being a knock out punch to my taste buds that I went right back to sipping my glass of white wine. Because it was technically fashion week, the night still brought out many fashionistas and models. A few of them definitely caught my eyes and I went in to do camera work.

One guy I noticed right as soon as I walked into the door. With those hypnotic green eyes, I’m sure has been awarded playboy of his life. Id say his style was definitely street urban with a little bit of hood swag that would turn many female heads until the competition becomes brutal. Later in the evening, Efrem and I caught up with them and his manager at EP/LP. So yes ladies, he is definitely the ladies man, but a cool one at that.

Efrem made friendly with two of the most adorable and gorgeous girls full of natural hair and full lips.

One had cat eyes like that of Sophia Loren, so I just had to capture her beauty where I became aggressive enough to ask someone to step to the side for a picture.

Another target was this handsome devil that I just so happened to spot taking photos for other onlookers while leaning up against a pillar previewing some of the men’s line. Lately after living in Korea town for four years, I’ve gained an attraction to Asain men, so I guess that’s what initially caught my interest.

Two young girls who looked like they knew a thing or two about style and class, seemed more fitted for being New York socialites with their polished yet trendy approach.

In the mist of the crowd, there was one  particular girl who just stood out as if to purchase a look right off the runway. This is California; and it still gets hot as hell in the fall as if the devil were throwing spit balls from his lair, so seeing this fashion statement was definitely refreshing. Efrem mentioned that she oozed the traditional concept of what coach once was compared to what was filled in the room. Knowing his distinctive fashion sense, he definitely knows how to define her look to a T.

One guy who made a statement with his look, had nearly every photographer in his breathing space that I had to jump in to get the last shot. I wouldn’t want to put this in the category of street wear, especially with the button down shirt and polished shoes, but then again, I’d just see this as stylish. Somewhat like a more classic James Dean.

And leave it to the store manager to really raise the bar with this seasons look which I’m sure is a given expectation to wear the current line. I just assumed her to be pretty and polished who took pride in her appearance.

As I stated earlier, I walked in blindfolded and someone who attended might state that the details were clearly printed on the invite, but either way, half the people just either went to eat or be seen. The event was titled “Essential” and I’m sure just about anyone could understand what that means past a title. We all have something that we carry around on a daily basis to add to our choices of style. Mine would be my crystals that I keep planted near my breast and close to my heart. While it might not be for everyone, it’s what works for me. Men on the other hand, are a bit less complicated unless they’re “supporting” for my team. So towards the end of the evening is when I actually took notice of the panels must haves combined with what Coach had already set up in the store. That’s where it became confusing if you didn’t  know exactly what to look for. The entire panel had their staples propped up against Coach’s visuals for what they consider their essentials. Nothing I would use, but I’m sure it works well for them.

I enjoyed myself and especially the food, but overall, I have my doubts. With so many shift changes occurring, this just isn’t one I could agree too. I get the idea of trying to reinvent a concept to a fashion line, but to change a traditional brand to bring about a trendier audience just doesn’t seem “Essential ” to me. It becomes tainted and looses it’s flair for what it once was. Street wear is everywhere. That’s a given fact; and while there is always room for it, don’t take up all the unnecessary space.

Xox