New York Fashion Week is like no other fashion event in the world. The semi-inaugural event that takes place in February and September sets the stage for a myriad of fashion trends you are sure to see everywhere come fall and spring, as the February collections show off F/W fashion and the September collections highlight S/S fashion.
This season, we are excited to see some of the 110 confirmed designers, including a few of our favorite Black designers like returning brands LaQuan Smith, Sergio Hudson, Theophilio, Victor Glemaud, and newcomers like Tia Adeola. Not to mention, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue Fashion Fund finalists are Fe Noel and No Sesso, two fashion brands led by Black women.
While it’s a well-known event that has been taking place since 1943, it exudes a mysterious ambiance. Questions like, “How do I get into the shows?” and “Do I have to pay to attend fashion week?” take over the minds of those who love fashion but don’t quite understand the perplexing game of NYFW. Thanks to a number of style influencers, we have been able to get a sneak peek of what it means to attend fashion week through their riveting content.
That’s why we tapped a few of our favorite fashion girlies to spill the tea on how they get ready for NYFW, a common misconception about the shows, and what advice they have for folks that want to learn more about the process. Ahead, find some fashion week gems from some fashion week pros.
Host/Beauty & Fashion Expert
Courtesy of Blake Newby
How long she has been attending NYFW:
"Five years."
Her favorite part about fashion week:
"I love that I get to see so many people who I wouldn't normally see. In some ways, it really feels like an industry family reunion."
How she gets ready for NYFW:
"Boy, how long do you have? Well, as a huge beauty girl, it's a must that my glam is in place — that means hair is done, facials are had, nails are done, and of course, the fashions. So I go about many avenues to get my outfits together. That includes fashion pulls from designers, running around the city doing buys, and ordering from online.
"The thing about NYFW is you can change three to four times in a day, so you have to be prepared. In addition, I also ensure that my schedule is as organized as possible — there's so much going on and often overlapping, so pre-planning your days is an absolute must."
A common misconception about attending fashion week:
"That there is any ounce of leisure. Fashion week is nonstop and can certainly be exhausting. While it's such a great time, make no mistake, it's a job."
Her advice for fashion lovers who want to join in on the fun:
"Look into open-to-the-public brand activations happening! There are actually so many. Additionally, it's such a fantastic opportunity to get some great content. Visit some of the areas where shows are happening, and there are always great street-style photographers looking to capture great outfits."
Founder/CEO
Courtesy of Ah-Niyah Gold
How long she has been attending NYFW:
"Eight years."
Her favorite part about fashion week:
"Fashion week always feels like a creative reunion. I love seeing my friends who travel in for the shows."
How she gets ready for NYFW:
"Working in PR, I'm required to begin planning for fashion week months out with clients, especially if we are doing a runway show. It requires intense prep and strategy sessions with the teams to get things in place. It's always a beat-the-clock for me."
A common misconception about attending fashion week:
"That it's just fun. While I do enjoy myself when time allows, it's an extremely intense period."
Her advice for fashion lovers looking to join in on the fun:
"Fashion week is a lot more inclusive than it has been. Designers are even hitting the streets of the city to do public shows which is always fun."
Style Expert & Founder of HighLowLuxxe
Courtesy of Jenee Naylor
How long she has been attending NYFW:
"I’ve been attending NYFW for a couple of years at this point; however, the experience still feels new every time! This will be my fifth NYFW, and it’s always an exciting, inspiring, and event-filled experience."
Her favorite part about fashion week:
"There are so many reasons why I absolutely love fashion month in general! As someone who considers themselves an expert, I really appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the creativity and art form of fashion itself. The entire experience is full of personal expression and is the best opportunity to learn about new designers and upcoming trends. In my opinion, NYFW is the most exciting US-based fashion week and features some of my favorite designers."
How she gets ready for NYFW:
"When it comes to preparing and curating my wardrobe for fashion month, I usually create a mood board to help pinpoint the looks, theme, and overall aesthetic for each city. Then I’ll really take my time finding specific pieces and unique items until I have entire looks put together. It's really important to try on your outfits beforehand and get an indication of how it feels on your body and to imagine how the outfit may look photographed. Oftentimes I’ll take a mirror pic of me in the outfit to have a quick reference in helping plan my outfits and itinerary."
A common misconception about attending fashion week:
"I think a big misconception about attending fashion week is that you need to have an action-packed, 100% confirmed itinerary to show up. Although there should be intentionality in attending fashion week and thoughtfulness in terms of the financial commitment, it's such a wonderful thing to experience. I’d definitely recommend that fashion enthusiasts and creators attend even if there’s uncertainty around whether you’ll get into certain shows or go to the hottest events. Just being in the mix offers so much inspiration and opportunity to network and grow."
Her advice for fashion lovers looking to join in on the fun:
"For those looking to attend fashion week, it’s really important to understand your 'why.' What is it that you’re looking to gain from the experience? Do you want to network; is it a goal to attend certain fashion shows; are you aiming to get your picture taken by a particular outlet? Attending fashion week can be a costly investment, so having concrete goals is really important. Check out my Fashion Month Recap Newsletter from last October, where I talk about my top 3 tips for attending fashion month."
Content Creator & Writer
Courtesy of Simi
How long she has been attending NYFW:
"This will be my second full year!"
Her favorite part about fashion week:
"Seeing all the beautiful fashion!"
How she gets ready for NYFW:
"It starts off with really hydrating and relaxing skincare and body care. I get my nails done. I get waxed, the whole nine. Then I organize my outfits either via show or per day and REST a lot the weeks prior!"
A common misconception about attending fashion week:
"That the purpose is to be seen. It's not. It's to take in the art of the designers and connect with like-minded people. If you're not intending to drool over exquisite looks and sing your praises to some of your idols, it's not really worth it!"
Her advice for fashion lovers looking to join in on the fun:
"Come! And let the city take you. Dress your best, in a way that is uniquely and totally you. You never know who you might bump into! Don't feel pressured by others' expectations. Have FUN! Be you. Let your style speak for you. And always, always, always, be kind to those around you!”
Blogger/Content Creator & Founder of A Styled Mind
Courtesy of Ashley Weddington
How long she has been attending NYFW:
"Since 2016."
Her favorite part about fashion week:
"Reconnecting with other creators I only get to see during this time of year."
How she gets ready for NYFW:
"As far as styling goes, I usually scroll through my IG and see what pieces were some of my standout favorites and that I wouldn't mind recreating a look around. From there I'll review my fashion wishlists and see if there are any pieces I have yet to purchase that would be fitting for the occasion. After I place my orders, I create a list in my Notes of full outfits, including accessories and shoes, to make sure I have everything I need. And sometimes, even with all of that 'preparation,' I'll still pull last-minute outfits together during the week in the midst of the chaos.
"Regarding shows/events, I've been going for so many years that I have a basic email template that I use to send to all of the brands whose presentations I'm interested in attending for that season. Once the official schedule drops (3-4 weeks prior), I'll go through and send out all of my emails which usually end up being anywhere from 30-40. From there, I'll follow up one more time the week before if I still have not received a response and create a final schedule in my notes of all of the events I've been confirmed for broken out by day and time."
A common misconception about attending fashion week:
"It's all fun and no work. As glamorous as it looks, it is extremely tiring and there is an immense pressure to attend every show/event, capture content, and post in the moment... all while remembering to eat."
Her advice to give fashion lovers looking to join in on the fun:
"Networking is key, so be sure to work on building authentic relationships with PR agencies and always follow up with any brand contacts you've worked with in the past or would love to partner with in the future! Don't feel pressured to buy an entire new wardrobe for every season or feel pressured to keep up with every single trend. Wear what makes you feel the most confident and is authentic to you!”
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Featured image courtesy of Ashley Weddington
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Although this might seem like a heavy way to intro this particular topic, because the O Method is an orgasm-achieving technique that centers around housing energy, embracing the mental practice of manifestation, and the attempt to achieve the best climaxes ever — it all works together pretty well if you ask me. If you want to take your orgasms to the next level, it’s important that you get out of yourself (to a certain extent), that you see the spiritual role that manifestation plays, and that you are open to trying new things. No doubt about it.
So, let’s learn more about what the O Method is all about and how it very well could be just what you’ve been looking for…even if you didn’t know it.
What Is the “O Method” All About?
GiphyQuestion: When’s the last time you’ve had an orgasm? Not just any orgasm — I mean a really mind-blowing one (I’ll give you a second to think about it). Now, what if you could manifest that experience to the point where it wasn’t a rare occurrence but something that happened almost every time that you and your partner had sex with each other? How absolutely awesome would that be?
That is pretty much what the O Method is all about — helping you achieve the kind of orgasms (and sexual pleasure, in general) that you desire through the practice of manifestation. And since your biggest sex organ is your brain, it would make perfect sense that even with all of the tips and techniques that you might learn to do as far as your body is concerned, honing in on what you think about is super imperative to sexual fulfillment, too. And that’s just where manifestation comes in.
What If You’ve Never “Manifested” Anything Before?
GiphyBefore we get into a quick lesson on manifestation, I think it’s important to mention two things. One, for the cynics, there is a lot of truth in the fact that it’s got some solid spiritual basis to it because even the Good Book says that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). At the same time, that same Good Book tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). So, while it is always a good idea to focus on good, positive, and productive thoughts, just thinking about them isn’t enough — at some point, you’ve also gotta get out here and DO something (bookmark that).
Okay, with that mini-sermon out of the way, whether it’s in the bedroom or not, manifestation is basically about focusing on something tangible that you desire, harnessing your energy in such a way that your words and actions are directed towards that longing until what you want, well, manifests. For the record, aside from this having a spiritual backing to it, in many ways, science cosigns on manifesting, too. There is actually a scientific process known as neuroplasticity that consists of reframing your mind so that your actions ultimately end up aligning with your goals — and that is another way to look at manifestation.
So, what if you’re someone who has never set out to do a manifestation practice before? No worries. Something that’s awesome about it is there are several different approaches that you can take.
Some people manifest what they want in their lives via:
- Journaling
- Visualization/Creating vision boards
- Writing down their desires before going to bed (so that they can “download” them into their dream state)
- Creating mantras and affirmations
- Applying the 369 Manifestation Method (you can learn more about that here)
- Meditating
- Learning more about what you want to manifest (which brings forth clarity)
This is important to keep in mind because, when it comes to manifesting the types of orgasms that you want to have, as you can see, you can try different manifestation methods until you find one (or ones) that you are truly comfortable with. One that can ease you into the entire process rather smoothly is something known as sex journaling.
How Sex Journaling Can Actually Help You to Have an Orgasm
GiphyAs a writer, I’m a big fan of journaling. Mostly because it’s a way to get out some of your deepest thoughts and feelings so that you’re able to really process what is happening inside of you in a private setting. And when it comes to sex journaling, specifically, it’s all about centering yourself on the things sexually that you want to “unpack,” get clarity on or come to some revelations about. For instance, if there’s only been one partner from your past who’s been able to help you achieve the type of orgasms that you wish to manifest, journaling about what makes him different from the other guys can provide you with some solid ah-ha moments.
Or if you need help getting as specific as possible about the sexual experiences that you’re after, journaling can help to make that happen for you — because one thing that manifesting reminds us all to do is be as specific as possible.
Yeah, simply saying, “I want to have better sex” isn’t detailed enough when you want to get your energy to match with your desires — instead, describe how all of your senses should feel in the experience, along with why, that can get you so much closer to achieving your goal. Once those things are documented, you can segue into creating mantras and/or meditation that are based on them. Yeah, sex journaling really is an underrated superpower on a lot of levels (check out “The Art Of Sex Journaling (And Why You Should Do It)”).
5 Tips for Making the O Method Work for You
GiphyNow that you know more about what the O Method is and how manifestation plays a direct role in its process, let’s talk about five ways to make the O Method truly effective in your own (sex) life.
1. Focus, FULLY, on your feminine energy. What do rose quartz, amethyst, moonstone (which is a Gemini birthstone as well; yes, I’m a Gemini), selenite, and rhodonite all have in common? They’re crystals that help you to go deeper into your divine feminine energy. Traits that are associated with this include compassion, creativity, kindness, gentleness, and sensuality (feminine energy is also accepting and forgiving). If you were to study energy from a biological standpoint, it’s about producing change, responding to stimuli, and having the ability to do what needs to be done (work). So, when it comes to manifesting the kind of orgasms or sexual experiences that you want, using things like your creativity and gentleness in your thoughts and actions can play a role in bringing balance to your partner’s masculinity, which can create a profound sense of pleasure — after all, opposites do attract.
2. Don’t hold back on what it is that you desire. Whenever I interview sex therapists, something that they all say is, a huge mistake that people make as far as sexual satisfaction is concerned is, they have walls up — not just with their partners but even within themselves. Sometimes, there is intimidation, fear, or even shame around what they really want to happen during sex to the point where they aren’t able to channel their energy fully in those directions in order to manifest what they want. For the O Method to work, you can’t let those types of negative emotions hinder you; the more you are able to articulate what you want and how you want it, the better chance you have of making it happen. So yes, get graphic. As graphic as possible.
3. Make manifestation a daily practice. Repetition is important when it comes to manifestation. That’s because the more you declare what you desire (a mantra), get still and think on it (meditation), or look at the “art” that you’ve created surrounding it (visualization), the quicker it becomes a part of you. So yes, make manifestation a daily practice. For instance, if one of your mantras is, “I am going to have intensely passionate orgasms, one right after the other,” don’t just state that 15 minutes before sex is going to happen. Wake up and declare it. Then say it on your lunch break. And again before turning in. The more your thoughts are “streamlined” in this way, the easier it will be for your body to follow suit.
4. Share this practice with your partner. If you were to do even more research on the O Method, one thing that most of the articles will mention is it’s a practice that you can do alone or with your partner. Indeed. However, I just want to make sure that you get into your psyche that great sex is, in part, about good communication. And so, the more comfortable you are sharing with your partner what you are doing as far as the O Method is concerned and what you ultimately want to happen as a result of the practice, the easier it will be for him to “match your energy” — both in and out of the bedroom. And when your partner is on the same page as you? That definitely increases the chances of attaining your sexual desires — exponentially so.
5. Stay in the moment. While I was reading one article on manifestation, I really appreciated something that the author said: manifestation isn’t some supernatural power. In other words, while it can be beneficial, it’s not like you can just think of something, and it instantly appears out of nowhere. Manifesting is a discipline, and it must be accompanied by action, consistency, and patience — this means that you must also practice mindfulness. Meaning, now that you know better what you’re looking to achieve as far as sex is concerned, every time that it transpires, maintain a level of positive energy, remember what your end goal is, and then determine in your mind to enjoy the moments as they come. Remember, manifestation isn’t to add stress…it’s to cultivate clarity.
_____
At the end of the day, the O Method is simply a way of reminding you that your mind plays a huge role in your sexual pleasure, and when you channel it and your energy exactly where you want them both to go, you’ll be amazed what your body is capable of doing…and accomplishing.
So, what kind of orgasm are you wanting to achieve? You’ve got a tool to get you there. USE IT.
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Featured image by Giphy
