Undressed: Everything I Loved at NYFW

0:06Hi guys, welcome back to another episode of Let's Get Dressed. It's your host, Liv Perez. We're doing something a little bit different today, and I'm so excited. I've been wanting to do this for such a long time. Welcome to our first ever episode of Undressed, where I'm going to be filming and recording kind of lo-fi in-the-moment episodes when I'm on the ground experiencing fashion and pop culture moments all around the world. And of course, I felt like New York Fashion Week was the perfect place to do this. I want to talk with you guys all about the shows I'm going to, the trends I'm seeing on the ground, the experience, what it's really like, and how that's going to impact us as fashion lovers in like six to eight months from now.

0:47So I'm very excited to be here today. As you can tell, I'm not in studio and I will be doing these both audibly and visually. So if you want to watch these on YouTube, they will feel a bit more like vlogs on YouTube. So if you're looking for something like that, you can definitely go find it there. Also, how cute is the name Undressed? Like we're going to undress New York Fashion Week today or maybe in the future we'll be undressing events or pop culture moments or things that I'm just really excited to talk with you guys about that we aren't able to do in a longer format like our interviews. So I'm really excited.

1:18I think this is going to be fun. And as always, you guys know my DMs are literally always open. I actually spend an hour a week going through all of them. So if you message me, chances are I'll probably respond. but if you guys have ideas for this or there are things you want me to talk about things you want to see on here definitely let me know because we can always improve and grow on these okay so it is sunday i just got back actually from my last show and i've been in town since tuesday i got here a little bit earlier i had like a few events and projects i had to work on and then thursday was my first day of shows i was able to see five shows this season i went to dvf I went to Altuzara, Parenza Schooler, Tori Birch, and I went to Koss as well.

1:59Believe it or not, this is my 18th New York Fashion Week, which actually means that I have been going, I have gone to probably between 25 and 30 fashion weeks around the world. There was a point in time where I was going to Copenhagen. I've been to Paris. I've been to London. I've been to Milan. So I feel like going to fashion month and being a part of it is also a really interesting kind of timestamp of where you're at in life. Like I remember fashion week post COVID and I remember the first time I did fashion week when I was dating Alex or after I got married or during certain during different eras of work.

2:37Like I can really kind of stamp my life via fashion weeks, which I think is really fun and interesting. My first New York Fashion Week was in February of 2017. If you're subscribed to my sub stack, you saw a really funny picture of me from 10 years ago in there yesterday. Honestly, I was like, should I share this? This feels brave. But it was really cute. My first show ever actually was for Tory Burch, which is a lot of you know my longest partner. I've worked with them for years. I'm such a big fan. I buy their clothes. I wear their clothes. And so it feels fitting that they were the first show I ever went to.

3:09And it's a really funny picture. I'm wearing this like white set that had like stripes on the side. The sides were like embellished. And then for those of you who remember in 2017, that brand Alpha Industries that had like really cool bombers was very big for the time. So I wore an Alpha Industries bomber over it. The pants were so long. They were literally like puddling on the ground. And I was too scared to tailor them. I was like, do you do that? Like, can people do that? And so obviously I didn't. And I went to the show and they were just like all over the floor. There was actually a photo that I still have and I can't believe I have it.

3:41And I can't believe I found it too. It was the first time I ever got street styled. But I'm glad I have it. I feel like it's a great, great piece for the archive. And again, if you're subscribed to my sub stack, you saw it yesterday. And then from there, every season has been different. I've worked with different brands. I've gone to different shows. And again, it's a really nice time to reflect on life and career because this season, I really like, I felt my most self. And I don't know if you guys feel this way. I'm in my 30s. I'm 32. And I, when people say to you, like, your 20s are the best.

4:13Like, I would do anything to be back in my 20s. Absolutely not. Like, my 20s for me were so all over the place. You're really just, like, trying to figure yourself out and, like, who you are and what works. And, like, you're experiencing that on a personal level but also a style level. Like, there are things I wore in my 20s that I feel mortified by. So it feels really nice to be in my 30s and be experiencing this. Like I felt so much like myself this week. Like everything I wore, I loved. I felt so good in everything. I didn't feel like I was trying to like play a part in a show, in like a big production.

4:48I felt like I was just showing up as myself. And I was just genuinely so excited to be there and experience it. I wore flats like 90 % of the time, which is a big deal. Because usually you're like trying to dress up and look really good. And this time I was just like, I want to be comfortable. I want to be feel in my skin and not like I'm like, like my back's killing me. I really want to go home. So it felt really good to be there and feel like myself. And one thing that I walked away with from that was like for the things that we all have to do in life that like maybe make us uncomfortable or that we're like we don't feel like we're good at.

5:20Like repetition is one of the most amazing things you can do for personal growth. I feel so good about the fact that, you know, 18 seasons later, I feel like a pro. I feel like I'm seasoned. I feel like I'm there and I know people and I know my way around and I know how to show up as myself. And that just came from the fact that I kept doing it over and over, even the seasons that were hard, the seasons that were uncomfortable, the seasons where I didn't get shows that I wanted, like committing to doing it over and over and over again. I think no matter what it is, whether it's fashion week, a job, whatever it is you're experiencing life, I think that repetition can really do so much for us, even when it's hard.

5:56Now, I always feel conflicted when we talk about New York Fashion Week on the podcast, because it's really niche. Like, let's be real, going to shows and parties and all of these things is like a very industry thing. The obvious answer for all of us is like, yes, okay, we see things on the runway now that we're going to buy in the spring. And we all love following trends and knowing what's going on in the industry. However, I think that fashion week is such an incredible source of inspiration just beyond what you're seeing on your feeds. And so I thought I would open up this episode with some of my best tips for actually viewing a fashion show.

6:30Because in today's world, I kind of feel like if we're not there, there are a lot of takes on the internet that I feel are wrong. And that's because they're only looking at it from one POV. So I'm someone who believes that if you are looking at a new collection, say of your favorite designer, you should never just look at the still images that are posted online. I think there are so many other ways that you can engage with a collection. And there are so many things that happen at a show that have really formed so much of my taste level and the things that I'm paying attention to over time. and there are things that you shouldn't miss.

7:03So one, I say try to go to YouTube and watch the show or try to find as much video footage of the collection as possible. Clothes are meant to move. We're not stationary beings. We're meant to see how clothes move with us. So I think before you make a decision about whether you like something or not, make sure that you are looking at it on video. If you are someone that wants to find still images and closeups, I use Bug Runway, I pay for as a subscriber and you're able to see the collections really fast. That's a great place to start. But again, get on TikTok, get on Instagram, find the people who go to a lot of shows, follow them and make sure you can really see things move.

7:38Because some of my favorite moments at shows have been dresses that like take your breath away because of the way that they drape as the model walks. Those things are really important. And there are so many other elements of a show that make a show good. When I think of my favorite fashion shows that I've ever been to, maybe 60 % of why I love it, 50 to 60 % is the clothes. The other half of it really comes down to all of the other things that you're experiencing in the room. And those are things that I'm taking home with me too. And you can as well. So let's start at the foundation show notes.

8:14A lot of the times when you go to a show, a designer will leave show notes on the seat for every single guest to read and understand what the collection is about. I actually brought home some of my show notes for you guys to see from the shows. Let's see. This one is, if you're listening, I'm going through these on YouTube right now. This one is from Karenza Schooler, Rachel Scott, who I love. That show was, that was the show I heard the most gasps at. Like it was just one of those shows where like the shoes, the details, everything, like people were just obsessed with it and she deserves it. I think Rachel Scott is one of the hardest working designers in fashion today.

8:51But I can read you a little bit of her show note. There is a particular freedom in the way women dress in New York, where the rules of what belongs never seem especially binding. A gown can be casual, a casual piece can be evening wear, everything is admissible. For spring 2027, the woman wearing the clothes matters more than the rules around them. The Lorenzo schooler women begins with the women around us. The instinctive, often unexpected ways they put themselves together and the little expressions of style that reveal something about who they are and who they have been. She is free, sensual, and perhaps a little wild.

9:23Also, at the end of this, in case you missed it, Proenza Schooler debuted the new PS1, which, if you are an old school fashion lover like me, the Proenza Schooler PS1 was such a huge bag. I think actually it was the first designer bag I ever got. I didn't buy it, but I stole it from my older sister. I think mine was bright green. It was such a big bag for the time, and they debuted a new PS1 style. And I believe that it is open for pre-order, I think at the end of this week, it's called the PS1 Walker. A new evolution of the PS1 is introduced, paired back to its essential signifiers. PS1 Walker retains its signature latch and belts in a softer, rounder form.

10:04The New York woman has things to carry. Her big practical bag goes with everything because it has to. Scaled down to a mini, it goes just as far. I saw the bag in person. I absolutely loved it. It feels bigger and softer and more like a bag that probably can fit a laptop, but it's not as structured, which I like. And I think that that's kind of a big indicator of bags in 2026, right? Like I think of the Roe Margo and I think of so many other bags that are like soft and plushy and like on the elbow bags, as I like to say. And I think this is going to be a top seller. I wouldn't be surprised if it's an it bag again.

10:41It's so good. Like what's not to love about a PS1? So it was really fun to see that back on the runway again, and I think you're going to see it everywhere very soon. I also have Henry Zankov's show notes from his debut, which was really exciting to be at. The opening of his is Diane, Diane von Furstenberg, always told me it was all about body language. What I learned from her was how to work with the body, how clothes move, how they reveal, and how they communicate. I was raised by strong women, so being here today, I feel totally at home. for me fashion is a form of communication and what I want to express in this collection is simple these are clothes that seduce on their own terms and that made a lot of sense the collection was really beautiful I think it was a good indicator of how much potential the brand has I remember again DVF being a huge moment when I was younger and now I feel like with this collection we're going to see it a lot more again there were these beautiful gowns that went down the runway all of like these beautiful chiffon gowns that went down the runway.

11:45And I would be so excited to see DVF on a red carpet again. Those gowns definitely deserve that moment. And it was a very breezy morning up on the High Line where they did the show. And it's actually right above her flagship store in Chelsea. It was very nice. It felt very at home. But I would be, again, so excited to see those dresses kind of billowing somewhere on a red carpet as well. They were stunning. And I think, again, like another indicator of so much potential for the brand is Henry Zankoff is so well known for knitwear and colors, which is something that I think of for DVF. So I'm really excited to see him bring that to the brand, specifically with the wrap dress.

12:24I think the wrap dress, it's funny as a woman in 2026 that I don't have a wrap dress, and I'm sure a lot of you listening don't either. And I think it's such a good selling point for DVF that I think Henry definitely has the potential to bring in new colors and textiles for the wrap dress that make it modern again. So I love the show. I think it, again, revealed a lot of potential, and I'm so excited to see what he continues to do. That was my first show on Thursday morning. It was at 9.30 a.m. I haven't been to a 9.30 show in years. I was in flats. I was comfortable, but it very much felt like back-to-school morning.

13:00So again, look at show notes. And also, this giant book that I'm holding up is the show note for Joseph Altazaro's show. Joseph Altazaro will always put a book on the seat of every guest, and it's filled with references of his collection. Joseph was on the show in February of this year, so if you're curious to hear from him, definitely go listen to that episode. It was one of my favorites. He talked all about what goes on during New York Fashion Week, what it's like being an independent designer all these years, and how he thinks about the future, like how he thinks about the future of his brand and the future of him as a designer.

13:34I love that episode. But his show is always one of my favorites because of this book that's left and the way that we can kind of look through inspiration when we're looking at the clothes. I'm opening up to a page right now in the book that is showing these beautiful flowers, and those flowers were shown on some of the bags in the collection. So again, there's a lot to learn from a show note, whether it's context, whether it's an artist or an author that a designer loves that suddenly you might fall in love with and explore. And I think it's a Lynn Yeager quote, but it is one of my favorite quotes about fashion.

14:11And it's that if you love fashion and you want to learn more about it, go study everything else. Study art, study interiors, study politics. All of those things will inform the way that people get dressed every day. And so I think show notes are a really great place to start with that. So don't sleep on the show notes. The next thing is the venue. I mean, of course that plays a really big role. And I think we can look at a few. And some of my favorite shows, I think, have been because of venues. My favorite show of all time was being able to attend a Chanel show. And that's always in the Grand Palais in Paris.

14:44And that show definitely was a once in a lifetime surreal experience. But one of my other favorite shows was actually Kith used to do fashion shows. And I went, I think, in 2019 to a show that they did at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where everybody, all the guests were seated on risers, kind of like we were in a school gym. And we were moved through multiple sets in the Navy Yard because the risers moved. So we sat, the show opened up, we saw one collection. This was the year actually that they did a bunch of different collaborations. They did a Versace collaboration and then they did a Woolrich collaboration and one other I'm forgetting.

15:25Maybe it was Tommy Hilfiger. And so first set opened up, we saw it. and then our risers moved to the next set. And then the next set opened up, we saw the collection, and then our risers moved again. That show, I remember, like really put Kith on the map. And for me, Venue told such a bigger story than just seeing the clothes itself. So Venue, of course, plays a really big role in it. And soundscapes. I think I actually discovered, I think I actually like heard Catronata for the first time because he had done a soundscape for a fashion show. And I remember when Christopher John Rogers was showing, he always had the most unbelievable soundscapes to the point that I would email the team afterwards and ask for the playlist to the show so that I could have it and listen to it so you never know again how much more there is these are all things that I think can inform your taste level and I always get asked like do you think you're born with taste or do you think it's something that you can nurture and sometimes I don't really have an answer to that question but I do really think you can nurture it.

16:25Maybe you're born with it a little bit in your surroundings, but I think you can really nurture taste by paying attention and diving into these things and looking for more than just what meets the eye. I want to get into some of my thoughts on the week and where I think fashion is going because I think another reason why this week felt a lot lighter for me and more exciting is because the clothes were really good. I was really excited at every single show I was at. and actually I think maybe the nicest thing I the most like the highest compliment I can give of the week is the fact that at every show I had a mental shopping list I was like can't wait to pre-order that can't wait to buy that can't wait to wear that they were all things that I could see really see myself in on a daily basis everything felt styled to perfection I will say it feels like designers are really beginning to understand that we want clothes for every day and I think part of that is styling.

17:19And so this season, I think just the styling inspiration alone was unbelievable. And that sure is one thing that you can look at the static images for, like how to layer and good belts and, you know, things like that. But overall, I think we're going to have a really good spring, everyone. Like, I'm very excited about what I'm seeing. And I see so much color, like color like we've never seen before and almost like there's this complete abandonment of any fashion rules like I saw more fall wear on the runway this season than spring wear I saw a lot of coats I saw a lot of sweaters I saw a lot of layers all things you'd maybe expect to see in a different season and I didn't see that so I think we've like abandoned the idea of shopping for seasons, which I'm cool with.

18:09I feel like none of us do that anyways. Maybe that's the LA girl in me speaking, but in general, I feel like we're seeing less and less designing for seasons. Okay, fashion people, I have a very fun piece of news for you. Macy's is bringing together six American designers for an exclusive fall collection. We're talking Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Jonathan Cohen, Theofilio, and LaPointe. And what I love about this lineup, not only is it iconic, you have amazing designers like Tommy, Michael, Donna, who are so woven into the history of American fashion, but you also have designers who are bringing a completely different, newer, up-and-coming point of view.

18:51Each of the six designers is doing their own take on fall, so it feels less like one big collection and more like six different interpretations of American style. And these pieces are all exclusive to Macy's and only available for a limited time. The collection launches on September 8th, and as someone who historically has regretted sleeping on limited edition fashion drops before, I'm going to simply say, consider this your calendar reminder. This is an iconic collaboration I can't wait to see. One of the things I love most about fashion is that true luxury is often found in the smallest details.

19:25It's the weight of a beautiful fabric, the way a jacket is tailored, the click of a clasp, or how effortlessly a piece moves when you wear it. Lexus thinks about craftsmanship in a very similar way. At Lexus, master craftsmen called Takumi are involved not only in the physical craftsmanship of each vehicle, but in every sensory detail. They evaluate things like the way a door closes, the click of a switch, and the acoustic feedback of all the controls. And much like a designer knows when the cut, fabric, and finish of a piece feel exactly right, Takumi craftsmen rely on more than instruments alone.

19:57They use human perception and intuition to create an experience that sounds and feels right. That's what Lexus means by engineering to be felt. Understanding that the most powerful tool is knowing what will make someone feel something. Because a car that doesn't make you feel something is a car that stops short of amazing. So experience amazing at your Lexus dealer. I also think we're seeing, again, less rules in fashion in general. So many contrasting colors and doubling up on prints and embellishments. Like it really felt like there were no rules. And I think that that is like so amazing for what we talk about on the podcast all the time.

20:34Like I think getting dressed for you has never been more in fashion, not to sound cringey or not to sound cliche in any way, but truthfully, like I do think anything goes. A lot of what I saw, I loved. It felt bold and joyful and out there. And I really love that. And I think that's all what we want to be wearing right now. Everything was textured. everything was embellished at altazara i saw the most beautiful trims and hems that were like slightly frayed and i thought they were so gorgeous i just think it's really fun and i'm so happy to see that one other thing that i loved that i saw was how powerful a white layer can change an outfit at altazara first of all the layering inspiration at altazara was next level like i could not snap photos fast enough.

21:25We're talking like white shirts under dresses with a big grommet belt on top. It was so beautiful and fun. And actually the night before I had been getting dressed, getting dressed for the Tory Burch show. And I had this really fun look. It was like a red leather skirt with a kind of camel brown sweater. And I put it on and I was like, this feels like it's missing something. Like it's missing a pop of something. Maybe it's like a bigger belt or maybe it's an earring. And I was like, you know what? I think a little bit of brightness will do this look good. So I put on a white button down underneath the cardigan and it completely made the look like it made it feel finished.

22:05It made it feel styled. And I saw a lot of that at Altazara and was like, okay, this is the best style tip I'm taking out of the week. Add a little pop of white. Maybe it's a, again, maybe it's a button down underneath. Maybe it's a little white cardigan. Maybe it's something tied around your waist. I think that there is so much value in kind of that little pop of white. And again, if you want some visual styling inspiration, I highly recommend going and looking at the Altazara show. It was so good. I was obsessed with it. Again, I could not take photos fast enough. I also love Tory Burch, which I've said.

22:39My favorite look from the show was this embroidered bright green with red embroidery sweater paired with a kind of almost a gold yellow skirt, which again are not colors you usually put together, but it really worked. And I thought it was so amazing. The dresses were beautiful and Tori always picks the coolest venues. So anytime I'm going to a Tori show, I'm like, okay, what museum is this at? What venue is this at where I can, again, learn something new about New York City? She's done her shows literally at every museum in New York. and this one was at a sunken garden in financial district that I actually never knew was there incredibly cool she had the runway kind of around the circle of the sunken garden and it was stunning and again another thing to like reflect on as more to learn from New York Fashion Week I'm so sad I didn't get to go to Kalmyer it was uptown and I'd had a really crazy day and I just knew I would have been super late and not able to make it but oh my god she might be just my favorite designer right now.

23:43I think she is designing the most beautiful pieces. There was a jacket, like a white jacket that was like fully white embroidered beaded cropped with a pair of jeans. I, oh my gosh, it's living rent free in the brain. It is pricey, but if you wait a little bit, you can get some things on sale. I did last season. And I just, I think her clothes are so, so, so fabulous. I think she's going to do amazing things, whether it's at her label or elsewhere. So I'm really excited. And I feel like that's a show that people really buzzed about this week. Again, the week was really fun. I did a couple of events.

24:22Chanel was here and did a huge launch for their new Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, which if you haven't tried, is so good. Like it's so good that I was walking on the street the other day and smelled someone in it and knew that it was that fragrance. I'm obsessed with it. it's very it's it's like the perfect I'm someone who really likes more of like an ambery vanilla scent and this is perfectly that and fruity it's such a good mix stays on all day I love that so I did a couple things with them which was really fun I actually went to a party for them on Thursday night after the Tory Burch show at Balthazar which was a fun night um Ella Rubin from um oh you guys know what I'm talking about Sterling Point was there and I binged that show I loved it so much.

25:04I am obsessed with her. I don't get starstruck that often. New York Fashion Week is often a place I get starstruck because starstruck from the Amazon Prime shows because I'm very into the Amazon Prime shows like the summer I turned pretty, Sterling Point off campus. Like really, those are the only people that make me starstruck. I don't know what that says about me, but we always see them at Fashion Weeks because all of the obviously brands want to capitalize on the amazing moment that they're having. Last year, last September, I remember I went to the Koss show and Chris Briney was there and I could not tell you a single piece of clothing that I saw because he was sitting across the way from me.

25:39But I saw Ella Rubin at the Chanel party and she's so beautiful. Like I remember watching the show and my husband walked in the room and was like, who is that baby Anne Hathaway? I think she's gonna have such a great career and I think she's more of a Julia Roberts, but to each their own. Two really good things to be compared to. But so I saw her and that was a highlight. It was really fun. I actually ended up there really late eating burgers and hanging out with friends, which was a really great night. And then Summer Fridays had a fun party on Saturday night that all the girls were at. It was fun to see everyone.

26:15And I'm always like so excited to celebrate Lauren and Mariana and all that they're working on. I am a lip butter bomb freak. I have them in every bag and I love them. So it was really fun. It also was at that new restaurant in New York called Oresh, which I've been dying to try and can't get a reservation to. So I was in the corner talking to people and eating everything that they were passing around. I hope next time I'm in town, I can actually get a reservation and go eat there because I'm dying to try it. And I also went to Morgan Stewart's Wrangley Party. She celebrated three years here in New York, and it was very chic, obviously.

26:48She's the coolest. It was at People's, which is a really cool bar. and kind of everybody was there, like friends from LA, friends from New York. It felt kind of like a friends hang, which I loved. Those are always fun during such a crazy week because you want to find time where you can like actually see your friends and hang out and chat. And that was like such a good opportunity to like grab a drink with everybody. I am here for a few more days. I am done with shows, but we're recording a few new episodes for this season while we're here with some amazing guests. I can't wait. Actually, the two that we're recording with, I think are going to be two of my favorite episodes of the rest of the year.

27:22So I'm so excited to bring those your way. I think if there's anything that I'm like itching to buy from this week, it's definitely that Kalmeier white jacket with like, again, the white embroidery. They also had these like incredible kind of sheer embellished skirts that I think will be amazing. I definitely want those Tory Burch sweaters. They were so beautiful. And there was also this gold dress that I think is going to be definitely on red carpets everywhere. I want the PS1 from Proenza. But again, my one tip to everybody would just be to have fun with your fashion. That's really what I think I'm seeing so much of on the runways right now.

28:02I feel like there are no rules. It's fun. It's colorful. There's such an emphasis on personal style where nothing is right or wrong. And I think that that is a very good message to send. A few quick things in fashion news before we leave. I did hear a lot of rumors swirling around Anthony Vaccarello leaving Saint Laurent, which would be so, so, so big if he left. I have loved his Saint Laurent. I feel like it's been one of the most like consistent things in my fashion life. I feel like he's turned out such good collections and really created such like an identifiable Saint Laurent. There was like a crazy rumor on social that I saw the other day that Tamina Kamali from Chloe was going to leave and go to Saint Laurent, which like I would support.

28:44I think she's an amazing designer. I do want to see her do more at Chloe. And I feel like it's really fast. And I feel like that was just a rumor. But we love to talk about the rumors here. So that's one thing that's kind of been on my mind as we head into the rest of fashion month. Okay, guys, this was really fun. I loved kind of sitting down and just debriefing with you guys about all the things that I've been paying attention to for the week. We'll be doing an AMA in two weeks. If you guys have any questions about fashion month, trends, styles, things we're seeing how it all works, please feel free to DM me and I will of course include them in the AMA.

29:19And I would also love to know your guys' thoughts on this format. I feel like undressed could be something really fun as I attend events. And if I do go to fashion weeks and things like that, I kind of want to bring you guys on the ground and give you guys my firsthand experience. I've always thought of this podcast as a really fun fashion journal. So I'm really excited to hear your guys' thoughts and hopefully so many more soon. As always, if you have a minute before you leave us, make sure you go leave us a review on the Apple Podcasts and Spotify page. And if you're watching on YouTube, drop a comment, say hi, I'll respond.

29:50I always love getting to meet you guys. Okay, we'll see you guys next week for another really fun episode. Bye.