Today I’m super excited to share all about Austin Fashion Week and some of my absolute favorite designs. This year, I attend the kickoff party which was super fun—Think “girls night out” but with gorgeous models mingling in amazing outfits, flawless hair, and perfect makeup. Pretty sweet!!
Throughout the week I attended some AFW Soirees — Fortress of Inca shoes being one of them featuring Betty Alida’s Pop-Up shop! Y’all know my shoe obsession is real and I’m totally in loveeee with this pair. How perfect, right?! From shoes onto jewelry; Jen, the designer of Betty Alida is so detailed and intricate you can totally see how much love and hard work goes into each and every handmade piece.
Friday’s runway show was so fun! I was super pumped because I had the honor of meeting/hanging out with designer Lauren Nicole after the show. Lauren is a goal-driven sophomore in high school (yes, you read that correctly) that’s mastered the art of design, incorporating rich textures and sophisticated chic into her very first runway collection. Before the interview my nerves were definitely kickin’ but there was no time for panic. I was greeted by Ms. Kristen with AFW to go backstage and meet Lauren. Let me just say, backstage was the real deal y’all. Designers, models, clothes, racks on racks on racks…the whole nine yards! No pressure, right?! Ms. Kristen introduced me to Lauren and she was the absolute sweetest! All nerves aside, I had to know from the designer herself…
Jonie: How do you feel after just having a super amazing runway show?!
Lauren: This was my first runway show and it’s been very challenging, and tiring, but I’m glad it happened—walking down the runway and seeing the pieces in front of me was just an amazing feeling. I have to admit I just came backstage and I started crying–It was a really great feeling!
Jonie: What is your favorite part about being a designer?
Lauren: I really have to say expressing my feelings and my thoughts and seeing them visually on a runway. I try to create to where any woman can wear this no matter her body type, no matter how old she is, what size she is, and the pieces are so versatile.
Jonie: Who is your modern muse?
Lauren: I love Valentino! His pieces are very romantic [kind of like my pieces], but they do have that out of no where twist. For example the Rockstud Heels are very girly, very sophisticated, and he kind of just throws things in that you would never expect.
Jonie: Shopping wise…normal day life, where do you go?
Lauren: Everywhere and anywhere! But my number one go-to is Nordstrom–They have everything!
Jonie: Favorite thing to shop for?
Lauren: Shoes! I am shoe obsessed!!! I have 90-something pairs of shoes it’s crazy!
And on that note, I would love to see her closet :).
Here are some of my favorites from Lauren’s collection…
This Duster is everything!!
Love the edgy vibe of this vest
In case you missed all the amazingness AFW had to offer, here are just a few of my favorites from the runway…
I totally used last week as an excuse to finally hang out with all my blogger BFF’s! It’s so hard to get everyone together with all of our crazy schedules :).
dress FOREVER 21(sold out–similar here) | heels STEVE MADDEN | clutch DVF | ring HOUSE OF HARLOW | earrings VINTAGE (similar)
This is my third year in a row attending AFW and something I look forward to every year.
A big thank you to Emily Hedicke for my amazing hair Friday night ( I got so many compliments—you’re a rockstar)! And a very special thank you to Lauren Nicole for taking the time to meet with me as well as AFW for sponsoring this post. Xx
outfit details: gown ALFRED ANGELO | coat VINTAGE | heels MODE COLLECTIVE | bag MILLY