{VPL by Victoria Bartlett}

This past weekend, I had the grueling, but amazing, experience of being part of putting on a show during New York Fashion Week. I have been interning with VPL by Victoria Bartlett since the beginning of January. Up until two weeks ago, my internship consisted of basic "intern" duties; running errands, checking samples in-and-out, and making myself available wherever needed. A lot of my time was spent in contact with stylists and magazine editors requesting VPL pieces for photo shoots.

Then, as soon as fashion week hit, things totally shifted gears. I spent all day Saturday, literally, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday at the VPL offices two blocks away from Bryant Park, and at Pier 59, the location of the show. After catching a 2:30 a.m. Ram Van home, I was up again at 5:30 a.m. to catch a 6:40 a.m. Metro North train back into Manhattan.

So much work went into the making of this show. I spent hours, literally, hours, steaming the giant white curtains that were the backdrop for the show. Hours were also spent packing and laying out all 300 of the Sephora-sponsored gift bags. Needless to say, I was very tired after all of this, and not feeling the least bit glamorous or ready to face the next day.

But, all of my hard work and long hours and lack of sleep was totally worth it. It was such an amazing experience. As mentioned in my earlier post, I got to meet (aka interact) with incredible people from the fashion world. It really made me excited for my {future} career in the industry.

I was also able to experience how truly crazy the world of fashion is, especially during fashion week. Before the lights of the room were even all the way up, models were dressed in their civilian clothes and running out the door to their next show. When the show was over, there was no mingling or chatting, everyone ran out to head to their next show. I wonder if they even have time to enjoy it all. It was just incredible to me how fast everything goes. After the hours of work that everyone put in, the show was fifteen minutes, and when it was over, everyone was gone. Clean-up took about 15 minutes, that is it.

I guess there really is such a thing as a "New York minute."

The infamous curtains that I had to steam.

The beginning of filling the gift bags.

Backstage preparations.

Hair & makeup, and A LOT of chaos.

The runway.

Models backstage. They are just so effortlessly cool!

Hair and makeup.

Waiting for the show to begin.

Model Jacquelyn Jablonski, a family friend from home!

Designer Victoria Bartlett and Anna Selezneva

** All photos mine. I will spare you my horrible runway images and direct you here to see Victoria's amazing work.