It’s a race, it’s a race!

frida.jpg

Frida I’m not really that coy about things on this blog nor am I going to pull the wool over your eyes, so I’ll just come right out and fess’ up that the reason for my trip to New York is not purely to take advantage of the $:¬£ rate (though it is very good indeed!).  No no no, it is because Gucci have invited myself and a select number of other bloggers (I’m not 100% sure who else is coming but I have my guesses….) to the ‘A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF’ event hosted by Gucci and Madonna on the 6th February.  It coincides with the opening of the new Gucci 5th Avenue flagship store.  The night will be co-chaired by Frida Giannini, raising funds and awareness for orphans and children afflicted by HIV/Aids in Africa (completely separate from Madonna’s love for Kabbalah as the event is I believe underwritten by Gucci).

Now let’s just say I’m a teensy weensy bit scared.  Actually, scrap that.  I’m absolutely shitting myself.  The fear fully rained down on my head when a lady from Gucci came round to the office delivering a ‘Save the Date’ card (it’s not even the actual invitation…!).  It all comes down to that infuriatingly cliched and predictable question of ‘What am I ever going to wear?’.  As it is, partying it up in London is I gather a completely different kettle of fish from partying in New York (supposedly, it’s more about partying in a sensible way across the pond than going completely mental….).  Add on the fact that this is an A-list formal affair (SJP, Demi, Gwyneth, Drew, Trudie… the sort of people that don’t even need their whole names entirely listed out…) being held at the United Nations headquarters and thus I’m 100% sure that I’m in waaaay over my head.

We have two options really.  The smart option of fading into the background, wearing something nondescript, safe and  tasteful and hopefully just get by.  It’s not a question of not having the dress fundage to buy say a Phillip Lim/Mayle/Marc by Marc Jacobs affair that also means I can pick up the dress prior to the event whilst shopping in New York.  However, being a complete nobody (in comparison to said A-listers I mean…) does mean I have a relative amount of freedom to wear whatever within the decorum of cocktail dressing.  So instead, I want to do it the hard way. 

Oddly enough, I want something that has vaguely British origins, that perhaps won’t have done the journey across the pond. I’m not saying I’m going to drape myself in a Viv Westwood union jack dress but perhaps I’m keen to go for something that people won’t IMMEDIATELY be able to tell what it is and reflects my own fashion tastes/interests as well.  I also want to make it harder by setting myself a strict budget to achieve something along the lines of a customised vintage/British young designer dress accessorised with early 20th century accessories (cape, clutch) and killer shoes which I already have (me thinks…).  This isn’t about dressing for the season but making an ensemble my own.  The idea of going into Selfridges and wacking my card down for a dress seems to take the fun out of it for me and so I have concocted a ‘special quest’ shopping trip this weekend to go sniffing out this vague/hazy vision of an outfit. 

I’ve made the fatal mistake of misjudging time and essentially, I have until next Friday for this undertaking.  Yes, I am in the shit because I’ve been fannying around and panicking for far too long.  Still, like my uni essays which I always left to the last minute, this is a case of going into speedy gonzalez mode in the last few days.  Wish me luck.  Oh, and if Boudicca/Marios Schwab/Roksanda Illincic/Erdem are reading – a dress would very much be appreciated (worth a try right?). 

68 comments

  2. OMG you are coming to NYC! I’m going to be in the city too – I don’t get all the swish invites (I’m still confused about these “save the date” things) but dammit I’d be tickled if I actually crossed paths with the Bubble…

  3. Wow…congrats!..this is a big thing for fashion bloggers…and I think you’ll get used to this. I’d say you go with your personal style and leave the glam look if you don’t feel into it.
    By the way the dresses at Erdem are so beautiful…I think he’s my favorite London designer.

  5. wow. you and some other bloggers? that proves it – you can really get into the high society by blogging. i believe you’ll find something breathtaking to wear, and i wouldn’t even consider wearing something nondescript and fading into the background, i mean – you don’t go to a charity party hosted by gucci every day!!

  6. come about setting high goals for yourself…
    defo want to see the outfit!

  7. Hi I’m Erdem…I was thinking of lending you one of my dresses for you to wear on the special event hehehhehe….
    Susie you rockkkkk! I’m so proud of you…remember, PICTURES please…:))

  11. I applaud your bravery!!! I turn down these kind of invites as I just don’t have the bottle to go – it’s a straight out “thanks, but no thanks”. (Nothing as quite as corporate/big as Gucci has come my way though).
    The good thing about this though is that you can people watch like crazy! Good luck girl.

  12. Very good susie!! 🙂 I am sure whatever outfit u come up with, it will be a hit! 🙂 I like the idea of you wearing a young british designer, im sure u’ll find something. 🙂

  13. This is great! Look me up in NYC, and definitely go for the option of standing out. This is one of those events where who cares if they love you or hate you as long as they notice you. DJM, you should not let opportunities pass you by!

  14. Susie, congratulations! This is a really great opportunity for you. I applaud you for staying true to yourself and going for a unique look that says a lot about who you are. Of course you must show us the look once you have it! Good luck!

  15. This is so weird, this blogpost is so on target for what I was thinking out today, oddly enough. I just found out that my friend (James Braithwaite) is nominated for an OSCAR(!!!) for the animated short he worked on. I’m friends with his girlfriend as well, and she’s freaking out since she will be going as his date of course. What the heck do you wear to the Oscars!?!?!?!
    I’m going to send her this post….

  16. i def. support your dressing strategy. besides, you have to think, blending in or being new york glossy is besides the point. i imagine those people get so tired of looking at each other that they are so excited to see something a little original and ‘exotic’.

  17. so, susie, i live in new york and i’m absolutely psyched that you’re coming to visit my turf. i’m sure that whatever you do here would be perfect; new yorkers are pretty repetitive and monochromatic with their styling. you will make a scene, in a good way.

  19. we told you before that you were going to become famous, didn’t we? congrats, this is going to be amazing, or maybe rather… interesting.
    i think your ideas concerning the dress are perfect, and i am eager to see the result.
    good luck!

  20. congrats susie! i can’t wait to see what you end up wearing.
    i’m compiling a super-mega-massive list of things to do in NY on my site if you fancy a look… so far it’s just food and booze — still, they’re neccessities too!

  21. I completely agree with WendyB here. Further, I think you may see a large separation between the A-listers and the regular folks.
    The thing is, S., you have made your name as someone who very much has her own eclectic, creative, and individual style. That’s what makes you Susie Bubble and not Susie Boring. Everyone who reads this blog would be able to pick you out of a crowd–so why blend in? Somehow I think that even if you had a special dress, you’d Susie-fy it into something unique and reflective of your style mantra.
    I’m so very proud of you. And you are far more interesting than those dull old celebs. You are the face of modern fashion, so be yourself and everyone will be just as charmed as we are.
    Congrats on being selected!! :–))

  23. Angie, tell your friend to go all out for the Oscars. Any of these special events…those are the times to go wild, not the times to panic and wear the perfectly appropriate and immensely boring thing that no one will ever notice. You can rest assured that even if people hate your unusual outfit they will still compliment you just because you catch their eye. People always think events like this are the time to be conservative but it’s exactly the opposite. Stick a big bow on your ass and have a good time; that’s my policy.

  24. Wow Susie. Let me just say, i am sooo jealous right now! Good luck with the dress/outfit (are you going to give us a peek before you go?) Have fun in NY. Oh, and remember, just be yourself; that’s how these people found you in the first place.

  25. omgggg wow!! can’t WAIT to hear all about it, that’s crazy! why not wear what you would normally wear and what you think is most fabulous? there’s no way people wouldn’t like it and if they are snooty then atleast you were yourself? you may need a coat of armour to achieve such confidence around the slebs though so just go treat yourself, i know whatever you bring back will be fabulous, it’s not like you’ll end up buying something that’s not your style!
    p.s. i’m going on a blog related trip too! will reveal all on friday, though it definitely doesn’t involve the likes of gucci and sjp!… actually wait a minute, if ‘carrie’ can bounce around new york in her get ups, then yours could look even better!

  26. ah good luck susie! It’s going to be so amazing going with the boyf! And you definately made the right choice. Anyone can whack on Phillip Lim and call it their own. You clearly know what you love and what suits your style and you’ll only truly be comfortable if you dress the way you want to. But don’t forget to Have Fun!

  27. wow, that is incredible! to echo the other commentators, be yourself and don’t melt into the shadows in some safe get-up – that is the reason you’re invited in the first place!

  28. WendyB – Great advice! I was just talking to my friend and we were thinking it might be nice if she wore something from an independent Canadian designer, or any indie designer for that matter. It would really fit more with her personality and what her BF, and our whole group of friends are all about. She’s going to look stunning no matter what though, she’s slim, has great hair and great big eyes.
    Not to hijack the thread though, I’m super excited for you too Susie, and CAN’T WAIT to see what you’ll wear!

  31. OMG Susie that’s brilliant! We’re so thrilled for you, and your dressing-up strategy sounds exactly like the kind of thing I can imagine you doing- though you definitely don’t seem like you’ll make a good sartorial wallflower, the Susie Customising Urge tends to make even the plainest pieces a standout! Though I can understadn your concern on one hand, since Gucci doesn’t really seem like a very ‘Susie’ kind of brand so dressing for an event it’s hosting and reconciling that with your personal style might be tough- but be yourself, I say.
    On a side note, those invitations/Save The Date cards are lovely…or maybe I’m just saying that because I like the font, and the green.

  32. Let me just say Susie, that you are the kind of blogger us little bloggers strive to be:)
    Good luck in NY! I’m so jealous, even though I was just there, hehe.

  34. Congratulation susie!!!!!
    have fun there!!!
    Abrazos y Suerte!!

  36. Anything you wear will be brilliant, so don’t worry. You got to where you are by being yourself, and don’t forget that.
    Congratulations, and have fun!

  37. That’s amazing!!
    I agree with what a few others have said and go just go for it in the dressing up stakes!
    Stand out from the crowd and show ’em all how it’s really done.
    Have a great time and shop till you drop!

  38. I think you should pick some outfits and let us vote… and if people comment on your outfit say your readers voted on it!

  40. I much much much prefer the second idea. The cape and clutch sounds awesome. I also like the idea of a young British designer. Please dress like yourself. I imagine you would look (and feel) quite odd if you wore something off the rack from Bloomingdales.

  44. oh my gawd, you are so incredibly lucky again!
    have a blast! and good luck on that dress hunt of yours~! make sure you tell us what you wear?!

  45. find something in the vintage shops and make it your own- you will look fab-

  46. That is amazing. Good luck on the perfect outfit.
    I have a question or two. How did you really get your blog started and big? Any suggestions on what makes a blog…great?

  47. you have to admit, you WERE being coy…as you actually didn’t tell us the first time around 😉
    but i forgive you! and why bother being nervous, all these “celebs” and “important people” are just humans like you. that, or they’re robots. but either way who gives a fuck about them? be you are going to rock this party with your outfit!

  49. Good for you!
    Susie, I had this same issue when I had to pose for a spread a magazine here in Washington, D.C was doing on fashionable women in the city and I was one of the subjects. Having been asked left me flattered but utterly obsessed over what to wear for the picture. Of course I left it to the last minute too. Ultimately, I wish I’d taken more chances with my outfit. And I think it’s somewhat important that you know the sort of venue and lighting you’ll be photographed in.
    Anyway, I think you should wear something vintage. Something in in a classic shape but with oddball colors or accessories.
    Seriously, you have amazing style. Look thru a few magazines and develop an inspiration board of images and then think about what it is that you like about each outfit. You will look fantastic, we can’t wait to read about it.
    ( :

  52. congrats for being selected to go to NYC and much luck by finding a fitting Outfit! I’m very exciting to read your report about your trip!

  53. you lucky lucky thing !
    yes, vintage sounds good, with your amazing layering skills…
    i noticed your name is Susanna
    i laughed, I’m Susannah
    wow.
    i sound like an eight year old (:

  54. I am taking each and everyone of your congrats messages with me to my shopping trip this weekend and to NYC to bolster me in hope that a) my outfit will turn out a-ok and b) the event will be a blast….
    Seriously…. I can’t thank you enough and of course pics, pics and more pics are surely due…..!
    I also thank those that sent me emails giving me tons of tips for NYC and I will be compiling an NYC notepad…..

  55. Annah: I now know the complete set of Susanna’s….. one who spells it with a h at the end and one who spells it with a z and they’re both bloggers – yay!

  56. http://www.imelda.com.au
    OMG – I’m quivering with anticipation as I type this, could be my 3rd coffee of the morning, no I’m fucking excited!
    That’s a ditto fold on everyone else’s comments, you’re a brave fashion solider who’s about to be prompted to Captain Рstick with what’s made the bubble to bubble and that’s your amazing sense of style. You won’t drown in a sea of over styled celebrities if you just be yourself. xxxxx

  57. Congratulations, this is sooo exciting! You deserve it.
    I haven’t read all the comments but if you’d like to borrow some outfits from some brands you appreciate, don’t hesitate to give them a call. I’m 100% sure they’ll be delighted to help you.

  58. i am the buyer / designer for topshop boutique, unique and the designer ranges – will happily give you something from the february london fashion week collections ?
    marios for topshop, christopher kane for topshop – or perhaps a husam el odeh headband ?!

  59. please post pics when you have something pulled together.
    so want to see what you came up with—which will be totally fab, no doubt.

  60. Lucky you! I think Boudicca or Erdem would look fantastic. Here’s hoping they offer you something to wear. Please post photos of yourself!

  61. i went to NY for the first time just the other day – and i have to suggest that you go to:
    DEATH AND CO – in noho, for old fashioned drinks
    MANDATE OF HEAVEN – in williamsburg, for amazing handmade one of a kind jumpers and dresses
    OPENING CEREMONY – duh, but they have great discounted boots and cut-out flat jazzish shoes right now. plus chloe’s line wil be out!

  62. dont you have to pay like 400$ to attend its a fundraiser…alot of people got invited.

Comments are closed.