It's been over a year and a half since we had to lock ourselves up in quarantine.First it was a big shock, then it was a long, deep blues.However, we've learned how to cope with it, we are stronger than ever before,willing to connect with each other and trying to improve the community for the better in many aspects. At COTERIE, we could see the return of in-person fashion events with our own eyes.The vibrant energy and excitement, the vibe of our beloved industry that we've missed for so long. Here, let me share a glimpse of the journey I had in New York City. Setting up the Booth Almost as soon as we got to the NYC,We set up our booth for the show.Kyu helped me so much with the arrangements and the curation,he offered so many creative ideas :) The booth is almost ready, but missing something very important - a flower centrepiece!From the very first presentation that I did in London,I always get a big flower centrepiece for our booth.The very first one I got in London was with cherry blossoms from Liberty's.This time, since we don't know any local florists yet,we decided to find something new. Flower Hunting Voilà :) I usually get softer colours, but this one was a bit of an experimentand it perfectly went well with our booth full of colours. "Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."- Twyla Tharp Coffee in SoHo. Sarashina Horii❤️ With the booth now complete, COTERIE went live Just see how the centrepiece has transformed our booth! Team PLEIADES :) and me awkwardly smiling, very tired. The space was very big, and the show started very early.I've never seen a fashion event starting so early, it's usually never before 10.However at COTERIE, buyers were already queuing up by 0830. Venturing in the city This was probably one of the first days of venturing in the city during the trip.And my first ceviche ever. Kyu and I both have a personal connection to the city.Kyu is a New York attorney, and he spent some time here at the beginning of his career.Me, I came to New York while I was living in Milanto help my mentor who is a luxury womenswear designerthen also for a full-time internship at a global fashion brand. So this trip was even more inspiring for both of us,to be back in a city where we were during our formative years. Always say yes to coffee. Always say yes to Guggenheim. One of my favourite paintings at Guggenheim, I never miss this one. One of the artists who are brilliant at depicting women's outfits. Can you believe this is also by Picasso? I love it Back to the show! COTERIE gave us the exhibitors' bracelet as a gift.I still have it as a precious souvenir.Kyu lost his. Some pictures from our products at the show.Kyu insisted that we should print my paintings and display them.They were created for 'Ice Phoenix' collection, which was the latest when we went to COTERIE. We had many of our signature pieces already. Me trying KATRINA 115 for the first time,which later became my wedding shoes :) Also LAURA. One of my summer favourites! So beautiful - Our hotel was very close to the exhibition venue,so we liked to take walk to where we stay after the show each day.American malls, Sweetgreen, dinner at an outside table,or going all the way to the city central. SoHo stroll We took the best photos and the best videoson the streets of SoHo, after the show. When the show was completely over for the season,we had to go to a local clinic and get ourselves checked for COVIDand get a certificate in order to be on our flight. And that day was almost the only day when we had a free time. One thing I regretted about the trip was that I could not see many of my friends,especially the ones whom I met through workand felt much closer at that time. But we had a wonderful time,and everyone asked where the shoes are from! Kyu said me walking around in the city wearing PLEIADES shoeswas much more effective than the show. The dinner to celebrate our last night in NYC wasat a Moroccan restaurant.There was live music playing, and the food was nourishing.A glass of wine was perfect to melt away the tiredness and pressure,althought there was much more of the excitement and fun in my head. I am really not a person who is good at finding nice places to eatin fact I live on apples when I travel alone...So I was hugely grateful for Kyu for always taking me to places. I know an ice cream place though.So we went to have vegan ice creams to close the night. Kyu's surprise card :) Transferring the website to a new host, I am re-writing the blog right nowand still very much thankful for everything that happened during our journey. And for Kyu, who is my lifelong partner now. Please stay with us, for more of our stories!So much of excitement and fun adventures are to come.
