CW on: FASHION AIR's 7 Days of Chic

Some looks which didn't make it into the final cut

They say the camera adds ten pounds. In my case, I think it adds ten thousand pounds of bona fide awkwardness. It's been more than six months since a little hand-held video camera (either manned by the lovely obliging Marina or myself) accompanied me everywhere I went during LFW AW09 back in February--back before there was even the first whisper of the Clothes Whisperer. No I wasn't style stalking myself running riot on an ego-fest, I was filming for Fashion Air's web show, "7 Days of Chic," which debuted at last online today. And given that I'd signed a confidentiality form and haven't been able to breath a word about the experience since, writing this post is like finally letting out that sneeze you've been holding for six months. But in my case, that sneeze is awesome content that had to be held under ceasefire til 19 Entertainment (Fashion Air's parent company) gave the ok: Simon Fuller is an enemy no one wants to make.

I have to say, the filming process was quite fun. Awkward, painfully so, at first--it was only at the end that I felt I'd gotten comfortable in front of the camera. We weren't allowed to get anyone else in the frame, so finding places to shoot around the tents and on-site at shows was something of a challenge. People must have thought we were either plotting to overthrow the BFC or having a torrid affair between writer and photographer, disappearing back around the tents without explanation for regular intervals on a daily basis. There was also the little problem of filming at evening shows and after parties, where I'm afraid, after finally viewing the end result, the show's editors failed to airbrush out my blazing Asian glow. They did, thankfully, cut my tipsy turn down Johnny Blueeyes' vacant runway--tottering and tipsy fashionista, 7 days of definitely not chic.

They also edited around my daily preambles detailing which show I'm going to and why a particularly wacky outfit is especially appropriate for a certain designer who's show I'm attending bla bla bla. So basically, it looks like I dress like an over-coordinated, ultra-accessorized flamboyant fashion nut on a daily basis for no reason other than fabulousness itself. That's ok, I suppose I don't mind. But I had thought that the contextualization of LFW around my 7 days made for a rather lovely little story.

In the end, chic or not, seeing yourself on live camera for the first time is something of a harrowing experience--even for this normally shamelessly camera-happy blogger. And looking back on it now, I even regret some of my outfit choices, has the trend wheel turned so fast? Kind of like when back in high school, you'd cringe at your outfit choice back in September when the yearbook came out in June. It's like that.

But what's done is done and what's a fashionista to do except ensure that the next 7 days are even chicer than the ones before?

Click here to watch my 7 Days of Chic!

Some stills from the webisode, all shot by Marina Scukina

Scene: Outside Qasimi AW09
Cuff-Marni; Ring-Versace; Coat-Roberto Cavalli; Shoes-Louboutin

Scene: Johnny Blueeyes AW09 show and after party
Dress-Narciso Rodriguez; Jacket-Max Mara; Belt-Vintage; Shoes-YSL

Scene: Jacob Kimmie A/W09 show

Cardigan-Vintage; Leotard-Topshop; Trousers-Whistles; Shoes-Louboutin; Bangle-Mawi; Ring-YSL

Scene: at home prior to an event at the Serpentine (they cut this look)
Jacket-No label; Dress-Josh Goot; Shoes-Prada; Bag-Balenciaga