From beauty routines to wardrobe maintenance there's plenty to plan for when it comes to New York Fashion Week. But don't worry, our fashion editors have you covered.
Opening with one of the season’s hottest tickets at Tom Ford, and concluding with the always-inspiring spectacle at Marc Jacobs, New York Fashion Week has plenty of shows, presentations, meetings, and events packed in between. Averaging around ten to twelve appearances a day, editors have to make sure they’ve prepared everything down to the details of their beauty regimen, clothing, accessories, and more. And after New York, comes London, Milan, and Paris—turning fashion weeks into a fashion month—so this preparation is built to last.
The preparation covers everything, including beauty treatments from head (cut and colors by John Barrett and Suite Caroline, facials at Joanna Vargas and Alba), to fingers and toes (treatments from TenOverTen and Jinsoon), and accessory repair services from household names like the Leather Spa, to more discrete shops like Mina’s on Wall Street—and so much more.
Here, Departures editors share their tried-and-true, season-after-season beauty, wellness, and wardrobe treatments ahead of one of the most hectic weeks of the year—New York Fashion Week—leading into one of the most hectic months.
Haircut and Colorist
I’ve been going to Mauricio Bermudez at Suite Caroline for years. Lena Ott, owner of Suite Caroline, is the blonde go-to and Mauricio is really a master with brunettes. Once I started doing single process, it’s been a challenge to find someone that can get my natural shade of dark brown without the red tones. And for cuts, my friend Simone Kitchens recommended Teddi Cranford at White Rose Collective to me. I have very unruly thick curly hair and Teddi is great with textures because she cuts dry and doesn’t use a razor. She’d been steering me towards growing my hair inspired by early 2000s Penelope Cruz.—Melissa Ventosa Martin
John Barrett once described the inner workings of his salon to me as somewhat of a ballet—and I can’t think of a better way to describe the experience. For my pre-fashion week cut and color, I find a visit to John Barrett’s salon a welcome respite. And customer service aside, the results speak for themselves. The birthplace of the Bergdorf Blonde, after all,—and inspiration for the novel—the salon tends to New York City blondes (Hillary Clinton, Martha Stewart) and visiting Hollywood dignitaries (Reese Witherspoon, the Hilton sisters).—Annie Davidson
Eyebrows
I’m fearful of anyone overplucking my brows, as I’ve tried really hard to get them back to the fullness they once had pre-nineties waif/no eyebrow trend. Yasmine at Yaz Beauty studio totally gets this and is very natural with her shapes and techniques.—Melissa Ventosa Martin
Facialist
I could go on and on about Isabelle Bellis. From the minute you step into her UES townhouse, you’re transported into this oasis of French-bohemian elegance. She looks like Robin Wright Penn in the Princess Bride (a major style icon to me) and has this wise, calmly presence. Massage is the foundation of her practice, and she is very mindful of the toll an urban lifestyle takes on your skin. The entire experience is really relaxing. Your skin will glow.—Melissa Ventosa Martin
Joanna Vargas’ signature treatment, the Triple Crown Facial, is the perfect way to kick-off fashion week (nevermind fashion month). It’s the treatment that keeps her A-list celebrity clientele—including Julianne Moore, Elisabeth Moss, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Michelle Williams—loyal. Using a unique combination of microdermabrasion, microcurrent, and oxygen-infused therapy, this 60-minute facial provides both instantly gratifying results—more refined, lifted, and toned skin—and cumulative benefits of collagen and elastin production.—Annie Davidson
Cecilia Wong’s oxygen facial is my favorite in the city. My skin gets very dehydrated in the winter and this 60-minute treatment brings it back to life. I always leave with plump, fresh and glowing skin. She also has an amazing black currant blemish peel that you can pick up in the shop after. It works like a miracle (in less than an hour) on any spots or blemishes.—Jenny Hartman
Dry Cleaner
Madame Paulette picks up and delivers free of charge, so this is reason enough for me as I struggle to get personal errands done with my work schedule.—Melissa Ventosa Martin
Alba does an amazing job and works much faster than most cleaners. Give him a deadline and he’ll make it work. If you're in need of a last-minute dry clean for your favorite pieces this is the place.—Jenny Hartman
Exercise
I’m a devotee of Tracy Anderson (Equinox, Tracy Anderson Method) but because the studio is a bit too out of the way for me sometimes, I stream the classes and do them in the studio at Equinox. I also do heated pilates classes at Equinox and run outdoors as much as I can. I try to keep this up in Milan and Paris, since it really clears my mind in the morning and gives me energy for the day. Running is such a great exercise if you travel as much as I do.—Melissa Ventosa Martin
One of the hottest brands on the boutique fitness scene, SLT (an acronym for Strengthen Length Tone), combines cardio, strength training, and pilates for full-body refinement. Responsible for the figures of celebrities like Sofia Vergara, Alicia Keys, Emmy Rossum, and more, SLT offers 50-minute classes in over 20 locations throughout the country (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and more). I recommend private sessions with Nicole Byrnes (you may spot her making appearances on the Instagram stories of Sports Illustrated models like Nina Agdal), who gives me the strength (both physical and mental) to get through the chaotic week that will shortly ensue.—Annie Davidson
Leather Repair
Leather Spa does such a nice job here. I try to get my boots fixed up at the beginning of the season.—Melissa Ventosa Martin
It’s only fair for my accessories to get a touch-up before New York Fashion Week, as well. And for them, only the best—the Leather Spa in FiDi is convenient (right near my office) and makes my investment pieces look as good as new.—Annie Davidson
I’ve been going to Mina’s Shoe Repair for years. They’ve completely reconstructed shoes for me, cleaned my white suede thigh-high boots to perfection and can do little heel replacements on the spot. It’s not the most convenient location but they do a fantastic job with any shoe issue and have wonderful customer service.—Jenny Hartman
Last-minute Shopping
The RealReal has become my go-to for late in the season shopping. I search by season and have been finding great things that I missed. Plus, the sustainability aspect is appealing to me.—Melissa Ventosa Martin
I can never have enough Wolford pieces. I use the bodysuits to layer under everything and I like to stock up on new silhouettes as I add pieces to my wardrobe each season. Also always in need of a black or white tight. They have the best classic matte sheer and opaque tights.—Jenny Hartman
Beauty Products and Treatments
Recently, I’ve been refreshing my beauty products with “healthier” options and the mani-pedi’s at TenOverTen use all non-toxic and cruelty-free products. While all of the procedures are free of the eight ingredients linked to toxicity—dibutyl phthalate (dbp), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, and triphenyl phosphate (tphp)—the “Luxe” option is followed by a 10-minute hot stone massage and cream application. I prefer visiting their Fulton Street location and wearing their new, neutral shades: Hester (canyon clay), Broome (desert taupe), and Canal (milky hazelnut).—Annie Davidson
JINsoon’s beehive treatment is amazing for tired feet and dry hands. I recommend any of the treatments from Jin’s studio, but this one is particularly my favorite. It’s great for people with poor circulation and sensitive feet. I don’t usually do polish but I love to have fresh and hydrated hands and healthy cuticles.—Jenny Hartman
