Twinkle By Wenlan

At the end of the day, there is no place I would rather be than snoozing on my self-inspired always fashionable Milan rug.

Yes! It’s lunch time! The key is to wait patiently for something to fall, and then devour.

Ok I checked the package, now can I play?

To know the product you must be the product.

Milan’s typical days starts with an agonizing cab ride (or maybe there was just a giant hotdog passing by…)

Who’s the lucky one?

The day has finally come. It’s the last show in Bryant Park and we’re backstage preparing to ensure everything is ready by 6:00pm. As models slowly trickle in, one by one over a span of hours, we check them in and move them through hair, makeup, and nails as quickly as possible. Suddenly it’s 5:50pm and we still have five girls that need their makeup done. They’re calling first looks and all the other models are already changing. Will we finish in time? Will we make it? As these questions run through my head, the girls are already done and putting on their first ensemble. Someone calls out to clear the area of all non models and stylists. That’s my cue…time to fight for a good spot to stand so I can see the show. The lights go out. Then, the spotlight hits the stage and the music starts. As I start to feel the music, the first model hits the runway. The show flashes before my eyes as all the models walk out onto the runway to do their final walk. Everyone starts clapping uncontrollably, and I know the show was a success. It feels great to be a part of all the excitement

Model getting final touch up!

This is my second experience attending a fashion show during my internship at Twinkle by Wenlan. It has been a fantastic experience for me and has allowed me to understand more aspects of the industry. I am especially glad to have been able to join in both fashion shows during New York Fashion Week. These allowed me to participate in different events that featured both the Spring and Fall collections. This year’s work differs from my previous experience in that I am currently working to invite the Chinese-language press to our show. It is the first time Twinkle by Wenlan has reached out to the media from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China. Because of Wenlan’s Taiwanese background, many Chinese media are especially interested in her personal experience, the story of how she struggled to make it in New York, in addition to Twinkle’s line of apparel. Working with Chinese media has been enjoyable, and the media outlets have been friendly and responded favorably. Hopefully, this media campaign will result in more people in Asia knowing about Twinkle by Wenlan and fall in love with the designer and her products – as I have.

Wenlan interviewed by International Press

Fall 2010 was my first experience on the ‘other’ side of the runway during Fashion Week. Before the show, I wasn’t too sure what to expect and came in a bit apprehensive. Backstage at Twinkle’s Fall 2010 Fashion Show was probably one of the craziest places I’ve ever been. It’s organized chaos; models are popping in and out, press are backstage snapping pictures and trying to get interviews and there is a constant stream of people in and out offering their best wishes and getting the backstage scoop on the show. Wenlan’s dog, Milan, was also backstage checking out the action!

My first task was checking in on the models backstage and making sure that we knew where they were at all times. Watching models backstage is similar to babysitting- they’re always running out to smoke a cigarette, rotating around the make up and hair stations; you have to keep an eagle eye on 26 girls! I was a little panicked at first because some of the models were running late from an earlier show. Eventually, they all wafted in from their various earlier jobs and got settled into hair and make up and my heart rate slowed down!

Then it was time for the show to start. I was backstage with Wenlan and the Assistant Director helping make sure that the girls were in the right order. The run-of-show is very specific and is deliberated over for a long time before, so it’s important that it’s right! If not, the program is wrong and the looks don’t tell the right story. Since girls are changing into one or two more looks, it’s a constant, heart pounding process of making sure they’re in the right order. I barely got to watch the show as I was so busy making sure that the girls were lined up correctly and we had everyone!

Finally, after the last girl walked out onto the runway for the finale, I could catch my breath and my hands stopped shaking. And I loved every second of it!

By: Stephanie

30 mins before the show starts!

The fashion industry is known for its obsession with thinness and its accompanying estranged relationship with eating.  However, we at Twinkle have a different fixation concerning food, specifically sweets.  Granted, we try to eat healthily (doesn’t everyone?).  BUT. Who can resist those tempting oatmeal chocolate chip cookies sitting in the middle of the office?  Or that cupcake topped off with illegally delicious strawberry frosting?  Or that chocolate covered donut filled with some sort of mysterious custard cream?  Certainly not us!  And really, it would be quite rude to ignore sweets completely and just let them sit there.  Our parents raised us with better manners than that.

A box of Crumbs cupcake which we finished in a second the other day!
picture courtesy of crumbs bakeshop. http://www.crumbs.com/