This Is What I Came For

Back in Seattle, I was deeply plugged into the fashion community. Events, panels, collaborations, I was there for it all. Between Seattle Fashion Week and The Fashion Group International, I carved out space for myself by blending graphic design with marketing strategy.

Then COVID hit. I stepped back. And when I tried to return a year ago, the scene felt… quieter. The momentum I once relied on wasn’t there anymore.

That’s part of why New York felt so magnetic. If there’s any place to immerse yourself in fashion, it’s here. The events, the networking, the sheer number of opportunities to connect. But here’s what I learned quickly: opportunity is only half the story. The other half is energy.

I only made it to two events… well, technically, one and a half.

On August 5th, I headed to SoHo for the LoveShackFancy x Victoria’s Secret PINK Pop-Up. After grabbing Starbucks, I thought I’d stroll by, peek in, and soak up the atmosphere. Instead, I found myself at the back of a line that wrapped around the block. By 12:20, I was questioning all my life decisions. By 12:25, I bailed. These NYC lines? Not for the weak.

A week later, on August 12th, I did make it out the door at 6:30 am for the It Girl Walk in Central Park. Honestly, I almost turned back at Columbus Circle, but I pushed through, and I’m glad I did. I met a crew of PR pros and creatives, grabbed coffee at Ralph’s, breakfast at Sant Ambroeus, and logged 18,000 steps before noon. For a moment, I could almost see myself living that Upper East Side lifestyle.

The rest of the events on my calendar? I skipped them. Not because I didn’t care, but because exhaustion won.

That’s when the bigger lesson clicked: New York is full of opportunities, but showing up takes real energy. If you’re not grounded, the city will drain you before you even make it through the door.

Still, this is what I came for. To test it. To try it. To see how I fit. And while I didn’t check off every RSVP, I gained something more valuable: clarity. Sometimes the real takeaway isn’t about where you show up, but what it reveals about your next move.

Let’s just say clarity had me setting a 3:15 am alarm the very next morning.