Fashion Week is upon us and I'm excited to be partnering with Express throughout the week, having stocked up on a few fall essentials that I've been craving. My piece de resistance is this little suede dress -- I love that it can be practically worn solo (much more weather appropriate this time of year) or with a little rib knit turtleneck, once the temps drop (which is hopefully soon?!).

And now with another NYFW already here, I have to admit. I've never quite forgotten that feeling from attending my first fashion show. The rush, the excitement, the feeling of being slightly out of place and being completely OK with it, when the lights dim, voices are hushed and that first model sets the tone.

Let's flash back about 7 years ago. I was a recent Bay Area transplant, two days into my first "big girl" job at a fashion startup in Silicon Valley, and I was catching the first of many cross-country red eye flights for a few cold days in February. It was Fashion Week and I couldn't stop pinching myself.

As luck would have it, that particular season was the last year Mercedes-Benz would be hosting at Bryant Park, the tents taking over much of the plaza behind the public library. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I did sense a sort of somber mood in the air because of it -- Bryant Park has been, and will always be, one of my favorite parks in the city -- and it seemed most folks weren't quite ready to say goodbye to it as their fashion home away from home.

I remember navigating the subways meticulously from my Union Square hotel, so as to not to be late to my first ever fashion show -- Cynthia Rowley. Of course, this didn't meant I didn't change about 20 times before finally stepping foot outside. Into the freezing, sub-zero temps, after which I thought better about those heavier (and subsequently warmer) boots and changed for the 21st time. As you might have already guessed, none of this really mattered the minute I showed up at the front entrance, in awe of everyone else and what they were wearing. It hit me hard in that moment: I was way out of my league. End of story. But there wasn't any turning around at that point though -- the show must go on -- and this one was set to start in 10 minutes (which, as we all know, in fashion time, means 45 minutes).

I eventually found my seat (second row, whoa, score!) and sat to people watch. A lot of familiar faces waltzed through and a lot of faces I would come to recognize over the years. Flash after flash went off from different photographers shouting names or directions, as more and more folks shuffled into the long, presentation room. Finally, the lights dimmed, a frenzy of seat grabbing ensued and a heavy bass beat dropped. It was Adele's "Rumor Has It" (not yet publicly released at the time), and a single model stomped out, her posture slightly arched back, pelvis forward, into the now blaring spotlights, illuminating her pathway in an otherworldly fashion.

I remember taking a mental note in that moment. "Remember how you feel right now. Right now."

OUTFIT DETAILS: Express turtleneck // Express suede jumper // Stuart Weitzman boots // Chloe "Drew" bag // Celine "Audrey" sunglasses // Movado watch // Miansai bracelet // Monica Vinader bracelets 

This post was in collaboration with Express. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

Photos by Alisha Siegel