Our Editors' New York Fashion Week Essentials
BY
Paper Magazine | Feb 07, 2025
New York Fashion Week officially kicked off this week, which means that editors, influencers and celebs alike are devoting their days to dashing all throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn to attend runway shows, collection presentations, cocktails, dinners, events and after parties. While it might look glamorous from what's posted on social media, it can be overwhelming and exhausting.
But like any chaotic life requires, there's essential items to relieve the stress and make everything go as smoothly as possible, whether it's fashion week or simply an average week of being a working person in a big city. From carry-all bags that take us from working all day to partying into the night to beauty products that keep us looking fresh, see what our editors need to get them through one of the busiest times of the year, below.
Justin Moran, Editor-In-Chief
I spritz myself top down in Aesop Virēre before heading out for the day, and keep the bottle in my bag for pitstop refreshers along the journey. This scent is fresh, inspired by morning cups of green tea with a great woody undertone. My bottle is running dangerously low, so I’ll need to re-up very soon.
Get the Aesop Virēre Eau de Parfum via Aesop.
Mental health is important during NYFW, and there’s no better way to maintain a positive perspective than hitting the gym consistently. I love Nike, especially their running shoes for a quick trip to the Equinox treadmill to kickstart my mornings.
Get the Nike Alphafly3 via Nike.
How else are you supposed to work all day, party until 2 a.m. and then wake up at 7 a.m. to do it all over again for days on end? Liquid I.V. is my go-to and multiplies the hydration to save yourself from the many glasses of champagne you accepted from a cute model-slash-waiter the night prior.
Get the Liquid I.V. Berry Sweet Bundle via Liquid I.V.
I’ve recently become obsessed with Gap hauls, and I’m more often than not wearing head-to-toe Gap without even realizing. Years ago, I determined that wearing the simplest things during NYFW was my approach to juggling a busy schedule, and Gap does simple better than anyone. A black hoodie will always look good and, when styled the right way, can bring you from the morning meeting to the midday show to the after party.
Get the Gap VintageSoft Hoodie via Gap.
I love that Dr. Martens traverses different occasions, both high and low. While en route to Todd Snyder’s show this week on the Upper East Side, I saw fashion critic (and overall industry legend) Cathy Horyn waiting outside in a pair, and immediately felt validated in my own decision to wear Docs. With shows all over New York, there’s no better footwear to bring onto the subway. Plus, something this classic isn’t up for debate, as NYFW trends come and go.
Get the Dr. Martens 8053 Leather Platform Casual Shoes via Dr. Martens.
Andrew Nguyen, Fashion Editor
When the going gets tough, I'm admittedly bad at remembering to eat healthily. Luckily, Happier Grocery is conveniently located at Canal and West Broadway, where they make it easy to grab something nutritious and filling before making it to the next show. Sure, I might end up choosing a slice of pizza (which they have there, too!) instead of a salad or grain bowl, but that's why I'll always get a green juice in case, because life is all about balance
Get the Happier Organic Greens Juice via Happier.
A hoe does, indeed, get cold! On any other winter day, I'll bundle up in a hoodie and puffer, but fashion week is the best excuse to dress up, so layering smartly is the key. And Uniqlo HEATTECH never fails to keep me toasty.
Get the Uniqlo HEATTECH T-Shirt via Uniqlo.
I guess I'm just an old soul, because taking notes in the iPhone app simply does not do it for me. I always carry a notebook with me to jot down ideas and keep track of my to-do list, and when I physically write it all down, it's more likely I won't forget. And since I'm a fashion person who enjoys little luxuries, I like to feel fancy with a high-end pen.
Get the Montblanc Meisterstück Platinum-Coated Ballpoint Pen via Montblanc.
In between shows and appointments, I can be found furiously typing on my laptop, editing stories and firing off emails. That's why I need a chic bag that actually holds more than a phone and wallet. I'll even throw in my gym clothes to get in a pump after hitting "publish" on a timely story.
Get the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39 via Coach.
I'm perpetually tired, but I don't want to look like it (unless it can be worked into part of the look)! This new eye serum keeps me looking awake, alert and definitely not like I'm dissociating at the function.
Get the The-Y-Code Well Kept Advanced Eye Serum via The-Y-Code.
Angelina Cantu, Editorial Producer
The only shoe that will get me through 12-plus hour days is the Rick Owens Kiss Boot. Contrary to what most people assume, this is the most comfortable shoe ever made. My definition of practical footwear.
Get the Rick Owens FW24 Porterville Flared Kiss 45 Boot via Rick Owens.
Sometimes your eyewear is what ties the whole look together and while I am not opposed to wearing sunglasses inside it makes it a bit difficult to see the clothes coming down the runway. That’s why the Gentle Monster Oaa O1 glasses are my favorite frames to throw on when my face needs a little something extra.
Get the Gentle Monster Oaa 01 via Gentle Monster.
From presentations to after parties, I need a bag that will be able to accommodate my many outfit changes. My bag of choice this season is the large Turismo bag by Jacquemus. This bag will fit everything from a trench coat to multiple pairs of shoes. No need for a coat check.
Get the Jacquemus Large Turismo via Jacquemus.
The topper to any lip combo is the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in the shade RiRi. Plus you can always identify which glass is yours at the cocktail hour.
Get the Fenty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer via Fenty and Ulta.
Mickey Boardman, Director of Special Projects
Something I learned after shaving my head for the first time is having no hair requires more maintenance than having a lot of hair. This fabulous appliance lets me shave my own head or do touch ups so my hairless look is as put together as possible!
Get the Bevel Trimmer via Bevel.
I don’t wear a fragrance every day, but for NYFW I pull out my junior high school go-to cologne: Pierre Cardin. It’s the scent that first made me feel the seductive power of fragrance, even if the cute boys at Jane Addams Junior High in Schaumburg, Illinois never acted on it. Wearing it now is a fun trip down memory lane.
Get the Pierre Cardin Cologne Spray via Amazon.
This soap has some kind of voodoo aroma therapy powers. I feel awake, fresh and clean every time I use it.
Get Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap via Amazon.
These tasty treats get me through those long stretches of shows and appointments when you don’t have time for a healthy meal. Two bars have 8 Weight Watchers points, which isn’t too bad for such a hearty snack.
Get the Nature's Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bars via Nature's Bakery.
This fabulous face wash made me believe we need a special cleanser just for our faces. Before that I used Dr Bronner’s on my face! Dr. Bronner’s still works in a pinch.
Get the Ernest Supplies Soap-Free Gel Face Wash via Ernest Supplies.
All products featured on PAPER are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
