9/11 Museum

During our time in New York, we visited the 9/11 memorial and museum. At the time of the attacks, I was only 3 years old, so I never really understood the emotion and devastation that was caused on the 11th September 2001.

As soon as you walk into the museum you begin to understand, though. You begin by seeing the foundations and the steel work of the towers, as well as a photo presentation accompanied by memories of the spectators. It all set me off from the word go!

You then see the missing posters of family members and friends projected onto the wall, before you go down alongside where the original set of stairs were where the survivors went to escape. At the bottom of the stairs the space is open and somewhat eery, but along the left hand side wall is a collection of tiles, each coloured in a different shade of blue, relating to what the survivors and spectators remember the colour of the sky being, along with the quote "No day shall brase you from the memory of time".

You then get to walk into a room with pictures of those who didn't survive covering the walls, and then the next rooms follow the time line of the events and actual items, garments and vehicles that were involved in the attacks. This is the point where it actually hit me that these were actual people who's lives were taken and the sheer size of the attacks. I obviously knew it was real, but you kind of start to relate a bit more. What if it was my parents? Harry? My friends? Or me...

I don't think anyone will ever understand the mental health of the people who are willing to carry out attacks like this, but I know that everyone prays that, even in this unjust world, nothing like this will ever happen again.

Georgia.xo

Black Fashion Designers Exhibit at the F.I.T Museum

While we were in New York, we visited the museum at the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and their current exhibition: Black Fashion Designers, which is open until 16th May 2017. The exhibition explores the rise of generations of black fashion designers from African and African American influences. It is clear throughout the exhibition that despite all being categorised for their race, each of the designers put on display portrayed a different voice.

During the Civil Rights Movement, African America was incredibly influential, especially in music, such as disco. Therefore, black designers quickly adapted to the disco trend/lifestyle and worked in a sexy, disco-influences style. Slowly but surely, the talents of black designers became to be recognised during the 70's, as well as the visibility of black models. These black designers found success leading large fashion houses, such as Burberry, Paco Rabanne and Lafayette 148.

I personally really enjoyed the exhibition, because the history and work of black designers is something I've never really thought about before. I quickly realised that they are more recognisable than I originally realised. For example, outfits exhibited included work from Burberry and Balmain, which is currently popular in today's society, especially with celebrity endorsement from the likes of the Kardashian-Jenners', Brooklyn Beckham and Cara Delevingne. And also dresses which Michelle Obama has worn, such the red Tracy Reese dress that she wore for James Cordon's Carpool Karaoke.

One problem I did have though, was the fact that the majority of mannequins were white. In my opinion I felt like the point of celebrating black fashion designers was missed partly by how the garments were displayed.

Georgia.xo

New York, New York!

As you may already know by a very excited previous post and my Instagram, I went to New York last week with FCP. I've been dreaming about the day I go to NYC for as long as I can remember and then it's been and gone within a flash! I had the best week and, without sounding too cliche, it couldn't have been more perfect. 

When we first got there it had snowed and it was about -4C, which isn't the greatest of weather's when it bites you in the face. It did gradually warm up though, with Thursday being 16 degrees - we were literally peeling the layers off like an onion. 

On the first night, we headed straight for Times Square and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe (BEST BURGERS EVER BY THE WAY), before realising that it was way too cold and we were way too tired to carry on much longer. On Tuesday, we strolled up 5th Avenue, visiting the library, various shops, the cathedral, the Rockefeller Centre and Central Park. Central Park was absolutely beautiful in the snow and we went to the zoo too! Then we took the Subway to Chelsea, where we visited the Chelsea Food Market, which I highly recommend. Then on Wednesday we had a tour of the Garment District, I ate the BEST smoked salmon bagel and we walked down to Greenwich in the afternoon. Thursday involved even more walking as we took the ferry to Williamsburg (my future home), had a bit of a wonder and then to Brooklyn, before walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. On Friday we tried to pack in the last few bits such as the F.I.T Black Fashion Designers exhibit and the 9/11 Museum, which was deeply moving and we all came out all teary. 

We stayed in the Hotel Wolcott on 4 West 31st Street, which is over 100 years old so has some quite old fashioned decor. Depending on what room you have, it can either be very old fashioned chic or actually quite haunted looking, but as the hotel goes in general, it was a lovely place to stay and they were even filing Gotham the day we were leaving! 

You definitely need more than a week or to go multiple times if you want to get everything done, and I mean both the landmarks, the shops and the different districts. On the other hand, we did do a lot of wondering about exploring rather than going straight to each bit. But it was everything that I expected it to be and more! 

Georgia.xo

I'm Going To NYC!

If there's one place I've wanted to go for as long as I can remember it would be New York. The Big Apple. Home of Time Square, The Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the Empire State building to name just a few. It's a dream that's been created by my love for Gossip Girl, Sex and The City and Friends, and I'm going. On Monday! 

If FCP isn't 'me' enough, they've truly outdone themselves this time! Lots of photos are going to be taken, so be prepared for many NYC related posts (mostly crying about how I miss it) afterwards (and maybe some FCP related stuff too!)

Georgia.xo