Amidst the hustle and bustle of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, there’s a thriving scene of VIP parties, gifting lounges, pampering suites and more that make fashion news for the industry’s finest to enjoy in between shows. Wondering what it’s like to live life in the fabulous lane? I pounded the NYC pavement to soak up the stylish scene (and score some indulgent pampering treatments myself!) to bring you the inside scoop.
ALLURE Lounge

Maybelline Cosmetics headlined the exclusive lounge where guests were treated to manicures and makeup touch-ups throughout the day, while Ricardo Rojas salon handled hairstyling ranging from chic updos to glamorous loose waves. I caught up with Smash stars Megan Hilty and Katrina Bowden (who came straight from the Badgley Mischka show wearing an exquisite beaded cocktail dress) at the lounge where they shared their best beauty secrets: “Plenty of concealer, great skin care and false lashes!” Hilty confessed, while Bowden’s beauty must-have just so happens to be Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies mascara.

Fashion lines including Stop Staring, Renzo + Kai and De-Sein turned heads with sophisticated dresses, glamorous cocktail looks and fashion-forward legwear, respectively. As for the best swag of the suite? A glittering iPhone case from Crystal Icing— a company that specializes in Swarovski-encrusted designs— having customized a number of accessories for celebrities including the Kardashians, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber and more.
The Daily Style Sessions

En route to this sprawling rooftop pampering party, I coincidentally shared an elevator with Kevin and Danielle Jonas, who stopped in to enjoy the offerings from brands like Clos du Bois, Tic Tac, DISARONNO, Downy Infusions, Miami and Berocca. Later on, I spotted style setters including Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Shenae Grimes, Kristen Chenoweth, Kelly Osbourne and Lauren Conrad—all of whom particularly enjoyed a custom fitting from Chantelle Lingerie and makeup touch-ups from Clos du Bois Rouge Cosmetique (featuring gorgeous oxblood red shades of lip color, cheek stain and nail polish inspired by the indulgent wine). Showing their support for CancerCare, the stars also happily posed at the Tic Tac photo booth, and de-stressed from Fashion Week festivities with manicures, massages and festive cocktails.
Clarins Beauty Flash Blog Lounge

The classic beauty brand situated themselves in a plush suite at the Empire Hotel and kept the ambiance relaxed and low-key—a welcome change from the other events occurring throughout the venue. With a brand new blog launch (aptly named Beauty Flash Blog after their best-selling Beauty Flash Balm product) debuting at Fashion Week, Clarins educated beauty insiders on their latest online happenings including plenty of fresh, vibrant videos featuring the Clarins granddaughters and cheeky insider news on beauty trends and products. The vibe was decidedly more youthful and energetic than others'—and of course, quite French! I enjoyed a calming chair massage and makeup touch-up, and snagged a sample of the cult-favorite Beauty Flash Balm for the road! This miracle worker instantly revives and plumps the skin under or on top of makeup—a must-have for Fashion Week! (I’ve used it every day since, and can really notice a difference.)

Victoria’s Secret New York Fashion Week Suite at The Empire Hotel

The sexy brand hosted a rooftop event that drew the likes of Lauren Conrad, Kelly Osbourne, Dania Ramirez and Natasha Bedingfield and offered mini spa services including oxygen facials, chair massages, hair and makeup pampering and more. An abundance of Baked by Melissa red velvet cupcakes sweetened the soiree, while guests eyed upcoming collections of lingerie and loungewear, sampled fragrances and revived themselves from the chaos below.