In what seems like a lifetime ago, I was a regular fixture during fashion week in NYC.
In February we’d preview the upcoming collection on the runways for the following Fall/Winter and in September the following years Spring/Summer.
The shows were exhilarating!
And year after year I addictively attended, working my way up, eventually sitting front row.
There were a lot of shows and every one of them, an incredible performance, different from the next.
And I had my favourites;
Scotch & Soda (above), J.Crew, Lacoste, Desigual, Prabal Gurung being some of the highest profile shows I attended.
Each year I would attend dozens of shows and on many occasions have the pleasure of seeing designers show for the first time.
Enter 2017 and Hayley Elsaesser;
A Canadian fashion designer known for her vibrant, playful prints and bold designs that celebrate individuality and self-expression.
Unknown to many in New York, I had actually been quietly following Elsaessers career and coveting her aesthetic for some time.
So when the invite came in, I was elated to attend.
The collection was exciting, lively, creative and like nothing I had ever seen at NYFW before.
With nods to my childhood, with some celebrating My Little Pony, this was one of the first time I had seen a iconic animation reimagined into fashion and I was over the moon.
Elsaesser was ahead of her time and I often think of her as a pioneer of retro pop cultural revival.
Her show/presentation was an experience I often think about. And now many years later, I consider it one of the best and most personable shows/presentations I had ever attended during NYFW.
From then until now, I have kept both eyes on Elsaessers career, fun prints and numerous collaborations with brands like Microsoft and Coors Slice, all while continuing to fall in love more and more.
Recently another collab collection hit stores, this time with Specsavers x Hayley Elsaesser.
An eyewear line features 13 optical frames and 6 sunglasses.
The collection which starts at $199 for two pairs, including single-vision prescription lenses is now available at all Specsavers locations and as a loyal fan I had to get my hand on a couple pairs!
So what did I choose?
Both pairs of her Bloom Sun RX.
2 bold and colorful floral patterns that are uniquely Elsaesser!
The perfect sun accessory for my upcoming trip to Cochella in April.
One of my favorite Canadian fashion designers does it again… and I’m still in love!
Mr. Fab
