edited by Chelsea Zalopany and Christina Liao
If you work in the fashion industry, you probably rely on a few essentials (or lifesavers) to get through the four nonstop weeks of back-to-back shows. And after seasons spent sprinting from one runway to the next, we've become experts at preparing for the inevitable long days and late nights. Here, nine of our editors share what they always have packed in their bags and can't live without during fashion week season.
What's In Your Handbag?
Meredith Melling Burke, Senior Market Editor(01 of09)
During a harried week, I try to keep things as simple as possible (i.e. works-with-everything carryall, quick sugar fix, minimal makeup) with the exception of my Marimekko notebook—I need to be able to find it in a flash—and these Hello Kitty mints, which I nipped from one of my daughter Eloise’s birthday goodie bags.The latter are a reminder to me that even on the most grueling of show days, I’m going home to something completely special and cute.Clockwise from top left:The Row Carry All bag, $2,850, Neiman Marcus, Dallas, 214.741.6911Aerin Travel Ivory Comb, $27, aerin.comBoscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens, $10, sephora.comBenefit Cosmetics Benetint, $30, sephora.comJohn Derian Company Heart (Card Suits) mirror and pin, $12, johnderian.comSwedish Fish candy, $2, amazon.comMarimekko Asema fabric notebook, $32, marimekko.comTiffany & Co. Tiffany T-clip ballpoint pen, $175, tiffany.comApple iPad Mini in Black & Slate, from $329, apple.comAll photos: Lucas Visser // Stylist: Mai Fujiwara
Rickie De Sole, Senior Accessories Editor(02 of09)
Fashion week days are long, so it is imperative that I pack all my essentials. A bag big enough to carry them is step one. I love this Myriam Schaefer bag because it is so discreet; no labels, no hardware, and big enough to carry a lot, but not so big that I look like I’m carrying luggage. From there, I pack the necessities: my most durable Alexander Wang embossed wallet, two iPhones (one personal, one for work—my husband calls them my “iPhone 10”), a Mophie charging case to stay connected all day long, a pair of classic tortoise Oliver Peoples sunglasses in the hope that the sun will shine, my favorite Chanel lip balm, and, most importantly, mints. Altoids are key when you spend all day packed into shows next to your coworkers!As for the shoes—feel very Melanie Griffith in Working Girl having them in there, but I’ve found myself far too many times stuck at taxi “off duty” hour and blocks from the nearest subway. The only solution is to do a quick shoe swap (kept in dust bags, of course!) and jog it out on foot to the next show! No excuses for being late!Clockwise from top left:Myriam Schaefer Horloge bag in Red Leather, Kirna Zabête, NYC, 212.941.9656Chanel flats in Lambskin/Velvet, Chanel, NYC, 212.355.5050Altoids Smalls in Peppermint, $13 for 9 packs, altoids.comChanel Rouge Coco Baume Hydrating Lip Balm, $34, nordstrom.comApple iPhone 5 in White, from $199, apple.comMophie Juice Pack Helium battery case for iPhone 5 in Red and Metallic Silver, $80 each, mophie.comOliver Peoples Daddy B sunglasses in Cocobolo with Brown Polar, $325, oliverpeoples.comAlexander Wang Prisma compact wallet in Pumice Spazzolato with Rhodium, $325, alexanderwang.com
Emily Holt, Fashion News Editor(03 of09)
For better or worse, my fashion week bag is all about practicality. My brown Tod’s bag goes with everything—even if I’m in my Sicilian widow look (all black). The Chanel lip gloss, Life Savers, and Le Labo keep me presentable throughout the sixteen-hour days, and the Delvaux envelope—filled, because I’m slightly insane, with the show schedules and review assignments for all four cities—keeps me organized.Clockwise from top left:Tod’s brown leather D-Styling bag, $1,595, Tod’s, NYC, 212.644.5945Delvaux Allure Pochette XL in Polo Cardinal, $750, delvaux.comLe Labo Travel Tube fragrance in Fleur D’Oranger, $145, lelabofragrances.comChanel Lèvres Scintillantes in Ocean Shimmer, $30, chanel.comWarby Parker Everett sunglasses in Midnight Blue, $95, warbyparker.comAstier de Villatte Cube notebook, $28, John Derian Company, NYC, 212.677.3917Uni-ball Jetstream retractable rollerball pen, $13 for a pack of 5, staples.comLife Savers Wint O Green mints, $2, drugstore.comRag & Bone Continental wallet in Studded Black, $370, rag-bone.com
Chioma Nnadi, Fashion Writer(04 of09)
My work day is far longer during fashion week, which means I need to carry everything I will need from sunset to sunrise—energy-boosting snacks, writing materials, and a good book for those in-between moments among other things. It’s not about traveling light. Clockwise from top right:Rachel Comey Punched tote in Grape, $633, rachelcomey.comPinetti Romano leather journal, $74, For information: pinetti.itApple iPod Shuffle in Blue, $49, apple.comKopali organic Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans and Dark Chocolate Covered Banana, $35 for 12 packs, kopaliorganics.comClinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Two Ton Tomato, $17, sephora.comProenza Schouler long zip card wallet in Camo Print, $650, proenzaschouler.comPrism Berlin sunglasses in Black/Cream Tortoise Shell, $475, prismlondon.comAmericanah (Knopf), by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, $27, amazon.com
Chloe Malle, Social Editor(05 of09)
I’m counting on Citi Bike as my secret weapon this NYFW and plan on waving to my colleagues in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Ninth Avenue as I fly past congestion free. I especially like biking at night as there are fewer cars, so I keep my neon Vespertine VESP folded up in my bag so no one mistakes me for a curb! I’ve never met a stripe I didn’t like, and this printed Marni tote is a perfect carryall. However, it’s roominess does mean it’s always a mess, so I keep all small, easy-to-lose items like my lip balm and keys in my Smythson mini cosmetics case. One essential item that lives there is my Frédéric Malle travel 10-milliliter spray bottle since I always forget to put perfume on when I’m running out of the house in the morning. Few things bring me greater pleasure than buying notebooks, so I’m never in short supply and always keep a small one in my purse. I love these Paperthinks recycled leather ones. Of course, every notebook needs a pen and my favorites are Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pens. Naturally, my fluorescent blue Comme des Garçons is an important member of the family, and since I still have an iPhone 4, the case options have become increasingly limited, so I’ve stuck to my lime green Pantone case, even though it doesn’t really protect it much, which explains the huge cracks on the screen. Clockwise from top left:Marni printed vinyl-and-leather shopper, $350, net-a-porter.comVespertine VESP in Eco Citron, $68, verspertinenyc.comSmythson Chameleon Collection mini cosmetics case in Fuchsia, $205, smythson.comFrédéric Malle En Passant perfume, $100 for 3, fredericmalle.comBurt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $4, burtsbees.comComme des Garçons small zip-around leather wallet in Blue, $215, saksfifthavenue.comPantone iPhone Case for 4/4S in Pantone 802, $40, pantone.comPaperthinks large plain notebook in Lilac, $18, paperthinks.comPilot Varsity disposable fountain pen in Black, $4, pilotpen.us
Catherine Piercy, Vogue.com Beauty Director(06 of09)
My fashion week strategy is all about managing the chaos and being able to get where I’m going fast. A subway card, flats, and my iPhone are practical necessities when I’m dashing from one backstage to the next. I also swear by 3.1 Phillip Lim’s leopard-print pouch for organizing my show invitations and holding my favorite YSL lip stain. PALETA’s snack bars between shows are also quick and delicious for the inevitable moment each season when I suddenly realize that I haven’t eaten all day and am starving.Clockwise from top right:Céline tote, $1,450, Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC, 212.753.40003.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute cosmetic bag, $425, barneys.comApple iPhone 5 in White, from $199, apple.comIncase iPhone 5 Chrome Slider Case in Gold, $30, goincase.comDior Crème Abricot Fortifying Cream for Nails, $25, sephora.comPALETA Power Up Handcrafted Energy Bar, $30 for 12, paleta.comAlexander Wang Deboss cardholder in Pumice Spazzolato, $125, Alexander WangYves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain in Violet Edition, $34, nordstrom.comRepetto Ballerina Cendrillon goatskin-suede flats in Sulfur Yellow, $237, repetto.com
Sarah Mower, Contributing Editor(07 of09)
This is the bag of a very practical English writer, I’m afraid. I have to have things which are a pleasure and a comfort to use on the rocky road through the collections. The Smythson bag is a maroon sort of color—the first time I’ve ever fancied that shade since convent uniform days. The practical part is that it can be worn as a wrist-hanging lady-bag, a shoulder bag, or a clutch. So that’s three jobs in one—everything I have ideally has that quality, which is where the Estée Lauder BB cream foundation qualifies, the boring transparent makeup bag does its duty by going through airport security machines without having to be unpacked, and the NARS Blondie eye shadow works as brow powder, too. The poor old BlackBerry might be fast becoming a relic, but it’s the only device keyboard which works for a writer—everything you see from me at the collections will be reported on it, often in cars, between shows. I don’t Tweet or Instagram, but I keep a photo diary on this precious device because I have to remind myself of family and lovely moments. I also draw and am very fussy about having a beautiful leather-bound plain paper Pinetti sketchbook to stroke when the chips are down and all other comforts are failing.Clockwise from top right:Smythson Mara Collection sling bag in Venetian Red, $835, smythson.comMuji TPU Clear Case, $10, muji.usEstée Lauder DayWear BB Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Creme, $39, nordstrom.comMAC 286 Duo Fibre Blending Brush, $32, nordstrom.comLaura Mercier Longwear Eye Pencil in Slate, $24, nordstorm.comNARS Cosmetics Matte Eyeshadow in Blondie, $24, narscosmetics.comSmythson diary, price upon request, smythson.comPilot Acroball Pure White pen in Black, $5 for pack of 2, pilotpen.usBlackBerry Q10 in Black, from $200, blackberry.com
(08 of09)
My fashion week bag is about supreme function. I’m Citi Biking between shows and coffee shops this season, and the KARA bag is great because I can wear it as a cross-body when I’m riding. In my bag is a mix of products that make riding safe and sanitary—I’m big on wiping the seat and handles down with antibacterial wipes each time I head out. The Peter Thomas Roth SPF powder is so easy to apply and doesn’t interfere with any makeup I already have on. Then there are my writing tools: notebook and digital voice recorder, for backstage interviews and taking notes at the shows. The Uka Nail Oil is my treat to myself. It’s Hinoki-scented, which is awakening and fresh. I apply it while I wait for the shows to start. And Clare Vivier’s pocket clutch helps keeps it all organized inside!Clockwise from top left:SAHN helmet in Classic Matte Blue $129, adelineadeline.com KARA Dry bag, $440, karastore.comClare Vivier foldover clutch in Cobalt, $156, clareviver.comPeter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 45, $30, sephora.comUka Nail Oil in 7:15, $36, peachandlily.comCiti Bike annual membership, $95, citibikenyc.comSony digital flash voice recorder, $100, sony.comMuji PP Cover Double Ring Note A5 Dot notebook, $7, muji.usCleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes, $32 for 8 packs, amazon.com
Florence Kane, Vogue.com Contributor(09 of09)
A friend told me this Mansur Gavriel bag is a pickpocket’s dream, but I don’t care—I love it! It’s simple and chic, and, most importantly, roomy enough for all my gadgetry: MacBook Air, iPad mini, iPhone... J.Crew makes great phone covers. I buy a few and swap them out. And their backup battery is a must; free outlets are scarce at Le Pain Quotidien or Starbucks, where you’ll find me writing my reviews in between shows (hence the headphones, to block out noise). Moleskine notebooks, my favorite for interviewing designers backstage, are bought in bulk. Lastly, Smart Water; I’m trying to drink less coffee and more water—not so easy during fashion week!Clockwise from top right:Mansur Gavriel small tote in Black with Ballerina, $425, For information: mansurgavriel.comKIND Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt bars, $42.50 for 60 bars, kindsnacks.comGlacéau Smart Water, $13 for pack of 6, amazon.comTriple C for J.Crew universal charger in Silver Black, $40, jcrew.comKate Spade Carlisle Street Lacey in Black/Beige, $198, katespade.comJ.Crew polka dot iPhone case, $25, For information: jcrew.comFrends Layla headphones in Gold/White, $150, nordstrom.comMoleskine large Volant notebook, $13 for a set of 2, moleskine.comKorres Lip Butter in Wild Rose, $12, sephora.com
See more from Vogue:
Fashion Week A to Z: Everything You Need to Know
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Denim
Met Gala 2013, Best Dressed
Photoshop Your Face: The New Optical Illusion Foundations
Michelle Obama's Best-Dressed Moments
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.