3 Key Takeaways From Philly Fashion Week4 min read

Fashion Week!? Really, Khoi…

Hold up a sec…allow me to explain.

If you follow along with my Instagram, particularly my Instastories, then you know I attended Philly Fashion Week last weekend. It was my first ever fashion week and it was pretty much what I expected.

Yeah, the models are a lot taller in person. I’m what you would call a “modest man,” standing at about 5’6″ in boots. Both the male and female models were towering over me. Much respect to the ladies, strutting down the runway in 6 inch stilettos.

First time at a Philly Fashion Week event. Not my kinda thing, but there’s plenty of inspiration to be found. . Caught the tail end of @made_institute’s fashion show + launch party tonight. I’m onboard with their mission of teaching aspiring designers how to launch successful fashion and sewing companies of thier own. ??✂️ . I’ll be at a few more PFW events towards the end of the week. Hopefully to get inspired, make connections and keep good style alive.

A post shared by Khoi N. | Gentleman Within (@thegentwithin) on Sep 20, 2017 at 8:16pm PDT

I already knew from the start that fashion week wouldn’t appeal to you guys. Hell, it has never appealed to me. I even ranted against it. However, being my first year second year blogging, I wanted to go for the experience. I’m all for trying new things and so, I thought, what the heck. Let me get my press pass and pretend like I know something about the fashion runways of the world. Sure it wasn’t NYFW, Paris or Milan, but it was still a long runway and the styles that I saw were every bit of eccentric and outlandish that I had always seen in magazines.

Some dope looks from @clarenceclotteylondon, closing out Friday night’s @philly_fashion_week. . Even spotted my boy @tonysdailystunt. I see you! . Check my stories for some more fashion week fun. . Undecided if I’ll be at tomorrow’s final runway. But it’s been pretty interesting so far. #phillyfashionweek

A post shared by Khoi N. | Gentleman Within (@thegentwithin) on Sep 22, 2017 at 7:37pm PDT

You can scroll through the images above.

MY 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM PHILLY FASHION WEEK

Although a lot of what you will see on the fashion runways is too fashion forward and not all that practical, there’s no denying that the runway trends eventually trickle down to the masses and we all end up influenced by it in some way or another.

Here are 3 things that the runway taught me this weekend.

1. Make A Difference By Being Different

As we grow up, it’s ingrained in us that in order to get along with others we have to be like others. It’s feels safe to be part of a big crowd. People don’t like to do anything too risky for the fear of embarrassing or isolating themselves.

But that’s not what fashion week is about.

Sure the runway takes things to an extreme, but it’s okay to be bold and play with patterns and colors for example. You don’t always have to follow the crowd. It’s okay to embrace being different. The surest way to make a difference in this world is to part from the majority and venture onto the untrodden paths. That’s where the real difference can be made.

2. Clothes Can Be A Gateway To Confidence

I had no idea that one of my Instagram buddies was in several showcases at fashion week. I told him that he looked confident as hell the way he walked the runway. He said it was because of the suit. No surprise there.

If you watch gents on the runway, they’ve sure got quite a bit of swagger. One confident stride after the next. The clothes has to play a part in their confidence & swagger. They keep their heads up high and move with assertiveness. Even if it’s just an act at first, overtime it becomes real.

When you dress well and are confident with what you have on, it will show through in your physical presence. I had several fashion week photographers approach and compliment me on what I was wearing and wanted to take my photo. It’s always flattering to experience something like that. When things like this happen to me, it only boosts my confidence and makes me feel even better.

See, the clothes you wear can lead to feeling more confident after all.

3. It’s All About Having Fun

It’s all about having fun with style and life. Runway models are the epitome of RBF, stone faced with a general lack of emotion. They are pretty damned serious out there. But as soon as they step off the runway, you’ll see them laughing, smiling and having a great time.

It’s just style and fashion, not life or death. Have fun and don’t forget to smile.

BONUS TAKEAWAY

Nail the fit. I noticed many of the designers had a focus on tight tailoring. Many of the male models were suited up to perfection. Remember, getting the fit right is already half the battle.

Aaand lastly, here’s some inspiration from the ladies. How dope are these iconic, typographic looks by thesepinklips?

A post shared by BenZ,?Photographer, Philly/NYC (@drbenzsm_phillyphoto) on Sep 23, 2017 at 10:11pm PDT

That’s it for today. Thanks as always for reading. Thoughts on fashion week?