(Inspired by a runway look from the Diesel Black Gold SS 2015 collection)
Over the past few months we’ve received invitations to lots of events. And while we’re always incredibly appreciative for the offer, it almost always means time away from our business which is tough to do when you own and operate a small business. But when an invite from Samsung to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York landed in our inbox, we knew we’d be complete fools to pass up the opportunity. (I might even admit to full body convulsing with excitement at merely reading the email…might.)
We arrived on day 5 of the event, with two paper dresses in tow. And were whisked away to the Reem Acra show…
I don’t have adequate words for just how awestruck Mayhem was, but suffice it to say, she wasn’t sure what to do with herself.
There was inspiration aplenty…
And she was excited to get started on a Reem Acra inspired dress back at our hotel.
I was given very specific instructions to “keep cutting little lines of gold.”
I did what I was told 
We went to sleep with an almost completed dress and lots of excitement about the next day.
Day 2 started as most of our days in the Big Apple do …
Pie Face for breakfast! In bed. Because Dad ran out and got some the night before.
Later in the day we headed back to Lincoln Center and the Samsung Backstage VIP Lounge. Where Mayhem dressed her two mannequins before donning a paper dress herself.
And while she was waiting for the go ahead to put on her own paper dress, she opted to create yet another paper ensemble for the onlookers. Because that’s what you do when there’s paper and tape laying around
And we met Michael Hoeweler! He’s an illustrator who was sketching guests at the Samsung VIP Lounge. And get this – all of his sketches were done on a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 device with an S pen. His talent is truly amazing!
Michael was even so kind as to email it to us. Check this out …
Amazing, right?!?!
Once Mayhem was ready, it was time for her to show off her inspiration for the pieces we created, via the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
First up was our rendition of a Trina Turk dress that graced the runway a few short days earlier. See it here.
And that one she’s wearing….
A gorgeous Monique Lhuillier that was also shown only days before. Check it out here.
And yep, that’s a blinged out Samsung Galaxy Gear S on her arm. Paper style, of course.
She fielded questions from the sweetest gals in media and was excited to “pose” with her mannequins. That’s McKenzie (not to be confused with McKenza – our mannequin at home) in the Reem Acra pink and gold dress, and New Yorkie (not kidding) in the Trina Turk dress.
After surviving a slight wardrobe malfunction (it happens when you wear paper), we exited out a back door and Mayhem marched herself around to the front of Lincoln Center.
Wearing a paper dress. (I have to type it out because I’m still having difficulty believing this all actually happened.)
She posed in front of the fountain before heading inside to the “up front” Samsung Lounge.
In case it isn’t painfully obvious, she was pretty proud to be showing off McKenzie and New Yorkie
After posing for a few more photographs, we wrapped it up. An hour is an eternity for a four year old, but it somehow flies by when it’s an hour dedicated to showering you with attention ….
After changing back into “regular” clothes, the girls at the TRESemme Salon spoiled her with some high fashion hair. And she loved every second of it.
Thanks Johanna!
Back in the Samsung VIP Lounge, the girls from Zoya stopped by with some nail polish and OMG …. did Mayhem ever freak out!
We left Lincoln Center and celebrated with pizza for dinner.
Which was about the time that Mayhem announced that she might want to have another “show” one day when she’s older. But she still wants to be a pizza maker too. You know, with a pizza car that has a sign on the top….
Well done MBFW. Well done.
Massive thanks to the wonderful team at Samsung for sponsoring our trip and making this whole experience possible. Never in a million years would we have envisioned having our own paper dress show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, let alone having one powered by Samsung. The inspiration and encouragement Mayhem received is priceless.
Oh wow….your photos are amazing especially the one of her having her breakfast “pie” and I cannot imagine the wonderful memories you will hold in your heart from this trip! It makes me smile to see Mayhem and her amazing talent and parents that are there to allow her to blossom into everything she wants to be!! I imagine it will not be the last trip to Fashion Week for your family and you never know, she could be the first big pizza making dress designer!!!
Thank you! I adore the pie in bed photograph too … there is a story there that I always want to remember. And I do feel fortunate that we’re capturing so much of this as I know I do’t have tons of memories from when I was four. I sure hope she always remembers these times, but it will be fun to have some tangible memories too. Thanks for the kind words and support
What an amazing experience!!
It really was
I saw a peek of this days ago on your instagram at the side of the blog….oh, I was curious! HOW EXCITING!!! That look on her face at the show! Gosh–this is just too much! What absolute FUN! I am in awe and so excited for Mayhem to have experienced every little (and big) thing that happened during this trip!!
Thanks so much Kristin! It really was pretty special to watch her reactions … she’s a little bit on the expressive side
Thanks for following along!
I just love Mayhem and all of her creations! I am so glad I stumbled upon your Instagram account. Mayhem definitely has a bright future ahead of her.
Thanks so much!
This is amazing experience, I love how you’re beaming in the photos just as much as Mayhem!
Ahhhh – thank you!!! It was a pretty incredible experience and I admit to being a proud mama. I was nervous (both for her and myself) but she handled everything with pretty much ease. Also, I vetoed all the images where my expression was “PLEASE STOP JUMPING IN THAT DRESS – IT HAS TO LAST FOR A WHOLE HOUR!!!”
How do we get her on Project Runway? Wouldn’t it be amazing if they did a challenge inspired by her paper dresses for the “unconventional” challenge. Plus, how cute would she be on TV?
Also, I just wanted to say that I’ve been following the insta account and blog since February when this all blew up for you. Watching mayhem is actually making me consider having children. The only question is how do I make sure they turn out as creative and spunky as her?! Great job on the dresses and on being a fantastic mommy.
Thanks for letting us all follow along!
I love the pictures of her at the hotel making her Reem Acra-inspired gown! She is so intently focused, diligently channeling all of that creativity into her work! It’s so wonderful that she’s been able to receive such positive attention for her hard work on these dresses. You and your husband seem to manage all the publicity well with her. Thank you for sharing your remarkable daughter, and your hilarious comments! You both really brighten my day. I can’t wait to be a mama someday – I hope that I will be able to foster all of the imagination and dedication in my little ones that you have with Mayhem!
Awesome post! Loved all of the photos and reading about your adventures here in NYC! I can’t even imagine how exciting it must have been her! I’ve been following her creations for a while and would love to meet you guys next time you’re in NYC.
This is an incredible feat for such a young artist. I hope her future is full of more events and exposure like this one!
Mayhem is fabulous! I know I’ll be buying one of her designs for my daughter one day. The pictures are priceless. I’m so happy you all shared this adventure
Wow, it’s so amazing and inspiring that she created the dresses on the spot! She has an amazing future and present! I love that she uses her imagination and created something so unique! Great job!
Mayhem is SUPER talented. Until I read this post, I thought the b&w dress she wore at MBFW was specially made by a designer. It amazes me what she can do with paper!
How does she suddenly look 13 in all of these photos?
Our little Mayhem is growing up so fast. =(
Crazy fast! I see it too …. waaaaaaaa!
Oh. My. Stars. The pictures and recap are amazing. I’m sooo glad you all took advantage off this opportunity. Next time may I stow away in a suitcase?
Please do – it would be SO much fun!
So exciting! She is certainly having some amazing experiences and seems to be living it up.