Lower East Side Girls Club Donation with Coach

International Women’s Day

There is no better way to spend International Women’s Day then at the Lower East Side Girls Club.

The Coach Foundation donated thousands of shoes to the girls club, where local girls, teens and their moms could shop sandals, boots, loafers and heels.

The girls were ecstatic trying on shoes and to fill their closet with some many new options.

A little girl smiled ear to ear stumbling around in pink heels that were 5 sizes too big. As she dragged her feet, I giggled. It reminded me of my youth and so desperate to be an “adult.” How for many of us, our first set of heels represents more than a pair of shoes. A set into adulthood.

I was so honored to spend the day with the Coach Foundation and the girls of the LESGC.

Coach Forever Spring 2021

Some details shot in the Showroom as Stuart Vevers zoomed with editors to showcase the Spring 2021 collection. A bit of a different NYFW this season, but I loved highlighting the true craftsmanship and details in the material. The collection included some new work, some archival pieces and highlighted some of the recent Basquiat collection. Vevers clearly wanted the collection to be a focus on how consumers truly wear their clothes. We don’t toss things after one season. We re-wear. Re-use. Share and Recycle. This new way of designing is inspiring and will make an impact on how we buy and invest in our clothing. I love that I was able to capture this in details of the collection.

NYFW x Coach FW20

Due to quarantine, I have been able to catch up on my blogging. Here is some outtakes from Coach’s NYFW. My vintage soft style in shooting mirrored the collection and inspiration for the show. Attendees included Zoey Deutch, Jon Batiste, Megan Thee Stallion, Camila Morrone, Miles Chamley-Watson, Qunicy Brown, Paloma Elsesser and of course Coach ambassador Michael B Jordan. The iconic Debbie Harry came out at the finale to preform and walk with Stuart down the runway.

Coach Dreams in Pioneertown

Dust blowing, hair flying, scents flowing - all in historic Pioneertown for the launch of “Coach Dreams”.

A Cadillac is parked next to a movie theatre screen debuting the Coach Dreams campaign video starring Binx Walton and Jean Campbell. Editors and influencers flock to the desert for a lunch, tarot card readings and sun bathing by the pool.

It was the perfect trip and setting for the campaign launch.

Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

On my way to ride on the very first ever @coach float at the 93rd Annual @macys Thanksgiving Day Parade with my pal #RexyTheCoachDino. Dressed in head-to-toe #CoachNY designed by @stuartvevers sweeties. I know all of ya'll want this coat! 📸 by @smallgirlbiglens #MacysParade . . Styling by @sammyratelle Grooming by @melissa.dezarate Custom hat by @stephenjonesmillinery Eyewear handpainted by @morlaye

53.6k Likes, 729 Comments - Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) on Instagram: "On my way to ride on the very first ever @coach float at the 93rd Annual @macys Thanksgiving Day..."

Billy Porter and I spent a couple days together in prep for him riding Coach’s first float in the NYC Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Shooting the parade was quite surreal. It started with going to NJ to the Macy’s warehouse in late October to see the float being crafted and painted amongst the other new floats. Looking at the history on the walls, it finally set in. This iconic parade. Prior to the parade, Billy and I shot at The Mark Hotel in some Coach looks with some Rexy toys. Once arrived on Central Park West, the energy was contagious. It truly was an experience I won’t forget.

Check Billy’s posts for more outtakes from the parade.

It's not everyday one gets to ride the chicest 🦖 in town at the @macys 93rd Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Take a look at Rexy In The City. The very first ever @coach float. A huge thanks to #CoachNY | @stuartvevers for such beautiful designs. It was a dream. #RexyTheCoachDino #MacysParade 📸 by @smallgirlbiglens . . Styling by @sammyratelle Grooming by @melissa.dezarate Full look @coach Custom hat @stephenjonesmillinery Eyewear hand painted by @morlaye

66.7k Likes, 811 Comments - Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) on Instagram: "It's not everyday one gets to ride the chicest 🦖 in town at the @macys 93rd Annual Thanksgiving Day..."

NYFW SPRING 2020 for Coach

Millennial pink graced this series in a fun and vibrant first looks for Coach. I covered the show from beginning to end from backstage to front row. Being featured on Barbra Steisand’s Instagram was definitely a highlight of the week. The color and patterns in this collection felt fresh and new to the brand and I was so thrilled I could capture another momentous show of theirs.

Selena in Hollywood

I am behind on blogging and catching up on some old shoots - flashback to these behind the scenes, portraits and campaign shots for Coach. Shot at Milk Studios in West Hollywood. As always, she is precious gem to work with.

Met Gala: CAMP 2019

If you know me - then you know covering the Met Gala is my favorite time of year. I had the opportunity to shoot Michael again in his custom Coach look as well as the beautifully talented Maggie Rogers. Captured in the Pierre Hotel, we had time to shoot portraits and editorial content before they jetted to the gala. Stuart joined for a champagne toast and I followed them out.

The elevator ride down was magical - stopping on every floor opening up to another celeb dressed to the nines. Guests waited in the lobby outside the revolving doors before exiting to the madness and chaos of fans eagerly waiting to see their looks for the anticipated red carpet of the year. (See below for some pictures taken in the hotel lobby).

Michael went first, Maggie followed suit. And off to CAMP they went…

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Coach Fall 2019

Another special shoot this NYFW for Coach. I had the pleasure of shooting the celebrity wall - before celebs took their seats at the show. The studio set up allowed for more intimate portraiture and unique front row coverage compared to other shows. Flip through to see some of my favorites from the show.

Michael B. Jordan X Coach in NJ

2019 is off to quite the start. I spent last Friday chilling with Michael B. Jordan in Newark, NJ as he surprised the students of Barringer High School. The day was a whirlwind of screams, tears of joy and hugs one after another.

Michael hosted the “Passion Talent Show” and watched as students presented their passions of dance, art and music to an auditorium of students and faculty.

The day ended with a little basketball competition during the pep rally. Students flocked to the court to catch a glimpse of the Black Panther star.

Michael was an inspiration to the students and a true example of how a dream from Newark came to life.

Check out GMA’s highlight of the event over on their page as well as Michael’s Instagram page

Coach x Shanghai

I knew I would be covering this show in China for quite some time but it didn’t fully hit until I was on the plane.

14 hours later I landed in Shanghai.

Show day I arrived early to capture the empty runway with vintage cars and neon signs. Backstage models were getting dressed, shooting the lookbook and celebrities were arriving. I got to sit for the show (something I rarely have the privilege of) and it was truly magical watching Stuart’s work come to life on the runway.

When the show completed, carts of hot dogs and pretzels were pushed out instantly and the DJ set began. Cocktail booths were opened and champagne was served. Models came out from backstage in their street wear ready to dance with their huge rexy balloons.

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After all the confetti was cleaned up, my photos were submitted and I caught my breath, I jetted off to other cities outside of Shanghai for some much needed vacation & exploration (See below for my travel pictures).

I returned to the U.S. very jet lagged and a stomach full of dim sum.

I can’t wait to go back to China - comment below for any recommendations for my next trip!

Life Coach

Coach always knows how to throw a party. And this was no exception. There are 4 rooms of activations. I'm debating giving so many details because I feel you should go and experience it yourself, but chances are I will post this blog post after the event ends.

When you enter, you are placed in a dark room filled with TV sets playing static and coach logos There are 3 phone booths ringing. Guests are encouraged to pick up the phone, where their life coach is on the other end.

The next room was a totally blank all white subway car. You check in at a desk and are given a bucket of markers. Some of the best things I saw written were about Trump, gun control, pride and the Coach carriage logo. Street artist WhIsbe was tagging the wall with custom art. His notable Gummy Bears series could be seen on the ceiling and walls. 

Third room was a Coney Island escape. Skee ball games are branded and require coach tokens to play. A hovering massive clown haunts the room. The DJ plays 90s flashbacks (my jams) while guests danced and drank signature cocktails. Ne-Yo mingled with Stuart Vevers and Joan Smalls before BK Steppers came in with a killer performance. 

The final room is a dark forest with hanging moss. You can have your tarot cards read before leaving the activation. And the cherry on top? The ice cream truck out front. 

CFDA for Coach

I spent the evening getting ready with Tommy Dorfman, Hari Nef and Adesuwa Aighewi for the CFDA awards. Tommy gushed about Shawn Mendes over ice coffee while Adesuwa facetimed with other Coach gal Paloma Elsesser and Hari practiced the art of spinning in the dress for the cameras. "The paparazzi love when you do this," she squeals as she drops the dress allowing em to capture it in mid air. One of the best crews I have ever worked with. All it was missing was Selena's new song "Back to You" playing over the Coach HQ Speakers.

Met Gala 2018 for Coach

I spent the week prior to the Met Gala covering the making of Selena's dress in the workshop. Capturing the details from sketch to red carpet.

Her custom dress got made attention on Vogue Magazine and went viral. Selenators adored the angelic dressed inspired by Queen Esther. Her bag even quoted “A woman who fears the Lord is a woman who shall be praised” in Selena's handwriting. 

She cheered champagne with Stuart in her hotel room and gushed about her Heavenly Bodies dress before heading out to the carpet. 

Thrilled to be able to share these images is an understatement. 

Gurls Talk with Coach

Model Adwoa Aboah hosted her annual Gurls Talk this year in Brooklyn at Industry City.  Gurls Talk was founded on the principle of having "a safe space for girls to share and listen without any judgement or stigma." Speakers included model Paloma Elsesser, who spoke on Body Positivity, iO Wright, Dogpound's Dara Hart and Janaya Future Khan. 

This assignment was shot for Coach and more images can be seen on their Instagram.

NYFW Fall 2018 for Coach

My assignment for Coach this season was to work exclusively with Selena Gomez to create unique content for Coach's social media. Having worked with Selena before, I was excited to create new work of her and spend some time with her prior to the show.

I always end my show coverage by shooting Stuart with the guest post-show congratulating him on his collection and asking about his inspiration. Spotted backstage was Storm Reid, of the new upcoming movie A Wrinkle in Time, Tommy Dorfman of 13 Reasons Why, Hip-Hop Artists Joey Badass and of course Artist Petra Collins.

You can see my work on Coach's Instagram as well as Stuart's Instagram

Coach X Minnie Mouse

I have never laughed so hard on a photoshoot. I was honored to be in the presence of Disney Royalty as Stuart fitted Minnie Mouse for her custom Coach look. The Coach capsule collection launched January 22, 2018 (the same day Minnie accepted her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star). 

Minnie was over the top hilarious and adorable on set and in the workshop. This was my first shoot of 2018 and I couldn't have asked for a better one.

Selena Gomez in London for Coach

Following my days at the workshop, I flew with the Coach team to London to shoot Selena at the Regent Store meet and greet. The first day in London I spent bopping around the city capturing the Selena bag in front of tourist spots like Buckingham Palace, The London Eye and in a phone booth. It was the perfect first day to settle in because I got to tour the city and work simultaneously. 

The next day I covered her arrival at the Coach Regent store and her meet and greets with hundreds of fans. Fans waited outside in the cold with hot chocolate and little heart Coach hand warmers waiting to be led inside to a line that weaved around the store and downstairs to the second floor. I saw so many tears and heard multiple heart felt stories of fans battling with sickness and finding peace in her music. 

When all the fans had cleared out I followed Selena to her hotel, where I took some last minute photos of her dress (See pervious post) and took a portrait of Stuart on his way to the British Fashion Awards. 

This was by far the highlight of my 2017. I am so blessed Coach took me to London and gave me this opportunity. 2018 has a lot to live up to.

For more coverage check out Coach's Instagram and Facebook.

Selena Gomez Fittings for Coach

Finally catching up on my blogging after the holidays. The end of 2017 was crazy for me. I worked a lot with Coach and spent a fair amount of time in the Coach workshop.

I captured the making of Selena's American Music Awards' leather dress and the prairie dress she wore to the British Fashion Awards in London with Stuart. From the glitter patches to carefully stitching vintage lace, Coach pays close attention to detail. I love spending time in the workshop watching the team put together these incredible pieces for her to wear on red carpets. 

Coach's 75th Anniversary Party and Runway Show

Coach's 75 Party was nothing short of memorable. Neon lights. Vintage Cars. NASA. Hari Nef. Disco Balls. Diplo. Leather tags. And bags. Lots of bags. 

I worked throughout the night posting in real-time to social media all of the happenings, so millennials at home could feel the energy and movement of the runway and party lights on the tall Pier ceiling. 

The runway turned into the dance party as Zoe Kravitz djed. Guests clinked their glasses, formed dance battle circles and cozied up to other guests as Kanye, TLC and Aaliyah played in the background.

I've attended lots of parties and photographed my fair share but this most definitely was the best.