Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s NYFW Party| Hosted by Moda Operandi

As a photographer, there are moments that stand out in your career, moments where you feel like you’re at the center of something truly special. One such moment for me was when I had the incredible opportunity to attend Ludovic De Saint Sernin’s NYFW party at the iconic Chelsea Hotel in February. What made this experience even more memorable was the fact that I wasn’t just attending as a guest—I was there as one of the photographers for the event, with a specific focus on capturing the essence of the designer’s creations.

Ludovic De Saint Sernin’s collection showcased at the NYFW party was not only a visual feast but also a bold exploration of sexuality and desire. Drawing from his own experiences and observations, Ludovic infused the garments with a palpable sense of eroticism and liberation. Each piece celebrated the beauty of the human form, with sheer fabrics, daring cutouts, and suggestive silhouettes that hinted at hidden desires and untamed passion. It was a celebration of sensuality in all its forms, inviting the viewer to embrace their own desires and indulge in the pleasures of the flesh. In collaboration with the spirit of Robert Mapplethorpe’s groundbreaking work, Ludovic’s collection challenged conventional notions of beauty and gender, offering a glimpse into a world where boundaries are blurred and sexuality is celebrated as a powerful force of self-expression. It was a testament to Ludovic’s fearless creativity and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of fashion, one provocative design at a time.

The invitation to photograph this event came through Moda Operandi, who was hosting the party for Ludovic. Initially, my role was simply to cover the event itself, capturing the ambiance, the guests, and, the brand partnerships. However, fate had other plans in store for me that evening.

You see, there was another photographer hired to shoot a more “styled” moment in a hotel suite prior to the main event. However, for reasons unknown, they had to leave early to attend another NYFW party, leaving a gap that needed to be filled. And that’s where I came in. With little time to spare, and absolutely no prep, I was asked to step in and take over the styled shoot—an unexpected twist that turned out to be a thrilling opportunity.

The setting for the party and shoot was the historic Chelsea Hotel, a location steeped in artistic history and bohemian charm. As I set up my equipment in the suite, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement mingled with a touch of nerves. After all, this wasn’t just any shoot—it was a chance to meet and capture the essence of Ludovic De Saint Sernin and his designs in a setting that not only exuded creativity and sophistication but was incredibly intimate. The perfect location for a NYFW party.

Despite the unexpected nature of my role that evening, I embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Working in tandem with Moda Operandi’s fabulous Art Director, Adam Jameson, I drew from my passion for photography and my love for fashion to capture images and poses that I hoped would do justice to Ludovic’s artistry. And whilst capturing portraits of Ludovic himself, I had the opportunity to practice and speak French with him.

Despite the unexpected nature of my role that evening, I embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Working in tandem with Moda Operandi’s fabulous Art Director, Adam Jameson, I drew from my passion for photography and my love of fashion to create images that I hoped would do justice to Ludovic’s artistry. In those moments, I not only had the privilege of photographing the visionary behind the designs but I was presented with the opportunity to practice and converse in French with him (our native language). It was a surreal experience, exchanging words in French while capturing the essence of him and his creations through my lens.

But the adventure didn’t end there. In a serendipitous turn of events, I had convinced Moda Operandi to hire my industry bestie, Liz of The Lucky Share, the ever-so-talented wedding content creator, to capture iPhone coverage of the NYFW Party. Much to our delight, they agreed, and Liz booked a room for the night within the same hotel as the shoot and event—The Chelsea—turning it into our impromptu home base. After the event, we retreated to the hotel suite (not Liz’s) with the Moda Operandi team to make selects. With the entire room service menu at our disposal and glasses filled with brand partnership wine, we indulged in a night of laughter, dancing, and gossiping about the event and its attendees.

However, the night took an unexpected turn when I discovered that the parking garage where I left my car was closed for the night. With no way to make it back home to CT, I turned to Liz and joined her for a spontaneous girls’ sleepover in her room. As we woke up to a winter wonderland outside, trapped by the snow, we decided to make the most of it. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the hotel cafe, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Drea DiMatteo and company, braved the snowy conditions for a quick thrift shop visit where I found some absolute GEMS, and capped off our adventure with editing selects over a dirty martini and a cheese board at the hotel bar.

It wasn’t until 3 pm the following day that I was finally able to make the drive home in the snowy conditions, but the memories of that unforgettable night will stay with me forever. It was a whirlwind of fun, laughter, and unexpected twists—a true testament to the magic of fashion week and the bonds forged through shared experiences.

So here’s to unexpected opportunities, to seizing the moment, and to capturing the beauty that surrounds us. And most importantly, here’s to Ludovic de Saint Sernin, whose designs continue to inspire and enchant us with their edgy elegance. After all, one of the designs I had the opportunity to touch, feel, and see on the garment rack in the hotel suite was worn by Kylie Jenner to the Oscars the very next month! Bravo (in a French accent of course) and a big cheers to Ludovic! I will forever be a fan.