Photos Courtesy of Sara of Tutti del Monte

New York Fashion Week is in full swing! Thus begins the whirlwind of endless fashion shows, cocktail parties, running around the city in too high of heels, and lots of inspiration!

From the outside it can look completely glamorous, and  don’t get me wrong it is glamourous. But there are other moments too, moments of loneliness walking into a show where you know no one and everyone is on their phones so busy with social media that real life connection is disregarded. My insecurities can totally flare up, comparison begins, and it can be a downward spiral from there.

Personally, after shooting and attending 14 seasons of Runway I have found that while it can be an amazing experience filled with fancy runway shows, parties, and fashion I can leave the week feeling exhausted and to be honest lonely. The interesting thing though, is that the more I share my personal experience, the more and more other women shared that they left Fashion Week feeling the same way.  

It’s like we’re all walking around Fashion Week wishing we had a friend, and it is just going to take a few of us speaking up and saying “Hey…I’m lonely here…let’s be friends!”

There are so many powerhouse, feminine, authentic, dynamic women in this industry and in the world. The reality is that none of us are competitors, we are teammates and with arms linked we have the power to really impact not only the fashion industry but culture as a whole.

It is my vision to create a space for a group of women in the Fashion Industry that have influence and hearts for investing into the whole woman. My intent is to create a space and dialogue for authenticity, community, creativity, and dream up ways that we can encourage and inspire one another.

It is my belief that creativity begets creativity and free people free people, and this starts from the top. If we as women and leaders in the fashion industry show others that depth and community and beauty can truly be lived out, then I believe we can blaze a trail for our culture + young women all over the world to do the same.

With this heart came A Very Refined Brunch. 

A brunch hosted by The Refined Woman at the beginning of Fashion Week to do all of the above. It was scary putting myself out there, and hosting my very first event at Fashion Week.What if no one comes? What if I look silly? What if others judge me? Whenever we put ourselves out there to create something beautiful we will receive resistance, even if it comes from no one else but ourselves. 

Putting aside my fears and insecurities (was NOT easy friends, but) I moved forward with hosting this brunch, and it ended up being everything I could have hoped for and more. Women came who knew each other, and who didn’t know each other, and we all connected. We talked about beauty, what we’re passionate about, how we want to change the fashion industry, culture, and the world. There was laughter and tears. And with honesty I can say that we all left that space feeling connected, and realizing none of us are alone. As women, we are powerful.  

Our voices matter, and there is endless possibilities when we join together and create. 

A Very Refined Brunch is just the beginning.

Beauty truly is limitless.

XO,

Kat

Thanks to some rad people we had some wonderful swag bags. Thank you Jenna Kutcher, Esther Jean Designs, Conscious Magazine, Darling Magazine, + Ira Lippke Studios.

One of my photography mentors + inspirations, Ira Lippke, opened up his lovely studio to host our event. How beautiful is his space?

What's a brunch without a Mimosas Bar...with gold rimmed glasses? Hilary of Dean Street Society sharing her heart on beauty! I adore that gal!

Molly of Glitter + Rye did all the decor + florals! She is like Pinterest in Real Life!

Ashley, the lovely lady above of Esther Jean Designs, made lovely hair pieces for each of the ladies!

Naturally Delicious catered our amazing brunch. From Parfaits to Lavender Shortbread to mini coffee cakes; it was JUST PERFECT!

Molly of Glitter + Rye also created the Bouquet Bar so each lady could create her own floral arrangement to take with her! And of course we had some fun over on Instagram!

Again thank you to the Amazing Sponsors: Ira Lippke Studios | Jenna Kutcher | Conscious Magazine | Esther Jean

And to an amazing Community of Women that believed in me, supported me, ran errands for me + prayed for this event: Dianna, Karlin, Francesca, Jenny, Cari, Lindsey Shea, Erica, Elizabeth, Jenn, My Mamma!