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New York Fashion Week is always packed with celebrities and socialites alike, all of whom maintain insanely busy schedules -- and need to do so with perfectly coiffed hair and makeup since there is always a photographer ...
Johnny and designer Chris Benz. These two are besties, so it was important that I not only take care of Johnny, but take care to make sure both looked chic in this pic.
Even after a long day at fashion week, Johnny was still smiling, and you gotta admire that. (As for being a celebrity assistant? Don't worry, I'm not quitting my day job anytime soon.)
New York Fashion Week is always packed with celebrities and socialites alike, all of whom maintain insanely busy schedules -- and need to do so with perfectly coiffed hair and makeup since there is always a photographer around the corner. We here at StyleCaster are used to attending shows as observers, but thought it would be interesting to flip the switch and see fashion week from the perspective as one of the spectacles.
When it was decided that I would act as Johnny Weir's assistant of the day, I was excited. Who isn't a fan of the of the eccentric Olympian with a penchant for outrageous outfits? Nonetheless, I had no idea what to expect. I arrived with our in-house photographer (whose name is also Spencer, thus we became known as "The Spencers") to Johnny's manager and closest confidante, Tara's office.
Johnny was getting his hair and makeup done (he wanted big pageant hair, and who can really blame him?) next to his hubby, Victor Weir-Voronov. Victor was a pleasant young man, new to the world of fame, who immediately asked if we could help him tie his Hermès tie. The newlyweds weren't afraid of a little PDA, and very openly in their honeymoon phase if you catch my drift. While they are technically married, they are still planning a bigger soiree for the summer. They were soon joined by Victor's cousin Jackie, a hilarious Russian girl who was recounting the details of a wild birthday weekend.
What I came to learn is that the Johnny Weir machine is well-oiled. With his entourage surrounding him at all times (namely Tara, and recently Victor), he maintains a strict regimen, especially since he is currently training. "I like to keep everything in the family," Johnny told me. Still, he was open and welcoming, and I had a great time serving as a pseudo-assistant. (FYI: his coffee order is an iced venti chai with skim and one packet of honey, I bet some of you crazy Weir-heads will appreciate that tidbit).
After leaving his office, we headed to the Chris Benz presentation. Johnny explained to me that he was unable to attend many shows this year, but he would always make time for Benz as they are close friends. He even wore head-to-toe Benz to the show, accompanied by an enormous green Birkin bag (natch). I admire his style, but he's well-aware that many don't agree. "I make the worst-dressed list because I wear women's clothes," he said. "They don't see my vision!" We then popped over to the alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet presentation where everyone was thrilled to see him (don't worry, he did a quick change in the car).
Regardless of whether or not people see Johnny's vision, he is incredibly comfortable in his own skin and he has the people around him to back it up. His manager Tara put it best: "If he were conservative, we wouldn't be working together."
Want to know what it's really like to be a celebrity assistant? Click through the gallery above for a look at my day as Johnny's Girl Friday.