On TikTok, the former Daily Pop host itemizes the designers behind her looks, often pausing to interject with disarming details, like pointing out that she’s been wearing a certain black crewneck cashmere sweater “for five days” or “forgot to cover up my neck pimple.” Sometimes her husband Jordan McGraw or mother Susan makes an appearance but mostly, it’s McGraw speaking directly to camera, her expertly curated wardrobe serving as supporting cast. There’s a fit check before dinner. A fit check after clearing COVID-19. A fit check before heading to Gwyneth Paltrow’s house. A fit check in advance of taking her child to ballet. No outing is too big or too small to document what she’s wearing and because of this, she’s been dubbed Alix Earle for women who wear The Row by the TikTok set. Commenters have tried to describe her style as a combination between Cher from Clueless and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy during her “basic chic era.” Whatever the comparison, McGraw has managed to make the mindlessly comforting format her own; delivering a sort of visual ASMR for those soothed by monochrome dress.
Offline, the mother of two has just returned from Paris. “It’s always very exciting and special to be at fashion week,” McGraw writes following a whirlwind trip to the City of Light, where she took in collections from Dior, The Row, Hermes, Valentino, and Chanel during Paris Fashion Week. “I feel so grateful to be able to attend so many amazing shows and see what’s coming in the world of fashion, which has always been such a genuine passion of mine.”
Tuesday, February 28
11:15 a.m.: Let the fashion week madness begin! We land in Paris and I check into my hotel about an hour later, where I very quickly hop into the shower and desperately try to massage some circulation back into my face after such a long flight. Thank God makeup is waiting for me as I get out because my first show of Paris Fashion Week is Dior. Dior is probably the first brand I knew about growing up.
Since it’s a daytime show, we go for a very clean face with simple matte eyeshadow and short lashes, which feels very French. I order a cappuccino and snack on grapes and raspberry macarons while trying to talk myself out of feeling the travel fatigue. I’m responsible for my hair looking decent today, and of course, I forgot my round brush at home so have to make do with lots of help from my dear friend, hairspray.
It should come as no surprise that my husband Jordan McGraw, who is my fashion partner-in-crime this week, gets ready in ten minutes and looks fresh as a daisy in a Dior pink plaid moment and Nike x Dior collab sneakers everybody was clamoring for a few months back. I opt for more of a classic look: black sheer tights, black leather mini-skirt, black turtleneck and cream patent shoes.
2:30 p.m.: We finally arrive at Dior after having been dropped off at the wrong location first, because … naturally. It’s packed with people and the energy is high. Just walking into the show, things already feel majestic, or as Jordan puts it, “almost whimsical.” The clothes are stunning and exciting and everything you want to feel from a fashion house like Dior. There’s one jacket in particular, a shiny embossed croc number, that I am literally losing my mind over.
3:00 p.m.: We leave the show and head to a fashion loving friend’s apartment to have tea and these dark chocolate pretzel things that I needed to finally part ways with. We hadn’t seen each other since September so there was lots to discuss: clothes, shows, and jewelry, specifically our mutual love for emerald stones. A fabulous first day in Paris overall.
Wednesday, March 1
7:30 a.m.: I wake-up to the sound of the alarm on my phone—a sound that is forever triggering to me. Today, I’m headed to The Row.
9:00 a.m.: I slip into the glam chair where it’s time for another minimal look. I don’t wear a ton of makeup well, it’s almost as though my skin fights it off my face. We do my hair in my normal undone, center part, loose waves vibe. I don’t typically try to pull off a lewk unless it’s for a nighttime event and I’m really going for it. The Row in particular is a show I’m very excited for, I have been a long time shopper of the brand and it really does fill up a lot of my closet. I live in their sweaters.
To me, The Row is the epitome of not fussy. Their basics are what I wear the most of, as they’re able to tie any outfit together. If I’m doing a very short mini with jewels all over it, I can always pair it back to a simple turtle neck to keep the look balanced and very much feeling like myself. Their black turtle neck has gotten me through a lot in my life, lol.
11:00 a.m.: I’m heading to the show solo today. I also did mistakenly think it started at 10:30 a.m. rather than 12 p.m. so that alarm is ringing even louder in my head now.
11:30 a.m.: I arrive at the chicest setting of all time because, duh. Waiters dressed in long-sleeve shirts line the entryway, offering water and green juice to attendees. I grabbed a water and I don’t know why. I should have gotten the free green juice! I say hello to the team before things begin. Today’s look is all-black; black coat, black leather pants, black sweater, and black Velcro sneakers.
Stylist Dani Michelle is my seat mate, but aside from her, the crowd is very much in the trenches of the fashion world. This show is about the clothes, not what celebrities are in their front row (haha). During the show, a pair of tangerine-colored leather gloves catch my eye, I really hope they go into production with them.
12:30 p.m.: I depart the show and head to meet Jordan for lunch. I am so thrilled to be in comfortable shoes to do some serious shopping/walking around. I want to find things you can’t find in the States.
Saturday, March 4
10:50 a.m.: Oops! I sleep in, but I really needed the extra zzz’s, let me tell you. I’ve been battling a bit of a cold since we arrived so I’ve been heavily relying on lemon ginger shots and they have been saving my life.
12:30 p.m.: I hop into the glam chair to start getting ready for the Hermés show. For breakfast (or is it lunch at this hour?) I order a cappuccino and some fruit and croissants to snack on. Pineapple hits different in France and I’m not even sure why! I then proceed to look at 500 photos of my 1-year-old son Grey and 2-year-old daughter Row and then feel bad about being away from them. I have to remind myself that it’s important to continue to pursue the things I love to keep my own sanity intact. Every parent knows this is an ongoing pep talk one has with themselves, you just learn to ride that guilt rollercoaster like a pro.
2:30 p.m.: I arrive at the show and see the team at Hermés, who are the best, upon entry. We briefly chat about our dream bags. My list is ever-changing but currently I’m dying for a Kelly 25 in box leather with gold hardware. Delicious! I make my way inside to find my seat. The whole room is so perfectly chic and understated but yet is completely taken over by the brand’s signature orange covering the carpet, walls, and seats. The room is also perfectly heated which for me is the best surprise of the day. France is freezing. The collection is also delicious and very monochromatic which I think is the easiest way to look good.
3:15 p.m.: It’s time to meet Jordan for some more lunch action and some more shopping, but I’m shopping for the kids this time. The focus is to find some special and beautiful shoes from France. I want to bring them back a little souvenir.
Sunday, March 5
6:00 p.m.: Valentino’s show begins in the evening, which means we’re able to enjoy Paris during the day without having to rush. We walk around and indulge in an extra long lunch with a large glass of champagne with extra ice (my favorite), which is wonderful. For glam, I go for a sparkly chocolate brown smokey eye to match the set I’m wearing which, you guessed it, was also a chocolate brown sparkly number. It was a two-piece set, shorts and a long sleeve shirt which is so cute.
7:30 p.m.: Valentino can best be described as fantastic chaos. The show always has such a strong sense of star power, it feels like you’re at a movie premiere rather than a fashion show. I arrive and the setting is absolutely beautiful. Guests are seated in different rooms. The collection is also amazing with the perfect combination of glam and sex appeal all whilst still being so cool and wearable.
8:00 p.m.: I completely tripped in my shoes on my way out of the show but luckily was able to get my balance back or I would have been man down right in front of Edward Enninful & Co. Crisis avoided.
9:15 p.m.: I find my car and plop right in. Champagne was waiting for me, and I needed it.
Tuesday, March 7
7:30 a.m.: It’s baby’s first Chanel show! I wake up and quickly finish packing as the plan is to leave for the airport right after the show. I call for much needed coffee and a green juice and my last set of French croissants, sadly. I hop into the shower and then get to work on my D.I.Y. glam. Chanel sent over some amazing goodies for me to use and I couldn’t wait to try them. The foundation was perfection and the cream bronzer is my new must-have product, actually.
9:00 a.m.: I quickly change into my outfit for the show which is a pair of vintage Levi’s, and a tweed Chanel jacket with the most fun decorative back (from the Métiers collection). I bought it in LA before leaving for Paris. I saw it and couldn’t resist. I thought it was so special and so me.
9:30 a.m.: I leave for the show and arrive a quick 10 minutes later. Jordan joins me and he’s wearing a Chanel sweater that I told him to get in a big size with the intention of stealing it right after.
10:30 a.m.: I’m lucky enough to sit next to Molly Sims (a fellow Gemini) who is hilarious and cool as shit. I had met her in passing a few times before but we had never gotten the chance to really speak in detail.
The show starts. It’s magical and everything you would think a Chanel show would be. Dramatic and iconic. The setting for Chanel is really what sets it apart, there was a giant Camellia flower placed in the center of the room, which is of course their signature flower. When the show paused before the finale the flower turned red which everybody gasped over and immediately took out their phones to photograph or take a video of it.
11:00 a.m.: Time is of the essence if we want to make our flight on time so we literally run out of the show and into the car, but of course, managed to snap a few photos on the way for the memories. And then we’re off!
