How Blake Gray Spent Milan Fashion Week
As the industry embraces TikTok's biggest players, Blake Gray has become a regular within the fashion set.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a number of changes in the fashion industry, from runway shows to garment production, but one of the biggest changes has been the guest list. With TikTok's explosive rise during quarantine, some of the platform's hottest creators have risen to the ranks of the fashion elite. Case and point: Blake Gray.
Two years ago, the young star was a member of the Sway House, a TikTok collective with a fandom akin to those of boybands years past. Since his rise to fame, Gray has pivoted his content into the fashion and lifestyle sector and earlier this year, he and his girlfriend Amelie Zilber fronted Ralph Lauren's Romance fragrance ad campaign.
Now a fashion week regular, Gray recently wrapped up a busy Milan Fashion Week schedule for the Spring/Summer 2023 menswear shows. Giving readers a peek behind the curtain on life as an influencer, the TikTok star takes L'OFFICIEL behind the scenes with a first-person account of his MFW experience.
"I’m stoked to be headed to Milan for Men’s Fashion Week! I had a 7-hour layover in Copenhagen…so I obviously had to sneak away from the airport to explore the city a bit. This was my first time in Copenhagen, but it’s definitely on my list to go back."
"First up was the Boss x Khaby event. It was at Plastic, which was a really cool club. It was such a fun night spent celebrating Khaby Lame and his new collection with Boss. I wore a classic black bomber jacket and black jeans (which you can never go wrong with, in my opinion). I loved spending the night with Khaby, he’s such an inspiration."
"It was an honor to attend the Fendi show. I love working with the Fendi team, and always feel my best in their pieces, so being able to see the new collection up-close-and-personal was really special for me. I loved the denim, fringe, and neutral looks, but I gotta say I think my favorites were the bucket bags and duffle bags!"
"I was so excited to work with Etro and attend their show. The show was at the Nuovo Campus, which was pretty cool to see them transform the space. I sat front row with my boys Ross Butler and Max Harwood. Honestly, hoping to wear some of the new looks on vacation soon!!"
"Back-to-back shows obviously means an espresso break. I changed quickly between shows in the car, throwing on the black Prada boots. And how good is this look!? I sat front row next to Wisdom and OBJ…dream come true."
"Headed over to the Moschino showroom to try on a few looks for the show. The collection was so cool, it was honestly hard to pick what I was going to wear. After the show, I chatted it up with Creative Director Jeremy Scott which was awesome. He’s a legend in my book."
"JW Anderson was my fourth and final show of the day. The experience was so neat…as soon as you walked in, the collection was shown all around us on models, followed by a killer runway show. I wore the JW crossbody bag, which, if you know me, I love a good crossbody. The one I was wearing is inspired by a punching bag which was dope."
"Lastly, fit some time in to see Milan before my flight back to LA! Had the perfect day walking around the Duomo and some quick shopping."
"After a packed trip, I finally got a second to rest and unwind on the flight home. I watched one of my favorite movies, Blade Runner, and slept all the way home to L.A."
