The Day I Met Gwen Stefani…Twice

It’s been such an exciting past couple of days with FNO, NYFW, and heading up north to the Brimfield Flea Market and Antique show this past weekend. I’m very behind on my posts, but have been waiting anxiously to post about meeting one of my favorite celebrities ever, Gwen Stefani.

I’ve been a No Doubt fan for about 13 years, and following the l.a.m.b brand for about 5. I’ve had about 10 near misses where I was feet away from Gwen, arrived 2 minutes too late to meet her, met the boys of ND backstage but Gwen was sleeping, etc. for years, and was starting to think I’d just never meet her. Then last Thursday I met her not once, but TWICE.

I went over to Milk Studios, because a friend was attending the lamb presentation, and there was a possibility I was going to get in to cover the event for another site. I got to the door though, and wasn’t on the list. I was so sad I almost just went home. But decided to stick it out until 5pm (when the event ended) to at least see my friend Erica, who was in from Chicago to attend. Gavin Rossdale and his children walked past right after I arrived, but I was too depressed to even snap a photo. I was so close, but so far away. I hung out and played with my blackberry for about an hour and a half. Finally, it was 5, and my friend emerged. We had a quick chat about how great the presentation was. I WILL be buying this (and probably the new laptop covers!) come Spring:
See more photos of the collection at Style.com.

After a short wait, the incredibly adorable Rossdale family came out to a frenzy of paparazzi. I can’t imagine what it feels like trying to reach your car, and being completely mobbed. But Gwen was totally calm, even signing autographs for fans and posing for photos with Milk’s security guards. I snapped some (highly obscured) photos, and next thing I knew was right next to Gwen’s SUV. She was right in front of me, signing autographs, and I had nothing for her to sign. So I held out my arm, and had her sign my lamb cardigan. She asked if I was sure, I said yes, and the rest is history. I actually lost a lot of my lamb clothing in our house fire last February, so at first I was weary I’d made a mistake “ruining” one of my remaining pieces. But I figured I’d never see Gwen again, so I had to take advantage of the situation when it presented itself.

Gwen and baby Zuma

After all the excitement, I headed downtown to grab something to eat. I texted another friend, Alison, who was in town shopping, and found out she was at Bloomingdales waiting in line for a meet and greet with Gwen at 7pm! She had an extra ticket (thanks to her Mom!), and said if I could get there by 7, I could have it! I RAN to the subway station. And ran off, making it from the West Village to Bloomingdales in a record 20minutes. I got there, and was SECOND in line.

While we were waiting, I was interviewed by a NYC news station.

I’m not going to embarrass myself by posting the video here, and it won’t embed anyway. But I will say it was fun being on TV, even if they took something I’d said–how much money I’d spent on lamb in the past— out of context.

Gwen waiting for the signing to begin. Love her hair.

When the event started, Anna Wintour appeared!

After a short wait, the line started moving and I got to meet Gwen again! I mentioned her signing my cardigan, and she laughed saying it probably looked like a marker smear. I agreed but said I was glad I did it anyway. She was really nice. I’ve met a ton of celebs and people admire, but have to say she was definitely my all time favorite.

Me meeting Gwen. Photo via PopSugar. It’s shown up on LIFE.com and Getty Images as well!

The meet and greet quickly ended, and we hung around waiting for Gwen to leave.

While we were waiting, Allison and I met Tim Schifter, CEO of Schifter & Partners, the company that manufacturers l.a.m.b luxury handbags! It was really cool being able to talk to the brains behind the brand. Tim was really in to meeting the fans as well, and hearing our stories. I was so excited to meet Gwen I’d forgotten to give her one of my Moo Photo cards with one of my favorite photos ever, a picture I’d taken of her at a show in 2002. (I passed one on to Tim, who hopefully can show her the photo.)

Gwen finished the meet and greet not long after, and as she passed by, I stopped her and asked if I could take a photo with her! We weren’t “allowed” to take photos during the meet and greet, but she kindly obliged, and a security guard took our photo. I told her I loved her eyeliner, and she replied “and I love yours“!

This is a photo of a photo, thanks to a broken mini-card reader!

Security kept trying to chase the group of meet and greet attendees out due to “fire hazards” but we all hung around, knowing Gwen would soon be leaving the store. After about 5 minutes, we saw flashbulbs going off and knew she was rounding the corner!

Gwen and Danilo, her incredibly talented hair stylist

I didn’t end up making it to any other events for Fashion’s Night Out. But after the amazing night I had, I was pretty sure nothing could top this anyway. I hope the event continues every fashion week, as it was really great getting to see and meet celebrities, and shop in such a fun environment.

This night was definitely worth waiting over ten years for.

All Photos ®2009 RS/The Greyest Ghost
Please do not use these photos with out my permission.