On a cozy evening in Manhattan, VIPs could be seen pulling up to a restorative pop-up at West Chelsea’s Empire Diner: In celebration of fashion week, the iconic space was transformed into a collagen-fueled Vital Proteins Diner designed to refuel the backstage talent known for tirelessly powering the city’s most cherished season.
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“NYC always has this amazing energy, it’s incredible to see how much effort goes on behind-the-scenes to make everything look effortless on the runway,” said makeup artist Patrick Ta, who arrived wearing a chill bomber jacket and quickly settled into a booth with a group of friends. “I’m excited to connect with everyone, especially the behind-the-scenes teams who make Fashion Week possible,” he shared. “The Vital Proteins Diner is such a special way to celebrate them, give them a moment to recharge and let their glow shine.” Even in an aesthetically charged week, he appreciated a moment where inner vitality was the real focus.
The energy in the room was electric as models and their agents turned bathrooms into impromptu fitting rooms (it’s fashion week, baby!) and squeezed into a photo booth for analog prints. Ta even shared a glimpse of his own behind-the-scenes routine for such a highly photographed night: “For me, getting ready always starts with skincare and that includes focusing on what’s happening underneath, like supporting my skin with collagen peptides from Vital Proteins. Makeup and fashion are the fun part—they enhance what’s already there—but the real glow comes from looking and feeling good before stepping into the spotlight.” His daily go-to for a balancing boost? “My must-have is a morning coffee with Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides,” said Ta. “It’s a small practice that supports my wellness from within and keeps me feeling balanced before the long days begin.”
Nearby, VIPs chatted warmly holding collagen-infused cocktails and mocktails with names like Golden Hour Ginger-Rita and Designer’s Drip Espresso Martini. “This is the best espresso martini I’ve had in a year, and I know my way around a good martini,” was heard over the buzz as everyone settled in for a nourishing menu of dishes reimagined with a Vital Proteins spin. Orders rolled in for the Runway Ragú Cavatelli—a Collagen Peptides-infused pork confit ragu with parmesan—along with requests for the Avo-Aesthetic Toast on sourdough once it was recommended by a server who promised that “you can’t even taste” its collagen peptides. Indeed, VIPs agreed, you couldn’t!
Even Ta’s signature collagen smoothie was shared by one table testing the blend from a trio of paper straws. “My ‘BE GOOD’ smoothie is pure glow in a glass—bright, bold and totally radiance-boosting,” said Ta of its Vitamin C-packed recipe. “I wanted to create something that’s not just delicious, but a little moment of self-care for the teams powering through the nonstop Fashion Week days. Mango is one of my favorites, so I made it the star, and I added Unflavored Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides for hair, skin, nail, bone and joint support. Every sip is meant to nourish and keep you glowing from the inside out—even on the longest runway days.”
Soon, Ta was illuminated by the candles on his surprise ice cream cake, an appropriate moment for his personal passion. “I’m obsessed with glow,” he declared while guests lounged and ordered hot cups of matcha collagen before running to afterparties. “There’s so much respect for everyone working behind-the-scenes who are running nonstop to make every look shine: makeup artists, hair stylists, nail artists and other crews,” said Ta. “Backstage is where all the magic happens.”
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