News Awards & Events Fashion Week Designers' Firsts: Zac Posen Remembers His First-Ever NYFW Show By Andrea Cheng Andrea Cheng Andrea Cheng is a New York-based writer and editor who covers all things fashion, celebrity style, beauty, and trends. She was previously the Digital Fashion News Editor at InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on February 13, 2017 @ 10:00AM Pin Share Tweet Email Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty "Designers' Firsts" is a series where seasoned designers recall their first major milestones in their careers (read Thakoon Panichgul, Josep Font of Delpozo, Jonathan Simkhai, Prabal Gurung). Next up: Zac Posen, who will host an exhibition at 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 during New York Fashion Week. The first time I knew I wanted to be a designer: When I watched my older sister make a skirt out of vintage men's ties...I was about 6 years old. My first sketch was of: I've sketched from the day I could pick up a crayon. courtesy Zac Posen The first thing I ever designed was: For my dear friend, Stella Schnabel. It was a nude color velvet with a fuchsia lining. My first mentor was: My sister, Alexandra. My first show at NYFW was in: February 2002 with original music composed with John Frusciante. I had some amazing friends and models who walked in the show: Jemima Kirke, Jade Berreau, Sophie Dahl, Erin O'Connor, Liberty Ross. courtesy Zac Posen The first model I cast was: Karen Elson. courtesy Zac Posen The first celebrity to ever wear my designs: There were several girls who wore my designs and were so supportive early on: Claire Danes, Milla Jovovich, and Naomi Campbell, but the first major press moment was with Natalie Portman. The first time I knew I made it: I am on a journey and still making it. VIDEO: Runway Remix: Watch Our Recap of New York Fashion Week The first lesson I learned the hard way: I tried to sew a velvet hat with a satin liner and it was disaster. Know your fabrics! The first thing I ever Instagrammed was: I can't tell you about my first—there are 9,000 of them!