It’s been a chaotic two weeks in fashion. Saying I have a lot to uncover is an understatement, but it could also be the stress of midterms. I’m not sure what it is but having even one exam makes me feel like the world is crumbling — please tell me I’m not the only one.

Anyway, to get the disappointment out of the way, I feel obligated to talk about the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. After its six-year break, it seems that besides the star-studded cast of Angels, including “OG” Angels like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Candice Swanepoel, alongside new — and iconic — faces to the brand like Alex Consani and Kate and Lila Moss, it fell incredibly short among fans.

Besides the random styling choices of sequin mesh skirts and velvet dresses, the pizzazz and magic behind the show seemed to be gone without a trace. Makeup downplayed the jaw-dropping glam of the early 2000s collections, bouncy blowouts were traded in for slick-backs, and the high-tech runway didn’t even come close to the iconic glitter runway. Take away the fun walks, winks, kisses and dynamic wings, and it seemed to be like an online taping of their new bra styles rather than a Super Bowl of beauty and celebration of self-sexiness.

All I can say is: TGFMG. Thank God for Mark Gong.

Mark Gong’s Shanghai Fashion Week collection took heavy inspiration from the character Charlotte York from the hit show, “Sex and the City.” As “ Upper East Side princess[es],” the models vacuumed and strutted the runway in polka dots, structured capes and heavily emphasized peplum/bell-shaped silhouettes.

Taking place in a set modeled after Charlotte’s Park Avenue penthouse, the look that made it click for me was the white dress with red crystal handprints on the back — a direct reference to the scene in which Charlotte has a breakdown after her daughter, Lily, places two, red paint hand prints on the back of Charlotte’s vintage cream Valentino skirt (lipstick in my Valentino white bag, anyone?)

Daily headlines, sent straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest at and around USC.

I actually loved this scene, despite how pitiful I felt for Charlotte at the loss of a beautiful skirt. Throughout the series, she had been criticized for being old-fashioned, but she always knew what she wanted and went after it. I’m not saying she was perfect — she definitely had some flaws — but this scene where she collects herself and explains to Lily why she is upset and needs a time out calmly instead of lashing out introduces an incredible layer of depth to her character. One who is empathetic and kind while being incredibly upset.

While Mark Gong’s model decides to give up, instead opting to stomp down the runway rather than cry, I thought about it today in downtown Los Angeles. Walking out of my Lagree class confidently, I was organizing my schedule for the day, drinking my cinnamon oat milk latte and texting my boyfriend as I got honked at and catcalled.

It was such a weird experience, kind of like watching myself in the third person, still processing as I texted my boyfriend all the details. It was an odd and sudden change in thought, as just moments before, I was admiring the abandoned graffiti high rise, thinking about my time here and the legacy I may — or may not — leave behind.

L.A.’s allure is indescribable: so close to being like in the movies, but with just a twinge of spontaneity. Maybe it’s the elaborate pop-ups or the ability to become someone overnight in the land of film, music, comedy and social media.

It almost made me question the idea of destiny and butterfly effects (sorry for getting so deep again; senior preemptive nostalgia and midnight poststudying writing are bound to head in that direction). But, in all seriousness, I’ve always wondered if I am destined to be more. Have I reached it yet, or do I still have so much left beyond comprehension and imagination to accomplish in my life, fashion, career, passions and friendships?

It’s scary to think of this because it considers the reality of the opposite: of having already met my cap or intended fulfillment. But I feel hope in seeing that age hasn’t held people back from their creative potential reaching fruition, such as  Vera Wang, who debuted at age 40.

But if we go back to Charlotte, it gives me hope that she still found her love and life again even after she thought she had found it all with her first husband, Trey. She remained resilient, relied on her friends and most importantly, remembered who she was. She never lost herself, only maybe her footing for a second.

It seems that the only way to get ahead and lead the dance with destiny comes down to control and simple daily determinations, like Charlotte, to be kind in moments of difficulty or hold my head high when I wear a skirt that I’m still unsure about out. The truth is that to even be able to sit and ponder these thoughts, buy another white dress or crash is a privilege. And even if I feel unsure about the choreography, my dance with destiny is one I will never pass up.

Hadyn Phillips is a senior writing about fashion in the 21st century, spotlighting new trends and popular controversy in her column, “That’s Fashion, Sweetie,” which runs every Wednesday.