SHOPPING

View full-length videos from last week's rockin' Marc by Marc Jacobs and Marc Jacobs fall 2008 shows online!

Click here!

Do you like one, both, neither or not care! Click comments and tell us!

(Photos: Carter Rose/Special Contributor)

Florals: Springs abundance has translated into subdued florals, which played out at Michael Kors, Peter Som and Vera Wang.

Time warp: The 1980s were a current this past week, showing strong at Phi and Marc by Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang, providing a few nods to the decade and Gianni Versace.

Accent color: Ranges of purple ran through the week, from nice plums at Bill Blass to deep violets at Vera Wang. Orange and yellow played well, too, with Alexandre Herchcovitch showing an orange finale and Kate Spade's presentation showing plenty of both. Yellow was a nice touch in chiffon at Carolina Herrera and Proenza Schouler called the shade of their terrific pieces"marigold."

Grey seemed to be everywhere, in mens looks fromSean John and Michael Kors to Halston and Marc Jacobs' womens collections.

Get tough: I noticed zippers everywhere, as if Seventh Avenue ran out of invisible zippers. Ladylike Behnaz Serafpor had tough looking zippers running up the backs of her dresses, to Victoria Bartlett's VPL line using the detail to close belts. They figured big in the collections from Phi and Alexander Wang, too.

Must have item: full, pleated pants. They looked fresh in menswear fabrics like window pane and prince of wales plaids and houndstooth or even satin, like at Proenza Schouler.

Sleek, glam 70s dresses at Calvin Klein, Halston, Bill Blass (above) and Badgley Mischka.

Design details: origami like folds from Marc Jacobs, Bill Blass and Proenza Schouler and sparkles. Michael Kors livened up mushy florals with clear sequins, Marc Jacobs inset coats with slashes of beading or sequins or something shiny. Spare Calvin Klein got sparkly, Diane von Furstenberg had flapper dresses, Proenza showed sequin insets on jackets and Sean Combs sent out an entire range of flashbulb friendly looks that included a sequined pullover and jackets.

And bows. From the shoulders of Michael Kors dresses, to the necks of Proenza Schouler and Bill Blass, to trompe l'oeil bows at Behnaz, bows provided a light counterpoint to the seasons dark mood.

Just about everyone showed patent leather accessories, beastly furs and feathers and highly textured knits. What I tend to look for are clues as to what is next. I saw pops of day-glo that were intriguing, at Phi and Marc by Marc and lace overlays at Vera Wang and Marchesa. If Marc Jacobs is as directional as he usually is, look for dove greys and roomy, blouson cuts on coats and jackets and long, narrow skirts a la 80s Comme des Garcons when the Paris shows start next week.

Bravo has the designer's work from the finale! I thought Christian's was really strong, certainly leaving Sweet P and Chris in the dust. Jillian sure behaved like a winner at the show and Rami's gowns were way good.

Jeffrey Marion Lee, one of our Dallas contestants this season, thinks that Jillian should be the winner. Check out the final 5 designers looks and let us know whose show you liked the most!

Photo: A Chris March look, AP

It's official...Bill Blass is revived -- the label that is. It was one of our favorite collections this season and we heart Peter Som for bringing it back so beautifully.

Click below to watch the entire show (in two parts). Click COMMENTS and tell us what you think!

After the Marc Jacobs show, which closed Fashion Week Friday, I left wondering where this takes us, as he didn't hit on a lot of the trends we saw in New York. And, to be fair, we weren't exactly (anywhere near) the front row, so I wouldn't say we got a great look.

Two days later, after reading reviews and looking at photographs, I am still thinking about the collection: its volume, its greys, its somber attitude (is 'somber' a buzz word or what?), its wacky headgear created by uber-milliner Stephen Jones. (Jones creates the out-of-this-world hats for John Galliano). And the inspiration. (click here to read more about what did and did not inspire Marc.)

And, of course the all important accessories, which looked 18th century to me, like the shoes at right. (I grabbed my costume history book when I got home.)

Which got me thinking about the stage's backdrop: a smoke stack video playing behind scaffolding. Was he thinking industrial revolution meets the American Revolution?

When Sonic Youth walked out at the Armory Friday night, my mind went to 1991. The band had released it's first major label album, "Goo," the economy was hitting a recession, and grunge was entering pop culture's lexicon. And we were at war in the middle east and Bill Clinton was running for president. So what was the collection all about?

From the New York Times:

"We were creating glamour and beauty,” he said. “And calm.”

The correct answer, Mr. Jacobs said, was Paul Revere.

These 10-15 minutes of designers' (and, more often than not) coporations' vision evoke projection from front row and, in my case, 8th row critics. Marc Jacobs' shows are incredibly influential and are so important to New York that the Council of Fashion Designers of America publicly begged him to continue to show in New York. I left the show wanting to get a better look and I find it frustrating not to see this collection [or several others] up close until it hits stores.

With a cool-kid band, ripped-from-the-tabloid celebrities and the industry's top editors and models, one is easily intoxicated by the scene. These superfluous elements leave the point of the whole evening, well, beside the point. I'm new at covering the collections, having previously worked for designers and not reporting on them. With many shows I found the parade-like elements distracting. I think it's important to remember that, ultimately, these clothes have to stand on their own, in a store, ready to be purchased. This is, after all, a shopping blog.

Photo: AP

We came. We saw. We shmoozed and we blogged.

Some notable trends we noted for next fall: pleat details, bow details, shades of plum and orange, feather details, plaid checks, artistic details, florals and polished ladylike glamour. It was a season full of options.

But it doesn't have to end...check back later in a future edition of F!D luxe for more in depth coverage of everything we saw!

(Photo: The camera pit at Michael Kors/Carter Rose/Special Contributor)

We knew it was going to be big. We knew it was going to be a insane. We figured it wasn't going to start anywhere near on time. Boy, we were wrong -- about the time. Last night's Marc Jacobs show started earlier than ever and was over in a lightning speed 12 minutes. In comparison it took us about 30 minutes to just leave the premises (It was hard not to gawk at Victoria Beckham a bit longer).

Marc Jacobs let loose for fall, with more relaxed silhouettes and minimal color. The dusty pastels (ice blue, mint green, pale pink, camel) harked to the eighties. The only color we saw were bright swashbuckling pirate hats on some of the models' heads (cute!). While last season's show was all about transparency, peek-a-boo pieces and sex, he went for somber covering up his ladies in voluminous coats, dresses and knee length skirts.

The highlight of my evening? Being pushed aside by Posh's multiple bodyguards. In the frantic shuffle, former supermodel Helena Christensen also got pushed and almost fell, prompting her to screech to anonymous Posh bodyguard, "Don't f___ touch me!"

Readers, did Marc hit it out of the park with this collection? Click comments and tell us!

(Photos: AP)

It was packed. It was jammed. And it rocked!

Marc Jacobs, Kim Gordon, Sonic Youth!!!

(Photos: AP)

Sitting in the bleachers at the Lexington Street Armory waiting for the Marc Jacobs show to begin, every few minutes the crowd would erupt into thunder and lightning, screams followed by flashes from paparazzos cameras. All around us we heard, “Is that Posh Spice?” “Is that Selma Blair?” “Wait, is that really Kevin Federline?”

Yes, yes and, unbelievably, yes. The show started at 7:30, which did not go unnoticed by editors. (Mr. Jacobs’ two hour wait last season set off an international debate.) The lights dimmed, and out walked the band Sonic Youth and 47 looks comprising the designers fall collection. With a video backdrop depicting billowing smoke stacks and a palette of mostly greys, pale blues and dusty pinks, his show recalled the work of early 20th century painter Charles Sheeler’s [no relation] smoke stack series. He did his own thing this season, walking to the beat of his own grunge band drummmer, with pieces that, proportion-wise reminded me of Galliano's recent couture show for Dior more than anything I've seen this season in New York, with an improper fraction silhouette, consisting of jackets with full, cape like blouson backs and narrow skirts.

Keeping in line with some of what I've seen here, there was an eighties feel to the collection, this feel owing to Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garcons. Yohji and Comme have long played with menswear fabrics, and Marc had that, too.

In a week with collections touching on Hillary Clinton and the economy’s downturn, Mr. Jacobs seemed to touch on both. While his show notes contained no details on the looks, he did thank 348 people, Senator Clinton included. (The show had one Hillary-esque pants suit.) The show’s somber feel seemed reverent of these uncertain times, both politically and financially.

“I do think there’s a trend towards being a bit more understated, which is certainly a sign of the times,” said Vogue’s Virginia Smith. “But it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wear a black suit. Or be so somber.”
“What I thought was so great about this collection it was a great balance of still being beautiful and designed without being depressing,” the SMU alum continued. “We’ve seen a lot of people this week who’ve really toned it down but it’s not so exciting. Marc toned it down but it’s still interesting and exciting. And it’s probably one of those collections that you’re going to love the more times you see it.”

Ralph Lauren may be about seventy but he certainly shows no signs of stopping. His high-energy show yesterday morning hit all the trends we’re seeing for fall — the large plaid buffalo check prints, bold shades of plums and oranges, cropped and fitted jackets — yet still managed to remain, well…very Ralph. With tunes from the Eagles and Steve Nicks playing overhead, the show had a decidedly retro feel that felt very luxe lodge with hunting jackets, fairisle sweaters and plush cashmeres capes. The plumage flew here too, on hats and berets making us wonder if he and Carolina Herrera planned that one out.

For evening, Lauren went long and lean with a few plush solid-colored velvet gowns. Others had silk tulle details, feather details (another huge trend for fall) and intricate embroideries. First niece Lauren Bush sat front row with boyfriend David Lauren and gushed, “I really loved the evening looks, specially the jackets and velvet dresses.” If it’s good enough for the first niece, well then we have to say it’s definitely good enough for us.

(Photos: AP)

While some designers like to pump up the volume and heavily make up their models, designer Franciso Costa decided to balance out all those dark, somber looks with clean face, clean pulled back hair, clean makeup. Stunning!

(Photo: Carter Rose/Special Contributor)

Young designer Zac Posen is something of a wunderkind within the industry. His quick meteoric rise from small time talent to big spectacle designer was apparent at last night’s show. Backed by multiple sponsors including Lycra, the tent was packed with a buzzed crowd that was literally buzzing (we’re guessing all that free alcohol being served in the lobby might have had something to do with it). He took last season’s transparency theme a step further when a couple models stomped out in completely sheer mini-dresses that showcased undies and garter belts, eliciting collective gasps from the audience. By the time the oversized evening gowns came out (closing model Karen Elson tripped over a tulle fantasy gown larger than the size of Rhode Island) one couldn’t help but feel that the show got a bit cartoonish. It didn’t help matters that each model had two big puffs on top of their pulled back tresses making them look like 46 doll-like Minnie Mouses. The show seemed out of synch with this season’s strong ladylike and polished presence, especially with all the sweet details like mini ruffles and peter pan collars and colored tights.

(Photo: Carter Rose/Special Contributor)

We tagged along with former F!D fashion editor, Jackie Bolin, who is co-owner of V.O.D. boutique in Victory Park to her showroom appointment to VPL (for visible panty line). Why does Bolin think the line, helmed by power fashion stylist Victoria Bartlett, is great for Dallas women?

"VPL has the best basics! The bras and undies that Victoria Beckham wore on the cover of W continue to be huge. The items are the perfect layering pieces. For fall, we’re looking at the chunky knits, the layering pieces, the dresses are super easy. Victoria’s so cool and she’s a sought after stylist and she has a unique point of view."

(Photos: DN/Staff)

The bloggers were right: Posh is the finale judge on this season's Project Runway. I went to the show this morning (so lucky, was a hot ticket to get) and saw the collections from the remaining 5 contestants: Sweet P, Rami, Christian, Chris and Jillian. Here is a glimpse of a dress from Jillian. There are no images available yet from the show.

Photo: AP

Caught up with our own Marion (Jeffrey) after the Project Runway finale. He told me he loved Chris' collection, because it was very "him [Chris] and brave." But he would want Jillian to win, based on her collection. “Jillian’s collection was very Seventh avenue, very American, very saleable, and I think that will help her with the judges. I think there’s a good chance she’s the winner.”

I saw Ricky, always in a kooky hat. And ran into Jack. He told me, "My favorite is Christian, he is frigging amazing. Rami had some gorgeous dresses, especially the final two. But for me it was Christian all the way. There were so many show stopping moments."

Images of the clothes aren't available yet, but will put them up when they are.

“This year was the most polished group we’ve had,” Michael Kors told me before the Project Runway show this morning, where Sweet P, Chris, Jillian, Rami and Christian showed their collections. “The bar got raised. I think with Marion, I thought he was so talented. I wish we had seen more.”

“Certainly with Marion and Elisa, all the clichés of 'Oh, Texas'[did not apply],” Mr. Kors went on to say. “Neither one of them are about those clichés at all. It really shows you that fashion today is not regional, it’s not even national. I think Elisa is super talented, super sophisticated, and I think we’re going to hear from both of them a lot more.”

I snapped this photo of Michael Kors and Nina Garcia moments before the finale taping.

Posh really let it rip following the Project Runway show. She told the New York Observer that there was a clear winner of the finale show, which I just watched. Wearing of the moment orange, "He made me smile." Hmmmm....

I know when Christian walked out and said, "Oh, everybody looks fierce!" he made me smile. He was definitely the crowd favorite. The famous scrim was up at the top of the runway and when everyone saw his silhouette, defined by his cockatiel coiffure, the place went wild.

More to come!

Photo: AP

There's an epidemic spreading throughout the tents and the shows. It's called "don't-bother-talking-to-me-because-I'm busy-on-my-Blackberry-itus". While Jason and I have been ooohing and aaahing over the celebs and taking in all the general fabulousness, most of the fashion flock choose to sit stone-faced, expressionless, acting bored and furiously texting while waiting for shows to start -- some do it even during the shows!

We caught a few culprits here, including Vogue's Anna Wintour (bottom) who didn't even bother to look up as a flurry of photogs started screaming her name and snapping away at yesterday's Bill Blass show.

Longtime model Karen Elson, known for her shocking bright red hair, alabaster skin and pristine beauty closed last night’s Zac Posen show in a beautifully crafted fantasy tulle gown that was larger than the state of Rhode Island.

Unfortunately it proved too large as she stumbled on the runway and another model had to help her up.

She handled it like a pro, broke character (models have to look all moody and stuff ya know) and started laughing and shrugged her shoulders, as if to signal to the audience, “Hey! It’s not my fault this dang dress is so ginormous!”

Kudos for changing an awkward, embarrassing mishap into an aww-that’s-so-cute moment! The audience applauded during her entire walk.

(Photo: AP)

At yesterday's Calvin Klein show, designer Francisco Costa took shapely cues from Japanese designers and showcased a collection full of dark geometric looks that folded over the body to create shape. While oversized blazers and sleek voluminous coats hinted at masculinity, the evening looks were the biggest surprise. Barneys New York’s fashion director (and former Dallasite) Julie Gilhart said, “I loved this show and I think Francisco did a great job. I especially loved the beautiful accordion pleats.” The show closed with shimmering pleated metallic silk dresses that were far from minimal…they were full on sexy!

Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing gushed to us, "I honestly think that it went beyond masculinity and beyond femininity and went right to art!"

(Photos: AP & Getty)

Doubtless you're as upset as Joy Bryant , at right, when hearing this is our last day of shows at Fashion Week. I mean, who wants to stop running into actresses of her stature three and four times a day? It's like living on the set of Days of Our Lives. Or going to theatre camp.

But the last day has some biggies. Starting with the Project Runway show this morning, then cool girls Jenni Kayne and Daryl K. Tonight it's all about Sean John and then Marc Jacobs shows his main line. My first job out of college was at there, so it will be wild to go to the show from a different perspective.

Then early Saturday morning I'm headed back to Dallas where I may not pick up an Us Weekly for a while.

I snapped Joy Bryant at the Marchesa presentation Wednesday night in an apparent moment of anger, excitement or aneurysm.

I enjoyed VPL's show the other day. With full, pleated trousers, exposed zippers and form-fitting lingerie elements, she was sending out some very of-the-moment looks. If you remember the W magazine with David and Victoria Beckham, you've seen her clothes, as Posh wore the pieces in the spread, shot by Steven Klein.

But, there were a few accessories that left me saying, "Huh?" What about a hair purse, or capelet, pictured above. Or scarves that had the texture of a sock full of pennies. Or a scarf that was a huge rubber band in shape?

I couldn't help thinking of "Hobbit feet" when I saw these. Well, that and what they must smell like. After running to shows all day long. In the rain.

One of my favorites this week was the collection from the Proenza Schouler boys. Check it out.

Ok, I loved Bill Blass just as much as Jason did too! As soon as the lights came up, models stormed and stomped out to the powerful strains of “Enjoy the Silence”. The moody hit ballad by Depeche Mode (my fave band ever!) intertwined with an instrumental string version throughout the show, perhaps to drive home the fact that this collection may have had its powerful retro references, but still retained its distinct classical elements.

(Photo: AP & Getty)

At first glance, they seem an incongruous mix. Ultra sleek Phi, owned by Texan Susan Dell, and Bill Blass, the stately and (until today) stale American label. But look at the elements and they have the same Helmut Newton feel at different extremes.

Bill Blass, designed for the first time by Peter Som, reminded me of YSL a little. The famous Newton image of "Le Smoking" in the Parisian alley.
Watching the 47 directional looks breeze past us to various arrangements of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the silence," full of masculine and feminine elements coming together in a palette of grays, blacks and creams with pops of magenta, topaz and amethyst, I was taken aback by how beautiful and, ultimately, desirable the looks were. (Save for hair and makeup that, unfortunately, took us more towards Denver-Carrington or a Robert Palmer video than how I think a woman wants to look this fall.)

I caught up with Mary Alice Stephenson, former Harper's Bazaar fashion director and fashion consultant (oh, and host of "America's Most Smartest Model) after the show. "This is what a rebirth of a house is about. Herve Leger - blah. Halston - boring. This was wow. I think a lot of times it takes growth. But he didn't need that. 3 months? These are clothes I want to wear. I've never worn Bill Blass in my life!"

Phi, designed by Andreas Melbostad, was a tough, chic collection that was in the same vein as Alexander Wang's collection, with perhaps more polish and defintiely more color. Using lace, tulle, wool crepe, cashmere and shearling with accents of patent leather, Melbostad sent out 31 looks that brought to mind Gianni Versace.

Padma Lakshmi, former model and host of Bravo's Top Chef, was at the show, looking tough and chic herself.

"It's a great nod to the early eighties, that sort of day-glo flourescent, tights with the fishnets, reminded me of the darker, edgier Betsy Johnson. The references to Katherine Hamnett are very apparent. I have a lot of Phi pieces I htink they're very wearable and sexy. Her collection reminds me of when Costume National was really cool, in the mid-nineties. I loved the collection."

Four hours after I posted the Tinsley Mortimer seat scandal item, I received this email. Word travels fast.

Hey there,

All the best,
Tinsley

Um....

"I've been a big supporter of Vera's since I was first nominated for an Emmy," Mariska Hargitay said before Wang's fall show. The Law and Order:SVU star was backstage before the show and gave us her take on the collection. "I thought it was inspired and spectactular. It made me so excited for fall."

The show made Wang herself excited, too. The figure skater/Vogue editor/bridal designer turned big-time important American designer gave her take on the collection following the show.

"It was minimalist but it wasn't minimalist." Translation: Minimalism is about stripping design down to it's essentials. Wang chose very sturdy fabrics, which she allowed to carry themselves, with pleating (big trend) and twisting providing beautiful volume. The collection beared some similarities to 80's Yamamoto and seemed somber from a distance, with every shade of charcoal imaginable surging through felts, cashmeres, hammered satin and organza. Adding to the not minimalism list: her spectacular jewelry.

She hit the trends we are seeing this week. Subdued florals (played out in cool bomber-style jackets, above), beastly furs (a stunning patchwork mink coat) and pops of yellows and oranges, which she says she got from her inspiration, Dutch artist Kees van Dongen .

Above left: I snapped Mariska in her front row seat
Above right: AP photo of Look #39 - Jacquard padded "bed jacket", with chiffon blouse and hammered satin pants and coral and acqua necklace.

Trailing Jennifer Lopez around the Marchesa presentation yesterday, I was struck at how calm she was, the soon-to-be mother of two.

This place was packed and she had the air of someone enjoying a day at the Guggenheim. It was the performance of a lifetime.

Photo: Carter Rose

The Donald was at Michael Kors yesterday. For someone who so verbose on television, his answers to my questions were almost monosyllabic. I managed to get out of him that his wife looks "terrific" in Michael's clothes. Michael is a "good friend". He wears Michael's clothes. He doesn't know what of Michael's things he owns. And then the crew from VH-1 knocked me into Sigorney Weaver. So startled, I told her I liked her television show.

Here's another, more "discussion oriented" view of Donald Trump.

Today we’re checking out Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, Cynthia Rowley and native-Texan Susan Dell’s Phi, before tomorrow's two biggies: The Project Runway show and Marc Jacobs. Then it's back to Dallas on Saturday. When I was designing, I always thought fashion writers had it easy. My feet (and attention span) may now disagree.

Yes, it's fun. It's fabulous. It's de-lovely, delicious and de-gorgeous.

But pushing through this kind of crowd show after show at Bryant Park is starting to take its toll.

We're on the last leg of our trip and today's packed schedule includes some big ones. Vera Wang kicks it off this morning, with Phi, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Cynthia Rowley, Zac Posen to follow.

We're also crossing our fingers for designer Peter Som who has taken the reigns at Bill Blass and is making his debut later this afternoon. Check back for updates!

(Photo: Carter Rose/Special Contributor)

Anna Sui really is a girl at heart. In fact the goodie bag in our seat had a bright pink terry armband with a do-wop cartoon on it. While it’s safe to say she’s going to do something “bohemian” each season, the pretty metallic wallpaper-looking invitation tipped us off that we were going to see something a little bit more luxurious. Her flower children stomped out to Siouxsie and the Banshees clad in metallic chiffons and lames, beaded capes and blouses and dresses with floral and vine motifs, complete with floral headbands.

Actor Vincent Gallo said, “It’s the most luxurious and rich collection I’ve seen from her. It was sort of aristocratic.“ Backstage after the show, Sui told us that she was influenced by Native American art, Oriental art, Art Nouveau and the arts and crafts movement. Now, that’s a lot of art. “It’s just all the things I love and you have a great time when you’re designing all the things you love."

(Photos: AP)

It's about dressing up. Updos. Looking glam.

Michael Kors told us backstage yesterday that younger people want to dress up - no jeans, no sweats, no cargo pants.

Polished.

Here's looks from yesterday's Derek Lam (left) and Kors show.

(Photos: AP and Getty)

We've been seeing lots of blacks, grays and camels, along with bold plums and oranges.

Here's a day coat from Narciso Rodriguez (left) and evening gown from 3.1 Phillip Lim (right) -- and yes that's our own Ali Michael on the right!

(Photos: AP)

“I like the big ones!” was a very pregnant Jennifer Lopez’s opinion of her favorite pieces in the Marchesa collection. Karen Craig and Georgina Chapman held their fall 2008 presentation Wednesday afternoon at the Chelsea Art museum to a packed crowd that also included Anne Hathaway, Joy Bryant, Eliza Duschku and Ms. Chapman’s husband, Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Not surprisingly, the gowns were red carpet-ready.

Their intial inspiration was the film Elizabeth: the Golden Age, said Ms. Chapman. “I really got into the iconography of the period. It was really this idea of this really strong woman with a masculine edge who was searching for love.” And accordingly, the designers played with organza rosettes and crimson-colored suedes, while also diving into the seasons obsession with all things bird, with delicate feather details.

Ms. Lopez strolled casually around the space for most of the hour, seeminly oblivious to the gawkers and snappers, this writer included. The models, bowever, gamely posed for my camera.

How glam is this?

Eva Longoria Parker got the razzies all abuzz leaving yesterday's Michael Kors show. Our photographer Carter Rose, along for the ride with us this week, commented "I feel kind of creepy doing this." (Meaning hounding the celebs we're seeing this week for shots.)

But thankfully, he got this amazing shot of Eva arm in arm with Robert Verdi.

And to think, it was only ten years ago that she was Miss Corpus Christi 1998. All we can say is, you've come a long way BABY!!!

(Photo: Carter Rose/Special Contributor)

Michael Kors caught the most celebrities yet at his show in Bryant Park Wednesday. Sigorney Weaver, Eva Longoria Parker, Debra Messing, Natasha Richardson, Donald and Melania Trump, and Ellen Pompeo sat front row for his mens and womens collections.

Kors named the show “Reel” life, and he used a live feed of the mountain of cameras at the runway’s end for the back drop (at right), highlighting the Us Weekly ready looks worn by models with Amy Winehouse-inspired hair being trailed by Dick Tracy-looking fellows in perfect grey suits straight out of AMC's Mad Men.

“Hitchcock was on my mind,” the designer and Project Runway judge told us backstage. “I'd like to think of it as if Kim Novak and Amy Winehouse became roommates and decided to share clothes.”

“I thought it was fantastic, I think Michael is brilliant,” Ellen said of Mr. Kors' subdued florals, some perked up by an overlay of clear sequins. “I’m so impressed he continues to do this year after year. That’s hard to do, to be consistent.”

I snapped Ellen Pompeo wearing a Michael Kors cashmere shift, with her husband Chris in the background. After the photo session, I told her that, while Grey's Anatomy is terrif and all, nothing compares to the two episodes of Law and Order she's done. Especially the creepy one where her character kills her sister. Eek.

Men's Runway shot: AP

The sign backstage read:

LIVING THE "REEL LIFE"
GET READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP
THE PAPS LOVE YOU AND FOLLOW YOUR EVERY MOVE
BE GLAMOROUS, POWERFUL AND SOPHISTICATED
HAVE FUN - YOU ARE SUPERSTARS!

And don't forget to MAKE A 2 SECOND PAUSE at each turn ladies and gents!

I love love LOVE going to Kors' show because I always know I'll get a fun 10 minute ride somewhere, especially when we saw signs cautioning audience members that "strobe lights" would be used during the show. Hitchcock heroines, sexy librarians, the tv show "Mad Men" and Amy Winehouse all influenced Kors this season, with models sauntering out to a soundtrack mashup that included tunes from Winehouse, Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes" and Madonna's "Hollywood". As the lights turned down to signal the start of the show, Freddie Mercury's voice came on crooning the following lines from Bohemian Rhapsody, "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"

He told us backstage that he imagined a situation where Kim Novak and Amy Winehouse became roomates and decided to share clothes.

(Photos: DN/Staff and Getty)

After telling me she's "a fan and has been for a long time" of Michael Kors Sigorney Weaver stared down the photogs with the same icy confindence she had when facing Melanie Griffith in "Working Girl." Or Harry Connick, Jr. in "Copy Cat." Or an alien. Or Kevin Kline in that movie where he impersonates the president.

Needless to say, I didn't ask her for a photo.

It was an honest mistake. I thought my seat at Jill Stuart was A-17. It wasn't. It was A-7. And when socialite/big-time bag designer (in Japan) Tinsley Mortimer showed up she let me know. By the time PR was called in I realized the whole mess was my fault and profusely apologized. And grabbed my camera.

Maybe she didn't hear me, because I didn't even get eye contact on the way out. So maybe she didn't see me either.

Photo: Tins is on the right, calling for backup.

I started to profusely sweat at this morning's Michael Kors show, jetted back to the hotel, threw off my cute little school boy look I was trying to work (shirt, tie and cardigan included), and attacking the later shows this afternoon in a tee!

It's warm and muggy outside and it doesn't help that the Bryant Park tents are like 100 degrees. The temperature keeps rising too as more and more celebs show up! This morning at Kors we spied Debra Messing, Eva Longoria, Sigourney Weaver, Ellen Pompeo, Natasha Richardson and the Donald.

We're checking out VPL, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Anna Sui, Marchesa and Temperley this afternoon.

Check back later for updates!

(Photo: Yesterday's scene at Marc by Marc/Carter Rose/Special Contributor)

The pop stars are turning out in droves! Miss Fergalicious herself sat front row at yesterday's Marc by Marc show. You can't see it, but she was looking tres demure in a little ruffled blouse and pencil skirt.

(Photo: Carter Rose/Special Contributor)

Designs from Narciso Rodriguez tend to be very structured and minimal. Last night's show had some of those elements, but for fall the designer let loose a tad and incorporated some fun, flirty pieces, including feathered skirts and bright poppy oranges for fall, and an army of sexy little dresses that brought attention to the back.

Actress-on-the-rise Amy Adams sat in front of us and purred, "I love his creative energy and the cut of his clothes and I feel very attractive when I wear it."

Jerry Seinfeld looked out of his element sitting in the front row with wife Jessica, nervously tapping his foot with his pinkie finger clinging to her pinkie. When asked what he thought of the collection he responded with, "I loved it." Ok...why did you love it, we inquired. "It makes my wife happy."

AWWWW...

(Photo: AP)

Our past Fashion!Dallas/Kim Dawson model search discoveries are hitting the runways!

Ali Michael was spotted at Marc by Marc Jacobs and Matthew Williamson yesterday. See Ali on style.com

Mimi Roche was seen at Y-3 and Bekka Zuefeldt (left) is walking her first New York season and was spotted at Vivienne Tam.

Congrats ladies!

(Photos: Carter Rose/Special Contributor and AP)

Check out our wrapup of Tuesday's shows, including Marc by Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler and Badgley Mischka.

Ok so this is how close we were able to get to Rihanna (squeal)!!! The pop sensation-of-the-moment sat front row by actresses Joy Bryant and Brittany Murphy to check out Matthew Williamson's show last night.

What did she think of the skittle-colored prints, cropped shearling coats and little metallic jackets. “It was flawless! It was so Rihanna! I think he used me as his muse designing this collection because I just wanted to strip every model coming down the runway and steal the clothes!”

(Photos: style.com and DN/Staff)

With New York's Bleecker Street a little more like Epcot every time I'm here, I guess it's fitting that Marc by Marc Jacobs has a souvenir feeling to it.

This time around it's the 1980's. With exposed zippers, day-glo colors, chrome, supersized houndstooth looks, Wayfarer-style shades, patent leather bows, belted details...it was all there. Done in the very sweet and extra-very saleable way that Marc Jacobs knows how to put together.

photos: AP

I had a nice, intimate conversation with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and about 9 photographers, 3 P.R. handlers and Rachel's assistant at the Marc by Marc Jacobs squeaky-clean-eighties-punk show Tuesday. After asking the paparazzos if she looked like Big Bird in her feather coat, the dresser of Lindsay, Keira and Mischa, (and my fave Jennifer Garner) told me how to follow in her footsteps:

"Just intern. Intern as much as you can. The more experience you have at a young age, the better. I know when people come to me to assist or to intern, it's better if they've gone to fashion school or interned at magazines or apprenticed with designers. I think that’s the best way do it, to get in early. And that’s my advice: Just get in early. And know you’re going to devote your life to it."

P.S. I asked The Rachel whose style she is loving lately, aside from one of her clients.

"I think Kate Bosworth always looks amazing," she said. "And I adore her."

Readers: Whose style are you loving these days?\

The models at the Marc by Marc Jacobs show today were TRICKED out! Cute little berets, feathered headbands, short little fingerless gloves. I sat so far away I couldn't even see the shoes at all.

Lots going on here. The zippers. The buckles. The blinding hot pink.

I have to admit it. I'd wear it.

(Photo: AP)

The Marc by Marc Jacobs show had the sneaker wearing, bed headed hipsters all lining up an hour early clamoring to get into the New York State Armory (his grown-up show closes Fashion Week on Friday). While Jacobs’ younger diffusion line can sometimes veer towards being a little sugary sweet, he decided to toughen it up for fall and sent out his male and female models looking like little eighties rebels wearing black biker jackets, leather dresses and super slim tuxedo jackets — you know, the types that like to hide and smoke in the bathroom at school.

Celeb super stylist Rachel Zoe said afterwards, “It was so much fun. I loved all the little dresses, little zipped jackets and sequined cardigan sets.” When asked if we would see the rock-and-roll pieces on her young clients and celebutantes, she responded with, “Hell yeah! Who doesn’t want to wear Marc?”

We also caught Miss Fergalicious Fergie sitting front row.

(Photo: AP)

Looks from Diane von Furstenberg, Badgley Mischka, and Carolina Herrera.

Photos: AP

I ended Monday with a seat at Proenza Schouler. The celeb wattage has been decidedly lackluster but the Parsons grads did get Rihanna, along with Brooke Shields, Amy Adams, and Dylan McDermott. I saw him outside the venue milling about with us civilians waiting for the show to start. Looking a little lost. Wanting to help (and check out his pores) I told him he could go on inside, having just "What's up"ed Angie Harmon as she breezed by.

The show was spectacular, with dresses constructed out of ONE piece of fabric, just gently pleated. (Pleats are shaping up to be a story here) The designers used a paper airplane as a starting point, using one as explanation with their sewers. (A good friend consults with the label.) The colors were rich, with jewel tones mixing with blacks. I am seeing a lot of dark yellows, like the opening dress shown here.

Rihanna/Runway: AP

How close were we sitting to Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank at yesterday's Jill Stuart show?

That's Jason's back on Hil's left...

She slipped in and slipped right out. Too bad we couldn't get her take on the show! Requests for a quote got denied by publicists.

(Photo: AP)

Bravo was well represented at Halson, with Padma Lakshmi (Top Chef), Nina Garcia (Project Runway) and Veronica Webb (Tim Gunn's Guide to Style) in the audience.

Nina Garcia is excited about Friday's Project Runway show. (Me too! I just found out I got a ticket!) "I am as anxious as you are to watch," the judge told me.

Nigel Barker, of America's Next Top Model seems to be everywhere this week. I've seen him everyday, publicist in tow, including yesterday's Jill Stuart show (he was there with Tyra) and today's Badgley Mischka show. He told me the new season of ANTP will be "back to the old days, with judging a little more feisty" thanks to judge Paulina Poriskova.

Also front row at Badgley Mischka: "Miss Jay always needs a Badgley Mischka frock" the ANTP judge told me. "I'm trying to get that contract away from Teri Hatcher. You tell them Miss Jay needs a contract."

Up today: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, and a big-deal Prada party tonight!

One of the highest anticipated shows this season is the newly revamped Halston label, currently helmed by a dream team of Hollywood stylist Rachel Zoe, Jimmy Choo's Tamara Mellon and superproducer Harvey Weinstein (he purchased the company last year) and designed by Marco Zanini (formerly at Versace).

While style.com 's review stated, "overall, the collection left you wanting more...the unstructured evening gowns he showed today won't cut it."

If there's anyone who knows Halston, it's Liza Minnelli and we pushed our way through the crowds to get a quote from her at yesterday's show. When asked for her thoughts and what Halston would've thought of the collection, she said, "I thought it was wonderful! The colors were beautiful. The materials were beautiful and danced on the models. It's so nice to see him honored so beautifully. If he were alive, I think he would've said it was absolutely splendid. I really do."

Oscar de la Renta decided to nix the Bryant Park tents again this season and took his collection back Uptown on Park Avenue in a former church. And what did we think of the bold, colorful jacquard coats, smart tweeds and sparkling party dresses? Heavenly. Models strutted out as musical chanteuse Regina Spektor played piano and sang.

It's hard not to get giddy. Yours truly squealed when Spektor started singing "Fidelity" as models sauntered out...

Not familiar with her? Check out this video!

(Photos: AP/MTC)

Well, not really. But that's Jason over there in the back!

The fashion folk love to dress up and get tricked out to impress/out-do each other, all in the hopes of being photographed by someone important. One of the most recognized photogs running around is Scott Schuman, also known as the Sartorialist .

While we didn't get asked to pose, this lovely Japanese fashionista did after yesterday's Halson show.

(Photo: Style.com)

See models do eat! They eat pizza! We wonder if she's throwing caution to the wind and celebrating the Giants huge Super Bowl victory. New York is all in a frenzy (we keep hearing random screaming at every turn) and the fashion folk are in a frenzy of their own over the high-energy shows for fall 2008.

The huge ticker-tape parade is today and we have a packed schedule of shows including Badgley Mischka, Monique Lhuillier, Cynthia Steffe, Diesel, Matthew Williamson, Behnaz Sarafpour, Tory Burch and more. Let's hope we can find cabs!

Tonight's hot ticket is a party hosted by Prada to premiere Miuccia's latest collaboration with director James Lima on an animated short that goes hand in hand with her "fairies" inspired spring collection.

So yeah, it's going to be a late night for us. Check back later for updates!

(Photo: Getty)

Brit designer Jonathan Saunders got our attention on Sunday with a tightly edited stateside debut. He showed a structured collection full of streamlined looks that mixed hard and soft elements, including leather panels and trims on jersey and chiffon dresses. His show seemed to impress the fashion editors who were overheard buzzing about the beautifully tailored clothes. Whether rumors of a future collaboration with Target are true remains to be seen.

(Photos: style.com)

Breaking, er, news:

Hillary Swank and Tyra Banks and one million watts of flash crashed the Jill Stuart show today and we caught it all. In fact, Hillary Swank sat near us, just on the other side of D Magazine's Stephanie Quadri.

I was hoping to nab some time with Hill and ask her what it feels like to win two Oscars and Rob Lowe's approximate height, but she jetted the second the show was over.

Just caught the Peter Som and Carolina Herrera shows. More on Peter Som later - saw Mandy Moore there. Full of quirky looks with clashing textures and full on glamor gowns in the finale.

At Herrera (who's opening a new store in Highland Park soon) it was a fox hunt. And that's was just the paparazzi chasing Dallas-native Angie Harmon. On the runway the hunt started with a chorus of horns and then newcomer Karlie Kloss strutted out with a window pane plaid coat and a fedora, a lone, lingering feather trailing her steady gait.

The show was full of fur and feathers, down to a gorgeous wing print papering chiffon dresses. Trend alert: lots of pleats, on skirts and pants, as well as great menswear fabrics.

Angie, who's working for In Style magazine this week, loves Carolina. "Carolina is perfect for Highland Park," she told me after I snapped her photo.

Off to Jill Stuart (where I used to work, designing accessories.). Then a full afternoon, with Halston (so excited!), Thakoon (we'll be backstage) and new menswear designer Tim Hamilton.
Tonight is the much anticipated Proenza Schouler show, designed by fellow Parsons grads. Angie (we're chummy now...) will be there.

So it's only the second actual full day for Jason and I here in New York, yet feels like we've already been here for two weeks.

Some major shows kick off today. Peter Som in 10 min at 9 a.m., followed by Carolina Herrera, Jill Stuart (Hilary Swank rumored to appear), Betsey Johnson, Halston, Thakoon, Doo.Ri, Max Azria, John Varvatos, Ports 1961 and Proenza Schouler --eeek!

So yeah, it's back to back to back to BACK!

And we both scored invites to the HOT Adidas party to celebrate the launch of its new denim collaboration with Diesel. Invite also says to expect a "surprise live performance"!

Catch up with us later for a quickie update...

NO seriously, the celeb wattage has started out pretty dim. Miss Sixty was the one show I missed yesterday (deadlines!) and of course a freakin' Olsen showed up!

Ashley Olsen was front row center with other fashionable ladies including Milla Jovovich, Chloe Sevigny and Anne Hathaway.

With Carolina, Oscar, and more today, I'm planning on getting my digital cam charged up!

Menswear designer Antonio Azzuolo held a tightly edited presentation this afternoon for his "a.a." label. His stints as design director for Ralph Lauren Purple and Black Label became obvious when models stood side by side in a straight line sporting hand-tailored suits, blazers, vests and overcoats that had a retro flamboyant nod.

Former F!D fashion assistant Sally Lyndley (right) has become a HUGE deal in the industry - having styled and assisted on shoots for French and American Vogue, Pop and Numero. After styling Costello Tagliapietra's show yesterday she high-tailed it over to Azzuolo's today where she was paying keen attention to detail to each of the men's tailored looks.

Next up? Working a "big money" show and jetting off to London for a shoot...

After hosting shows in off-beat locations like gymnasiums and the like, we never know quite what to expect at Y-3. Yohji Yamamoto's sporty offspring always keeps us surprised each season and the fall collection was showcased this afternoon at Pier 20. Models walked in front of enormous ice brick walls.

THANK GOD the free Y-3 plush blanket we found on our seat kept us warm.

Gap held a quiet presentation for the press this afternoon and we're glad we trekked over to Hell's Kitchen for this one. Gap's newest design director Patrick Robinson (former stints include runs at Perry Ellis, Paco Rabanne, Armani and even a budget collab for Target) went for, according to show notes, "effortless chic".

Here are a few essentials from Gap for next fall.

For women: a slim-fit cropped cargo, one-button blazer, a chic trench, boyfriend cardigan. And don't forget those new Pierre Hardy booties coming out soon.

For men: a fine leather jacket, plaid flannel shirt, quilted bomber jacket, striped oxford for layering.

While the Gap reps wouldn't talk price points with us, they did inform us that prices won't be changing...

Find all these items at your nearest Gap starting mid-August!

1) Instead of pricey Blahniks or Louboutins or Choos, her models stomped out wearing cheap and chic creations from her collaboration with Payless Shoes. Click here to see styles!

2) Lela's from Dallas. WHOO WHOO! Nuff said.

3) Former Texan and hair guru Ted Gibson managed the hair team backstage and was aiming for "Jerry Hall meets Park Avenue" glam.

As we waited to congratulate her backstage, Olivia from Law & Order SVU - I mean Mariska Hargitay - rushed by to hug the designer. Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing also said, "Thank you for bringing color to New York! It's the first time I've seen any in three days."

DMN file photo

Alexander Wang's ROCKIN show yesterday had the crowd buzzing. I'm guessing the free Ecco Domani wine being served to attendants didn't really help. The crowd got pumped up beforehand as Jackson 5, Maroon 5, AC/DC, Justin Timberlake and Hot Chip played overhead. Models emerged from the foggy darkness looking like they were ready to RUMBLE! (Loved the ripped stockings by the way!)

I stalked - errr - approached my favorite fashion editor / female crush Kate Lanphear from Elle, who exclaimed to me, "Oh my GOD! I've never seen a show that's more me. I want to get down on my knees and thank Alex. That's it! That's the rest of my wardrobe. All I'll have to do is pre-order everything and I'm set for life. It's what every cool girl wants to wear and maybe if I wear it, I'll be a cool girl."

Yours truly quickly responded with, "You're the coolest girl!" Cheese I know.

The fashion crowd headed over to Lower East Side hotspot The Annex for the after party being hosted by Alexander and Erin Wasson. After being reassured I was on the list, I approached the mobbed bouncers who told me "Everyone's on the list, so get to the back of the line!" Luckily we made it in...which explains why my blog updates are coming so late...and that's all I have to say about that!

Models get paid to walk. And to make sure they do it right, designers will often put up signs with specific instructions to tell them how to do it. No posing allowed at Alexander Wang!

Loved the stellar casting!

So our ticket requests for the HIGHLY anticipated Project Runway show got denied because of space limitations. Unfortunately, we received a "we'll put you on the waiting list" email. Hopefully the fashion gods will smile on us when we show up at the check-in table and beg and plead our way in!

A fellow reporter sat next to Christian at a show yesterday and told me that an overexcited fan exclaimed to him, "I would DIE if you weren't one of the finalists!"

His response?

"Well honey, you don't have to worry!"

Diane von Furstenberg and the creative director Nathan Jenden walked downt the runway to Christina Aguilera's "Candy Man." And Jenden is definitely DVF's Candy Man, with each collection shown under his stewardship gaining polish and momentum.

With not a wrap dress in sight, Diane showed a forties-ish inspired collection (with the odd Art Deco dress thrown in) with thin belts cinching every jacket and looks full of color and embellishment. The audience was embellished, too, by Susan Sarandon, Molly Sims, Ellen Barkin, Rose McGowan, Ann Duong and Amy Smart front row, checking out the very wearable collection. DVF always has straightforward collections that never look like she's trying too hard.

Well, except with her show notes. In the program on every seat is a program with descriptions of the looks and credits for hair and makeup. Some designers give you a glimpse into their inspiration. DVF always has an elaborate back story for the woman for which she's designing. This season, her collection is called "Foreign Affair" and the notes begin like this:

"She always knew she would find a way through the rain drops...the mystery, the unknown, the infinite possibilities of a foreign affair." - Diane von Furstenberg

It goes with a story of her "muse" bouncing from Berlin with "a secret in her heart and diamonds sewn into the hem of her dress" to Shanghai to the Rainbow Room in NY.

My second day of the New York collections and feeling like a pro. Until I walk past Anna Wintour at the Herve Leger show. Feeling her aura with what I can only term a "Spidey sense" I knew "She" was somewhere close. Correcting my posture and plastering a look of boredom on my too-giddy face, I see her in her front row seat. With my "Spidey sense" distracted by the Vogue chief, I did not notice the workman at my feet removing the visquine from the runway and tripped over either his elbow or gut. Either way, my posture was wrecked as I tripped, not to mention the studied look of boredom on my face.

I
made my way to section B, row 4, seat 4. Speaking of B's, the Herve Leger show had a few. Joy Bryant, Rose McGowan, Gennifer Goodwin, Mandy Moore (I wish she were an A), Padma Kakshmi, Melissa George and the seen everywhere Sophia Bush. After making my way through the sea of photogs, I nabbed a moment with the "One Tree Hill" star (ish).

On Herve Leger: "It's the epitome of sexy and feminine. They really celebrate women's bodies. Which is great, especially today, when everyone is concerned with looking like clothing hangers. I, for one, don't want to." Look like a clothing hanger, she means.

Fave fashion moment so far: "My favorite moment repeats itself, when the lights go down, the mayhem dies down and everyone celebrates creativity."

All together now: Awwww.....

And the Leger show? Oh wait, there are clothes to look at, too.

The show (BCBG's Max Azria's first for the rebounding label) was all about what he can do with the use of Leger's banding technique. And some of it was cool, with sweaters knit with the look of the hot body friendly dresses.

What's next today? The Gap has a presentation with new designer Patrick Robinson, I am off to Diane von Furstenberg and then Yohji Yamamoto is presenting his Y-3 collection. We are expecting some major stars tonight at Miss Sixty. Last time they had Hilary Swank and Demi Moore. (I know. Random!)

Next up: Z Zegna. Wanting throw some men's fashion up in here, I took a bus down to Industria studios in the Meatpacking district. Yes, a bus. They set one up to get people from the Herchcovitch show to Z Zegna. Not suprisingly, it wasn't packed. I guess everyone else took their chauffeured Denali down.

The show was not revolutionary, but quietly glam, with softly pleated grey trousers (seeing A LOT of pleats here!), creeper-soled shoes (like Wallabees), monkey-fur looking coats and fanny packs. Yes, fanny packs.

Alexander Alexander Wang showed a fanny pack (carried as a messenger bag), a part of his new leather goods line which will be available this season. This show hosted the cool of the uber cool and the hottest ticket of the day. A certified rising star in New York, according to Women's Wear Daily and #4 on The Daily's "Who's Haute Today" Saturday ranking. (Dallas connection: Model Search discovery Erin Wasson styled the show for a second time and her new jewelry was featured in the show. Her signature destroyed jean shorts were once again in the show, and, to her credit, they still worked.)

Wang showed 42 looks with one look per model (a la Marc Jacobs). With a tough Ann Demeulemeester meets 80's Versace vibe I gotta say: This show was GOOD.

At the risk of sounding tragic, walking into the Lacoste show with seasoned-show-pro David Ninh and seeing my name on a wood folding chair was goosebumpingly cool.

The Lacoste show was my first at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. After seeing the very Le Coq Sportif looks, complete with fake snow and the biggest knit scarves I have ever seen, we jetted over to jersey experts Costello-Tagliapietra. I nabbed a front row seat, thanks to a no-show. Score.

Alexandre Herchcovitch was next, with some graphic black looks with astrakan (lamb fur) insets. See David's blog entry for the kooky patent shoes. Astrakan may prove to be a trend here, courtesy of word on the street.

As expected, the dresses were amazing, with the more structured looks, well, not so much. The vibe was dark and brooding, with deflated bows on the models head. They kind of looked like sad Playboy bunnies.

Our next show was United Bamboo. I ran into Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Full disclosure, not a huge fan but she looked so great. Miss O, however, is a big fan of the line of cool-kid clothes. "I'm here beacuse I wear their clothes more than anyone else's," the singer told me. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are coming to Texas soon, by the way. They are recording their next album in El Paso. More to come....

At today's Costello Tagliapietra show, models sported head pieces by designer Albertus Swanepoel (past collaborations include hats for Thakoon, Proenza Schouler, Betsey Johnson, and Marc by Marc Jacobs), who got his start taking night classes at FIT. The designers, Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra, told us backstage that they wanted their models to look like "28 powerful, confident, free-spirited women. Like witches!"

Kinda like a super chic coven...

Click here to read more about him!

With all the models struttin in the fabulous clothes, I sometimes forget to look closely at accessories that round out the looks. But it was hard to miss the shoes at Alexandre Herchcovitch's show. Models were sportin some fierce lookin booties with a strange extra teeny thin heel. Thankfully, nobody tripped.

Jason and I have been hitting the ground running attending today's shows. While the clothes have been all lovely and all (lots of black!), what's a fashion show without celebs to oooh and ahhhh over? So when the paparazzi started buzzing over some of the ladies in the front row at Alexandre Herchcovitch we strained our necks to see who it was and even pondered getting out of our posh second row seats to run over and get a closer glimpse.

Turns out was only Miss Universe Japan Riyo Mori, Miss USA Rachel Smith (left) and model Nikki Taylor.

I mean, they're lovely and all but where are the Rihannas, Lindsays and CW stars?

Lacoste's creative director Christophe Lemaire took it to the stylish slopes for the label's fall 2008 collection this morning. Chunky knits, snug parkas, wool jerseys -- perfect for bundling up. The show closed with an "apres ski disco party" - models posed in colorful pastel nylon parkas, leg warmers and color-blocked knits.

I've never skied before in my life, but this is the way I'd want to look if I did!

We're a little surprised no one tripped on the plush runway. Extra kudos to Lacoste for the wool felt tote bags on our seats!

When I think of Erin Fetherson, I think of light, airy, clean. She went way dark for fall with lots of black. This high-waisted jumpsuit with a crown of black rosettes looks fit for a fashionable funeral.

We're seeing lots of somber neutrals today...an update later tonight.

Oh. My. God. Start spreadin' the news! Liza Minelli performed this morning at Bryant Park during the "Heart Truth" red dress fashion show in New York. She looks so happy and healthy.

Other stars that walked the runway in red to help raise heart disease awareness included Lisa Rinna, Heidi Klum and Molly Sims.

Heck even First Lady Laura Bush was there for the party...

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week starts today in New York! Candace Bushnell, Lipstick Jungle actresses (including Brooke Shields), IMG's Fern Mallis were all on hand for this morning's official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bryant Park.

Sadly we weren't there - Jason and I fly up tonight. Follow us from show to show to party on the blog!