Alex Geana

The Blond Legends Fall, the Philippe & David Blond Gathering

The Audience

The gays have showed up in full force to watch Phillipe & David Blond unfurl their collection of fairy tale dresses. We have nightlife star Kenny Kenny, and Patrick McDonald mixed with icons like Patricia Field, looking fierce. Even the omni-fashion-week-present, Nigel Barker from America's Top Model is here. Various punked out glam-queens dot the room. I'm reading this post to people and they're laughing.

Then we wait for a very long time for the show to start.

The Collection

These are not your traditional fairytale maidens that walk past us. They've got spikes for shoulder pads, on sumptuous gowns. The tailoring is impeccable while form fits function. As an ice princess leads to a group of Charlie’s Angles in sequence jump suits. This is the showiest collection I’ve seen. Mixing meticulous couture with sublime evening wear and pret-a-porter. These two know how to make a woman get noticed. Wearing and being able to pull-off, one of these imaginative outfits; will make all others bright with legendary envy. This collection is not for the timid or faint of heart.

Bloggers at MediaBistro, Fashion Week Rethink

I didn't know that allowing bloggers in the tents was a new thing. As I try to figure out what my Fashion Week coverage should be and what posts ultimately find traction with readers. It's done a few things for my blog and for myself. Given me access to a world I wouldn't normally observe, it's also opened me up to a variety of readers. I'm shocked by how many people have come to the blog and stayed. Ultimately I'm a cultural observer, I want to see the difference between the many societies of New York. The article below was sent by a fellow writer. I hope I'll be able to cover Fashion again, providing you with a varied take from the tents at Bryant Park.

"The democratization of fashion has gone hand-in-hand with the democratization of the fashion press, but fashion bloggers split from their self-publishing peers on a key issue. They are more or less unconflicted about their desire to be adopted by the mainstream media that most political bloggers despise and would dismantle given half the chance. Obviously, there's a big difference between 60 Minutes' National Guard memos and the verdict on last night's Marc Jacobs show, but it's still telling that unlike in other fields, bloggers challenge the moral supremacy of fashion media establishment in the same way their peers do in just about every other sector."

[Link via MediaBistro]

Betsey Johnson the 2008 Fall Collection

Even a burst pipe in my apt couldn't keep me away from this show. Betsey Johnson's fall preview. The Tent is done up, as a beat poet cafe. There's a quote from Jack Kerouac in the program, it also announces the show. It's been thirty years of churning out cool clothes for this unique designer.

The Show

The collection ran the spectrum. With silky dresses sporting great patterns with the classic Beat Look, great for the East Village girl. Starting with light colors – yellow, moving into red and finally ending with a black wedding dress. In one outfit she incorporated a suede strap sewn into a floral print.

There was so much to take in. 20 minutes to present this great collection. In the end there was a much deserved grandstanding moment. Betsey sent out thirty years of her greatest hits. She did back-flips and hung out on the runway to great applauses, the models march out holding massive balloons with the designer’s spectrum.

The VIP Skybox.

As the show let out, I had a chance to look in, because the lighting was just right. Swank with ghost chairs from Philip Stark. One PA told me. "Miss USA is there and a whole mess of celebs." This is where the camera weary and shy famous go to hide.

This has been another LiveBlog report.

The Terexov Show

The Collection

The show started with the brooding mood of a Russian winter. The music was dark. The models a tad morbid. If you like black this collection is for you, it's classic compared to the Duckie Brown military look. The audience gave the collection mixed reviews yet responds with joy to the flowing fabrics. There was even a leather gown … dress? It looked good, but? All in all a good show from another young designer.

Unfortunately nothing tied the work together, giving it recognition and a stronger resonance. I think there’s a record number of new designers showing this year. Must check on that. This was my only show today. I'm suffering from fashion burn out. Looking forward to Betsy Johnson and Blond Legends tomorrow.

The Party

Update: The afterparty gave me a horrid hangover and I’m trying to catch up with cleaning up posts and news - all that stuff, it was the predictable fashion crowd of posing and strutting models, I was surprised to find an old acquaintance working for the designers staff, the stunning Anton Antipov. He served me my first cocktail at The Ritz, he’s been on the cover of a few mags, hopefully he’ll let me snap his pic for my upcoming photo instillation. Alison Levy was there, I gushed and said thank you, because she's helped me discover a whole new world of material for my writerly fodder.

The room looked beautiful with crimson roses everywhere, but the caviar was lackluster and the nibbles being passed around were not consistently good. Shrug, at this point, I’ve survived Fashion Week on cheap open bar booze, chicken salad sandwiches from Wichcraft and pizza, as well as passed canapés; Elie Tahari wins on the goodies, with delicately crafted Filet Mignon skewers and nicely done Smoked Salmon layers, Mini-Cheeseburgers all cooked perfectly to medium temp.   

The Development Erica Davies Show

I think I'm finally starting to get fashion. I was always one to learn by immersion. Being near the clothes, watching the models angular faces. The ruffling fabric. The pictures that come out of Fashion Week have always perplexed me. I always wondered how the garments came together.  I know how much work goes into everything. The venue was nice, I loved the crystal curtain that framed the runway entrance. The clothes themselves are updated vintage. Created with the illusion of a Victorian parlor.

For many of the shows I've seen, quite a few designers have reached to the past for inspiration.

The Mara Hoffman Collection

There are a bunch of freaked out reporters at Bryant Park. The wi-fi connection has been overloaded and has given out. The Mara Hoftman show was striking. I really loved the use of color and fabric as is it sailed down the runway. The collection is culturally inspired and at times political. With tones of Rorschach inkblots and Middle Eastern patterns. There are also knit cloaks/hoodies.  This seems to be the most predominant trend. But other more schooled observers will judge what comes out of this design frenzy. I'm just reporting on what simply brings a visceral reaction to me, what I would actually like to see in stores and on the gorgeous women I know. One look in particular struck me. A silk hijab (the traditional Muslim head cover) it was clearly a cultural statement. Fashion Week is subtly political. One just needs to watch for the notes and hints and symbolic winks. I was the only one to applaud as the audience was briefly numbed.

Just before the show ended the white curtain that hides the mirrored glass is drawn. Maybe this is where Anna Wintour hides in refuge. Or maybe its just the big guys at Mercedes-Benz.

The VIP Lounge at Bryant Park

I'm waiting for araks to start (nope, that's not a typo). Wandering around I sort of discover that there's a whole other swanky side to the Bryant Park experience. I've noticed that venues have a two way mirror, a thinly veneered sky box. In an effort to kill time' I'm trying to be productive, discover and ask questions. First I start with security guard number one. Explaining that the siloutes of chandeliers and flat screens seem to behind these panels. He smiles. Dosen't know, laughs it off. I see people moving about not in a hurried manner. The seating volunteers don't know. Then I approach a guy I've noticed before. He guards the gate to the runway, the portal that connects the back of the house to the front.. I think I've seen him at almost every show. Watchful, rugged, steady, burrely, unfazed. He takes a moment and says it's the security command station, then smiles knowingly. I finally get a repose from a cute boy with a headphone wakie. He believes it's the VIP Lounge. I've seen hints of this. Simply because food has been secretly ushered past the press line.

Is this where they hid the celebs weary of the camera.

The show starts.

Sent from my cell.

The Academy of Art University, Young Jun Ryu

I'm not putting LiveBlog in the header anymore. Everyone knows what's going on. I always enjoy discovering talent and really appreciated the Academy's cutting edge students. I didn't get any pics with my iPhone I'll put them up through an update. I responded to the work on so many levels, because I to am breaking through. Some of the work was eye popping, designers like Soo Jung Sung wanted to create with paper. Others worked with dreadlocked wool. Quilt fabric was meticulous stitched.

For me. The designer that popped out the most was Young Jun Ryu. Who came out boldly with a Marvin the Martian inspired collection. The first print shirt a watercolor rendition caught my eye. But what truly caught me, was how the looks came together. A knit cap. I had a chance to talk to the Jun after the show, apparently it was a last minute decision. They found a knitter on eBay that produced a few in one weeks time. She doesn't even know her work's appeared in Fashion Week at Bryant Park. I love this concept of Internet connectivity. He wanted to focus on street-wear and wearable work. He succeed I hope to see more of his design, even though he himself doesn't know.

The Academy is a collaboration between many students. The earlier years  supporting the Seniors. For thi is the future of Fashion and I'm  happy to be watching it unfold.

Pictures have been sent in, from photographer Randy Brooke. Thanks Ian. They're after the jump.

The Victorya Hong Show

This show is in strike contrast to the Erin Fetherston offering I saw an hour prior. I fought the rain and finally caught a cab to the Altman Building. I really was expecting something good. All I got was product placement. I couldn't really get a seat, no one knew what was going on. I actually pulled my bitchy press attitude because I'm writing a blog post for the 300 odd people that have googled Victorya Hong .... well, how do I say this nicely .... the people that had no bussiness being there. The couple next to me pondered how good the  chocolate in the gift bag was. I have to say. It was a good gift bag. But I didn't get one.

I was truly excited about seeing the show. But It was lackluster at best. You'll google the pictures when they come out and see a recurring sash. That drove me a tad crazy. This was simple but not in an innovative way.

She gets major points for just pulling this off but I hope she develops her voice further.

Update: (Pictures of the show can be found at Getty Images)

LivePost: Anne Hathaway at the Erin Fetherston show.

The show was amazing full of billowing dresses and wonderful pattern. Anne Hathaway was stricking. The child like nature to her was evident. She was wearing a dress by the designer. Stunning. I couldn't really say anything but all the other reporters thrusting tape recorders did a mix of asking good to inane questions for me, I just listened as best I could. She likes the gays btw. Saying most of her freinds are homos. I wanted to jump up and go yay! Family Guy is her fav show and she considers herself a 14 year old boy. She was genuinely innocent and gracious. The picture above. Illustrates her the best. At one point she said. As the massive bank of camera flashes and caused blindness. "You can stop now, I'm famous enough." She came out to "support a new talent."

The show captivated me. As the lights turned from ocean blue to bright white. The collection was evidently created by an up and coming artist. Reminiscent of Elizabethan Europe and the times of Shakespeare but quite  modern. The floral print inspired by illustrated wallpaper of long ago maidens castles. I really enjoyed this collection, this has been the best show I've seen so far.

Update: (Check out the collection and pictures of the show here) There's one more pic of Anne Hathaway after the fold.