Best in show

[marc jacobs]

I'm finally back from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and the question that everyone is asking is: "What was your favorite show?" for the spring/summer '08 season.

I have a few answers to that. In some cases I really admired the artistry. Marc Jacobs approached his collection as a concept rather than pulling together a bunch of pretty frocks. Yes, he started two hours late and people were getting restless, but every part of his show had meaning and symbolism, and I'm happy to wait a little longer for quality. It gave a (twisted) look into his imagination, and I'm always eagaer to see a designer express himself rather than think about everyday clothing.

[marc jacobs]

[marc jabocs]

In the category of pretty things, I was impressed by Calvin Klein. The soothing neutrals were so simple and flawlessly executed that I was thinking about a cool spring evening in London as the clothes came down the runway.

[calvin klein]

Badgley Mischka's collection showed continued promise. These two designers impress me more each season, and their gowns moved and flowed so perfectly that it was hard not to get caught up in their vision of elegance.


[Badgley Mischka]

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Boston Fashion Week has come a long way

Based on the beautiful designs I saw last night at the Michael DePaulo Couture show, I can only applaud Jay Calderin. He's the founder of Boston Fashion Week.

In 1995, he set out to showcase local talent. But a lot of the talent, frankly, wasn't ready for primetime. Two years ago, Jay stopped producing the event. Now it's back and better than ever.

Michael's show last night at the Taj Boston was impressive. The designs were truly ready for the black-tie circuit.

I apologize I have no images to show. But check out michaeldepaulo.com to see his capabilities.

Bravo!

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My life is complete!

I've seen a lot of celebrities this week in NYC. Some not so big (hello there, Star Jones) and some really huge (Samuel L. Jackson sat across from me at the Y-3 show on Saturday). But today, I practically peed my pants with excitement, and it's not because I was seated in the same row as Tori Spelling. I saw Posh at Oscar de la Renta. She is the most perfectly overdone creature I've ever laid eyes on.

But where is David?

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The devil wears Puma

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I experienced my first Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week diva meltdown yesterday. I walked about 1000 blocks to the Zegna fashion show (it was on the other side of town from the Bryant Park tents) in the soupy, muggy air. It felt like dressing up, and then going for a five-mile walk in a sauna.

I finally made it to the show and gave my name at the door.

"It looks like you didn't RSVP," the woman in black told me.

I explained to her that I did RSVP.

"I'm sorry, we don't have a seat for you," she said in a tone that really didn't sound like she was sorry.

"I'm sorry that your show is a disorganized mess," I snapped back. I stormed out, grabbing a glass of complimentary champagne on the way, and then cooled my heels down the street at Pinkberry.

So, um, no report on the Zegna show.

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It's a wrap

I wrote a story for Saturday's Living/Arts section about the return of the maxi-dress on the New York runways this week. Yesterday at the Lacoste show in Bryant Park, I noticed the return of another 1970s staple: The head scarf. Finally, if you're having a bad hair day, you can make like Rhoda Morgenstern or Little Eydie of Gray Gardens fame and tie a fashionable scarf over your troubled locks.

All dated pop culture references aside, the Lacoste show was a nice, crisp way to start a long, hot Saturday of running around Manhattan looking at fashion. Christophe Lemaire celebrated Lacoste's 75th anniversary with a selection of classic and comfortable tennis and beach wear.

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You say you want a revolution? Ah, no thank you.

I haven't been reporting on fashion long enough to have attended too many shows that I absolutely hate. But tonight I did. I'm still in NYC at Fashion Week, and I just attended the Sabyaschi show for spring/summer '08. One word, 'Philers: Yuck.

The theme of it all was revolution. The colors were dreadful: lots of military olive, maroon, and burlap (is that a color?). The fits were even worse. Here's what I wrote as I was watching the models walk buy: "Is that Edith Bunker's bathrobe?" "A thousand villages of bad fashion" "It's a burlap sack over a hefty bag."

Bottom line: If I'm seated in the front row, as I was tonight, the show can't be all that good. I'm usually third row material, tops.

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Everybody loves Gwen

Last night I nearly got trampled at Bryant Park, and I blame Gwen Stefani. I'm at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week all this week reporting on the spring/summer 2008 shows, and Stefani's L.A.M.B. show last night was a mob scene.

Part of the reason why it was so insane was star power. Not only was Stefani there (she came out after the entire collection showed) but also her husband and son were sitting in the front row. Also in the front row was Eve, Boris Becker (!), Carrie Underwood (!!), and Shirley Manson from Garbage (no exclamation points needed). Sean Combs was there too.

So after all the hype, how were the clothes? For fans of ska music (present company included), they were captivating. Black and white prints, herringbone patterns, and symbols of the 1960's Mod movement were everywhere.

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