What exactly is Fashion Week? That’s a question I’ve heard from quite a few people, and my aim here is to give you a brief overview of the 
hoopla and hype that descends upon Manhattan twice a year. Designers showcase collections of, let’s say
30 pieces or ensembles, in runway shows, and buyers determine what they would like to purchase for their stores. Not everything shown winds up in a store near you, but overall trends emerge. The “brand” shows like CK, DKNY, etc., are more likely to have the consumer in mind. Rising design stars like Toni Maticevski, from Australia, can be more whimsical and over the top with their designs because they will not be mass marketed. I have spied some of his fabulous frocks on the red carpet, and I am so glad to have seen his work before he becomes a household name.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (Mercedes Benz is the main sponsor) is also a place to see and be seen. Actors, models, fashion people, journalists, photographers and hangers on in the fashion industry descend on Manhattan for seven days of festivities that not only include the runway shows but also cocktail parties and showroom meet and greets.
My first foray into FW was working backstage with the Bumble and Bumble editorial hairdressing team. Talk about high pressure! Chaos is the only word to describe the scene backstage before a show. Makeup
artists, hairdressers, designers and staff are all feverishly preparing models for the runway. There are people literally under tables painting toenails and doing manicures quickly and with purpose. Some models might come from other shows around the city and get to the show just before start time. FYI, I have never seen a show start at the scheduled time.
Later as a writer, I was able to attend simply for the voyeuristic joy of seeing the endless parade of ideas both on the runway and in the tents. Speaking of tents, did you know that the famous white tents in Bryant Park come from Karl’s Rental Center? Karl’s Web site, karls.com, features a time-lapsed video of their team erecting the tent city over a five-day period.
Alas, this will be the final year in lovely Bryant Park! IMG, which runs FW, is moving the event uptown to Lincoln Center with the idea that more designers can show in one venue at the same time. It is most likely also a cost-effective measure given that I have heard that a 
runway show in the tents can cost as much as three-quarters-of-a-million
dollars when all is said and done. I have had so much fun, meeting other bloggers, writers and fashion people from all over the world, not to mention the slew of celebrity sightings, and “Project Runway” alums who are only too happy to pose for a picture.
The biggest thing I’ve learned while attending FW is that fashion is both arbitrary and important. The thought that goes into color, drape and silhouette is the same whether I like the finished garment or not, just like art. When I made 
that connection, I really started “seeing” what fashion is all about and what it represents. That is why I am so excited to take you into this world with me from Feb. 11-18! I will be posting pictures as well as video from inside the tents (Shaky cam alert!). I’ll have my eyes and ears tuned in for gossip, trend and celebrity fashion, good and bad. See you next time from the Big Apple.
