New York – Twice each year, Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan becomes the center of the fashion universe. Outside a complex of white tents, gawkers line the barricades hoping for a glimpse of a fashion editor or movie star. Look, it’s Anna Wintour. Is that Demi Moore stepping out of a limo?
Yes, it’s Fashion Week, or make that eight days of nonstop shows, parties and product launches.
Those clutching show invitations or media credentials slip past security guards to the crush inside, where young fashion editors and socialites swan about, teetering on their Christian Louboutin heels and swinging suitcase-sized handbags.
The fashionistas are no doubt crushed to still be wearing summer frocks instead of their new fall clothes, but temperatures in the upper 80s each day haven’t been conducive to bundling up in such fall must-haves as boyfriend sweaters and knee-high boots. The weather has, however, made it easy to imagine wearing the looks being shown on the runways for next summer: one-piece bathing suits with sexy cutouts, high-waisted sailor pants and long floaty dresses, all in tropical brights and island prints.
Every season has its issues and last year’s cause célèbre – skinny models – appears forgotten as the girls on the catwalk are as grasshopper-thin as ever. In its place, the industry is going green, and we don’t mean that celadon is the new black.
Aveda, which is sponsoring six shows, asked such partnering designers as Philip Lim and Marc Bouwer to agree not to serve bottled water, not to use fur and to provide organic, locally sourced food backstage.
When such sponsors as Evian ruled in previous years, the tents were awash in water, but these days no one wants to be accused of contributing more than her share of plastic to landfills. Among the happenings around the tents:
The celebrity factor has been low this time around. Each show has had one or two boldfaced names and some stars have shown up where you wouldn’t expect them.
Tim Gunn is everywhere. The TV show host, author, Liz Claiborne chief creative officer and fashion raconteur has his face plastered on the side of every other bus in Manhattan (“Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style” is airing on Bravo). He was also at the Claiborne showroom for a preview of the spring collection.
Alek Wek, a striking fixture on the international fashion scene, signed copies of her book, “Alek: From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel” (HarperCollins), at a brunch reception in her honor.
She said revisiting Sudan three years ago was an emotional journey but that writing the book helped her evolve as a woman and encouraged her to meet the goal of starting a nonprofit organization, W.E.K. (Working to Educate Kids) to provide funds, supplies and support to underserved youths and young adults in Sudan and New York City. We spotted her on the runway at only two New York shows: Ports 1961 and Diane von Furstenberg.
There’s always one show that’s just different enough to get everyone talking during Fashion Week, and this time around it was MetLife’s tribute to the “Peanuts” gang. The insurance company, which has long used Snoopy in its advertising, enlisted such designers as Isaac Mizrahi and Betsey Johnson to create outfits inspired by characters in the comic strip. Garments featured the zigzag pattern on Charlie Brown’s sweater, Linus’ blanket and Woodstock’s feathers. The clothing will be auctioned on eBay beginning Oct. 1; proceeds benefit Dress for Success.
Reach Suzanne S. Brown at sbrown@denverpost.com or 303-954-1697.
