Fashion Week - A Day In The Life (Sort Of)

So what's it really like at Fashion Week?
Take a look.
The Fashion Week experience really starts outside the tents at Bryant Park. You never know what you'll see out there on Sixth Avenue.


Today, there were protesters from PETA, screeching away mostly at people who weren't going to see fashion shows and were just hanging out in front of the tents.
By the way, since these are Spring collections, there is no fur on the runways. But the protesters said that animals are abused year round. Oh yes, they insist their boots are pleather, not leather.

At other times there have been protesters calling attention to a zoning fight threatening the future of the Garment District.



Later, probably as a result of the PETA folks, there was a SWAT team out front. Why? Who knows. No one was saying anything about their presence inside. I seemed like business as usual.
And always, no matter what time of day, there seems to be a crowd of people standing on the sidewalk just waiting for ... someone, anyone to appear. None of them ever seem to figure out that the real celebrities don't enter through the front door.

Once inside, there are two scenes.
In the lobby, everyone is lining up to go into a show held in one of three spaces located inside the big tent. Some people check out one of the exhibits lining the lobby area including two cars by Mercedes-Benz, sponsors of Fashion Week, an exhibit by LYCRA (more on that later in the week), and corner waiting areas sponsored by sponsors like MAC and Met Life Insurance (which also has been offering the hordes croissants and sandwiches, bless them!).
This is also the prime location for the informal fashion show that happens among those who want to be seen.


We introduced you to one of them earlier - Prince Williams 3rd, aka Bill Boiz. Here was the Prince on Sunday.


Another regular in the audience fashion show is stylist Shail Upadhya, who is focusing on awning stripes this season with the designs he is wearing.



Says Upadhya, "I try to do different stuff for each season. I had circles in February. But that's out now."













While all that is going on out front, backstage is bustling, not just with models, makeup and hair people and dressers, but with photographers and celebrities as they make their way in to visit with the designer, chill at one of the VIP lounges, and ultimately find their seat.



Here is Bette Midler in the midst of the media crush backstage before Sunday's Michael Kors show.
If you've never been in the middle of this, it is quite an experience. Frankly, I give the stars a lot of credit for dealing with this without losing their minds. Just imagine if there were 50 or so people screaming your name at the same time to get you to look directly at them. "Bette, over here." "Bette to your right." "Bette!" "Bette, please?" "Bette!" "Bette!" "Bette to your left." "Bette one more?"



Here, actress Jane Krakowski poses for the cameras with designer Michael Kors before the Kors show on Sunday.

Once the celebrities emerge from backstage and onto the runway, there's a crazy dash of photographers and reporters trying to get a photo and a quote before they are shooed away by security. In the middle of this, some poor souls with front row seats try to sit in peace.



For really big stars, security will clear the runway and, then, just as the lights are dimming, bring out a star or two who want to avoid the crush.
Here are Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore being led to their seats just before the Diesel show on Saturday.



And yes, it's not uncommon to see some stars put on sunglasses once a show starts. Here's (from left) stylist Rachel Zoe (in maroon), Christy Turlington and Demi Moore watching the Temperley London show on Saturday.

Once the show is over, the stars escape through the back entrance and the rest of us slowly make our way out of the room. Within minutes the dance begins again.