Fashion Week Recap; Adieu Bryant Park

Like every season, it's been a crazy week. Everyone always goes in so excited, with so much energy - but by the time the week is over, no one wants to see another person for as long as they live, haha. Unfortunately, we weren't able to spend as much time in the Tents as we would've liked. eFlirt is really picking up speed and the last seven days were crazy, but in a good way - full of launch parties, video shoots, meetings and much more.

It was the end of an era this season. The last season in the Bryant Park Tents. When I first heard this news a year ago, I was saddened and frustrated by it. How could they move from such an iconic place? However, I now think it's for the best. Fashion Week used to be glamorous, classy, exciting, and Bryant Park used to be the prized stage. It's just not that way anymore. Most shows have moved offsite because of raising prices, including most of the major names. The tents have become a shell of once was. What was once a sacred place is now full of children (seriously), bitchy cocktail waitresses and wannabe fashionistas who just want their picture taken. It's not about the fashion anymore.

I'm looking forward to Lincoln Center. It's the site of the New York City Ballet, the Philharmonic, and many more great shows -- and now it's the site of Fashion Week. I'm hoping this amazing location will inject a little glamor back to Fashion Week, and I hope it'll start to be about fashion again and not just being seen.

Adieu, Bryant Park. Hello, Lincoln Center.

Goodbye, Alexander McQueen

This Just In: Alexander McQueen committed suicide this morning. He was one of the most influential British designers of our generation. Anna Wintour issued a statement today:

"We are devastated to learn of the death of Alexander McQueen, one of the greatest talents of his generation. He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen’s influence was astonishing — from street style, to music culture and the world’s museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss."

This is extremely sad news, and all too timely during the first day of Fashion Week.

(Photo credit: Fashionindie.com)

It's Fashion Week!

Hello, fashion lovers. I'm so sorry for my long absence! A LOT has happened in the past six months or so, but I'm back just in time for Fashion Week!

So today is the first day of the Fall 2010 Fashion Week. I went to the tents today to pick up my credentials - That's right! I'm legit! For the first time in four seasons, I don't have to sneak past the guards. The whole reason I'm going to Fashion Week this season is to network and promote eFlirt Expert VIP. I was just expecting to pick up my pass, walk around for a bit and leave, but of course Terry had other plans for me.

First of all, the swag is GREAT this season! It's the last time Fashion Week will be at Bryant Park, so they're pulling out all the stops. Free manicures, makeup, chocolate fountains, boos and all the magazines you can fit in your purse await. The fact that there's food at all is a new thing, but the fact that it's - gasp! - chocolate and fattening is a total turning point. Maybe in a few years we'll see real girls on the runway? We'll see.

So I was in the middle of my free manicure when Terry tells me to get a standing ticket to the Duckie Brown show because there was an empty seat next to him. At first I didn't really feel like it. I didn't have a ticket to the show so I didn't think they would let me in, and I wasn't really dressed for a show since I didn't think there was a chance I would be in one.

Right when my manicure was done, they started letting the standing people in the show. So, I figured what the heck, I might as well try. So I went up to the check in table and told them I checked in a few days ago. Of course my name wasn't on the list, but they gave me a standing ticket anyway! *Note: It's SO EASY to sneak into shows, folks. Just act like you belong in there and you'll get in. * I get in and Terry had given away his seat because he didn't think I was coming. So I try to cram into the standing section, right when one of the ushers announce that there was another empty seat! So I run and grab it and - ta da! - I had a seat in the Duckie Brown show.

All of this happened in about an hour, and it was a great start to the week! Tomorrow starts the real networking, and I can't wait!