Here’s a snippet of the Catherine Malandrino show. It was so dramatic and chic.

The program explained:

“Dawn”

Dawn is one of those rare moments when you get the impression that something magical could happen to you.
Shades of nude, lights, sunrise and dusk are layered to created illusions. Jersey and jacquard are veiled with tulle and folds embrace the curve. As the day breaks, she glows.

Marc Jacobs not only started on time last night, he was way early by fashion week standards– 9:14 p.m. (invite time was 9 p.m.).
Vertical mirror monoliths down the runway, allowed attendees, including Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham, to see themselves and obstructed views across way (important for seeing celebrities). Models came through swinging mirrored doors to the jazzy soundtrack of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” They clothes? Eliza Doolittle meets gypsies meets farmgirl. A wide-range of influences that will likely end up in stores not as whole looks, but broken down into some spectacular pieces.
More on Monday’s shows here.

Those are some of the early trends. I discussed them in the story I wrote for today’s Strib– everybody’s kind of chill-axing about spring 2009. What could be simpler and more comfortable and no-fuss than a jumpsuit? (If only they were more flattering–the new crop might be worth trying on just to see.) They’ve been on the Tracy Reese, BCBG (see below), Lacoste and many more.

Courtesy of St. Louis Dispatch editor Debra Bass, here I am on video in the Bryant Park tents.
It’s proof! It was about 1000 degrees in there on the first few days, but putting up with high temps is just one of the things we do for fashion. Too bad you can’t see my four-inch heels… or not.

Here’s the view from my front row seat at Andy & Debb. Had I known, I might have worn better shoes.
Anyway, one of the models broke her heel, but the gal just kept walking like she had two of them on. It couldn’t have been much more uncomfortable that way, anyway.
As for the show, I kind of loved it. It was inspired by “cupcakes.” The clothes do look like sweet frosted concoctions.

Here it is…
Yes, it’s fashion week. Goodbye RNC, hello spring 2009. BCBG Max Azria was the first major show in the Bryant Park tends. There were billowing monochromatic neutrals, draped in light as air fabrics that floated down the runways. Bright fuchsia, teal and orange were used as pops of color.
I’m partial to how relaxed and yet designed this look is. Easy to wear.
An early trend? One-pieces, which Azria called “jumpsuits.” Cute, right? Love the draping across the front. But would you wear one? Would you buy one at BCBG?