Fashion Week Frenzy

I survived a tragically low key Labor Day weekend this year.  Not my ideal way to celebrate the “last weekend of summer”, but successful nonetheless.  Now I’m making way for my absolute favorite time of year, fall!  As if I didn’t make my love for the fall season clear enough over the past few weeks, with my topics of discussion mainly focusing on the closet transition to Fall Fashion.  I also cannot get over my excitement for the introduction of Pumpkin flavored lattes to the coffee shop menus, or the fact that I’ve already started stocking up on Libby’s canned pumpkin in preparation for the mass quantities of pies that I plan on baking in my shiny new oven.  The intention to bake is at least worth something, right?  Football season has entered my radar, and as a former Penn Stater, one cannot help but get excited about the Nittany Lions’ first victory of the seasons.  I give hefty store discounts in exchange for PSU tickets, by the way.  In addition, the leaves will soon begin to fade into beautiful hues of orange and red, making me want to cherish the remainder of bearable temperatures as the days begin getting shorter.  Of course the Fall Fashion television lineup has made a notable impact as well.  The most notable shows (besides Project Runway, which is already in week 7) I’ll be watching this season are all on Bravo (surprise, surprise), which includes a new season of the Rachel Zoe Project starting Sept 6, as well as two new shows, Fashion Hunters and Mad Fashion, both of which premiere Oct 4 on Bravo.  Also keep an eye out for Project Runway All-Stars, which will premiere later this year on Lifetime. 

But the most important fall event, in my mind anyway, is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC. This is the most notorious of all fashion weeks, and is highly anticipated each spring and fall.  The Bloomsburg Fair does come in as a close second, however.  Each year, on the second Thursday in February and September, NYC becomes the center of the universe for fashion designers, buyers, bloggers, magazine editors and celebrities.  And each year, I head to the websites and television specials that highlight the most fabulous designs on the runways, longing for the chance to someday be seated on the sidelines of one of these epic performances.  If you’ve never even seen one on television or via the web, I recommend that you try and check it out.  A lot of shows showcase the efforts that must be put forth in creating such an event, but nothing can compare to the flashing lights, and amped up downtown tunes that vibe through the air as each artist’s works take long, strong strides down the illuminated runways.  The idea is that the designers showcase the upcoming season’s designs in advance, so stylists and magazine editors can get their hands on the “off the runway” garments before they are actually produced, and buyers can get a preview of the upcoming collections.  The front rows of these shows are typically lined with celebrities, because if a celebrity is seen in your clothing, everyone will want to buy it.

<image courtesy of www.yournews.com>

This year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012, which takes place Sept 8 – 15, will be the center of my universe.  A few weeks ago, one of my oldest and dearest friends informed me via my facebook wall that she had big news, and that I had better be seated when she called me that afternoon.  Being the social network-crazed girl that I am, I received her post immediately and patiently waited with my phone in hand for the big phone call.  Three hours and ten chewed-down fingernails later, I received the news that the two of us were headed to fashion week, and that our show of choice was Michael Kors, which was to be taking place at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 14.  Yes, THE Michael Kors; judge on the Emmy-nominated reality show Project Runway, and the youngest recipient to ever clench a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America).  Obviously, these shows are by invitation only, and I am one lucky duck to be attending such an event.  A few days later, I received my confirmation email telling me to skip the general admissions lines and to relax in the Star Lounge until being escorted to my seat before the start of the show.  Are you kidding me?  This is what I’m talking about.  These are my front row, 50 yard line seats to the Super Bowl that I’ve been waiting for, kids.  I feel like Ralphie from A Christmas Story, anticipating my Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle on Christmas morning. 

It’s been brought to my attention that most of the general public is sort of clueless when it comes to the idea of Fashion Week in general, so I’ve included some fun facts on fashion to help paint the picture!

1943: The year of the first Fashion Week, titled “Press Week”, organized by publicist Eleanor Lambert, takes place in New York City to emphasize American designers during WWII.
200,000: Number of gift bags distributed to guests and press at Fashion Week (hopefully, I will be the lucky recipient of one or two of these).
1950s:  Robert Vivier revives opulent high heeled shoes by creating the first “stilettos” with a thin steel rod.
240:  Average number of Moet Champagne bottles uncorked during after parties.
1961: The British Fashion Council organizes the first London fashion week to showcase the new Mod clothing movement.
500: Estimated number of interns slaving away behind the scenes during NYFW.
1964: Mary Quant creates the first “mini skirt”, which becomes hugely popular in London before making its way over to the states.
87,200:  Combined weight in pounds of the 800 runway models that hit the catwalk over the course of the week.
1980s:  Calvin Klein is credited with the invention of the first pair of designer jeans.  Until this point, denim had not been considered “high fashion”, despite its popularity.
26,000:  Estimated number of cups of espresso that will be guzzled throughout the week.
1993: Fashion Week moves to Bryant Park
2007: Over 40 different Fashion Weeks are now established, with NY Fashion Week being one of the most prestigious.
2010: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week moves to Lincoln Center, where it is currently held.
*Sources: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Myspace, New York Fashion Week, NY Mag, NY Times 

For anyone who is new to the world of fashion, this event is sort of the crème de la crème of the entire fashion industry.  I will be amongst the greatest designers and biggest fashion icons of our time!  I’m so excited to take tons of pictures, and fill my brain with inspiration that I’m sure will last for many columns to come.   Keep checking back for all of my adventures from the show next week!  For more fashion tips and tutorials, check out my store's website at www.purplezebrashop.com, find The Purple Zebra on Facebook, and follow me on twitter @goodnpretty.