I caught up with best buds Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala backstage before their William Rast show at Roseland Ballroom. Both handsome guys were feeling under the weather; Justin told me he felt like he had "swallowed twenty razor blades." Ouch! But, that didn't stop him from dishing out some good-natured teasing...
Texas native Julie Haus staged her first-ever runway show today in a lofty, sun-drenched penthouse just south of Bryant Park, and she's clearly a natural.
Backstage, Haus calmly steamed clothes, chatted with reporters, and checked in with the make-up team from The Balm and hair genius Oscar Blandi, who masterminded models' tousled 'dos.
Meanwhile, in the front of the house, a handsome team of black-clad men offered chatty guests Martini & Rossi Prosecco and bottled water, while Julie Haus-clad Leighton Meester (who complimented me on my dress), Molly Sims and Jamie-Lynn Siegler took their seats next to "Lipstick Jungle"'s Robert Buckley and "Gossip Girl"'s Matthew Settle.
Haus quietly launched her namesake collection four years ago and quickly garnered an impressive fan base. Though always a whiz with textiles (she creates her own prints and patterns), Haus' typically girlish clothes felt more grown-up for her runway debut.
She describes the look as "tough and funky" and has in mind a woman who can put anything on and instantly look chic yet unstudied. Jules Smith designer Gina Negrelli (who also boasts a hefty A-list following including Sarah Jessica Parker, Cameron Diaz and Angelina Jolie), created an exclusive jewelry collection inspired by Haus. Edgy-but-sweet heart bracelets and oversized sunburst necklaces were a perfect match with Haus' vision.
I'm already looking forward to next season's show.
New York Fashion Week kicked off last night with The Ruby Slipper Collection bash, in honor of the "Wizard of Oz" 70th anniversary, at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Designers (from Manolo to Christian to Betsey to Stuart) were challenged to re-imagine the ruby slipper through their own eyes, and every Swarovski crystal studded pair was a masterpiece.
Betsey Johnson and Stuart Weitzman were both on-hand to showcase their creations, as Molly Sims and Lindsay Price perused the shoes.
Check out the exhibit now on display at Saks Fifth Avenue (don't miss the windows!). Naturally, it's on the SHOE floor.
Young designers got their big runway moment last night at Gen Art's annual Fresh Faces fashion show. Newly back-to-TV-land Shannen Doherty (Brenda!!) hosted the event, which showcased the Spring 2009 collections from 12 emerging designers. 
Even better, you can shop straight off the runway TODAY. Gen Art and YOOX are featuring 15 pieces from each designer's collections in 5 different sizes per piece on YOOX.com. A selection from JF and Sons is available now.
Here, runway highlights from Gen Art's 14th Annual Fresh Faces show:
Majorly cute stuff!
New York Fashion Week kicks off on Friday, September 5th. Here, a sneak peek at what designers have up their sleeves for Spring 2009...
Check InStyle.com EVERY DAY during New York Fashion Week to get the scoop on all the style, trends, celebs and parties. And, of course, STYLE SPY will also be on the scene...
Stay tuned!
FEBRUARY 7th & 8th
RUNDOWN
2/7 (my 4-year wedding anniversary!)
5:30 am wake-up!; make-up call time, 6:30 am; met Fox5 crew at 8 am for last live Fashion Week segment (Watch ALL FOX 5 FASHION WEEK SEGMENTS HERE); shows all day, topped off with a romantic rendezvous for burgers and beer with Mr. Husband at The Corner Bistro (a special thanks to the bistro's bar master, Red, for remembering to play my favorite song on the jukebox, Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl")
2/8
fashion shows all day, plus on-camera video coverage for InStyle.com (WATCH ALL INSTYLE.COM's FASHION WEEK VIDEO COVERAGE HERE)
ENSEMBLES
2/7
started the day wearing a Nicole Miller gold metallic dress, then changed into Hudson high-waisted jeans, a Henri Bendel black turtleneck, a Max Azria fur vest cinched with an Erickson Beamon gold belt, YSL boots, and a Salvatore Ferragamo ponyhair bag
With Peter Som before his Bill Blass collection debut
2/8
Club Monaco minidress, Bebe belt
WIth the man of every hour, Diddy, backstage before his Sean Jean menswear collection
SHOWS: CELEBS
Reem Acra: Sophia Bush, AIsha Tyler
Sean John: Kevin Federline, Tyson Beckford
Marc Jacobs: Victoria Beckham, Ellen Pompeo, Selma Blair
Victoria Beckham at Marc Jacobs
Ellen Pompeo at Marc Jacobs, wearing THE Marc Jacobs shoes of the (Spring) season
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
2/7
Peter Som's sensational debut runway collection as the new Creative Director for Bill Blass
2/8
Sonic Youth performing during Marc Jacobs' collection, which was the last -- and arguably the best -- show of the week
Kim Gordon rocking out at Marc Jacobs
The stage/runway at Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs takes his post-show victory lap (yep, his hair is navy blue!)
FEBRUARY 5th & FEBRUARY 6th
RUNDOWN
2/5: Sometimes Fashion Week ends up including things that aren't related to Fashion Week, and Tuesday was one of those days: 5:00am wake-up for live CBS Early Show Grammy's fashion segment; Badgley Mischka backstage interview and show; CNN.com fashion week and Valentine's Day gift segment; Entertainment Tonight segment tapings (4!); shows, shows, shows; Prada party
Backstage with Mark Badgley and James Mischka, 2/5
2/6: Back to the 4:45am wake-up call; 7:50am Fox5 segment at Bryant Park (click here to watch my hair transformation); shows and designer interviews (Michael Kors, Isaac Mizrahi and Phillip Lim); Full Frontal Fashion segment taping (discussing the Anna Sui show immediately following the Anna Sui show); more shows
Backstage with Michael Kors before his "Reel Life" Fall '08 collection, 2/6
ENSEMBLES
2/5:
Peter Som sweater
Lela Rose skirt
Alexis Bittar ring and cuff bracelet
Black Gustto tote
After the Marc by Marc Jacobs Show, 2/5
2/6:
Walter sweater dress Rebecca Taylor coat
At Isaac Miztahi's studio, pre-show
SHOWS: CELEBS
2/6:
Badgley Mischka: Jamie King, Eliza Dushku
Oscar de la Renta: Angie Harmon
Marc by Marc Jacobs: Fergie
2/7:
Michael Kors (the most star power in the front row so far!): Racquel Welch; Eva Longoria; Ellen Pompeo; Debra Messing
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Interviewing Isaac Mizrahi. His film Unzipped inspired my senior thesis in college and helped me graduate with honors. After graduating, I remember tagging along with Elsa Klensch -- as an intern a decade ago -- when she interviewed him and being in complete awe. He's even more charismatic than I remembered.
After a very, very, very long day...
All photos courtesy of Michael Hopkins' Iphone
FEBRUARY 4th
RUNDOWN
4:45am wake-up!; make-up call time, 5:30
am; met Fox5 crew at 7:15 am; did two live segments for Fox. Watch my interview with Peter Som on "Good Day New York" HERE; shooting video for InStyle.com (click here for our weekend wrap-up); shows and shows and shows and shows...
ENSEMBLE
Peter Som dress
Kara Ross silver cuff bracelet
Silver Prada shoes
Silver metallic Gustto bag
SHOWS: CELEBS
Peter Som: Mandy Moore; Gennifer Goodwin
Oscar de la Renta: Angie Harmon
Betsey Johnson: Tyra Banks, Joan Jett
Max Azria: Fergie, Rianna, Brittany Murphy
MEMORABLE MOMENT
Seeing Peter Som make it big with both his own collection and as the new creative force behind Bill Blass (Peter's runway debut with the label is later this week). I met Peter nearly ten years ago when he first launched his collection -- he was showing it out of his West Village apartment. I am thrilled to see him pack the tents at Bryant Park, complete with star-studded front row.
OK, so nothing can top THE GIANTS' big win last night, but...
FEBRUARY 3rd
ENSEMBLE
J. Mendel dress with Max Azria petticoat
Erickson Beamon belt
Alexis Bittar cocktail ring
Prada boots
Backstage at Herve Leger
SHOWS: CELEBS
Herve Leger: Mandy Moore, Rose McGowan, Joss Stone, Jamie King
Diane von Furstenberg: Susan Sarandon, Ellen Barkin, Molly Sims
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Witnessing the return of the Herve Leger label to the runway (it's been nearly a decade, and this was the first-ever show in New York City), thanks to designer Max Azria, who is designing a record-breaking three collections for New York Fashion Week: BCBG, Herve Leger and Max Azria.
Interviewing Max Azria, photo by Michael Hopkins
The nearly 50-yard-long wall of ice blocks (flown in from Switzerland) that created the backdrop for the Y-3 show.
Y-3 runway
Chilly show-goers were gifted with handwarmers and blankets embroidered with the Y-3 logo (tip: use this idea, like I did nearly four years ago for my February 7th winter wedding, for favors...I put fleece throws embroidered with a silver snowflake on each guest's chair).
FEBRUARY 1st
RUNDOWN
Alarm went off at 4:45am; make-up started at 5:30 am; met Fox5 crew at 7:00 am; did live "Good Day New York" segment at 8:09 am (watch it NOW); shows all day
ENSEMBLE
Black Halo mini dress
Alexis Bittar cocktail ring and bracelet
Alexander McQueen platform wedges with Wolford opaque tights
"Vintage" Miu Miu bag (circa 2000, pulled from my personal archives)
Backstage at Nautica with Crystal, my Fox5 producer
SHOWS: CELEBS
Nautica: Chris Noth, Nigel Barker
Heart Truth Red Dress: Laura Bush, Molly Sims, Heidi Klum, Joss Stone
BCBG: Joss Stone, Sophia Bush, Cheryl Hines
Rag and Bone: Ellen Pompeo, Julianne Moore
Baby Phat: Tyra Banks, Joss Stone -- again! -- a stellar showing at multiple shows today
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Liza Minnelli PERFORMING "NEW YORK, NEW YORK" LIVE ON THE RUNWAY at the Heart Truth Red Dress Collection!
Discovering that my new long hair gets wavy in the rain (!). (I fully plan to work the mermaid waves on Monday: I'll be wearing a chic Peter Som dress -- as well as interviewing Peter live for Fox5 -- and I think the tousled hair will be a perfect match)
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