Epilogue

It was impossible to go through Fashion Week without thinking about the victims of Hurricane Katrina and to say that it didn’t serve as a rather interesting, if not surrealistic frame of reference from which to observe the shows and the circus like atmosphere filled with hype, celebrities, paparazzi, camera crews, news teams, etc. is an understatement.

Notwithstanding the fact that fashion is big business, it is after all, rather frivolous and superficial and all of us who are lucky enough to be able to immerse ourselves in something we feel passionately about, something which gives us a creative outlet, and makes us feel good (and hopefully look good) should count our blessings. By the way, 7th avenue was quick to rally around the cause, even during its more hectic fashion week. A $25 “Fashion Bridges the Gulf” limited edition t-shirt designed by New Orleans artist Hunt Slonem with all the proceeds benefiting Hurricane Katrina relief organizations (for more information contact: zeichman@imgworld.com) was on sale in the lobby of the Tents.

And on Friday evening, the last day of shows, AmeriCares’ Fashion for Relief staged a runway show in the Tents which was open to the public (seats were $100 and available through Ticketmaster). Clothing donated by participating designers will be auctioned off beginning September 22nd. Among the stars who promised to walk down the runway were Naomi Campbell, Iman, Rachel Hunter, and Christie Brinkley.

While we may not have suffered the effects of Hurricane Katrina, or Ophelia (which was being ‘watched’ during Fashion Week), we did have to endure steamy, hot, sultry summer like weather conditions which made for runny make up, frizzy hair, and more (hardly significant in the greater scheme of things, of course) But at the highly anticipated showing by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, which is traditionally held at the Milk Studios in the Meatpacking District, the air conditioning conked out (talk about bad timing), and the over packed, over heated venue became so unbearable, (not to mention the show was at that point at least one hour late), several in the audience decided they had had enough and walked out, (including heavy hitters like Vogue’s Anna Wintour and Fairchild Publication’s chief honcho, Patrick McCarthy). They will be given a private showing next week. I never saw the collection either, which was praised for its pure, clean lines, pared down, fresh minimalist approach, and noteworthy attention to detail, by those who withstood the conditions.

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