A 'Szish Dish' Guide to New York Fashion Week

Feb. 1, 2007 — -- It's almost that time again!

New York Fashion Week runs from Friday through Feb. 9, and I'm going to provide you with an all-access pass. We'll hang out backstage with the designers and the models; we'll review the runway from the front row; and we'll drink champagne with celebs at the after-parties.

In order to help you through the busy week ahead, I've put together a primer:

The fashion-minded will tell you it's a glorious premiere of the greatest creations designers have to offer, whereas the cynic shrugs it off as an overhyped trade show.

Both answers are correct.

Wikipedia's definition: "A fashion week is a trade event that lasts for around one week, where members of the press and buyers can view fashion designs for following seasons. They usually take place twice a year: once for spring/summer and once for autumn/winter. Famous fashion weeks take place in Paris, Milan, London, New York and Tokyo."

I am a veteran attendee of New York Fashion Week -- this round of shows marks my 20th, that's twice a year for the last decade -- so here's my definition: Fashion Week is when the fashion elite (editors, journalists, buyers and celebs) get together for the glamorous, decadent and exhausting debut of a designer's new work.

This is the week that sets the trends and dictates what many of us will be buying and wearing in six months. It is also the week during which said fashion elite unofficially compete for a nonexistent best-dressed award.

Although clothing for the spring and summer 2007 seasons are just hitting stores now, the fashion industry is a season ahead.

That's because designers, manufacturers and retailers need lead time to produce the clothes and get them into the stores. No one is intentionally trying to be confusing, it's simply an industry imperative.