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:

What Is Fashion Week?

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.

Why Are We Seeing Clothes for Winter 2008?

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.

How Does Fashion Week Qualify as Work?

OK, so there are lots of pretty people, and bubbly is readily available. It's more for the celebs, models and designers than for the editors and retailers, but Fashion Week is exhausting.

It's seven days of back-to-back shows, often on opposite ends of town, which run from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m., if not later.

There's no time for lounging, much less eating. Sure, the shows are exciting, but it's not like taking in a Broadway play.

Each runway show runs about 15 minutes to 20 minutes, but between checking in (often worse than going through airport security), finding your seat (which has often been commandeered by an eager fashionista who is hoping you won't show up), reclaiming your seat without getting in a brawl (yes, people will lie to your face and insist that they were told to sit in your seat, even after you point out that the seat has your name on it) and waiting for the show to start (in fashion land, most shows start at least 25 minutes late), you've already killed nearly an hour.

Do that 25 times each day for a week and the glamour quickly wanes. That said, most of those editors who roll their eyes when asked about Fashion Week wouldn't trade their tickets for anything in the world.

Being part of it is kind of like being on the inner circle of the in-crowd, even if all the other "innies" are neurotic and dysfunctional. It's a love-hate relationship.

How Many Shows Are There?

There are 174 shows.

What's the History of Fashion Week?

The Bryant Park-based show series, officially called "Fashion Week," was launched by the Council of Fashion Designers in America in 1993. However, it's precursor, dubbed "Press Week," has been going on since 1943.

It was created by publicist Eleanor Lambert, who is also credited with inventing the "Best Dressed List" in 1940.

Incidentally, this is the last time that the shows will take place under the giant tents in Bryant Park.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has decided that the shows need a bigger venue and that New Yorkers need access to their park space. A new home for Fashion Week has yet to be announced. The next shows will happen in September.

Can I Crash Fashion Week?

Yes. Some people I know have walked right in and gotten themselves a seat because they are slick and sneaky.

But, if you want to avoid a potentially ugly scene with security, try this: Check out the show schedule (www.mbfashionweek.com), arrive at The Tents about an hour before the show you want to see is scheduled to start, and don't overdo it on the "fashionable outfit." You should be able to get past security at the front door (if not, calmly tell them which show you're going to).

Once inside, find the sign with the name of the show you want to crash and go to the area marked "Standing." You will wait in line until all the invited guests enter the show and take their seats,then they let the standing line in.

Many folks get to fill the empty seats, sometimes even in the front row.

Fashion Week Lexicon*

The Tents: Refers to the entire Bryant Park venue (yes, they actually set up tents in the park, complete with high-end portable bathrooms, work centers, sitting areas, cafes, and a swanky bar run by the masterminds behind Lotus, one of NYC's hottest clubs).

The Tent: The largest show venue within The Tents, where the biggest designers stage their runway shows. We'll hit The Tent to see Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors. The other venues within The Tents are The Promenade and The Atelier.

Off-Site: A show venue that is not recognized by the official corporate-sponsored "Fashion Week" organization. Many designers aren't part of the officially sponsored "Fashion Week," but they show during Fashion Week anyway (Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein). An off-site venue is usually inconvenient to get to, and therefore everyone has to leave The Tents and find a cab a car or a subway that can get them to and from the off-site show in time to get back to The Tents for the next official show.

The Daily: Fashion Week's version of Us Weekly. It's a daily publication that exists only during Fashion Week and is full of snarky, up-to-the-minute gossip about editors, witty anecdotes and tidbits, irreverent interviews and LOTS of pictures.

The best thing about "The Daily" is that if you look particularly fabulous on a Monday, you just might find a paparazzi-style shot of yourself in it on Tuesday. If you are both terribly fabulous and important, "The Daily" editors will make up reasons to feature you every day. Then, my friends, you have truly arrived.

*to be continued