Famous Ducks in a Row
Monday was one of the busiest show days. I might have set a personal record for the number of runway shows I managed to squeeze in - a whopping total of 10. Seeing too many shows in one day is like smelling too many different fragrances at the perfume counter. After a while, you just go numb. But leave it to Max Azria of BCBG fame to make sure that there was an entertaining bit of paparazzi mayhem to keep everyone amused. Azria keeps his front row stocked with young starlets - a gaggle of little starlets served up like bonbons.
Actress Jaime King, singers Joss Stone and Rihanna. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)
Typically, I can only identify half of them because I don't spend enough time watching the CW network. But at his show Monday night, I did manage to identify Natasha Henstridge of the critically unacclaimed TV series "She Spies," Joss Stone (who was wearing shoes!), Fergie, who was showing off her engagement ring, Rihanna of "Umbrella, -ella, -ella" fame, a redheaded Rose McGowan of "Grindhouse" and that scary Brittany Murphy from "8 Mile." There were also a couple of blondes I simply could not place. Good times and free clothes were had by all.
Actress Brittany Murphy and her husband Simon Monjack. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)
Over at the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology, an exhibition on Madame Gres opened. The designer is somewhat mysterious as she never indulged in the kind of myth-making pioneered by people such as Coco Chanel and that is carried on to this day. She was famous for her classically draped gowns that look thoroughly modern today. But the exhibit makes the point that classic doesn't necessarily mean timeless. The designer altered her work subtly so that it reflected each era in which she worked - from the '40s to the '70s.
Madame Alix Grès (1903 - 1993), France, ca. 1950. Cape-coat, grey and yellow plaid wool and mohair, The Museum at FIT, Gift of Doris Duke (Irving Solero)
Finally, I ran into Liza Minelli today. Literally. I ran into her. I was rushing out of the Halston show and she was having her picture taken. And well, I was so focused on the exit that I didn't see her despite the fact that she was wearing a bright red Halston frock. And before I could apologize, I got distracted by some guy I thought was her walker who turned out to be Christian Slater and I started having a kind of crazy '80s flashback. Dear Liza, so sorry. My bad.