Anna Sui's furry cat hat. Image via Style.com

Animal print clothing is classy, trendy right now and a nice way to switch up your style if you typically stick to neutrals and want to indulge in a pattern every so often, but Anna Sui may have taken the animal-as-clothing thing a bit too far. Last Wednesday at Lincoln Center, Sui sent a few models down the runway in giant cat hats. {FocusOnStyle}

Fashionista is reporting that the cat hats will be available at Suiâ€s SoHo store this fall for about $205. If you love crazy hats or you are really into the feline thing, one of these hats may not be a bad investment. The cat hat looks really warm and it completely covers the ears, which is important for staying toasty when the weather gets cold. We do worry, though, that itâ€s one of those things that works on the runway but not in real life unless you happen to be Lady Gaga. Or a junior high school student participating in spirit week.

It’s not just the designers with the dressed down cool aesthetic like Alexander Wang, or rising stars like Sophie Theallet though; the open embrace of the fashion tech set is a large part of how the fashion week schedule at Milk Studio has risen to take on the tents.

Jennine Jacob’s twice-a-year Evolving Influence conference kicked things off, and a combination of video, blogs and tweets have propelled it forward as the closest thing to an Internet Fashion Week that we’ve seen so far.

Milk Made LIVE is a collaboration between M.A.C. Cosmetics, Milk Studios and The Standard, New York that brings video from Livestream, notes from Tumblr and brief quips from Twitter together in one online place for those who can’t make it to New York or just want to participate by proxy.

In the past four days since it went live, the Tumblr-based site has generated:

• 8,500 notes (reblogs and likes)
• Approximately 900,000 note impressions
• 80,000 page views
• 9,000 unique viewers and 280,000 viewer minutes for Alexander Wang and Altuzarra’s livestreamed shows alone

Tumblr has openly committed to focusing on the fashion content that drives a significant portion of its traffic, and the response to Milk Made seems to confirm the wisdom of that decision.

Of course we’re far past the point where social media as part of Fashion Week is new, but the concerted effort to centralize the responses and interaction for an always on Fashion Week destination feels fresh. More important, for designers who can sometimes struggle with how to make those interactions work at an individual level, it’s a value add that the tents don’t have.

Part of that comes from the approach. For IMG, any publicity – including livestreaming or a social strategy – are completely left to the designer. For brands that operate through a tightly controlled PR machine, that’s actually a huge “pro,” so it’s not something everyone will see as a problem. For medium and smaller labels though, the collective extra effort towards online and social promotion that MAC and Milk offer could easily be an advantage that sees a further shift in the lineup of both locations.

Whether it’s from the front row or in front of a computer screen, we’ll be watching.

I attended the very first fashion week ever held at Bryant Park as a design student at Parsons School of Design. It had just been cleaned out of its drug dealers. A few XXX peep-show theaters still lined 42nd street.

So with a new venue officially christened, and a new season around the corner, how did it stack up to Bryant Park and what did I learn from the first time at Lincoln Center?

Dig out your invitations, New York Fashion Week won't let a little snow stop the show

Print everything last minute

Most of the shows used Fashion GPS. This was a sanity saver. You scanned your e-mail confirmation and little receipts came popping out. Unfortunately, like all technology, there were glitches. You couldnâ€t check in until 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.

This saved a lot of the chaos associated with Bryant Park tents as it cut down on the lineup. It also made it more difficult for stalkers and show-crashers. That doesnâ€t mean they didnâ€t try, and occasionally succeed, of course.

For many shows, seating assignments were not given until several hours before the show. If you had your original e-mail, the scan code may not have been current that day.

There was only one laptop set up to print. If you had an emergency, your best bet was to use the business centers of the nearby Empire Hotel or Kinkoâ€s at Central Park South.

Unfortunately, I didnâ€t learn until the last day that those with media credentials could scan at a different counter. It would spit out your entire dayâ€s worth of show receipts.

Patience is a virtue

It did not matter if you had a front-row seat. All seated guests were wrangled in a pen. Standing-room only guests were wrangled in a separate pen. Donâ€t panic. You will not miss your show. Average starting time was about 29 minutes after the show time listed on the invitation.

Supermodel Veronica Webb was asked to wait in the seated guestâ€s line outside of the Christian Siriano show. She was polite and did so graciously before being ushered into the venue by staff. Ms. Webb gave a new standard to “model” behavior.

On the flip side, please donâ€t scream and throw a tantrum at exhausted security personnel. They donâ€t care who you are. They donâ€t care about fashion. The really donâ€t care about the fact that you are best friends the designerâ€s intern. Throwing a diva fit while doing a poor imitation of the “Jersey Shore” cast will only get you thrown out. I personally witnessed this outside of the Richie Rich show.

Which brings me to:

Behave With Class

In the 1990â€s, Fashion Week was about being “fierce”. Attitude or bravado got you everywhere.

The Upper West Side location of Lincoln Center however, brought new expectations on decorum. Nothing gave away a newbie than the rabid swag-snatcher. The adult woman dressed in a prom dress, carrying three DHL bags, five copies of Daily Front Row and a Mercedes-Benz catalog will not be invited backstage.

While Fashion GPS made it a little more difficult for gate-crashers, it did not mean you didnâ€t have a chance to make the show. The new civility of PR teams dictated that they would accommodate a few people for standing room when possible. If you waited politely for the other guests to be seated, designerâ€s reps would likely assign you a last-minute entry. If there were a LOT of people competing for a few standing spots, who do you think the rep would choose? The rude, self-entitled lout or the smiling, appreciative guest?

Know Your Venues

The biggest venue was “The Theater”, then “The Stage”, next the “Studio” and last, “The Box”. Knowing that “The Studio” can only hold a limited amount of standing-room guests might save you some time if you are choosing which show to wait around for.

Almost all shows in “The Box” were presentations where models posed exhibition style. All patrons were listed as “standing”. This meant that this show was not worth your energy to insist to the PR rep that you were promised front row. This also meant that arriving towards the end of the presentation would mean significantly less wait time than those who arrived early.

Bring Survival Gear

Thatâ€s right; you will be standing a LOT. There was limited seating and lots of waiting. While wearing comfortable shoes is a contradiction to the Fashion Week dress code, I could not have made it through the week without my City Slips. They are foldable ballet slippers that pack into a tiny pouch. When it was time to switch the shoes, the pouch unfolded into a tote for my Louboutins.

It was COLD. Wherever I sat, wherever I stood, I was under a vent. The absence of a hot coffee vendor (anyone else miss McCafe?) did not help. Bring a scarf! Itâ€s also an easy fashion statement when the rest of your ensemble is practical. Gift bags at the Temperley London show included their Aztec print scarf. That may be the best swag I have ever received in my life. With the current temperatures and predicted continuance of winter weather, I can only hope other designers are keeping the weather in mind as well.

Bring business cards. All the huddled wait time gave you ample opportunities to network. It was time to bring the social to social media. I saw the same people at other shows. Giving attitude to them at one show only to be smashed into them the next is just awkward. Make friends. If you are an avid fashion reader, you would find that you were familiar with many peopleâ€s work already.

You need a good camera. If you donâ€t have the budget for the professional models, at least have a good digital that takes successive photos… Trust me.

Have an Escape Route

Shows from 9 am to 10 pm? Thatâ€s exhausting. If you donâ€t have the luxury of minions to divvy up shows with, you need to take a break. The Performing Arts library is a sanctuary in contrast to the thumping base of the tents.

Stroll down to the Hudson River for fresh air. The Empire Hotel wonâ€t get you too much privacy, but the sexy lighting gives you a change of scenery. The same goes for Hudson Hotel. The most serene café options in the vicinity would be Le Pain Quotidien and Argo Tea.

Overall, I loved the new location. I have fond memories of Bryant Park, but have grown to embrace the new.  Bearing in mind lessons learned from last season’s shows, I’m ready for Fall 2011. Are you?

Alexander McQueen Moves Forward

Goodbye Mr. McQueen, hello Ms. Burton. Long live McQueen.

Style.com covered the passing of Alexander McQueen and the showing of the final collection he designed, but something that was equally important this year was the success of Sarah Burtonâ€s first show as the new designer for the McQueen label. The passing of such a genius creative mind was indeed tragic, and the showing of McQueenâ€s last collection was a special moment, but Burtonâ€s signal that the brand can honor McQueenâ€s legacy while moving forward was absolutely stellar.

John Gallianoâ€s Dior Couture Wows

Dior haute couture was in full bloom this year when John Galliano showed his Spring 2011 collection of flower-inspired looks. The imagery and execution of the designs combined with the high, tulip-like hair of the models for a full package display of gorgeousness and perhaps our favorite moment in fashion of 2010.

The line was very demure, focusing on shades of red, cream and metallics. The silhouettes stood out with flowing maxi dresses, scalloped chartreuse, sleek white pants and belted mini dresses all- paired with chunky accessories.

The shoes were a spectacle all their own with varying geometric shapes, cutouts, straps and ties. In the past we have seen how adventurous Siriano can be with designing high heels, and this year was no different. The spiky, rounded and contorted designs are unique, yet feminine and classy. {Le Petite Fashionista}

There was some mixed reaction as the show’s attendees carefully examined each look.

Fashionista commented, “The problem with Siriano’s SS11 collection is that it’s caught in limbo between wearable and editorial looks. While the sportswear felt like a tribute to tried and true vacation-wear (slim white pants, leather short trenches, voluminous maxi-dresses, lone ruffles, and exotic prints) his sumptuous evening wear is a unique offering…At this point in his career, Siriano needs to choose a team and stick with it—I say drama all the way.” {Racked}

We agree that a lot of what we saw on the runway was theatrical and extravagant and not necessarily  practical for wear. The shoes in particular, although designed for Payless, will probably be heavily toned down by the time we see them hit store shelves. Either way, we will be the first in line to snag his sleek styles at a steal of a price.

Everyone knows Iman for her success as an international supermodel and cosmetics company founder. The inspiration for Yves Saint Laurent’s “Africa Queen” collection, for fourteen years the singularly named beauty graced the runways of the world’s most renowned fashion designers. Before Tyra, Heidi Klum and the other model moguls we know today, Iman was one of the first to capitalize on her modeling background with an entry into business via Iman Cosmetics.

Launched in 1994, the company focuses on products designed for women of color. In addition to her cosmetics line, Iman has also added accessories designer and TV host to her resume via stints at HSN (Home Shopping Network) and Project Runway Canada respectively. Today Iman is broadening her reach even further collaborating with Design Consultant, Carlos Mota on a new home fabrics line called IMAN Home.

Scheduled for its debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Iman had this to say about the project being showcased at such an event.

“I am so excited to partner with Mercedes-Benz on this project. We have worked tirelessly in preparation for the launch of IMAN Home and to have this forum, at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, is a great way to unveil the collection.” {Talking Makeup}

Obviously Fashion Week is a great time to introduce something new because the audience is so broad. People look up to Iman for her fashion sense so it seems likely to be a hit. Look out for the new line sometime late September.

American Vogue, which produced the event, is proud to claim their next show slated for September 7, 2010 at Lincoln Center in NYC. It will officially snag the title of the biggest fashion show in New York’s history. Perhaps Anna should get someone from the Guiness World Book of Records on the phone – a world record never hurt, and we’re sure the record takers would rather count models than some guy’s long toenails.

With over 200 models  helping in the effort to breathe life into the fashion industry and donate to a worthy cause (part of the proceeds go to the New York AIDS fund), this event is ultimately geared towards stimulating the industry and getting consumers excited about shopping. Three days later, on September 10th, the official shopping event will be held where a new Fashion’s Night Out clothing line is said to be released.

“We felt it is important for people see what wonderful fashion will be in stores at that moment. This show will focus on the key trends weâ€ve identified for Fall so that shoppers will have plenty of inspiration to join the fun during Fashionâ€s Night Out,” says Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue Magazine. {Stylelist}

The twist to the show that we love is that the 200 models will represent 200 looks from this fall’s hottest trends. Instead of focusing on individual designers, the catwalk will serve as a live lookbook for the 1500 lucky attendees.

Although most are optimistic about the move, not everyone sees Lincoln Center as quite the right fit for such a massive showcase. Businesses surrounding the center are voicing concerns about what this means for the future. Fashion week alone has estimated revenues upwards of 1/4 of a million dollars annually, entertaining thousands of people.  Hotel owners note that during fashion week they do peak business, leaving little to no available vacancies. Will the influx of people be too chaotic for surrounding businesses?

Fashion week doesn’t last forever, and we think that this move could open up opportunities for other companies to profit. More exposure can lead to more business, which would be a win/win for everyone.