Fashion Week in New York can be full of surprises. Take, for instance, Bonnie’s experience today:
Wednesday: Every — yes every — fashion show starts late, so there’s plenty of time to people-watch and to think. This morning when we got into the venue for the Nanette LePore show, it dawned on me how much work and expense the designers go to for a 15- to 20-minute show.
Some leave the tent area plain, but others go all-out. The Nanette LePore show started, and beautiful fabric-like balloons that were hanging over the runway inflated. Some were shaped like stars. At the Michael Kors show, the backdrop was an enormous real-time photo of the bank of photographers at the end of the runway. I doubt that either of those special effects came cheap.
Now that the models walk down the runway looking half asleep, angry, hungry and bored out of their minds, the entertainment level has been cut way back. Bob Mackie used to do incredible shows where he tied a theme to his collection. Many times he had dancers in the show. Several fashion writers who have been coming here for years were talking about how they miss the days when models modeled.
I did see a model smile today. It was a pleasant surprise. She had teeth and everything. Maybe others could try it. It wouldn’t be necessary to go down the runway grinning, but it would be nice to see a pleasant look on their faces.
Three words for several models I’ve seen today: Go eat something. When your hip bones stick out more than your breasts, you’re too thin to win.
Chatting with a young man and woman before the Michael Kors show proved interesting when I told them that Racquel Welch was going to be at the show. “Who is that?†the young man asked. “Oh, I know. It’s that very beautiful actress from Italy,†the young woman said.
No, honey, that’s Sophia Loren. Then she said, “Oh yeah, she’s older, but still looks good.â€
Boy, that’s the truth. She does look good, and I saw her close up. Not a wrinkle. Must have good genes.
Monday is Read Across America Day. The event celebrates the birthday of Dr. Seuss, so many people will be reading “The Cat in the Hat.” But considering the motivation of the day is to promote reading, I want to know about your favorite book.
