Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Merecedes Benz Fashion Week brings out every fashionista or wannabe in New York City twice a year. Although I would hardly call myself a fashionista —much as I love beautiful clothes — I, too, felt the need to dress to impress and head to the tents to cover the shows
Fashion's Night Out started the festivities on Thursday, September 8. Although I attended several prominent parties — Valentino, Helmut Lang, Diane Von Furstenberg — there were too many people on the streets and inside the venues to make for a comfortable reporting experience.

I waited until Monday, September 12, to attend the shows at Lincoln Center. Two runway collections peaked my interest: one from an established womenswear designer, the other from an up-and-coming Asian design house. Brazilian designe
his Spring/Summer 2012 collection
the collection featured ethereal and sculptural pieces in orange, green, white and gold. Chiffon was big as were fortuny pleats and gold lame. The white one-piece bathing suits enveloped in billowing printed orange, blue, green and black-and-white chiffon caftans that opened the show made me feel as if I was about to watch a resort show.
and red carpet gowns as well as jumpsuits, skirts and shirts. The standout piece was a grecian-style one-shoulder gold lame top and a wrap skirt that showed plenty of leg.Menswear was the focus at the VLOV show. Chinese Designer Qingqinghis Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The show featured suits and separates — shorts with jackets, oh my! — made of nylon and other shiny fabric in gray, black and bright blue. Asymmetrical zippers were prominently displayed on jackets. I could see the collection becoming a best seller overseas but the American consumer probably won't go for the atypical collection.  .