Each season it amazes me how Bryant Park is transformed into a fashion village under big white tents.
I love being a part of it. It’s like a big reunion. Season after season I’m introduced to the newest hot products and trends. I enjoy seeing many of the same faces around the tents, like Sgt Mitchell and company (that perhaps you would recognize from Nassau County courts) who check my credential at the door. People think we are important because they know our names 
. I also love seeing my friends Barbara Schuler and Anne Bratskeir from Newsday.
They have such an amazing eye for fashion and predicting trends. Anne told me this fall black is back in a big way. I also noticed a lack of color on the runway. She said to watch for menswear and the mixing and matching of feminine pieces with pinstripes and tailored pieces. Layering will be big again. If you love leggings you are in luck. This time around they come in all colors! As far as accessories (I am happy about this): chunky scarves and huge shoes. I asked about hemlines, and Anne said they are all over the place next season.
The first is Elene Cassis. She was born and raised in Smithtown. I was shocked when she told me she originally wanted to be a reporter and interned at News 12 Long Island. She ended up studying fashion at Parsons and recently moved back home to Long Island to open an office for her label. She started her company last June and this week was her fashion week debut. Pretty amazing. Although she seemed totally calm to me, she admitted she was nervous. I really liked her collection of dresses. I could see myself wearing all of them.
Elene says each dress is inspired by her life, family and friends on Long Island.
I also had the opportunity to go backstage at the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation show and meet Ross Menuez of Northport. Ross is already known for his graphic designs. I am a fan of his scarves! This year he was awarded $25,000 from the prestigious Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation to put on his first Fashion Week show. Ross said it was his first time in the tents. When I asked him what he is most excited about he told me that he just couldn’t wait to sleep, because he had been working with no rest on his fall line since November. It was an awesome show and attracted a lot of big names like Kate Walsh, Adrienne Bailon, Molly Sims, Kelly Rutherford, AnnaLynne McCord. Some of the hottest designers (Zac Posen for example) have won the Ecco Domani award in the past, so I am hoping that Ross has the same kind of success.
Some hairstylists from Essa Salon in East Norwich & Westbury were backstage at big shows like Tadashi and Tory Burch. They collaborated with celebrity stylist Rodney Cutler and designers to give models their runway look. Even I was a bit stressed backstage. Some of the models were running late and it was so crowded. But the hairstylists kept their cool. Since hair is always challenging to me, I had to ask their advice. They said most importantly, don’t wash your hair every day. As far as hair for fall, they say it will be simple, soft and sexy.
I really love going to fashion shows. For me, it’s 15 minutes of excitement… wondering what will come out on the runway next. I love to not only see the clothing, but how the designers and stylists collaborate and put looks together. Every February there is one show I really look forward to because it is always a lot of fun for a great cause. The Heart Truth Red Dress show brings out big designers and celebrities. This year I had a lot of fun on the red carpet. Heidi Klum is more beautiful in person and couldn’t be sweeter. Valerie Harper is hilarious. Check out my photos on my Facebook page.
