It sounds like a scene from the red carpet of the Oscars. Eva Longoria posing for photos in a pink silk and black lace top. Entourage’s Jeremy Piven handsomely dressed in a blue velvet blazer. Uma Thurman achieving classic chic style in black and white. And on an entirely different end of the fashion spectrum, Bernadette Peters sporting a bright turquoise dress.
Far from the star-studded West Coast, New York became the hotspot of the moment as celebrities of all disciplines and sizes gathered to take part in Fashion Week. From Sept. 9 to 16, designers show off their spring 2006 collections in a city that is usually not considered the fashion hub of the world.
While its name aptly suggests the week’s main focus, fashion is far from being the main attraction. Fashion shares its spotlight this week with many of Hollywood’s A-list characters. Amid the stripes of Lacoste’s collection and the sparkles of Baby Phat’s mingle sports figures, actors and actresses, all looking to maintain their images as well dressed trendsetters.
Although this season’s shows are expected to focus more on the designers than February’s Fashion Week counterpart did, attention has shifted from the looks on the runway to the stars attending the week’s events.
Venus and Serena Williams, Carmen Electra and Lindsay Lohan all looked on in approval as Marc Jacobs presented his new schoolgirl looks on Monday. Just tents away in Bryant Park, Anna Kournikova and actresses Jamie-Lynn DiScala and Garcelle Beauvais attended the Monique Lhuillier Spring 2006 fashion show. Last Friday, the soft, sophisticated, nautical-inspired Kenneth Cole collection attracted the attention of Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin, and Regis Philbin.
The week’s most anticipated event is expected to take place on Friday, as singer-turned designer Gwen Stefani reveals the L.A.M.B. collection, which has been a top-selling line in stores.
As Stefani herself proves, celebrity influence has spread beyond the front row of the Marc Jacobs presentation to the actual fashion itself. While many stars are viewing the spring looks, some are creating their own styles in an attempt to extend their marketability to a new empire.
Following in the footsteps of the successful Stefani, Madonna now has a line of clothing. Jessica Simpson also marketed a line of denim to juniors and adults, and even Justin Timberlake has joined the trend with a 60-piece line of men’s and women’s clothing.
Fashion Week, which is by nature for the elite, is mostly limited to journalists, buyers, celebrities and socialites. While many faithful fashion followers yearn to attend, the individual designers manage the guest lists to the invitation-only shows. This furthers the week’s reputation as the place to see and be seen.
While Fashion Week serves as the time for designers to shine, the celebrities who come to view their work will always garner the greatest amount of public attention.
