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Fashion Week getting face time on TV shows

BY ROBERT KAHN | robert.kahn@newsday.com

September 4, 2008

The biggest star at Fashion Week, kicking off Friday in Bryant Park, could be Fashion Week itself. Camera crews from a half-dozen TV productions will be in and around the tents, examining hemlines and working them into plotlines.

Catwalks (and catfights?) will feature on an early episode of " Gossip Girl," which tapes a faux fashion show during the week for the "line" by character Eleanor Waldorf -- that's Blair's mom. Keep an eye out around the tents for actress Taylor Momsen.

"The Real Housewives of New York City," with new addition Kelly Killoren Bensimon, will be taping, as will talkative Tyra Banks. Also in front of the lens: aspiring fashionistas (and fashionistos) from corporate daddy IMG, organizers of the semi-annual shows, who will be filmed for a pilot about Fashion Week interns.

(Don't look for this trend to slow. Producers of " Ugly Betty" already have inquired about taping at the fall shows in February.

Personalities will dominate the design end of Fashion Week, with " Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano (his first show), Victoria Beckham (high-end ready-to-wear for the ladies) and Manhasset family man LL Cool J (his line for Sears) all showing off-site.

The weeklong line-up on site includes presentations from BCBG Max Azria, Lacoste, Rock & Republic, Carolina Herrera, Matthew Williamson, Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors, Badgley Mischka and -- closing things on Sept. 12 in a return to Bryant Park after three seasons -- Chado Ralph Rucci, in the big tent."Project Runway" tapes its final four contestants the last day, as well. Heavy-hitters showing off-site include Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren.

Among other highlights:

-- On Saturday, designer Charlotte Ronson makes her tent debut, with sis Samantha handling DJ chores. Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie are already RSVP'd.

-- Eva Longoria appears in the lobby Sunday with a sweet product launch: a line of premium M&Ms.

-- Designer Zac Posen shows Thursday night in the big space, then repeats the whole shebang on Friday, for American Express card holders who bought tickets.

On the event front, "Rescue Me" star Denis Leary Friday hosts the 5th anniversary of Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall, for broadcast on Tuesday ( CBS, 9-11 p.m.). Performers include Timbaland, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake.

Calvin Klein, for the company's 40th anniversary, will show a men's line in New York and celebrate with an early bird's look at the High Line in the Meatpacking District. Other anniversaries: DKNY's 20th, Banana Republic's 30th.

Fashion Week honchos launch things Thursday with a "yellow" carpet soiree -- a 70th anniversary tribute to "The Wizard of Oz," in the shoe department at Saks Fifth Avenue. Warner Bros. and Swarovski asked top accessory and ready-to-wear designers to reinterpret Dorothy's magical footwear. The shoes will be on display around Saks and at the Bryant Park fountain throughout the week.

Manolos, Louboutins and Zanottis. Oh, my.