Talk of the Tents

Snow and wind started brewing early Friday morning, but that didn't stop "Jersey Shore" star Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola from driving into Manhattan to see the "Project Runway" season 11 finale at Lincoln Center.

"Oh my God getting here was a hassle," she told Newsday, adding that she walked through the snow in her little lace dress and peep-toe booties....

After years out of the Fashion Week spotlight, Kenneth Cole returned with a slew of front-row celebs — Brooke Shields, Heidi Klum, Cuba Gooding Jr. — a fun video and a super sexy collection.

The Kenneth Cole runway show used to be a real “thing.”  His show traditionally held the 8 p.m. slot on Thursday and effectively kicked off Fashion Week. It was the first evening show and, inevitably,...

Edun, created by Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson, is a labor of love, an attempt to fuel economies in impoverished communities by creating a clothing line using pieces made in Africa or fabrics sourced from there. For fall, the collection revamps classics like tweed and tartans and turns them rock star chic.

Eye-catchers include cute tweed blazers and miniskirts juiced up in shades of electric...

While some designers went for more relaxed silhouettes on the first day of Fashion Week, Richard Chai Love’s polished runway was streamlined, tailored and all buttoned up. Chai explored neat military styles in shades of evergreen, pine and olive.

There were coats galore, among our faves a high-necked graphic floral parka. Menswear-inspired “speckled plaid” overcoats and blazers seemed a touch...

Candela designer Gabriela Perezutti said she was inspired by her father’s rustic poncho, romance and always Victorian elements. The result? Her 15-look presentation was a study in opposites.

A deer print knit vest with fox fur collar and cropped denim jacket was worn with a lace and chiffon pencil skirt. A chunky oversized knit cardigan was a topper for a delicate, lingerie-like, blush ruffled...

Oh, the choices in store for  BCBGMAXAZRIA gals next fall as Max and Lubov Azria drew inspiration from their travels to Istanbul and combined this with an eclectic gypsy flair  — so lovely, appealing and . . . wearable. Pile it on as shown on the runway — tunics and shifts over loose pants topped by sweaters and perhaps a patterned long fur vest — or, wilder still, a black tulle gown over...

The goal backstage at Tadashi Shoji's New York Fashion Week show Thursday was to make the models' hair and makeup look like they had been running through the Russian tundra.

Fitting, because we had all run (OK, some were escorted — I ran) through the arctic tundra that is Manhattan this time of year to get there.

Faces were kept natural and highlighted with a pearl-like powder, and eyes...

Oh how prescient, with a major snowstorm on the horizon, that Tadashi Shoji opened his show at the tents on Thursday with a blizzard of snow projected on the runway. 

But Shoji was referencing those tough Russian winters and his muse was Russian royalty in this luxe, elegant show that seemed full of fresh ideas while still conjuring the Russian Empire. 

Of note, long...

It was survivalist gear at Nicholas K where an aggressive-looking posse of smoke-eyed, goggle-wearing models stalked the runway in the brand’s classic layers. 

Element busting coats (some with fur lining or trim), sweaters and hoodies topped banded- at- the ankle sweatpants with a few airy silk frocks thrown into the tough girl chic mix. 

Prints were limited: a bit of tie dye...

Hard to believe that superstar gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas would get a case of the jitters from simply walking down a runway.  But according to her mom, Natalie Douglas, this was the case at the Heart Truth’s Red Dress collection on Wednesday night.

“She’s a little overwhelmed and nervous,” said Douglas, who sat front and center wearing a glamorous feathery Vince Camuto...