Talk of the Tents

Rebecca Minkoff has spent her share of weekends on Long Island’s East End, and so, perhaps, the miles of sand and surf served as inspiration for her spring collection, which was like a day at the beach.  A day in the middle of the week, that is, or maybe off-season, when you’ve got the beach and boardwalk to yourself, and it’s just you and miles of endless horizon.

“There’s something...

Behnaz Sarafpour made good use of the historic Jane Hotel — near the Hudson River in Chelsea — creating what felt like a traditional Parisian salon, with antique chandeliers and patrons ensconced on plush leather and velvet sofas, the models drifting by in creamy, elegant attire.

It was all très, très civilized, and quiet, as were pieces like the yellow embroidered double-face Cady vest with...

Just how great do women feel in Peter Som’s quirky, luxe and extremely pretty clothes? Just ask ‘em. We did at Som’s early morning show at Made Fashion Week at the Milk Studios, where, among others, Allison Williams, star of the HBO hit series “Girls,” was turned out in a fall number that hit all the trends – oxblood, check; leather, check. “I’m a huge fan, and this is amazing,” she said of her...

Chadwick Bell — say the name and there’s the distinct ring of a law firm, or maybe one of those tough Mad Ave. ad agencies. But the young designer seems anything but tough or hard-edged, when you consider the artistic flair and sophisticated styling behind his spring women’s wear collection.

Inspired by the “vastness of the desert,” according to his production notes, his runway was awash in...

Things got wild inside — and outside — the Honor fashion show at Eyebeam, an event space in Chelsea near the Hudson River.  Outside, a young British woman’s bag was stolen, along with her phone, and her chum used her own cellphone to call up the missing device…and chat up the thief, trying to coax him to return it, no questions asked.  And for cash.  Yes, she said — they’d pay him.

Wild!

Inside,...

Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra are masters at designing ladylike dresses for those oh-so-proper luncheons in Manhasset, Old Westbury or — of course — the Upper East Side.  This spring, the ladies who lunch won’t have to do so naked, they’ll be gratified to know, as this duo has churned out another successful collection that’s wrapped, gathered and draped to show off a woman’s curves...

Kaelen offered a sweet, pared-down collection of peplums, sateen separates, molded neoprene — and perhaps the most eye-catching item of all … what she was calling a “strong shoulder” (as in — yes — shoulder pads).

The shoulder pads designed by Kaelen Haworth, a Toronto native and Parson’s grad, aren’t gonzo Joan Crawford numbers.  Instead, they’re diminutive, domelike, just a hint of...

Designer Tadashi Shoji romanced the assembled fashion fray with a frothy and feminine collection of dresses and gowns — and two Chantilly lace short sets  —  though we're not sure who's wearing these (we might like to). Loads of delicate lace, bright ikat prints and airy chiffon came swirling down this runway.  

Silhouettes were particularly striking here — sure there was a...

Good guy Nick Cannon, host of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” sat front row at Richard Chai’s show at the tents at Lincoln Center first day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and admitted to being strongly moved by some of the contestants on the show.

"It was heartbreaking," said Cannon of a little girl from dance ensemble "The Untouchables," who wept after her performance. ...

A dreamy powder-blue nylon parka opened Richard Chai’s show — a charming ode to girlie athletic-wear  —  that included sweet pastel computer prints, belly-baring sport tops (um, yeah, these would be bras), and cute, tight biker shorts.

A body-hugging little dress featured a long, front zipper and a flirty flounce. Overall, this is the go-to stuff for everyday.

That said, Chai’s...