Fashion Week: Designers and fashionistas set to flood the city

Just as you're trotting out your fall wardrobe, Fashion Week hits NYC with hundreds of designers putting out their visions for -- yes -- spring 2014.

The shows start Thursday and run through Sept. 12, with the major fashion hub at Lincoln Center, where some 75 designers will strut their stuff in the tents at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. But many others are heading downtown, with Jason Wu abandoning the former church on the Upper East Side for a spot all the way down on Mercer Street. Even Calvin Klein is moving his gig to the brand-new Spring Studios in TriBeCa, having shown in its garment center headquarters for five years.

Night birds are flying into daytime slots -- the fellows at Proenza Schouler are showing at noon instead of 8 p.m., and Tommy Hilfiger trades his evening show for an 11 a.m.-er at Pier 94. Change is good, but the schedule is crazy. It's a headache getting from show to show -- so much so that clever Advil is providing free Fashion Week transport in a red stiletto-emblazoned SUV.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City of New York are honoring designer Elie Tahari with a proclamation declaring Sept. 4 Elie Tahari Day, in celebration of the company's 40th anniversary. (Natch, there will be a party ... Joan Rivers is going.) The boys at Badgley Mischka will be busy, busy on Sept. 10, as they put on their famously glamorous show in the morning and later open their first Manhattan store at 64th Street and Madison Avenue with a glitzy party hosted by socialite Cornelia Guest.

Included in the ones to watch this season is Huntington's Mathieu Mirano, who at 22 has already dressed the likes of Lady Gaga -- most recently in a futuristic white paper frock and bra ensemble for her appearance on "Good Morning America." And, though there is no shortage of festivities this week, the hottest party ticket may well be to the Calvin Klein party, where the powers are celebrating designer Francisco Costa's 10th year at the helm of the house, on the closing eve of Fashion Week.