Fashion Week February 2010 Written by Wendy R. Williams Photographed by the New York Cool Photographers Opposite Photo: Badgley Mischka Fashion Photo Credit Cindy Ord

Fashion Week is roaring into New York. The tents are up in Bryant Park for the last time (next fall the shows will be at Lincoln Center) for the invitation-only IMG Mercedes Benz Fashion Week which runs February 10-17th. All over the city, non-tent-showing designers (either too big or too small for the tents) are preparing their shows. And all around the world, magazine editors and store buyers have packed their bags and left for New York, where they will be dazzled once again by the exuberance and talent of the New York fashion world.

New York Cool will be there for it all. We have a team of four writers and photographers covering Fashion Week this February with photographers flying in from San Francisco and Miami.

Fashion Designer Malan Breton
Photo Credit Mary Blanco

Style 360 will also be rolling out the red carpet during Fashion Week. According to their press release: This season’s program is sure to be the highlight of New York Fashion Week, with a line-up that includes the widely anticipated debut of bebe – Kardashians, hosted by Kim Kardashian, as well as a launch party for their new Soho boutique. Pete Wentz’s line Clandestine Industries will have a high energy, rock concert feel with music by DJ Skeet Skeet and live performances by Bad Rabbits and Chiddy Bang. The show will also include a live art installation by Tristan Eaton. Returning once again are celebrated designers Walter and Project Runway alumnus Malan Breton, who have been part of STYLE360 for the past three seasons. Breton’s Bollywood themed show will include a special performance by a popular American Idol finalist as well as celebrity catwalkers, including a royal Housewife. Australian based sheepskin footwear and apparel company Emu will join the STYLE360 roster for its first NY Fashion Week appearance. Joonbug.com is also hosting its first Fashion Week party as part of STYLE360 with ELLE this season, which will feature performances by Fabolous, Pras Michel, Josh Madden & Charles Hamilton and a fashionable farewell to ABC’s “Ugly Betty.”

STYLE360 – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday, February 13th
9pm: Joonbug.com with cast of Ugly Betty

Monday February 15th
6pm-8pm: bebe Launch Party

Tuesday, February 16th
10am: bebe Kardashians Fall Fashion Collection
3pm: Walter Fall Fashion Collection
7pm-8pm, show at 7:45pm: Clandestine Industries by Pete Wentz
9pm- Clandestine Industries by Pete Wentz After Party at the Andaz Wall Street

Wednesday, February 17th
12:30pm: Emu – Fall Fashion Collection
4pm: Malan Breton Fall Fashion Collection

Couture Fashion Designer
Andres Aquinos
Photo Credit James Bluck

Also rocking the runway during Fashion Week, will be Couture Fashion Week at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (301 Park Avenue between 49th & 50th Streets) on February 12-14th. Click here for more information.

American Express is offering an opportunity for their Gold and Platinum cardholders to gain access to the tents:

AMERICAN EXPRESS PROVIDES CARDMEMBERS WITH EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO TICKETS FOR NAOMI CAMPBELL’S FASHION FOR RELIEF™ -HAITI NYC, 2010 RUNWAY SHOW AT MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

American Express announces today its full roster of Cardmember experiences and exclusive access during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, including a partnership with Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief™ -Haiti NYC, 2010, a special runway event benefitting the victims of the recent Haiti tragedies. American Express has joined forces with some of the biggest names in the fashion and entertainment industries to bring Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief™ -Haiti NYC, 2010 to the Tent at Bryant Park on Friday, February 12 at 7 PM in support of CARE’s Haiti relief fund. Tickets are exclusively available for Cardmembers starting Friday, February 5 at 10:00 AM at Ticketmaster.com.

Fashion For Relief™ -Haiti NYC, 2010 Runway Event

Hosted by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, the star-studded Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief™ -Haiti NYC, 2010 event will feature actors, musicians and celebrities walking the runway in various looks created by some of fashion’s top designers and to be later auctioned online at NET-A-PORTER. American Express Cardmembers will have exclusive access to advance tickets for this live runway event unlike any other, bringing together fashion and entertainment’s most powerful forces for a truly remarkable cause.

"American Express is proud to join Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief™ -Haiti NYC, 2010 to help bring together some of the boldest names in the industry for a wonderful cause,” said Jessica Igoe, Director of Global Sponsorship Marketing, American Express. “We are continually looking to connect our Cardmembers with the passions and experiences that they love and we are honored to connect them with an amazing fashion experience under the Tents that will ultimately provide needed assistance for the people of Haiti.”

American Express Cardmembers will have exclusive access to purchase tickets before the general public for $100 and $150 starting tomorrow, February 5 at 10:00 AM through February 8 at 9:59 PM at Ticketmaster.com. All proceeds from the sale of event tickets will go to the CARE organization to raise crucial funds towards rebuilding Haiti’s healthcare system for mothers and children.

"I am deeply saddened by the recent tragedy in Haiti; so many have been killed and severely affected by the earthquake - women and children in particular are most vulnerable in disasters,” said Naomi Campbell. “Fashion is universal, personal and touches everyone. Our aim is to use this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week catwalk to reach people and help raise crucial funds to help save the lives of women and children.”

American Express Skybox and Lobby Lounge Under the Tents

American Express is thrilled to be back under the Tents providing Cardmembers with access like true industry insiders to more than 40 designer shows. Inside the exclusive American Express Skybox, hosted by celebrity stylist Kate Nobelius, Cardmembers will once again have a spectacular view of all the runway excitement in the Tent and Promenade venues while mingling with the industry’s biggest names to gather personal insights into the world of fashion. Already a must-attend experience for all fashionistas, these highly sought after premium access packages for Platinum Card® and Gold Card members sold out in record time earlier this month.

Fashion fans have another opportunity to be a part of the American Express Skybox experience. Followers of American Express on Twitter, @AmericanExpress, will have the opportunity to win a Skybox package for two to view the Anna Sui and Brian Reyes Fall 2010 runway shows taking place on Thursday evening, February 17 and enjoy all the perks of the luxurious space. Details and a link to enter will be revealed by @AmericanExpress.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week may be the giant in the room, there are three other fashion week sponsors during fashion week: Style 360 at the Metropolitan Pavilion; Couture Week at the Waldorf Astoria; and Nolcha Fashion Week.

And to whet your appetite for fashion week, here are some of our favorite looks from September 2009's Fashion Week - the clothes you will be wearing when it finally becomes warm again.

Kai Milla Fashion
Photo Credit Mary Blanco

Carlos Miele Photo Credit Cindy Ord	Rebecca Taylor Photo Credit Cindy Ord
Derek Lam Photo Credit Cindy Ord	Nanette Lepore Photo Credit Cindy Ord
Milly Photo Credit Cindy Ord	Carolina Herrera Photo Credit Cindy Ord
Zang Toi Photo Credit Mary Blanco	Zang Toi Photo Credit Mary Blanco
Charlotte Ronson Photo Credit Cindy Ord	Vassilios Kostetsos Photo Credit Eka Halim