Pitching a Tent at Fashion Week

Fashion Week kicked off on Friday the 13th and appropriately so: With magazines folding, editors and reporters bidding adieu to corporate cubicles, and the well of invites and pre-recession freebies running dry for some, the mood has been a bit somber at Bryant Park. On this sunny Tuesday morning, I ducked (sans notebook) under the great white tents to catch a glimpse of the Fall 2009 presentations, beginning with the Badgley Mischka show. The front row was decidedly light on star-wattage- I mean Kim and Khloe Kardashian and a country-singing American Idol also-ran were the most recognizable bold-faces, which I found utterly depressing. But the fashions were notable, particularly since I'm not typically a fan of the red-carpet staples that are the stock-in-trade of BM. But these gowns and frocks were heavy on black in a variety of textures, including boucle, georgette, and satin chiffon. It model Sessilee Lopez was here (and everywhere) showing floor-sweeping evening numbers paired with, in many cases, opaque black tights and chunky, open-toe jeweled platform stillettos. It was unusual but I warmed to it- a little grunge at the gala.