Reflections from Fashion Week Spring 2007 Good, bad, ugly

I worked on a post for quite some time, and then a workman cut the power to my computer without telling me, and I lost it all. I don't have time to re-work the entire post, although it was quite good, so I'm just going to make this one short:

I love Fashion Week. I always feel grateful when I get that email informaing me that my press credentials have been approved (and this is my 4th season with credentials, my 5th covering the seasons). As an internet professional, I'm really pleased that where there were once only a small handful of registered press from the Internet officially covering FW, now there are several dozen. Our columns will not be used as cat-pan liners, or shredded to protect an Ebay purchase during shipping. And, you don't have to pay to find out who said what, who was there, or what the fashions looked like. I'd like to believe that all Internet journalists are equal, but they are not. Some of the bloggers that IMG invited did not show "sportsmanlike" behavior at the tents. They were agressive, territorial, and lacked manners and common sense. A small example is the M.A.C. lounge, open to everyone. Some of the Internet press (bloggers, actually) literally took over sections of this much-needed lounge for themselves, leaving their laptops open and asking "friends" to hold those seats for hours, making it impossible for anyone else to sit down (I tried, and was met with sincere hostility). And, where I once found new friends and colleagues, these bloggers believe more in "talk to the hand" than "I'm glad to meet you." It is NOT a good look!

But then there's the GOOD: the makeup guru Bobbi Brown who stopped working on more than 25 girls to give me time for an interview behind the scenes at Cynthia Rowly, even with the major networks buzzing around her. The young woman who brought me a cookie from the Delta Lounge to the Women's Entertainment booth. The welcoming smile of the girls who give out bags at the Women's Entertainment booth, and the warm greeting at the Moet and Chandon, lounge even though it was way too early to drink any bubbly. And my favorite good memory: the security guard I've recognized for several season who, on 9/11, made a poignant comment to me (referencing his personal loss of a cousin that awful day), which reminded me of what's really important to balance the BAD: a flamboyant man literally hip-checking me out of the line, just to check in for a show (the man had standing room anyway, but inside the tent I noticed he took someone's legitimate seat and refused to give it up).

Just like any society, there is a mixture of positive and negative that gives the experience, balance. The clothes, I think, reflected the same. There were a lot of girly girly mini dresses and swing coats, a lot of grey and beige (to reflect our unsure times, I believe) and yet, sparks of color, innovations, and true style. There were the usual parties, the celebrities, and yes, even a seat assignment now and then for yours truly, so I could really comment on the clothes, take a few photos (which I will post on the Advice Sisters web site in the coming weeks), and write about the experience more fully, for you.

Gotta go before they cut the power, again!