American Express Cardmember Only Show Featuring Peter Som Gives Would-Be Carry Bradshaws A Taste of Fashion Week

On Wednesday evening at the Promenade in the Bryant Park Tents, a full house of would-be "Sex and the City" front-row hopefuls got a taste of what Editors, Buyers, Celebrities and other media have been experiencing all week, with an insiders look at Fashion Week . The Amercan Express Cardmembers only event featuring Designer Peter Som included a runway show with 35 looks from his Spring 2008 collection, in stores next month, and a few goodies from his hot-off-the-runway Fall 2008 Collection which premiered to the trade just days ago. Here are some looks from Peter Som's Spring 2008 collection, available in stores next month (March 2008).

photos by Alison Blackman for the Advice Sisters

Photographers filled the riser and guests looks breathlessly at a parade of pleasing, wearable, silk, cotton, organdy, and wool day dresses, suits and coats in muted shades of grey, ivory, charcoal, and tweed. These beautifully tailored clothes would work for the office, or for a night out on the town. Most were tasteful, and knee length, not a crazy, wild, or bizarre design in the bunch. These clothes were classy, classic...simply pretty, well designed, user-friendly for a sophisticated fashionista. Pretty party dresses with defined waists and fuller skirts will be figure-friendly for every body.

photos by Alison Blackman for the Advice Sisters

It's all about Fall 2008 in the tents, during the day, and although the majority of the looks shown were from the Spring collection but there was a touch of Fall included. , Som delighted his audience with some looks that had just been shown on the runway for Fall 2008. Plaids, slate, brown, moss, and black seem predominated, but there were some special event dresses in beautiful coppery brown and burgundy that women of all ages will covet!

After the show, Hosts Robert Verdi and Model Roshumba Williams came out onto the runway to add a personal touch, chatting informally and giving their views of fashion and trends. I have been watching the American Express Fashion Networks shows online all week and the coverage has been absolutely wonderful! If you haven't check out their live-from-the-runway, interviews, and features, there's still time, as Fashion Week doesn't end for another couple of days. And, if you're lucky enough to gain entry to the tent, you'll see Robert ahd Roshumba at the American Express booth in the lobby. Unlike regular runway shows, where the designer pops out for just a second to take a bow at the end, at this special show, American Express cardmembers and members of the media got a unique chance to see and hear Designer Peter Som actually talk about his collections with Robert and Roshumba. Shared, for example, was the fact that his parents were both architects, (you can see some of their influence in his clothes) and that his collection was inspired, at least in part, by a recent visit to Bilbao. Peter Som has had a busy time of it lately, as he has his own collection to manage, and he has a new role at Bill Blass a the house of Bill Blass's creative director...and Bill Blass's show is tomorrow!

American Express has been a very visible sponsor of this season's fashion week and has offered a number of ways for audiences to experience a bit of the glamour. There's an American Express Skybox overlooking the main tent and the Promenade, providing premium access to AMEX Gold Card members, Platinum Care members, and Centurian Card members. I hear it's like other luxury skyboxes in other venues, complete with beverages and munchies, but it's exclusive access, so I can't verify what's really going on in there! I'm guessing, it's pretty exciting for those who otherwise wouldn't be at Fashion Week, or there just for work. In December, the "By Invitation Only" Experiences Fashion Week packages quickly sold out. These included full-day access to the skybox on February 2nd and 3rd, and a behind-the-scenes experience including backstage tours, hair and make-up by stylists onsite, and meet and greets with fashion industry insiders.

All proceeds from the American Express Cardmember only show ticket sales will go towards the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund :: CFDA.com Council of Fashion Designers . The fund's purpose is to generate sufficient income each year to fund significant financial awards to one or more designers and provide business mentoring. Award recipients are selected by a Committee of industry experts, based on the exceptional talent they have already demonstrated in fashion design and their capacity for future distinction in the fashion industry.

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all text and photos © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. All photos by Alison Blackman Dunham. For permission to use this content, please contact advicesisters(at)advicesisters(dot)