>> You know, I really enjoyed Vena Cava's presentation.  It was really fun to mingle among the photographers shooting the models, the models doing their poses, and to watch people's reactions as all of this was going on.  At one point I turned around and there was Vera Wang, wandering around with everyone else, even though her own show was just about to begin.

All in all, a very smart move on Lisa and Sophie's part -- I think the reaction was much more favorable to the garden party setting than it would have been to a runway show like all the other UPS Hub designers did.  Especially because, as style.com says, the clothing was "only a small step forward from last season."  But the designers are very young, and hopefully will begin to grow in their aesthetic more -- they definitely already have the charisma they need to succeed down pat. 

More snaps I took at the show:

>>  Are you willing to be faceless?  Sexless, even?  Because that's what the editors want in models, according to James Scully, one of the industry’s most sought-after casting directors. “The editors say ‘I don’t care about personality, I want blanks.’  They want them so skinny now that I call them the Anne Frank girls."
If that doesn't do it for you, try the fashion week (month, really) beauty regimen... that might convince you.

>>  Start off with the Sofia Coppola (muse to Marc Jacobs) guide to shopping in Paris and work your way up from there.  But, I have to warn you -- it might be too late if you didn't intern with Chanel while in high school (Sofia did).

>>  More scandal coming your way on the Project Runway front -- Laura has accused Jeffrey of cheating on his final collection at New York Fashion Week.  She believes that Jeffrey outsourced his sewing, grounds for Jeffrey to get Auf'd.  Tim Gunn confirmed that the accusation was investigated, but wouldn't reveal the outcome. 

Maybe Laura saw Jeffrey's collection and got jealous?  Bee Schaffer, sitting front row, did scrunch up her nose at some of Laura's designs, after all (the fuzzy trim at right really did it for her).  Who knows. 

As New York Magazine so diplomatically put it, Jeffrey had a "rather unfinished style of construction throughout the show."  I would venture to say that applies to all of the final four designers, after seeing their work in person.  The fabric choices looked -- how you say -- cheap (I realize they had a budget, but still -- what designer doesn't?), and the construction didn't do much to change my mind.  Uli's pattern choices in particular hurt my eyes.  But I guess there's a reason these designers are in a reality show on Bravo...

>>  I have to say, for all the heat Lily Cole's been taking about her size, she was definitely sporting more breastage at Erin Fetherston than all the other models combined.  So I have a tendency to agree with her -- she did look healthy to me.   

Not to say there aren't issues at all in the industry -- one model in particular at the Project Runway show elicited a "that girl needs to eat something" comment from the man next to me -- a comment that reflected exactly what had been running through my head.

>>  In their September issue, W wrote an article claiming that "cocaine is fast regaining its status as the party drug of choice" (when did it ever go away?), but we all know how fast the fashion industry whips through trends these days.  It seems that meth might have taken over as the new drug of choice -- it's been referred to in two different articles that have come out in the past week.
First, in conjunction with culprit of the Louboutin caper:

“Maybe it was a disgruntled fashion person with a crack habit—no, crystal meth! Maybe he was out at the Chelsea clubs and said, ‘Let’s go get some shoes,’ and wore them to the after-party.”

And second, in an article about the too-skinny model "revelations":

"There is barely a celebrity who doesn’t buy into what the fashion world dictates. And they will do anything to become thin.  I kept wondering why I would see an actress one week and she would look normal, and the next she would look gaunt, and I found out it is all down to crystal meth [which suppresses the appetite] the latest must-have accessory here in LA."

Sorry, but tooth rot is not cute -- even if you're wearing Chanel.

>>  If you're a model at Erin Fetherston's show, this is the last thing you see before you're swishing your hips down the runway and the audience is staring back at you. 

My favorite piece of advice?  "Don't be dead."  Most of us normal folk get "Look alive!"  but hey, the models are anything but normal folk.

P.S.  I didn't see any models running to rocker boyfriends after the show (although Valentine Fillol-Cordier was in it, and she definitely has a rocker boyfriend),  BUT -- after Vena Cava, saw a very young-looking model canoodling with a well-into-the-middle-ages photographer.  Don't you love when stereotypes play out in real life?

>>  I'm taking a trip for a few days, expect me back on Sunday or so...  hopefully overflowing with things to say.  As parting gifts, I have for you:

1) News that Carine Roitfeld is expanding her editorship to include Vogue Hommes International...

2) A job opportunity for all you Nylon fiends...

NYLON MAGAZINE

position: production manager/photo department assistant

we are looking for a young, hungry photo producer (on a junior level) to handle photo production for NYLON and NYLON Guys. this person is to be one of 2 people running NYLON's photo department, and who will work under the Photo Director. person must be savvy, energetic, must have strong phone skills, should be hard working, able to think on their feet, self sufficient, and able to work at a rigorous pace.

REQUIREMENTS:

one who can handle production on a "lean" budget

one who has photo studio contacts (in nyc, la, london, paris), contacts for photographers, stylists, hair/mu

a good negotiator and can arrange trade/barter agreements

one who preferably has contacts at model agencies, tourist boards, photo agencies, hotel groups, location rentals, etc.

hungry, young producer , is in tune with the nylon "aesthetic", is aware of nylon's photographer/stylist base

Please email resumes to Heather Catania (Bookings Editor), heather@nylonmag.com and Stacey Mark (Photo Director), stacey@nylonmag.com. Please make sure both are cc'ed. thanks! x x

Ta-ta, my dears!  Enjoy the rest of fashion week!

>>  What do stegosauruses, angels, and runway fashion have in common?  Go forth, and laugh.