New York Fashion Week: What's Happened So Far

It's only officially day two of NYFW and it already feels like it's been a month. And while the snowstorm kept many international buyers and editors away, fashion week continues unabated with shows, presentations, events and parties. What exactly has been going on you ask?-

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Wednesday dawned snowy and wet but us fashion die-hards braved the sleet and snow to visit the many pre-fashion week presentations. The highlights were definitely Rebecca Minkoff and Geren Ford (the former of which sent cars to pick up select buyers and editors so they wouldn't have to brave the elements). Minkoff continues to grow as a designer, moving away from creating just handbags to full apparel collections. This season she kept it decidedly downtown eclectic, with suede, leather, fur and shearling playing a large role in the collection. Later in the evening the focus was on AmfAR's gala where Lady Gaga drank tea and performed. Go HERE to read our coverage of the event.

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Thursday was the official first day of New York Fashion Week. We began the day at the BCBG show, with 50 million celebrities (or so it seemed). Next we jetted off to the Organic presentation where designer John Patrick showed a perfectly tailored collection of separates in a plastic hanger dome of a room. Yet while the clothing was perfect and I wanted to take half the collection home with me, I couldn't stop staring at Vernon Davis: yes, the NFL player is interning at Organic!

Richard Chai LOVE was next - and while staying true to his feminine flowy style, he took the whole show up a notch exhibiting a romantic take on grunge complete with perfectly weather Timberlands.

The Vena Cava ladies showed another beautiful collection filled with their signature style and aesthetic. While they didn't change anything up from their usual silk short dresses, fluid jumpsuits and art-inspired prints, the collection was beautifully executed.

Daniel Vosovic debuted his first official collection in a presentation format at Drive-In Studios. The collection was inspired by the veins in marble, copper and oxidized iron.

The spotlight at the Ports 1961runway show wasn't only on Tia Cibani - The City decided to film for an upcoming episode right on the designer's front row! Reality stars Whitney Port, Roxy Olin and Olivia Palermo joined Joe Zee to 'watch' the collection. Wonder what drama was brewing there...

Cushnie et Ochs show may not have left their body-con dresses behind them, but they did include some chunky knit, boxier separates in there new collection that we will be seriously coveting come next Fall.

The first event of the evening had Anna Wintour, Hamish Bowles, Simon Doonan and Mickey Boardman joining Olivier Theyskens at Barneys for the launch of his book "The Other Side of the Picture."

For Jen Kao it was all about velvet and leather in dark neutrals and hunter greens. Models strutted the Milk Runway wearing long buttery leather dresses and velvet bodysuits. Geometry was a major theme, as each piece was trimmed with lines highlighting the waist, shoulders and chest. Jen Kao is just waiting to explode onto the main stage.

Next came a decidedly uptown style at the Chado Ralph Rucci Show, were there were no 'door and seating' problems this season. Then it was a race to Erin Wasson x RVCA at ABC Carpet - complete with 'carpet' benches.

And then, finally we could all let loose a little bit, but where to go? As is so often the case with fashion week great events and shows are booked back to back and you have to choose! Last night saw the beginning of the time-honored dual-ing parties question, except this time there were three events everyone just HAD to attend. Milk threw two parties. The first an intimate cocktail party for L.A.M.B.'s Gwen Stefani. The second was a party for LNA - who's presentation earlier in the day was what can only be described as a vision of drenched angry leather with Ryan Gosling's band DJing in the background. Patti Smith sang a set at the after-party, and gave remembrance to the great Alexander McQueen. Metric then took to the stage playing their old hits as a drunk crowd partied hard. More Milk Studios coverage HERE.

L'Uomo Vogue and John Varvatos teamed up to through a rock music party at the CBGB/John Varvatos store. Guns N' Roses finally took to the stage around midnight but it was definitely worth the wait to see Axl Rose's face close up. Go HERE for more coverage and photos.

Lastly there was the Patricia Field for Keith Haring party at Good Units. This space is already living up to its hype as two HUGE parties have occurred there in the same number of days. Patricia Field brought out the bedecked masses and it seemed costume and fanfare was the unofficial theme of the evening. Click HERE for more coverage and to tag yourself and your friends!

[All photos via PMc]