Maison Margiela Collection Showing

So, the original fashion week event that I was supposed to go to was cancelled by the "blizzard" -- the one that lasted all of maybe 6 hours in the city, and really just seemed to get everyone up in arms over nothing. So scratch that event, but I did find out last minute that 1stdibs was hosting an event with one of our vendors who has a huge Maison Margiela collection that just premiered on the site. You can see all of the pieces at:
http://resurrection-margiela.avl.1stdibs.com/store/avl_search.php?FRID=Z2qZZ2g%253D
and the party pics at:
http://nycarthur.com/MartinMargiela%20NYFW%20Feb2010/index.html

Some pretty interesting stuff there. A duvet restitched into a coat? Gloves restitched into a blouse? Hmm. He's a very big name in fashion.

I had to have this whole Fashion Week thing explained to me. It's basically the fashion equivalent of a week of trade-shows -- the events are to showcase new lines, new designers, and let people choose what they want to get in their stores in the upcoming seasons. But a trade-show for fashionistas is really more like a giant glitz-party. And they're fun. They are very much what you think they are. Lots of crazy (beautiful) people dressed to kill in some of the most gorgeous and unique ensembles you've ever seen (or thought up). Lots of attitude. Open bar. Caterers doing a tray pass with champagne, as well as peking duck wrapped in scallions; fig tarts; belgian waffle with dark chocolate; and some other amazing bites. A very enchanting and indulgent scene. The venue was pretty awesome too. It was held at 1 Jackson Square, where condos are selling for $6-7MM. Yes, MM. Million. They had a couple of condos open and decorated with items from our vendors. They were the swankiest, coolest, most amazing living spaces.

Ok, so here's how the night went.

To start you walk up to a building that is all glass curves on the outside, and all wood curves on the inside -- 1 Jackson square. The building was quite a sight in and of itself. A step into the nonlinear lobby and there's an intimidating lineup of good-looking guys and gals (like 8 of them) all dressed in black and holding clip-boards waiting to find your name on the list. Excessive, but effective in creating an image. You drop your coat with the gentleman behind them, and walk around the (curvy) corner to the elevator, where someone else is waiting... just to push the button for you and tell you that its the 6th floor.

Muzak, anticipation.

Doors open, and two gentlemen with trays of champagne await. Grab a glass, and its on down the hallway to the condo where the event is being held. You can already hear the music filtering down through the hallway, and there are caterers coming down the tiny hallway with their empty trays.

The first door that is ajar leads into an amazingly decorated condo that you can browse at your leisure. $6.25MM if you're interested. Overpriced some of the guests said (nah, really?).

Back out into the hall, and the next door is the same apartment, only its full of people, music, sights and sounds. A collage of photos from the collection covers an entire wall, and two other walls have pieces from the collection hanging all the way up to the two-story ceiling. There's music and everyone is dressed like they're a designer or a model. Debbie Harry (lead singer of Blondie) was there.

We hung out there with our drinks for a while, mingling a bit, but mostly watching. It was a somewhat intimidating scene. So much fun though.

The whole night was really amazing. The pictures don't even do it justice. (Oh, and there is a pic in there of me :)). Not something you can experience in many other cities.