Click through the gallery for some boots from New York Fashion Week that are made for walking.

Photos: Style.com

Michael Bastian’s set is looking natural, but a little bit lavish. 

I love that you used the word lavish!

How does your aesthetic change between a show with the classic American prep of Michael Bastian versus some of the more wild designers?

It was important to give Michael Bastian a refined look, as soon as people walk in the door. They’re used to him being a little big sporty, but this season it’s very refined. I approach all my shows with same intensity. People always ask, what has been your favorite show? They all become your babies when you’re in the middle of making them. It’s a constant evolution from the minute you have the idea till the lights go on.

What past experience led you to being the Creative Director on so many top shows like Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, and now Michael Bastian?

I come out of the fashion magazine world. I was a fashion editor for many many moons. I always felt my job was not just get people excited by the clothes, but to almost make the clothes feel legendary within the picture. I was coming up in an era where we were making clothes famous.

All photos via Style.com.

Congrats on the move! Any news on the progress?

Architects are measuring the space, and we’ll be seeing the first round of designs next week. We’ll decide on the final design by end of the month. It will be built by Spring.

How do you plan on continuing to promote the Garment Center even though you’ve moving away from it?

We have the CFDA Incubator program there in the Garment Center. We have 6 designers graduating this spring, and we’re helping them all to find studio space there. We’re seeding the neighborhood. We’ve got 10 more designers we’re helping find space there. We are also conducting a study with the Made in Midtown Design Trust for Public Space to see how we can use the Garment Center better.

And CFDA prospectives on your horizon? What new designers have you excited this season?

I can’t name any. I like every show, I just like going to the shows. I love the collective energy of talented designers and creative people. Fashion Week is one big giant long runway!

What’s the first thing you’re going to do once the giant runway of Fashion Week has come to a close?

I’m going to my house in Pennsylvania to relax.

And relax you should. You deserve it. Enjoy!

Photo: Style.com

Color Palette: Evergreen, red oak and heather grey

Mood: Dark but sensual, mysterious and glamorous

Statement Pieces: Obviously the aforementioned giant raccoon hats as well as an opulent silver fox coat. But a sheer python print silk chiffon gown paired with leather evening gloves — a reoccurring and rather lovely accessory featured throughout the entire collection — was sublime.

Front Row Name Drops: Tried my darndest but I couldn’t recognize anyone. Guess it’s time I brush up on my directory of mid-range celebrities.

Runway Music: “Too Insistent” by The Dø

Photo: Style.com

Color Palette: Blacks and blues, rosy hues, some mean greens and a bold print here and there.

Statement Pieces: I’m always a fan of a sack and this number was  a personal favorite — like something a younger, sexier Grandma Yetta would wear on a date.

Makeup: There were bejeweled collars which — understandably — took my attention from the models’ faces.

Front Row Name Drops: Someone left the door to Terry Richardson‘s gutter open and he waltzed in shortly before the show started. Front row regulars Mickey Boardman, Derek Blasberg and Waris Ahluwalia. I also thought I saw fitness celebrity John Basedow, but sadly, I was mistaken.

Runway Music: All right, confession time. See, there were waiters walking around with mini-bottles of Prosecco, right. And I was already clawing at the bottom of mine by the time the lights dimmed. So between that and my obsessive tweeting, kinda missed that part. But it was loud, if that helps. #fail

He’s touting his tunes all over town to the fashionable elite. Next stop, the Rebecca Minkoff after party at the Darby Downstairs tonight. Then he’s setting the mood for Rachel Roy‘s after party on Monday.

So, if you’re a fashion journalist, he’s playing for you. Find your way in.

Color palette: Coral, all shades of tan, black, white, yellow
Statement Pieces: Fur leather jackets, ankle length chiffon slit dresses/skirts.

Makeup: Hair slicked back in a low side part ponytail, simple single winged eyeliner.
Front Row Name Drops: Nylon Magazine’s Faran Krentcil, Rumi Neely, Bryan Boy, E’s Scouted Dani Stahl, Elle magazine’s Joe Zee
Runway Music: Let’s Go All The Way- Citizens!

Color palette: Black, tan, black
Statement Pieces: Tough leather jackets, drop crotch harem pants, slouchy layering, all black and grey, master styler, black lips, blunt bangs, cowboy hats, fringe everywhere, gunslinger inspired leather vest, exposed backs, jackets with shoulder straps to be worn as a backpack, turtle shell pendants.

Makeup: MAC cosmetics, jet black bobs, burgundy lips.
Front Row Name Drops: Cory Kennedy, Elle magazine’s Joe Zee
Runway Music: Shot You Down- Audio Bullys

Color palette: Burnt orange and browns with deep ocean green-blues and multi-sided lavender and pink.
Mood: Underwater life meets 30′s draping and Beetlejuician intentions. It’s a kind of comfort that can keep uptown chic.
Statement Pieces: Patterned jumpsuit, done.
Front Row Name Drops: Patrick McDonald, the dandiest of the dandy.
Runway Music: The MisShapes

- Karlie Kloss, movie star. Kloss’ rise to superstardom in the world of modeling means that Hollywood will begin knocking on her door, if they haven’t rammed it down already. Karlie may be following in the strides of other model-turned-actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and is eschewing the catwalk for the film studio.

- Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s a beauty contract. While the runway pays well for girls of Karlie’s stature, a beauty campaign can set a model on the catwalk to Easy Street for the rest of her life. Since snagging Estée Lauder, when’s the last time you saw Hilary Rhoda walk a show?

- Karlie Kloss, new creative director at Christian Dior. This may be a bit of a stretch, but the house does love them some Kloss. She hasn’t missed a step in a single Dior show — from couture to resort — in years and Bernard Arnault might want to just keep her around.

- Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it. As everyone knows, models making the cover of Vogue is as rare as a viable Republican candidate for the presidency. So what better reason to cancel on Fashion Week than to jet off to Paris for an exclusive shoot with Mario Testino for a star-making cover?

- Karlie Kloss DiCaprio. After she walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Leonardo DiCaprio was reportedly smitten with the leggy Ms. Kloss. He’s landed Gisele and Bar Refaeli, why not add the newest bright young thing to his collection of catwalkers?

What do you think — Where in the World if Karlie Kloss?

Color palette: Soft muted neutrals were complemented by rich navy and dotted with innocent hues like pink and yellow
Mood: Young and giddy with an underlying tone of mischief
Statement Pieces: Though no piece stood out much more than others, her sequined pieces sparkled, making the them perfect for day-to-night wear
Front Row Name Drops: No front row from which to drop names from
Gossip: Not much to gossip about the first day of Fashion Week

Not only was tonight a tremendous waste of time and money but it was also the biggest load of crap I’ve experienced since…well, last Fashion Week. Perhaps there was something in the air or a full moon or maybe New York just forgot to take its “Don’t Be a D-Bag Pill,” but attempting to go out on the town proved ultimately fruitless.

At not one but three parties scheduled for tonight, my fellow editors Mac, Amanda and I were met with tiny dives “at capacity,” doormen who were bigger assholes than usual — which is quite a feat in and of itself — and long, sloppy, ill-managed lines, which in the dwindling days of summer is all well and good. Or at least tolerable. But not in freezing weather with snow drifting down upon our heads.

What, pray tell, is the point of attending these parties when all we’re met with is attitude, crowds, and even more attitude? A free drink or two — or in my case, twelve? The chance to spot a C- and if you’re lucky B-list celebrity? The cache of saying you were “there” at whatever hotspot is currently on fire?  If so, be my guest to stand in line  for an hour over the course of the upcoming week from hell —  just make sure you have a flask tucked into your garter belt.

I, however, would rather just get drunk in the office with my FashionIndie kin and avoid the general clusterfuck steadily descending all over this fair (?) city. I’ll take the shows and presentations because that’s what Fashion Week is all about and leave the parties, name-dropping and general bitchery that comes along with it to those with far more patience than I. There’s already too much to do and too much to worry about to add another line and another list to the equation.

If you were in the city this weekend, you might have noticed a number of freakishly tall and thin girls running around town, their books in hand,which means one thing – it’s casting time for New York Fashion Week! Over the course of six hours, hundreds of girls — from up-and-comers to  bona fide runway stars — ushered through the Hudson Hotel‘s gorgeous library to see and be seen by Andrew Weir and his team of professional model wranglers from ACW Worldwide.

“I met her seasons ago in Paris when she was 14,” Weir later tells me once Tanya Dziahileva has left, with more than a hint of wistful sentiment. “I could never pronounce her last name and I don’t even try. She’s always been Tanya D. to me.” On his note card he writes “No Words.”

Mr. Weir seems to have a personal relationship with many of the models that stomp through his biannual casting. He jokes with them, asks them about their vacations, their families and boyfriends — anything to make them feel at ease. Meeting a doe-eyed 16-year old Brazilian who spoke little to no English and who was wandering about the city all by her lonesome, he seems genuinely concerned. But he is also impressed with her walk, noting that she indeed has potential although she’s not quite ready for the runway.

Whenever a girl does strike his particular fancy, Weir has them walk twice, maybe more and he personally takes their photo. In the case of Arlenis Sosa and Ajak Deng — both big names in the industry — a fuss is understandably made with Mr. Weir remarking to Ajak, “You’re going to lose three pounds by show time we’re gonna make you walk so much!” But sometimes there is a new girl that also warrants a fuss, such as a statuesque brunette who recently switched agencies. “If you’re at the wrong agency, I’ll never see you. It’s insane,” he says before taking some photos of the girl. After she’s left he confides in one of his agents, “She’s going to be huge. This is like a star moment.”

Which has to be a compliment to any young model — a seal of approval from one of the top casting directors in the business. However, only time will tell if he will cast her for one of the four shows ACW is handling this season: Jen Kao, Thakoon, Rebecca Taylor and Joseph Abboud. Sunday saw the second round of casting and the final list will be decided upon the night before the shows. For some girls it will be a busy season and for others it will be better strut next time.

One girl who made an impression had walked for Mr. Weir in the past, but like the doe-eyed Brazilian teenager, she wasn’t “there” yet. ”Quite an improvement from a few seasons ago,” Mr. Weir says with a smile of approval. He then gets up from his chair to take several pictures of the model, jots down a few notes about her then calls the next sartorial lamb to the altar.

Photos: Richard Guaty

Drawing on 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, Patricia Nash identified a gap in the marketplace for stylish, high-quality handbags at an accessible price point and founded her namesake collection to fill that void. Taking inspiration from vintage silhouettes that wear well with age, Nash’s 100% Italian leather handbags effortlessly accommodate the 21st century woman. Beloved by celebrities like Denise Richards, the red Rodano Satchel is a classic yet modern way to wear a bold color. This chic bag is the perfect everyday style staple, packing timeless appeal.

How can you win one of two Patricia Nash Rodano Satchels, valued at $268 a piece? With Fashion Week only two days away, we’d like to know what essentials you would tote in this timeless carryall. Whether it’s your laptop and lipstick or emergency flats and emergency flask, we want to know. Our two favorite commenters will each win a bag. Good luck!

To learn more about Patricia Nash, visit her Facebook page and Twitter @PatriciaNashBag. Questions about the contest? Ask me on Twitter @CrystlMeatballs. This FashionIndie contest is open to residents of the United States only.

Alisha Trimble collaborated with director Seth Edwards to shoot an innovative, genre-bending short on 16mm film. The story line is an Old-Hollywood-meets-contemporary society take of two actresses fighting for the limelight. The dramatic tension is fueled with music by Emily Zuzik and Tim Lefebrve.

Caycee Black created an intertwining of moments and clues along a woman’s path on Super-8 film with experimental filmmaker Mary Billyou. Caycee’s paintings, which turn into her prints each season, are filtered through the film in playful movement. The film was described by Billyou as “a sunny day, Kuleshov visits Fort Tilden’s ruins, in the form of a Brighton Beach model dawning polka-dots and acid colors, accompanied by a haunting melody, futuristic static, and crickets.” If that looks as genius as it sounds, we can’t wait.

To RSVP for the film premiere, email Social@AlishaTrimble.com.

Wednesday, February 8 at 7pm, Milavec Hakimi Gallery, 41 Cooper Square, New York

Mixing modern, edgy designs and an air of British elitism might sounds like a challenging combination to master, but Ainsley does it with flair and ease. Born in Manchester, England, the designer moved to the states when she was 12 years old, her father taking a professor of Anthropology position and her mother working as a sculptor. With creative thinking in her blood, Ainsley started to design in-sync with the social happenings around her. Though she is inspired by hardship like war and global warming, her designs are flowing and timeless. Both practical and self-expressive, Ainsley’s collections are for the modern, cultured woman through and through. Check out her Fall 2012 teaser video below.

How can you win $500 to shop Ainsley or Qi Cashmere and two tickets to the Ainsley Fall 2012 show during New York Fashion Week at Exit Art on Saturday, February 11? Head over the brand’s Facebook page, LIKE it and tell us in the comments below how the teaser video above inspires you. The commenter with the best answer will win both the $500 shopping spree and tickets to the show. You MUST live in the New York metro area to qualify. Good luck!

To learn more about Ainsley, visit them on Twitter @ainsleyny. Questions about the contest? Ask me on Twitter @CrystlMeatballs. This contest is open to residents of the New York metro area only.

Check out some of our favorite looks.

Photos from Style.com

Diane Kendal used MAC to create these bright orange pouts at Jason Wu, reminiscent of “Fifties and Nineties pop art inspired by the artist KAWS.” Photo via Style.com.

Sam‘s Faves

Prabal/Style.com

- Ralph Lauren: “For the ostrich feather boas.”

- Diane von Furstenberg: For handing out little American flags in honor of 9/11 and for making an outfit that anyone could wear.

- Prabal Gurung: “For using one print 100 ways, and also for clever cutouts.”

- 3.1 Phillip Lim: ”For his tasty sherbert color palette.”

- The Row: “For dressing the old ladies that the Olsen twins were born to be.”

And don’t forget to book your treatment at James Corbett Studio & Spa during SPA WEEK now! Appointments that regularly cost $75 – $500 are only $50 for a limited time. Hurry, appointments for the October 10-16 event are going fast.

James Corbett started Hair2Help in October 2010, a nonprofit organization that offers full spa experiences for cancer patients and their immediate caregivers. He believes all women deserve to feel pampered and beautiful, especially when dealing with such a life-altering situation.

“Maybe lip gloss and nail polish won’t save the world, but if it makes a woman feel beautiful and takes her mind of the hardships she’s enduring – that’s a beautiful thing,” Corbett says.

With the support of the American Cancer Society‘s Hope Lodge, his fellow colleagues and industry peers, James has held three Hair2Help holistic healing days at the spa, using only organic and non-toxic cosmetics, oils and lotions. Many women talked about how it completely changed their outlook.

“There was a reflexologist who addressed my body in a way that I can hardly describe,” one woman said. “It wasn’t just physical–she gave me a feeling of inner lightness I’ve never had before. I really couldn’t believe how much attention they paid to me. I don’t know where I would be without this kind of compassion.”

The best thing about James Corbett Studio & Spa? They treat all of their clients with the same compassion and care. Don’t forget to book your Spa Week appointment with them ASAP.

If you have questions about James Corbett Studio & Spa or Hair2Help, visit their website or ask me on Twitter @CrystlMeatballs.

Yigal Azrouël made sure his models’ samurai ponies were extra sleek to match the refined-sexy mood of his Spring 2012 collection.

What advice do you have for all the young designers showing at Lincoln Center this year? 

“Necessity is the mother of all invention.  Young designers are possibly more creative because they have to be. Don’t necessarily expect to come and show your first season at Lincoln Center, that is not what it is about. You’re going to show at a friend of your mum’s house sitting on folding chairs.”

What do you think are some predominant trends coming up this season?

“I think we’re going to carry on seeing a lot of color.  I do feel this sort of 30′s/70′s thing will continue.  A lot of color and a lot of print, it will be quite nice”

Do you have any tips on day-to-night dressing?

“I actually have some great tips on nigh to day dressing.  I used to work at Interview magazine and I remember hearing about all the socialites that would go out all night and come straight to work, be at the magazine all day, have a disco nap, get changed and go out all over again.  Therefore, instead of wearing your day clothes and throwing on a red lip and a heel, why don’t you wear your evening clothes, and wear something that will make it work.”

What are some of those pieces? 

“You can throw on a heather grey sweatshirt or a wacky clunky shoe or Converse.  Dress down an evening gown, that’d be my choice.”

Do you have any transitional weather tips? 

“In New York, your clothes have to go a long distance.  We’re very hard on our clothes, we are in and out of taxis, on subways, it is very hot, very cold, and it rains cats and dogs.  Always pack flats and a tiny little fold up umbrella in your bag, and check the weather before you go out.”

For more great NYFW pics hop on over to Guaty Galleries on Lookbooks! And we recently convinced Richard to whore himself out via  Twitter and Tumblr, so make sure to follow him @RichardGuaty and guatygalleries.tumblr.com, respectively.

Might I begin by showing you a proud moment of mine: it’s called Vogue Italia:

Now look at these fab fashionheads turning it at New York Fashion Week.

Hairstylist Odile Gilbert used emulsified, colored clay powder from Paris to get coifs blue, green, terra-cotta, and lilac at Thakoon.

Famed and tucked Amanda Lepore is wearing what may well be a sheet of water and a face of gold.

Before: Looking a little tired and boring sans color. Click page two to see the after shot.

Renew - When skin is neglected, the outer layer that you see becomes dry and dull. A skin renewing product like SK-II Facial Treatment Essence helps stimulate the regeneration of the outer layer for smoother, more radiant skin.

“We have a lot of work to do when we get back to the office. There are a lot of new projects to work on, so I’m going to play catch-up.” -Norma Kamali

“Take my heels off.” -Karen Ko, Owner & Designer of k2o

“Eat lunch. My time slot is 1-2 p.m.” -Marcia Patmos, designer of M.Patmos

“Go back to work, then maybe get drunk later that night.” -Hyden Yoo

“Smoke a cigarette.” -Joseph Janus, BODHI Creative Director

If you have questions about Philomena Kwok Millinery, visit her website at philomenakwok.com or ask me on Twitter @CrystlMeatballs.

Color Palette: Black, royal blue, white and gray

Mood: Alexander Wang meets menswear

Statement Piece: No piece in particular stood out more than the rest, but the cuts and accents, especially the zippers, added bold detail to each of the designs

Front Row Name Drops: No famous faces graced the front row

Gossip: Person behind me in reference to a long-haired model, “Look, it’s Jesus.”

Runway Music: New Age Instrumental

Aila Wang, Photo via The Cut

“When I was 15 and first got scouted to be a model, I didn’t know anything about fashion. I started paying attention to fashion by collecting magazines and tearing out pictures of models and putting them on my walls.” – Jessica Stam

“When I walked in the Marc Jacobs show in 2006.” – Chanel Iman

“I sneaked into the Valentino show when I was 17.” – Ronen Jehezkel, Parke & Ronen

“I’m 100 years old now, but when I graduated, I didn’t know what I wanted to do.  It was the early 60s, and I wasn’t fitting in with the Mad Men style of the times. But then I went to London where things we’re really beginning and fit in with the movement there. I started designing and six months later had full pages in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and thought ‘this is what I need to be doing.’ – Norma Kamali

“In about 1993 was the first fashion show I ever attended. It was in an old theater in Paris and it was so amazing, so exciting.”  – Terry Richardson

“My first fashion event was probably when I was 10 and at the YMCA. It was a ‘fashion show’ but really it was kids walking on the stage waving to their parents.” – Erin Wasson

“My first fashion event was probably in 2005. I was in New York and I couldn’t tell you the name of the designer, but there were a lot of very pretty women there.” – Amare Stoudemire, NY Knicks

“Two years ago at SoHo House in New York, a friend of mine was putting on these weekly fashion shows for different designers. There were models, synchronized swimmers, acrobats – the works. It was really cool and we went every week that summer.”- Carrie Preston, True Blood

“I went to Central Saint Martins and the first fashion show I ever went to was the graduate end-of -year show. Antonio Berardi was graduating that year, and I remember how great that show was. It can be a very emotive, incredible experience – it sort of speaks to something in your soul. It reinforced to me that this is right, that I loved what I was doing”. – Annabel Tollman

Color Palette: Black, cream and metallics in gold and silver

Mood: Romantic depiction of the ocean being kissed by the sun

Statement Pieces: A golden brocade halter jumpsuit with golden glass beaded bolero caught everyone’s attention, causing audible gasps from the audience. A headpiece that looked like a burst of coral reef on the model’s head wasn’t exactly subtle. The final look was an ivory gown with a guava-colored over-sized bow and back slit that demanded attention when it entered the room.

Front Row Name Drops: Carrie Preston apparently was backstage with the designer

Gossip: “That model pokes out her lips too much, I hate it. She looks like she practiced in the mirror too long to try to look like someone else who is famous.”

Runway Music: The Raveonettes Recharge and Revolt

Camille Zarsky handbags are made exclusively in New York City and are available for purchase at Searle NY.

If you have questions about the accessories seen here, visit her website camillezarsky.com or ask me on Twitter @CrystlMeatballs.

Color Palette: Grows from neutrals of brown, olive and tan to the brightest orange/pink combo we’ve seen in years.

Mood: It’s New York artist goes to Hawaii, revisits 90′s roots.

Statement Pieces: The hat. The HAT! This twist of genius is what would happen if you took a floppy sun hat and chopped it into a baseball cap.

Front Row: Johnny Weir in hot orange bell bottoms – a lady’s runway sample, thank you. And Thomas Jane, HBO’s well Hung man. Mickey Boardman of Paper and Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO also took seat front and center.

Gossip: Steven Kolb nearly opted out of the show, lamenting the late Sunday night timing. But seeing as he was still there at Lincoln Center nearing 9PM, he stuck it out for the CFDA’s newest incubatee.

Runway Music: After a night of marathon ping-ponging with The Strokes’ bassist and his wife, Timo Weiland and (design partner) Alan Eckstein organically grew to collaborate together. Strokes man Nikolai Fraiture arranged the music for the show. Behold the set list:

Girls Names — “Lawrence”
Rolling Stones — “Monkey Man”
La Femme — “Sur La Planche”
Panda Bear — “Last Night at The Jetty”
Dirty Beaches — “Sweet 17″
Suicide – -”Ghost Rider”
Broken Social Scene — “Pacific Theme”
Arthur Russell — “See Through”
Talk Talk — “New Grass”
Happy Mondays — “Loose Fit”
The Strokes — “Hawaii”
The Ramones — “Judy Is a Punk”