photo: Apartment Therapy

Anyone who knows me recognizes how misleading this title is.

I don’t have celebrity sightings—ever—even when I should, like last summer when I worked across the street from the epic Transformers film set. No Shia to be seen, despite my attempts to linger at cafes in the vicinity. I think I was actually the only one from my department who didn’t emerge from that month of loud helicopters and repeatedly staged bombings with some sort of scintillating cocktail party story.

Apparently, my celebrity-spotting powers fail me.

My feeble brushes with fame all fall under the perfunctory industry event umbrella.  When I was working in the home décor biz, the bandwagon of fashion designers-as-home-décor-licensees was charging full speed ahead.  Oscar de la Renta had lent his name and signature style to a line of furniture, and so I attended the opening event at the Merchandise Mart. He was also promoting a coffee table book, which I purchased and had him sign for my mom.  I remember gingerly asking Mr. de la Renta if he would be so kind as to sign a magazine of mine too. It was a W spread—gorgeous blank white page opposite a dark and dramatic tableau featuring one of his designs. He graciously signed it, and what did I do years later? Lost it in a move.

I still hold out hope that it’s somewhere in my boxes of photos and ephemera.

Also at large? A photo of me “interviewing” Todd Oldham at another industry event years ago. In the photo (on the cusp of my film and digital periods, it may be in some kind of photo purgatory), I’m wearing a sheathy black dress and high ponytail. I must have looked like a gawky, giggling schoolgirl, so enthralled I was to be speaking with a former House of Style-er (oh, the 90s…).  At the time, Todd was just concepting the Charley Harper book pictured. I loved his genuine warmth, his lack of pretence and his enthusiasm; I share Todd’s fascination with Charley’s iconic style.

There were other designer/’personality’ meetings, including a brief one with Nicole Miller (High Point), an awkward one with Robin Leach (High Point again) and a remarkable three with Tim Gunn. I actually do have photo proof of the third Tim encounter. I remember a harrowing day and a very crowded, stuffy Kate Spade boutique where he was making an appearance. I looked like crap, truly, so when I stepped up to take my picture and he said I looked lovely, I was touched.

But that picture—sweaty hair, bulky jacket—why on earth didn’t I take that off?— will not see the light of day. Sorry, Tim. Maybe the fourth time is the charm?

This post might be otherwise titled “How I Spent My Weekend.” You see, dear reader, on Friday, Saturday and even Sunday, I spent way too many precious hours going through images* of every single fashion show from New York Fashion Week. And you know what? I kind of loved it. (I am a masochist.)

This was the first NYFW in recent history that I didn’t keep up with daily glances at pictures, not to mention beloved re-caps from Lynn Yaeger. Henceforth, I conducted this exhaustive search. The takeaway? There was the usual mix of pieces to covet and pieces that frankly, left me puzzled, in the words of one lovely Tim Gunn. I was astounded by Peter Som, Behnaz Sarafpour and Derek Lam….and confounded by Alexander Wang (which pains me) and Charlotte Ronson.

Nanette Lepore, Chris Benz and Reem Acra impressed me with their saucy use of color, but my old friend Temperley London left me cold. Best rediscovery? Vera Wang. Her clothes hit a perfect note of downtown edgy and uptown sophisticate–all paired with heavy bib necklaces that sped up my heart rate a little.

Now that the dust has settled at Bryant Park–and the editors have moved on to London–the world (aka my three readers. Anyone out there?) could use one last look at what the designers had to offer for spring 2010. It was tough work: whittling an expansive list to 20 looks, making sure no one designer was repeated. My eyes are none too happy, but hey, it’s all in the name of fashion….

Herein, Part One:

1) Best Alternative to the LBD

Jason Wu landed on the nation’s radar after he designed Michelle Obama’s Inaugural Ball dress; his spring cocktail dresses in mustard, raspberry and more muted tones confirm his unbelievable talent.

2) Best Night-on-the-Town Ensemble

As much as I can appreciate the avant-garde, sometimes it’s nice to see something and think, “I would actually wear that.” Behnaz Sarafpour’s sleek look above was one of many from her line that I could imagine in my wardrobe (or my fantasy wardrobe, at least).

3) Best Pop Culture Reference

My first thought upon seeing this flirty, cinched-waist/full skirt get-up? Betty Draper. With a great shape, subtle sexiness and fabulous color, this frock from Tracy Reese is just swell.

4) Best Argument for Simplicity

Remember my outcry against black strapless dresses? I take it all back. In truth, this one from Brian Reyes is done expertly. The draping is beautiful, and the length offers some visual intrigue. In short, simple does not always translate to boring.

5) Best Uptown Attire

Vogue is right about this much: Costello Tagliapietra makes beautiful dresses. I remember falling just a teensy bit in love with this burly, flannel-shirt-wearing duo when they first hit the scene. This dress, like the ones before, is stunning—and desperately makes me want to be a lady who lunches.

Agree/disagree with my choices? I want to hear! And stay tuned for Part Two….

*Since I was not fortunate to sit in the front row, SLR camera in hand, all photos are from New York Magazine’s The Cut.