NEW YORK, Sept., 8, 2008

Early Take On Fashion Week

Eva Longoria Parker, Lindsay Lohan And Venus Williams Among Celebs In Attendance

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    Designers from around the world have descended on New York City for fashion week, and some of the best moments take place off the runway. David Evangelista reports.

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    Early Show fashion/beauty contributor David Evangelista sat down with Eva Longoria Parker during New York Fashion Week.  (CBS/The Early Show)

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(CBS)  It is Fashion Week and that means designers and celebrities from all over the world have descended on New York City.

And according to Fashion Week contributor David Evangelista, some of the highlights of the week for him occur away the runway.

Evangelista gave The Early Show's co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez an idea of what goes on backstage - where the designers, models and Hollywood elite rub elbows.

First, Evangelista chatted with "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria Parker.

"I'm a big fan of Latino designers and try to stay true to wearing lesser known designers," said Longoria Parker. "I can't wait to bust out the boots."

Then there's young Hollywood designer Charlotte Ronson, who is getting the chance to show her line in the tents at Bryant Park for the first time.

"I'm excited, I'm nervous. So much going on you don't have time to focus on what is this? Where am I?" Ronson said.

It turned out to be a Ronson family affair as she was joined by her little sister/model Annabelle. But according to Evangelista, the highlight of the day was twin sister Samantha Ronson, who made a stunning appearance with Lindsay Lohan to watch the show.

Needless to say Lohan's presence drove the paparazzi wild.

"Fashion is something. It's big in Hollywood now," said Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley. "I think it's all about choices in life and about the intelligence to know what looks good on you and appropriate for the time that you're going to wear it."

Evangelista also caught up with tennis champ Venus Williams.

"My whole philosophy is feel good in it, then it looks good," said Williams.

Evangelista also reflected on the show's highlights.

"So far - I have the rest of the week to go - but so far it's Tracy Reese. It's a pivotal moment in her career. She brought it up umpteen levels. This is going to be a career-making show for her. Every piece is exquisite. I thought the design and the structure and the silhouettes were amazing," Evangelista gushed.

But he also looked forward to models for more designers strutting their stuff on the runway this week.

"I have five more days in the fashion trenches," Evangelista said.

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