Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Day 7

What I am getting a little weary of are the Real Housewives who seem to be EVERYWHERE - especially if there's some swag in it for them. Don't get me wrong, I'm on the hunt for gifting suites all over this Fashion Week - but because I'm a colossal nobody I'm not raking in the freebies like the ladies from both here and the Garden State. I'm just jealous.

Anyway, I bumped into Jersey matron Caroline Manzo at Leah & Bliss' pop up space and overheard her brokering a 'jewel' encrusted bag in exchange for a shout out on Twitter. I dunno, were I the public relations manager for a line of goods trying to pass themselves off as 'luxury' I'd go out of my way to find a spokesman WITHOUT ties to her costar's vile court case. With all the money she's saving on merchandise you'd think she could shell out for a decent website. I mean: http://www.carolinemanzo.com/

When I was an ignorant wee tot all I knew about Bill Blass was that his name was etched in the side windows of my grandfathers car. As I grew up and developed an interest in fashion, I paid no heed to the American designer's legacy because let's face it, contemporary sportswear geared at women of mom age is about as exciting as yesterday's meatloaf (more about that later).

In 1999, cancer caused Mr. Blass to step down from the organization he ran for 30 years - and the brand has been struggling to reestablish itself with little success ever since. Several designers have been at the helm and the label hasn't even shown at Fashion Week for several years. New head designer Jeffrey Monteiro has stepped in and offered a small sample collection this season which was typically tame in keeping with the theme of color restraint for spring/summer 2010 although supposedly inspired by the indigenous tribes of South Africa.

Bill's trademark crimson did show itself in a few pieces. If you're hankering to add a touch of Blass to your own life, I'd suggest investing instead in the ingredient list for the man's infamous meatloaf. It's as classically American as it gets and, you don't have to wait until next season for it.

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped celery 1 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2 pounds ground beef sirloin
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce topping: 1 1/2 cups Heinz chili sauce 3 slices bacon

Jeremy Scott

It's nice to get away from the polish of Lincoln Center's shows and the punk party at pop artist cum fashion designer Jeremy Scott show at Milk studios was a treat for the senses. Nary a housewife in sight but King Kanye was in the house along with rock royalty Kelly Osborne. Scott, whose penchant for pop culture referencing was turned up to full volume for his raucous fashion show with sheer deli bag inspired frocks, ticket stub t-shirts and a meat print dress, a design pre dates Gaga's VMA ensemble (but not the work of Zhang Huan, just sayin'). S&M themes were well represented with leather, both in chaps for boys and, slightly more wearable zippered pencil skirts for girls. Lashings of red lipstick completed the runway look.

I did have entry to Zang Toi's spring/summer 2010 collection, but I just couldn't face it. In case you've not picked up on it, I've had it with Real Housewives, and from the media alert I knew they'd be well represented. The one episode of the NYC version of the franchise that I was forced to sit through centered on a party at Zang's NYC atelier and frankly, that's enough Toi for me this lifetime. In fashion there are designer who innovate and lead trends and there are those who design for loyal cliental. Giving their patronesses what they want Toi falls into the latter category.

I decided instead to hit up the presentation of American Apothecary, a T-Shirt company with designs that feature early 1900's pharmaceutical advertising. Back in the day it was perfectly acceptable to dose junior with a little cocaine to quell his cough and heroin, as many a rock star can attest to, was put to use as an effective painkiller. "I want people to be aware of what they are wearing", says designer Anastasia Fokina, "to be aware of what they are putting in their bodies, just because some modern medicine is legal now doesn't mean it will be tomorrow". A statement that makes perfect sense in light of recent birth control lawsuits mounted against Yaz and the ortho-evra patch – to name just two! The images strike an at first humorous note then, morose when the reality of the message sets in however, American Apothecary prints on the purest pima cotton with vegetable inks to ensure little harm when taken.

Womens Wear Daily at 100

11 designers have created limited edition looks from the past 100 years to celebrate the 100th birthday of the schmatta business' reigning rag. On display at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center are pieces from designers such as Prouenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung and Thakoon. Each designer re-imagined the style of a chosen moment in fashion history for modern appeal. From the 'Flapper' to a denim clad Bruce Springsteen all pieces are on display through the duration of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.