BlackBook

Renaissance woman Mia Moretti gives us a tour of her New York City during New York Fashion Week with the help of friend and photographer Diggy Lloyd.

While some designers prefer to focus on designing for the nostalgic set (and don't get me wrong; I love a good throwback), there are a handful of innovators out there who enjoy pushing the envelope in new and exciting ways. Last month, BlackBook favorite Asher Levine stole the show at New York Fashion Week with his unisex techy threads that offered two-way capabilities through embedded microchips. Just a few days ago, Hussein Chalayan shocked the Paris Fashion Week set with his ingenious collection of transformative, two-in-one dresses. This, my friends, is what I'm talking about.

It's about that time again. To kick off the fall/winter 2013 season of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the luxury vehicle manufacturer has announced an exciting new feature in the lobby of Lincoln Center. Celebrating the relationship between cars and clothes, "House of Mercedes-Benz" Fashion Week will feature a showcase of two new rides—the ready-to-wear-inspired CLA-Class and the haute couture-like SLS AMG Black Series—complemented by two corresponding mannequins styled celebrity stylist Danielle Nachmani. Here, Nachmani shares more about the new gig, advice to future stylists and her "incredibly intimidating" experience working with Mary-Kate Olsen.

CFDA award-winning menswear designer John Bartlett launched his eponymous label in 1992, and, over the course of the past two decades, he and his iconic brand have enjoyed ups and weathered downs. But, on Tuesday, during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the newly vegan visionary was all smiles as he revealed his forthcoming cruelty-free collection at Lincoln Center.

What follows is a recap of my modest Mercedes Benz Fashion Week experience. Far from a fashionista, I tend to dip my toes into this frenzied eight-day-or-so scene, rather than diving in and drowning. I respect quality designs and am confident my personal style is in step, but this subject doesn’t occupy my mind 24/7. Indulging in the art of clothing is a guilty pleasure, a hobby of the highest order, but there’s only so much strutting I can manage (even on the observing side). I made it to six shows (fewer than usual due to an absence of ambition), the highlights of which you’ll be briefed on below.

We’ve all heard Oscar Wilde’s truism that “fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months,” but it’s still a bit surprising when a respected veteran designer features a product almost universally noted for its lack of aesthetic appeal. Models sporting Diane von Furstenberg’s springy dresses and suits and death-defying heels were overshadowed by the Google Glasses on their heads.

If you’re not talking about Fashion Week, then you’re a nobody, and nobody wants to be a nobody.

Fashion Week is in full effect in New York.  Designers, models, International editors, celebrities, and just your general VIP types are hanging out all over the city.  New collections are popping up online and every minute there is a new style story.  If you could give a crap about fashion or just don’t want to wade through it all, know this:  Anna Wintour has an issue with revolving doors.

While she might not make the best Super Bowl commentator, Gisele Bundchen is a world-class model.  Following last week's outburst in defense of her husband Tom Brady, she made an unexpected strut down the mirrored catwalk at Alexander Wang yesterday along with  Shalom Harlow and Karolina Kurkova.  Supermodels are back.

It’s been a year since The Kills released Blood Pressures and excitement over the album hasn't waned. Celebrating their 10^th anniversary as a band this week they'll play a show at NYC’s Terminal 5 tonight, but have already given the city's elite a preview.  On Thursday, they gave an ultra-private performance at the swank Top of the Standard to help kick off Fashion Week.  Take a look.