I arrived early for backstage access to the Red Dress Collection, the first show of Fall 2009 NY Fashion Week. When I entered the New York Public Library near Bryant Park, hair and make-up teams were already busy at work glamming up celebrity models like Hillary Duff, Susan Lucci, and Tori Spelling.

I immediately spotted popular make-up artist Bobbi Brown when I entered the room. She’s a Montclair resident like me, yet more importantly, she’s the woman behind the make-up look for the Red Dress show. Bobbi came dressed to support the cause—educating women about heart disease—wearing a red buttoned-down shirt and black three quarter length sweater. Her simple pearl necklace gleamed under the flashing lights of photographers. She smiled and chatted eagerly as she applied Patricia Arquette’s make-up.

Bobbi was friendly and accommodating as I asked her a few pointed questions. When she took her glasses off and looked me in the eye, I knew immediately that this cause mattered to her.

Can you tell me what The Red Dress show means to you?

Well, the reason I am doing this show, besides the fact that it’s a blast to do and has all these cool celebrities and women in it is to really educate women about heart disease which is the number one killer of women. The symptoms often go unnoticed because we are so busy doing so many things. Also, it’s really important to teach women how to take care of themselves. My philosophy is workout, eat healthy, and you have to take care of your heart.

Bobbi and I chatted about working out for a few minutes… She is a consistent exerciser, and as a personal trainer, I am very much attuned to the importance of physical activity and its relation to combating heart disease.

So Bobbi, what is the inspiration behind the make-up?

It’s every woman is different. It’s whatever they want. There are different celebrities, different dresses. It’s as much or as little as they want. *

And with that, Bobbi gave me a smile and finished applying a nude gloss to Patricia Arquette’s lips. It was true, there were many different celebrities and I was excited to interview a few more of them. As I thanked Bobbi for the interview, her and Patricia exchanged numbers, and I was off to my next celebrity interview with the sweet Hillary Duff.

Photos: Kate Monahan

Designers for this season’s Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week were said to be “scaling down” due to the recession. Upon entering the Tent at Bryant Park, it was refreshing to see the glamour remained for Badgley Mischka!

Mark Badgley and James Mischka’s designs for fall 2009 were inspired by 1930s Berlin; a time of uncertainty but women still wanted to look their best for a release, so their indulgence for luxurious frocks remained.

The collection includes beautiful one-shoulder cocktail dresses in vibrant colors such as ruby red and a marine blue. Black gowns graced the runway that had beaded bodices in gold and black but one dreamy addition—tulle and chiffon overlays! The show’s closing piece, the “Galaxy” gown, was spotted gold pieces throughout with a tulle overlay.

As for price point during these difficult times, the label’s owner, Iconix Brand Group Inc, is said to be making some changes due to the recession for the fall 2009 collection.

Photos: Marcio Madeira

I love the fashion, I do, but I am equally smitten with the celebs that come to view the fashion. I had to let you, our readers, in on the celebs I spotted at the star packed Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2009 runway show.

Diana Ross and Diane Sawyer sat front row alongside The Devil Wear’s Prada inspiration—Anna Wintour (I just love that bob and those trademark sunglasses).

Julia Stiles and Brittany Snow sat side by side across from Heidi Klum who chatted with Tim Gunn and Molly Sims who was with her infamous stylist Rachel Zoe.

I had the quick chance to ask Molly Sims a few questions. Molly looked chic with her hair pulled back, and fashionable wearing one of the seasons must have accessories: a bold necklace. I asked her what other shows she had seen and she admitted that DVF was her first show of the 2009 season. She laughed and her southern accent charmed. When I asked her what she planned to do during her visit to NY she exclaimed: “Publicity for my movie! Go see it! It’s called Fired-Up.” I assured her I would and she grabbed my arm like an old friend would. I admit I was pleased to later learn that her movie actually got some great reviews. Critics tout it a hybrid of Bring it On and American Pie.

I was amazed, sure, by all these celeb sightings, but I have to say, yes, the biggest star of the show was the fashion. DVF’s clothes were just beautiful—the collection was made for the “modern, constant traveler,” there were many layers, making it easy to move from day to night, and lots of prints and shapes that would completely flatter a woman’s body (something DVF is known for).

Diane von Furstenberg entitled this show: Nomad. She said: “Wherever she goes, she belongs…her clothes are her friends.” The cozy sweaters and colorful Pom pom hats seemed to be friends indeed— there for you when you have to travel, there for you when you have to brave the cold, there for you when you are eager to hibernate. The collection screamed: I want to stand out, but comfort comes first. I sincerely believe the celebs seated at the show emanated that exact feeling. They may have been dressed in couture, but even Rachel Zoe, the biggest fashionista of all, had on an LBD which looked like she had just slipped on, effortlessly, moments before she made her way to Bryant Park.

Photos: Kate Monahan

Key Artist for Alexandre Herchcovitch, Philippe Chansel, created a clean, flawless look with a touch of neutral tones in sheer browns, pinks and peaches that gently contoured the face. The show took place at the Salon at Bryant Park during the New York Fashion Week Fall 2009 and I had the opportunity to be a part of Mr. Chansel’s team of artists.

I assisted in re-creating Chansel’s vision with the following products supplied by M.A.C. Cosmetics:

• Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation was used with a mixing medium or moisturizer for a more skin-like finish.
• Mineralize Skin Finish Natural brushed gently on the skin was used to set the foundation.
• Lingering Brow Pencil filled in the brows
• A combination of Mineralize Skin Finish Degrade and Brown Sculpt Eye Shadow were used to contour and highlight the eye area by gently sweeping them across the lid and around brow bone.
• Sweet Brown Cremestick Liner was used to fill in and gently line the lip on top of Lip Conditioner for a subtle finish.

It was a pleasant surprise this season to see clean, soft looks as opposed to the heavy smoke seen in past fall shows. It may sound a bit cliché but less is most certainly more this season!

Photos: Lianne Farbes and Getty Images