Arena nightclub on 41st and 6th was the setting for the Total Beauty and AOL/StyleList.com Fashion Week kick-off party, “Fashion for Everyone,” on Thursday and Beyond Beauty Basics was there!

We arrived (fashionably late, of course) to Arena nightclub at about 8:20 PM. The Bryant Park and Times Square areas were pulsing with the excitement of Fashion Week and we were positively surrounded by Fashionistas.

After walking the RED CARPET and posing for the flashbulbs, we were inside one of the hottest Fashion Week parties. There were giant movie screens to the left and right showing fashion highlights from the last century under sparkling fuchsia lights that adorned the ceiling, a classic medallion with a crystalline chandelier in the center, reminiscent of the history of New York City’s theater district.

Hairstylists from Ted Gibson were there, offering hot hair makeovers; suspended from the ceiling was a trapeze artist, working her limbs in and out of giant cloth ribbons; unlimited champagne and an open bar (I am a champagne girl); a dessert bar complete with chocolate fountain; and…

A sample of the new line from the up-and-coming fashion designers at Chloe and Reese!

I was so excited to check out their line. The silhouette was both feminine and chic; with clothes to wear out and clothes you can wear to the office. (Well, if your office can handle this much style!) Think ruffled plackets and satin frocks. Lace and Swiss dot blouses with sophisticated skirts. The season’s hottest colors were all present in the collection, along with your classic black, creams, and whites.

I was quick to point out that all the samples were in my size (tee hee). I got some good shots of some of the clothing on display as well as the representative from Chloe and Reese, who was decked out in a fabulous black dress from their line, paired with some great black gladiator-inspired pumps.

I cannot wait until I can find some Chloe and Reese in stores!

We met so many other beauty bloggers and got to chat with the staff from Total Beauty. We’re still reeling from the excitement (and the RED CARPET)!

The Total Beauty and AOL/StyleList.com party was the perfect way to kick-off Fashion Week! We can’t wait to bring you more behind-the-scenes news and tips!

Photos: Jennifer Long