I walk into the main tent in Bryant Park during NYC Fashion Week, happy to get out of the rain. Amidst the Benzes and life-size Barbies (two of fashion week’s major sponsors) lines are rapidly forming for the Milly by Michelle Smith and Anna Sui shows. I find myself standing with a couple of Anna Sui’s youngest fans: Jemiah, age 7, and her six-year-old sister, Daisy. They seem less impressed with the Malibu giantesses everywhere than with the all-important purple ticket of admission for their favorite designer, Anna Sui. Their dad produces the tickets (and a root beer for Daisy) and then ushers them into the tent within The Tent. I am not so fortunate – one of the hundreds of girls with earpieces informs me that the standing room for Sui is “completely committed,” so I rely on the sweetness (or pity, whichever) of a bouncer-type by the door of the Promenade and wile my way into what turns out to be an exquisite Milly show.

The runway and its front row celebs and VIPs are suffused in pink light as I walk in at the very last second. I spot the lovely Julia Stiles and a couple of Gossip Girls (Dreama Walker and Yin Chang for those of you keeping score). I hear some whispers about The View’s Elisabeth Hasselback being in attendance, but I suddenly could not care less as the music starts and the girls walk on. I love the chic yet wearable looks coming down the runway, including my favorite dress of the night, an updated flapper frock with loopy, icing-like details. The music is frothy and sweet, like the lighting scheme, and I’m completely charmed by my first runway show.

After the finale the lights go from pink to glaring. I start chatting with two French women who praise the black headbands the models wore and share my obsession with the 20s dress. Everyone seems thrilled with what they just witnessed, myself included. I hope the girls at Anna’s had an equally fabulous time.

Photos: Linda Gallant