FIRST BITE: FASHION WEEK NYC KICKS OFF TODAY!

Hello my beautiful fashionistas! Today marks a very important day in the world of fashion. Yes, it's the first day of Fashion Week in New York City showcasing all the Spring 2008 Collections! It's going on right now as I type this, lol. I can't explain how long i've been anticipating this week. It's like the Grammy's for fashion!

From September 5-12, New York City will be even hipper than usual with the onslaught of shows and exclusive parties for Fashion Week. A who's-who of designers and fashion icons are set to show their latest work, from Gwen Stefani's chic L.A.M.B. line as the Wednesday night kick-off to the plentiful work from big names like Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and the Nicky Hilton, just to name a few.

This season's fashion week will include a total of 64 designers showing off their spring 2008 collections in the tents at Bryant Park, while dozens more send their styles down runways at sites throughout the city. Attendance this year is projected to reach in the 100,000's over the course of the entire week. I'll be covering the best collections everyday so be sure to check back ! ;)

THE LOOK FOR TODAY = DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

Styles shown at today's opening shows were more loose and feminine than the ladylike, polished fall fashions now in stores. BCBG Max Azria showed sheer, flowy dresses while Abaete turned to '40s-inspired sheaths and halters for the collections shown at Bryant Park. Dresses have been a strong trend the past three fashion cycles, but what started with short, boxy shifts in the spring morphed into shirtdresses for fall. It seems next season's shape - at least in early shows - is a loose sheath, one that glides over an hourglass shape without sticking to it.

RUNWAY HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S SHOWS

YIGAL AZROUEL

BCBG MAX AZRIA

ALEXANDRE HERCHKOVITCH

ABAETE

T0NI MATICEVSKI

NAUTICA

L.A.M.B.

VENEXIANA





RAG & BONE

ADAM

NICOLE MILLER





MARCHESA




ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF

NYDAILYNEWS.COM & MBFASHIONWEEK.COM