NYFW: The Nicest Crowd at Fashion Week

Chris Benz, the pink-haired, Kewpie-faced “Prince of Color” showed his fall collection against a glittering gold background on the third floor of the Lincoln Center’s Avery Fischer Hall. The models sported matching bouffants that inspired a valley of the clones joke by the asshole from Italian Vogue who elbowed me in the tit while jockeying for a better photo vantage point. He was a dick. Otherwise, this was the most affable crowd I encountered in all of fashion week. Seriously, everyone was all smiles. By the way, you’re almost 30 Chris, you’re probably going to have to drop that “prince” title soon. Still, I’ll let it pass since the collection was so enjoyable.

Maybe it was the patent leather lobster claws on the models.

Maybe the cheer was brought by the Christmassy plaids.

Or maybe it was because Debbie Harry was there. I think it’s physically impossible for me to be in a sour mood when she is around. I just clam up and blush a lot. Seriously, though, what do I have to do to get her to look at me like that?

This guy was the only person I saw who looked unhappy. He was moping in a corner when I asked to take his picture and then even he brightened up, much to my disappointment. I really wanted a photo of him moping, instead I got a photo of him protesting for being called out for his mopey appearance. Guess I shouldn’t have been so polite, but there was just so much damn niceness in the air.

Now, normally I don’t like “nice” fashion. In fact, last season I went off on Erin Fetherston for being nothing but nice, but this niceness wasn’t twee, it was fun. Goofball models with matching bouffants struck yesteryear catalog poses.

This girl is my new favorite model. She was the cutest fucking thing I’ve seen in ages, made funny faces the entire time, and was generally having a blast.

Onto the clothes. The strongest looks involved layered silks in contrasting prints and solids, similar to what I saw at Timo Weiland, but much more upbeat. Between the gloves, the hair, the hats, and the heavy layering on some looks, the whole show was a little over-styled, but that’s easy to forgive. A fashion show, especially if it is a presentation instead of runway, should be a spectacle where designers bust out all the stops to wow the audience. After a few lazy men’s shows at Made and the pretty but uninspired runway at Reem Acra, it was exactly what I and, judging by the mood of the room, everyone else needed.

The presentation also featured the world’s tiniest staffer. Remember, she is closer to the camera than the model so she is actually smaller than she appears.

I loved this woman and her outfit. Apparently she got the headwear memo. Guess what else? She was very nice!

Sophia was there. If you don’t know who Sophia is, she’s a very important part of New York club culture and is another person who I am always excited to be in a room with. Although, the last time I saw her she told me I was dressed like a prostitute on an Indian reservation, but that’s a whole other story.

This haircut was also in attendance. I approve wholeheartedly of the entire ensemble.

Vibe: Rock lobsters are in.

For more fashion, visit VICE Style.