Lucky me, guest blogger Allison Malecha was at fashion week and will narrate the video you’re about to see. I scored front row across from Susan Schulz, editor-in-chief of CosmoGirl! And Allison was down the way, right behind Rachel Zoe.

Check out my video–which includes Marc Jacobs in a kilt. The night before he wore a black version. More on yesterday’s shows here.

Here’s Allison’s report:

When celebrity it-girl stylist Rachel Zoe is in attendance, you know you’re in for a good show. As always, Marc by Marc Jacobs catered to a hip and young crowd with pops of bright colors. Models paraded down the runway to an exuberant remix of M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” in relaxed mini-dresses cinched with stacks of leather belts, ruffled-one shoulder jumpsuits in wearable neutrals, utility-style trousers rolled up to the knee, bold stripes cutting across t-shirts and folded diagonally into full skirts, subdued flower prints in feminine shapes, and soft denim in a surprisingly loose dress and a blazer-style dress-length vest. My favorite appearance was a red and beige geometric print that appeared in the form of a blazer, and a dress with sweeping diagonal tiers and poofy sleeves.
The main message to take away from Marc’s spring line? Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! The show featured modern pillbox hats, piles of neon “nutty knot” strands worn as necklaces or anti-beauty pageant sashes, chic nylon fanny-packs slung around the waist, and patent lace-up ballet flats. For men it was effortless blazers, popped collars, stripes, more rolled up pants (should we expect an abundance floods this spring as well?), and round sunglasses à la John Lennon with a neon twist. One thing is for sure – with Marc by Marc Jacobs you can always expect crazy combinations and innovative shapes that you still somehow can see yourself pulling off. Even if you aren’t feeling the head-to-toe funky vibe, you’re sure to find pieces to love!

Here’s a snippet of the Catherine Malandrino show. It was so dramatic and chic.

The program explained:

“Dawn”

Dawn is one of those rare moments when you get the impression that something magical could happen to you.
Shades of nude, lights, sunrise and dusk are layered to created illusions. Jersey and jacquard are veiled with tulle and folds embrace the curve. As the day breaks, she glows.

Marc Jacobs not only started on time last night, he was way early by fashion week standards– 9:14 p.m. (invite time was 9 p.m.).
Vertical mirror monoliths down the runway, allowed attendees, including Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham, to see themselves and obstructed views across way (important for seeing celebrities). Models came through swinging mirrored doors to the jazzy soundtrack of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” They clothes? Eliza Doolittle meets gypsies meets farmgirl. A wide-range of influences that will likely end up in stores not as whole looks, but broken down into some spectacular pieces.
More on Monday’s shows here.

Those are some of the early trends. I discussed them in the story I wrote for today’s Strib– everybody’s kind of chill-axing about spring 2009. What could be simpler and more comfortable and no-fuss than a jumpsuit? (If only they were more flattering–the new crop might be worth trying on just to see.) They’ve been on the Tracy Reese, BCBG (see below), Lacoste and many more.

Courtesy of St. Louis Dispatch editor Debra Bass, here I am on video in the Bryant Park tents.
It’s proof! It was about 1000 degrees in there on the first few days, but putting up with high temps is just one of the things we do for fashion. Too bad you can’t see my four-inch heels… or not.

Here’s the view from my front row seat at Andy & Debb. Had I known, I might have worn better shoes.
Anyway, one of the models broke her heel, but the gal just kept walking like she had two of them on. It couldn’t have been much more uncomfortable that way, anyway.
As for the show, I kind of loved it. It was inspired by “cupcakes.” The clothes do look like sweet frosted concoctions.