BY ANISHA LAKHANI

An action packed scavenger hunt had been planned for the evening, but due to rain had to be pushed to next Fashion Week! Manicurists were on hand to treat all the girls, while jars of jellybeans and an endless supply of champagne kept us merry as we walked around the room admiring the new collection of soft-bodied silhouettes. Ashley explained that the Gracie bag best embodied Anya’s vision for the new collection: a medium size shoulder bag created with supple new calf leather, delicate pleating and finished off with an embellished chain strap and geometric resin clasp. She also mentioned how pleased the team was that stylist Jill Swid snagged a few bags for actress Kristin Chenoweth, who carried an evening bag called the Nadja from the AW09 collection on the red carpet at last month’s 61st Primetime Emmy Awards!

Anya reflected on her Spring / Summer 2010 collection (in stores this February) and shared, “I found this incredible clutch in a flea market in the South of France and fell in love with its color – green.  From then on I couldn’t stop picking out other similar green items and knew that it had to be incorporated into the collection. Old 1950’s leather car interiors and the quilted leather furniture from that era made me mad for pleats and textured leather.” It’s this kind of passion and artistic eye that makes Anya Hindmarch handbags so unique. Before we left, Hindmarch assistants approached like Santa’s elves and asked us what color we would like our Gracie bag in. . .I chose pink, of course!

New Zealand born Rebecca Taylor’s Spring 2010 fashion show in the Salon at Bryant Park Tents and her after party at the Dream Hotel were shining examples of true grace under pressure. In the days leading up to a major fashion show, designers often find themselves inundated with endless last minute details; their entire collection is on the line and putting on a show that is less than perfect is not an option. When visiting the showroom to select a few looks, I was not surprised to see Rebecca at heart of the bustle. I was touched, however, by how she took the time to kiss my shitzu Harold Moscowitz and pose for a picture, then whipped up a belt to go with the dress I was wearing to her show “because it would look fantastic.” On the day of the show, I was excited to be seated with actress Leven Rambin as we had not seen each other in months.

Leaning forward, I caught glimpses of other front row beauties such as actresses Gabrielle Union, Tiffani Thiessen, and Mena Suvari, as well as Victoria’s Secret model Marisa Miller and ultimate Tea Hostess Tracy Stern. Then the lights dimmed, and Rebecca treated us to a collection she sums up as “an exploration of urban femininity.” In the flash of an eye the lights were on again and we were enthusiastically applauding Rebecca for yet another successful show. The scene backstage was now mayhem, but Rebecca managed to personally greet a seemingly endless line of fans while finding time to pose for pictures. Endlessly down-to-earth, Rebecca forgoes the side-by-side stance and warmly hugged her supporters. The woman is truly a talent and an inspiration.