We’d all but declared Fashion Week over, and then Isaac Mizrahi busted out the following surprises, ensuring that his collection was seared onto our brains. The first model out paraded up and down the stairs of what looked like a huge metal easel and onto the runway, which was dressed with speed bumps and direction markings. As more models walked out in shiny, liquidlike sequined dresses and wove through the chaotic pathway, the thin silver apparatus hanging above the runway began to pour water, mimicking rain. The girls were escorted underneath the water source by an anonymous man holding an umbrella. Lastly, when you thought it couldn’t get any kookier, a golf car burst out of the curtain dropping the final model at the foot of the runway for a lengthy pose.—Anna Brand

Video by Elizabeth Kreutz

Do you ever feel like you’re being watched? This was the feeling I experienced while scanning the Fashion Week crowd for likely interviewees. Then, out of nowhere, Esther Nash appeared and told me she was leaving so I wouldn’t be able to interview her. Um, okay, “would you like to be interviewed now?” I asked. And thank goodness I did, or I wouldn’t have realized some people around me weren’t wearing underwear (ew) or have collected empirical evidence that fabulousness and modesty occur in inversely proportional quantities. Science can thank me later.

The punky designer turned the Plaza into a Mardi Gras party with models decked in glitter galore (smeared over their lips and eyes) and colorful tool-accessorized teased hair. It was as wild as you’d expect, as the girls danced (to the beat of live performer Ida Maria), smoked cigarettes and drank out of mini wine bottles. Sadly, though I stayed for about an hour, not a single girl showed me her boobs—and I didn’t earn any beads. But Betsey joined the party in a wacky yellow dress and did her signature end-of-show cartwheel.—Anna Brand

Even with a flowery mix of dresses topped with fitted blazers and khaki short shorts under chiffon tops, the unique footwear had my eyes glued to the lower half of the models. Instead of the typical black sky-high heels or lace-up booties, the girls floated in what appeared to be an ankle-high mold of their foot. Though I know my mother will say they look orthopedic, I made a mental note of which ones to add to my wish list—the coral pair, the turquoise pair, the flower pair and the paint-splatter pair.—Anna Brand

Video by Elizabeth Kreutz

At Fashion Week there are people who have poor judgment, people who are mean, PR people who suddenly whisk you upstairs to plug their employer’s sky-thingy and people who are totally genuine and won’t deal with scales of any kind. In the latter category, we humbly submit Tina Chai, who was feeling nautical that day.

Messy-haired models showcased loose-fitted garments adorned with sequins, shimmery fabrics and, wait for it, fanny packs! Shown a total of three times, this versatile once-dorky sack appears totally trendy and wearable with silky dresses and cropped trousers. Who would have thought? And with the support of celeb fans in attendance (Kristin Cavallari, Katrina Bowden, Alex McCord and Yin Chang), the carryalls may have an easier time coming back into the limelight than MC Hammer.—Anna Brand

Video by Elizabeth Kreutz

Once you get people at Fashion Week talking about their clothes, it’s very difficult to get them to stop. When you dressed yourself today, did you think to yourself, I want to combine elements of David Bowie, Michael Jackson, anime, mythology, the Wicked Witch of the West and a frisson of dead cop? Or, like us, did you think, I’m going to try and find something that’s clean?

Shipley & Halmos managed to stage a Fashion Week presentation without any physical models in attendance. On the eighth floor of Milk Studios, an enormously large projection screen played videos of models who appeared to be walking, sliding and swimming toward a sea of confused onlookers. On hand were a handful of racks of the actual clothing that people could sift through, touch and see up close. It felt a little like a crazed sample sale, though, with people clamoring for the racks. Of what I could get my hands on, noteworthy pieces included silky tops, structured blazers and lightweight button-downs. “Should I just keep staring at this huge screen?” someone asked me. “I’m really not sure, my neck kinda hurts,” I replied. And with that, I left in search of some Advil and a cab.—Anna Brand

With the Behnaz Sarafpour show scheduled for 9am on Sunday, there were plenty of tired-looking faces in the audience. Forty-five minutes late, the music dissipated and the lights dimmed. “Uncross your legs, please!” the photographers yelled to the people sitting in the front row so they could get an unblocked shot of the runway. The show began with a few romantic black-and-tan lace numbers, but it wasn’t until the middle of the show that some color woke up the sleepy audience. The highlights included a black-and-neon-pink lace blouse matched with a stretch knit pant, as well as an ivory-and-yellow lace ribbon dress. The real showstopper was a multicolored neon sequined animal-print dress that glitzed and glammed down the runway. When the show ended, caffeine-desperate audience members trailed into the nearby Starbucks to load up on fuel.—Aynsley Karps

Stacey Bendet brought a bit of edgy and sophisticated Parisian style to her spring collection. Three sets of citycentric scenes were erected along one side of a large room with models posing strategically between fake street signs and urban landscapes. The threads consisted of flowered lace tights, distressed denim, crop tops and her usual stock of flirty and fun party dresses. Fitting into the theme, the French-girl band the Plasticines performed during the presentation, which attracted a slew of young pretty celebs including Mena Suvari, Kristin Cavallari, Annalynne McCord, Nicky Hilton and Shenae Grimes. Oh, and two attention-seeking housewives: Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Jill Zarin from The Real Housewives of New York City.—Anna Brand

At the Jeremy Laing presentation, fragile models stood motionless along the perimeter of an airy studio like caged animals as heaps of photographers flashed away incessantly, barely an inch from their faces. All the while, people mingled commenting on the bizarre scene: “I think it’s so strange and awful! They just stand like that all day without smiling once,” an onlooker stated. And just in case their porcelain-like faces weren’t ghostly enough, a makeup artist stood by dabbing on foundation to already-pale lips and covering up any knee scuffs. I felt like I was at Buckingham Palace with a severe urge to knock into one of their perfectly still bodies just to shake things up a little–but, professionally, I refrained.—Anna Brand

General Idea designer Bumsuk Choi really, really wants to bring the men’s jumpsuit back in style (was it ever in?). So much so that for the finale of his show, he sent every model out in an identical beige cotton one-piece. Granted, the ensemble was less janitor’s uniform and more chic menswear, with modern and refined details like a high neck, belted waist and chest pockets. But still, what was he thinking?!?—Aynsley Karps

We’re big fans of designer Wenlan Chia’s eye-catching designs, whimsical prints and ladylike silhouettes, and her spring collection didn’t disappoint. While we would wear almost everything she sent down the runway, we definitely couldn’t afford it.

In her new book Twinkle Sews (available September 29, $24.99), Wenlan shares, for the very first time, sewing patterns from her playfully elegant Twinkle by Wenlan line. Intermediate sewers who love Wenlan’s looks can choose from 25 of her patterns and DIY their own (cheap!) Twinkle creation. Even better, the full-size patterns are included on a CD for you to print out at home, and come in five different sizes so they can be customized for every body type. Too bad the only sewing we know how to do involves hot-gluing buttons onto a shirt.

Photography by Getty Images/mbfashionweek.com

Rachel Roy brings the power suit back in style with her Spring 2010 collection. Forget the frumpy shape and bulky, stiff fabric of the ’80s–her updated version is sexy, light and flowing. The collection was filled with casual yet elegant looks for the professional gal, like a soft granite matte crepe jumpsuit and harem pants with cargo pockets. Other working-woman trends consisted of lapeled shirtdresses, ’60s-inspired wide-legged pants and loose V-cut blouses. Now if we could just do something about those unempoylement rates.—Aynsley Karps

Video by Elizabeth Kreutz

Greetings, fashion mortals. Bow down, for we have brought you the gift of style from Mount Olympus in Bryant Park. Learn from these fashion deities from Spring 2010 Fashion Week. First up, a branded “up-and-coming designer” who describes her style as chameleon. Scaly reptiles are the new black, or something.

It’s with much regret that we present this photo. Why? Because a full head-to-toe shot would have been much better! What you’re not seeing, is a giant black pleatherlike bow that sat atop her head, the full hula hoop sheer skirt around her calves and a thick application of fire engine red lipstick. But alas, when taking photos like this, it’s best to sneak it as fast as possible in order to avoid getting whacked in the head with an oversize handbag.