Mary J. Blige performs at Catherine Malandrino's fashion show. photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan >>click here for a larger photo

Catherine Malandrino - New York Fashion Week Fall 2006
Feb. 10, 2006 – Roseland Ballroom

After viewing countless turns on the runway, show after show, designer after designer, one develops what is called “Fashion Week Headache,” that slightly numb sensation in the middle of one’s head that starts at the beginning of the week and doesn’t go away until the end.  The clothes begin to blend together.  The runways are all the same.  The models all start to look like Gemma and Daria (although models walk multiple shows, so that isn’t entirely inaccurate).

Enter Catherine Malandrino, who injected some life into Fashion Week on its final day.  The choice of venue gradually began to make sense in a production that was less fashion, more show.  First of all, there was no runway, just a series of tiered circular platforms.  One by one, models walked out and stood in orderly fashion along the circumferences of these boards, giving spectators prolonged views of their outfits.  Second of all, the platforms began to revolve 360 degrees as the music became more animated and some vocals started to become audible.

Finally, much to the surprise of many, Mary J. Blige suddenly made her way to the top platform and the models cleared for her to perform a number.  The beautiful spectacle suddenly became a concert, and Mary J. treated us to some impressive vocals.

As for the clothes…well, who cares?

- Yuan-Kwan Chan