Candela

"At the time, I thought I was in the chicest place in the universe," said Peter Som of his first time at New York Fashion Week as a Parsons student. In honor of that impending chicness, we spoke with him and others — veterans and newcomers alike — to hear the experiences of their first shows, their most memorable moments, and how they plan to recover after the madness of the week is over.

Pamela Love remembers being nervous the first time Anna Wintour attended one of her shows (who wouldn't be?), and Chris Benz told us about his very own House of Style moment at Marc Jacobs's Spring 2002 show. We also heard tales from Rebecca Minkoff, Rachel Comey, Yigal Azrouel, Jenni Kayne, and many others. Read on for a look at their most memorable Fashion Week moments — and find out who was so starstruck by Chloe Sevigny that they offered to let her skip the bathroom line — here, in the gallery.

— Reporting by Christina Pérez

For Holiday, Candela designer Gabriela Perezutti was inspired by Downton Abbey, creating a vintage-inspired collection with a fresh twist. "We're obsessed about this show in the office," said Perezutti. "We gave the collection a modern spin by taking a look at the crafted handwork of the period in the show but with shorter, sexier silhouettes." The collection showed just that; French lace Peter Pan collared dresses are sweet and festive options, while printed variations paired with femme blouses add a new world touch. Perezutti's favorite pieces from the collection? "From the Holiday collection, my favorites are the Jonny Lace Dress & Edi Dress," said the designer, who sourced her mother (in the '70s) and fashion and fine art photographer Lee Miller as her style icons. Click the slideshow to see which pieces we're fawning over.

Natalia Kuks-Jacobs and Gabriela Perezutti-Isacson—born in Argentina and Uruguay, respectively—have been designing New York-based clothing and accessory label Candela since 2004. For spring 2010 we love their straight-from-the-Estancia look book, especially the tiered floral skirts and handkerchief hem dresses paired with ankle boots and rancher hats.