New York Fashion Week

>> "Certain things can make you really happy — a good vanilla cupcake is one. A fun pair of jeans rolled up to the knee is another," John Patrick says. To spread that happiness, the designer has collaborated with Raleigh Denim on some terrific-looking raw jeans — made from recycled and sustainable fabrics, of course — to go along with the season's offering of hand-loomed knits, slouchy leather duffel coats, and wallpaper-floral frocks. Certain things, indeed.

With New York Fashion Week starting today, we can only imagine the frenzy that comes in the weeks beforehand. If you've ever wondered how fashion insiders stay sane, beautiful, and calm during this hectic month (maybe they don't), listen up. We spoke to some of New York's most tenured about their Fashion Week essentials, beauty product go-tos, and, for our pure curiosity, their special hidden talents. Just click the slideshow to get up close and personal with Olivia Palermo, Rachel Roy, Rebecca Taylor, and more now.

>> And suddenly, it begins. Steven Alan kicks off the Fall 2012 season with a collection of '30s- and '40s-tinged separates in tonal grays, textural wools, and — of course — lots of prints and stripes. Alan also tapped inspiration from Mexican painter Diego Rivera, and so a nice dose of folk was worked into the collection's classic prepster mix: wooden buttons, blanket wools, leather riding belts, and perky little felt fedoras.
Photos: Christina Pérez

Our New York Fashion Week kickoff began this morning with Steven Alan. For Fall, the designer showed another batch of covetable casual-cum-cool offerings pairing his signature modern classic style with a bold touch of Mexican and folk influence. Full red skirts were paired with riding jackets and fedora hats and structured striped wool vests with slightly flared pants, and there was even a cute vintage-inspired tweed jumpsuit styled with a button-up blouse and cardigan. For a soft touch, the designer also supplied sweet peplum-embellished floral and striped dresses, plaid shirt dresses, and, for a little shine, black and gold brocade dresses and trousers. Read below for the complete breakdown, then check out the gallery to see the complete collection.

• Trends: Knee-length skirts, peplums, stripes, plaid.
• Colors: Gray, red, burgundy, brown, black.
• Key Piece: We loved the Mexican-inspired blazers and vests.
• Accessories: Wool fedora hats, oxfords, lace-up ankle boots, skinny belts, cozy tights, ankle-strap sandals.
• Who Would Wear It: Casual-cool girls like Kirsten Dunst and Alexa Chung.

Fashion Week is upon us, and models, designers, and other industry insiders everywhere are prepping for the shows the way football players prep for the Super Bowl. Come behind the scenes with us to find out how some of fashion’s biggest names and most beautiful faces stay healthy, balanced, and totally gorgeous during all the excitement.

As much as we're dying to see what NYC-based designers will be sending down the Fall 2012 runways, we're equally excited to see fashion's It girls donning some seriously cool Spring '12 accessories. While it was hard to narrow down the season's best pieces, we're sure that these ultra-luxe, jaw-dropping add-ons are just what the front-row lineup ordered. From Gianvito Rossi for Altuzarra's sexy, colorful ankle-strap heels to Charlotte Olympia's exotic-print clutch, here are 15 Spring-perfect items just begging to be captured in a glossy street-style shot. Click through to see our editors' 15 standout picks now.