Fashion rocks for islander

COMMENTARY

Growing up in Hawaii, I thought New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park was an event I would only see in newspapers, magazines or on television. But this year I was given the chance to experience it firsthand.

Shawnee Hammer, host of "Hawaii In Style TV," and I jumped at the opportunity to accompany five Aveda hairstylists from Hawaii to Fashion Week.

Days started early and were long but exciting. We documented everything that happened behind the scenes as well as all of the beautiful clothing in the spring/summer 2007 collections of fashion's top designers.

Everything about Fashion Week was a new experience. Besides the unfamiliar environment, many times we were up against some of the big guns in the media.

Our first show was Alfred Fiandaca's. The internationally acclaimed designer has dressed the most stylish women from Hollywood to Park Avenue (names like Audrey Hepburn, Susan Lucci and Nancy Reagan) and has created many Oscar-winning evening gowns. The intimate Fiandaca show and was perfect for a crash course in fashion photography 101.

We didn't know, for example, that we had to mark our spot in the pit, which is where camera crews stand. We needed to be aggressive, although being the only girls in the pit made it much easier to get a prime spot. Holding an air of superiority, we strutted in and out the backstage entrance, while paparazzi were camped out on the edges of the building.

From Fiandaca we progressed to larger, more extravagant shows. The Rag & Bone show -- held off the Bryant Park property in what is known as the Tunnel -- was where we ran into Cameron Diaz and Julianne Moore. The vacant warehouse-type location fit the urban style collection from Rag & Bone.

At the Nicole Miller show, the pace began to pick up. Miller has been in the forefront of the fashion industry for years. It was at this show that the press pit doubled in size and everything moved at a crazy pace. Nikki Hilton was just one of the celebrities in the backstage area that afternoon.

Finally, the highlight of our week was probably Baby Phat, an incredible show and one where security was at the highest level. The decor was spectacular and the vibe was high. Hollywood celebrities and VIPs entered on a red carpet to the side of the entrance. It was here that we were nestled between VH-1 and MTV to grab shots of Beyoncé Knowles, Tyra Banks and 50 Cent -- just some of the front-row VIPs.

50 Cent nearly got into a scuffle but was intercepted by security. He was probably grouchy because he had been ticketed for several traffic violations prior to the show. Many rappers were present, as this is their type of fashion -- funky and outrageous models flounced down the stage with gold teeth or grills, some with diamonds and mohawk hairstyles.

At this show, being a full 5 feet tall had advantages. Smashed like sardines in a small pit, 150-plus photographers had to fight for space, and I mean literally. I was lucky to be able to plant myself in front of one of the larger video cameras -- the photographer was able to shoot directly over my head.

The week was the coolest experience I've had outside Hawaii. It was awesome -- a lot of work but all worth it.

Monday was an even more meaningful day, the fifth anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy. It was a day of remembrance but also a day to realize how lucky we all are.

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