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"As a fashion voyeur, I love Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The people-watching. The pomp and circumstance. The priceless look of a fashionista ready to be photographed with every purse of her lips. And glamour is not just found in the front row.It&amp;#x27;s the Lincoln Center lobby, the Milk Studios elevator, atop the Empire Hotel and in hidden gems across NYC that showcase the independent designer. Among the best places to spot talent are the presentation of up-and-coming designers that take place during Fashion Week. In the penthouse of the Empire Hotel that overlooks Lincoln Center was the annual Nolcha Fashion Lounge. Hosted by yours truly, it gives independent retailers an opportunity to get their goods in front of editors, stylists, buyers and bloggers. In my opinion, a notable brand to watch is The Art of EMJ. Two super-hotties out of Chicago custom making bowties out of leather. It was something I had never seen before and something that definitely deserves some fashion love. Someone tweet @KanyeWestTheRea. Further downtown was the Select New York show at the Helen Hayes Theatre. I went to check out my girl, Sheila Frank, whom I&amp;#x27;ve had my stylist eye on for a while, and was surprised to find a hotbed of other designers making some really cool stuff. Specifically, the Sammy B. collection by Samantha Black who rocks mesh with lace, danger with design. Pieces ready for a Rihanna or Gaga red carpet sighting. Keep an eye out. And finally, at Milk Studios in Chelsea, which is the satellite location for Fashion Week, was the Katie Gallagher presentation. Goth. Black. Industrial Revolution. Gray. A foggy morning in Westgate on Sea. Bondaged hemlines of mesh grazing the floor. And the Milk crowd? A feast for my inner Peeping Tom. Photos: Jess Zaino Your opinions are always in style. Click here to take our quick survey about the new site and be entered for a chance to win one grand prize ($2,000 Intermix gift card) or one of five $500 Intermix gift cards.* *NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter and for full rules, including alternate method of entry, click here. Starts 12:01 AM EST 2/2/11 and ends 11:59 PM ET 2/21/11. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States/DC, 18 or older as of the date of entry, except employees of Sponsor/Administrator, their immediate families and those persons living in the same household. Void outside the 50 United States/DC and where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. ARV of 1 grand prize: $2000 and 5 first prizes: $500 each. Sponsor/Administrator: Conde Nast."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/dressed/2011/02/yp-independent-designers-throw-yo>