New York Fashion Week Day 5 & 6:Afternoon Treats Plus Dennis Basso,Brian Reyes & Carlos Miele

We have to admit, that unlike a lot of bloggers, we are not spending every waking moment in the tents. Partly it's because almost everything pales in comparison to what we saw from Marc Jacobs on Monday. He just seems to be operating on a different level. Also, we're trying to pace ourself, because if we don't, then serious burnout would be setting in right about now. Besides, we live close enough that we can go home and blog rather than trying to squeeze into the press room or find a precious seat somewhere in the lobby. We're relieved, because it wears on a person to hang out there all day snacking on Lu Petit Écolier biscuits. This afternoon, however, we happened upon the Tasti D-Lite girl when we came back for Carlos Miele. She was serving little samples of the non-fat dairy dessert which we often totally ignore. It was pleasantly tasty.
But lets go back to Tuesday afternoon when we showed up for Dennis Basso.
What's a fur designer to do for a Spring show? Basso presented some lightweight openworked furs like little broadtail jackets, but he mostly focused on his apparel line which keeps his Madison Avenue boutique busy in the off season.

A few things mark a Basso show, most noticeably the tighter security. Although they didn't check bags this season, extra guards were placed at the aisles to ensure that no stray anti-fur protester made it on to the runway. it's telling, however that while there were protesters outside the tent, Peta, the most visible activist group, chose to focus their efforts on Donna Karan's DKNY show, where there was no fur because there rarely if ever is any in a DKNY collection. What was there was a greater chance for publicity, so Basso's show went off without a hitch, and his luxe ready-to-wear line made it down the runway without interruption. Besides, what's the likelihood of actually convincing a fur designer to throw in the towel?
Denis Basso's show is also a great place to observe the latest advances in cosmetic surgery. It is one where clients may actually outnumber press and buyers. Anna Wintour may be the queen bee at the other shows she chooses to attend, but here, the top dog appears to be Ivana Trump, judging from the bewildering press frenzy she is still able to inspire. There's always lots of heavy perfume wafting through the air, and an extra helping of extra-blonde tresses framing shiny, unlined foreheads. Basso, to his credit, know his clients well, and consistently gives them what they want, rich looking clothes that are youthful but wearable, which is no mean feat.
Brian Reyes, Carlos Miele and The Rundown after the jump

This morning, we hit Brian Reyes at 9 AM. Reyes is up and comer, and like most early morning shows, it wasn't a madhouse, but he managed to pull in key editors and top retail executives for a sportier show that progressed from light and sporty to darker and more luxurious. It's all business at that hour, while the celebs and various other hangers on tend to show up later in the day.
Later in the day, Carlos Miele brought Brazilian singer Seu Jorge to serenade the models on the runway causing a few normally stony faced girls to crack a smile or two, but not Karlie Kloss who maintained her determined, icy glare throughout. Jorge sang throughout the show, but meandered through the runway and back stage, eventually returning to lead the parade for the finale. Depending on your point of view, it was either distracting or amusing to see this guy flirting and leering with the models who were generally aloof to his attention, but it invigorated what, by midweek, can become a sterile environment inside those tents. Also adding more than a little life was Miele's collection. His audience was primed for a sexy show, and he didn't disappoint them. He continues to find new ways to construct his intricately draped, printed gowns.
THE RUNDOWN
DENNIS BASSO
MODELS:
Diversity Quotient: 18.75%
16 Models in 36 looks
2 Black models, Georgie Badiel & Atong Arjok. 2 Asian models, Han Jin & Sana in 9 looks total
CELEBRITIES: Actress Stacey Dash, Ivana Trump & various social figures like Denise Rich, Jamee Gregory & Cece Cord

BRIAN REYES
MODELS:
Diversity Quotient: 27%
29 Models in 33 looks
5 Black models, Georgie Badiel, Joan Smalls, Austria, Ajuma, Sessilee. 3 Asian models, Sana, Anastasia, Hye Park in 9 looks.
CELEBRITIES: Actress Kate Mara

CARLOS MIELE
MODELS:
Diversity Quotient: 19%
14 Models in 31 looks
2 Black models, Arlenis Sosa, Aminata. 1 Asian Model, Liu Wen in 6 looks.
CELEBRITIES: Leven Rambin, Olivia Palermo
SWAG: Black tote with music CD from Sagatiba Cachaça