Materials Girls: Designers Trim Hemlines, Costs

Fashion Week's Power Partiers

A group of social, glamorous-looking people act as room fillers during New York Fashion Week's runway shows and after-parties. We give a sampling of the most enthusiastic attendees.

Democratic Design: Voting on Dresses

In an attempt to broaden his brand beyond department stores and boutiques, designer Derek Lam is putting dress designs on his eBay storefront and allowing shoppers to vote on their favorites.

The Master Chart of Fashion Influence

The fashion world may often inhabit its own bubble, but fashion doesn't exist in its own vacuum. Designers are influenced by other designers, past and present, whether they realize it or not—and whether they admit it or not.

The Business Traveler's Secret Weapon: a Great Coat

Outerwear offers as much opportunity for creative expression as jeans, tops and dresses.

Looking Youthful, Not Schoolgirl

Spring's soft, youthful clothes can be tricky for women who aren't in their teens or early twenties.

Working Fashion: The Man Who Checks Coats

Jesse Steel has unsolicited fashion advice for the stylish attendees of Fashion Week: Ditch the black coats. "Half the coats in here are black Burberry," said the man in charge of the coat check.

Working Fashion: The Man Who Helps Models Dress

Darryl Nipps carries a baggie filled with nude thong underwear at all times. As a head dresser at Fashion Week, it is his job to oversee the workers who physically help models into clothing.

Cinderella Dreams, on a Tight Budget

Harvard grads Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss create Rent the Runway—the Netflix of the fashion world.

• In Charge: Starting Up…Without a Business Plan

Sparkles and Smiles at Michael Kors

Michael Kors has found the one thing in your wardrobe that you probably haven't updated yet: spangles and sparkles.

The Women Who Pay the Runway Price

Many of designers' runway styles are actually purchased by a small group of customers, not all of them from the isle of Manhattan.

• Interactive: Fashion Week in Photos
• Heard on the Runway: News From the Fashion World

Modern Modesty à la Kate Middleton

To draw inspiration for their fall collections unveiled this week, American fashion designers closed their eyes and thought of England. In particular, many of them seemed to be thinking of Kate Middleton, the fiancée of Prince William.

Hello Panda, Bye-bye Kitty?

Hi Panda is no Hello Kitty. In fact, the Chinese brand with the grumpy mascot is far edgier than the Sanrio cat.

Project His Way: Kors Expands

The fashion designer describes his aesthetic as "pragmatic indulgence," a term that can also describe his business plans, which include stores around the world and new brand extensions.

When a Model Falls: Kelly Cutrone Deals With Disaster

For at least ten seconds Kelly Cutrone hates any model who falls on her runway. When it happened during the Nicholas K. show at Fashion Week, rage clouded her face as she yelled: "Model down!"

Coats, Cowls Warm Up the Runway

Having weathered a particularly harsh winter along with the masses, New York designers have made outerwear a dominant trend on the runway.

• Blog: Heard on the Runway

Neiman Marcus Opens Customer Door Wider

After a sharp sales drop-off in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Neiman Marcus is opening its doors to a wider range of customers, especially younger ones.

• Department Stores Step Up Their Game

Denim Master Unveils New Line

At a party at the space formerly known as Deitch Projects, Johan Lindeberg, the Manhattan-based Swedish denim guru, will debut his new line BLK DNM, what he's calling "a new brand for a new era."

Early Shows Draw Scouts, Mentors

As they view young collections at New York Fashion Week, fashion directors seek trends as well as discoveries to sell.

Menswear's Young Bloods Kick It Old School

A crop of burgeoning new designers return to classic, quiet understatement.

Orange Is Color of the Moment

Fall in love with the color of the moment in women's fashion.

• Photos: Orange, Orange Everywhere

The '40s Footwear Fashionista

How retro glamour inspires London-based shoe designer Charlotte Dellal.

The Verdura Universe Expands

The storied jeweler makes the new way of shopping an old-fashioned experience.

• Photos: Verdura: Then and Now

Heartless Valentine's Day Gifts

Here are some presents free of namby pamby sentiment. For Him: Selfish gifts that'll make you happy and improve his style and manners. For Her: Offerings that avoid the usual clichés and preserve your manhood, too.

Oil Is the New Face Cream

Toss your moisturizer in favor of deeply hydrating nectars (no, they won't make you break out).

Scent of a Woman

A wine expert and fragrance fanatic sniffs out a round of intoxicating new scents.