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NEW YORK (AP) - They're beautiful, bizarre and sometimes bewildering. The coveted invitations that grant admission to New York Fashion Week events range from ornate floral to felt to minimalist all-black.
But don't assume that information such as who the designer is _ or even the location of the show _ will be readily apparent. The shiny black cardboard invitation to Alexander Wang's show last weekend at the Brooklyn Navy Yard bore no details on place or time, but it did have a tiny sentence on the reverse: "Touch to reveal front." Letters became visible with the show details once a hand was placed on the card, presumably a chemical reaction from heat.
Diane von Furstenberg's invitations bore a colorful floral swirl on a black background, while an invite to an Oscar de la Renta party was pretty and romantic, covered with red, pink and beige roses. The invitation to the show for Edun, the label founded by rocker Bono and his wife to promote the fashion industry in Africa, was covered with soft gray felt.
The DKNY invite was hologram-like, showing different images _ including the DKNY logo and the Statue of Liberty _ depending which way you tilted it. Christian Siriano's invitation showed a body with a protruding breast, covered in black and white polka dots.
Manolo Blahnik, known for sexy high-end shoes, had a drawing of an old-fashioned side-buttoned ankle boot on his invitation _ but with a stiletto heel.
New York Fashion Week began Feb. 6 and ends Thursday.
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