
On Friday evening, as Midtown offices emptied out for the weekend, around 30 young fans lay strewn across 49th Street, bundled up in layers, clutching iPhones, blankets and sleeping bags.

Rumors circulated that the New York ladies were asking to do press alone due to internal tension, a charge Luann de Lesseps denies. She does acknowledge that "alliances have changed" this season, an understated referral to the now nuclear fight between former besties Jill Zarin and Bethenny Frankel. (Which, frankly, makes us sad as fans. Past Bethenny-Jill segments were endearing and kooky.)

A surprise guest nearly stole the spotlight from Hova, though. Jay-Z took an unexpected break in the middle of the set, ceding the stage to Young Jeezy, who asked the crowd to pray for prison-bound Lil Wayne. As Nicki Minaj and Jeezy performed Young Money's "Bedrock," Lil Wayne bounced into view unannounced, ricocheting off the stage like a teenage cat. The crowd squealed a collective "OMG!" like tweens at a Justin Bieber concert. Rapper Drake completed the entourage as they segued into the now-apropos mixtape jam "I'm Going In." Each of Lil Wayne's going innnn's was savored by the crowd, as it was likely to be the last performance before the rapper starts a one-year sentence for gun possession.

At a talk at Manhattan's French Institute Alliance Francaise, the designer discussed growing up in a family of furriers, moving to Manhattan and how he grew the family company into luxury brand. He told anecdotes of sleeping on sables when he was child, and said that he started making women's clothes in the 1980s because he thought anti-fur protesters wouldn't smash his Madison Avenue windows at night if he showcased dresses over minks.



His film stars fellow South African expat and Victoria's Secret model Candice Swanepoel modeling his Fall 2010 collection against a celestial background. Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf employed a similar technique with Shalom Harlow for their Spring 2009 show.

Just inside the door, waiters stood at attention with trays of freshly-uncorked Dom Perignon. Amiable, chattering guests found themselves staring at models on pedestals, set against black curtains and under bright lights. Whether it was from the heat of the lights or the tightly-packed space, a few models looked like they might wilt and take their pretty frocks with them. A girl in an ethereal red dress visibly teetered, then caught herself.

The cameras were focused on the front row, too. Singers Estelle and Matt Morris, French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld, Vogue's Anna Wintour and actress Jessica Biel, girlfriend of Justin Timberlake were all in attendance. Mr. Timberlake and his childhood friend Trace Ayala are William Rast's creative directors.

Models wore monochrome, layered ensembles, such as camisoles and dresses paired with corsets, with no accessories, minimal makeup, loose hair and flat sandals. The collection was strictly edited: There were only 20 looks, which meant there weren't deviations into other themes.

The designer walked the editor through his looks, which were presented on a platform stage where models in ombre wigs stood (or tried to stand) perfectly still. Professional and amateur photographers created a little circle around the pair as they moved across one set of clothes to the next.