Before continuing with our look at those Fashion Week attendees we can’t quite look at, Slate would like to note that, as the shows ground pitilessly on, tiredness came to seem almost like a plausible excuse for wearing one’s shades indoors. Your correspondent would also like to offer a special citation to one Kate Lee, assistant fashion editor of BlackBook. Asked why she was wearing her unimpeachably modish Ray-Bans—”Sass & Bide for Ray-Ban”—before the Nanette Lepore show, Ms. Lee made mention of “all the flashes” going off as photographers snapped Illeana Douglas, Steve Buscemi, and the omnipresent Mischa Barton. Quick thinking, honey! But what about the rest of the week?
Name? Andrew Richardson
What brings you here? “Beautiful people, beautiful clothes.”
What kind of sunglasses are those? “No name.”
Why are you wearing them inside? “Why not? They match my shirt.”
Name? James Aguiar
What brings you here? “I host Full Frontal Fashion.”
What kind of sunglasses are those? Ray-Ban
Why are you wearing them inside? “Because I was just in Miami covering the swim shows, and they were a big sponsor.”
Name? Yuval David
What brings you here? “My stylist told me to come.”
What kind of sunglasses are those? Silhouettes
Why are you wearing them inside? “Why am I wearing them inside? Um, I’m shooting a film right now, and I’m really tired.”
Name? Alexandra Bottrie
What brings you here? Seeing Luca Luca “for fun.”
What kind of sunglasses are those? Oliver Peoples
Why are you wearing them inside? “Because people don’t need to know what I’m looking at.”
Name? Rhonda McKnight
What brings you here? Wardrobe stylist.
What kind of sunglasses are those? “These are just from SoHo. They’re no-name.”
Why are you wearing them inside? “I stayed out late at the Heatherette after-party. Plus, they look cool.”
Name? Janine Reneé.
What brings you here? “I’m a freelance fashion designer.”
What kind of sunglasses are those? “I think they’re supposed to be Polo knockoffs.”
Why are you wearing them inside? ” ‘Cause I was outside, and I forgot to take ‘em off? I … I … I mean, it’s a look, right? It’s no longer functional. It’s an accessory.”
Name? Stephanie Benanty
What brings you here? “The Project Runway show. My friend won tickets at a benefit.”
What kind of sunglasses are those? Giorgio Armani
Why are you wearing them inside? [Giggles.]
