On Monday night at 9 pm (EST), HBO will debut the documentary Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags that takes a look at the history of New York’s Garment District. From the clips we just watched, it looks to be incredibly educational and interesting.

As someone who has only worked on the editorial side, the Garment District has just been an axis around which the industry I work in revolved. But I’ve never had much first-hand knowledge or experience with it, the way a designer or a production person would. Needless to say, I will be tuning in and soaking up all the historical footage and interviews with lifelong garmentos and industry folks like Fern Mallis and Isaac Mizrahi.

The Garment District used to be a serious force in the city’s economy, but that’s become less and less the case as the years go by. In the mid-60s 95% of American clothing was made in the US. By 1985, it was 70% and now it’s only about 5%. You can only imagine what that does to the country’s fashion hub.

Lately its problems are garnering a lot more attention. Along with the documentary, a Save the Garment Center rally has been planned. The center is in danger of shutting down due to zoning issues with the city. Steven Kolb, Stan Herman, Nanette Lepore and others will be on hand voicing their concerns and showing support.

Here’s hoping the garment industry fares better than the airlines and the automobiles. More information on the rally and another clip after the jump!

The first solid details on the tentatively titled MAC at Milk shows we’ve been talking about since the cosmetics company decided to end its partnership with IMG leaving Maybelline to jump in as the official makeup sponsor at Bryant Park.

And the initial list of designers signed on for events at Milk Studios is very, very strong: Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Peter Som, Threeasfour, Vena Cava, Band of Outsiders, Adam Lippes, Altuzarra, Barbara Tfank, Costello Tagliapietra, Erin Fetherston, Pamela Love, Preen and Temperley London.

Though Fern Mallis, senior vice president of IMG, is one of the most important figures in fashion (she is basically who we have to thank for that little thing called Fashion Week), many people don’t actually know her know her.

So we thought we’d share this short, rare interview she did with Bravo in promotion for her role as a judge on Bravo’s new Project Runway replacement called The Fashion Show, for which Isaac Mizrahi is also a judge, so everyone can get to know the lovely Fern a bit better.

Learn that she used to wear only American designers while director of the CFDA, that her style is “international,” that Donna Karan sometimes “gets fats, gets skinny,” and that Fern is much nicer than most people seem to think she is.

The show premiers May 7th - more info on Bravo’s site.

When we first heard about Bravo’s Project Runway replacement, Fashion House, we chalked it up to being a desperate move and a show that probably no one would watch.

Consider our tune changed: Bravo’s just announced the show’s judges, and they’re none other than Isaac Mizrahi (whom we wish we could carry around in our pocket for running commentary all day) and IMG’s Fern Mallis! (Oh, um, also Kelly Rowland, but let’s just skip over that part.)

The show airs sometime later this year, and pits professional designers against each other in a series of challenges for the chance to have their line available for sale in a “major retail outlet” (which we’re sure will be a major help to whichever department store signed on for this).

But back to what’s important: If Isaac can somehow work Sketches & Answers into this - maybe while the credits roll? - we’re hooked.

Update: Bravo’s changed the show’s name to The Fashion Show. Very descriptive.

Today’s WWD put a little scare in our breakfast: Fern Mallis said she’s fielded some questions from some “major designers” about showing at Bryant Park this coming Fashion Week, which, believe it or not, is less than three months away.

The catch? These “major designers” don’t usually show at the tents, usually opting for more luxurious off-site locations like the Altman Building or The New Museum’s Sky Room. It seems that - surprise, surprise - designers are finding themselves with less cash in recent days, so super expensive locations around the city might take a seat behind just showing at the tents, a much cheaper, and more practical option.

And all those parties and store openings and bottles of mini-champagne under the seats? Who knows - they’re certainly not necessities, which means they won’t necessarily be accounted for this February.

So could we be looking at a completely different Fashion Week? Imagine Alexander Wang at The Promenade instead of the Eyebeam, or Marc Jacobs under a tent rather than at the Lexington Avenue Armory. Imagine the younger designers clumping their shows together to split costs, or just not showing at all.

The lone, bright spot in all this? The more designers that show at the Tents, the less running around and cab hunting on the part of show attendees and models, which could lead to shows actually being on time consistently through the week.

So, less shows, smaller shows, less fun, and everything on time? Alas Fashion Week, we knew you well.