Yesterday afternoon MAC’s John Demsey and Milk’s Mazdack Rassi hosted a panel discussion for Parsons and FIT students in the studio that was the site of so many shows this past week.

First, let us just say kudos to the two. MAC & Milk was a huge success in my opinion. It was such a more serene atmosphere than the agita-inducing tents. The staff was incredibly helpful. PR people told us it was drama-free and easy to stage their shows and presentations. There were no nightmarish elevator or temperature situations (two of our big concerns). My only real complaint was the patchy internet service I sometimes got inside on the second floor. A girl’s gotta Tweet!! But all in all, it was a job very, very well done. Let’s do it again in February!

Back to yesterday’s interesting panel, moderated by the hilarious Suzy Menkes and including Rassi, Jack & Lazaro, Humberto Leon and Caral Lim from Opening Ceremony, Parsons Dean of Fashion Simon Collins, and Alexander Wang.

Fashion Week unofficially kicked off last night in a small screening room at Norwood packed with Vogue-ettes, socialites, Rachel & Rodger & Brad, Lorenzo, Nathalie Rykiel, Jack, Lazaro, Leighton Meester, Patrick McMullan and the Trainas.

Sundance Channel screened the first episode of The Day Before, the documentary style show that follows designers for the thirty-six mad hours leading up to their runway show. It was, as past fashion documentaries have proven, hilarious, stressful and fun to watch - there’s even a bit with a dog.

Before the screening Jack swore, “We never fight,” with a twinkle in his eye.

Lazaro jumped in to clarify, “In the end, if he sees a black collection and I see white, it’ll be gray.”

And so it begins…

Tonight we’ll be chatting with Jack and Lazaro before a preview screening of The Day Before, the Sundance Channel series about the 48 hours leading up to some of our favorite shows. And we’ll sip on a little champagne to toast the series at the after party.

Then it’s on to the Crystal Renn’s party at the Soho Grand for me, while Britt hits up Paper Magazine’s 25th Anniversary Party at the New York Public Library where she’ll be mingling with Liza Minelli, The Virgins, and Queen Latifah, and of course Mr. Mickey. If that doesn’t kinda perfectly sum up Paper, I’m not sure what does. (Plus the Mayor even named it Paper Magazine Day here in the city. Nice.)

If you’re not already, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@fashionista_com) as we’ll be tweeting our way through all things Fashion Week. That way you won’t miss us during our erratic posting schedule as we’re taking in shows and presentations.

Everyone’s psyched for Fashion’s Night Out, but everyone’s worried that no one’ll actually shop - or we were worried until we saw the official PSA.

You’d be hard pressed not to break out your wallet after listening to Sarah Jessica Parker beg and watching Diddy dance his way across the screen. Anna Wintour laughs, which is becoming less unusual, and Raquel Zimmermann hangs onto Alex Wang like a monkey to a tree and they’re all SO excited.

Suddenly, it makes sense to shell out for a PS 1 if Jack & Lazaro help pick the color or splurge on Elizabeth & James when Ashley tells you what fits best - especially since the night before Fashion Week all anyone wants are new clothes. Anyway, now we think this’ll be successful, and by successful we mean lucrative.

The official PSA, above. Outtakes, after the jump!

Who won big last night at the CFDAs? Here’s the full list:

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Rodarte’s Laura and Kate Mulleavy
Menswear Designer of the Year (tie): Calvin Klein’s Italo Zucchelli and Band of Outsiders’ Scott Sternberg
Accessory Designer of the Year: Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez
Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Alexander Wang
Swarovski Award for Menswear: Tim Hamilton
Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry
International Award: Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Anna Sui
Eugenia Sheppard Award: Women’s Wear Daily editor-in-chief Ed Nardoza
Eleanor Lambert Award: GQ’s Jim Moore
Board of Director’s Special Tribute: First Lady Michelle Obama

We didn’t even know what boat shoes were until we picked up and moved to the east coast for college a whopping seven years ago.

And even then, they became associated with a very specific kind of boy whose outfit was generally topped off with a pastel shade. But two weeks ago, we saw a pair walking through the West Village, and they were topped off with a drop dead gorgeous Lazaro Hernandez and not a pastel in sight.

Then someone told us that “all” the hipsters are wearing them, (we’re not sure we believe this since we live in Hipsterville, Brooklyn and we’ve yet to see them). Then an ex-boyfriend texted to ask where he could get a pair. Then we saw three, yes three!, adorable girls out last night wearing boat shoes with their flirty summer dresses. And then the final proof that they are indeed a trend? There’s an entire row of red and blue ones at the Forever 21 on Broadway.

We’ll forever associate them with those New England boys around campus, but we think they actually work with girly dresses - they tone them down a bit and make them perfect for lazy afternoons.

Are you searching high and low for Sperry’s or are you sticking with your trusty gladiator sandals this summer?