As one young woman walked by, he noted, "She has that hungry walk." Indeed, the model was sort of slouching into an elongated "C" and practically grimacing with annoyance. "She's mad because she's so hungry!" he said. Then there was the "pterodactyl walk" another girl was doing with her neck jutting out from the body. Another model was going to get a serious talking to backstage for trampling all over the hem of her gown.

But he gave model Vlada Roslyakova kudos for her walk in which her body angles backward, her arms glide gracefully and she has the uncanny ability to balance in even the most ridiculous shoes. Her entire posture says, "Don't bother me now. I'm MODELING!" Fabulous.

Fashion followers might remember there was a kerfuffle last season about a tardy Louis Vuitton show. Designer Marc Jacobs had started his show an hour or so late. This time, word went out that he was going to be prompt. And lo and behold, the show started at about 15 past the hour. Oh, how the fashionably late ran and lept and yelped when they arrived to find the show only moments away from starting! How refreshing it was to witness this new air of promptness. My fingers are crossed that it will continue.

Model Vlada Roslyakova.(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

The shows ended Sunday evening. It's hard to say exactly what the trends were because designers were throwing all sorts of things up against the wall. There was lots of tailoring and spice colors and sophisticated dresses. But there also seems to be a weird affection for hunchback dresses. Those would be dresses with balloon backs that make a woman look like an upright turtle. And there is a deeply disturbing desire to reinvent the trouser with a dropped crotch and ballooning hips. Are designers trying to channel MC Hammer? Say it isn't so.

Most everyone was swooning over the Lanvin show Sunday evening. When I make my first million dollars and get my own personal driver, I will stock my closet with Lanvin - at least from fall 2008. I'll tell you more about that collection in my Tuesday story. In the meantime, I've made a plan to cut back on my afternoon cappucino runs. I'm socking away my pennies for a Lanvin indulgence come fall.

(Editor's Note: "Off the Runway" is going on hiatus until the Spring 2009 runway shows begin in New York. In the meantime, be sure to read Robin's "On Culture" column every Sunday.)

Designer Christian Lacroix takes to the runway.(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Each group features several examples of Lacroix's work -- often accessorized with pieces from the museum's permanent collection. Lacroix's work is surrounded by pieces he has chosen that address the same topic. The exhibition is as colorful and dynamic as one of Lacroix's runway shows.

But it isn't exactly an intellectually rigorous exhibition. And I like a little brain-candy with my fashion. I was hoping that I might see, for example, how designers through the decades have had similar responses to the idea of volume or texture. Or to have seen the way in which fashion repeats itself from one generation to the next. But only Lacroix's garments are on mannequins. The others are on racks or presented in such a way that it can be difficult to see the full garment.

It felt a bit as if you were browsing a really good vintage shop - except of course for that pesky problem of not being allowed to touch anything.

(REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

Wednesday evening I went to a terrific restaurant called Il Vino d'Enrico Bernardo at 13 Blvd. de la Tour Maubourg. The owner is a sommelier who believes that wine is more important than food. So no food is listed on the menu. Not a crumb. Instead, there are simply lists of wines designated as appetizer wines, entree ones, cheese course wines and dessert wines. You choose a wine for each course. And then the kitchen presents you with the accompanying food. Nope, you have no idea what you're going to get. I suppose you could interrogate the waiter about which mystery entrees are on the day's menu and try to beat the system. But what's the fun in that?

(Judith White/Bloomberg News)

This could be torture for all those picky American eaters who don't eat meat or chicken or cheese or dairy or mushrooms or anything that has been cooked or anything other than raw fish. The waiter will ask if you have allergies or any particular dislikes. I owned up to despising mussels because I figured some sort of seafood was likely to turn up with the wine I'd chosen for my main course.

It was worth putting my palate in the hands of the house. The appetizer turned out to be a wonderful risotto with shrimp. The main course was dorade (also called sea bream) on a puddle of polenta and some sort of spectacular sauce. I will not discuss prices here. How unseemly. But it didn't make this modest scribe go bug-eyed. Still, I'm hoping that since I got a blog entry out of the meal that I'll get to expense it. After all, I only went out of dutiful research.

Inside the new Yves Saint Laurent boutique (Robin Givhan)

The decor was inspired by the brand's Opium fragrance and so it is all thick lacquered cinnamon-colored walls with flourishes of black. But there are lots of windows. So there will be plenty of natural light during the day so everyone can get a good luck at the little black dresses with capsleeves adorned with metallic stars. Personally, I don't think the dresses look any better in the store than they did on the runway, but hey, that's just one woman's opinion.

I said my hellos to designer Stefano Pilati, who appears to be growing a faux hawk, or a faux, faux hawk. Whatever the plan for the hair, he looked dapper as always and I wished him good luck on the show, which will be on Thursday.

I wanted to capture the atmosphere at the party, which was tricky with my little camera, the crowds of people and the fact that I am not a photographer. Luckily, Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing came to the rescue and offered a bit of art direction. He didn't have much to work with, but he at least managed to prevent me from taking a photo of my own reflection in all the mirrors.

A floral print frock from Dries Van Noten

But thankfully,when I arrived the sun started shining and the Dries Van Noten store was open. I'd been hoarding my demoralized dollars so I could buy one of the floral print dresses from the designer's breathtaking spring collection. And yes, indeed, I walked out with a splendid little frock - as well as one of the zip-on cuff bracelets, which turned out not to cost the fortune I had expected. The floral print, fabric-covered shoes are gorgeous, but one false move on the street and those things are snagged and destroyed. I had to leave them in the store.

On Sunday, the weather was still glorious so I went for a run outside along Rue de l'Universite, crossed the river down by the Grand Palais and circled back to the left bank over by Notre Dame. The streets were fairly empty except for other runners and some bicyclists. It was a lovely way to tour a smidge of this gorgeous city.

An embossed leather coat by Rajesh Pratap Singh (Reuters)

My first show was by designer Rajesh Pratap Singh, who I had never heard of, but I am told is quite the big deal in India. His show space was the typical white box but the floor was covered in a thick layer of fuchsia rose petals and so the room smelled delicious. Because my wee little brain was thinking in a terribly cliched way, I was expecting the collection to be filled with color. In fact, it was a mostly black collection with floral embossed leather coats. I wasn't blown away, but it was interesting and it's always great to see something unexpected.

Later in the day, I went to the Peachoo & Krejberg show, where we all stood around in a courtyard on a weirdly balmy February evening and sipped champagne. I'm not sure exactly what the designers were waiting for. Maybe they were just waiting for the audience to get nicely liquored up. Anyway, we finally were summoned to sit and the collection, which I'd never seen before, was an eclectic mix of layers in black and gray, chiffon tunics decorated with yarn embroidery and coats with full, gathered hemlines.

On Monday, all the familiar names start showing...

I managed to scare up a little time to visit the Marni outlet at #1 via Tajani. Apparently, pretty much every other editor designated the same window of opportunity as Marni time. The place was lively and it was stuffed to the gills with merchandise from the last several seasons. While most of the merchandise - from clothes to sunglasses - is from the women's collection, there is a small selection of Marni menswear as well.

Patrick Dempsey at Versace dinner (Reuters/Allesandro Garafalo)

The "Grey's Anatomy" star was the guest of honor at a Versace dinner following the presentation of the fall '08 collection. Dempsey is the "face" of their new advertising campaign. I had a few moments with Dempsey during the cocktail hour and he remarked on how impressed he was to learn that the Versace family has dressmaking and tailoring deep in its family tree. Mama Versace was, I believe, a dressmaker with her own shop.

Dempsey was quite the charmer and his wife was equally as lovely. I did not, however, feel that his wife and I'd established enough of a bond during our five minute conversation to exclaim: You just had twins! How the heck do you look so svelte?!

Dempsey said he'd been a fan of Versace menswear even before he'd signed on to represent the brand. Of course, I was highly skeptical. But his manager, who was one of the guests at my table during dinner, assured me that really, Dempsey had worn Versace to various award shows, events, etc. So ok, we'll take them both at their word.

I only wish that everyone could have a chance to dine chez Versace. First of all, the food was spectacular. I wish I could tell you what it was other than saying it was pasta and fish, followed by a chocolate/hazelnut dessert and washed down with good wine and champagne. And more champagne. The place wasn't loaded with gold leaf and Medusa heads. It is quite understated but very grand. The room was filled with candlelit tables and low arrangements of pale pink and white roses. Gorgeous.

Donatella is looking so svelte these days I honestly wondered if she'd had a rib removed to get such an hourglass shape. Perhaps it's the magic of a Versace frock? If that's the case, the Versace boutique will be my next pitstop.

Wednesday morning I tried to jolt myself awake with a very large mug of espresso. The charming waiter tried to explain to me that the coffee that goes in the big cup is the watered down American version, but I was having none of that. I think I might have had a quadruple shot of espresso. All I can say is caffeine is not all that. I could have used a chaser of Red Bull and a big bowl of sugary cereal.

Costume Institute exhibition co-chairs Anna Wintour and Giorgio Armani (REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini )

The need to energize came about because I was headed to an 8:30 a.m. preview of the upcoming exhibtion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. The exhibition, "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," opens in May and the accompanying swanky party will be co-chaired by Vogue's Anna Wintour. The honorary chair is Giorgio Armani, who is also the lead sponsor of the exhibit.

The Costume Institute's curator Harold Koda had flown in with some frocks from the exhibition and to talk a bit about what everyone could expect. He brought along a Batman costume from the upcoming film "The Dark Knight" as well as superhero-inspired garments from designer Bernhard Willhelm, John Galliano and Armani. The exhibition sounds particularly interesting because it will be both literal and conceptual. So it will look at the costumes of superheroes such as Batman, the Hulk, Wonder Woman (my personal favorite) and Koda's favorite, Spiderman, as well as the ready-to-wear, performance sportswear and other garments inspired by them.

Costume Institute "Superheroes" preview (Robin Givhan)

All this information was fine and dandy and clear as can be, but I was left a bit confused by some of Armani's remarks. Now let me first say that he was being translated from Italian into English and so something might have been lost along the way. But in his remarks, Armani addressed a long-standing tension between Vogue and Armani in which the magazine is purported not to show the designer enough love and respect. I'm not going to get into the middle of that spat, which may or may not be real, but Armani went to great lengths to assure the audience that really, he LOVES Anna, even though they have aesthetic disagreements. Well, ok then. Thanks for clearing that up.

Armani's sponsorship of this exhibit might seem a bit odd. He's not known as a designer to be so literal in interpreting his inspiration and I can't say that I recall a collection that evoked Superman. But from a conceptual point of view, he is renowned for dressing professional women and highly regarded for creating clothes that empower and embolden women. I think that would be an interesting way of looking at his work in conjunction with superheroes.

And I might also add that while I occasionally have aesthetic disagreements with the designer, I have nothing but love and respect for him. In case anyone was wondering.

In between the Gianfranco Ferre show and the Burberry one, I stopped into a cocktail party celebrating the opening of the new Dolce & Gabbana accessory store on via della Spiga. Those Dolce boys seem to be a recurring theme on this trip. As is the custom, a store opening requires champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Thankfully, there were no images of either designer in his skivvies adorning the walls as had been the case the last time I attended one of their swank events.

Dolce & Gabbana bag

One of the best elements of their spring show had been a group of patchwork patent leather handbags. So I was curious to see how they looked up close and hanging from my shoulder. I was also interested in finding out how much they cost. Alas, the famed oversize patchwork bag had no price tag that I could find - and let's just say I dug my hand way down deep into the dark recesses of that purse. I called for assistance. The nice sales lady started going through the various pockets until she uncovered a little card that revealed the bag to be a runway sample. And it was not for sale. Does a bag that only exists on the runway - at least so far - actually exist?

The metallic sandals with wispy straps decorated with tiny leaves cut out of leather were stunning and they were priced at about 390 euros. That sounded a little bit better. Not exactly a bargain, but in the acceptable range of ridiculously overpriced shoes. Boy, oh boy, I hope my father didn't just read that sentence.

But then I got to thinking about my little encounter at the currency exchange booth at the airport. I know the airport isn't the best place to change money, but I needed cash for the cab and I was tired. Thomas Cook was calling my name. A wad of dollars got me next to nothing in euros. The exchange rate was 1.62 dollars to the euro. That's a seriously painful reality. It meant the shoes were practically $700. Talk about a buzz kill. And frankly, that's almost all anyone can talk about: the sinking dollar. Oh, and the American presidential election.

I thought things might look better - pricewise- over at the new Marni accessory store on via della Spiga. It was filled with shoes that looked - honestly - like they were made of plastic. I'm sure they were made of some super secret material that is both green and chic. But I didn't get it. The main store, just behind the accessory one, was stocked with the brand's signature sack dresses in multi-colored prints. The dresses looked gorgeous but all I kept thinking was how the last thing I needed in my life was another sack dress to go with the ga-zillion sack dresses already in my closet. Because yes, I drank the fashion Kool-Aid and decided that I should fill my wardrobe with dresses that look like they came from A Pea in a Pod. Now, I need a designer who believes in the hourglass figure. So off I went to Dolce & Gabbana.

I raved about the brand's spring collection, which was filled with breathtaking hand-painted dresses. I was hoping that the designers had taken that idea and transformed it into more accessible dresses with stunning floral prints. How brilliant would that be? Inside the store I found some of the hand-painted dresses. The label noted they were "limited edition" so I just backed away slowly without looking for the price tag. I might have fainted dead away.

But where oh where were the more accessible versions? Darn it, but those designers had decided to be purists. They did not water down the idea - except for a few painted splattered t-shirts. I admire the integrity and all that, but really, don't they know the exchange rate? Can't they show an American shopper a little love?

Green Absolute recipe

The shows began on Sunday and I've already got a couple under my belt. More about the shows in my story on Thursday. I arrived back at my hotel at about midnight to find that the staff had left a martini shaker, a bucket of ice, two glasses and a recipe for something called a Green Absolute. A special fashion week drink? The ingredients all appear to be in the mini bar. I was going to break into the vodka - for research purposes, of course - but held back. I need to pace myself. But for anyone interested, here's the recipe. Basically, throw it all into the shaker with ice. Serve in a tumbler garnished with lemon.

One of the design houses that was held up as a major offender - for having a homogenous crew of white models - was Calvin Klein. I don't know how many times photos of last season's finale have been reproduced as evidence of what's wrong with the industry when it comes to diversity.

Black model Liya Kebede on the Calvin Klein runway (Maria Valentino for The Washington Post)

But at the show Thursday evening, lo and behold, the black model Liya Kebede was on the runway. Good for you Liya and bravo to designer Francisco Costa. Sure, it would be nice to have a veritable United Nations on the runway. But this is fashion and it's all about personal vision, not we-shall-overcome. I'm happy to see that Costa's vision has gotten a little broader. Doesn't that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy?

Many other runways also had a black model or two. In fact, the black model Jourdan Dunn was practically one of the stars of the runway this time around. It didn't look like any designer had to compromise his or her creative vision to do the right thing, either. They were able to convey boho chic, rich socialite, and even creepy cypher without freezing out an entire group of women. Yes, indeed, we can all manage to get along.

By the way, the New York fashion shows end today. I'll be going to Sean John and then Marc "I don't have a clock that works" Jacobs. Marc's show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Here's hoping that it starts by 8. Cheers!

Salma Hayek and husband, Francois-Henri Pinault (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)

The event was a fundraising dinner and concert hosted by Madonna to raise money for Malawi's orphans and for UNICEF. Those who keep track of celebrity familial issues may recall that Madonna is raising a litle boy from Malawi, who she originally intended to adopt until it turned out the boy's father had a problem with that. Anyway, Madonna has focused her considerable star wattage on raising awareness for the poverty-stricken nation and getting help for the many orphans.

The event was on the lawn of the United Nations under a tent that had been erected for the occasion. I arrived after cocktails had ended because I was being the dutiful little worker bee and also had to take a moment to put on heels and lipstick. My tardiness meant that I had to proceed directly to dinner - the bar was closed! - and did not have the opportunity to properly peruse the crowd for celebrities.

I had a splendid time sitting with the folks from Saks Fifth Avenue as well as the shoe god Christian Louboutin. During the auction, which was co-hosted by Chris Rock, the lights were turned up and I was able to get a better look at the crowd.

Several tables away I spied Tom Cruise, who was bidding on a sports package that involved playing soccer with David Beckham. He lost out to someone on the far side of the room who ponyed up $300,00 and change. Good Lord.

Salma Hayek was in the room. She gave birth about five minutes ago and already looks fab-u-lous. The baby's daddy is Francois-Henri Pinault, the chairman of PPR, which is the parent company of Gucci. Madonna's daughter Lourdes egged her mother on to bid on a package that included hanging out with Zac Efron from "High School Musical," but it slipped through her grasp.

All of this glamour was underwritten by Gucci, which has opened a big store in Trump Tower. Which reminds me to mention that The Donald was there with The Wife and The Daughter. He bid on a fancy wine package, which, if I recall correctly, he got for the bargain price of about $200,000. Really, I've got to invent something ... or spend a lot more time playing the lottery.

Although I had the company credit card in my evening bag, I thought better of bidding on the deluxe trip to the Maldives. I don't recall how much that went for. By then, it was all Monopoly money to me. By the time I rolled out the door, Rihanna was on stage admonishing folks to "shut up and drive."

Dare I say "maybe"? Sunday afternoon I went to see his first Gap collection. He looks after both the men's and the women's collections and does all that other "visual" stuff that designers love to do and get all hot and bothered about when their bosses won't let them do it.

(Maria Valentino for The Washington Post)

The collection is filled with all the basic sportswear pieces you'd expect: jeans, cargo pants, t-shirts, camisoles, pullovers, etc. But it looks just a little cooler, more streamlined, a smidge more sophisticated. There are also shoes by Pierre Hardy for the Gap. I like the ones that remind me of the desert boots from back when desert boots were cool. Was that also when earth shoes were cool? Everyone was cooing over the faux shearlings. Don't call them vinyl! And Patrick was especially pleased with the sexier cargo pants and the wide leg pants in mattress ticking stripes.

(Maria Valentino for The Washington Post)

Of course, everything looked especially good because it was all layered and styled just so. Patrick will not come to your home and dishevel your t-shirt and dress you in that extra special way. Despite all the sexing up of the collection, Patrick says the prices didn't go up. Great fashion, he says, doesn't have to cost a lot. Ok, Patrick. Just remember that if you happen to turn up at Chanel one day.....

Actress Jaime King, singers Joss Stone and Rihanna. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Typically, I can only identify half of them because I don't spend enough time watching the CW network. But at his show Monday night, I did manage to identify Natasha Henstridge of the critically unacclaimed TV series "She Spies," Joss Stone (who was wearing shoes!), Fergie, who was showing off her engagement ring, Rihanna of "Umbrella, -ella, -ella" fame, a redheaded Rose McGowan of "Grindhouse" and that scary Brittany Murphy from "8 Mile." There were also a couple of blondes I simply could not place. Good times and free clothes were had by all.

Actress Brittany Murphy and her husband Simon Monjack. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Over at the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology, an exhibition on Madame Gres opened. The designer is somewhat mysterious as she never indulged in the kind of myth-making pioneered by people such as Coco Chanel and that is carried on to this day. She was famous for her classically draped gowns that look thoroughly modern today. But the exhibit makes the point that classic doesn't necessarily mean timeless. The designer altered her work subtly so that it reflected each era in which she worked - from the '40s to the '70s.

Madame Alix Grès (1903 - 1993), France, ca. 1950. Cape-coat, grey and yellow plaid wool and mohair, The Museum at FIT, Gift of Doris Duke (Irving Solero)

Finally, I ran into Liza Minelli today. Literally. I ran into her. I was rushing out of the Halston show and she was having her picture taken. And well, I was so focused on the exit that I didn't see her despite the fact that she was wearing a bright red Halston frock. And before I could apologize, I got distracted by some guy I thought was her walker who turned out to be Christian Slater and I started having a kind of crazy '80s flashback. Dear Liza, so sorry. My bad.

Heidi Klum has legs like no other. (Mark Mainz/Getty Images for IMG)

Liza Minelli was in the show. She wore Halston, from the recently revived Halston line. I wasn't loving Liza's ensemble. But Liza has been through a heck of a lot so I was just happy to see Liza standing. Then she launched into "New York, New York." I desperately want to report that Liza was in fine voice. But I cannot. Liza was working hard. She was reaching down, way down, for those notes. But they were gone. Long gone.

Liza, not in fine voice. (Bebeto Matthews/AP)

As you might expect, people regularly bring dogs to fashion shows. You know, tiny Paris Hilton sorts of dogs. Pocketbook dogs. But at the Patrik Ervell show on Saturday afternoon, an editor from a very large newspaper based in the Big Apple walked in with a dog the size of Cujo. Its big tail was swishing to and fro, a rawhide toy clutched in its mouth.

At Patrik Ervell, no pocketbook pooch. (Robin Givhan)

Truth be told, the dog was better behaved than a whole lot of guests - including the pink-haired pixie who practically shoved me out of the way while I was backstage at the Tracy Reese show on Sunday. But I digress. Back to the dog. I love dogs. I've never met a dog I didn't love. But really, there should be a size limit for dogs at fashion shows. And if they're so big that they outweigh the vast majority of the models, then they should at least get their own seat.