Talk of the Tents

By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

Fashion Week can be a madhouse behind the scenes.

First you get your credentials checked at the door; then you wait in a long line where people aren't shy about pushing and shoving; then you get your credentials checked again; then you're herded into different lines depending on how important you are; then you watch as haughty johnny-come-latelys are ushered past you; then a rope is dropped and the mad rush for the actual show tent starts; then you elbow and maneuver for the best view; then you stand around and wait with music blaring and bright lights flashing as show techs do their last-minute checks and people try to steal your spot; then it goes dark and everyone hushes; then the show starts. Then the show's over, and the pushing and shoving start up again.

And all that's just to get into the press section.

Which may be why as the Diane von Furstenberg show ended Sunday, a nasty fight broke out as the lights went up.

It didn't escalate to fisticuffs, but for a few minutes a videographer screamed and cursed at a photographer for allegedly interfering with his shot during the show. The photographer yelled and cursed right back. Everyone else just hustled to get out and make it to the line for the next show.