Honestly, if the worst he can say about me is that I’m gay, then I think I’ll be fine. I can handle it.

-Zac Efron, said in the Jan./Feb. 2008 issue of Details in an interview with Simon Dumenco about celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

At one point, my mailbox at work was overflowing with Fashion Week invitations. I was all a twitter.

Perry Ellis (clockwise from bottom left), Willow, Sass & Bide

These invites were like a fabulous piece of drywall. In other words, they were printed on very thick cardstock.

The Vivienne Tam invite had one of those cool images on the back that changes with the angle of the light. Swanky.

I liked the simplicity of the Yigal Azrouel invite. It’s a different kind of paper. It’s rough, yet gentle. It’s light, yet heavy. It’s an enigmatic piece of stationary that probably cost a lot of money to print on.

It seems like Philipe and David Blond took a cue from “Dreamgirls,” “Solid Gold” and “Xanadu” for their glossy invite.

This one was interesting. Ports 1961 sent out two invites: a plain one and another one that had a rubber-like cover and fabric. It smelled funny when I took it out of the envelope.

Lacoste’s lift-ticket inspired invite is so much fun - and that little blue knit pouch puts a smile on my face.

The invite for Brazilian fashion label, Iodice was so big that I had to lay it out on the floor (*cough* that’s what she said *cough*).

Folding it is like folding one of those obnoxious road maps - but the graphic on the front is fierce!

I am excited for the Custo Barcelona show for two reasons: 1.) Men’s and Women’s clothing is included - thats always a plus for me. 2.) The invitation is one of the most elaborate ones I have gotten yet. It’s like a magical kaleidoscope of fashionable fun! I can spin it for hours and hours.

Blazer: YAY! I am wearing another H&M item! (2) (click here to read a comment about what someone said in regards to my vast H&M wardrobe)

Shirt & tie: I bought these puppies from one of the many vintage stores in the SF’s Mission District. The tie has gotten compliments from many people (name drop alert: Zac Posen and Jason Schwartzman said it was “cool” when I met them). It has also gotten comparisons to Harry Potter and preppy Ivy league snobs.

Pants: Banana Republic (2)

Shoes: Once again, my Steve Madden boots make a comeback. I adore these boots. We’ve been through so much together. They have tears in them and they are about to fall apart - which is why I don’t mind wearing them when the forecast calls for rain. This way, if they get completely ruined, it would be bittersweet, but at least we had a good run.

Venexiana (top); Erin Fetherston (from left, second row), Chris Han, Arthur Mendonca, Mara Hoffman; Gilded Age (from left, third row) Karen Sabag, Tracy Reese

This is quite a colorful batch of invites. Of course, the stand out invite is for the red Erin Fetherston one (a UC Berkeley grad.) Some of them incorporate sketches (Karen Sabag) and how some of them make them look like greeting cards (Venexiana and Gilded Age). With Tracy Reese, the invite is a great reflection of the designer’s vision (the invite looks very much like last year’s).

These are an upgrade from those minimalist ones - but believe me, the invitations get WAY more elaborate…

Alexandre Herchovitch, (clockwise from left) Pamella Roland, Araks, Zang Toi, Douglas Hannant, Gustavo Arango; Reem Acra (center)

I am excited for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week which starts Friday - but I am just as excited for all the fun invites that I get in the mail. The invitations themselves are just as appealing as the shows - some of the invites I receive are even better better than the actual shows.

Checking my mailbox at work is like a Ralphie constantly checking his mailbox for his Radio Orphan Annie decoder pin in
“A Christmas Story.” Each time I get a new invite for fashion week festivities, it’s like a nice little gift. Some of them are elaborate, some of them are subdued and there are some that are unnecessarily over the top.

I enjoy them. They are like a little fashion show of stationary in your mailbox.

The ones above clearly take the minimalist route. They remind me of wedding invitations. They give you a feeling of quiet elegance, but all in all, they don’t really give you an impression of what to expect at the runway show - it’s very mysterious.

For the record, our food guru, Jenny Slafkosky is not an actual member of this species. She is playing the part of.

Land of origin: Relatively unknown. According to Wikipedia, the casual term “soccer mom” has been traced to Ludlow, Massachusetts, where a report came out that a man absconded with $3,150 raised for the benefit of a local soccer league. It is unclear whether a newspaper story or a television news report was the first to use the term.

Distinguishing characteristics: Usually seen in a baseball cap with a ponytail. Depending on the weather, they are oftentimes seen in tracksuits (they have an affliction for the Juicy Couture type.) They can also be seen in regular jeans, t-shirts and/or blouses. More often than not, they have one or more kids (ages 13 and under) in tow and a cell phone permanently attached to their ear, which is primarily used for yelling at their spouse who doesn’t appreciate them. Their vehicle of choice is any SUV or minivan.

Diet: Venti soy 8-pump quad cafe mochas from Starbucks, watercress salad with oil and vinegar dressing on the side, stress-relieving chocolate, leftover PB & J sandwiches and half-emptied bowls of cereal, large amounts of wine.

Can be found: In any mall, commercial grocery store or soccer field across the country. Can also be seen at the gym, talking on her cell phone whilst walking .01 mph on the treadmill.

Relatives: The ever-growing species of Soccerus Daddius.

Cardigan: H&M (2)

Shirt: I made it myself! Actually, I didn’t make the actual shirt, but I handpainted the “Prince” graphic on the front. I used to make shirts and stuff like this when I lived in Austin and sold them at a local store called Parts and Labour. I only wear graphic tees when the are really, really, really cool…or if I made them myself.

Jeans: H&M (3) - yes, I washed them.

Shoes: My fabulous Franceschetti boots.

Here’s a close-up of my “Purple Rain Prince” t-shirt:

Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz adds more fantastical girth to the Disney Dream Portrait Series with more A-listers posing as beloved Disney characters:

click image to enlarge

Jessica “Colors of the Wind” Biel as Pocahontas

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony discover a “Whole New World” as Princess Jamine and Aladdin.

Whoopi Goldberg grants some wishes as the Genie

This one is my favorite - Mikhail Baryshnikov (as Peter Pan) offers a trip to Neverland to supermodel Gisele Bundchen (as Wendy Darling) while Tina Fey sprinkles fairy dust as Tinkerbell.

If Annie Leibovitz is ever looking for someone to pose as Mowgli from the “Jungle Book” - I’m your man!