It is exciting to see many fashion designers returning each season to show their powerful collections in New York during Couture Fashion Week at the Waldorf-Astoria. Among the award-winning designers returning this season were Walid Atallah (Dubai), Amal Sarieddine and Mireille Dagher (Lebanon), Nedret Taciroglu (Turkey), Sushma Patel (USA/India), Marco Marcu (Germany), Luis Machicao (USA/Peru) and Romanitza (Romania) who chose CFW as one of the events to celebrate her 20th year in the fashion industry. Designers showing for the first time at CFW included Pilar Macchione, Evgenia Luzhina-Salazar, Romero Bryan, Tammy Duffy, Eredappa, Giovanni Lopresti and Alicat by Avril Lemieux.

Couture Fashion Week’s Official Hair Stylist this season was the Elie Esper Salon, and the Official Makeup Artists were Mykel Renner and AOFM Pro with cosmetics by Inglot. Afterparties and VIP dinners were held at Nino’s Tuscany Steakhouse and Scarpina Bar & Grill. Flawless luxury car transportation was provided by Quintessentially Driven.

Along with the fabulous fashions and accessories shown on the runway, audiences enjoyed performances by such notable entertainers as singers Christine Reber, Veronica Iovan, Dalal, Michael Raven, Sarah Elizabeth
Charles, Luciano Lamonarca, Gerardo Contino and Cristina Fontanelli (fresh from her appearance with Andrea Bocelli in Central Park). Also appearing were Jane Hunt (“The Violin Venus”), pianist Laura Korpa, The Broadway Dolls, cellists The Monticelli Trio, dancers Kiana & Melia and the Nika Ballet Company.

A dazzling display area included a $500,000 limited edition sports car by Alessi Fiberglass and paintings by world-renowned surrealist painter Michael Cheval. Among other exhibitors were Xais Handbags, Hillcock Enterprises, Ashmina Designer Knitwear, Laser Cosmetica, American Laser, and NTDTV.

The event was covered by a large number of press outlets from around the world, with video, print and internet coverage continuing to appear.

The next Couture Fashion Week New York will be held February 17-19, 2012. It is already shaping up to be a memorable event.