How interesting!!!

Laura Bush became the first first lady to attend Fashion Week in New York yesterday, in an occasion that was greeted in some circles with the same sense of importance as when Christian Dior unveiled the New Look. (...) That Mrs. Bush, who once said she was not interested in fashion, has now embraced the industry delighted the designers, who were in the harried throes of completing their own collections. (...) The front row was uncommonly filled with other designers, including Tommy Hilfiger, Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, Carmen Marc Valvo, Luca Orlandi, Esteban Cortazar and Nicole Miller. A year ago, only two designers attended a similar event."I like fashion; it's fun," Mrs. Bush told reporters after the show, which included 26 dresses by 26 designers worn by 26 celebrities of varying fame, from Paula Abdul and Sarah Ferguson to the children of rock stars and models. Mrs. Bush applauded each look as it passed by and told those seated near her, one of them said later, that she needed to acquire more red outfits.

Fashion Week's Coup: Mrs. Bush's Approval
By ERIC WILSON
The New York Times

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