MBFW Day 2: Bohemians, Rebels, Vixens and Meditations on '90s

HEAD’S UP: It's Fashion Week, baby! Who's ready? We're ready! And we have a slight tweak to share. Of course, we still endeavor to provide a roundup of the best, worst and most interesting Yours Truly&Co. witnesses, from trends to sightings to the rather unusual/bizarre. The tweak has been inspired by Twitter. The coverage will focus, as has become the custom, on what truly inspires or what is so painfully hideous that it is remarkable. However, we will tell that story in 50 words or less. Yes, 50. Or less. Ready? Let the games begin ...

Day 2
(SOME of the players at the tents and elsewhere): Academy of Art University, Argentine Designers, Billy Reid, Carmen Marc Valvo, Chadwick Bell, Cushnie et Ochs, Duckie Brown, Fashion Law Institute, Gregory Parkinson, Helmut Lang, HFR, Jason Wu, Jenni Kayne, Kate Spade New York, Lyn Devon, Mark and Estel, Misha Nonoo, Nautica, Noon by Noor, Peter Som, Project Runway, Rachel Roy, Rag & Bone, Rebecca Minkoff, Rodebjer, Rubin & Chapelle, Sally Lepointe, Suno, Tess Giberson, Todd Snyder, Tome, VPL, Zimmermann

A day of surprises from Carmen Marc Valvo and Rebecca Minkoff, while Cushnie et Ochs did a fine job of editing. Elsewhere, Nautica decided to keep it moving.

Nicole Miller
Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.

CONTRASTS fairly summed up in "Power Meets Pretty" and "the gardens of Versailles / storming the castle." Clever prints and surprising combos, all well-crafted. - YOURS TRULY

Carmen Marc Valvo
Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

MYRIAD references: tribal patterns, paillettes, elongated torsos, transparency. Contributor Neil Wolfson called it: "Well done, but nothing exciting." - YOURS TRULY

Rebecca Minkoff
Photos courtesy of Frazer Harrison/Getty Images and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
DRESSES were fine, with lots of loft to the longer silhouettes, but Ouch, my feet hurt. Gladiator meets Barbarella. - MARIE T. DRISCOLL

INSPIRED by fierce Latin bohemians like Frida Kahlo, the collection is RM's best to date. Where can a body get those gladiator sandals?!?! - YOURS TRULY (See video above, including performance by Janelle Monae).

Black Sail by Nautica
Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

THE latest iteration of this nautical inspired brand incorporates tonal color blocking and asymmetrical piecing for the modern waterman- authentic performance with a metro twist. Loved the matte trench and the Vans shoes (aviator sunglasses too)! Definitely taken to the next level by designer Chris Cox. - MARIE T. DRISCOLL

THE label's first runway show in several seasons, but honestly, it was hard to concentrate on the clothes. - YOURS TRULY

On Deck today, Day 3: Alexander Wang, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Allen Kersten and Monsieur Belange, Altuzarra, Calla, Carlos Alberto Haute Couture, Charlotte Ronson, Christian Siriano, Cynthia Rowley, Designers Collective, Herve Leger by Max Azria, Jen Kao, Jill Stuart, Jonathan Simkhai, Katya Leonovich, Kenneth Cole Collection, Lacoste, Louise Goldin, Malan Breton, Mara Hoffman, Monique Lhuillier, Ostwald Helgason, Prabal Gurung, Rebecca Taylor, Robert Geller, Ruffian, Son Jung Wan, Tibi, Venexiana

Visit http://www.mbfashionweek.com/ to learn more about Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, including show information and videos.