Sydne's Fashion Week Weekend

Fashion doesn't always need to be serious. You can have fun with it, too! And that's exactly what happened at MetLife's Snoopy in Fashion show. Designers like Isaac Mizrahi, Pamella Roland, Betsey Johnson and Jason Wu took inspiration from Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts characters to create whimsical pieces that will be auctioned off on eBay next month to benefit Dress for Success.

"It's wonderful," says Project Runway's Tim Gunn, whose own fashion makeover show premiered last week.  "On Guide to Style, we do a closet cleansing with the women we work with. The items that don't go back in the closet and are in good shape go to Dress for Success."

When I walk into the tent, I'm immediately hit by the smell of peanuts. I search my goody bag for a bag of peanut M&Ms, but I can only find a Snoopy snow cone maker. (That'll come in handy in the post-Labor Day heat.) Before I can ask someone how they filled the tent with the nutty aroma, the show begins, with a large LCD displaying Snoopy and a thought bubble reading, "I think I'm in love with Twiggy."

A model struts down the runway channeling Charlie Brown in a gold slinky dress with the signature black zigzag; she's followed by a black-tie Woodstock model wearing a tuxedo lined with feathers. Singer JoJo portrays Sally in a bubblegum frock designed by Kristen Chenoweth, while America's Next Top Model winner Jaslene plays Snoopy in a white cocktail dress accented with black tassels and an Elizabethan collar (designed by Elizabeth Hasselbeck). Previous ANTM winner CariDee looks adorable in a blue silk Lucy dress by Liz Claiborne, but her walk hasn't improved since her awful Spain stomp-down last season. You'd think Tyra would make her take runway lessons!

At the end of the show, Heatherette's Snoopy marches down the runway. I'm about to criticize the normally eccentric design team for its lack of originality (this is the same getup you'd see at Knott's Berry Farm!) until Omahyra Mota steps on the stage. The Dominican model is dressed as Snoopy's playful bride, in a Beanie Baby-bedecked bodice with a tulle skirt and veil. Heatherette's Richie Rich puckers contentedly, and everyone has a laugh. It's a nice break from the black-sunglasses, pursed-lips side of fashion.

When I return to the tents, there's a group of animal rights activists protesting Michael Kors and Peter Som. The commotion doesn't seem to faze Tinsley Mortimer and the other socialites with crocodile purses and python stilettos seated front row at Peter Som. Nearby, Maria Sharapova nabs a seat next to style god Andre Leon Talley from Vogue. She looks quite the fashion goddess herself: a statuesque blonde in this season's color must-have, gray.

It appears that muted tones are carrying over to spring as well. Pale-lipped models strut across the runway in an array of silvery multi-textured outfits, highlighted by light pink accents and set off with skinny marigold belts. Som's a genius at mixing fabrics, pairing seersucker slacks with lace tanks  and brocade blazers with jersey tops. My favorites are the poppy red '50s-style full skirts and floral-printed blouses paired with bold beaded necklaces (which show up in gift bags under every front row seat).

After the show, I walk out and see Carmen Electra modeling in front of a beautiful vintage Mercedes in the main tent. But her shoot isn't attracting as much attention as the throng of celebrities (Jessica Simpson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jane Krakowski) leaving the shows.

The commotion is so overwhelming that I pop back inside to grab an early seat for Reem Acra. Carmen has changed out of skinny pants into a yellow printed sundress. "She's hosting Full Frontal on a channel called Ultra HD," a producer tells me while the sexpot reads off a teleprompter. That's one way of increasing viewers.

At Reem, Nigel Barker poses with adoring fans while actresses Marley Shelton and Carla Gugino chat with Ugly Betty's Becki Newton. The evening designer opens the show with a bright gold coat over a royal purple organza skirt. Finally, color! The complimentary hues carry through in silk dresses and organza skirts.

Instead of last year's flowing gowns, Reem Acra shows structured dresses and evening skirt-and-blouse combos, cinching just about everything at the waist. After the models take their final walk, Acra brings out her pooch to take a bow, and I leave for Bergdorf's to buy what is now confirmed as a spring must: a high-waisted belt.