runway shows

6:01 PM
It’s raining as I get to the tents—which is doing horrendous things to my hair, already—so I’m expecting there to be less people arriving early than yesterday. Apparently even the “scattered showers with a chance of frizz” weather forecast does not deter CFW fans, because people are already staking out prime seats under the tents and enjoying the bar area. Among them are Emerging Design Competition semi-finalist Swapnali Ahire with her mom picking up CFW merchandise. “I had to get a t-shirt!” she says. I ask how she felt about her show the night before, “Awesome. It was so great. I’m looking forward to seeing the finalists!”