This past Thursday marked the opening day of New York's first ever Sidewalk-Catwalk, an exciting opportunity for the Garment District to come together and promote the art of fashion. Aiming to point out the importance of keeping the heart of the Garment District beating, 32 designers created looks for the installation that is strutting down Broadway from Times Square to Herald Square until Labor Day. If you're in the city this summer, stop by and browse!

Catherine putting the finishing touches on the

Catherine Malandrino look for the installation. Naturally,

we used her iconic flag dress, but covered it in clear plastic

to allow for a sustainable look through out any rain or heat.

As expected, the Toledo's didn't disappoint.

Isabel's pattern making expertise took on a new medium in her white frock

made partly of plastic drinking straws and Ruben's captivating paintings poking

out of the mannequin's sponge-like headpiece kept me happy (I'm a huge Ruben Toledo fan

...even have his Nordstrom ad campaign from 3 years ago framed above my sofa).

Nanette Lepore's mannequin is cutsie with a touch of spunk.

The flowers look like the paper flower kits I used when I was a little girl

and I ooo'd and ahhh'd over the giant mesh bow with embroidered neon n's.

Mark Badgley and James Mischka (both Parsons grads) created a gown so

stunning it doesn't even appear to be made of sustainable materials (but is!)

The beautiful empire waist gown with metallic gold embroidery has a fitted under

layer of sequins and makes this stretch of Broadway look like a couture show room!

hugs & happy strutting!

xo em

Huffington Post credited for Toledo & Badgley MIschka photos

...the images I took on my blackberry didn't look so hot (what else is new?!)