Without a doubt, the best place to park oneself during the Prada store fashion week party is on the steps. It's the perfect place to watch all and sundry float by (and among last night's 1,500-person crowd, there seemed to be a lot of sundry, including a woman in what appeared to be her wedding dress). Sadly, our bird's-eye view was obstructed when Mena Suvari decided she too wanted to sit on the staircase. She brought an entourage—a boyfriend, one publicist, two pals, and her makeup artist and hairstylist (the latter of whom was responsible for the biggest beehive this side of Lady Bunny). "I love this," said the actress, gesturing to the evening's entertainment, the hauntingly abstract animated short Fallen Shadows, created by Miuccia Prada with director James Lima. Suvari pulled out her iPhone to take a picture of the film projected on a scrim. In one of the evening's coolest effects, DJs spun from behind the screen.

At this point in fashion week, there weren't many surprises in terms of attendees. Floating around the Soho Epicenter were models such as Doutzen Kroes, Jessica Stam , and Julia Stegner; stars like Claire Danes, Jessica Alba, and Heather Graham; and, of course, Parisian night owl extraordinaire Olivier Zahm. "Look, we have the same watch," the Purple magazine editor tried to tell Kanye West, as he grabbed his hand. Then Zahm introduced him to French It girl and Jane Birkin offspring Lou Doillon. West smiled politely and went back to his phone call.

— Marshall Heyman