Fashion Who's Who 2008: The Dandies

THE DANDIES

Seated in the front row at any given fashion show, one is likely to spot Anna Wintour (of course), Glenda Bailey (natch), Nina Garcia (mais oui), the press and buyers mentioned above and, invariably, a group of outlandishly-dressed individuals who seem to exist for no other reason than to get gussied up in outrageous, eccentric outfits - some seriously stylish others, well...not so much - and pose for the cameras with reckless abandon. These are people who truly love - and live for - fashion. And the Most Photographed During Fashion Week Award goes to... Patrick McDonald (who has nicknamed himself Patrick McDandy), writer Cator Sparks, "stylist" Rosemary Ponzo, transsexual extraordinaire Amanda Lepore, Shail Upadhya, who has told reporters he is, variously, a "Nepalese diplomat," a "stylist," and (probably closest to the truth) a "student of fashion" who is known for sporting head-to-toe candy color plaids, screeching neon stripes and everything in-between. Then there's the ever-present African-American gentleman whose name I do not know, famous for sporting plaid knickers, tails, spectator wingtips and a straw boater, regardless of the time of day or the weather. If you've seen Bill Cunningham's Styles column in the The New York Times following any NY Fashion Week, you have seen these individuals.

Photos: Patrick "McDandy" McDonald; Amanda Lepore