Liveblogging the Shows: Diesel Black Gold

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In an effort to make reading Racked as much like being in the tents as humanly possible, we'll be liveblogging the shows all week, from the suspense of waiting in line (will the seats be any good?) to the drama of the runway (will anyone stumble?) to the post-show euphoria. This time around: trendy sportswear from Diesel Black Gold.

Show location: The Tent at Bryant Park
The skinny: Depression-era tenement trash, with a few pimps and hobos thrown in. There were dresses like butcher aprons, torn lingerie looks, bowler hats and even a semi-live jazz band.
Celebs spotted: Apparently Nicole Richie was there, but we didn't see her despite our second-row seat. However, we did spy Carine Roitfeld of French Vogue and Suzy Menkes of the IHT sitting right in the middle of the front row.
The takeaway: Diesel has used this collection as a literal interpretation of the recession. It can best be likened to Chicago (the musical) meets Gangs of New York, with pimp canes and a jazzy Nirvana soundtrack. We actually loved some pieces, like a deconstructed black tuxedo for women and the aforementioned butcher apron dresses.

2:15pm: I'm in, and enjoying the bizarre soundcheck. Thus far, I've heard a baby crying, coughing and a guy—Jack Nicholson?—talking.

2:17pm: Am seated, but there were some fancypants Italians turned away into standing.

2:19pm From the program, I learn that the line is inspired by Miles Davis and a walk in the Blue Ridge mountains.

2:23pm: Suzy Menkes from IHT is center front row. No celeb sightings yet.

2:28pm: I overhear a woman in the last row saying that sitting front row isn't important to her. Ha!

2:31: Plastic is up! About to begin.

2:33pm: Wow. A men's look: grey denim, patchwork coat, bowler hat. Urban hobo.

2:34pm: Lace strips wrapped around models' faces. Now seeing exaggerated riding pants. Lots of browns, greys, faded blues. Two denim jumpsuits in a row! One faded and cropped with side cut-outs, the other really long and dark denim.

2:35pm: The theme here looks to be "depression". Models in thin shirts with suspenders, jeans with holes.

2:37pm: As for hair and makeup: big curly, frizzed out updos and bright red lips. Nicole Richie, who is sitting front row, looks confused.

2:38pm: Lots of haphazard-looking layering. Knits over long sparkly tops over distressed denim. And here comes a man in a khaki jumper.

2:40pm: Models walking to music from an in-house band, currently playing a jazz version of Smells Like Teen Spirit.

2:41pm: Recent look: man in black leather pants, holey brown sweater and white tee, carrying a cane.

2:42pm: Avalanche of black getups. Paired with the red lipstick and the lace headdresses, the look is oddly funereal. The cane makes an appearance again, on a model whose makeup makes her look like Bride of Chuckie.

2:45pm: And it's over. I'm trying to get out and am currently stuck behind Carine Roitfeld.