Inside the Star-Studded Fetes of L.A. Fashion Week

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com

RSVPs:  Paris Hilton, Hayden Panettiere, Eva Longoria…
When:  Mar. 18-19
Where:  Smashbox Studios, Boulevard3

I never understood why L.A. Fashion Week is in Culver City. Granted, it only takes 20 minutes to get there from Beverly Hills, but in Los Angeles time, that's like an eternity. And I'm not talking Eternity by Calvin Klein. Still, if Mischa Barton can suffer for fashion, so can I. Tonight, I'm making my second trek to Smashbox Studios, the hub of Mercedes-Benz's style festivities in the City of Angels.

Last night, I sat two rows behind Eva Longoria for the Bebe Collection. As the new face of Bebe Sport, Eva attracted twice as many photogs as former Bebe girl Mischa. I was surprised Mischa even showed, considering she's being replaced by Rebecca Romijn for summer. Mischa and Rebecca both looked beautiful, but the new spokesbabe got extra points for her arm candy. Adorable Jerry O'Connell sat next to Rebecca, his arm draped casually over her toned shoulders. Although he eyed the catwalkers like everyone else, Jerry made sure to look over periodically at his own model love. Smart move.

Luckily, I also had front-row beauties like Stacy Keibler, Arielle Kebbel and Kelly Carlson to enjoy, because I wasn't a huge fan of the collection. The War and Peace theme was interesting, with black, white and red futuristic rocker gear, but it was a bit of overkill. Give peace a chance, but give the peace signs a rest, okay? The models' matching platinum bob wigs, however, added a nice retro feel. Eva got in on the look with new 'do, too—a smashing brunette bob. What a goddess! Even her coincidences are spectacular.

Heading back into the studio tonight, I run into Days of Our Lives' star Alison Sweeney. "I feel much more comfortable watching the show," she giggles in reference to taking a tumble at last week's Max Factor mayhem. Ali's leaving the catwalking to professionals for the Tart Show, which begins—wait for it—fashionably late.

The designers make up for the tardiness with a stunning collection. The line is best known for its body-draping jersey dresses, tunics and leggings, but this season holds a twist—retro prints and bold finishes. I especially love the leopard leotard America's Next Top Model season seven's Megan Morris pairs with a high-waisted skirt. It's clear those three pre-elimination episodes sure taught her a thing or two.

"I loved it," Rex Lee says of the collection after the show. "If I wore women's clothing, I would be really excited about what I saw. It was sexy, sassy and clingy." Thankfully, Rex forgoes cross-dressing and sticks to a blue button-down, which also gets job done for him at the next show: 2B Free's fall line.

When I hit Boulevard3 for 2B Free's event, Paris Hiton is prepping backstage. She's opening the show tonight, a responsibility shared last year with sister Nicky and model pal Caroline D'Amore. Caroline is strutting it again, but Nicky is over at Teddy's, sulking. It's a skill she has mastered better than anyone in Hollywood Party Girl history. What a sourpuss!

Not wanting to smell like an ashtray, I head inside and try my luck bypassing the huge crowd queueing for the show. Clubbers and fashion fanatics wave their seating cards, trying to get the bouncer to let them pass the standing-room-only D-listers. The crowd is too much for Keibler to handle. "Let's find one of the girls to bring us up," she says to a pal, before veering off to the VIP entrance. I try my luck at following a massive exodus of drunken metrosexuals up the stairs. "You'd think there was a sale or something," a Prada-clad man says behind me. I wish.

Unlike the Smashbox shows, tonight's event is pure Hollywood club scene. Pristine fashion editors have given way to loud young'uns sitting on one another's laps and stealing sweatshirts from the gift bags reserved for the seated. By the time I sit down behind sexy singer Blu Cantrell, someone has already snagged my goodies, leaving me with a rose and a few hair products.

At least nobody has nabbed my fabulous view of the front row. As Keibler types last-minute emails on her BlackBerry, Ryan Cabrera has a drink with Desperate Housewives womanizer Josh Henderson. I wonder what Ashlee Simpson would think of her two exes chumming it up?

On the other side of the catwalk, Elisha Cuthbert shrugs off  Brandon Davis' wandering hands. Just because she's Paris' new party pal doesn't mean she needs to indulge the heiress' slimy male sidekick. A few seats down, Hayden Panettiere sips a Tab Energy drink next to her mama, who is in desperate need of a makeover. It looks like mommy raided her daughter's closet tonight, choosing a way too tight gray frock and unflattering ankle boots. Get your own wardrobe, please.

After 20 minutes of colorful sweat outfits, I check my watch and realize that in 10 minutes, I'll be one year older. As much as I'd love to take birthday shots with Paris, I have friends waiting at Area. Extravagantly dressed stylist Bobby Trendy—he looks like a bullfighter dipped in gold—tips me to the back exit, and it's off to the next celebration.