We’ve always had a complicated relationship with invitations. In elementary school, we never received them. In high school, we rejected them. In college, we never needed them. Nowadays, we won’t waste what’s left of our pride waiting in line for a party unless we know for sure we’re going to have a good time. That’s why, when we received invitations to both Ashley Paige and Robin Antin’s shows, we were hesitant to attend—neither designer attracts a crowd we thought we'd fit in with. Nevertheless, like a visit to the bathroom before a long road trip, we forced ourselves to go.

Even with a seating assignment, we weren’t admitted to either show—the venue was at maximum capacity. We hadn't felt this rejected since our last relationship ended with, “It’s not me, it’s you.” Based on photos we’ve seen, we didn’t miss much. Ashley Paige premiered a line of gothic/flapper-inspired swimsuits that looked more like lingerie. Robin Antin, the woman to blame for inflicting the Pussycat Dolls upon the world, unveiled an actual lingerie line composed of bras, bustiers, baby tees and booty shorts. With a performance by the namesake group—and music celebs such as Dr. Dre, P.Diddy and Quincy Jones reportedly seated in the front row—the final show of Fashion Week was one that seemed to be more about celebrity appearances than apparel.

As for designers who showed earlier in the day, Samora offered a sophisticated line featuring chic knitwear reminiscent of vintage Chanel—for the girl who loves Urban Outfitters but hates running into five different women wearing the exact same thing on her way to work. Extra points to Samora for melting our ice-cold hearts by appearing on the verge of tears while embracing her mother at the end of the show.

Farah Angsana Couture started their show with two tango dancers performing, and it just got cheesier from there. With evening gowns in a rainbow of tacktastic colors and materials, the line looked like cheap wedding-wear—something an extra might don if she were cast as a bridesmaid in the subplot of a Sade video. Some designers need to learn that using the word “couture” is like saying “I love you” to someone you’re dating: When it’s right, it works, but when it’s wrong, it usually ends in disaster.  
   
You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but you can certainly judge a Fashion Week show by its crowd. With edgy, modern European streetwear in color combinations that were on point, Monarchy Collection put on one of the best shows of the week. Some of the accessories used took us out of the line—cheap-looking gold belts and studded hats—but for the most part, it was geek-chic meets German techno meets Marc Ecko for the upscale scenester with a full-time job. The show ended in the most whimsical way possible, with tiny faux-snow bubbles falling down upon the audience.
 
As the shows—and the long days—at Smashbox Studios came to an end, we asked ourselves, “Don’t it always seem to go that we don’t know what we’ve got till it’s gone?” It’s kind of like graduation—the whole time you bitch and moan about how much hard work is involved, but when it’s over, you look back and wish you could do it all over again because you miss it so much. Good thing we still have Jared Gold’s show tomorrow night to fill the gaping void left behind by fashion.

Spotted: Jason “Gummi Bear” Davis in the front row of the Monarchy show looking quite svelte. Jenna Jameson attending the Pussycat Dolls show post-Peta-ad-unveiling. Former teen heartthrob Andrew Keegan taking photos with fans.

Marcos Luevanos is Style editor for Metromix Los Angeles.