LOS ANGELES, Apr 4, 2003/ FW/ --- Fans of Hello Kitty and Sanrio arrived early at the Downtown Standard in Los Angeles. They all eagerly awaited the start of Heatherette’s Fall 2003 fashion show, advertised as having special guest, yes, you guessed it – Hello Kitty herself.

The mass of people gathered outside the Lot was astounding and without any organization it created confusion and headaches. At one point a semblance of a line for check-in was made but within ten minutes the line had once again begun to bleed back into a throng of impatient fans.

The press weren’t having any easier time of it. Waiting among the fans and being ushered from person to person, many people with press passes –including photographers- were forced to wait well over an hour before gaining admission. A group of us, myself included, were even rounded to the backstage and asked to enter from there. It was chaos and more than one person was left hoping the show was worth all the hype, oh yeah, and the stress.

Among the fans filling the large showroom were a few celebrity guests. Jack Ozbourne helped open the show and then sat front row center after booting the seat’s initial occupant while Alexis Arquette, who wore full drag including a long blonde wig, was seated four rows back from the runway.

The show began to tremendous applause.

For those who love whimsical clothing, Heatherette is your brand. Osh Kosh B’Gosh is more conservative and Baby Gap just might have better styles, but when it comes to fantastical clothing with cartoon prints, no one beats Heatherette’s Fall 2003 line.

The most outrageous award wins hands down for Heatherette’s stuffed animal shirt. The shirt was made of a multitude of varied sized stuffed animals draped like a bib that fastened around the neck.

The brave male model award goes out to the man in the tight gold Speedo-like underpants. Not only did they look uncomfortable, but also the man had to brave more than a few stifled laughs due to his height: he didn’t have any.

The show was entertaining despite the confusion before hand and when it ended it ended to a standing ovation for Heatherette’s designer and also Amanda Lepore – who appeared at the end wearing little but painted stars in way of clothing.