PARIS, Monday, Oct 6, 2003/ FW/ --- Though the Paris season officially starts tomorrow, the fashion calendar already includes several important names to cover for fashion week.

Dirk Bikkembergs, Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto and Martin Margiela were joined by Naco, Fabrics Interseason, Undercover and Fatima Lopes for the ‘pre-day’ that started at 3:00 PM with Naco’s show at the Hotel Saint-James & d’Albany.

Still jet-lagged from the 7-hour time change between Dallas and Paris, I was literally thrown into the fashion whirlwind.

Before leaving Dallas, I knew about Dirk Bikkembergs and Martin Margiela invitations. Hence, when I arrived at the hotel and found several more invitations waiting for me, I was torn between getting some sleep and attending the shows.

I decided to see the show. It turned out that ‘the spirit might be willing, but the spirit was weak.

Literally falling asleep on my chair while watching the coverage of the impending California Recall Race for Governor, I did not wake up until it was time for the Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto show, missing the important Dirk Bikkembergs and always interesting Undercover presentations.

Both Y’s and Martin Margiela were showing at the Musee d’Art Moderne, but due to a strange twist of fate, I missed Y by a few minutes.

So, off I went to the Martin Margiela show that was being held on the other side of the Musee d’Art Moderne.

The line outside was very long, and when I got inside, the whole place was crawling with people, as if it was an art exhibit opening.

And as I looked around, familiar faces greeted me. I call them my ‘fashion friends’ because I see them only twice a year, during the fashion season.

And as we exchanged hugs and the two buzzes on the cheek, (a very European way of greeting), it dawned on me that this would be the last week that I will see them for the season.

Paris is the final city for the international fashion season. And though some of us will attend Los Angeles Fashion Week, which would be held at the end of the month, majority of the international fashion press will go home at the end of the Paris season.

The lights dimmed and the music began. My musings stopped. Paris Fashion Week had begun! Emotions were put back on the shelf, which we will revisit no doubt on October 14th, the end of the Paris season.