Backstage at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge lived up to it’s name with full-fledged glamour on day six of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Kelly Rowland, Desperate Housewives of NY, Mickey Rourke and Maxwell lounged just outside of the backstage dressing rooms — and that was hours before the coveted Narcisco Rodriguez collection debut.

To set the scene, picture this: Under subdued lighting, friends of MB and the fashion elite sip cocktails and soak up the interior design ambiance commissioned by Mercedes. While corporate in context, the atmosphere is relaxed and not advertorial. It’s the kind of room, a scenester may want to be on the scene and seen — but couldn’t get in with good looks alone. You got to know someone to get the proper wristband that changes frequently.

Back stage is the real way to enjoy fashion week, sans the lines and attitude, in true Star comfort, with runway moments projected live on dual screens, and the occasional flourish of a celebrity’s grand entrance, publicist/stylist in tow. It’s all very hush-hush and exclusive — which is how Mercedes likes it. Here is an opportunity to observe what’s happening in fashion, without the hassle of circumstance to go alongside the pomp.

In good taste, we held off on paparazzi photography, but we can tell you that Ms. Rowland took notice of Tyson Beckford’s runway appearance, and mused over Kanye West’s controversial VMA outburst before she commented to E later in the day.

Speaking of runways, we did that today too, as a guest of our host automaker/title sponsor. The Brian Reyes collection was our first stop. We sat next to up-and-coming Florida designer Laura Brodsky of Cross My Heart Couture and her partner (a Tampa area Mercedes-Benz dealer). Brodsky, a self taught atelier, makes romantic gothic creations. She was inspired by Brian Reyes 2010 and described his collection as “flirty and feminine” to her liking. The Brian Reyes collection featuring textured, cinch-waisted chartreuse dresses and high-waisted shorts paired with suggestive bustiers. The nostalgic quality was enhanced by a Motown backdrop as the Temptations “Get Ready” closed the show.

Later in the afternoon, Max Azria pulled out all confident, cool stops with elegant nude and black slashed silky creation in his form-flowing collection. The Tunisian-born French visionary behind the haute-chic of bon chic bon in his BCBG line, reserves evening wear for his namesake collections.

Contrary to New York Magazine’s cheeky take Mickey Rourke, he eyeballed every design with genuine interest. We swear his draw dropped over the fabled chain dress along with Lucy Liu, who tossed back her long locks to get a closer look at the elaborate cuts of Max Azria evening wear with slits to boot. We drooled over this collection alongside Bliss Spa’s creative director, agreeing that Max Azria didn’t disappoint with his vision for 2010 — a decade in the making.

More Fashion Week bonanza:

Solange Knowles & Keri Hilson At BCBG Max Azria Spring 2010 Show (socialitelife.celebuzz.com)

Solange Knowles Gets Roped Into Fashion Week (justjared.buzznet.com)

Fashion Week’s travel theme! (gadling.com)

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kicks Off (blogs.thecarconnection.com)

MercedesBenz zooms into the driving seat at London Fashion Week (telegraph.co.uk)

Ray Shaw, Chairman Of American City Business Journals, Dies Of Bee Sting (huffingtonpost.com)

Charlotte Ronson Show Attracts Young Starlets, But No Lohan (socialitelife.celebuzz.com)

Hello, Fashion Week! Our First Stop: BCBG Max Azria (thefashionator.ivillage.com)

On the Racked: Fashion Week Mania: Even Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel can’t… (curbed.com)

Gwen, Whitney – and Posh – Kick Off NY Fashion Week! (popsugar.com)

Runway Wars Lets You Decide Who’s Got The Look At Fashion Week (insidefacebook.com)

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