It's considered one of the biggest events of Fashion Week: Hundreds of fans line Sixth Avenue outside Radio City Music Hall, screaming and craning their necks to catch a glimpse of their favorite fashionistas, actors and musicians—all arriving to throw down a frenzy of threads, tunes and ‘tudes. Welcome to Fashion Rocks. Condé Nast's annual star-studded concert brings fashion and music together with performances by some of the hottest and most stylish pop stars around.


As I take my seat, host Jeremy Piven screams, "Aerosmith!" and the show is underway. The center stage rises, and there's massive-lipped Steven Tyler strutting his stuff in a cheetah-print jacket. But it's not just a guy band tonight—Fergie joins him onstage in Chanel sequined hot pants. While she looks supersexy, I gotta say, she can't hold a candle to the dude who looks like a lady.

The concert continues with Jessica Alba introducing country singer Martina McBride, Denis Leary introducing Avril Lavigne, and then Tyra Banks and LL Cool J introducing an amazing duo: Mary J. Blige and Usher.


The two singers go old-school, reworking hits by James Brown and Aretha Franklin, and their performance brings down the house. Next: Jennifer Lopez, introduced by the most random pairing of 50 Cent and Teri Hatcher (who dreams up these combos?). The gal wows us all with her sexy lyrics and even sexier ensemble—a short, sequined trenchcoat, which she eventually ditches to reveal a shorter sequined babydoll dress and knee-high boots. (That's her in the top photo.)

During intermission, I run into Michelle Trachtenberg. "J.Lo was awesome," she says enthusiastically, and I definitely agree. I'd expect a VIP like Michelle to be backstage during breaks, hanging out with the likes of Nicole Richie, Mischa Barton and Kimora Lee Simmons, but the actress has so many friends in the audience she'd rather sip champagne with the rest of us civilians. Love it!

I don't want to give too much away, because you can watch all the action tonight in a two-hour special on CBS. And consider yourself lucky. As much fun as it is to see Alicia Keys and Carlos Santana live, set changes between each performance doubled the length of the concert. Unfortunately, there's no TiVo for real life.