Alongside the more usual starlet suspects at Marchesa's presentation Wednesday afternoon like Emmy Rossum, Maggie Q and Emmanuelle Chirqui was Blake Lively's fictional younger brother from "Gossip Girl." Actor Connor Paolo, who plays Eric van der Woodsen on the series was making his first Fashion Week appearance.

"I tend to avoid fashion shows--I'm just a dude," said the actor. "But I heard this was a different format so I thought I'd check it out."

Emmanuelle Chriqui was awed by the glamorous dresses. “It’s so inspiring coming to New York for fashion week. I usually dress so casually,” she said. In terms of how she shops, Chriqui said she’s getting better at buying what she likes. “I’m definitely figuring my personal style out more these days than five years ago,” she said.

Guests couldn’t help but notice the floral hosiery accompanying the line’s confections. “I was inspired by this floral tattoo so I had my team hand-paint each one on,” said Georgina Chapman, Marchesa co-founder and designer. “I don’t think they liked that very much.”

Marchesa also will dress Heidi Klum for the Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday. The mother of three is expecting her fourth in the very near future, but will be walking that red carpet in support of her Emmy-nominated show, “Project Runway.” According to Klum’s publicist, Desiree Gruber, “Unlike most actresses who shrink in size leading up to a big event, Heidi keeps getting bigger.”