Today's Column

Just when you were getting used to the small travel bag in which you threw in a bikini and a sundress, the fashion industry is telling you it's time to fill your closet with bulky winter clothing. So it went Tuesday at Bill Blass New York's fall 2006 show, which is covered in the column today. On hand were Zani Gugelmann, who did some modeling for the company, and John Angelo, who invests in the company. There's some pleasure in thinking ahead, and fashion companies especially are pushing us to do so. This afternoon at Saks in Southampton, Chloe has a trunk show for its fall line. Meanwhile the big retail store windows are already plastered with "Back to School" merchandise. I say, the local corn and raspberries today are compelling reasons to live in the seasonal present.