Austin Fashion Week 2009 wrapped about a week ago here in Austin, Texas. While Austin’s Fashion Week is not as big as the established Fashion Weeks in New York or LA, The arrival of a major fashion event here in Austin is reflective of the city’s growth and rise to a more prominent position on the world scene in recent years.

I took part in the inaugural fashion week by shooting backstage portraits for the Sew Sister and Friends show at Qua, which also included designers Mange la Mode and Cyberoptix Tie Lab. A couple of the notable models were Austin Fashion Week Model of the Year: Reader’s Choice Christian Ramirez, and NFL wide receiver Limas Sweed.

Mange La Mode

Ties from Cyberoptix and undergarments by Sew Sister

Christian Ramirez, winner of the Best Male Model, People’s Choice for Austin Fashion Week 2009 backstage wearing Sew Sister before the show.

Limas Sweed, University of Texas sports hero and currently a Wide Receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Mange la Mode

Models wearing Sew Sister’s line of women’s lingerie

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2009 Fall Winter – Austin based runway photographer Peter Tsai goes covers New York Runway Fashion Shows in historic Bryant Park in New York City.

Back in February, I was in New York to cover the runway shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion week in New York! It was an awesome trip, had a lot of fun covering the shows and meeting lots of photographers from all over the country, but freezing cold was something I wasn’t used to! After one week of nonstop shooting, long trips on the subway, a few “dirty water hot dogs”, amazing runway shows, open bar in the tent, and lots of celebrity sightings, I came away with some amazing images.

Here’s a taste of what that week was like in a 10 photo essay.

Historic Bryant Park during Winter – This was the last fashion week to be hosted in Bryant Park – It’s moving to the Lincoln Center next season.

Backstage before a big show – Brunette makeup artists work on blonde models 30 minutes before they walk the runway.

Before the show, dramatic lighting sets the mood and security makes sure that everything is under control.

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn talk to the cameras and to the crowd before the start of the Project Runway Season Six Finale.

And the show begins – models strut their stuff down the runway during the Project Runway show.

A model poses at the end of the runway during the Ralph Rucci show at NYC Fall Fashion Week 2009

A very interesting look from Narciso Rodriquez during NYC Fashion Week 2009

Not all of the runways are white, Akiko Agawa put on an amazing show complete with moody lighting and dramatic looking models and makeup.

The crowd applauds at the end of the Rebecca Taylor show at NYC Fashion Week Fall 2009

Tommy Hilfiger waves to the crowd after showing his Fall 2009 collection

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2009 Spring in Los Angeles – Austin based runway photographer Peter Tsai covers the LA Fashion Week Runway Shows at Smashbox Studios.

I went out to LA to cover the runway shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion week in October 2008. It was my third time in LA, and I had a good time. LA Fashion week is a bit more low key than the other bigger shows in cities like New York and Paris, but it was still cool seeing how fashion is on the West coast.

The weather was great and I got to take in some sights in addition to shows and see some celebrities as well. Some of the bigger names at the show this year were Christian Audigier of Ed Hardy Fame, Lana Fuchs, and Kevan Hall. Some celebrities that made appearances were Lauren Conrad from the Hills, Kim Kardashian , and Holly from The Girls next door.

Check out some of the shots I got from the runway – not a bad way to spend a week.

Breakdancing kids take center stage during the very colorful Ed Hardy runway show

Models show off swimwear looks from the Ed Hardy Line at the end of the show

A teal dress from the Julia Clancey line

All of the girls come out at the end of the Julia Clancey show

Beach Bunny Swimwear

Lana Fuchs Wedding Gown – This dress was a sensation at the show

Models show off the dresses of the Lana Fuchs line

Joseph Domingo shows off a layered dress

October 2008, Lauren Conrad shows off her Spring collection in Los Angeles