Carrie Bradshaw, the self-proclaimed fashion expert, found herself in a hilariously ironic situation – completely wiping out on a runway during a fashion show. This episode perfectly encapsulates the contradictions and comedic moments that make “Sex and the City” so captivating. It begins with Carrie and Stanford at a trendy new spot, and Carrie’s questionable fashion choice immediately sets the stage for her upcoming runway disaster. Is that a bra worn as outerwear? This bold, perhaps misguided, fashion statement hints at Carrie’s desire for attention and her sometimes-awkward attempts to push fashion boundaries.
The plot thickens when Carrie encounters her friend Lynn, a fashion show producer. Lynn, showering Carrie with compliments, invites her to participate in a charity fashion show featuring both professional models and stylish New Yorkers. Carrie’s feigned humility about being a “writer, not a model” is transparent; her eagerness to be part of the glamorous fashion world shines through. This initial setup immediately introduces the themes of vanity, self-perception, and the seductive allure of the fashion industry.
During brunch with her friends, Samantha’s candid discussion about nude photography prompts Carrie to steer the conversation back to herself and her fabricated anxieties about participating in the fashion show. She claims she lacks bravery and is too self-conscious, a stark contrast to her flamboyant fashion choices and constant pursuit of attention. Charlotte astutely points out that strutting on a runway is no different from Carrie’s everyday “strut” down Fifth Avenue, a truth Carrie seems reluctant to acknowledge, highlighting her performative nature and desire for validation.
Carrie then adds another layer of self-deception, expressing concern about being judged and perceived as unable to differentiate herself from professional models. This statement is illogical given the show’s premise of mixing models and non-models. It reveals a deeper desire to be seen as model-esque while simultaneously wanting to distance herself from the perceived superficiality of modeling. This internal conflict fuels the comedic tension and underscores Carrie’s complex relationship with fashion and her own image.
In a classic Carrie voiceover moment, she ponders, “no matter how hard we look, can we ever see ourselves clearly?” This rhetorical question, posed while she is clearly struggling with her self-image and desire for external validation, highlights her ongoing journey of self-discovery amidst the superficiality of the fashion world. Her actions consistently contradict her words, showcasing a character deeply entrenched in the very world she sometimes critiques.
Lynn’s persistent calls eventually wear down Carrie’s resistance, especially after Lynn reveals that Dolce & Gabbana has chosen to dress her. The allure of designer clothing and the prestige of being associated with such a renowned brand prove irresistible. This detail underscores the seductive power of fashion and its ability to sway even the most ambivalent individuals.
At her dress fitting, Carrie’s enthusiasm for high heels foreshadows her runway mishap. She declares, “the higher the heels they put her in, the better,” a statement that will come back to haunt her, adding a layer of poetic justice to her eventual fall. This hubris regarding footwear sets the stage for the comedic downfall and highlights the potential pitfalls of prioritizing fashion over practicality.
Interestingly, the Dolce & Gabbana dress she was fitted for is ultimately given to Heidi Klum. While Carrie doesn’t wear this particular $10,000 gown, the anecdote underscores the high stakes and competitive nature of the fashion industry. The arrival of a well-known photographer, Paul, to capture behind-the-scenes moments of Fashion Week further emphasizes the glamorous and exclusive world Carrie is entering.
Despite claiming to dislike having her picture taken and stating she’s only participating for “free goods,” Carrie’s behavior contradicts her words. Immediately after this declaration to Paul, he asks her out, highlighting the performative aspect of her persona and the inherent allure she projects, whether consciously or not. Her past actions, like posing for book jackets, further undermine her claim of disliking attention, revealing a complex relationship with fame and visibility.
During her date with Paul, Carrie’s fascination with models becomes even more apparent. She brings a book of model photographs and engages Paul in a conversation that reveals her idealized view of the fashion world. Her pronouncements, like “Vogue fed me more than food,” and her dismissal of “real” in favor of the curated world of fashion, expose her superficial values and her disconnect from genuine experiences. Her declaration, “I just love them,” in response to Paul’s question about models, reinforces her infatuation with the glamorous facade of the fashion industry.
Paul, surprisingly, brings photos he took of Carrie during her dress fitting, praising her beauty. While seemingly a compliment, it further fuels Carrie’s vanity and reinforces her self-absorbed tendencies. This interaction highlights the superficiality of the fashion world and the constant validation sought and given within it.
The day of the fashion show arrives, and Carrie’s transformation from “Not a Model” to “Diva” is swift and comedic. Bringing Stanford backstage, she becomes consumed by her newfound “model” persona, dismissing Stanford’s romantic anxieties and bragging about her towering heels. This rapid shift in attitude sets her up for a dramatic fall, both literally and figuratively, emphasizing the dangers of unchecked ego and the fleeting nature of fashion’s allure.
Carrie’s initial excitement about being a “fake model” deflates when she realizes she’s sharing the runway with individuals like Fran Lebowitz and Frank Rich, non-models known for their intellect and wit rather than their runway presence. Feeling betrayed, she momentarily wants to withdraw, showcasing her insecurity and misplaced sense of importance within the fashion hierarchy. Lynn’s pragmatic advice to “lighten up” and a glass of champagne serve as a humorous and effective antidote to Carrie’s diva moment.
The fashion drama escalates when Dolce & Gabbana informs Carrie of a last-minute wardrobe change – swapping her desired dress for jeweled panties and a coat. This sartorial downgrade triggers a “diva meltdown,” highlighting Carrie’s inflated sense of entitlement and her superficial understanding of the fashion world’s demands and creative decisions. Her demand to “speak to someone about this” is met with indifference, underscoring the insignificance of her personal preferences in the grand scheme of a high-fashion show.
Stanford, seeking solace after a romantic rejection, finds Carrie backstage amidst her wardrobe crisis. However, Carrie, engrossed in her fashion show anxieties, dismisses Stanford’s woes and demands another champagne. She then enlists Stanford to fetch Samantha, seeking validation about her appearance. Samantha’s predictably effusive praise (“OH MY GOD YOU’RE A MODEL”) further inflates Carrie’s ego, setting the stage for her imminent and spectacular fall.
The climax of the episode arrives with Carrie’s much-anticipated runway walk, or rather, her runway wipeout. Her earlier boast about “the higher the heel the better” becomes hilariously ironic as she dramatically falls, tripping in those very high heels she so confidently championed.
The speculation about whether the heel strap was loosened to enhance the fall’s authenticity adds a meta-layer to the scene, blurring the lines between fiction and production. Paul, the photographer, capturing Carrie’s fall, immortalizes her runway humiliation, effectively ending any romantic prospects but solidifying his place as a memorable, if fleeting, character. This moment of public embarrassment serves as a humbling and comedic conclusion to Carrie’s fashion show escapade, reminding viewers of the inherent absurdity and vulnerability beneath the glamorous surface of the fashion world.
The episode’s sidebars, Miranda’s dating woes and Samantha’s confident sexuality, provide further comedic and thematic depth, but it’s Carrie’s runway fall that remains the iconic and unforgettable moment, perfectly encapsulating the series’ blend of fashion, humor, and self-aware irony.
