[If fashion is war, then consider Zandile Blay your embedded reporter. From fashion shows to stylish parties, she's there to cover it all -- from London to New York and everywhere in between. Read all about it from your favorite fashionista.]

Class, work, doctors appointments - none of these could ever get me out of bed early, but the Christian Louboutin sample sale did. I, and three friends, got ready by 7 a.m in the morning to head to mid-town Manhattan where the invitation only sale took place. Believe it or not -- we weren't the first ones there. By 10 a.m the line wrapped around the block. Several magazine editors, p.r girls and New York City fashionistas were waiting in line. An hour or so later the line had stretched to the end of the block and by 10:30 a.m when they finally let the first group of girls upstairs, you couldn't see the back of the line.

So was it worth standing in the hot sun at 8 a.m just to buy shoes!? You bet! Once upstairs shoppers were greeted by smiling attendants who took away everyone's bags. Once you got a glimpse of these hand-made Parisian pumps you understood why: these shoes are so beautiful you have to fight the urge to grab a bunch and run. The tiny show room stocked hundreds of Louboutins in a dizzying range of styles from summer-friendly espadrilles to fall classics like knee-length suede boots in rich purple and cream.

The prices weren't that dainty though -- they ran from $150 for simple pairs to $400 for the more elaborate shoes. It is certainly more than the average pair of shoes at most stores, but considering Louboutins generally sell for about $600 a pair these prices were cheap. No wonder that by 12 pm -- only three hours after the sale had officially started -- there was almost nothing left!