Coutorture Cocktails: May 12-18

Resort shows, good weather (starting tomorrow?), and samples sales mean that you won't be without something to do every day this week. As a special Coutorture Cocktails bonus we've included events on the weekend because, even though we like to think that fashion doesn't consume our lives 24/7, there are some things that are worth a one-track mind.

Monday: Tonight's event will kick off the week with some pre-professional enthusiasm and pre-sample sale quiet time. FIT's graduating seniors will show their thesis collections from 4-7pm this evening.

Tuesday: If you need to reconcile any guilt over the countless gift bags you've received at past events, tonight is the night. Beautifully curated gift bags, donated from designers and fashion organizations, will be up for auction (these 'aint your average gift bags) with proceeds going to WaterPartners, an organization that helps obtain safe drinking water for people in developing countries.

Wednesday: 60% off Helmut Lang and Rag & Bone equals trouble in the concentration department. Just stay focused and try to make it over during your lunch break. Even if you have to run.

Thursday: OAK is throwing a party at Bowery Electric to celebrate their second issue of Oakazine. Expect as many party photographers as party goers and some sweet reading material for the blurry cab ride home. It will be surely packed as the RSVP address is already bouncing back names but we suspect arriving early with one other person should get you in the door.

Friday: The Rebecca Minkoff sample sale runs today (and Thursday) so get there early before the NYU students skip class (don't worry, they don't get up before 2) and snatch up all those Morning-After bags. If you can't make it early the sale runs until 8pm and will surely harbor a clutch or two at the end of the day.

Saturday & Sunday: Meatpacking District Design '08 starts on Thursday and runs through the weekend. Wander around the neighborhood with champagne (or bottled water, depending on how much champagne you consumed the prior night), meet fashion people, and enjoy all those Spring deliveries. It's a rare occasion to want to be in the MP between the hours of 7 and 10pm (save for Fashion Week) so revel in it. On Saturday, cocktail receptions are being held at Abingdon 12, Ivy Brown Gallery, Milk Gallery, and Rubin Chappelle, and, on Sunday, a slew of events including cocktail receptions at Adam, Carlos Miele, Shelly Steffee, and Theory. There are also panel discussions and other excuses to enjoy fashion (and champagne!) on the weekend so, for the full run-down, check out our gallery below.