Scenes Frm Fshnb Wrld

These essays, reprinted from the New Yorker, evince the fastidious prose and finely tuned insights praised in Fraser's first book, The Fashionable Mind. Four pieces emphasize the competition and hype surrounding designers, models, photographers, advertising people, etc.; other articles observe the trendy international scene. Fraser exceeds herself in ""As Gorgeous as It Gets,'' which describes, in glittering detail, cosmetician Estee Lauder and her retinue on travels to promote a new perfume at Nieman-Marcus in Dallas and Saks, Bloomingdale's and Macy's in New York City. This wonderful collection will amaze and amuse readers. (June 3)