Moms and dads know it’s so hard to send your kid off to school for the first time, but it’s even harder when you know your son or daughter has food allergies, and you may no longer have control over what they eat or they’re are exposed to.

For a food-allergic kid, the cafeteria could be the most dangerous place on the planet. Even if your child has no food allergies, parents need to know that in 2011, at least one kid in your son or daughter’s class probably has them. PIX 11 spoke to experts, moms, and two different schools, one public, one private.

At the Allen Stevenson School on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, you’ll find fish, veggies, and snacks, but you won’t find any nuts – at all – and no peanut butter. Susan Ettess, is the Head of the Lower School, " Peanut butter was a problem, because boys would try to take it out of the lunchroom, they could get it on their sleeves, go to the bathroom, use the sink and the next boy that could come in there could have an allergy. And in the kitchen, Nutritional Director Marla Mathew has a quick way to easily eyeball who’s allergic to what - she has pictures of the children who suffer from food allergies up in the kitchen with the names of their allergens written next to them, "We all work together to make sure that the safety net is there on a daily basis." At Jefferson Primary School, in Huntington, Long Island, a guide in the cafeteria makes it clear what foods could hurt a food-allergic student.

Newly single Vanessa Hudgens has been making the rounds at this week's fashion shows, sitting next to hot prospects like Chace Crawford and Kanye West. But at Tibi she played it low-key, chatting instead with the hard-to-miss Olivia Palermo.

It was difficult to decide who looked cuter: Vanessa in a white tank and gunmetal skirt or Olivia in a fur vest, silk blouse and polka-dot skirt. Either way, Zac Efron is surely missing out.

When the show started, there were countless offerings for the the young starlets, including shearling bomber jackets, bobby socks paired with mary janes and bronze tiered babydoll dresses.

We're not sure what Vanessa and Olivia will be wearing next fall. But we hope the adorable pink hats will make it into the mix! Check out next week’s Life & Style for a look at all the of the big trends from NY Fashion Week!

Our special correspondent Rachel Zalis from Life & Style has attended all the big fashion shows this last week. She's seen the trends and here to show you how to get the look of the runway without breaking the bank. Rachel observed these trends:

Pleats:
H&M skirt - $49.95
Topshop skirt - $55
Topshop shorts - $70

Life & Style's Rachel Zalis gave us a backstage look at Alice & Olivia's non-traditional fashion show.

Belts are back!

This week, Monique Lhuillier joined the ranks of designers cinching sweaters, skirts, dresses and coats - and the result was some serious curve-hugging style.

But if the designer had an opportunity to dress Kate Middleton for the upcoming royal wedding, curves wouldn't be on display. A long-sleeve gown with a corset bodice, portrait neckline, feature-length veil and train would be on the agenda. It is possible to make a statement while being covered up, she told me!

Julia Stiles and Brittany Snow - both front row - didn't have weddings on their minds. But they're still huge fans of the showstopping gowns Monique is known for.

When a gold goddess gown hit the runway, I wondered which actress would snag the style for an award show. A Chantilly lace corset gown and ostrich-feather number were instant crowd-pleasers too.

I'm not sure how many feathers were on the gown, but it looked like thousands. Whatever the number, it was sure to make a lasting impression.

Check out more highlights of fashion week and the latest style trends in Life & Style Weekly, on newsstands now!

Gossip Girl's Michelle Trachtenberg admits she rarely wears anything but jeans. But that didn't stop her from coming out to support her friend Rebecca Taylor and the soft silhouettes she's known for.

One of our favorite New York Housewives, Ramona Singer, gravitates toward ladylike styles - and that's one of the reasons she loves Rebecca's florals. They may be feminine, but they're also practical enough for work, she says.

Ramona's been working hard on the next season. Though she can't reveal too much, she believes it's the best yet. The ladies take a trip to Morocco that blows away the Sex and the City excursion, she says!

Sex and the City was on Rebecca's mind too as she talked to me moments before the show. When Sarah Jessica Parker was filming SATC2 she called the designer to borrow a dress. Rebecca was blown away. She said the moment was truly surreal.

When the show began we were literally transported back in time. Rebecca reused old patterns from past collections. The effect was a whimsical mix of prints, color blocking and shiny embellishment.

Three trends of the season - brights, statement fur and below-the-knee hems - made appearances too. Garcelle Beauvais, who was in the front row, was happy to see the girlie looks Rebecca does so well ... and so were we.

Celebs love Tracy Reese. But it's the support of Michelle Obama that has really made an impact.

When they met at a fundraiser, the First Lady gave her a big hug as though they were always friends. Michelle's warmth means a lot to the designer — so does the fact that the First Lady is a mother and businesswoman.

Tracy's down-to-earth designs and price tags attract a wide range of fans, including Gabrielle Union and Natalie Morales, who were front row this afternoon.

Gabrielle loves that Tracy designs for real women with real bodies. Natalie agrees. She also thinks the First Lady has sent an important message by choosing affordable lines like Tracy's.

When the show began, the infatuation with long hems continued in the guise of gray and teal pleated maxis. Sumptuous furs upped the ante, while shimmery dresses caught the fans' eyes.
It was those flirty touches that put Julia Stiles front row today. And we don't blame her!

Rachel Zalis next to a lovely red dress by Monique.

FASHION WEEK - we team up with Life & Style Magazine for Fashion Week.
Style Editor Rachel Zalis recaps the BCBG show, including an interview with designer Max Azria. He's emphasizing fall colors and skinny belts for Fall.

Christian Siriano of Project Runway fame, is saying very high stilettos are a must-have for fall. He's doing a line for Payless.

Skirts were long and minimal at the BCBG Max Azria show at Lincoln Center on Thursday, but the mood among celebs in the front row was far from somber.

Grammy award winner Kelly Rowland looked super sweet in a floaty coral mini, while Taraji P. Henson and Ashanti were all smiles (Taraji in a bold print, Ashanti in a zebra pattern).

Garcelle Beauvais and Jennifer Love Hewitt played it safe in draped solids. But our favorite was a gilded mini on blond beauty Katrina Bowden. So cute!

Max Azria insists hemlines are heading south. The one thing girls will need next fall? A long dress, he told me.

If it’s up to the designer, skinny belts, thin turtlenecks and riding boots will fill your closets too. Stay tuned!

Every girl will need three things this fall; sky-high stilettos, a statement jacket and a big cocktail dress. Or at least that's what Christian Siriano is telling his A-list clientele.

After Christian finished Project Runway, Heidi Klum was an instant fan. Others quickly followed, including Victoria Beckham and Mad Men's Christina Hendricks. Christian doesn't take any of this for granted, he told me. He's so grateful for every fan, including Mena Suvari and Gabrielle Union, who sat front row on Thursday. Mena was in head-to-toe black with fierce CS booties. Her hair was very blond, very retro. Think Veronica Lake.

Alexa Chung made a statement in bright-orange patent sandals and black tights, while Gabrielle rocked a printed strapless. And her supersize cocktail ring was so cool!

Once the show started there were a few missteps. One model fell, another kept getting caught in her dress and a third took one shoe off and hobbled a bit. The shoes looked amazing, but they weren't exactly easy to walk in.

There were great moments, though. The zipper details and wide lapels on Christian's jackets went over well. So did the moss-green sheer.

Fans were torn over the voluminous ballgown skirts. But the minimalist looks showed a new side of Christian ... a side that's sure to be taken seriously at retail.

Fashion Week has rolled into town again and it's going down at its new home in Lincoln Center.

PIX 11 News is teaming up with Life & Style Magazine for Fashion Week 2011 and Style Editor Rachel Zalis will be amid of all of the action.

Rachel is our special fashion week correspondent with all the behind-the-scenes access. She recapped the Red Dress fashion show and gave us a preview to the BCBG Fashion Show.

Here's what Rachel had to say in her own words:

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicked off last night in NYC, and the star-studded lineup at The Heart Truth's Red Dress show didn't disappoint.

I’m Rachel Zalis, Life & Style Weekly’s contributing editor, and we’re taking WPIX behind the scenes all week to get the inside scoop at New York Fashion Week. Last night, I talked to the stars about why they walked the catwalk, how they stay healthy and what they do to please their guys for Valentine's Day.

Gayle King told me both her parents died of heart disease. So staying healthy is really important to her. She did a juice cleanse to squeeze into her gown. But she doesn't have a Valentine's date yet. Maybe her stunning Donna Karan gown will work its magic!

Garcelle Beauvais, who strutted her stuff in Monique Lhuillier, is also newly single. She’s super sculpted as always. So get going, guys.

Cat Deely — who wore Alberta Ferretti – was excited to tell us she’s been planning a fun friends ski trip via private jet for the holiday.

Giuliana Rancic and Audrina Patridge are both off the market. And they’re making the most of their relationships this V Day. Audrina (in Badgley Mischka) wouldn't divulge the sexy surprise she has planned for her boyfriend. But we're sure it's sultry.

Giuliana wasn’t shy about telling me what she plans to do in the bedroom. Hubby Bill will get a rubdown with lotion on Monday night. And Matthew McConaughey, who sat in the front row to support his wife, Camila, may not be far behind. Giuliana told Camila (in Kaufman Franco) that she should do the same thing for Matt!

Camila didn’t give me a final answer on that one, but Giuliana was undeterred. She blew a kiss to Matthew as she walked the runway in her sizzling mini by Marchesa.

Everyone's ready for Valentine's Day ... and Fashion Week. Kisses and all.