NEW YORK — Rachel Zoe wasn't the only designer with a really busy schedule during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Houston native Cesar Galindo showcased his Czar line of moderately-priced womenswear in the tents at Lincoln Center on one of the first days of the fashion extravaganza. And on the last day, he unveiled the Cesar Galindo Collection at the highrise offices of the Mohawk Group.

"I'm barely standing right now," he joked, while receiving hugs and air kisses from the excited crowd.

In one of his strongest collection in years, Galindo turned to a Japanese art deco theme for his high-end Cesar Galindo Collection, featuring evening wear in shades ranging from beige to metallic to fuchsia intermixed with a beautiful tattoo print.

"It's an escape from reality, where you can be the princess from Abu Dhabi or you can be the Queen of England," he said. "I really had fun doing it. It's more luxurious. It's like a fantasy."

Galindo is known for his draping talents, which were evident in this collection. "If you look at it, there's a 3-D effect to my clothing. When you look through the garment you see different body types," he explained. "Even the beaded one that's draped, you turn around and realize that there's another layer, but it's all one dress. That's the idea."

The designer, who was raised in Houston but has been a fashion fixture in New York for more than two decades, didn't plan on showcasing a high-end collection at fashion week until his financial backers encouraged him to create an accessories line.

"I said I'd love to, but it doesn't go with my Czar collection (which is more contemporary), so why don't I do a Cesar Galindo Collection?," he recalled. "Three days later I was on a plane to Medellín, Columbia, where they do high-end crocodile work. I spent four days there and designed the whole collection in two months."

The accessories collection includes triangular handbangs and crocodile clutches in shades of gray "The collection was built around luxe," Galindo said. "These are my girls."

Galindo also made a third fashion week appearance when his Czar line was featured at a fashion show featuring Case-Mate cell phone accessories, at Best Buy Theater in Times Square. Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas was on hand as rap singer Common performed.

Here's hoping Galindo is finally getting some rest now.