If you were in New York earlier this month, one delicious fashion show to have seen was the 8th Annual Chocolate Show.

Dresses were decorated with chocolate accents.

A man's jacket was made from chocolate, fabric and fruit leather.

One model was dressed as a chocolate vampire. Rather than fake blood running down the sides of her mouth, she had real chocolate streaming down her face.

Another model was dressed as a chocolate martini. She took the opportunity to toast the crowd in attendance before leaving the stage.

There was even a contender to add to San Francisco's Beach Blanket Babylon show at Club Fugazi.

It was the like the organizers had taken a page straight out of the latest Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie. Or perhaps Willy Wonka director Tim Burton got his inspiration to create an Indian Palace entirely made of chocolate from this New York show.

Reuters Photo Credit: Seth Wenig

The four-day festival was devoted entirely to chocolate.

The 8th edition of the show took place this year at the Metropolitan Pavilion and the adjacent Altman Building. Over 100,000 were expected to attend.

Designed for the public, the annual event allows visitors to discover all there is to know about, taste, and explore in the world of chocolate.

Events included:

* Demonstrations by top pastry chefs and chocolate makers
* Chocolate Tastings
* Over 65 top chocolate brands & booths
* Holiday gifts of all sizes for everyone on your list
* Chocolate activities for children and adults
* Barnes & Noble cookbook store with author signings
* Haute Couture dresses and accessories made with chocolate.

A few of my favorite exhibitors included:

Chocolatier Magazine

Guittard Chocolate

Galler Chocolatier from Belgium

Neuchatel Chocolates

Northern California-based Recchiuti Confections

To explore details of the New York show, which also goes to Paris, Tokyo and Beijing, please go to:

In Paris, where it was founded by Sylvie Douce and Francois Jeantet, the show is called Salon du Chocolat. They are also the creators of the Salon des Grands Vins in Paris, where over 100 of the finest wines and champagnes are celebrated each March.

Sylvie Douce said:

Our goal is to celebrate chocolate, to foster a richer appreciation and understanding for this wonderful, magical substance.

The Chocolate Show aims to introduce people with the many ways one can experience chocolate using all the senses!

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "taking a different kinda bite out of the Big Apple" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC