Fashion Week Lessons – Beyond Next Season's Style

Fashion Week is a cuh-razy whirl of parties, photo flashes and, of course, fa-fa-fa fashion. Just because you’re not sitting front row with Anna Wintour doesn’t mean you can’t take in the shows your own way! As a runway catwalker from back in the day, I learned that you can get more out of the shows than outfit ideas, aching feet and an acute case of It-bag envy. Here are my takeaways on Fashion Week – from runway trends to makin’ the hallway your catwalk – no matter what city you’re in.

1. Don't stress about not being there in person! The beauty of the fashion world these days is the Internet! Designers are live streaming their shows, editors are Tweeting from their seats, and reviews with photos are up in a hot second! Bloggers are your best friend, because they’re runnin’ around town to grab the fierce stories and photos, just for you. 

2. Runway looks aren't real-life looks. I love me some high fashion, but a lot of designer stuff is meant to go no further than a magazine photo shoot. Whether it involves showing full-boob or layering layers upon your layer's layers, the runway is often offering up looks that are more inspirational than practical. Don't copy a trend slavishly from the runway--give it your own twist!

3. Color Blocking? Yes please! Street style bloggers love snapping bright shades, so don't be afraid to work your way through the color wheel. I certainly love to mix-up my hues!

4. If you fall, get right back up again. This goes for my girls on the catwalk, my girls (and boys) walking the sidewalks or to anyone who ever stumbled into a lunchroom wrong. If you fall, get right back up and finish out your strut. Own that fall and everyone will be over it faster than last week’s gossip.

5. Sometimes all it takes is something sticky to make an outfit work. Fix slippery shoes by spritzing them with hairspray or keep your boobies in place with some double-stick tape. Ingenuity (and adhesive) are everything! For more secrets on scouring those shoes check out my Fa-Fa-Fa Fashion episode on stilettos!

6. Take those extra few minutes at night to plan your outfits ahead of time. Editors and celebrities alike get their looks ready to go long before Fashion Week begins. Lay out everything you need from shoes to strapless bra to bangles The best part--you'll be camera-ready in a snap without any early-morning grubbing in your dirty clothes hamper!

7. Fittings are everything. Back in my supermodel days, I braved pinpricks so designers could fit their creations perfectly on my body. Now I invest in the help of a professional tailor to keep all my outfits looking fresh. Tired of that coat from last season? Take it your tailor and have them put in a brand new lining – that’s something a fashion show wouldn’t have! I personally love bright canary yellow. Trust me, a few dollars of tailoring can make a cheapie dress or shirt look custom-made (and expensive)!

8. One last note – don’t forget your rear view! Check for panty lines and see-through clothes - dark panties under light pants or skirts are a no! Have your friends over and get them to take pics of you in your outfits from all angles – or shoot some yourself in a mirror – then you'll know you're truly camera ready.

So tell me, what fashion shows would you love to see? Which street style bloggers do you love the most? What did you learn from Fashion Week this year?

Fierce & Love,