THE New York Fashion Week Fall 2011 closed last week, while the London Fashion Week wrapped up just yesterday. One can only imagine the number of fashion reports and runway pictures flooding the Internet right now. It is, in one word, overwhelming.

In New York, 14-year-old fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson (www.thestylerookie.com) inspires the Gen-Y – that one does not have to be of age to legally attend a 21+ party. Besides being seated in the front row at the Band of Outsiders show (next to Anna Wintour, no less), Gevinson was invited to host and DJ at a party.

Decked almost completely in blue – wig, sweater and skirt – and armed with heart-shaped lollipops, the tiny blogger played music to a star-studded crowd that included actress Hayden Panettiere.

The wonderful thing about fashion week is not just the designs that float down the runway. It’s also about one’s experience, the art and shock value, and getting to play dress up to a character you feel within, and watching impossible scenes unravel.

At the New York Fashion Week, designer Elise Overland had her show on an ice skating rink where fewer than a dozen models stood still in 15.2cm (that’s six inches) platform heels, while figure skaters, also dressed in the designer’s work, whizzed around them.

At Jen Kao’s show, glowing lava lined the runway while the models that drifted along it seemed to represent aliens. The beginning of her line sheet read: “Historically omniscient ladies retreat to a secluded sinkhole at the end of each significant chapter in their lives.” What does that even mean?

One runway theatric that everyone seemed to love was the Band of Outsiders show. In union with its hiking-inspired collection, models appeared from boxes suspended from the ceiling and made their way down to the runway on rope.

On both the streets and runway, gigantic accessories were spotted. Vogue Japan’s editor-at-large Anna Della Russo donned a hat created by Alan Journo, which consisted of two massive gold cherries. It was so over-the-top that it was brilliant! On the catwalk of Louise Kane, giant hearts balanced upon the heads of a few models.

This teaches us that in fashion, you go all the way or nothing.

Novelties aside, the collections themselves have little to interest those who are living in the tropics. It makes more sense to observe the trends that we can take upon our daily wear here without looking completely out of place.

One monomania that ravages the runways for designers – from Sass & Bide to Vivienne Westwood Red Label – is clashing prints. Proenza Schouler made my heart thump faster with their cheeky use of bright colours and haphazard patterns, inspired by Native American blankets.

Fashion Proenza Schouler Fall 2011

Also going tribal is Thakoon. Big plaid prints in bright blue and blood red were referred from a Kenyan tribe. In one outfit, it is paired with what can best be described as a rough paisley riding on bold black waves. Enlarged black lace prints formed on muted yellow is the fabric used for a peplum dress or a short ruched skirt with long tail. Stripes come into play as well, as Thakoon clashes vertical maroon with horizontal olive.

Watching designers play with prints is a marvel, and a skill we can learn for ourselves to shift away from a monotonous wardrobe. A less intimidating but equally eye-catching print to try would be one that features the galaxy. Jen Kao’s collection features prints called “aerial planetary views” reminding one of Chris Kane’s galaxy collection.

Fashion Thakoon Fall 2011

Glittering items also catches one’s eye at some shows. Alexander Wang’s futuristic cocoon tops are made more delicate when paired with glittery pants in mauve, deep blue, and dark silver.

There are a multitude of images to indulge in, and much more than I can describe here. To view more runway shots, head on to www.style.com or just do a search for “New York Fashion Week” images on Yahoo! or Google.

q Joyce blogs about food, fashion and travel at www.kinkybluefairy.net.