By Amanda Domurad

On an average day, one would have found me tracking the progress and hot gossip of New York Fashion Week from blogs, such as FashionWeekDaily.com and FashionTribes.com-but on Sept. 5, I was thrust into the magical time for all the style-obsessed, a time that goes by the name of Mercedes Benz-Fashion Week, for a glance at the upcoming collections and trends for Spring ’08.

The New York tradition began showing at Bryant Park in the 1970s, according to Slate.com’s contributor, Amanda Fortini.

“American designers began to stage their own shows in lofts, clubs, and restaurants,” Fortini said. And from that point, Fashion Week in New York only grew larger.

Riding the train into the city where fashion never takes a day off, I couldn’t help but imagine bumping into Marc Jacobs, or Vera Wang (in an ever-so casual way, of course!) or what it would be like to interview the all-American fashion icon that is Ralph Lauren, asking him how he comes up with all the timeless, classic looks for his collections year after year (and it’s been 40!), while still making time to congratulate Gwen Stefani for the success of being the versatile style maven that she continues to be.

Soon, the daydream ended and it was time to hop off the train and make my way to Bryant Park, where the exclusive V.I.P. event was happening, in the chic white tents situated around the park, located in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Since it was the first day of the cab-driver’s two day strike, it would be harrowing to land a taxi for anyone, but especially for me at the petite stature of 5’3″. Naturally the next obvious choice of transportation was the pedicab. After spending $20 for a ride that could have easily been walked instead, the center of the fashion universe (at least for the week) was right in front my face.

Granted access to the lobby and press lounge, a journalism student with a special pass transformed into the observer. People fluttered around the lobby, mingled, and snapped pictures of anyone who looked important (which by the way was mostly everyone, because they were all fantastically dressed). While it was difficult to tell the designers, models and their entourage from the invited spectators waiting to get into runway shows, all it took was a turn of the head and then-Carmen Electra. Other brief encounters following Electra, were actress Zooey Dechanel, widely known for her performance in the movie “Almost Famous,” fresh faced English model Agyness Deyn, and noted fashion photographer and judge on “America’s Next Top Model,” Nigel Barker. Though a bit star-struck, especially after a quick hello from Nigel Barker, it was time to enter the tent for the Erin Fetherston show.

Erin Fetherston is known for her “girlish frocks for Hollywood sprites and anyone aspiring to become one,” according to New York magazine and her show stayed true to that niche. The clothes rang onto the runway in neutrals, whites, grays and metallics that were all collaborated into a single vibe, which exuded a certain kind of rare, gentle kind of pretty, one that is often disregarded in the latest looks.

The next show, Trexov by Russian designer Alexander Trexov showed pieces that are contemporary and essentially, really ready to wear, unlike innumerable designers who only show clothes meant for the runway, not for the bodies of real people. It is certain that one trend had it’s voice heard loud and clear at Fashion Week’s shows and that is the ubiquitous belt, worn in the Fetherston show in a braided, metallic silver, and worn in the Trexov show as well, in a crisp black along pieces like sweaters and hooded jackets.

I’ll never forget my first time at Fashion Week. Being able to view collections first-hand, before the season even begins is an experience that this self-proclaimed slave to fashion won’t forget, and hopes to see again in seasons and haute collections to come. It is certain that Fashion Week will always have a place in the heart of midtown Manhattan, and in the hearts of the many fashion slaves in the surrounding areas. Nothing will be changing that anytime soon.