Fashion week for me kicked off with BCBGMAXAZRIA and set the stage for many of the top trends I'd be seeing throughout the week: Eastern influences (in this case, Istanbul and Gypsies), fur trim, urban streetstyle and lots of leather. All the models wore chunky knit beanies and heavy layers, something you could emulate on any budget.

Next, it was on to Tadashi Shoji, who treated fans to evening gowns and cocktail dresses inspired by the rise and fall of the Russian Empire (I told you we were looking East). Rich silks and aristocratic touches were paired with folk details and traditional embroidered patterns. My favorite gown was the final look; the voluminous capelet top lent drama to the runway but I could see a starlet wearing this gown on the red carpet without it.

My next stop was Timo Weiland's women's show which gave me my first taste of the grunge/punk/menswear influences that so many designers tapped into this season. Timo's girl was of a London flavor, in heavy outerwear, dark hues and clunky shoes. I liked the tough asymmetrical dress that closed the show.

Finally, I was invited to Skylight West Studio for Edun, a brand founded by a rockstar you might recognize named Bono of U2 mega-fame and his wife. Edun was edgy as well, with leather moto jackets, twisted tartan plaids and chain details.

Back at The Empire Hotel, my home base for fashion week, I bumped into Sara from High Fashion 4 Less, who is just as beautiful in person as you'd expect. Connecting with bloggers in real life is definitely one of the highlights of fashion week, when we all converge in one place at one time to celebrate our common love: Fashion.