Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is upon us and the number of fashion websites and blogs present in New York City has officially burst the stratosphere.  Knowing what to look for in a runway show can be quite different than what most bloggers normally write about, so weve bring you our handy how-to guide to reporting on a fashion show.  Click through for the 5 main things to look for when assessing a runway show, then have fun hitting the Tents!

Inspiration:  As an editor, it is your job to go beyond describing the clothes. You need to talk about a designer's inspiration and the message that they are trying to convey. Ask yourself questions like: what is the designer trying to say? Who is this collection speaking to? and What is this collection saying about the world?  (Helpful hint: the designers inspirational story and background is typically provided in the program or you can get a quote from their PR representative). Design Skill and Evolution: A critical part of developing an eye for a designers potential is in understanding where the designer has been and where they are going with their work.  Certain designers will have trademark cuts, silhouettes, shapes, and trademarks that are unique to their brand.  Like a logo, these say things about what the brand stands for.  As a fashion writer, you should be knowledgeable about the designer you are watching, and be able to note what fashion traits a designer is experimenting with season after season. Trends and Statement Looks: Trends are what the majority of fashion reporting focuses on.  That is because trend reports tell readers what to buy, what the strongest statements are of every designers collection, and what the next season of fashion will bring. Fashion trends show up in the form of silhouettes, colors, hemlines, accessories, and fabrics. It takes viewing several collections before you will notice developing trends, which is why it is important to see as many shows as possible.  Designers also often like to create one bold, strong statement that represents their vision for the season.  These looks arent usually for sale, but are many times seen on magazine covers and high end editorials. Retail Impact:  When it comes to the business of retail, function and fashion are equally important clothing traits.  Creativity, color, and design must be balanced with wearability and functionality.  For designers, this is a difficult mixture to master. For editors, having an eye for designers who accomplish this can make or break your level of authority in the editorial world.  How to determine whether garments hit the right equation?  Watch how garments wear and move on the runway, check out a model's comfort level, and then (when you can) view the construction of pieces up close at market appointments afterwards.  You can also fine tune your eye by talking to buyers and understanding what they are looking for when they are checking out a brand. Atmosphere:  Describing the energy and unique details of an event or runway show is fashion reporter gold.  Being one of the relative few people invited behind the closed doors of Fashion Week make you privy to information no one else has.  This includes things like: knowing which VIPs and celebrities were in the front row, what drama happened backstage, and what insiders had to say about the collection right after it leaves the runway.

Did these tips help you?  Tweet me your thoughts @iamsamlim