New York, New York, the city so nice they named it twice. And we’re sure that’s how the fashion press and assorted celebrities feel as New York Fashion Week comes to an end after a fantastic line-up of shows and multiple parties (Alexander Wang in a petrol station, Marc Jacobs keeping his crown as the fashion king of parties). We had our favourite collections, and we’re sure you did too!

During the first couple of days, the shows that stood out were Jason Wu, Preen, Lacoste and Alexander Wang. Wu, now famous for providing Mrs Obama with  her fabulous one-shoulder ball gown for her husband’s inauguration, stayed true to the form that has made his name – more one-shouldered dresses, tulip shape skirts in jewel colours such as ruby red and violet, and a couple of fantastic feathered and silk dresses that we’re sure will be tripping down a red carpet near you sometime in the near future. Alexander Wang is was one of the hot tickets in New York, with Anna Wintour perched on the front row alongside actress Rachel McAdams – a future Vogue cover star in the making perchance?

Many of the shows stuck to twisting their classic looks to keep wearable during the recession (no-one can say fashion isn’t aware of the economy, despite its glitzy edge) but still giving the audience a few ‘wow’ moments. Lacoste managed to make sportswear look cool, crisp and wearable for spring, in a selection of bright spring colours, and at the Herve Leger by Max Azria show on Sunday they stuck to a ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ theme, with the usual body-con pieces in silver, sparkling designs or in neutral ‘earthy’ palette that apparently inspired the look. The front row was dotted with Leger’s young fans, usual suspects Hilary Duff and Mischa Barton (who looked fabulous, obviously on the mend now) seated up the row from uber-hip model and DJ Leigh Lezark.

Always pulling in some of the biggest crowds and mass fashion-pack hysteria, Marc Jacobs proved king of the catwalk once more with both his namesake mainline and Marc by Marc Jacobs collections. During the mainline show some editors couldn’t even get to their seats! The show had a distinctly decadent feel, with ruffles, sculptured shapes and Japanese style makeup and hair providing a striking look as the models strutted their stuff. The Marc by Marc Jacobs also received rave reviews, a positive sign as this smaller collection is sometimes overshadowed by praise for his signature line. Fashion editors were going crazy for the models oversized bow hair bands before the show was even over. But of course, the thing to look forward to after a Marc Jacobs show is his Fashion Week party. The infamous bash was cancelled in February (perhaps too soon after the recession bit to put on such a lavish celebration) but was back with a vengeance this season. In collaboration with V Magazine, the Marc Jacobs party pleased its guests with a set from current V cover girl Lady Gaga (in a red lace sheer catsuit – what else?) and saw a mixture of fashionistas, models, designers and even Mario Testino dancing the night away.

Other notable shows came from New York Fashion Princesses, Rodarte, who put on a great show complete with eerie atmosphere – dry ice, black grit on the runway, etc, showed the models in what could have been described as sexy Flintstone garb – earthy colours, asymmetrical hems and necklaces and lots of layered material – but is more aptly described by Style.com as ‘primitive meets futurism’. Either way, the Rodarte sisters proved a big hit. The 3.1 Philip Lim show yesterday proved that Fashion Week’s ending certainly lived up to the beginning, with pieces that were completely and beautifully wearable and could convince even the most thrifty girl to open her purse and purchase. Lim showed the ‘new suit’ – unlined jackets could be tucked in to trousers to create a jumpsuit streamline, and was apparently machine washable as well: a suit that can multi-task? Fabulous.

Overall, New York Fashion Week was the sartorial and celebrity-ridden hit is usually is (and we’re sure we saw pictures of Anna Wintour smiling at least twice…), proving that designers know how to combine working the recession and putting on a great show. In the past, New York has trumped London Fashion Week in the parties and designer stakes, but we’re not so sure that will happen this year, as tomorrow the 25th birthday celebrations of the event kick-off, alongside the first few shows and presentations. London will be the place to be for the next few days – and anything and everything worth knowing will be right here on t5Mm.com.

Carli Humphries.