If you do anything before you die -- boy or girl, gay or straight, it should be to crash Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

I realize that's a bold statement, especially to some of you less than stylish types, but let me break it down.  Fashion Week is like the superbowl except instead of linebackers you have (super)models; instead of pigskin it's fabrics, leather and furs; and, it happens biannually all over the world (but let's be real, NY is where it's at).  There are teams you love (Marc Jacobs, L.A.M.B., Ruffian, DvF, Ralph Lauren), teams you don't (Alexander Wang, what were you thinking?!), the middle of the pack (BCBG, Lacoste, Alexandre Plokhov) and up&coming talent just waiting for their moment to shine (Billy Reid!!).  There's high drama and celebrities galore (helloooo Hamish Bowles aka Mr. Editor In Large for Vogue, Nick Zinner, The Misshapes, Taylor Momsen, The Kills, Gina Gershon, Lynne Yaeger, Lindsay Lohan, and every "It" Starlet you can think of and yes, even Gisele -- see it really IS like the Superbowl) but most of all... once it's over, everyone anxiously awaits the next season in hopes that his or her team can make it to the front page.

Why should you go? Well, it's simple.  There's nothing like feeling way more important than you are in a city that you don't call home, complete with constant access to open bars galore and beautiful people everywhere.  It's a taste of the good life, even if you're unfortunately stuck vomiting that 4AM crepe from that dingy place in the East Village the entire next afternoon.  Plus, the clothes are fucking phenomenal.  I mean, duh.

BEST IN SHOW: BILLY REID @ Eyebeam

Listen, the Billy Reid show blew my god damn mind!  Talk about expert tailoring and sleek sophistication.  It's a total bummer that Billy's rumored D.C. location isn't happening anytime soon. But when it does? I'll be the first on line.  You should be too.  Here's my three favorite looks from the super stunning collection:

OMG, THE STREET STYLE!

You better bring your A game if you're going to show face inside or outside Lincoln Center.  And if you do? I guarantee at least twenty photogs will hassle, hound and sometimes even politely ask you for a photo.  Everywhere you look beautiful people are dressed to the nines... what a total change of pace from D.C.  Here are some of my faves:

AFTER THE SHOW IT'S THE AFTER PARTY...

Like I mentioned earlier, you go to Fashion Week and you get free drinks (especially if you've got your "you don't know who I am???" face on).  Practically every designer has a pop-up shop, pre-party, post-party, concert, gig, fiesta, press conference, meet-up and so forth... most of which come with the luxury of alcohol sponsorship or free coffee/lattes/nibbles (unless of course you're Jeffrey Scott and you've set up shop in an Adidas for the next two weeks.  Boo!).  The drinks are a-plenty and the eye-candy is in full force.  I mean, who wouldn't want that super babe who walked in the Billy Reid show to send a drink and a wink over their way? I know I didn't mind....

NOW ENJOY THE REST OF THE PHOTOS FROM RUNWAYS TO POP-UP SHOPS, BEHIND THE SCENES WITH UPCOMING DESIGNERS @ PARSONS AND GENERAL N.Y.C. REVELRY...

NOW STAY TUNED FOR LATER IN THE DAY WHEN YOU'LL GET TO SEE MY TOP 10 FAVORITE LOOKS FROM NYFW F/W 2012.  UNTIL THEN, TELL ME WHAT YOU LOVED & LOATHED IN THE COMMENTS...

Previously in report:

• 5/16: Report: DC 101 Chili Cook Off
• 5/15: Report: Renegade DC @ FotoDC FotoSpace
• 10/21: New York Comic Con: Report