It seems like yesterday that we were covering the spring shows in New York last September and now we’re planning our strategy for the fall shows starting Feb. 13. There’s a certain mindset in the tents at Bryant Park for those who mingle under the big top all day everyday during Fashion Week. It’s like a circus, only with stylish carnies, sideshows exploiting beauty products and accessories, games of chance to win a blackberry, and snack stands giving out Imperia vodka mojitos and Le Petit Écolier biscuits. While many surprises await those who brave the long days and crowds, there’s one thing for certain for most of us—most of our time will be spent waiting on line.

Unless you’re a celebrity or voguing it with Anna Wintour, you’re queuing to check in for each show. Then those without a seat number form another line for standing room. While waiting, there’s plenty of time to strategize the best way to navigate the venue once in so you can snag a seat from a no-show or position yourself with a clear view to watch a show that’s 30 to 45 minutes late and lasts all of five minutes. No pain, no gain, right? Of course, wearing comfortable shoes might help ease that pain, but it’s Fashion Week not Birkenstock.

Truth be told, all of this waiting in line business provides the ideal time to people watch and take in how trends on the catwalk are translating to the sidewalk. My JFYI cohort, Gloria Sullivan, and I were able to conduct some great interviews with people standing alongside us donning some really cool jewels. We also got to make new friends, like Bjorn Nasett, a fashion stylist from Wisconsin who writes for Milwaukee’s lifestyle magazine. He does the gamut from couture to advising people how to style a great look with treasures found at Goodwill.

Passing the time on long lines with friends definitely lightens the load, as does a free Imperia vodka mojito. Good advice garnered from our new buds can also help mark your time in the most unique way, as Bjorn turned us on to a nightclub fit for style junkies. Formally a beauty salon turned saloon with 1960s kitsch (hooded hair dryers and all), The Beauty Bar on East 14th Street is a place to unwind over a martini and a manicure. The perfect way to end Fashion Week!

Looking forward to what awaits us for fall fashion week. Hope to meet you on line (here and in NY)…Debbie