The 26 Best Looks From The Runways At New York Fashion Week

With Ralph Lauren's Spring/Summer 2014 show this morning, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City has officially come to a close.

Now models, designers, and fashion editors are jetting off to London, where major fashion houses like Burberry Prorsum and Tom Ford will present their Spring collections at London Fashion Week.

But before hopping across the pond, let's take a look back at the most gorgeous, fashion-forward, and awe-inspiring looks from the past week in NYC.

Get ready to ogle some models.

The Betsey Johnson show was as crazy as you'd expect, but it was hard not to love the designer's cheeky underwear collection.

REUTERS/Joshua Lott

Models rocked va-va-voom dresses at the Venexiana show. This one is all sex appeal and sequins.

Getty Images

Fashionistas loved Lela Rose this year, especially the see-through trench this model is wearing.

Getty Images

Blonde bobs and dark pouts adorned the models at Falguni and Shane Peacock. The dresses killed it, with sheer paneling and appliqués.

Getty Images

The subdued, neon prints and cool California style at Custo Barcelona made everyone excited for spring.

Getty Images

Ricardo Seco's men's collection was a massive hit with leather coats and Eastern influences.

@ricardoseco/Twitter

This Naeem Khan look was epic on the runway. Here, the model shows off the details of her three-piece outfit backstage.

Getty Images

Giving us all a preview of what Kate Middleton will be wearing next spring, Jenny Packham's dresses were as ethereal and gorgeous as ever.

AP

Stunning the crowd, this Zac Posen finale look was...a lot. But the intricate details, flawlessly-folded fabric, and on-point color choice made it a winner.

AP

Nicole Miller gave her sparkly dresses some spunk with leather accents, like this leather vest.

AP

The fashions were as handsome as the male models at Nautica this season. This model pulls off the triple layer-look particularly well.

Getty Images

Smiley and brightly-clad models shined at the Desigual show. Bold prints and tie dye are in next spring.

AP

The crowd at Nanette Lepore loved this flowing, gauzy yellow sundress. Everyone was Instagramming it.

AP

Tory Burch stayed true to her preppy roots at her show. This all-green look has just enough contrasting textures to make it work.

AP

The models looked like wood nymphs at Anna Sui, with lots of head pieces and breezy gowns.

AP

Crisp white looks were all over the runway at the Son Jung Wa collection. Different fabrics make the all-white suit work.

Getty Images

Oscar de la Renta brought the drama at MBFW this year. It may be bold, but his finale look with a black veil had the crowd entranced.

AP

Supermodel Karlie Kloss worked it at the Jason Wu show this fall. Here she is, modeling one of his sleek dresses.

REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Leather bodices and curve-hugging dresses were a major hit at Hervé Léger. The flirty skirt balances the severe top of this look.

REUTERS/Eric Thayer

J. Crew hit all the right notes at its MBFW preview. We love this slightly-monochromatic men's look that layers different denims.

AP

Though most of Monique Lhuillier's dresses were pastel, this dark ombré number floated down the runway and stole the spotlight.

REUTERS/Eric Thayer

This romantic dress from Badgley Mischka has impeccable detailing and a flattering cut.

AP

Marchesa had some of the most impressive gowns this year. You'll see plenty of these during spring 2014 awards season.

REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

In addition to her wonderful women's looks, Donna Karan's DKNY men's collection had cool jackets and slim-fitting, sports slacks.

AP

The last show of the week, Ralph Lauren sent bright primary colors and badass sunglasses down the runway.

REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

And Naomi Campbell SHUT IT DOWN at the close of the Diane Von Furstenberg runway in a little black embellished dress.

REUTERS/Keith Bedford

GUYS: Here's what you can look forward to this season:

Melodie Jeng/Details

The 7 Best Men's Fashion Trends You'll See This Fall >

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-looks-new-york-fashion-week-2013-2013-9?op=1#ixzz2emVjztEl

How To Win Friends And Influence People At New York Fashion Week

Things get crazy during New York’s biggest week in fashion. The heels. The hair. The heat. The heartache. And that’s just standing in line for the after party.

Case in point: Tommy Saleh’s NYNY party at Le Baron was filled to instant capacity Monday when the W magazine and Donna Karanshindigs downtown ended and everyone streamed over en masse. I counted four doormen – not the usual friendly two – manning the crowd, constantly telling everyone to move back, move aside, move out. To no avail.

A Relaunched Spanish Line And Rihanna's Costume Designer: Brands To Watch At New York Fashion WeekHannah ElliottForbes Staff

New York Fashion Week: Notes From The First HalfHannah ElliottForbes Staff

What Is It With Cab Drivers And Fashion Week?Hannah ElliottForbes Staff

Need More Culture In Your Life? Read These BooksHannah ElliottForbes Staff

The lucky few who did get in (think models, New York City DJs and the kids from Public School) had a grand old time, as expected with any Saleh fete. But there are ways to mitigate the horror. And make friends in the process. Here are a few of them.

- Carry cigarettes and a lighter. Fashion people smoke.* I don’t see this changing. Even if you don’t smoke, you’ll be asked for a ciggy or a lighter (or both) if you’re hanging around outside any of these parties. Be a dear and carry a few extras. It makes for easy conversation.

Or – and this is tried and true – step outside with your cigarette-smoking friends when they go for a smoke. You’ll meet the most interesting people.

- Share your car. Are you a member of Uber? Great. Be a pal and call for a car the second you feel the energy shift and can tell people will want to leave in T-minus five, four, three, two….

- Put names on lists. Got the hookup at Tribeca Grand, PURPLE, Vanity Fair, The Standard, Electric Room, Acme or The Jane? Make the call (and by call I mean text) to your guy on the inside and put some names down. It’s more fun to roll with a crew than with a plus-one anyway.

- Carry a charger. The anxiety bloggers, journalists, models, promoters and DJs feel when their battery skips dangerously low is palpable. Some carry portable chargers like these, which prove invaluable when your phone dies halfway through the evening. Or, you could just try to enjoy the evening as a fully present individual blissfully untethered to a device. But that’s an advanced move best enjoyed deliberately, not by dead-cell-phone default.

- Keep you hands down. Take two or three photos during the runway show and then put the phone down. Otherwise your raised hand will be immortalized in the shots of everyone behind you, and they’ll hate you for it.

- Don’t pinch seats. By which I mean don’t sit in an assigned seat that doesn’t belong to you. Far better to stand in the back and then be called to a place of honor than to assume a seat up front and face public removal when its rightful owner arrives.

- Go with the flow. Plans change. Traffic stops. People get tired, hot, hungry, sick or love-bit. It’s okay. There will always be another season, another show. Take the long view.

*This is not an endorsement just a statement of fact.

Follow me on Twitter: @HannahElliott

Follow me on Facebook FB -0.02%: Hannah Elliott

Follow me on Instagram: @HannahElliottxo