As chief executive and fashion director of Tank Magazine, Caroline Issa is a fashion week veteran. She reveals the best shows, parties and sights to see in NYC during this biannual event.

Event

New York Fashion Week is an action-packed week for media and buyers alike, with designers showing collections all over town, and exclusive events taking place around every corner. New York Fashion Week was inaugurated in 1943, and was the first of the ‘Big Four’ fashion weeks (including London, Milan, and Paris).

Ambience

The week is a constant hive of activity with each of the seven days filled with a tight schedule of daytime runway shows and evening after-parties. Personally, I always look forward to the Jason Wu, Ohne Titel and Proenza Schouler shows during New York Fashion Week. 

A model struts the catwalk in Proenza Schouler

Rub Shoulders With

Everyone who’s anyone in the fashion world will be in attendance during the week, from heavyweight magazine editors such as Vogue’s Anna Wintour, as well as prominent fashion bloggers, models and a slew of celebrities lining the front rows of the runway shows. 

After Dark

Alexander Wang’s after-party is always a spectacle to behold — both the partygoers and his performing guests are always over-the-top fun (last year’s event was held in a warehouse in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Bushwick). Apart from the exclusive designer after-parties, stop by the Boom Boom Room at the top of The Standard hotel (848 Washington St; +1 212 645 4646; www.standardhotels.com). It has got great views and cocktails, and is a must-see if you’re in town. 

Grab a drink at The Standard Hotel in New York City

Stay

New York is spoilt with a plethora of stylishly luxe hotels to base oneself for Fashion Week. I like to stay at Hotel Americano (518 West 27th St; +1 212 216 0000; www.hotel-americano.com): I love the Americano for its rooftop terrace, which is a great place to be during the New York summer. Their breakfasts, coffee and service are also superb. 

Dine

Choose between The Fat Radish (17 Orchard St; +1 212 300 4053; www.thefatradishnyc.com) and Barbuto (775 Washington St; +1 212 924 9700; www.barbutonyc.com). Both serve absolutely delicious and wonderfully prepared food, and they are great places to spend a long evening with friends.

Must-do

When you’re in town, go museum hopping. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 5th Ave; +1 212 535 7710; www.metmuseum.org) and The Guggenheim (1071 5th Ave; +1 212 423 3500; www.guggenheim.org) are two of my favourites.