THE heart of Singapore and the showcase for material goods, Orchard Road is almost always buzzing.

But on Friday, the shopping belt thumped along louder than usual as fashion was taken out of the display windows and paraded on the streets for all to see.

The thick crowd was treated to 150 models strutting their stuff on a 600m-long catwalk stretching from Ion Orchard to Wisma Atria.

Organised by Singapore Press Holdings, the two-hour Orchard Fashion Runway was part of this year's Fashion Season @ Orchard, which is into its second year.

It showcased the latest spring-summer collection by a diverse roster of labels - such as alldressedup, Levi's, T.M. Lewin and Vivienne Tam - that can be found in stores on Orchard Road.

Part of the catwalk was at street level, and all that separated the models from the public was an army of security personnel.

This level of intimacy proved to be an eye-opener for The New Paper New Face 2010 winner Vivien Ong.

The 19-year-old model from Carrie Models, who is also a finalist in the Asian Model Search contest, opened the show.

"This is the longest catwalk I've ever done," said Ong.

"Walking in heels down this catwalk is not easy. Many models return backstage panting."

For 20-year-old Zack Tan, also from Carrie Models and a finalist in the Asian Model Search competition, it was a unique experience.

He said: "It was a totally different sort of exposure to be so close to the audience, especially with the size of that crowd. I have to admit I was pretty nervous."

Both Ong and Tan were wearing clothes from the Robinsons group.

Also on the catwalk was 21-year-old Emiko Thein, who was a finalist in The New Paper New Face 2005. Thein was dressed by Denizen.

She said the experience was exhilarating but "slightly scary because of the skinny runway". For the crowd that gathered to gawk, the event was a thrill.

Three young Korean girls visiting Singapore were spotted in the audience, their cameras trained on the catwalk.

Said 13-year-old Esther Park: "It is really exciting."

SO THE dust has finally settled on the inaugural Men's Fashion Week and it was a much-talked about hit.

The hashtag #MFW trended on Twitter the entire week. In today's terms, that means it's a winner.

Men's Fashion Week 2011, which ended it's five-day run last Sunday at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, closed with an announcement.

MFW chariman Frank Cintamani revealed that Women's Fashion Week is coming in October at the same venue.

Now, the acid test. Did the shows, clothes and accessories stick in my mind?

I didn't manage to catch all the shows. But of those that I did, these are what I thought were the highlights.

GO, TEAM SINGAPORE!

At the Singapore Showcase, two stars emerged.

Atzu (far left) showed a collection so quirky that I'm curious to see how it'll translate on the shop floor. That was after I clapped my hands raw from excitement.

Once the label marries the commercial with the drama, it'll be a force to be reckoned with. I cannot wait to see how the brand progresses.

Another local label that impressed me was Reckless Erika's collection (left). It was heavy on capes and voluminous pants. I need to lose 20kg or grow to a 2m-tall stick to wear them.

The challenge now for the design house is to adapt its creations into clothes that the plus-size, height-challenged masses can wear.

HAIR NOW

Even though hairstylist David Gan insists that the Passion show was not a hair show, he sent his models down the catwalk with hair extensions, clothes from Jason @ Hide & Seek and shoes by DrMartens.

I'm thinking about long hair now and I had another bout of shoe lust: Those DrMartens dress shoes are gorgeous!

UNDER WHERE?

Surely the hottest show must be Brief Encounter, which featured underwear labels.

Everyone wanted a ticket, although an entire row of audience did not to turn up.

Still, love it or hate it, no one could stop talking about it, and that's the entire point of a fashion show anyway.

SHOE LUST

Watching the Feiyue show was dangerous for my wallet. I felt the tingling of shoe lust right after. Feiyue is a brand from China that has gained a fan base in Europe.

The range of blue sneakers are to die for. I wanted a pair immediately but was told the range will be available online and at Tangs only in June.

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This article was first published in The New Paper.