MICHELLE Obama should have been in the audience.


The American first lady, noted for her no-one-note dress style after her first 100 days in the White House, would have found three or four outfits off the catwalk to see her off very nicely.


Whether as soccer mum, official hostess, gardener, or date night with the Prez.


SPH magazines Female and Nuyou presented Singapore's longest-ever staged catwalk on Orchard last week.


On Friday, the Orchard Road Business Association reloaded the city's main artery as 'A Great Street' to shop, dine, play and stay.


A 163m catwalk running in and out - along on the sidewalk and in the VIP tent - was stage to 67 international models showcasing the labels Banana Republic, Coach, Diesel Blackgold, DKNY, Gap, Jimmy Choo and so on.

 

It entered the Singapore Book of Records for its catwalk length.


Taking it outdoors to the street was a great idea as it meant the public was privy to a fashion show for free. Besides, they are your very prospective magazine readers and clothes shoppers.

 

Unfortunately, if one wanted to be, er, catty, the catwalk in the VIP marquee was way too high, by a metre at least, and left the invited sit-down audience with the distinct feel of being divided by a black wall.


Which meant you could not see Mr Choo's shoes when they strutted out - unless you stood up. Or you were a six-footer like Mrs O herself.


At catwalk shows, you do want to be able to see across the room, even if it's just to wave to someone famous and not-so famous.


This is the seventh year the twin authorities in beauty and fashion, Nuyou and Female, have held their signature catwalk collections.


Last year it was in Changi Airport Terminal 3.

This article was first published in The New Paper