OVER 170 models took over Orchard Road on Saturday evening, literally.

As part of the opening show for Fashion Steps Out (FSO), a 600-metre stretch of Singapore's famous shopping belt, between Scotts and Bideford Road, was closed off for two hours for a runway show.

It was the first time FSO - which was called Fashion Season @ Orchard in its first two years - attempted such a challenging feat; previous runway shows were held along the pavements and sidewalks of Orchard Road. 

Raising the level of challenge was the rain, which fell on Orchard Road from about 6pm.

But thankfully, the passing shower simmered by about 7.55pm, minutes before set-up preparations were scheduled at 8pm.

30 minutes later, the first group of topless males models in jeans took the road runway led by Junita Simons, the host of the evening.

Junita Simons wore a self-designed FSO event T-shirt stylishly paired with an emerald ball gown skirt by ModernAge, showing off the model-host's seemingly endless long legs. She was accessorised by What Women Want.

Some 300 by-invite-only guests were audience to a showcase of the spring/summer collections of 11 brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Dsquared2, Just Cavalli, iCB, Rosebullet, J.Press, Dip Drops, Robinsons, Marks & Spencer, Paul & Joe and Maria Grachvogel.

Whether they were there for the spectacle or for the fashion, an eager crowd numbering in the thousands turned up to catch the runway event - the first-of-its-kind in Singapore.

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Fashion Steps Out (FSO) @ Orchard is on from March 16 to April 29.