Both New York (6-13 February) and London (14-18 February) are swelling with style tribes this month for their Fashion Weeks. But what can they tell us about where to go, what to buy and, of course, what to wear? Fashion writer and show veteran Julia Robson goes out in search of the fash packs

The tribe: Back row blaggers

Who? Interns, bloggers, obscure foreign press and style devotees not on expenses

NYC: ‘Home’ for a week is the ‘big top’ tented lobby of the Lincoln Centre – the official site of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Along with ogling Jewels by JAR at The Met, the NYC subway is the place to be: this season, the 5.3 million daily riders can experience underground pop-up designer shops in collaboration with online giant Storefront.com.

LON: Watch crazily dressed fashion peacocks in five-inch Sophia Webster heels flock to LFW’s HQ, Somerset House. When not posing for street photos (and selfies), they can pop in to the nearby exhibition Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!

The tribe: Party Patrol

Who? Models, style queens and pop stars

NYC: Catch the likes of Carine Roitfeld and DKNY’s new face Rita Ora schmoozing at the Paramount Hotel, following its $40 million renovation, as well as artsy venues like Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld’s space in East 78th Street.

LON: LFW coincides with the BAFTAS, Elle Style Awards and Brit Awards, promising a week of sparkling celebrations (and celebrities). Expect ritzy after-show events at The May Fair, the official LFW hotel. Here, Cara D and Alexa C will become one of many fashion foragers – hunting down something other than Metcalfe’s Skinny Topcorn and sugar-free vitamin drinks distributed in goodie bags to keep energy levels fizzing.

The tribe: FROWers

Who? Super-league fashionistas and FFBFs (fashion’s famous best friends)

NYC: US Vogue’s Anna Wintour and creative directors will perch alongside stick-thin, Prada-clad Euro fashionistas at Marc Jacobs (newly detached from Louis Vuitton) and Victoria Beckham, to get a glimpse of David/Harper. Pre-show, it’s pastries at Dover Street Market. Post-show, a Grey Goose Martini at Lower East Side’s Finale.

LON: Expect to see Suzy Menkes alongside Michelle ‘Lady Mary’ Dockery watching Simone Rocha and the catwalk return of Issa (a favourite of Kate Middleton – remember that blue engagement dress?). A cloud of Radiant Orchid, Pantone’s ‘colour of the year’ 2014, is predicted to descend on the British capital. Watch out for SS14’s key item: culottes.

The tribe: The Twitterati

Who? The name says it all

NYC: Go to @cathyhorynNYT and @hbvogue for a digi front row seat. Want the nitty gritty or simply the witty? @Manrepeller is for you. Get backstage beauty, hair tweets and tips before they even hit the runway from @gucciwestman and @sammcknight1.

LON: The ones to follow: @Topshop to discover who is perched front row (Harry Styles?); @caradelevingne for what’s going on backstage and the original (and still arguably the best) fashion blogger, @susiebubble to educate you on rising stars/trends. For gossip/pictures/authentic soundbites try British fashion guru @hilaryalexander.

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This article has been tagged Fashion + Style, Destination