Fashion Week – an entire week to finally wear all the crazy stuff that’s hanging in your closet (hello, turban!), mingle like a single and actually feel bad if strangers don’t want to take your picture for a street-style shot. Oh, there’s also these shows that take up a big part of your time. Amsterdam Fashion Week was my first, I can officially say that I’ve been fashion deflowered by the Dutch, and – all in all – it was a good first time.

You see, with fashion week comes a lot of madness. The busy schedule, the fact that you feel like a mule carrying around a heavy camera and ten thousand other things and all the while you’re trying to look decent and fashionable (I failed), it is exhausting. And I wasn’t even wearing heels. The Dutch however, have some compassion for the fashion folks and they’ve come up with this wonderful idea to have all the shows at the same location. From what I’ve heard (and can imagine) this is truly a blessing for your feet and sanity. I’ve learned my first fashion week lessons in Amsterdam, so I can be fully prepared whenever I end up at another one. Time to read and laugh at some of my first fashion week impressions:

The crazier, the better. Think about the most crazy outfit you could wear. Now make it ten times more extravagant, and you’ll probably have a chance to stand out at Amsterdam Fashion Week. Of course, not everyone takes out their sky-high heels and bejewels their face, but if you care about getting your picture taken – step up your crazy game. Picture guaranteed.

Dress for tropical weather. The weather gods didn’t play nice this year. After you carefully did your hair and make-up, you left the hotel feeling good. That moment gets ruined if you’re being blown and washed away minutes later (hello, wet dog look!). Note to self: try to think of an outfit that will survive tropical rain storm. A bit later, you’re finally dry and comfy inside the venue. Now it seems you’ve ended up in a sauna, with about 1000 other people. And you’re forced to sit really, really close to each other on tiny benches. Note to self: work on personal space issues.

The contrast. Oh, the things you hear at fashion week! You’d be entertained just eavesdropping on every conversation, but let’s be honest: that would be kind of creepy. Keep your eyes and ears open, and you’ll see people throwing a major fit over their seating to others asking if the show is over or if this is just an intermission. Or that moment when they ask you if you’re walking in the show. Guess it was someone else’s first fashion week too.

These slippers were my friends. They were ugly, soft and comfortable. They were my best friends at the end of the day. White, tacky hotel slippers: I love you. I hope you’re around the next time!