Looking at models on the catwalk isn't about looking at models: it's about looking at the clothes, obviously. Figuring out the trends; noting the the themes; predicting what will be big and what won't take off.

But looking at models on the street, now that's about the models. Marvelling at their genetic gifts, their long legs and their silky hair; picking up on insouciant styling tricks; feeling pangs of jealousy at how a model can make a thrift store coat or a plain old hat look utterly chic. Models are often the most transfixing when off-duty so click the gallery to see 40 beautiful pictures of model downtime at New York Fashion Week.