As the NY Fashion Week press registration opens today, I keep thinking about another season at the Bryant Park tents. Although this will be my 6th(!) season covering the fashion week events, I must admit I still feel like an outsider, observing the historical moments in this industry, although sometimes I happen to be part of them.

For me, the best fashion week spectacle happens not necessarily on the runways, but among the crowd of the fashion industry insiders. What still surprises me is the fact that unlike fashion trends, some of these iconic personalities never change. You see them every year at various fashion events throughout the year, with their signature style including theatrical outfits, head to toe elaborate accessories and artistry makeup.

Lynn Yeager with her signature dotted cheeks and doll-like painted lips, obsessed with over-sized hats Rosemary Ponzo, their European colleagues - always covered in black Diane Pernet and of course the legendary eclectic Anna Piaggi. The common thread between all these fashion personalities is the consistent over-the-top signature appearance which separates them from the crowd. While I can certainly appreciate the courage and effort these icons put into their every day appearance, I often wonder what lies underneath...

Are these layers some sort of mask that hides their true personalities, or is this the real expression of their true selves? Would they be as known and successful without their multiple layers of clothes, makeup and accessories? Is the courage itself of matching the usually unmatchable pieces enough to make it into a style icon? Lastly, is having this signature appearance necessary to make it in this industry?...

Let's be honest, anywhere outside the fashion circles these style choices would be misunderstood, to say the least. But in fashion, they are embraced, idolized and even featured in magazine editorials.

Until recently I was sure these iconic fashion personalities are part of the industry past, but then I started recognizing the trend among the new, younger generation of fashion characters. Looking at the street style photo of the 13 year old blogging sensation Tavi, I can see the inspiration from Anna Piaggi (although I'm not sure whether it's conscious or not). The recent buzz associated with Tavi wasn't only because of the fact she is 13, but thanks to her cooky personal style, which includes excessive layering, elaborate accessories and eclectic choices (no signature makeup... yet).

Tavi isn't the first 13 year old blogger who can express profound thoughts on fashion - last season we met Maggie Hemphill, a 13 year old from Pennsylvania who runs her own fashion magazine and even contributes to Fashion Week Daily.

So what made Tavi so different from other 13 year old fashion bloggers and put her in the spotlight? Was it the signature over-the-top Anna Piaggi style that made the traditional fashion industry embrace her as the new icon? Was it the obsession with emerging designer names and ability to put together unmatchable pieces in a way that looks inventive and fresh? Tavi is finally someone who speaks their visual language, but also knows to share it via new tools of the web. She continues the legacy.