New York  - Just as summer draws to a close, the fashion world is focusing attention on next spring. Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week officially kicks off the Spring 2011 Collections on Thursday.

About 150 collections will be shown around New York City during fashion shows and presentations staged for an audience of press, celebrities, socialites, fashion professionals and the all-important buyers who make the final determination on what goes into the stores.

But it's not just the new season that's promising to create a buzz among fashion lovers this time around.

For one thing, Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week has moved to a new home; the familiar white tents have moved uptown from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center, and all the attendant festivities and carnival atmosphere of the semi-annual event are certain to move as well.

Major labels and designers scheduled to show include Michael Kors, Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, BCBG Max Azria, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Elie Tahari, Perry Ellis, Jill Stuart, Tracy Reese, Derek Lam and Issac Mizrahi. Smaller designers looking for exposure also are scheduled to show at small venues around the city including New Brunswick's Willie Hall. In addition, New York Fashion Week also will host the taping of the finale for the current season of the fashion design reality show, "Project Runway."

But New York Fashion Week also comes at a time when the fashion world, like the rest of the business community, is recovering from the economic recession.

That combination of circumstances promises even more scrutiny for an event that is always followed closely. And in New Jersey, the New York event has particular importance since many players in the fashion world — designers, models, buyers, executives and stylists — call New Jersey home.

"Fashion Week is a time where everybody comes together. It's our time to celebrate," said Jacqui Wenzel, president of the Ports 1961 label, who lives in Ocean Township. "Fashion Week is when we really promote what the direction of our line is. And it's the time to see and be seen."

New York Fashion Week is also a chance for the public to gauge what trends and colors may be in and what may be on the way out.

After all, even the priciest designer labels now offer lower-priced collections in budget stores such as Kohl's, Target and Wal-Mart up to mid-priced department stores such as Macy's. Add to that the offerings from store brands, to say nothing of the knockoff labels, and shoppers at every price point will see trends from Fashion Week trickling down to their favorite stores. While the Fashion Week shows are by invitation only, an increasing number of labels and stores are offering public events to get more people involved and excited about what's coming.

For the second year in a row, the public will get a chance to be a part of things with "Fashion's Night Out," a series of events including receptions and special sales being held Sept. 10 at stores throughout New York to promote New York fashion. Events are also being held in fashion capitals around the world. For a full listing of "Fashion's Night Out" events, go to //www.fashionsnightout.com.

The shopping cable channel QVC is not only scheduled to offer special shows and sales from Fashion Week, but will launch several collections during Fashion's Night Out at 9 p.m. including the eagerly anticipated K-Dash By Kardashians line. Shoppers also can visit a special QVC store that will be located at Rockefeller Center from Sept. 10 to 15.

Several labels such as Perry Ellis will be streaming their Fashion Week shows live online through their websites or will be debuting their lines exclusively online during Fashion Week. The Perry Ellis line debuts at 7 p.m. Sept. 13, and viewers can watch the live stream at www.perryellis.com or on the label's Facebook page.

In addition, American Express customers can purchase tickets to a special presentation by designer Tory Burch. Special VIP seats for shows through American Express are already sold out. For information on the Tory Burch show and special "Fashion's Night Out" discounts for card members, go to //americanexpress.com/entertainment.

"I think each fashion city has its opportunity to really imprint what is the look of that city. New York City has a certain style all its own," Wenzel said. "When everybody comes and shows, there's a certain style that becomes apparent. By the time Fashion Week is over, there are trends that will start to be seen."