Laura Schara looks quite comfortable in the tents of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.

The Minneapolis-based Macy's trend expert (and "Minnesota Bound" Ron Schara's daughter) has been attending shows off and on over the past eight years, but that doesn't mean that she's over it. "It's reenergizing," she said. "When you're in Minneapolis, you're not quite as close to the excitement and newness. It's inspiring."

This season she has seen Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tracy Reese, Elie Tahari, Milly and Max Azria.

However, her absolute favorite was Donna Karan's elegant 25th anniversary collection and DKNY. She's hoping to include the latter in this year's Glamorama, scheduled for August. Scouting for such Macy's sponsored runway shows is part of the reason Schara attended this year. "I'm also looking for trends for the fall season and inspiration on ways to style runway," she explained.

So far, for fall, Schara predicts lots of "boots with the fur," in reference to the Flo Rida song "Low," adding high platforms to the footwear mix. Other trends likely to work in the Twin Cities include monochromatic dressing, texture, leather and shine.

SARA GLASSMAN