It is kind of pointless as a student to fawn over New York Fashion Week. I can look at online slide shows and read live blogs from the runways but I won’t get to see the fabrics up close.

And by the time I’ve made any serious money – assuming I do so – or am important enough to get them for free (crossing fingers), these clothes will be old news.

I worry, though, that by the time I could get that red, ruffly Marchesa dress or its future equivalent, there won’t be a Fashion Week to work toward to inspire me.

In the fall 2008 collections, the Halston brand made two of its designs available for sale immediately after the runway show on netaporter.com.

One was a jersey drape dress for $1,795, and another was a shirt dress for $1,495.

On the Web site there are clips from the Halston runway show, and you can see Vogue editor Anna Wintour in her big, dark sunglasses looking expressionless at the very dress available for you to purchase.

Imagine wearing this dress before she has a chance to publish her opinion – how cool would you be? Only the largest size hasn’t sold out yet and, according to the L.A. Times, department stores are “quaking in their loafers” at the success.

Halston’s new business model means department store buyers aren’t necessary to determine tastes of the season – neither are spreads in Vogue or celebrity models.

Ordinary rich people can just watch the runway shows online and then buy the designs instantly.

But while this seems like the ultimate expression of democracy and individual taste, it is in a way rather limiting. While you don’t need fashion experts to affirm your taste, the fact that designers alone, without the support of fashion media, can sell wares, means they are less accountable for producing innovative, ground-breaking designs.

People may be less inclined to buy a look without first seeing Victoria Beckham rock it. Designs may not have to be as cutting-edge if they can be acquired immediately. Designs will be created for the moment, not necessarily the future.

Designers were showing fashion for fall 2008 this week, but why would they have to look that far ahead?

It is a kind sentiment for fashion to get a little more democratic. In the past I have gawked at some styles that no one in their right mind would ever wear.

But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s nice that designers are keeping the common consumer in mind, but sometimes I like it when fashion is totally inaccessible. While I could never picture myself actually wearing that enormous peacock feather hat from Carolina Herrera, it’s nice to know it’s out there.

Such extravagances are show-stopper pieces, not really intended for serious retail sale, but designed to inspire, to emphasize the theme of the collection.

The Halston dresses are beautiful, but by no means entirely new looking.

If people are going to get their clothes straight from the runway, there would be no need for the runway to be any different from a ready-to-wear aisle in Nordstrom.

Without the middleman or editor, high fashion won’t have to impress.