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Triptychs: Fashion off the runway is a personal journey

NEW YORK - Buttoned into a favorite coat against freezing cold or inspired by a fairytale, fans outside the tents of New York Fashion Week comprise an ongoing parade of fantasy, fun and personal expression.

The frigid weather hasn't discouraged these hardy hangers-on who linger on the Lincoln Center Plaza for a glimpse of a favorite fashionista or celebrity guest.

Ice and flakes? No problem for some who insist on stilettos over snow boots. They pose and preen for their own paparazzi as the action heats up inside.

Morgan Martin is one, happy to explain her outfit.

"I created this hat," she said of her white topper marked with a red K for her middle name, Khadijah. "So this was like my first thing, so I start from the hat on down. I saw this jacket, a military British colony style jacket and we thought it would go perfect with my outfit."

So it did.

Holly Pan is another. She wasn't caught up in fashion rules. Her dark hair in a thick braid, she wore a white lacy apron.

"It's fashion week, everybody thinks, 'it's a huge event, you have to make everything perfect,' but you don't have to. It's a chance to play," she said. "This outfit is more like modern-day Alice in Wonderland."

John Minchillo, a photographer for The Associated Press, spent some time outside the tents chatting up enthusiasts. He created playful triptychs showing off their style. Here are 10:

In this combination of three images from Feb. 12, 2015, Holly Pan poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. "It’s fashion week, everybody thinks, 'it’s a huge event, you have to make everything perfect,' but you don’t have to. It’s a chance to play" said Pan. "This outfit is more like modern-day Alice in Wonderland look, so it’s retro but everything is more up to date." (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
This combination of three images from Feb. 12, 2015, Samantha Susson poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. "The energy is amazing; everyone’s excited and ready to see the new collections," said Susson. "Today I’m wearing a design from a new collection and it’s very boho-hippie vibes." (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
In this combination of three images from Feb. 12, 2015, Hannah Stoudemire poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. "My favorite aspect of fashion week is becoming re-inspired and more creative because each year I become more creative by testing myself and pushing my limits on my fashion," Stoudemire said. "Today I’m inspired by Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, and I mix it with my international travels." (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
In this combination of three images from Feb. 12, 2015, Kyunga Song poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. "I've been [to Fashion Week] like ten times," said Song. When asked about her outfit she said, "Twentieth century woman. I love that." (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
In this combination of three images from Feb. 12, 2015, Giselle Trujillo poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. "This is actually one of my favorite coats I purchased in the late, mid-1990s," said Trujillo. When asked about her outfit she said, "It’s a Moschino coat. I saw it at Barneys a long time ago and I was like 'I really want that coat,' and it was like thousands of dollars. And I said I’m gonna keep going back 'til the prices drop and I wound up getting a really great deal on it." (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
In this combination of three images from Feb. 12, 2015, a fashionista who identifies as Dapper Afrika poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. "If you’re not certain of your perfection, you’ll be perfected by others and that’s kind of what fashion does," said Afrika. "Either you are the fashion or someone else is telling you who you are." (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
In this combination of three images from Feb. 13, 2015, Danel Vicieux poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. "My outfit, I love vintage pieces," said Vicieux. "I like one of a kind things. I like people that stand out so anything that comes out and sticks out is amazing to me." (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
In this combination of three images from Feb. 12, 2015, Ghou Juge poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. Ghou traveled to New York for his first fashion week while sporting his own designs. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
In this combination of three images from Feb. 12, 2015, Carrie Lee poses for photographs at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week in New York. Lee was traveling through New York and stopped at her first Fashion Week to show off her personal style. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press
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