Oscar de la Renta SPRING 2008: New York

Oscar De la Renta captures pure elegance and proves once again his mastery of fabric and the female form in this season's spring collection. De la Renta visits the emerging trends and themes of tribal patterns and safari inspired pieces but is able to preserve his heightened sense of sophistication and timelessness which makes the collection classic and chic. Dresses and evening wear remain De la Renta's forte and gladly reminds us why the female form is so spectacular.

Prada SPRING 2008: Milan

Miuccia Prada is always thinking of ways to reinvent the modern woman and harmoniously showcased an ode to 60s Art Nouveau this spring. Gorgeous necklines with choker-like collars and keyhole openings decorated dresses and tunics made from sheer fabrics and cubic prints, which gave a romantic and fairy like mood to the clothing, almost like lustrous watercolor paintings. The mix of knits with chiffon slightly throws off the eye but somehow remains aesthetically pleasing. And if this all seems like a page out of a dream, Prada will continue to captivate the enchanted mind with footwear that is equally as fabulous and fanciful.

Lanvin SPRING 2008: Paris

Alber Elbaz's spring collection dared to go against the trend of floral and tribal prints and in turn presented a beautiful collection based on solid color. For this, Lanvin was one of the most uplifting shows of the entire season. Elbaz captured color and fluidity with such simplicity and easiness that is as refreshing as a breath of fresh air. Reiterating the principles of goddess dressing with sophisticated draping and pleating, Elbaz is able to capture the true movement of the clothing and the woman that adorns them.

BALENCIAGA SPRING 2008: Paris

After Nicolas Ghesquière's extreme embroidered "robot" leggings from Spring 2007, Ghesquière returned in full bloom this season to the Balenciaga traditions of ensemble dressing and flawlessly articulated structure. The dresses are short and the "ensembles" are perfectly layered with precise attention to detail: short shorts under valance like chemises under jackets all in the same pattern. The collection consists of odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern shapes in florals that are so vibrant, even your garden will be jealous.

Nina Ricci SPRING 2008: Paris

Olivier Theyskens spring collection for Nina Ricci embodies the sentiment of fairytale meets urban modernism. Theyskens captures a young, fresh take on femininity which he coined as the "Haute Couture Hippie" in this seasons theme. The models looked as though they were returning home from an all-nighter in pieces that were slightly disheveled but nonetheless graceful and stunning. Despite showcasing a collection directed towards a younger generation, the designs remained soft and romantic; something Olivier knows how to do best.

Proenza Schouler SPRING 2008: New York

From the beginning, Proenza Schouler has been known for its drastic contrasts: a constant play on masculine with feminine, an uptown elegance combined with raw street energy and now the duality of becoming adults and staying young. It has been argued that Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough have been feeling the pressure to grow up since their recent partnership with Valentino Fashion Group, but the duo has once again asserted themselves as designers with an advanced outlook on fashion with a collection that is cohesive and brilliant but most importantly, remains true to the two young designers sense of style.

Oscar de la Renta's Fanciful Fall Florals


Fashion: Florals for fall was the big message at Oscar de la Renta's pre-Fall 2008 collection, which the designer showed to an audience of press, buyers and socialites on Park Avenue in New York on Monday, Dec. 3, who sat theater-in-the-round style around the runway.

Large flower prints in strong colors such as red, green teal and yellow were splashed across the designer's signature feminine frocks and knee-length skirts with soft, voluminous folds and ballooning shapes. Elsewhere, the floral theme took on a modernist twist with an abstract tulip print day dress.

Roberto Cavalli's Artistic Flair

Fashion: Roberto Cavalli's creativity has most recently been in the news as he was the first to officially remark on Jennifer Lopez's expectant state. Then there was his portrayal of fellow designer Karl Lagerfield for Halloween. Indeed, Cavalli is as fun as his frocks, but his Web site is not.

Cavalli has an artistic heritage, so it is no wonder that he is best known for his dramatic animal prints and use of fabric. From his entrance into the fashion world decades ago, Cavalli maintains his relevance by constantly keeping up and staying ahead of changing trends. His clientèle include celebrities and entertainers who are all loyal followers and have helped to expand his company and range of lines from knitwear to accessories and scents.

Emporio Armani: A Tale of Tailoring

Fashion: He might be the designer opening the most boutiques in the emerging markets of the future, but when it comes to his latest Emporio Armani collection the heart of the matter was innovative, homespun Italian tailoring.

Whatever they end up writing in his eventual biographies, Giorgio Armani will go down as the greatest fashion tailor of his generation, and at a moment when the fashion planet is obsessed with decoration and embellishment, it was neat to see this designer concentrating on cutting and shape.

His big new idea in the Emporio fall 2008 collection presented in south Milan Sunday afternoon was an unusual inverted tulip skirt, cut above the knee, but lower on the back that was a new look and one that will be copied and imitated by high street brands worldwide.

Prada: Schizophrenic Style

Fashion: Sunday evening witnessed a most curiously schizophrenic collection by Prada in Milan's season of fall 2008 men's collections.

The central new garment was a minimalist harness/strait jacket that wrapped around torsos in half the looks; collars and bowties came in pairs; and young men wore mini skirts, ruffled, five inch deep over pants. We even got a series of jock straps in patent leather that reached up way above pant waists.

One could argue that these were all accessories, and styling tricks. But the garments themselves had a mournful air: while Prada's slickly cut suits looked cut for horror movie henchmen.

Zac Posen's Fall Fantasy Fracas

Fashion: What item most says "fetish" in a woman's wardrobe? Why, the shoe, of course - preferably a spiked stiletto. So kicking off his show with the sound coming from the speakers of a clack-clack-clack of a pair of pumps on a marble floor, Zac Posen made sure you knew this would be one sexy collection even before the first look came down the runway.

Shoes also created a memorable moment at the close of the show, when seasoned catwalker Karen Elson stumbled and fell while walking in the towering satin platform stilettos -- almost the equivalent of walking en pointe. She was helped up by fellow model Caroline Trentini and Sean Combs, and just shook her head and laughed it off. No matter -- shoes like that look better when worn while lying down.

Valentino's Farewell: The Day La Mode Died

Fashion: Valentino, the man viewed by many as the greatest creator of evening wear of his time and the designer with the plushest lifestyle ever, staged his last fashion show in Paris Wednesday before a glittering array of Hollywood stars, mega designers, grand dames, Old and New Money and every fashion editor of note on the planet. Valentino managed not to cry as he took his final walk down the runway of a custom made white tent in the garden of the Rodin Museum. Not so his audience, which gave him a five-minute, tear-stained standing ovation after presenting his spring 2008 collection, bringing to a close a 45-year career.

With Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu sitting either side of Valentino's longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti, the couturier reminded us why one of his nicknames was Le Chic, by sending out 74 looks that captured his unique sense of opulent elegance.

From Rock & Roll to Haute Glamour

Fashion: Gwen Stefani has managed to break out of the norm, and has created a great line that depicts her style, and is glam enough to be Luxe.It seems as if every celebrity has created their own line or label of some sort. Very few are actually active in the designs and have a lot of creative influence, even fewer are top of the line.

When No Doubt finally made it big, Gwen Stefani's unique style took center stage. Now, Gwen Stefani is one of many celebrities to craft her own clothing line, but one of the few that has maintained a hand-on approach that shows her personal vision. In return, Gwen has been rewarded by positive reviews for both her luxury line L.A.M.B and her second line, Harajuku Lovers

Elle by YSL: Unpredictable and Unique

Designer Fragrance: One of the most revered luxury brands, Yves Saint Laurent, continues to dazzle the senses with its latest contribution to designer fragrances, Elle.

Elle represents everything the modern woman strives to be, in an amazing mixture of complimentary competing strong and soft scents that have been combined to make an irresistible fragrance for even the most discerning consumers. Following the recent fashion trend of menswear for women, Elle is a blend of traditionally feminine "floral" combined with stronger, more masculine "woody notes." This blend of his and hers is also represented in the elongated, modern shape of the bottle in YSL's signature fuchsia shade accented in gold, a perfect addition to any beauty product lover's collection.

Kevan Hall's African Experience: LA Fashion Week Spring 2008

Fashion: If every Los Angeles fashion designer had the eye for beauty and the talent for creating perfectly tailored pieces that Kevan Hall has, this town would be the Paris of America. Sadly, that is not the case; but happily, Hall proved once again that he is the master on Monday afternoon at his runway show during the Spring 2008 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week extravaganza going on at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.

Bulga 2008 Resort Collection

Luxury Handbags: Fashionistas worldwide can expect to see a new selection of haute handbags hit the shelves just in time for the fall/winter 2008 season. Though the uber-trendy design house of Bulga is relatively new to the fashion scene, its chic collections have earned quite the following. So much so, in fact, pre-orders for the new 2008 Resort Collection are already underway. From Barbados-born pop stars to supernatural superdivas, celebrities have taken notice of Bulga's high-fashion appeal.

Rihanna is said to have ordered Bulga's Misa handbag in the eye-catching shade of silver snake. While glitz and glamour are essential in Hollywood, Jessica Alba opted for a more classic-colored carryall and ordered her Misa in Bulga's new black. As the highlight of the collection, the Misa is available in cowhide, sheepskin, or crinkled custom Italian leather and retails for $760.

Rebecca Minkoff: Holiday 2007 Collection

Luxury Handbags: It was the name of her flagship handbag, "The Morning After," which first grabbed our attention. But after some serious shopping, we found that the handbags by Rebecca Minkoff are in fact worth raving about.

Based out of New York, designer Rebecca Minkoff is set to launch her latest collection, Holiday 2007, this June. Though she may be still considered a newbie in the world of handbags, Minkoff exudes star qualities. Her first line was introduced in spring 2004 and has since expanded to include 13 pieces.

The designer's fan base is made up of Hollywood divas including the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Nichole Ritchie, Cameron Diaz, and Kristen Cavalleri. And with more and more of these Minkoff sightings, it's no wonder why she is considered one of New York's most sought after up-and-coming designers. Her star continues to rise due to the impeccable design and craftsmanship of her bags.

The Art of Collecting Handbags

Handbags: Only in Los Angeles can you peruse prints by Andy Warhol and purchase the latest Louis Vuitton handbag without having to pay for valet twice. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles will be featuring the work of famous Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. While Murakami's exhibit will not entail any of his eclectic sculptures or Superflats, the ever-present theme of pop culture Murakami staple will hardly be lacking.

Nicholai by Nicky Hilton Debuts

Luxury Fashion: There was no sister Paris to steal Nicky Hilton's spotlight on Sunday, September 9, when the 23-year-old showed her first collection at New York fashion week at the tents in Bryant Park, but her parents Kathy and Rick were front and center, along with pals Bijou Phillips and Brandon Davis, Jenna Jameson, Russell Simmons and Heatherette's Richie Rich and Traver Rains.

Nicholai by Nicky Hilton is her attempt designing something more serious and upscale, a progression of her contemporary sportswear line Chick and handbag line Samantha Thavasa, a top-seller in Japan.

JEP Boutique, Oh So Chic

Fashion: You've probably read about JEP boutique in a fashion magazine, or come across it in your search for the fabulous. But if you're not in the La Jolla area, you may feel like you're missing out on the store's amazing selection of luxury lines and fabulous events. Luckily, JEP boutique offers a Web site complete with a shopping cart for your designer purchases, no matter where you are. The JEP site is well categorized into women's and men's as well as jewelry, scents and accessories.

 The Bold and Bright Emilio Pucci

Fashion: Although Emilio Pucci has passed away, his signature bold patterns and swirly designs live on and you can find them at www.EmilioPucci.com. Bold prints flash across the homepage and are interspersed with models exhibiting similar designs on clothes and accessories along with words that conjure up Pucci's fun and functionality. From the homepage, you can either click on a menu filled with options, or a list of where to find Pucci online. Pucci can be found only at luxury online retailers, including Neiman-Marcus.

From Emilio's original innovative designs inside and outside the fashion world, the house retains its Florence offices and has remained in the Pucci family, as Emilio's daughter, Laudomia, has taken over as creative director. Pucci is now part of the LVMH family, where it retains its position in the couture world and continues to climb.

TikaBou: Eco-Friendly meets Urban-Edgy

Fashion: Are you looking for a little more rock and roll meets cool casual when it comes to your luxury apparel? Then check out Manhattan's TikaBou, an environmentally aware boutique that carries designer styles.

TikaBou is not for the fashionably fearful, but for the fashionably forward that like to look urban and edgy. TikaBou carries Ed Hardy, the famous luxury line inspired by tattoos and motorcycles, as well as a husband and wife's line, VOOM, which can best be described at classy clubwear for urban-dwellers. TkaBou also has a smattering of outfits for pets, including humorously labeled t-shirts "bitch" and "stud."