"Fashion is not about utility. An accessory is merely a piece of iconography used to express individual identity." "Oh! And it's pretty."

New York Fall 2011 Fashion Week has come to a close (queue end credits music now). There were so many amazing shows and so many amazing street style slide shows, I absolutely couldn't get enough. A lot of themes kept popping up: 70s, reds and other jewel tones, super luxe fabrics, Arizona Muse in pretty much every show, etc, but I guess that's to be expected for fall.

While I loved many of the shows, there were 5 that really stood out to me. Let's check them out!

Ralph Lauren

I've always been a huge fan of Ralph Lauren. There's just something so classic and chic about every collection he puts out. The tailoring and styling is consistently impeccable, and I loved the subtle red, coral and jade details in the accessories of each look. From separates to gowns, each look is something I'd love to have in my wardrobe.

Click HERE to see the entire collection.

Prabal Gurung

Based on one of my favorite characters/crazy bitches in literature, Great Expectations' Miss Havisham, Prabal Gurung's fall collection was super interesting to me. He's been all over the red carpet lately, so I was very excited to see what he'd show for Fall. I really liked the harshness of the accessories (the black leather gloves and black geometrical tights) and the lady-likeness of the fabrics (chiffon and handmade lace) and draping. Plus, a big color on the runways this season, I loved all the different shades of red intermixed with blacks, whites and grays.

Click HERE to see the entire collection.

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier's shows are usually the ones I look forward to the most each season. She creates the most beautiful pieces that every woman would kill for. And it's not just her unbelievable evening wear that I find to be so stunning. There's also something so chic about her tailored suits and cocktail dresses. And again, color of the season red was splattered throughout the show, showing up in the most incredible places.

Click HERE to see the entire collection.

Michael Kors

30 years in the fashion business has done nothing but make Michael Kors better, if you ask me. His collections are always so "him" and this show proved that if you have an aesthetic that works, and you can be defined by, why change it. Every piece is so completely wearable and should make its way into every womans' wardrobe. The neutral color palette just works and the luxuriousness of all his fabrics make each look look rich. And hey, let's be honest. Don't we all want to look rich most of the time?

Click HERE to see the entire collection.

Carolina Herrera

From the rainbow backdrop to the bold colors on the runway, Carolina Herrera's show reminded me of why I love ladylike fashion. Her simple separates, beautiful wool and fur coats and her dreamy evening gowns with their eye-pleasing jewel tones and watercolor prints, really addressed the woman she is dressing. For me, I find Carolina Herrera's clothes as aspirational - should I become the successful, stylish woman I would like to be, ideally many of her pieces would find their way into my wardrobe.

Click HERE to see the entire collection.

There you have it. Goodbye New York Fashion week. Until we meet again in a few months. At least we still have London to keep our sartorial minds busy for the time being.

Until next time... xo

Title quote: Doug and Lilly, "The Devil Wears Prada"

"Brad. YOU are going to the Oscars WITH Anne Hathway. THEN getting her changed to open the Oscars and perform."

With the Golden Globes behind us, and the SAG awards this coming weekend, it's time to move on to the Super Bowl of Entertainment and Fashion: the Oscars! As you may or may not know, nominations were announced yesterday and, as per usual, there were surprises and snubs.

Black Swan's Natalie Portman (who will most likely win) is nominated for Best Actress, but not Mila Kunis for Best Supporting Actress? Blue Valentine's Michelle Williams is nominated for Best Actress, but not Ryan Gossling for Best Actor or Best Picture? The Fighter's Christian Bale is nominated for Best Supporting Actor AND Amy Adams is nominated for Best Supporting Actress, but not Mark Walhberg (from what I hear he owned that film) for Best Actor? No costume nominations for Black Swan's amazing Rodarte costumes? No song nominations for Burlesque even though Diane Warren won the Golden Globe for the film's song "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"?

Since I've only seen 1 of the 10 Best Picture nominees (movie marathon, anyone?), I can't really say anything about them. So I won't. I guess we'll have to wait and see who the winners and the losers will be when the show airs February 27. And, who else is excited for the (I'm guessing) countless Rachel Zoe styled costume changes co-host Anne Hathaway will have?

How chic does she look in her J. Mendel gown with James Franco in their promo pictures?

For a list of all the nominations click HERE.

Speaking of which, we all know the main reason I love all these award shows. The actual ceremonies aren't exactly the most exciting shows you'll watch each year, but what IS is seeing all the beautiful gowns sashaying down the red carpet (the handsome men in tuxedos aren't awful to look at, either). I think it's pretty safe to say that all the Hollywood stylists are in Paris right now, scouring the Spring Couture shows for gowns for their clients. I have to say, I would be VERY surprised if I don't see any of them on the red carpet. That being said, here are a few I'd LOVE to see...and I'm fairly certain would easily make every best dressed list.

Considering 4 out of the 5 of these are Elie Saab (the other being Armani Prive), AND my favorite dress last year was Elie Saab, it's safe to say I have a Couture favorite.

I'm looking forward to spending the next month catching up on all the nominated movies. Any suggestions for which I should see first?

Until next time... xo

Title quote: Rachel Zoe, "The Rachel Zoe Project"

"What say we settle this on the runway... Han-Solo?"

With less than a month until the collections of Fall 2011 hit the catwalks of NYC, I've been spending some time with some of my favorite designers checking out their "Pre-Fall" collections. And when I say "spending some time" I actually mean stalking the fashion blogs and scrolling through hundreds of pictures of what's been shown over the past few weeks.

J. Mendel
Gilles Mendel is quickly becoming my favorite designer. I was pretty much obsessed with everything about his spring/summer collection and now I'm completely obsessed with everything for pre-fall. The delicateness of the draping of his gowns is incredible and the toughness of his outerwear creates such a great dichotomy of femininity and masculinity. Plus, this orange gown is probably the most stunning thing I've ever seen!

Click HERE for the full collection.

Monique Lhuillier

Always a favorite, Monique Lhuillier does it again for pre-fall. As per usual, she has created some of the dreamiest gowns that show up on the catwalks, and the jewel tones she's chosen look amazing on pretty much everyone. I am pretty sure I need this purple ombre gown.

Click HERE for the full collection.

Reem Acra

Another new favorite, Reem Acra has blown me away with some of the most intricate, blinged out gowns and cocktails dresses over the past few seasons. Every fashionista wants to sparkle on the red carpet (you know, because I'm on the red carpet so frequently) and these dresses are the perfect way to make an impact. I wouldn't be at all surprised of some of these show up at the Globes on Sunday. But seriously. How insane is the bead work on this gown!? I wonder how heavy it would be...

Click HERE for the full collection.

Nina Ricci

I'm not all about the drama on the catwalk. I would absolutely LOVE to have every look Peter Cropping is showing this "season". Each look is styled perfectly to create the most chic outfits for everyday. That is, if your everyday includes dressing fabulously, which I wish mine did! I am obsessed with absolutely everything about this outfit.

Click HERE for the full collection.

Vera Wang

Another less dramatic, but still incredible collection, Vera Wang may have won me over for pre-fall. While I'm not always the hugest fan of her ready to wear (a HUGE fan of her bridal, however), I really love the looks she's put together this season. Again, many of these are much more for every day than the gowns I'm usually blown away by, but the gowns she did show, like this one, are absolutely stunning.

Click HERE for the full collection.

If these pre-fall collections are any indication of what's in store for fall, I cannot wait! As I've said before, fall is my favorite fashion season and I can't wait to see more dramatic gowns and comfy coats and luxurious sweaters. Give me gray skies and a reason to wear a boots and a trench any day!

Until next time... xo

Title quote: Derek Zoolander, "Zoolander"