"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"

"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"

"We'd all look good in some Italian fashions."

Another season of fashion has come to a close. After New York there was London, then Milan and finally Paris. What better city than Paris to finish up an incredible month of fashion?

While I was blown away by so many of the shows at each of the respective European fashion weeks, I figure that rather than going on and on and on, writing a novel more or less, I'd just do a top 2 for each city, starting with London.

LONDON

Burberry Prorsum

I don't think I've ever been disappointed when seeing pictures from a Burberry show. Christopher Bailey has such an amazing way of keeping the Burberry tradition while making it modern and desirable. Seeing the trench shrunken down in leather, studded or over a sexy cocktail dress makes me wish I was in London going to a star-studded event at a fabulous night club.

To see the entire collection click HERE.

Matthew Williamson

A new favorite of mine, pretty much ever since I've been following Cat Deeley's style choices, Matthew Williamson always creates beautiful clothes that any girl would be lucky to wear. And feel amazing while doing so. He not only uses his signature bold prints, but also extremely interesting textures. Most fashionistas would easily be able to incorporate any of these looks into their wardrobe, whether she's going out to a party or headed to a lunch date.

To see the entire collection click HERE.

MILAN

Gucci

Always an industry favorite, Frida Gianni created a stunning show full of impeccably tailored suits and dresses in an array of bold colors and textures. Just like many of the shows in NY, it seems like the 70s trend is still going full speed ahead into Spring, and the clothes at Gucci were some of the best of that particular bunch.

To see the entire collection, click HERE.

Blumarine

A few years ago while flipping through fashion magazines I discovered a line of dreamy fabrics and prints. Ever since then, I've been a huge fan of Blumarine. Anna Molinari must have a window into my fashion wishlist, because her collection had so much of what I'm dying for included in it. Leopard print in a variety of colors made up most of it...she must know I desperately need a leopard scarf to complete my wardrobe.

To see the entire collection click HERE.

PARIS

Paul & Joe

While this collection isn't the most fantastical or avant guard of all the shows at any of the fashion weeks, it is probably my absolute favorite. From the absolute wearabilty to the beautiful color palate to the flawless styling, Sophie Albou created clothes that would make anyone lucky enough to wear them feel beautiful and happy. I liked it so much I couldn't pick a favorite picture to include, so I'm going to put two!

To see the entire collection click HERE.

Balmain

Pretty much the exact opposite, style-wise, as Paul & Joe, Christophe Decarin created a collection of separates (skinnies and minis and blazers, oh my!) that would make any girl feel like a rock star. And let's be honest, who doesn't want to feel like a rock star every once in a while.

To see the entire collection click HERE.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what makes it onto the red carpet over the next few months from the millions of beautiful looks we've seen over the past month. I guess January is only a few short months away and we'll be treated to all the Fall collections.

Until next time... xo

Title quote: Clark Griswold, "European Vacation"

"Florals? For spring? Ground breaking."

Another New York Fashion Week has come and gone. I definitely enjoyed seeing all the fashions and the celebs on the red carpet and front row of the shows, but I guess I'll have to wait until January for the Fall collections to see them all again. And while I do love Fall fashion (how could you not?), there is something so ethereal and breezy about the Spring lines.

This year there was a lot of metallic, neutrals and beautiful prints, creating so many different style options for every day of the week. And, as Elle Woods said in Legally Blonde, orange really does look like it's the new pink! Here's a peek at my 10 favorite shows of the past week.

J. Mendel. From the orange ballerina pump, to the impeccable pleating and ruching, Gilles Mendel created an angelic scene full of cocktail dresses and gowns that any fashionista would die for.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Monique Lhuillier. There is one thing Ms. Lhuillier knows how to do: make clothes that are so beautiful they look as if they're out of a fairy tale. I always know my eyes are in for a treat when I look through pictures of her latest collections, whether they be bridal or ready to wear. I wish I could be transported to her fantasy world every day of the week.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Marchesa. Along the same lines as Monique Lhuillier, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig know exactly how to make any woman feel as though she's a princess in her most amazing dream. Viewing their shows always take my breath away, without fail. Although, I have to say...I'm not a fan of the hair they chose to use for the show.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Erin Fetherston. Moving away from the dramatic gowns for a bit, Erin Fetherston's collection is much more wearable for the regular gal. Bold metallics, interesting prints and beautiful materials create a perfect spring wardrobe for all.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Halston. Designer Marios Schwab must have a thing for Charlie's Angels, because this show screamed 70s chic from the stick straight, middle parted hair on the models to the beautiful draping of the dresses.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Diane von Furstenberg. Not to be outdone by Halston, DvF also had 70s flair floating down the runway this season. While much of the collection was signature DvF, new co-designer Yvan Mispelaere was able to make what she does well that much better. All while creating beautiful, extremely wearable clothes.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Christian Siriano. I expected drama from the Project Runway champ, and drama was what we got. Not quite as big as I was hoping for, but there were still some amazing dramatic gowns shown by the young prodigy. Though I must say, some of his more subtle looks were so simply beautiful they could become classic staple pieces in any wardrobe.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Proenza Schouler. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez really are the cool kids on the fashion block. The majority of the looks from the collection looked to me like what the young fashionistas would be donning as they enter the polished world of womanhood.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Reem Acra. What really stood out to me about Reem Acra's collection was the combination of elegant formal wear with the casualness of leather. The styling of this show made each piece look completely wearable, whether you're attending a ball, a black-tie wedding or you just want a little bit extra pizazz for a night out on the town.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

Milly. Let's finish it up with a fun, casual, playful line of pieces that can easily be incorporated into any wardrobe. Michelle Smith must have taken note from Halston and DvF, adding a little 70s flair with turbans. Just looking at the bold florals and stripes are getting me ready for the season. And, I'm trying to start the whole mixing prints look, so this is a great inspiration for me.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

I guess that's all folks. I may not be able to afford any of these beautiful pieces, but I have a few months to find ways to fake them in my wardrobe. I hope I can do it!

UPDATE!!! One more for y'all!

Oscar de la Renta. I didn't see these until this morning, but I felt I would be shunned by the fashion gods if I didn't include this amazing collection in my NYFW review. Mr. de la Renta knows how to make a woman look beautiful, with stunningly tailored suits and coats, breezy cocktail dresses and breath-taking gowns. Plus, a color palate to die for.

Click HERE to see every look from the line.

OK, that's really it, now.

Until next time... xo

Title quote: Miranda Priestly, "The Devil Wears Prada"