Carmen Marc Valvo Spring 2009: Square Embellishment and Detailing

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Amazing how sexy sophistication and elegance can stem from a simple square. Carmen Marc Valvo takes square shapes and manipulates them into organza, silk chiffon and silk jersey fabrics to create the ultimate gowns and cocktail dresses – works of wearable art. Geometric details include embellished tiles of metallic leather on metallic organza and woven satin ribbons forming a checkerboard of squares.

Best looks include silk ribbon basket woven cocktail dresses, heather square metallic leather appliqué cocktail dress, black micro-fiber jersey twisted knotted cocktail dress, canary silk chiffon twisted drape front gown, grass silk chiffon criss cross front gown and a silver silk embroidered asymmetric georgette gown.

Chris Han Spring 2009: Soft and Subtle With Aquatic Tones

Photos courtesy of mbfashionweek.com

Chris Han’s Spring 2009 fabrics include “softer, silk chiffons, acetate satin georgette – vintage looking,” says Han. Han tells us about the color palette, which includes “black, white, dark grey, seafoam green and blush pink.” The collection includes delicately elegant gowns and dresses, including a dark dove grey silk chiffon gown embellished with antique beading, antique brown “ray of light” chiffon strapless dress with blush lining and a seafoam green silk cotton shirt dress with ruffle detailing and flared back.

Timeless looks include a black washed satin georgette top with taupe linen/cotton twill wide leg trouser and a white cotton button down shirt with a sand colored silk linen mesh skirt.

Cynthia Rowley Collection One For 2009: Geometric and Sporty

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Cynthia Rowley’s Spring 2009 collection shows athleticism through twice-knit dresses and a silhouette in motion sheath, black and white striped shoes and modern life-jacket material handbags. Transparency is shown through mesh and organza layered over embroidered graphic shapes, sheer black and striped mesh panels and sleeves and see-through stretch tulle over satin stripes. Bondage looks include polished black linen that gives off a leathery illusion, elastic heels in white and black and black neck and wrist cuffs in enamel and leather. The must have accessory for spring is the gold waist ring.

When I asked actress Julia Stiles how she would describe Cynthia’s designs in one word, she responded with “wearable.” Julia’s top three favorite designers are “Cynthia Rowley, Osklen (Brazilian designer) and Temperley London.”

Pamella Roland Spring 2009: Elegantly Bright

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

American artist Ellsworth Kelly inspires Pamella Roland’s Spring 2009 collection. Kelly’s classic paintings and sculptures are channeled through bold colors and floral prints of poppy red, cobalt blue and Kelly green, geometric form and sensuous lines. Celeste blue floral print, pink, and sun yellow soften the palette.

Classic silhouettes, shift dresses and menswear-inspired suits are seen in this collection. Fabrics include silk faille, organza and silk chiffon with beading, sequin, cut out and floral details.

Betsey Johnson Spring 2009: Lots and Lots of Ruffles

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

There were several themes involved for Betsey Johnson’s Spring 2009 show, including nursery prints seen in hoop-skirt dresses, “wedding-white” with ruffles, dotted mesh lace, and corset and tiered-ruffle dresses and gowns. Pirate inspiration came into play with black and white stripes, black ruffle details, and a definite must-have bodysuit with a skull and crossbones graphic. There were also black with white dots, bright red and pink, green and blue neon florals.

Vivienne Tam Spring 2009: Bursts of Color and Peony Prints

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Vivienne Tam bursts with color for spring with inspiration stemming from peonies. The palette includes bright reds and red peony prints, softer tones of beige, white, cream and lilac peony prints and darker tones including amethyst, purple and pinstripes.

Exquisite detailing of embroidery, beading, cutwork and floral appliqué applied on satin, chiffon, and tulle show elegant, sophisticated and feminine craftsmanship.

Key looks include a lilac peony embroidered tulle dress with a lilac floral appliqué silk chiffon coat, cream cotton embroidered sheath with cutwork, wool pinstripe jacket, over a lilac peony embroidered dress, white print peony chiffon halter dress and a amethyst silk tulle dress with fan appliqué.

Max Azria Spring 2009: Modern Elegance Through Simplicity and Draping

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Max Azria introduces a neutral palette for spring, focusing on simplicity and draped silhouettes, portraying modern elegance. There are pale blues, greys, and creamy colors like nude, beige and sand, splashes of seagreen and apricot and darker tones of mocha, navy and black.

Silks and jersey fabrics provide ease and fluidity. Key looks include a draped dress with pleated drape, jersey bralette visible underneath a cotton knit bodysuit, mesh bodysuits underneath dresses and jumpsuits, one shoulder tunic paired with a pant with side slit detail, and a jersey drape front dress. Ribbed belts, stylishly modern nylon cross strap fanny packs and leather wedge sandals complete Maz Azria’s Spring 2009 looks.

Luca Luca Spring 2009: Sexy, Sleek and Sporty

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Luca Luca’s new creative director, Raul Melgoza, explains how he sets the tone and vision for Luca Luca Spring 2009 and onward. “I took the idea of the body, sculpting the body - more youthful, more sportswear driven,” says Mr. Melgoza. Mr. Melgoza says he wants to transform Luca Luca from the red carpet style brand to a lifestyle brand.

Mr. Melgoza describes the Luca Luca woman as “a professional, traveled woman, has her own living, runs companies, travels the world. She’s bolder, aggressive, but always feminine.”

Many of the looks are in white, focusing on fitted, tailored silhouettes, sleek cuts and the fabric itself. Silk organza and cotton viscose dresses, tanks, high waisted skirts and cuffed shorts are key pieces for Spring 2009. The palette includes soft tones such as beige, khaki, blue and gray, with some pieces in burnt orange, purple.

Herve Leger Spring/Summer 2009: Bandage Silhouettes and Graphic Cutouts Steal the Show

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Bandage appliqué mini dresses, mini dresses with graphic cutouts and leather dresses with airbrush inserts represent the modern, independent women ready to take on the city nightlife. Neon corals and limes draw bold confidence, while softer colors chalk and pearl grey along with nude and black convey sexy sophistication. Leather multi-faceted oval minaudieres or square clutches and closed toe stilettos or stiletto sandals accessorize the Spring 2009 looks.