[Images Courtesy of Payless]

Before any model graced the runway at Lela Rose, the designer played “Imagine” in its entirety, a song reminiscent of peace; one world, one people. Only then did she begin her runway collection of beautiful, whimsical, overtly feminine pieces. Rose drew on a variety of inspirations from Vegas neon signs, the Coney Island amusement park, and graveyards to create signature checked spring jacquard and “carousel” cotton prints. Cinched waist dresses appeared in navy, white, gray, yellow, pink and more. Airy polka dotted skirts flounced by, cute cardigans made a sweet statement, and gold metallic floor length gowns reigned. A striking orange jacket, sure to stop traffic, left a lasting impression in classic structure. Pattern, embellishment, and even a few feathers made an elegant appearance on this runway. She also unveiled the latest Lela Rose for Payless ShoeSource collection. The footwear proved to be as vibrant as the clothing with graphic shapes and resin studding. When all is said and done, Lela Rose successfully crafted an approachable, girly collection for SS12.

-Alana Quagliariello

Ten finalists strutted down the runway at Macy’s Herald Square at the Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search for a chance to win a contract with Wilhelmina Model Agency, a trip to New York City, a makeover with Randall Christensen (Dancing with the Stars costume designer), a $1,000 Macy’s gift card, $1,000 worth of cosmetics from Estée Lauder, and a $1,000 wardrobe from Miraclesuit.  This particular model search, hosted by the charmingly-hilarious celeb stylist and TV personality Robert Verdi, focused on finding the next top model over the age of 40. Women ranging from 40 to 54 years old took the runway by storm in beautiful swimwear by Miraclesuit and designs by Christensen. The models projected confidence, class, and style, which could inspire any individual at any age to take the challenge and pursue a dream. This truly proves that age is just a number and fashion is beautiful on everyone

[Winner, Jaqueline Depaul]

I agreed with Verdi when he openly described winner, Jaqueline Depaul, 41, from California, as a Countess [from the Real Housewives of New York] look-alike. Depaul looked like a modeling natural and had a fabulous amount of fun and flirty sophistication to her. Diana Capozzi, 40, from Massachusetts was first runner-up and Kimberly Clark, 40, from Illinois, was second-runner up.

[Judges, Roshumba Williams (far left) and Randall Christensen (far right) with the winner and runner-ups]

- Ambika Makin

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Gaining access to a Fashion Week Runway show is usually left to the well connected fashion insider – However, thanks to Facebook and Theyskens’ Theory the everyday fashionista has the chance to stream a live runway show! On Monday February 14th at Noon EST, watch the exclusive live broadcast on Facebook of the first-ever Theyskens’ Theory Fall 2011 runway show, designed by Olivier Theyskens.  Combining Romantic pieces with quality tailoring and a clean silhouette, Theyskens’ Theory is the utmost of cool chic. To gain exclusive access to the live streaming show, Facebook users must visit Theyskens’ Theory dedicated tab and “like” Theory’s Facebook page.

RSVP and add the Theyskens’ Theory Fall 2011 Live Runway show to your fashion calendar here — http://on.fb.me/theyskenstheoryshow

-Dana deBoer

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[Images via Style.com]

Chanel

Chanel S/S 2010 was, hands down, my favorite collection of the season. It managed to be fun yet sophisticated and was showcased amidst farm scenery, though the clothes were not overshadowed by the uniqueness of the down on the farm set. The show had a very “Marie Antoinette” feel to it:  a charming and romanticized take on rustic country life full of sweet and delicate dresses paired with a pale color palette of black, red, and blue accents. Though the collection was nothing truly groundbreaking, it stayed true to Chanel’s aesthetic and played up its own trends instead of giving us yet another take on trends we have seen over and over again this season.

[Images via Style.com]

Hermès

Tennis was the theme at Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2010 Hermès collection. I wasn’t too keen on the idea upon hearing the pitch for the line, but as soon as I saw the clothes — and, of course, the impeccable bags — I quickly changed my mind. Gaultier delivered a sophisticated, timeless collection for Hermès that is on-trend without veering too far overboard nor disposable once the next season rolls around. Each piece was beautiful, wearable, and effortless, from the tennis skirts to the silver chain-linked belts.

[Images via Style.com]

Alexander McQueen

Appropriately titled “Plato’s Atlantis,” Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2010 RTW collection was out of this world and was truly one of my favorite shows of the season. Inspired by mankind’s evolution from the sea and the idea that we may someday return, the dramatic collection featured 10-inch heels, belle-skirt silhouettes, braided asymmetrical hairstyles, aquatic colors, and intricate, digitally printed dresses. Evolution is still stuck in McQueens head, and ours, from the Darwinian-inspired collection that featured large to small taxidermied animals framing the runway.  With this collection, McQueen proved he still knows how to put on a show — the hair, makeup, clothing volume (not to mention the shoes!), and overall primitive/futuristic aesthetic were combined in a slightly unsettling, almost scary, way — and the outcome was a brilliantly creative work of art.

-Sarah Nason

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[Images from Wire Images]

Fendi

Fendi’s Spring 2010 collection successfully embodied some of my very favorite things: sheer fabrics, raw edges, lots of neutral tones, and a romantic-yet-rough overall aesthetic (not to mention, the runway show was set to my favorite album of the year, The Dead Weather’s ‘Horehound’!). Karl Lagerfeld took the season’s obsession with transparency to a whole new level, all the way  down to completely see-through evening clutches. The collection successfully blended toughness and relaxed femininity and the outcome was one of the best Fendi shows in recent years.

[Images via Wire Images]

Dolce & Gabbana

The design duo’s S/S 2010 show was heavy on the lace in a super charming, incredibly flirty, burlesque-meets-tango sort of way. The mixture of textures and fabrics that one might not initially think would be well meshed (such as denim and lace) turned out to be a hit as the details were impeccable and the collection was true to the house’s Sicilian roots. The show lacked the giant ball gowns that have been prominent in its last few seasons, instead showing a return to form with tailored suits, hotpants, corsets, and mini dresses.

[Images from Wire Images]

Alberta Ferretti

Romantic chiffon dresses were all the rage at Alberta Ferretti’s Spring/Summer 2010 show. The soft, delicate dresses featured this season’s trendy pastel palette with a few strong splashes of color and embroidery hidden amongst the nightwear-inspired floaty fabrics. Though this season has seen no shortage of gauzy feminine gowns, Ferretti’s are among the best as they are very wearable, beautiful, and timeless.

-Sarah Nason

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[Images via Fashionising.com]

General Idea

Though General Idea’s S/S 2010 was mainly a black and white collection, hot pink and a variety of kaleidoscope prints made their way onto the runway. The collection featured a new take on one of this past season’s popular silhouettes  – sleeveless and short sleeved tops and trenchcoats, sporting exaggerated rounded and pointy shoulders — as well as  drop crotch pants and shorts, gladiator sandals, and jumpsuits. A daring favorite (definitely not for the faint of heart!) were the trench-turned-jumpsuits numbers worn by all the models at the end of the show.

Douglas Hannant

Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, served as the central inspiration for Douglas Hannant’s Spring 2010 collection, which heavily consisted of sculpted evening gowns and jersey dresses resembling more alluring versions of the toga. The location — the Plaza Hotel — and method of presentation — the dresses, quite literally, put up on pedestals — did well to compliment the elegance and caliber of Hannant’s delicate collection.

Kai Milla

Kai Milla’s first collection after taking a well-deserved break for motherhood is flirty and fun. New structures, beading and embellishments add an exciting touch to tried-and-true silhouettes — in doing so, Milla’s beautiful garments are modern and trendy, yet timeless enough that they won’t go out of style any time soon.

-Sarah Nason