Christine Tarlecki writes...

This morning my pal and I found ourselves invited backstage at Carolina Herrera courtesy of one of the stylists and we had a blast!

Herrera in Fall 2009 collection was full of textured silk, jacquard, lace and suede with overlays of floral motifs. In every single piece and on the models were decorative elements cast in bronze in France with an 18th century inspiration. They were tied into the hair, onto belts and shoes and sewn onto the clothes themselves.

Check out my backstage pics by clicking the image below, and check out a show review and video here.

Well, for being titled "NEW AMERICA," the William Rast Fall 09 fashion show seemed like a bit of a retread. A retread of American fashions that have been reinforcing cliches for over a century - fringe, stonewash denim - and a retread of *designer* Justin Timberlake's own Spring 09 collection. The best part of the collection was the variation on the theme of studded jackets that was established in the Spring 09 collection, this time in leather and denim.

Like Charlotte Ronson, the best part was the celeb watching. Have you checked out our pics of Anna Wintour, Bee Shaffer, Paris and Nicky Hilton and Carine Roitfeld?

I guess I can't judge Bee Shaffer for giggling with her mother (Anna Wintour) in between looking utterly disinterested in the fashions at the William Rast show, considering I spent half my time twittering about who was in the front row and taking these pictures. Nicky and Paris Hilton seem to be making the rounds, and this was my first official sighting of both Wintour and French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld. Plus, there was the added bonus of seeing Justin Timberlake come out and take a bow at the end. (Check out a video of the show here!)

Pics of Anna, Bee and Carine after the jump.

Acid green, electric blue and red - Chris Benz clearly got the '80s memo as well. But, it really seems like designers have hit a stride with the '80s inspirations and found a way to make new modern looks with that era in mind. After last season's pretty, flowy pastels it's as if Benz turned up the volume and definitely tightened up the tailoring. I loved the fitted looks and flattering retro silhouettes pulling from many decades in printed silk charmeuse, micro-paillettes and wool. One thing's for sure, fall is going to be anything but boring.

Are we seeing a theme here? Everywhere I turn it's a tribute to the Eighties for fall 2009... and I like it! Marc Jacobs wasn't exempting himself from this nod to the neon era, but added a futuristic twist. There wasn't a kilt in sight, just loads of bright hues, pleated trousers, sculptured cocktail dresses, colorful ponchos, printed leggings, thigh-high boots, all worn over black tights and topped with coiffed hair. Throw in some serious '80s block shades, padded clutch bags, and long leather gloves and it was clear that Steven Sprouse for Louis Vuitton was still very much on Jacobs's mind. Overall, it was daring, exciting but above all, fun. That said, I'm sure many will struggle to transfer these looks into wearable pieces, let alone afford to buy them. And sadly, at a time like this, that's a worry.

[Photos: WENN]

Forget the '80s it was all about uptown elegance at the Carolina Herrera show yesterday.

Feminine pieces, designed with the actual female form in mind, floated down the runway in bronzed business suits, high-waisted pencil skirts, shimmery satin blouses in purple, fuchsia and teal.

Each fabric was so rich in colour and texture in was enough to make you want to reach out and grab it right off the model.

To watch a catwalk video of the show, click on...

Everyone loves a bit of Eighties rock 'n' roll and that's why we *heart* Miss Sixty. The front row was adorned with young starlets including Mischa Barton, Kristen Bell and Minka Kelly - which gave you enough of a hint at who this line is targeting. Models thumped down the runway in shoulder pads (yup, really!), magazine-print jumpsuits, tough leather jackets, and too-tight-for-words acid wash jeans. Leggings were virtually painted on the models' legs in loud prints and for a bit of warmth they were matched with fluffy wraps and coats. But keep your eyes peeled for the shoulder pads - srsly!

Last season, Victoria Beckham was suspected of allowing Roland Mouret to lend more than just a helping hand in her collection. But after presenting her fall/winter 2009-10 on Sunday, those suspicions appear to have been erased. Twenty-three dresses were showcased, each offering structure and tailoring but with a little bit more adventure this time. For example, cape-style coats, zipped sleeves, and fish-tail floor-length gowns. There were, of course, short hems in timeless designs, that she says can be worn for more than one season, a nod to the recession no doubt.

"I see these are investment buys. They're designed to be worn from year to year, not season to season," she said.

[via WWD]

As a model took to the runway in a chiffon pierrot style blouse with a billowing ruff-like collar, it became clear that, this season, Erin Fetherston was doing something a bit different from her usual pastel-coloured confections of cuteness. This collection had more in common with that Miu Miu collection than anything the designer has done before, though she quoted her inspiration as the tin soldiers in The Nutcracker and not Miuccia's doll-like Kirsten Dunst campaign. Still, the elements were there - puffy lampshade-like skirts, bows and a darker colour palette than usual. Fetherston herself wore it best, taking her final bow in a huge black minidress.

Shoulders. Shoulders, shoulders, shoulders. We're only a couple of days into fashion week, but already there's a big trend emerging. We say 'emerging', we've known about the return of the shoulder for ages, but it's really showing itself in the collections in New York. Following a much softer silhouette last season, Jonathan Saunders has delivered a much stricter, more powerful collection for Autumn / Winter, with shoulders at the forefront. They were chunky and square, round and bubbled, or accentuated with sashes of bright colour. The main inspiration was birds, with bright colours cutting through a black background, and touches like rich brocades, bold prints and skyline-effect belts cut through to add interest. As usual, Saunders was on top form, bringing together all kinds of ideas but somehow delivering them cohesively.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE COLLECTION

Such is the popularity of New York fashion darling Alexander Wang, he had high-powered editors queued up around the block like normal folk and then running - running - at the entrance in a rugby scrum when the doors finally opened.

Read more about the collection and watch Part Two of the show after the jump.

Diane Von Furstenberg's flower children have definitely grown up for Fall 2009. Picking rich, sumptuous fabrics, glam prints and beautiful brocades, the collection was a touch of subtle glamour for a season that's driven mainly by the recession. Huge cocoon coats and slouchy draped cardigans concealed layered looks in clashing prints like leopard, Prince of Wales check and geometric swirls. The usual wrap dresses, chic knits and wearable shaped were teamed with leggings, huge pom-pom hats and chunky jewellery for a youthful edge. By night, it got more glam with bacofoil dresses, animal print sheaths and sequin shifts. [all images courtesy of Coutorture.com]

CLICK THE IMAGE VIEW THE GALLERY

Christine Tarlecki writes...

I just love Philip Stephens, and this Fall 09 collection of UNCONDITIONAL luxury basics proves why. Warm, fun and tough-cool, this label does not disappoint.

From Catwalk Queen's Kimberley Foster...

Guess what? Body-con ain't going anywhere according to the folks at Preen. Their fall 2009-10 collection was choc-full of sliced body-con frocks offering just a glimpse of skin here and there. Add to that oversized houndstooth coats, fluffed up with Mongolian wool in black and white, skinny shiny trousers, and mini mod dresses in check. There was an interesting use of leather in one tight-fitting dress, modelled by Catherine McNeil, which featured a knot in the middle and cut-outs all over. Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi's continual pushing of the envelope was even enough to bring Kanye West and his entourage to the front row. Yes, really.

[Photos: via Coutorture]

This is a lot like trying to get to your seat during fashion week. In an effort to "be more inclusive" Cynthia Rowley created a video showcasing her Fall 2009 collection that's currently showing on her Web site, Taxi TV in New York City (yes, you watch it while riding around to the shows) and above. Produced by independent film makers Red Bucket Films and featuring indie band the Beets, It's a cute presentation of a predictable collection that will appeal to Rowley fans. And, do we spy Make Me A Supermodel winner Holly Kiser also winning the round of musical chairs?