Araks
I love clothing that is simple but detailed. The aesthetic is modern but very casual, clean and sophisticated but with a twist. Welcome to Araks, where those standards are met. From the sweaters and collard blouses and almost frumpy skirts to scalloped shorts and satin skirts and 1920s drop-waist dresses, Araks is a keeper for the spring. I love the contrast between the over sized tops in the first two looks that appear to not fit quite right with the shimmery skirts. Also the couture-like pieces at the end with sandals from earlier in the collection.
Alexander Wang
I haven't liked an Alexander Wang collection in a very long time. But when I saw the first look for spring 2013 I knew that I instantly had to see more. First off, those cut outs are incredible. A dress that appears to be floating on a model is so neat to look at. The shoes play off of this; they're called a sandal boots, and look like they are stickers on the girls' shins and feet. On a deeper level, this collection is about strength. Women's strength to be exact. It takes a lot of courage and confidence to wear such demanding clothing. All eyes will be on you so you better be ready.
Dean Quinn
Couture aesthetics have been flooding the runway, it seems, ever since that spring/summer 2010 collection from Raf Simons at Jil Sander. Check it out: now you can wear "high fashion" pieces at work. When you slap on a satin biker short or a sating skirt with such a simple and almost boring top, people will answer and they will answer with "ooo's" and "ahh's". I love Dean Quinn for the simple reason of dressing a woman so elegantly and delicately but so strongly.
Jill Stuart
Jil Stuart this season reminds me of the film Atonement. Anyone who knows me knows I am in love with the film Atonement (and probably the novel once I read it) so when I decided that this collection reminded me of the dress that Kiera Knightley wears at the beginning of the movie, I was there. Besides the fact that it hints at one of my favorite films of all time, I can't help but also notice an entire 1930s/1940s vibe. The satin dress and separates almost look like they could be elegant nightgowns and that sparkly number is just needing a hat. Things that are regal and pretty and nod to a decade from 70 years ago are things that make me giddy about a collection. Definitely my favorite from NYFW.
Marc Jacobs
I also haven't enjoyed a Marc Jacobs collection as much as I have enjoyed this one. I watched the live stream, as I do every season but this time I was actually yelling at my computer screen. I loved everything, which isn't something I say at Marc Jacobs. The whole 1960s mod/Edie Sedgwick thing can be over played and get drained out but not with Marc. It's almost as if he enhances the decade and reminds everyone of why it was so damn cool. Why not just wear a bold red and white striped shirt with matching panties? And as for that sparkle jumpsuit on Jamie Bochert (second to last look) that everyone went nuts over? Well, I wouldn't mind wearing that, actually.
The Row
Every time it's The Row. It's the sandals, the hair and makeup, the setting, the bags (oh, the bags), the drapery, the colors. I could go on. The Row has become one of my top favorite making Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen my new favorite designers. I had no idea that those two would ever become such people. I grew up watching them grow up and I remember when they got their own line at Wal-Mart. Such a long way they've come. What I'm lusting over this time is that champagne colored jacket in the third look. I'd wear that every day of every week for God knows how long. If only I was a millionaire because that baby is probably going to be well close to 10,000 dollars.