Best of Fashion Week Fall 2011

The biggest designers in fashion reveal their fall collections at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. Take a look at the most interesting trends and fun styles from the top shows.

Marchesa
Celebrity-favorite Marchesa sent models down the runway in theatrical gowns that were heavy on lace, tulle and volume. Inspired by the character of Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens’ "Great Expectations" – a British spinster who refused to wear anything but a decaying wedding gown – Marchesa’s floor-length dresses featured intricate embroidery, ruffles and sheer elegance.

It was all fun, pop colors and psychedelic prints at the Anna Sui Fall 2011 collection. Models displayed girly baby doll dresses, jumpers and schoolgirl knee-high socks. Layering was dominant as was fur in coats, hats and capes.

Adrienne Vittadini featured a clean and comfortable ethic for fall. For day, loose knits in neutral shades were prevalent, paired with stretchy trousers or leather leggings. For night, Vittadini relied less on what's trendy or avant-garde, and more on designs that highlight women's natural curves. Her princess seaming, modest hemlines and scoop necks are perfect for any woman channeling her inner Grace Kelly.

Kevork Kiledjian featured sexy, bold leather styles, paired with fringes and sheer shirts — a wardrobe Catwoman would meow for. In a New York Times interview, the designer said he intended his collection to be "a harmony of opposites, such as mixing leather and lace, and playing with lengths."

The designer duo showed the audience a return to restrained glamour, with a dress-heavy collection that relied on color and texture to set the mood. Dolman sleeves were prevalent, as was sheer detailing (a trend that's sticking around for another season). The couture dresses were spectacular and featured fringe, cascading ruffles, sequins and satin bows to great success.

While gray was big on the runway for Fashion Week Fall 2011, Thakoon — one of Michelle Obama's favorite designers — featured bright plaid and festive tribal prints.

A model wears a bold, rich creation from the Ann Yee presentation on Feb. 10, 2011. The designer sought to incorporate "the dark reflections of emotion" for her latest collection, taking inspiration from John Keats' poem, "When I Have Fears."

Models walk the runway during the Victoria Beckham Fall 2011 presentation. The former Spice Girl featured flowy gowns in strong colors, including bright yellow and red, and knee-length styles in muted beige-like tones.

The Rebecca Minkoff Fall/Winter 2011 collection was infused with the trendy boho-meets-rocker vibe. Everything was either black or neutral, which served as a contrast to Minkoff's brightly colored shoes and handbags.

The Jill Stuart Fall/Winter 2011 collection focused on winter hue staples, such as navy and camel, accented with bright colors like red and teal. Dresses featured owl and fox prints, gold embellishments and ladylike pleats.

The BCBG Max Azria Fall 2011 collection highlighted soft, feminine style with models sashaying down the runway in long, layered and breezy silhouettes reminiscent of a glamorous ‘70s party. Silk-chiffon and crepe were popular, as were sheer turtlenecks and delicate pleats.

Glamorous glitter stole the show at the Vena Cava Fall 2011 runway presentation at New York Fashion Week. Models strut down the runway in ‘90s inspired cropped tops, cutout styles and flowy long skirts.

Vena Cava designers Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock took their ode to the past one step further by distributing a ‘zine dedicated to the ‘90s, highlighting pop culture favorites such as “Saved by the Bell” and Calvin Klein ads.