Milly by Michelle Smith is always dependable for creating a collection that is uptown chic but still suitable for the under 40… 30… and 20 crowd. This season was no different. Michelle wowed an audience with bright colors like orange, hot pink and red. The new handbag line was also a great attention grabber with shapes that are both practical and stylish.

Standout item: The assortment of hats and bags were the perfect punctuation to Milly’s girly and preppy fall designs.

Our take: Michelle Smith seems to have invented a winning formula for dressing girls from the right side of town without making them look old past their age. We hear that a kids line is in the works and can’t wait to take a bite the collection, which is sure to be as sweet as a bin of gumdrops.

Twitter reviews:
womensweardaily: Milly returned to girly looks for fall with sweet, ruffly dresses & bright & preppy maxi coats & pants.
sunlovey: head over heels in #LOVE with this look—head to toe. the hues! the frills! Milly by Michelle Smith
shefindseileen: Milly proves you CAN wear color when it’s cold. Gotta get outta my all-black rut: http://bit.ly/hmrWKk

For obvious reasons Dennis Basso is always best at showing the fall collection. This season, the famous furrier deviated from the popular and trim look of sheared fur and delivered a collection of longer hair coats that were both bohemian and uptown chic.

Standout item: We’ve always had a soft spot for lynx but the fur can easily overpower the wearer. Dennis Basso effortlessly tamed this beast.

Our take: After several seasons of very tailored coats, Dennis is letting the fur out into the wild. We love the natural drape and bounce of the pelts. It was great to see the collection but we are really looking forward to getting our hands on the fur.

Twitter Reviews:
HuffPostStyle: Everyone’s letting their fur flag fly at Dennis Basso. And their plastic surgery flag.
HannahElliott: And may I say that @DennisBasso does a lovely job of incorporating women of all skin tones in his shows
eFatApple: Loving the embellishments, feathers and mocha color of the @dennisbasso show

Red carpet favorite, Pamella Roland’s fall collection was inspired by combination of old verses new within the Far East. Variations like “western technologies with eastern tradition, modern cityscapes with rural farmland and the colors of field harvests and urban skylines,” provided the foundation for Pamella’s designs, according to her show notes.

Standout item: Pamella is a master draper and we particularly loved the blue-gray prints that resembled the hypnotic color exchange of an oily puddle.

Our Take: Most of the Eastern designs were subtle but the ring of a giant dong could be heard when a few crimson colored gowns took to the cat walk.

Twitter reviews:
ACCIDENTALChic: Pamella Roland collection was gorgeous! I WANT the black cape with fur trim that I just saw down the runway. It’s all about the capes
SecondCityStyle: Gorgeous beige coat at Pamella Roland
NadiaNeophytou: Beautiful shades of red and green, mix of sparkly and bold designs from Pamella Roland

Carolina Herrera has the unique ability to combine European style with American sensibility. Her designs are always timeless and finishes always flawless. This season, the trend was bright colors and striking accents like over sized cuffs and luxurious fur. At least one of these designs is sure to become a big winner on the red carpet of the Academy Awards.

Standout item: Gowns in bright colors and striking necklines

Our take: A starlet or prima donna” can’t go wrong with any of these dresses.

Twitter reviews:
SureshBeauty: Carolina Herrera collection is beautiful. Especially love the orange belted ensemble, plum sleeve dress & finale gown. So chic
Estilonyc: Carolina Herrera’s collection was classic. I could see Michelle Obama wearing this.
HeadlinePortal: Carolina Herrera never met a feminine silhouette she didn’t like.

This season, Vivienne Tam took inspiration from the Chinese opera. Thankfully, the collection wasn’t too closely tied with the theme. Vivienne showed lots of chunky lose knits and wonderfully structured jackets. We especially liked the range of teal blues.

Standout item: Structured tweed jackets

Our take: We loved the balance of Chinese influence with modern design.

Twitter reviews:
OhMyTy: These jackets are EVERYTHING! #VivienneTam
shoehunting: Gorgeous glittery pewter dropped-waist dress and blavk sparkling flapperesque dress.
Styleite: Vivienne Tam was a little literal for our tastes. What say you?

We always look forward to the Jill Stuart fashion show as it is alway a fresh idea on old classics. This season, the designer decided to take her fans on a nature walk by using animal inspired prints. We are not talking about leopard or zebra prints but a more interesting owl or fox print. Jill also sent a great set of deco inspired designs down the runway as an alternative to her nature hunt.

Standout item: Deco-inspired dresses

Our take: We love the contrast of deep and moody colors with pops of bright

Twitter reviews:
ssfashion: Jill Stuart: Taking a complete 180-degree turn from last season’s romance with ivory, frothy-pleated frocks
mrbradgoreski: The show was gorgeous. Loved all of the electric colors and the footwear was chic
guestofaguest: Owls and foxes in prints, oh my! Finally some interesting surprises at Jill Stuart

Big coats, thick blazers, shawl-neck sweaters and robes, knit hats and legwarmers were sent down the Perry Ellis runway in a way your local senator might dress if he were having a casual weekend at the lodge. Creative director, John Crocco was uniquely able to combine a look that is both modern and waspy. It was an interesting juxtaposition of aesthetics that happened to work quite well.

Standout item: Pepper grey legwarmers, which are popping up everywhere this season.

Our take: This is perfect for the classic, reserved American man.

Twitter Reviews:
juliathomas2010: Urbanly Understated at Perry Elhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giflis Fall 2011
womensweardaily: John Crocco’s Perry Ellis collection was the kind of clothes a city guy would pick for a weekend in the country.
vogue_london: A comprehensive modern day wardrobe for the boys took to the Perry Ellis catwalk

By: Erin Jeen

Tadashi Shoji is the king of eveningwear. He gives us another collection for the elegant and sophisticated woman. For fall, he was inspired by gardens of the far east and settled for much bolder colors than usual, which worked wonderfully. Tadashi makes a dress for every occasion. The models had simple, natural makeup paired with straight hair, side-parted and pinned back with bobby pins.

Standout item: White silk dress with chiffon bell sleeves and front feathers

Our take: You can’t really go wrong with organza and a pop of color. Thumbs up.

Twitter Reviews:
LucidAnna: Tadashi Shoji Kara Ross jewelry collaboration – I loved both designers but they didn’t work together.
womensweardaily: Tadashi Shoji sure can cut a dress, and he proved it with one for every occasion.
SydneSummer: Every time I see a mustard gown I thing Michelle Williams, Oscars. Tadashi Shoji

By: Erin Jeen