Christopher Kane was all about lace for Spring 2011.  His simpler silhouettes were constructed out of laser-cut leather, which looked shockingly lace-like.  My favorite pieces, though, were those fashioned out of actual lace fabric and pintucked to high heaven.  These pieces’ silhouettes were flirty, feminine and just conservative enough to appeal to everyone.  And the sherbert colors were a sweet treat indeed!

(Images via Style.com)

While Gary Graham’s models appeared miserable almost to the point of tears in his Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear presentation, I can’t imagine why.  The clothes are really beautiful!

His looks melded modern silhouettes with Victorian-inspired flourishes and fabrics in a way that’s hard to accomplish without appearing costumey.  My favorite looks were the most vintage-inspired, but Graham’s more trendy cuts were equally, uncommonly pretty.

(Image via Style.com)

Vivienne Tam’s Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection felt a little bit Free People.  But that’s not a bad thing… the rope-like lace, chunky eyelet and sweet silhouettes are balanced, fun, flirty and unabashedly femme.  Spring can’t come quickly enough.

(Images via Style.com)

Feeling a little grey today, and it’s not a bad thing!  Two of my favorite looks from the Lela Rose Spring 2011 Ready to Wear show.

(Images via Style.com)

I’ve never really been into prints, but I love the cutesy ones featured in Miu Miu’s Spring 2010 collection.  Kitties and birdies abound!

(Image via Style.com)

(via fakingfashion)

This dramatic Fall 2010 Erdem dress is at once simple and complicated, something that is harder to achieve than you might think.  It’s simple because from the front there’s only one visible seam.  Even the sleeves appear to be joined to the bodice invisibly.  The skirt is only marginally taller than the bodice.  The color is muted and easy.

The cutout birds look almost like holograms from this vantage point.  Add to that the immense amount of ruching and you have one very simply complicated piece.  Rock it out, Erdem!  Check out more looks on Style.com.

I was going ramble about how I can no longer imagine life without Valentino’s pre-fall collection, but after much consideration I’ve decided to shut my mouth and let the pieces speak for themselves.

Are you sitting?  Good.  Commence understated razzle-dazzle.

To see more of Valentino’s pre-fall offerings, check out Style.com’s Fashion Shows page.