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The Fearless New World of Fashion

Fall Fashion Inspiration: designer collections that are defiantly decadent and, above all, optimistic. Welcome to the future.

Jul 13, 2009

David Oldham

Designer collections that are defiantly decadent and, above all, optimistic. Welcome to the future.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"PLEATED ORGANZA, EMBELLISHED SHOULDERS, CINCHED WAIST—THIS DRESS IS THE NEW MODERN SILHOUETTE: EXOTIC, RICH, AND FRESH." -JOHN GALLIANO FOR DIOR

Belted dress, price upon request, Dior; necklace (worn as bracelet), $750, Burberry; hat and earrings, price upon request, New York Vintage.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"WOMEN SHOULD EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH HIGH-IMPACT PIECES. TODAY, ROMANTICISM SIMPLY ISN'T THE RIGHT CHOICE." -ROBERTO CAVALLI

Dress and boots, price upon request, Roberto Cavalli; belt, $378, cuff, $148, NYC Motorcycle Federation; earrings, price upon request, New York Vintage.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"THE PURITY OF A POPLIN SHIRT AND A DARK CASHMERE FLANNEL SKIRT IS EVIDENCE OF A WOMAN WITH FOCUS AND RESILIENCE." -STEFANO PILATI FOR YVES SAINT LAURENT

Top, $1100, skirt, $850, Yves Saint Laurent; hat, $595, Philip Treacy London; cuff, $750, Kara Ross. On hair: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"FEATHERS AND DRAPED TAILS ARE A NOD TO THE SURREALIST MOVEMENT AND THE ANIMAL SIDE OF FEMININE SENSUALITY." -RICCARDO TISCI FOR GIVENCHY

Top, $2450, pants, $1300, Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci; hat, price upon request, New York Vintage.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"THERE'S A NEED FOR FEMININE EMPOWERMENT IN FASHION. MY GOAL WAS TO CREATE SOMETHING STRONG, BEAUTIFUL, AND SERIOUS." -MIUCCIA PRADA FOR PRADA

Dress, price upon request, shoes, $1800, bag, $4950, Prada; cuff, $750, ring, price upon request, Kara Ross; tights, $52, Wolford.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"THIS SEASON IS ALL ABOUT MIXING LUXURIOUS MATERIALS IN A SINGLE COLOR: RED, THE NEW NEUTRAL." -THE DESIGN TEAM AT MAXMARA

Short-sleeve sweater, $605, long-sleeve sweater, $550, MaxMara; helmet, $800, NYC Motorcycle Federation. On eyes: Almay Pure Blends Eye Shadow in Lavender.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"THE FABRIC OF THIS DRESS WAS INSPIRED BY THE SUN'S SHADOWS AND THE CRACKED DESERT EARTH OF SANTA FE." -FRANCISCO COSTA FOR CALVIN KLEIN

Dress, price upon request, Calvin Klein Collection; bracelet, $1700, DVF by H.Stern.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"I WANTED TO CREATE A FEMININE ESSENCE, SOPHISTICATED AND SENSUAL, COMPLEX AND AWARE." -MARIA GRAZIA CHIURI FOR VALENTINO

Dress, $3990, shoes, $695, bag, $4695, Valentino; bracelet, price upon request, New York Vintage; tights, $52, Wolford.

David Oldham

Fall Fashion Inspiration

"THIS COLLECTION IS ABOUT PLAYING WITH NEW PROPORTIONS, LIKE PROMINENT SHOULDERS, AND PAIRING OPPOSING PRINTS." -DOMENICO DOLCE AND STEFANO GABBANA, DOLCE & GABBANA

Dress, $2995, necklace, $2050, belt, $350, Dolce & Gabbana; sunglasses, $295, Dior.

Ben Goldstein

Shop The Shoot: Fall Fashion Inspiration

The fastest route to modern pretty: versatile jewel-tone frocks and seductive tough-luxe hardware.

TREND TIP: When choosing animal prints, don't go wild. Stripes or spots in black and white signify no-fail sophistication.

DRESS $160, Ann Taylor; anntaylor.com.