Photo: Gianni Pucci / GoRunway.com

Lie Sang Bong, South Korea’s most venerable talent, encapsulated this by combining Seoul’s dual love of dark futurism and exuberant humor with a pebbled stone motif embroidered upon sheer dresses and wildly shaggy tie-dyed fur. Padded protection proved essential—nearly every show featured a spin on the puffer jacket. The duo behind J Koo, Jinwoo Choi and Yeonjoo Koo (both graduates of Central Saint Martins), offered their take on the trend with a quilted skirtsuit befitting their standout debut of tailored streetwear (pictured). And beloved design partners Steve J and Yoni P also went edgy with cushioned patent leather sweatshirts in homage to the spacesuits that inspired their collection.

But it wasn’t all padded parkas. The week concluded with several lines poised for wider recognition. Husband-and-wife team Andy & Debb made the leap via hourglass wool dresses and beautifully distressed brocade pantsuits, while Kaal E. Suktae, already stocked by New York’s Seven boutique, pushed into the future with slick holographic color blocking. Currently based in Paris, Vassilly designer Jaehwan Lee brought a dash of European classicism back home, interpreting Rococo art as appliqué crests and exploded scarf prints. Even Seoul’s typically gothic designers like Park Choon Moo embraced a softer silhouette, choosing languid pajamas instead of last season’s aggressive noir fetishism.
—Nina Stotler

Photo: Courtesy of J Koo

15. Hogan McLaughlin mirror winged shoe.

18. Chanel metallic silver three-quarter-length coat.

4. David Koma ivory long-sleeved dress with peplum and sheer insets.

2. Alexander McQueen black satin hourglass dress.

12. Alexander McQueen gray wool short-sleeved pencil dress.

4. Vintage Moroccan gold-embroidered cream silk vest.

24. Daphne Guinness’ own gold-studded and rhinestone red platform shoes.

4. Gold and cream embroidered Chinese kimono and scarf.

19. Oscar de la Renta sleeveless silver and gold sequined dress.

16. Blond horse-hair outfit with tresses.

10. Alexander McQueen rhinestone catsuit.

22. Natacha Marro blue glitter platform shoes.

19. Natacha Marro gray glitter platform shoes.

23. Hogan McLaughlin red leather platform shoes.

1. L’Wren Scott green and gray striped satin coat.

7. Alexander McQueen seamed leather coat.

Window #5: Daphne Guinness

18. Alexander McQueen black cowhide dress with seaming and tulle underskirt.

10. Balmain dark blue sequined dress with peaked shoulders.

5. Philip Treacy pink squid hat.

16. Alexander McQueen gown with green feather and sequined bodice and tulle skirt.

16. Rick Owens pale gray crepe jacket with cascading neckline.

23. Nina Ricci light magenta platform shoes.

Window #4: Isabella Blow

19. Philip Treacy straw and neoprene “A” hat.

20. Natacha Marro blue floral platform shoes.

12. Alexander McQueen mirror dress composed of overlapping paillettes.

18. Chanel ivory floral-embroidered long-sleeved minidress.

7. Alexander McQueen tweed jacket with shawl collar and red paint details.

6. Alexander McQueen antiqued gold-embroidered dress.

11. Threeasfour ruffled black tulle dress.

11. Alexander McQueen dress with pale green and blue paillettes.

8. Vintage Pauline Trigère red chiffon dress.

2. Daphne Guinness’ own red tuxedo jacket.

5. Gareth Pugh black ribbed dress.

13. Daphne Guinness’ own gray satin coat with cropped sleeves.

15. Gareth Pugh two-tone gray cap-sleeved dress.

9. Chanel black satin dress with sequined sleeves and fringe trim.

Window #3: Daphne Guinness

10. Philip Treacy black veil hat.

21. Massarro metallic silver platform shoes.

13. Philip Treacy hat with turquoise spikes.

9. Philip Treacy black coil hat with crystals.

3. Hogan McLaughlin corset with chains and spikes.

22. John Galliano black and white velvet coat.

17. Embroidered red and gold Chinese kimono.

14. Threeasfour long gray robe with lace detail.

3. Daphne Guinness’ own blue tuxedo jacket.

6. Gareth Pugh black vinyl pantsuit.

6. Alexander McQueen long, black sequined cape with a red-lined hood.

5. Daphne Guinness’ own three-quarter-sleeved, ivory satin cape with train.

21. Viktor & Rolf black Lurex pantsuit with oversized pompom trim.

14. Vintage gold-sequined three-quarter-length coat.

9. Vintage Chinese dragon-embroidered kimono.

22. Daphne Guinness’ own blue platform shoes.

20. Alexander McQueen black cap-sleeve dress with padded shoulders and belt.

7. Haider Ackermann charcoal ostrich-feather sleeveless dress.

8. Philip Treacy gold horn hat.

13. Daphne Guinness’ own black feather cape.

17. Hogan McLaughlin deep red catsuit.

3. Alexander McQueen ruched, pale pink chiffon dress with leather bodice.

How chic is that Daphne in the window? Daphne Guinness made a much publicized vitrine debut yesterday at Barneys, where the fashion-forward social took to the windows to prepare for the Met gala and show off some truly covetable wares from her collection and from Isabella Blow’s. She’s shared the full list of pieces that co-starred with her behind glass exclusively with Style.com. Read on for the enviable closet stock.

20. Comme des Garçons black silk jacket.

17. Daphne Guinness’ own black wool jacket with long tails.

21. Nina Ricci black lace-up platform boots.

15. Yoshiki Hishinuma red and white dress.

1. Chanel long black silk coat with red lining.

Window #1: Isabella Blow

1. Alexander McQueen mauve silk brocade and black lace appliqué evening jacket with lock of hair in a transparent pocket. Dante Collection.

Renowned for creating his own fabrics, designer Yoshiki Hishinuma pairs the workmanship, attention to detail, and labor-intensive processes of traditional Japanese textile-making with innovative techniques and the synthetic materials to produce stunning results. In the 1980’s, he designed a series of garments he called Kite Clothes and Air Clothes that incorporated the element of wind as part of the design. This concept led to the evolution of unique and fantastic shapes as displayed in this parachute dress from the collection of Isabella Blow.

12. Alexander McQueen gold sequined gown.

14. Alexander McQueen black lace dress with trailing headdress. Fall 1996.

11. Teerable Sondvitch shoulder cape and matching skirt of red ombré paillettes.

8. Alexander McQueen long iridescent blue silk cape.

Purchase info: Buy it here.

I always feel compelled to fall into the Gap. I just love it all the time — especially when they start airing their holiday commercials and ads.

Buy it here.

“I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of light brown boots for a while. Phillip Lim’s will look great with all of my denim flares, and they have the added attraction of a friendly price point too.” —Nicole Phelps, executive editor

Photos: Courtesy Photo

“Let’s just say I am seriously considering a weekend job so I can kick it in these forest green/fuchsia Kirkwood pumps come Fall.” —Brittany Adams, associate fashion editor

“The shape of this Chloé bag reminds me of Coach’s old bucket bags—which I still stalk on eBay to this day. The patchwork of exotic skins also seems like it would go with every piece of outerwear I own, including my leopard swing coat—no small feat.” —Celia Ellenberg, senior beauty editor

“Wilfredo Rosado is my favorite new designer to watch. After years working with Mr. Armani, he’s launching a fine jewelry collection this fall; if you noticed Gwyneth Paltrow’s pink feather earrings at the Grammys this year, you’ve already seen his unique pieces in action. This pendant in one of my favorites—you have to look at it twice to notice that it’s not just your old classic cameo.” —Marina Larroude, senior market editor

A liquid silver, mirrored backdrop set the polished tone at this morning’s Calvin Klein Fall ‘12 presentation, which included ready-to-wear, accessories, athletic apparel, jeans, and a new CK One cosmetics line. And, of course, there were the latest underwear offerings—a definite highlight in view of the anatomically flawless models sporting the cotton bras and logo briefs. The clothing itself was characteristically clean and architectural, with an emphasis on unexpected volumes. An oversize, structured women’s coat with a slight masculine edge looked modern tossed over a sleeveless, leather-trim suit and styled with a sleek leather envelope clutch. The same goes for the color-blocked, long-sleeved sheath that hinted at the swinging sixties. For the boys, layering was key, with slim turtlenecks shown under crewneck sweaters and warm puffer coats cut from matte suiting fabric. All in all, it was a straightforward, urban collection that will likely find its way into the wardrobes of both the downtown and uptown set.
—Brittany Adams

Purchase information: Buy it here.

Since Sienna’s such a fashionista in her own right, I would always take my clues on how to wear this the way she has: a pair of light wash boyfriend ripped jeans or a sweet summer weight cotton flippy skirt. Add a bright colored leather bag and shades and you’re great to go!

The assumption is that celebrities always wear high-end merchandise and you feel like the less expensive could actually not fit properly. But those feelings are dead wrong, because this top looks like it’s been tailored to fit her body.

Available in 3 colors, 100% cotton, sized small-xlarge, you can buy it exclusively at WalMart stores nationwide.

Photo: KCSPresse / Splash News

Long and wide isn’t a trend only on the men’s runways; ladies in the know have been rocking the wider look, too. Blake Lively (and, to be fair, her Gossip Girl costumers) chose the style while filming on location in Paris. (While she’s been there, Lively’s been taking in a few couture shows, too.) We love her swingy, blush pink Suno trousers, with two-tone booties and turquoise jewelry that plays up the still-won’t-quit seventies vibe of the season. Likewise her long, loose hair. The only part we’d change is the too-skimpy tank with contrasting bra. What do you think? Is bigger better, where pants are concerned?

After ten years in the NYCB, the former dancer was able to translate the same drive, discipline, and elegance she gained from her ballet training into a new career as a jewelry designer. Wolf’s work and life, however, remains strongly intertwined with the dance world. (One of her biggest assignments to date was designing Natalie Portman’s engagement ring for her friend and former colleague, Benjamin Millepied, both of whom she appeared with in Black Swan). Today she debuts a new Signature Collection under her namesake label (celebrating its tenth anniversary this year), inspired by her tenure with the ballet company. “They are the pieces that were designed during the time I was still dancing for NYCB,” Wolf explains of the collection, which she launched in 2002 before leaving the ballet company in 2005, made up predominantly of earrings (one of her specialties). “Creating something beautiful, either with movement or with design, it’s the same.”

Meanwhile, Wolf is hard at work finishing the jewelry she has designed for NYCB’s Spring Gala show, the George Balanchine classic Symphony in C. Of her first role as a jewelry costumer for the newly modernized ballet, Wolf says, “It feels totally natural, because I did all four movements in Symphony in C over the ten years I danced there.” She adds, “I understand what it’s like to wear a headpiece or earrings, and I know that the weight and scale of the pieces is very important here.”

The Jamie Wolf Signature Collection, which retails for $550 to $29,000, is available today at JamieWolf.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Jamie Wolf

—Kristin Studeman