It’s only the last day of January yet we’ve had a tad too many shows to share with you over the past weeks… we know. And with that in mind we’ve condensed Pre-Fall 2012 to two posts of inspirational collections.
Pre-Fall 2012, yes it’s too much! But look at it this way, we are currently phasing through mid-winter so use these collections to your advantage and work new ideas into your current look to stand-out.
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No 21-
Just a few seasons old, we’ve been fans of Alessandro Dell’Aqua’s new signature label No. 21 since it launched as it remains consistently wearable while retaining the kind of nonchalant sex appeal that fashion has embraced since the begining of the last decade.
Keeping with that mindset, Pre-Fall featured scores of on-trend pieces that were polished enough to make them work as instant future-classics for seasons to come.
Afterall, every now and then it’s beneficial to update your wardrobe with re-thought camel coats, wallpaper prints and lace. Consider this one of the best collections to look at when thinking of building a wardrobe that’s fuss-free and ultra-chic. 
Roksanda Illincic-
While certain elements of her latest outing hit the colorblock trend in a matter that will make them timely, a bulk of Roksanda Illincic’s range highlighted her accomplished hand at creating elegant silhouettes that have a precious quality to them.
In standard ‘princess’ shapes like a minimal maxi sheath, a belled sleeved tea dress, a peplum cocktail number, these pieces were anything but ho-hum as the designer tweaked them with witty placements of blocks of brilliant color.
Those shots of Crayola shades gave the collection a dynamic sense of optimism and made it all the more wearable as Illincic climbs the ranks of top dress makers for Hollywood’s young red carpet elite.
We suggest you channel the collection now by incorporating primary shots of color with your winter tweeds.
Richard Nicoll-
Statement making runway styling aside, Richard Nicoll has proven season in and season out that he’s dedicated to making clothes that are effortlessly cool, approachable and stand on their own as completely original.
That knack of making real clothes that are functional, stylish and new made his latest outing another winner with it’s languid layered chiffons in go-to monochrome shades of oyster, royal blue and saffron.
His pairing of a sleeveless blue tunic over silky relaxed pants is an option you should take note of as it works double duty as a cover up over the waist while making you look leaner.
Yves Saint Laurent-
YSL’s pre-collection was a gorgeously considered continuation to it’s recent Fall 2012 menswear outing that displayed a disciplined mastery of working with leather while maintaining the house’s codes centered around attainable French chicness.
True that maybe a tailored leather jumpsuit with a come-hither neckline is out of the question for you, but it sure makes for an ultimate, ultra-slick statement making option for those of you confident enough.
That number aside, there was plenty to add to a must-have list including a cool assortment of shoes with gold detailing throughout and highly covetable separates in sculpted leather that you could wear in a myriad of ways long after. A favorite included an update to the colorblock trend in contrasting cheetah on a plush jacket. It boasted a witty dose of vintage cool and a lot of attitude to boot.
-Naveed Hussain