Jason Wu: Spring 2012

Jason Wu showed an exceptionally beautiful, frothy and surprisingly sporty collection for Spring 2012, and singlehandedly made us stick peplum skirts at the top of our must-have list. While Wu promised to go "back to femininity" in our behind-the-scenes interview, he did it playfully. He partnered with the artist KAWS to create a floating petal print that at close view revealed the artist's signature "hands" motif, which suggested how many hands played a part in creating the soft blouses and skirts. "Floating skirts" flew away from the body on an asymmetric angle and boasted big peplum trims, ladylike blouses had intricately beaded collars, and sporty windbreakers — windbreakers! — brought a whole new definition of polish to an outerwear staple that rarely makes its way to a designer's runway. While some pieces, like the white peplum top and black cigarette pants worn by Joan Smalls, were seriously elegant, it was hard not to smile when Wu sent out his floating skirts and dresses in colors like canary yellow, cobalt blue, and candy pink. It was a fun show that beautifully melded Wu's couture-quality workmanship with a sporty, playful attitude.

• Trends: sporty, peplum, asymmetric hems, ladylike, windbreakers.
• Colors: candy pink, canary yellow, cobalt blue, petal prints.
• Key Piece:"floating" skirts, the windbreakers, any of the peplum pieces.
• Accessories: edgy black lace-up stilettos, blue and green python handbags.
• Who Would Wear It: Jason Wu's muse, Diane Kruger, is our prediction to be the first one in look 36 —the pink floating skirt and silk v-neck top.