New Fashion Designers 2012

Who: Wes Gordon

What: Uptown socialite meets modern girl-on-the-go; youthful silhouettes in sophisticated fabrications; flirty, elegant dresses and pants; an incredible eye for detail.

Why: A Georgia native, Wes honed his design skills by apprenticing with Oscar de la Renta and Tom Ford — two shining examples of how to flawlessly tailor clothes to a woman's body. Gordon presented his first collection for Fall 2010, showcasing his now-signature use of upscale fabrics like panne velvet, hammered cashmere, and fine Italian silks. We're smitten with his ultra-femme designs — they're perfect for one of those days when you want to feel fancy and beautiful. And his recent collaboration with Manolo Blahnik has resulted in some seriously sexy shoes. Celebs like Kerry Washington, Amber Heard, and Revenge star Emily VanCamp love and wear his looks often, and for his upcoming Fall '12 collection, he cites Rooney Mara's dark sophistication as an inspiration. We can't wait to see what he has to offer up next.