Vera Wang: Spring 2012

With an eclectic front-row crowd that included Kim Kardashian, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Serena Williams, and a dramatic last-minute arrival by Beyoncé, the Vera Wang Spring 2012 show already had a buzz going by the time the first ethereal white look strode down the runway. It was a collection inspired by Alice in Wonderland — Tim Burton's version, no doubt — that mixed Vera's skill for soft feminine touches with an edge; chiffon dresses had drawstrings, floral prints seemed to morph into something totally trippy and neon-hued, and the skirts were cut away to reveal the models' long legs clad in gladiator heels. Some of the more fanciful looks included a yellow corset with peplum boy shorts and techno cotton eyelet cropped vests layered over corsets. We remain most entranced, however, by the first series of white looks, as the play between transparency and tailoring, between softness and edge, seemed most natural and truly channeled that Alice in Wonderland magic. This can be no coincidence considering Wang's reign as one of the world's top bridal designers.