“I always resented the idea of radical silhouettes or exaggeration being confined to the runway,” said Owens, when describing his Spring collection. “That kind of extremity should be accessible all day long.” That said, wearability was key for Owens, as seen through the simple cotton and leather fabrics he juxtaposed into a '60s couture-inspired line. Long, lean pillar skirts were the focal point, paired with a range of structured and voluminous tops. Most notably were the array of modern patchwork jackets and exaggerated bell-sleeved renditions. Meanwhile, flowy draped skirts and intricately ruched gowns provided a softer touch to the collection. The color palette stayed true to his aesthetic, featuring predominately black, white, and gray hues, but there was also experimentation with a warm clay hue. “There’s no irony," said Owens. "It’s not particularly witty. There’s no menace. This time, it’s really pure, simple grace.” More details from the collection below.

• Trends: Minimalism, pillar skirts, draped skirts, patchwork jackets, volume.
• Colors: Black, white, gray, clay.
• Key Look: The patchwork jackets with bell sleeves and pillar skirts.
• Accessories: Minimal platform sandals.
• Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave strong, yet minimal looks.

All the romance and delicacy of Nina Ricci was present for Spring 2012, with a healthy dose of overt flirtation added in. Slim dresses were dolled up with soft ruffles, drape, and pretty florals; floaty peplum tops, peeking from tailored cropped jackets, danced above miniskirts; and then there was lingerie. Designer Peter Copping had played with lingerie themes in his Resort collection; here it was taken a new level: models walked the runway in pretty bras, some underneath jackets, others simply with a swingy skirt. Slipdresses of silk and lace seemed cut apart and stitched back together. It was playful and seductive, but most importantly it was pretty.

• Trends: ladylike, boudoir, lingerie, florals.
• Colors: pink, white, black, lavender, blue.
• Key Look: the lace and silk slipdresses, the floral prints that came from the Nina Ricci archive.
• Accessories: minimal platform sandals, stilettos.
• Who Would Wear It: feminine, polished girls — Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman, Jen Aniston.

There's a reason we all love Guillaume Henry's designs for Carven: they're wearable, chic, and have that perfect twist of whimsy we all crave. The designer delivered just that, plus a mix of colorful Alpines-inspired silhouettes and ikat patterns, for Spring in the way of Lederhosen-like leather shorts, cutout dresses, prim collars, and circle skirts. Leather was utilized to the fullest via swingy skirts, high-waist shorts, and buckle-embellished shift dresses while collar tops were revamped with cropped cuts and cutout details. Meanwhile, vibrant ikat patterned dresses and colorful lace-inset frocks provided perfect partywear options. Needless to say, we want everything from the collection. Read our breakdown below for more details.

• Trends: Crop tops, cutouts, collar details, ethnic prints.
• Colors: Red, blue, marigold, black, off-white.
• Key Look: The cutout leather dresses and prim collar tops.
• Accessories: Flatform loafers, ankle-wrap sandals, printed clutches.
• Who Would Wear It: Girls who love wearable, whimsical chic pieces.

Most shows wouldn't be able to top collapsing benches, which in turn led to collapsing editors, but such a small snafu couldn't deter the magnificence seen on Balenciaga's Spring runway showing. Staying true to the brand's signature style, Nicolas Ghesquière showed dramatic structure, volume, and space-age fabrics. “I don’t know if oversize is the right term for that type of construction,” Ghesquière told WWD. “But this famous, and for me, a very functional, concept of Cristobal is the idea of the space between the body and the fabric. The clothes float away from the body. It’s one of the big iconic things of Balenciaga. The fluidity of floating is beautiful, but it is something else. . . I think it’s something that Balenciaga invented." Shiny jewel-toned structured jackets, short shorts, graphic tops, fringe-like cellophane skirts, and pleated and folded trousers all rendered the cool, ultra-modern aesthetic the designer is known for. The dresses, ranging from oversize tunics to midi-length patchwork creations, were impossibly chic and innovative. Ghesquière, who is also famous for his covetable accessories, showed sharp and angular cutout booties and gorgeous leather oversize clutch bags. More details from the collection below, and check out our retrospective on Balenciaga.

• Trends: Structure, high shine, short shorts, patchwork, pleats, folds.
• Colors: Purple, dark gold, black, lavender, yellow, peach, red, sage.
• Key Look: All of the round-shouldered structured jackets.
• Accessories: Oversize visor hats, statement cuff bracelets, large leather clutches, sharp and angular cutout booties.
• Who Would Wear It: Women who crave ultra-modern statement pieces.

Thierry Mugler, under the direction of Nicola Formichetti, presented a sculpted, tight, and provocative collection for Spring 2012. It's impossible to look at the collection and not wonder what Lady Gaga will be wearing — the nude and tan minidresses, a cutout white jumpsuit, or the gothic black uniforms? While much of the collection is intended for more daring fashionistas, there was a very cool pair of glittery leggings paired with an asymmetric tunic that could make its way to a red carpet outing near you.

• Trends: sculptural cuts, cutouts, bandage dressing, short hemlines, asymmetry.
• Colors: black, white, gold, nude, tan.
• Key Look: the gold beaded leggings and tunic.
• Accessories: minimal platform sandals.
• Who Would Wear It: Aside from Lady Gaga? These are showstopping looks meant for music videos — think Rihanna and a non-pregnant Beyoncé.

The way a scarlet red lip makes a look entirely more playful than a plain pout, so do red accessories amp up the fun on practically any outfit. We love the sexy effect of a candy-apple red shoe on our date night look or a simple LWD; it's an easy add with a huge impact. These celebrity looks speak perfectly to our point with red hues on their handbags and totes, flats and heels. Alexa Chung adds polish and panache with a sweet red Chanel purse, Whitney Port gives her denim an eclectic-chic finish in red flats, and Gwyneth Paltrow ventures into some unexpected color play with a pair of peep-toe booties. Click through for those and lots more in the way of playful red pops — then shop the look for yourself.

From the looks of things, Olivier Rousteing knows exactly what Balmain is made of. For Spring 2012, the designer showed us what might happen if a Spanish dancer went west — a mix of long, duster-like leather skirts and denim button-ups paired with the label's signature embellishments on body-conscious minidresses, skirts, and slim pants and jackets. Gold embroidery and fringe on white pants, skirts, and boleros all hinted at beautifully ornate Spanish detailing; while leather pants, denim shirts and skirts, and laser-cut leather brought us back to the Old West. At the core, it's still what Balmain does best — standout, rich metallics, and beading on the slickest and sexiest silhouettes.

• Trends: leather, boleros, embellishment, fringe, embroidery, and high-waisted pants.
• Colors: black, white, gold, some florals and denim.
• Key Piece: the black embellished suit; the gold and white embellished mini and denim shirt.
• Accessories: embellished suede and cutout leather booties, gold cuffs, chain bracelets and belts, oversize gold belt buckles.
• Who Would Wear It: Cool-girl types with an eye for glam-rocker pieces; Zoe Saldana and Anna Dello Russo would rock the embellished minidresses.