fashion designers

The tour de force of our favorite designers and their collections past continues right here with a look at the ever-talented Phillip Lim. Read on to see his collections as we prep for New York Fashion Week's impending kickoff.

Phillip Lim debuted at Fashion Week with a presentation of his Fall 2006 collection and then showed his Spring 2007 collection the following season on the runway. Since its beginning, the label's been praised for its cool and easy aesthetic, combining the worlds of street style and ladylike elegance in collections filled with subtle femininity. With a celebrity fan base that includes so many of our favorites — Kate Hudson, Kate Bosworth, Natalie Portman — he's created a wildly popular brand with major staying power. Click through to get a glimpse of Lim's past collections as we eagerly await his Fall '13 lineup.

Last season, we introduced you to five up-and-coming fashion designers who had a special place in our hearts, and now we're highlighting another handful of newcomers who are planning to light up the runway during Spring 2013 Fashion Week. From Tanya Taylor's playful vintage-inspired prints to Jennifer Fisher's rocker-cool baubles, click through to see five fresh designers that are ready to kill it on the catwalk in the next few weeks.

Today marks Yves Saint Laurent's 76th birthday. While the French designer passed away in 2008, time has certainly proven his fashion legacy and artistic vision will always remain. His name is synonymous with glamour, luxury, and impeccable couture tailoring, but to earn his place in the iconic fashion ranks, Yves began his career at the early age of 17. He was head designer at the House of Dior by 21, and by 26, he went on to create his own label, YSL. From there, you need not look further than the silhouettes we still wear today — with his 1966 debut of the Le Smoking tuxedo suit being an impressive example of his definitive influence on style. Above all, Yves was a veritable trailblazer. He became the first couturier ever to design a ready-to-wear line, he was the first designer to ever feature ethnic models in his runway shows, and he became the first living fashion designer to be honored by the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a solo exhibition in 1983. Take a moment to pay homage to one of the greatest designers in fashion history — here's an in-depth look at Yves Saint Laurent's incredible life and work.

Source: Getty and Corbis Images

With New York Fashion Week kicking off Feb. 9, there's certainly excitement in the air at the FabSugar headquarters. From which designers will bring it this season, to speculating which celebs will make the most front row appearances, to how we'll maximize our Winter wardrobes to complement a very frenzied show itinerary, we've been bitten by the "fashion month" bug. While there's still a little less than two weeks to go, it's time to get things officially started with a roundup of the New York City-based Fall '12 shows that our Fab editors are most excited about. Click through to find out which designers have us on the edge of our seats with anticipation — and tell us the shows you're most looking forward to in the comments!

Sure, there are biggies like Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, and Proenza Schouler — but this Fashion Week, we're equally excited to see what our new favorite up-and-comers are bringing to the table. From Misha Nonoo's laid-back luxe to the all-out sex-kitten silhouettes at Cushnie et Ochs, we're looking forward to lots of freshness in the coming weeks. Click through now to see five burgeoning designers that we're super excited about this season, and why we're so smitten.

You've seen their work on the runways, in memorable collaborations, in a royal wedding, and on the red carpet. Now it's time to cast your vote for the year's best designer. This impressive bunch, which includes Karl Lagerfeld and Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci, have racked up major style points in 2011. In honor of their countless chic contributions, we've whipped up a quick refresher for you. Sarah Burton made herself a household name after taking the helm at Alexander McQueen and creating Kate Middleton's dreamy wedding dress. Giambattista Valli showed off his couture chops and delivered a playful line of party dresses for Macy's. Additionally, rumors started to swirl surrounding Marc Jacobs's unconfirmed move to the house of Dior. What else have these tastemakers been up to? Catch up on all their accomplishments and let us know who you think deserves this year's top honors!

Source: Getty and WireImage

Tibi is one of our favorite American contemporary lines, not least because designer Amy Smilovic always styles her collections — on the runway and in her lookbooks — in a way that has us coveting the entire look that very second. She has a knack for combining unexpected elements and colors that make an outfit look totally amazing. That's why we turned to her for tips on how to wear key pre-Fall pieces now, when it's hot, and later, when it cools down. We chose five irresistible pieces from Tibi's latest collection, and Amy showed us exactly how she would wear it. Click through to see her spot-on styling tips, and shop her picks to get the designer-approved look right now. And don't miss Amy's five essentials for getting through those transitional weather days when you just can't decide what to wear.