Diesel Black Gold

Sophia Kokosalaki may have begun her creative process with a skate park in mind, but what emerged for Spring '13 was a contemporary riff, rife with polished leather and strong, architectural tops and jackets. She took the '90s angle only so far — even if there was a smoke-hazed half-pipe set on the runway. The clothing itself was crafted with a clean, black-and-white palette, and even Kokosalaki's references to graffiti art were more restrained, with just a few splashes of color and prints that were fun but never over-the-top. The real stars of this show were the jackets; they were a testament to the skilled tailoring: edgy and sharp; some worked in crisp, military cuts; and one worked in leather and sheer netting. Sure, it might take a more brazen dresser to reach for the see-through perforated skirts and dresses, but if you're looking to channel the urban cool here, then any of the moto-inspired outerwear or fringed heels will speak to that effect, too.

• Trends: Leather, perforated details, fringe, crop-tops, one-shoulder silhouettes.
• Colors: Black and white with just a splash of print.
• Key Piece: The short-sleeve leather pullover and printed asymmetrical skirt.
• Accessories: Fringed ankle-strap heels, slippers, and open-toe boots.
• Who Should Wear It: Gwen Stefani, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Tomasi Hill all have the cool factor to pull this off.

It was all about baggy cuts and luxe fabrics at Diesel Black Gold's Fall showing today at Pier 57. Designer Sophia Kokosalaki stayed true to the brand's rock 'n' roll aesthetic, showing a range of printed skinnies, oversized cuffed leather pants, and a lot of leopard. Inspired by "vintage B-movies," Kokosalaki took it to the streets with an assortment of paint-splattered pants, low-slung leather wrap skirts, and a heavy helping of leopard prints. Designs for the downtown girl, but there were also a few notable pony hair tops and jackets which added a sleek touch to the collection. The complete breakdown below.

• Trends: Baggy silhouettes, wrap skirts, printed pants.
• Colors: Black, gray, brick red, navy blue.
• Key Piece: We loved the pony-hair tops and leather wrap skirts.
• Accessories: Studded bags, paint-splattered ankle boots, wide belts, chain jewelry.
• Who Would Wear It: In addition to front-row attendees Harley Viera-Newton and Emmy Rossum, we can also see Zoe Kravitz and Jessica Szohr wearing this collection.

>> It wouldn't be Diesel Black Gold without a bit of attitude. If you're looking for ladylike, you won't find it here. What you will find are plenty of baggy, menswear-inspired silhouettes, lots of leather, a dark palette, and some very eclectic layering. Sporty drawstring shorts looked especially chic, as did some very appealing boyfriend pants in leather. Aside from a few maroon and leopard-print pieces, the collection was edgy, moody — and ready to take on the world.

There was already a bright buzz before the Diesel Black Gold Spring show even started thanks to a celebrity appearance from Gerard Butler. As Gerard sauntered up to his front-row seat, photographers and guests went crazy just for a glimpse of the actor, who arrived at the event wearing a pair of broken-in Diesel jeans and a t-shirt. The excitement didn't stop there: Creative Director Sophia Kokosalaki showed an equally standout collection for the brand, offering up a heavy helping of high sheen and utilitarian details. Jewel-toned metallics hit the runway in the way of fit and flared jeans and leather jackets while Bermuda short silhouettes added a refreshing twist to the urban collection. We especially loved the track shorts, which were paired with crisp button-down shirts, tailored blazers, and cool cutout booties playing into the menswear vibe. As the collection moved from day to night, Sophia showed a bevy of draped navy dresses, one of which was layered with an amazing neoprene bustier with buckle strap details. For more highlights from Diesel Black Gold's downtown cool collection, read below.

Fashion Week is coming into the home stretch, and as we get further on, it seems like the looks are becoming increasingly theatrical. Today, we saw everything from windblown sylphs at Rodarte to grungy goddesses at Diesel Black Gold. It was an interesting assemblage of looks, but no one missed their chance to make a statement.