Max Azria

Taking us beyond the label's bandage dress, Max Azria delivered his signature sexy with rich equestrian details and a new sense of strength for Fall. For every curve-conscious silhouette, the strapped bodices and gladiator-inspired footwear counter with militant, almost dominatrix-feeling toughness. If it takes a confident woman to pull off Léger's more typical body-con wear, for this season's offerings — complete with leather harnesses and fur detailing — only the fiercest of fashion enthusiasts need apply.

• Trends: Fetish, harnesses, leather, fur.
• Colors: Black, white, nude, burgundy.
• Key Piece: The white maxi paired with the fur-trimmed black leather harness.
• Accessories: Slick mirrored clutches, gladiator-style knee-high boots with shin guards, open-toe ankle boots.
• Who Would Wear It: Hervé's fans; the risk-taker with a taste for sexier fare.

>> The leather harnesses that made an occasional appearance in the Hervé Léger Pre-Fall collection were out in full force for Fall 2012. They came in nearly every incarnation — brown, black, metallic, corset-like, or full-torso — and adorned nearly every look. They added an element of toughness to the line's ubiquitous bandage dresses, which, this season, came patterned in geometric panels, emblazoned with crystals, or spliced with intricate prints. Also adding toughness: strict leather vests, jet-black fur, and laser-cut fabrics.

An architectural aesthetic, specifically Bauhaus style, rules for BCBG's Fall 2012 collection. Structure manifested itself via colorblocking, but it was done on fluid silk chiffon shift dresses, so the effect was a pretty blend of strong forms on flowy silhouettes. The geometric shapes created by bold color combos — black and orange, merlot and blush — were intensified with textural plays like sheer insets and clever pleating that made dresses look magically fluid and sharp at the same time. To counter the collection's emphasis on lightweight materials like silk and chiffon, it also sent cozy outerwear down the runway — we have mixed emotions on the return of gorilla-armed coats, but the multicolor fur vests and canvas and leather trenches were artful choices for next season. The minimalist approach to geometric forms and bold color combinations, together with the flowy silhouettes, make for clothes that are ideal to wear to a gallery opening.

• Trends: Colorblocking, fur, architectural detail, Bauhaus.
• Colors: Merlot, blush, camel, cream, navy, coral, teal.
• Key Piece: The canvas and leather trench coat; the super-cool pleated dresses with tulle inserts.
• Accessories: Open-toe ankle-strap sandals, bags with contrasting textures like snake and suede.
• Who Would Wear It: Erin Wasson was in the front row, but the structured, urbane collection seems more suited to Naomi Watts or Thandie Newton.

>> Geometry played a big part in BCBG's Fall 2012 collection, via colorblocking, carefully constructed details like sheer insets and leather trim, and a focus on proportions. It was an artful collection thanks to rich mixes of even richer colors — paprika, merlot, rust, and coral — and simple, streamlined silhouettes.

>> The shiny warrior princesses Max Azria offered up for Spring have found a slightly softer side in Pre-Fall 2012. Sure, they're still marching about in gladiator shoes, leather harnesses, and bandage dresses, but this time around the shoes are high-heeled, the harnesses are whip-thin, and the dresses are vivid in jewel tones, stripes, and sunset ombres. Though silhouettes remain just as body-con as ever, there are also a few surprises to be had: flippy skirts that flare at the hip, smooth-shouldered jackets, and a skintight dress with an airy, drapey train.

>> Lace, chiffon, patchworking, and accordion pleats were all on heavy rotation in Max and Lubov Azria's Pre-Fall 2012 BCBG collection. A succinct offering of 19 floaty frocks, the collection channels "slavic soul" and "bohemian spirit."

The fun of New York Fashion Week kicked off over the course of the last day, with Rachel Zoe attending designer Mimi Plange's presentation last night at the Asia Society before moving on to the Missoni for Target launch. This morning, BCBGMAXAZRIA brought out a handful of starlets — check out our BCBGMAXAZRIA show review! Jordana Brewster, Elisha Cuthbert, and Sophia Bush made a photogenic trio in the front row. Sophia hung out backstage before the models took to the catwalk, and she evidently liked what she saw — at the sight of one dress, she mouthed to a pal, "Wow!" She was equally full of praise on Twitter, writing, "My favorite collection of theirs for years! Stunning." Vanessa Hudgens was also spotted milling around the tents at Lincoln Center this afternoon, and Rachel was out again to guest judge the Fourth Annual Supima Design Competition with Coco Rocha. We're covering all the stylish fun, so make sure to stay tuned to all our Fashion Week coverage!