Runway Retrospective

Tracy Reese is known for her feminine, vintage-inspired designs, and over the years, she's created collections of flirty frocks and relaxed travelwear enough to make anyone swoon. Her shows evoke a spirit of easy, gorgeous glamour, and she never fails to send models down the runway looking natural, fresh, and ridiculously pretty. So in honor of NYFW, which officially starts this Wednesday, Feb. 6, click through to get inspired by the loveliest looks from Tracy Reese's runway shows.

— Additional reporting by Jessica Cruel and Jaime Richards

Becoming a New York Fashion Week pro means having a working knowledge of the designers that make it happen. Today, we're taking a closer look at one of our favorites, Jason Wu. The wunderkind designer never fails to impress with ladylike silhouettes and trendsetting pieces, which is exactly why we want to get to know Mr. Wu a little better before his Fall 2013 show.

Taipei-born designer Jason Wu has quite an eclectic background. He started out as a freelance doll clothing designer, but quickly made a name for himself with real girls in the fashion world with his luxe, superfeminine sportswear wares. Jason's easy, glamorous designs are a hit among stylish stars like Diane Kruger, Blake Lively, and Natalie Portman — not to mention First Lady Michelle Obama, whom he dressed for both the inaugural ball in 2008 and 2013. Each of Jason Wu's collections are impeccably crafted, blending classic haute couture techniques with a modern, sophisticated sensibility. Take a look back at Jason Wu's most notable runway moments now.

Giorgio Armani has become an icon with his multiple fashion brands, and within each of his lines, there are plenty of stellar beauty moments from which to choose. From extravagant headwear and more, see the top hair and makeup looks that have complemented this Italian designer's elegant runway ensembles.

Fashion Week is here, and we're bringing you another favorite American designer. We're sure you already have her on your radar, but Diane von Furstenberg's iconic fashion industry status deserves some real attention. Here's to the incomparable Diane with a look back at her bright prints, feminine cuts, and signature wrap dresses.

For more than 40 years, Diane von Furstenberg has designed beautiful, covetable dresses and ready-to-wear pieces for a strong, stylish, independent woman. Among her other chic milestones? Giving us a plethora of signature wrap-dress prints, being honored with the CFDA lifetime achievement award, moonlighting as a judge on America's Next Top Model, and committing millions of dollars to New York City's High Line public park. That said, each season DVF delivers a runway collection that celebrates bold femininity via print, color, and ultrawearable silhouettes. There's a sense of playfulness, with a sophisticated finish, that evolves with the ebb and flow of trends. Click through for our runway retrospective — and get excited for what's to come for Fall 2013.

The countdown to New York Fashion Week continues, and with it, we bring you today's designer download. You may know a certain Marc Jacobs as a name synonymous with American fashion and innovative branding; you may know him as the creative director of Louis Vuitton; or you may know him as that guy who wore a sheer lace dress to the Met Gala. Either way, Marc Jacobs is definitely a designer worth knowing about — keep reading to get the scoop on his runway past and get a feel for what could be in store for his Fall 2013 show.

Looking back at Marc Jacobs's runway shows, it's not hard to see how much he enjoys taking risks and changing things up. No two collections are ever the same —and whether it's through the use of exaggerated layers, futuristic shapes, nostalgic undertones, or feminine silhouettes, he always delivers an array of fresh, covetable pieces. We can trace Marc Jacobs's chameleon tendencies with just a glance at his two-plus decades worth of design, high-profile accolades, and side projects (read: Louis Vuitton). It's a wonder this man ever sleeps. Click through to see some of his most memorable looks from season's past.

With Fashion Week kicking off in New York in only a few short weeks, we're prepping for the newest Fall '13 collections with a look back at the biggest designers and their most memorable collections. Up first, iconic contemporary American designer (and Project Runway host, well, judge with the most), Michael Kors.

Before we fell in love with him (again) for his honest critiques on Project Runway, we already knew Michael Kors as the quintessential all-American designer, with an affinity for the classics and collections inspired by his travels. For consistent sophistication and undeniably chic outerwear, women look to him for cozy cashmere turtlenecks, glam evening gowns, and ladylike trousers — all of which are impeccably tailored. Over the past 30 years, he has built one of the most famous lifestyle brands in fashion, and after looking through his memorable collections, it's no wonder Mr. Kors has garnered quite a following. Catch up on Kors and get excited for what's to come for Spring '13.

Established by couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the French fashion house has been producing luxury goods — emblazoned with their signature double-C logo and black and white color palette — since 1909. Coco's initial vision was to cater to the everyday, casually elegant woman, creating blazers, trousers, costume jewelry, and most notably, the little black dress. Though the brand was deeply rooted in haute couture, the '70s saw the launch of the first Chanel prêt-à-porter line — and in 1983, over 10 years after Coco's death, a former Chloé designer by the name of Karl Lagerfeld took over as the brand's head of design. His arrival was marked with modern cuts, shorter hemlines, and eye-catching details, yet the glamour, sophistication, and refinement that had come to be associated with Chanel still remained. We look to the house of Chanel for classic, tailored style with a twist, and Lagerfeld has made sure to uphold that undeniable element no matter what. Click through to take a look back at some of the gorgeous Chanel couture and ready-to-wear runway looks from the past.

Founded in 1889 by milliner Jeanne Lanvin, the Lanvin label is known not only as the oldest French fashion house in operation, but also lauded as a favorite in modern womenswear. Jeanne began the label skillfully using embellishment, beading, and a floral palette, which would go on to become signatures of the Lanvin label. Today, it's a blend both of the brand's traditional style and Alber Elbaz's innate gift for designing what modern women want to wear. Since the designer joined the label in 2001, he has succeeded in delivering collections that encompass beautifully crafted silk dresses, pants, suits, and playful experiments with volume and proportion — and collections we are always anxious to see. Click through for a glimpse of Lanvin's gorgeous past collections.

Though it started as a leather goods shop in 1913 by brothers Martino and Mario Prada, Mario's great granddaughter Miuccia Prada would transform the company into the design powerhouse it is today. First would be her line of waterproof backpacks and totes in 1979 that would go on to inspire the release of Prada's definitive nylon totes and handbags in 1984. In 1989, Miuccia and her partner, Patrizio Bertelli, launched Prada's first ready-to-wear line, instantly gaining recognition for its clean lines and luxe fabrics, and rocketing the Prada label to a coveted status symbol. Now with Miuccia at the helm for more than 30 years, Prada's ready to wear has been shaped by artful, whimsical talent that takes us from ladylike, curve-conscious dressing one season to dramatic textures and boxy shapes the next. Its fan base and influence knows no bounds — and it's not hard to see why the label has remained a fashion mainstay and a design house heavy hitter. Click through for a look back at some of the brand's most memorable runway looks.

Rodarte — I can't say the name without having images of fashion-forward dresses float before my eyes. Designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy have taken the concept of a gown and turned it upside down, in the best way possible. Their designs manage to be both ethereal and completely funky — and celebs eat them up! The sisters even created the Black Swan costumes, which were inspired by Edgar Degas's Little Dancer statue. Since Fall of 2006, Rodarte's ready-to-wear has gotten more and more sophisticated and elaborate. Click through to see their runway retrospective.