Stella McCartney Fall 2012

>> It's not surprising that Stella McCartney would have athletic-wear on her mind — she is, after all, designing the British uniforms for the upcoming Olympics. Not surprising either, then, that a bit of sports influence would creep into her Fall 2012 ready-to-wear collection. And indeed, there it was in the form of baseball jackets, racing stripes, tennis dresses, and streamlined ski sweaters. But, as McCartney puts it, "the Stella woman is about balance," so there were plenty of elegant, grown-up elements on hand as well. Those tennis dresses? They were flippy, sure, but they were also cut in a serious tweed. And the speedy-looking ski sweaters? Those came neatly tucked into work-ready trousers.

Also on hand for more of that signature Stella balance: cable-knit sweater sets, sharply tailored jacquard suits, and a selection of electric-hued power coats that — with their asymmetrical zips, contrast panels, and oversized proportions — felt very right now.

Stella McCartney was in a sporty state of mind for her Fall 2012 collection (most likely inspired by her recent gig designing Olympic uniforms for the British team), showing bold color and athletic-inspired shapes. With a magical touch, McCartney injected a dose of luxe into every piece; lavish slouchy trousers were dipped in shocking cobalt and dark pink hues, while a selection of textural knitted sweaters looked cozy enough to sleep in. Outerwear also highlighted bigger shapes, but not overwhelmingly so, via polished coats with striped bomber collars and modern zip details. On the opposite end of the spectrum, McCartney showed fitted silhouettes via structured skirt suits and dresses. The latter featured silk and wool renditions with a sporty fit-and-flare shape, while evening wear options showed longer silhouettes with intricate embroidery. McCartney accessories are sure to leave a few smitten as well; we predict an antsy waiting list for the two-tone pumps, booties, and oversize clutches. More details from Stella McCartney's effortless Fall 2012 collection below.

• Trends: Slouchy trousers, oversize coats, sporty details.
• Colors: Black, blue, pink, brown, olive green, white, taupe.
• Key Piece: We loved the sporty luxe outerwear and skater-inspired wool dresses.
• Accessories: Two-tone boots and pumps, oversize clutches.
• Who Would Wear It: Girls with a modern and minimal approach to dressing like Kate Bosworth and Zoe Saldana.

London Fashion Week is off to a good start; in addition to checking out the gorgeous runway collections, we're also spotting a bevy of celebrities making their mark on the stylish scene. Hollywood girls and fashion insiders, like Kate Moss, Rihanna, and Alexa Chung, all flocked to Stella McCartney's intimate Fall '12 dinner presentation — complete with a fashion flash mob — looking fresh and modern in their sleek and sexy attire. See who else attended the fashionable fête in the slideshow now, then check back later to see Stella McCartney's Fall '12 collection.

>> This season, Stella McCartney decided to forgo her usual show in Paris for an intimate — and unorthodox — dinner presentation at London Fashion Week. Around 100 guests — including Kate Moss, Stella Tennant, Yasmin Le Bon, and Rihanna — attended the Saturday evening event, which began with a magic show and finished with a formal jazz band. The real excitement, however, came with the presentation of McCartney's Fall 2012 collection. While guests dined unassumingly at their tables, models burst forth from the crowd — flash mob-style — in an energetic display of table-dancing, chair-passing, and rowdy hip-shaking. "It was nice to see something different, something dramatic. The clothes looked great," guest Bianca Jagger exclaimed.