Wes Gordon

>> For Fall 2012, Wes Gordon went for a "disheveled kind of elegance" — and he delivered. Silhouettes were dramatic with graduated hems and strong shoulders — and cut in an assortment of evening fabrics that ranged from velvet to brocade. There were billowing skirts in marigold silk, slouchy tanks in metallic mesh, and blouses in iridescent organza. But our favorite look? A smartly cropped jacket in lush forest green, complete with a matching, laser-cut peplum that tumbled out over a pair of silk, oxblood trousers. Also of note were the shoes: Manolo Blahnik for Wes Gordon peep-toes in shimmering silver chainmail.

>> Jones New York has just become the latest to go designer. Come next March, the sportswear company will offer the Wes Gordon x Jones New York line, exclusively available at select Bloomingdale's stores as well as online at the department store's website and on jny.com. Filled with what Jones Group CEO Susan Metzger refers to as workwear with a "new modern classic sensibility," the Wes Gordon x Jones New York collection features a selection of current separates: contrast silk tops, leather-sleeved blazers, swing trenches, ankle pants, and asymmetrical vests. Priced from $99 to $475, the collection is so far only confirmed for one season. Click through for a peek.

>> Four seasons in, Wes Gordon is building up his offering — ramping up from 18 looks to 23 for Spring 2012 — and making sure he's appealing to a "younger girl": "[I] focused this time on irreverence, a mismatch of day and cocktail — the embellished jacket with the pair of skinny jeans, or a lurex pant with a little blazer." He also introduced his first shoes, done in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik — think glitter, green, or yellow and white-striped Mary Jane heels and ankle strap heeled sandals tied with primary-colored ribbons: "They're so simple and clean, I'm obsessed."

As for the look Gordon expects to sell well? "The [short] cadmium red dress really looks good on every girl we put it on." Linda Fargo did, after all, pop backstage before the show. "We're in Bergdorf's this season for the first time," Grodon explained. "It's fun to have a store in New York, because I can go check out the clothes. But then I feel like I have to be dressed up, so I never end up going."

>> All day today, 23-year-old Wes Gordon provided a refuge from the snowstorm in a room on the fifth floor of the St. Regis Hotel. The Atlanta native hosted buyers and editors in a cozy living room of sofas and chairs, where he talked them through his 20-look debut collection. Gordon has quite a pedigree — schooling at Central Saint Martins and internships at Oscar de la Renta and Tom Ford — and is already getting preliminary buzz from Style.com, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar.

"The collection," he told Vogue, "was inspired by all the beautiful girls I know or wish I knew, like Lauren Bacall. These women exude a modern elegance, wearing exquisitely tailored clothes with a certain twist and edge — not unlike themselves. My goal is to design pieces that combine creativity and fun.”  One lambskin and wool jacket was listed in the show notes with "Ziggy lame" sleeves — dubbed such, Gordon noted, because "Ziggy Stardust" was playing in the background at the time.  The designer is nothing if not exacting: a pink chiffon dress was all hand-tucked, and the collection's buttons were "done by the jeweler down the street" because "nothing should be an afterthought."