Zac Posen

>> Easy-to-wear separates in an easy-on-the-eyes palette permeate the Z Spoke Resort 2012 offering. The inky palette and subdued mood that were the hallmark of the Fall 2011 Z Spoke collection have lightened up a bit, giving way to a selection of pieces that hit a slightly more playful note: a cherry red silk anorak with a drawstring peplum-waist; a pale blue wide-leg pantsuit in slubby tweed; and plenty of sweet fit-n-flare frocks in all kinds of chiffon and polka dots. It's a youthful outing for Posen, and one that's perfectly reflected in his choice of lookbook model —  Lindsey Wixson.

>> The idea behind Zac Posen's Resort 2012 collection? American Royalty. "It's about how to be dressed up and poised, but still cool; Patti Smith in a gown and Penelope Tree in a trench," says Posen. The way Posen plays with silhouettes is a study in contrasts: a soft, buttercup-printed chiffon dress is gathered into bodice-hugging seams, only to be let loose in a flurry of ruffles at the hip; a peplum waistcoat with a second-skin fit gets a hit of volume at the sleeves with tiers of unfinished chiffon ribbons. But this is still classic Zac — with lots of show-stopping gowns on offer. The stand-out number? A 720-yard, hand-dyed vermillion confection with a swirling, mermaid train.

Click through to see the lookbook featuring Coco Rocha, who — according to Posen reps — did the whole 33-look shoot in under two-hours, finishing each shot in the length of time it took for a new song to play on the stereo.

Zac Posen chose to show in Paris again, but for the most part he eschewed his standard dramatic eveningwear in favor of a more staid collection of polished daywear. Everything was super fitted, befitting of women with curvy silhouettes a la model Crystal Renn, who walked in his show. Many of the jackets and dresses had ornate leather detailing, but for the most part it was all about sharp tailoring. Peplum jackets were paired with straight cropped trousers, and most of the collection was done in dark autumnal colors, save for some sweet injections of peachy pink. It was all very wearable, although it would have looked better without the thick tights and boring pumps. The moment we were all waiting for, his eveningwear, was a relief, and when Carmen Kass strode the runway in a silver silk halter dress, it seemed like the best of Zac.

• Trends: Peplum, ladylike, leather.
• Colors: Dark teal, purple, peach, silver.
• Key Looks: The evening dresses with mermaid bottoms.
• Accessories: Thick tights and pumps might be functional, but they were a downer on the runway.
• Who Would Wear It: Polished ladies who want to feel sexy.

Source: Catwalking

Source: Catwalking

Valentine's Day makeup can leave you at a loss for what colors to use and how to combine them. To get you started, here are 10 gorgeous color combination ideas inspired straight from the runway. Whether your taste runs to classic crimson lips and dark eyes, you're looking for something soft and sweet, or if you want to go nontraditional, there's something here for you.

>> "I think in general with collection and with Z Spoke, we're moving into a more streamlined identity of my original language," said Zac Posen, when describing his new outlook on designing. And while we'll have to wait to see exactly how that translates for Posen's signature collection at Paris Fashion Week, the lower-priced Z Spoke Fall 2011 collection lookbook — featuring "Zac-ettes" Tao Okamoto, Anna Cleveland, Crystal Renn, Sessilee Lopez, and Coco Rocha — is a definite departure from the wild "fashion-tainment" Z Spoke collection that debuted last September. Think edgy, yet wearable pieces like tailored ponchos, wide-leg trousers, and a heavy helping of dresses.