jason wu

Celebrities gracing the red carpet in vintage-inspired frocks and gowns have us spellbound: their old Hollywood glamour has never felt more elegant or modern. Jason Wu, Miu Miu, and Salvatore Ferragamo's Fall runways laid the groundwork for a retrofit take on ladylike, and it's having a major impact on the red carpet. Our favorites, like Kirsten Dunst, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Diane Kruger have inspired us to channel the trend in femme, '40s silhouettes, delicate embellishment — and a perfect red pout. Click through for all the celebrity inspiration, then shop a few of our favorite options to wear the look.

>> Jason Wu has partnered with Target on a collection hitting stores and online Feb. 5, 2012. "My collection for Target embodies my signature aesthetic of feminine sophistication, with a mischievous nod to the 1960s," says Wu. "I've had an incredible experience partnering with Target, and I am looking forward to bringing these affordable designs to women across the country." He has designed apparel, handbags, and scarves, which will range from $20 to $60, for the occasion.

See a sketch and a swatch of fabric from the line, plus Wu's muse for the collection, in the slideshow. A preview video, below.

After releasing a series of hints and clues on Twitter over the weekend, Target has announced Jason Wu as its next designer to create a limited-edition collection. “The exciting thing about this limited-edition collection of affordable womenswear and accessories is that it allows me to reach a wider audience and bring my designs to people who may not have been able to purchase them before,” said Wu, who skyrocketed to stardom after First Lady Michelle Obama was spotted wearing his designs. “My collection for Target is chic and wearable. I think women everywhere will enjoy it.” Just what does Wu have in store for his collection with Target? The '60s inspired line, dropping online and in stores Feb. 5, ranges from $20 to $60 and is set to include clothing, handbags, and scarves. Can't wait? Check out the slideshow to see a sketch from the collection, plus looks from Wu's latest Spring '12 line.

The way a scarlet red lip makes a look entirely more playful than a plain pout, so do red accessories amp up the fun on practically any outfit. We love the sexy effect of a candy-apple red shoe on our date night look or a simple LWD; it's an easy add with a huge impact. These celebrity looks speak perfectly to our point with red hues on their handbags and totes, flats and heels. Alexa Chung adds polish and panache with a sweet red Chanel purse, Whitney Port gives her denim an eclectic-chic finish in red flats, and Gwyneth Paltrow ventures into some unexpected color play with a pair of peep-toe booties. Click through for those and lots more in the way of playful red pops — then shop the look for yourself.

>> The Spring 2012 season is just getting started, and we've been backstage from the get-go, capturing the behind-the-scenes comings-and-goings. See Ruby Aldridge being attended to by small horde of dressers at Jason Wu, Constance Jablonski vamping it up in her white Cushnie et Ochs dress, the reunion of "Jourlie" — Jourdan Dunn and Karlie Kloss — and a slew of other backstage shenanigans in the slideshow.

Photos: Greg Kessler

Jason Wu showed an exceptionally beautiful, frothy and surprisingly sporty collection for Spring 2012, and singlehandedly made us stick peplum skirts at the top of our must-have list. While Wu promised to go "back to femininity" in our behind-the-scenes interview, he did it playfully. He partnered with the artist KAWS to create a floating petal print that at close view revealed the artist's signature "hands" motif, which suggested how many hands played a part in creating the soft blouses and skirts. "Floating skirts" flew away from the body on an asymmetric angle and boasted big peplum trims, ladylike blouses had intricately beaded collars, and sporty windbreakers — windbreakers! — brought a whole new definition of polish to an outerwear staple that rarely makes its way to a designer's runway. While some pieces, like the white peplum top and black cigarette pants worn by Joan Smalls, were seriously elegant, it was hard not to smile when Wu sent out his floating skirts and dresses in colors like canary yellow, cobalt blue, and candy pink. It was a fun show that beautifully melded Wu's couture-quality workmanship with a sporty, playful attitude.

• Trends: sporty, peplum, asymmetric hems, ladylike, windbreakers.
• Colors: candy pink, canary yellow, cobalt blue, petal prints.
• Key Piece:"floating" skirts, the windbreakers, any of the peplum pieces.
• Accessories: edgy black lace-up stilettos, blue and green python handbags.
• Who Would Wear It: Jason Wu's muse, Diane Kruger, is our prediction to be the first one in look 36 —the pink floating skirt and silk v-neck top.

>> Jason Wu's Spring 2012 runway could have been treacherous — it was slick, white, and texturized like shingles — but the models made it through like pros, minus a slight slip-up or two. Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn, and Liu Wen trailed out in a collection rife with peplums and mullet hemlines — the latter on jackets, skirts, and even evening gowns.

The theme for the season, Wu said, was “clean and couture — but with some very quirky elements.” Hence the Pop Art colors — chartreuse, "shocking pink," and electric blue; a collaboration with New York graffiti artist Kaws that produced the floating petal print used throughout; and the appearance of sporty "chiffon" windbreakers. Wu also worked with Tom Binns — the jewelry designer's first collaboration in a decade — on swingy long earrings with clusters of safety pins.