I don’t want to rain on Sophia Theallet’s parade.

The CFDA-winner might be the brightest star in women’s fashion. Her clothes are exquisitely-made and possess an effervescence that is rarely seen on the runway today. I mean that Theallet’s clothes shine: Not just in the literally sense with sparkle and satin, but with character. On Tuesday’s runway I loved the periwinkle blue gown, a-line skirts with a gathered seam falling right below the rear, as well as simple floral day dresses that could live in a closet forever.

However, one of the great things about Theallet is that she doesn’t follow trends. And this season, I saw more of an American design influence on her clothes than ever before. Not only did she use velvet–the fabric du jour–but she also tried her hand at shearling and even presented a few out-of-place grey pieces.

Theallet deserves the praise she’s getting. But I hope, like her mentor Azzedine Alaia, she’s able influence a community without being influenced in return.