Jen Kao was on another planet when she designed her fall 2011 collection. The runway was lined with glowing lava to signify, according to her line sheet, “a new beginning,” and models looked a bit like beautiful aliens–fierce queens (not the Ru Paul Drag Race variety) from a far away galaxy: they wore iridescent armor (structured jackets and breast plates), tight printed jersey dresses in colors that looked like the rainbows you see in an oil slick over shimmering silver leggings, with gold netting and layers of fringe scattered throughout. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before, aside from prints Kao called “aerial planetary views” which looked very inspired by Christopher Kane’s galaxy collection.

I can’t begin to get inside Kao’s head for this out-of-this-world collection. Luckily, she broke it down in her line sheet and it’s too good not to quote in full:

Los Angeles-based designer Juan Carlos Obando impressed us last season with his retro, space-inspired glamor. This season was more even more glamorous, but he took the refined look up a notch, sticking with lean silhouettes inspired by Carla Bruni.

Also like last season, Obando used Swarovski crystals to create texture and patterns on the clothing. While we were partial to last year’s constellations, this collection’s black on black styles were more subtle, thus more sophisticated.

Faye Dunaway’s Bonnie Parker was Sophie Théallet‘s muse for fall 2011. Bits of dialogue from Bonnie and Clyde were spliced in with the show’s soundtrack, which featured Serge Gainsbourg’s “Bonnie and Clyde.” Models wore black berets and black ribbon chokers were tied around their necks so that the ribbon hung down their backs for a bit of a girly touch.

Théallet gave Bonnie Parker’s iconic 1967 wardrobe a subtle, slightly more feminine update: the hallmark slouchy men’s style suiting was there, as were shimmering silk blouses wrapped in a deep vee–the collars made to look like the lapels on a jacket, but there were also cute color blocked knits paired with A-line skirts and precious little cardigans over gauzey dresses. Théallet is known for her dresses (Mrs. O is a fan), and usually her creations are fuller and flouncier, a bit more boho. It was almost as if Théallet’s sweeter girl of seasons past was fighting to be seen amidst a collection to dress bad girl Bonnie Parker–and sometimes the good girl won out, adding little bows at the neckline of dresses.

The putty palette of Bodkin’s fall 2011 collection–a range of browns, tans, grays–felt overly drab at first glance. Luckily, chic silhouettes crafted by designer Eviana Hartman, saved the day. From pleated skirts–the only concession to what’s trending on the runways now– to a peg leg pant and then slouchy, hooded sweaters, the shapes were relaxed and obviously comfortable, as Hartman intended. Best of all, you could instantly see each item becoming a love-worn part of your wardrobe. Additional kudos for the footwear (stacked wedges and  tasseled oxfords were amazing) and bold gold cuffs which added an unexpected touch of glam to this comfy-chic collection.