The Carolina Herrera show got a lot of attention yesterday because of a random Nicki Minaj sighting and subsequent hilarious pictures that surfaced of her and Anna Wintour as seat mates. But there was another show going on, let’s not forget. Carolina Herrera worked her usual ladylike sophistication with a few twists thrown in for spring. (And I wore a signature white button down a la Herrera in her honor.)

All shades of garden green were woven into plaid and adorable sparrow prints on dresses and separates. Decidedly more graphic than her usual outings, with flourishes of deco and modern art, it was well suited to her buttoned-up gallery hopping clientele that keep up with the times by speaking highly of Koons while secretly preferring Winterhalter.

While the color choice felt light and youthful, the clothing is still conservative at its core. There was hardly a clavicle in sight, but Herrera made up for it with a creative geometric pattern and some terrific black and white color-blocked shifts. An attempt at a highbrow denim jacket (made of cotton and linen canvas) just felt a bit off, though.

One of the show’s last looks–a long-sleeved sequined chiffon gown, spoke volumes about Herrera’s aesthetic—smart, simplistic, and elegant clothing for the Upper East Side in all of us. Even Nicki Minaj.

**All images: Imaxtree

Lela Rose’s spring collection featured pieces that are a bit bolder than her usual ladylike frocks, in a good way. The designer drew inspiration from sin city’s Neon Museum—also known as the Neon Graveyard—a spot that houses unrestored, neon signs that used to dot Coney Island and Las Vegas. “The inspiration is definitely a different vibe and feel,” the designer told us backstage. “We did all of these faded neon colors which I think is definitely a departure of what we normally do with the color palette.”

Rose was a little more playful this season, and matched bright mosaic patterns aptly named “carnival prints” with neon yellow and orange lace knits. Of course, she offered plenty of shifts and sheaths, but this time around they were punched up with bright floral patterns and deep orange and yellow hues that recalled a sunset. The structured silhouettes mixed with wilder prints created a balanced and polished looked for day or night. As for the shoes, Rose paired up with Payless again to offer fabulous and wallet friendly footwear. We spotted plenty of vibrant wedges that will be sure to update any spring wardrobe.

Naturally, there were plenty of options for the red carpet set, too, and the front row was sprinkled with A-listers including Mandy Moore and Mariska Hargitay. Susan Sarandon and her daughter/bride-to-be Eva Amurri were also in attendance, and Rose is designing their dresses for the big day. So what do they look like? “It’s top secret!” Susan Sarandon half joked. “But they’re very elegant,” she said. Judging from the gorgeous metallic organza cap sleeve gown and embroidered tulle bustier number that closed the show, we wouldn’t expect anything less.

**All images: Imaxtree