"It's my Beene Bag!" Lyn Devon exclaims as she holds up a vintage Geoffrey Beene "Beene Bag" dress, given to her by a writer friend. The dress is cream with a red rope cinching the bust. "She knows that Beene is such a huge influence for me," she says. Clearly, the writer understands Devon's take on sportswear. Actually it's not really a take--it's a very literal expression. Devon creates real sportswear--you know, the easy, comfortable, bold work and evening wear pieces inspired by less-formal attire. There are very few designers who create real sportswear these days, save for Michael Kors. This season you'll find a long, lime green, nearly sheer shirt dress with...a drawstring waist. Or a three piece suit in...pique cotton. This, to me, is how I want to dress everyday. Devon's windowpane dress trench, or the windowpane blouse and shorts, are dream pieces. There's also a gorgeous button down blouse with black pearls individually sewn on all over--Devon's take on polka dots. "I wanted to play with the idea of being a lady, so we used things like pearls and bows--but I didn't want it to be too precious," says Devon. The pussy bow, for instance, shows up in a sleeveless a-line dress--made from avocado-colored leather, natch.

Oh Lyn Devon, how to I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1. You meet with every buyer, editor and photographer individually during fashion week, allo

Lyn Devon's Fall 2011 look is undoubtedly inspired by the Halston era. But unlike some of the uber-referential collections we saw last season, hers is a more subtle, studied reflection. Along with the ultra suede and long lines, there was a theme of travel. Devon's customer can mix her cashmere drawstring bottoms, silk blouses, and graphic dresses to create hundreds of brand new outfits. A drawstring waist jacket in Colombo cashmere--black, mustard, navy, or grey--serves as the finishing piece. While Devon doesn't seek out red carpet attention, her long jersey bustier dress is sure to garner some. We see a lady like Cate Blanchett--or perhaps Julianna Margulies?--pairing it with a dripping diamond necklace and nothing more.

The Clothes: Upper East Side meets Mexico in bright hued separates mixed in with Lyn Devon's signature clean tailored pieces. Sleeveless peplum tanks