Pre-Fall 2012

Maiyet, the luxury label with a social conscience, is barely a year old and launched their very first Pre-Fall collection this week. But the label is already expanding into different categories--and we don't mean accesories (been there, done that) or beauty. Maiyet launched a rum line along with their PreFall line this week.

Ferragamo's first ever pre-fall collection was a more wearable and refined answer to spring's loud, colorful cocktail dresses. Perhaps what a Ferragamo girl wears during the day, or on a journey by train, which was the collection's inspiration--not that it's casual. The bold mixed prints will grab plenty of attention, and the beautiful, luxurious bags made with precious skins are not to be tossed around. Overall, we loved the surprisingly short skirts, plaid coats, boxy purses and vintage-inspired shoes. There was also this chic school-girl look for grown ups, matured with fishnets, heels and sophisticated accessories. There was a lot of vintage inspiration--much of which, we were told, came from the Ferragamo archives. We also loved the above look--a '20s-esque purple dress with lots of pleats and an intricate neckline. We were told this particular look was a taste of what's to come for fall. Click through for the full look book.

Stylist-turned-reality star-turned-designer Rachel Zoe has certainly taken a turn for the chic with her Pre-Fall collection, incorporating more tailored shapes into her generally bohemian style. Her designs this season are all about structure and lush materials, with a not-so subtle nod to the '60s and '70s. Military detailing plays a strong role in separates and outerwear, with brightly colored slim coats getting the double-breasted Sgt. Pepper treatment. The '70s are still very much here, in the form of slim (and insanely flattering) to-the-floor flares, pussy bow blouses and dresses, and super glam shaggy fur vests. Slim-fit jackets toughen up ultra-feminine maxi dresses; thigh-high slits and tattered hemlines add a rocker vibe to otherwise sophisticated pieces.

What New York girl doesn't dream of one day owning a wardrobe that's as cool and self-possessed as Diane Keaton's in Manhattan? Well thanks to BOY by Band of Outsiders' Pre-Fall collection, that dream can be your reality (provided you have a fat wallet too, of course). Designer Scott Sternberg said he had Keaton in mind when designing the collection, which is chockfull of tomboy separates, and librarian-chic skirt suits and dresses. "I was re-watching Manhattan for like the 15th time," he said. "And that way of dressing that you see in Diane Keaton's character - corduroy suits, button ups, a certain type of plaid, a high neck, etc. - just seemed really fresh, or close to it...certainly in need of an update but the nice start of an idea about dressing for the fall."

Macadam, for those of you who don't know, is the french word for asphalt or tarmac. It's also the inspiration behind DVF's Pre-Fall 2012 collection. Doesn't everything just sound better in French? The collection was rooted in the urban spirit--there were wearable skirt suits in eye-popping geometric prints, structured shift dresses and easy separates that we could see on any city-dweller. But the second half of the collection seemed to really explore the gritty substance von Furstenberg named the collection after.

The inspiration behind Vera Wang's pre-fall collection was apparently Jane Birkin and YSL in Paris circa the 1960s--references we didn't necessarily get from the modern and layered collection. But we were happy to overlook the confusing references because the clothes were all so pretty and wearable. There were floaty chiffon blouses and dresses in soft shades of grey, bright orange (apparently the color of 2012), and psychedelic prints, many of which were cut higher in the front, with a flowy train in the back (yes, the mullet dress isn't going anywhere).