Donna Karan Collection
With nary a sign of aging and shoulders as bold and strong as ever, Donna Karan celebrated 25 years of radical female progression and power with a breathtaking runway show that was as much effortless as it was elegant. "Forever Black" was Karan's theme for the show, which built upon her principal of the "Seven Easy Pieces" but was oh-so-much more. "We started with a city, a bodysuit, a pair of tights and the power of a woman," the show notes described.

The chic lineup of 48 looks ran the gamut from cocoon-shaped organza jackets to portrait collar coats and white cotton blouses, letting the thread of romance interweave itself throughout the collection. Everything just felt so right for right now. There was nary a hard line in sight; instead, this collection, which featured gentle reminders of Karan's earlier days with the bodysuits and leggings, was about celebrating softer times: rounded shapes and sculptural--but, most importantly, forgiving. Karan, in the quarter century she has been designing, has evolved tremendously, and the clothes reflected that maturing. One thing that hasn't changed? Her universal appeal. To wit, multigenerational fans (and friends) Susan Sarandon, Demi Moore and Brooke Shields sat wide-eyed and as giddy as schoolgirls over the stellar showing. These are the clothes that define what it means to be a woman.

Just as with her DKNY collection, Karan continued to deliver top-form coats. In a season dominated by outerwear, Karan took it to another level, sending out a zip-up hourglass tweed version and a breathtaking laser cut shearling version that resembles lace. Yes--lace. Not only was the show a study in proportion control, it was a contrast between matte and shine and warmth and sleek. As for evening? Three words: Oscar-worthy seduction. A petrol viscose hammered satin bustier and evening skirt combo was drop-down-to-your-knees beautiful while a black silk/wool Mikado evening dress on Natasha Poly would be remiss if it did not have its shining moment on a red carpet or three (fashion police, be damned). Bravo, Donna.