Inspired By Nature

The spring 2009 collection of designer Oscar de la Renta is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008.

Vivienne Tam

A model holds the first-ever digital clutch, created by Vivienne Tam and HP, as it debuts on the runway during the Vivienne Tam Spring/Summer 2009 fashion show in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2009. For her collection, the Hong Kong-raised designer was inspired by the peony, saying they "are beautiful and symbolize prosperity, good fortune and happiness."

Diesel

The spring 2009 Diesel Black Gold collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008.

The spring 2009 Diesel Black Gold collection, shown during Fashion Week in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, featured a number of outfits in sky blue.

Isaac Mizrahi

The 2009 spring fashion collection from Isaac Mizrahi is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. Mizrahi's inspiration came from the insect world. The collection, named "Swarm," had dresses in the spirit of dragonflies, beetles, and even cockroaches.

The "glitterpillar," a draped gown covered in orange pailettes is modeled in the foreground during Isaac Mizrahi's Spring 2009 fashion show in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. In the background a model wears a baggy "pupa."

The 2009 spring fashion collection from Isaac Mizrahi is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008.

BCBG Max Azria

The spring 2009 collection of designer BCBG Max Azria is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Friday, Sept. 5, 2008. Casual elegance, as shown in this one-shouldered, draped dress, is a trend for spring 2009.

Elie Tahari

A model walks the runway at the Elie Tahari spring 2009 collection presentation at the Four Seasons restaurant in New York, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. Long, sheer cocktail dresses in tropical floral prints doubled as cover-ups over bikinis.

A model walks the runway at the Elie Tahari spring 2009 collection presentation in New York, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.

Angel Sanchez

This is a detail on one of the dresses from the spring 2009 collection by designer Angel Sanchez on display at his new showroom in New York, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. A group of Sanchez's dresses were done in the washed pinks and browns - with pops of ocean blue - that one would see looking down at the beach. Critics say the best look was a sheath covered in the sheen of pailettes, left.

Verrier

The Verrier spring summer 2009 collection modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008.

Peter Som

The Peter Som spring 2009 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008.

The Peter Som spring 2009 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. The collection was a mix of tropical colors and neutral earth tones, resortwear and cocktail dresses.

Diane Von Furstenberg

The Diane Von Furstenberg spring 2009 collection is modeled during Fashion Week Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in New York. Von Furstenberg cited rock music as an inspiration, but her look was much more Stevie Nicks than Sid Vicious. Each model, for example, had flowing, loose hair decorated with flowers and feathers.

The Diane Von Furstenberg spring 2009 collection is modeled during Fashion Week Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in New York.

Miss Sixty

The Miss Sixty spring 2009 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. Designer Wichy Hassan's works hit on many of the major trends to emerge so far at New York Fashion Week: rompers, harem pants, one-shoulder tops, miniskirts and loose, easy outfits.

Tracy Reese

The Tracy Reese spring 2009 collection is modeled during Fashion Week Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in New York.

The Tracy Reese spring 2009 collection is modeled during Fashion Week Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in New York. Reese's garden fantasy collection blossomed with feminine florals.

The Tracy Reese spring 2009 collection is modeled during Fashion Week Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in New York. Here a model sports a chrysanthemum lantern skirt with a soft drape matched with a nectarine-colored knit T-shirt with ruffled cap sleeves.