The promise of the new has its cost. Spring may be a time of fresh starts but birthing something new is no easy matter. The very newness of the season has its price. This spring it is pain and rawness that gives us the inspiration for the light and mesmerizing clothing of the season. Light textiles, cool colors, and metallic sheens that span spring and fall from Harlan Bel, Alice Ritter and Trovata sit beautifully on a layer of struggle that has us savoring the joy even as we contemplate the cost of the new. Elite Fresh Faces, Margaret Pridgen, Kyla Jamieson, and Marie Lunde Fossdal's ability to hold the space between joy and sadness brings the editorial alive. Their pale beauty reminds us of John Keat's La Belle Dame sans Merci evoking a hint of the flip side of birth. But even in death there is still the new waiting to arise. And lest we have a silent spring in which "no birds sing" we should take the time to remember, fresh from the womb, the pain of entering the world is the price we pay for spring. And that makes the light even stronger.

To celebrate the kick off of New York Fashion Week we've produced five teaser videos for the Spring 09 season. Last week, amid the inevitable chaos of designers and their pr offices, we snuck in and said hello to some of our favorite New York designers. That is Jerry Tam of Form, Ashleigh Verrier, Steinunn Sigurd of Steinunn, Chris Han, and Brandy Lunsford of Harlan Bel. In the teasers you'll discover a glimpse of the inspiration behind their collections and what each designer does to prepare for Fashion Week. When the time comes, we'll be posting their respective Spring 09 fashion shows (or presentations) and a little backstage action to boot.

Harlan Bel's Brand Lunsford may hail from the South but her clothing knows no such cultural bounds. From pleasing pleats to trim bodice hugging tops, her work ranges from the flirty to the alarmingly seductive. And while we see the sweetness that could be attributed to a Southern "Bel" mentality we think Lunsford's work transcends neat categorization. While her motto for spring is "brighter, fresher, cleaner" there is a certain comforting structure and definition even in the lightness. Her spring collection is a quiet collected success. Slim high waisted pants, short skirts, a hint of sportswear and royal blue among traditional spring whites and grays make it a well edited and versatile collection. Her first Fall 2008 collection (featured today in La Belle Dame sans Merci) flows beautifully into spring, making a seamless transition. In a sea of young contemporary independent designers Harlan Bel has a perspective all its own.