YSL is on our list for two reasons. First, that we can't deny our love for the traditional YSL aesthetic. It is, above everything else, classic. Fall 08 gave us just what we asked for which was suiting, suiting, suiting, office-appropriate frocks, and the occasional overtly sexual garment. Secondly, because somewhere along the line the whole Fall 08 show became decidedly Brooklyn hipster. First off, Someone Great by LCD Soundsystem was the soundtrack to the show. The song, eponymous about six months earlier in Brooklyn, was almost as shocking to hear in Paris as was seeing the mop haircuts the models were sporting. Now matter how many people now attribute the haircut to YSL, we'd like to say, for the record, that it was already all over the place in Brooklyn and downtown. In fact, it was Mandy Coon, wife of LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, whom we first saw sporting the haircut and, in the song's video, so does the main character (one of your editors is also in this video though regrettably sans mop top). The energy of this collection, the way it hit home without remotely departing what we know and love about YSL, made this collection a really special one. Months later, when couturier Yves Saint Laurent passed away, it was solidifed in our minds that this would be a show and collection we would never forget.

We declare the skirt suit the single greatest purchase for Fall 08. Yeah, we know. You're thinking of Dynasty right now and shaking your head. No, we're talking about a skirt suit that, more often than not, you wear broken down into separates. Well, you wear it three ways. You wear the pencil skirt to work, all high waisted with a bow blouse or even a bodysuit, you wear the blazer on a more casual day, with slim jeans, shades, and a thin t-shirt, and you were the skirt suit, together, when you have a meeting or are attending a particularly ladylike affair. It's the fashion trilogy of Fall 08 and we are pretty darn stoked about it. In our dreams, well in some of our dreams, our wardrobe is all Jil Sander-y and mix and matchable. Silk scarves are folded into boxes and jeans are pressed to perfection. Sure this is our type-A side, but we're sure everyone has a little bit of this in them. To that end, the highly wearable skirt suit is our perfect mascot. Check out our trend gallery of some Fall 08 skirt suit appearances. Imagine the styling options should you go for a matching suit and we're pretty sure we'll all be on the same page.

Givenchy decided to up the anti with their version of the pink suit for Spring 09. Both Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein tried their hands at the suiting game and, we think, lost. Sure the Calvin Klein version is a nearly-blinding orange-pink (Is that what color it is? We've been staring at it too long and we're starting to see white spots.) and the Louis Vuitton version, a mellowed but decisive attempt, but Givenchy, well, it doesn't get much more pink than that. There's something irresistible about this look. Perhaps it's the creamy skin and blank stare of the model who wore the suit, perhaps it's just that the color is just so damn vibrant that we're stunned into submission. Either way, you could say we're being beat over the head with two major Spring 09 trends. Namely, monochome outfits, and, well, pink. This decisiveness in menswear has us really excited...to see the womenswear shows. Below, men in pink. Get ready for it.

Jean Paul Gaultier's Fall 2008 collection drove the fur trend full speed ahead. The furs and skins of every animal you could find at any American cities' hapless zoo, appeared in the Fall 2008 collection. They trimmed bags, draped necks, and adorned heads on almost every look that went down the runway. What impressed us the most was, with all that fur and texture, the garments slinked down the runway as if they were as light as chiffon and as easy to wear as silk jersey. Also a highlight were the super tailored, broad shouldered suiting in rich shades of brown. Between the fur and tailoring, we suspect these garments are the sort to be bought and kept for a lifetime, despite their being, admittedly, not for everyone. After all, it wouldn't be Gaultier if you saw it on the subway every morning.

We also have impressive designer video interviews and original editorial spreads. May we cordially suggest perusing our selection? Enjoy New York Fashion Week Designer Video Interviews from Oscar De La Renta, Donna Karan for DKNY,Michael Kors, Isaac Mizrahi, Nicole Miller, Erin Fetherston, Ashleigh Verrier , Adam Lippes, James Coviello, John Varvatos , Monique Lhuillier, Joanna Mastroianni, Tory Burch, Neeam Khan

The Dolce&Gabbana Fall 08 runway revealed neatly tailored three-piece suits complete with silk scarf neckties and newsboy caps. The pants were tailored short and skinny, leaving those who fear the super wide leg trousers a flattering alternative. Just imagine those trousers with loafers and socks. It's the ultimate Annie Hall look only with that special brand of impudence only Dolce&Gabbana can quite conjure. It seems Fall 08 is getting its revenge on the babydoll dresses of yesteryear with either, dazzling ladylike luxury, or slim boyish tailoring. As for the latter we say, boys, have at it.

Coutorture Editorials