This A/W 08 season, Adam Lippes of Adam drew inspiration from the geography of the Berkshires. Lippes, one very charismatic and handsome gentlemen, conjured quite a crowd for his A/W 08 show. Among a very becoming set of thirty to forty year-olds were Margherita Missoni and Anna Wintour. The collection was chic and conservative; wool trousers, silk dresses that came to knee, high waisted belted skirts. The attendees erupted with applause when the show commenced as if it was the collection to end all collections. We suspect though, however handsome the collection was, the enthusiasm was partly due to the atmosphere of the show and the personality of its designer. With so many well-dressed attendees (this is not your Miss Sixty crowd) and Lippes running around, twinkling his bright blue eyes, combing his disheveled blonde hair with his fingers, and talking about his house in the Berkshires, we suspect it was the whole package that had every one aflame.

Yesterday, a beautiful Sunday afternoon indeed, Charles Nolan showed his A/W 08 collection. We'd been to his studio recently, for the FGI Rising Star Awards party he hosted, and, like last time, the large space filled up in a casual Thanksgiving-dinner sort of way. Children were running between legs, people were sipping coffee and eating bagels with lox and cream cheese. Sure, there was the usual chaos of preparing for a show, but the Nolan-way was present. It was our pleasure to interview Mr. Nolan before the show, where he told us a little bit about the collection and its mix of tradition and technology. Soak up that bright light (that's a sick river view you're witnessing) and the amiable manner of a gentleman who can manifest 'lifestyle' from backstage to brick and mortar.

Okay, we might have gone for some friendly gawking. We mostly attended, though, because we think Gilded Age is a sharp line (especially after talking to them at Capsule). So, we just stepped out and wanted to get you this first look at their A/W 08 collection. Looks like Gilded Age is channeling the golden age, where unlaced boots and polo clad men prove a simple formula for a handsomeness. The bowler caps and sharp layering were key, however, and gave the collection a little something beyond a tip of the hat to a 1990's Abercrombie and Fitch.

This week, we popped into the J Lindeberg showroom where Kim Johnson, U.S. sales executive, showed us the A/W 08 collection. Later in the week, we'll have a video of Johnson telling us about the inspiration and collaborators for A/W 08, and, Lindeberg's plans for relaunching the women's line. For now, just to wet your appetite, we've got our hands on the complete A/W 08 look book. J. Lindeberg didn't have a runway show this season, so consider this our special sendoff to fashion week!