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Monique Lhuillier promised the Garden of Eden for the Spring collection, complete with all that naughty and nice that implies. We didn't see a lot of devilish ways, save for one serpent print and a host of red pieces. However, the more angelic pieces on offer are sure to charm Lhuillier's devoted fans - the set with invitations to plenty of black-tie affairs.

Our favorite creation was a gold, to-the-knee cocktail dress to the max, dripping with crystals and topped off with a matching feather capelet. It was shorter than some of Lhuillier's other dress options (which dipped below the knee in an increasingly popular Spring style), but too decadent to be a mere cocktail dress. Extravagant? Yes, and thankfully so. Free from sin? Perhaps that depends on the occasion for wearing the dress.

Text by Jill Hilbrenner

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London Fashion Week transplant Jenny Packham had a clear story for her Spring '11 show this week. "I loved the idea of a girl getting dressed for her first ball, and the thought of debutantes in the 40s," she told the Telegraph. If that brings to mind vintage styles, chiffon and an ethereal ease, then Packham's show was right on point.

The designer, whose fans include Jessica Biel and Cameron Diaz, relied on a dusky palette of peach and blue to carry her collection. She explored cleavage and low-back styles (no one said a ball had to go without scandal), but the textiles stood out more than the silhouettes. A De Gournay hand-painted silk organza gown could take us - and any girl - anywhere.

Text by Jill Hilbrenner

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You can guarantee we'll be grabbing a spring coat or two from the latest Tibi collection. Designer Amy Smilovic is perfectly in-tune with what women are seeking from the runways right now...and that would be wearable styles. Those came in droves, from a camel-suede coat that opened the show, to a gorgeous, strong-shouldered brocade-print dress.

What's even better? Smilovic gave comfort to her models' feet by sending them down the catwalk in flats. Specifically, she's set her sights on brogues for spring. All the arguments for statement heels get brushed away when you picture the cool, downtown air of a perfect dress with perfect flats. And maybe the perfect coat to top it off.

Text by Jill Hilbrenner

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Chris Benz makes us want to be an ex-pat model living in France. In the '60s. Everyone's favorite designer for fun-loving but quirky girls about town (this year, that would include Jenna Lyons from J. Crew, Jessica Szohr and, in a surprise visit, Carmen Electra) has once again created a colorful, optimistic collection that left us wanting every piece.

Overall, the chunky cardigans, wide-leg trousers and A-line skirts sent us into the past, in a good way. And it was a treat to see Benz experiment with print more this season, especially with a pair of skinny aqua floral trousers, paired with a sheer brown graphic-print top. (Mixing prints is one look we've seen models consistently rock backstage, and we can't wait to see it on the streets on mere mortals.) Moving to footwear, Benz struck a genius partnership with Alejandro Ingelmo, who created on-point platform mules for the presentation. Those clothes. Those shoes. We can't wait for spring.

Text by Jill Hilbrenner

It definitely wasn't a toned-down affair at the Spring '11 Herve Leger runway show this week. Whereas Max and Lubov Azria veered toward minimalism for their first two collections at New York Fashion Week - for their BCBG and Max Azria lines - the drama was allowed to breathe for the final runway set. Sticking to their routine of bandage dresses at Leger, the duo sent monochromatic looks onto the catwalk, but they were dipped in lace, full of corset details and hardly appropriate for shrinking violets. If Marie Antoinette wanted to party in the Boom Boom Room (or whatever it's called these days), she'd likely pick up a little something from Leger.

Azria has drawn criticism, most notably from Jenna Sauers of Jezebel.com, for including only one black model in the runway show. To that, Azria responded that the casting choice was based simply on the selection of models available this season. He explained: “Sometimes there are a lot on the market, sometimes there are less...And we never know why they are tall, why they are short…” It seems this answer isn't flying with some diversity advocates. What do you think?

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Karl Lagerfeld only eats from Nobu [Telegraph]

We wonder if Elijah Wood was lonely going to Rodarte solo [The Cut]

Fashion models' union takes new steps toward change [Vogue UK]

Alexa Chung swears up a storm at Phillip Lim [The Cut]

Street style: some of New York Fashion Week's best shoes [Refinery29]