Top row from left: Antonio Berardi; Christian Siriano, Vera Wang. Bottom row from left: The Row, Rebecca Taylor, Jeremy Laing

Just in case you're unfamiliar with Christian Siriano, the Maryland-native rose to fame in 2008 after winning for forth season of 'Project Runway' and things haven't quietened down for the designer ever since. Over the last three years Siriano has managed to do what many others haven't by bucking the reality-show-come-designer trend who quite frankly, don't go anywhere.

Yesterday Siriano didn't disappoint. Rather than sticking with his usual penchant for theatrics, this season he opted for a more subdued collection focusing a lot more on details and textures. Maxi skirts came in dramatic ruffle styles but were toned down tesamed with simple sheer tees. Despite showing a black-heavy collection, it didn't feel dated or 'done'. He cleverly teamed a black tulip maxi skirt that had a subtle shine with a simple cashmere turtlneck to make the hue look more interesting.

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Christina Hendricks is still defending her Christian Siriano dress [The Cut]

Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet is pregnant with her second [Page Six]

Gap's talk of a new logo draws disproportionate controversy [Racked]

This year's Neiman Marcus fantasy holiday gift costs $1.5 million [TLF]

The power brow is sticking around [Fashionista]

Despite the fact that the majority of designers are moving towards minimalist investment pieces since Pheobe Philo's 'Philo Effect' two seasons ago, it's refreshing to see 'Project Runway' winner Christian Siriano stick to his guns and go all-out. And it looks like buyers are happy to see his larger the life designs too. “Our customers are crazy about him and his clothes,” said Ken Downing, the fashion director of Neiman Marcus to The New York Times. “They love when he comes into the store, because evening wear is where he excels."

In his show notes the designer said that this season he was interested in "African, Indian and Chinese influences mixed with measures of elegant opulence". This translated on skin tight red animal print wide leg trousers and dresses in an earthy orange on what resembled traditional African prints. Just in case the reference wasn't clear enough, a classic trench coat and skirt were reworked, sporting a giraffe print which also appeared on a blue and brown top styled with brown leather shorts and on one of Siriano's signature dramatic eveningwear gowns. And accessories were just as exotic, with the shoes - named the Shanghai, the Mumbai, the Nairobi and the Zanzi - looking like African artwork.

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Laura Poretzky has bid a final farewell to her chic clothing collection Abaeté which ceased production in October of last year. Launched a mere six years ago in 2004, it was snapped up immediately by stores like Kirna Zabete. Known mainly for its partnership with Payless ShoeSource to create its first designer shoe collection and a series of collaborations boasting clients Lela Rose and Christian Siriano, it's sad to see the label officially close.

Despite becoming a go to brand for many, the recession hit harder hard. We hope Poretzky is not disheartened but channels her creativity into a new venture that will make her come back stronger than ever.

Diane Kruger and Zoe Saldana both in Calvin Klein

We've been speaking about it for the last month and it happened last night. Here are all of the red carpet looks for last night's Met Ball.

Drop a comment and tell us what you're favourite looks are.

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The possibility of hostess Oprah being dressed by Gap (well, Patrick Robinson) for this year's Met Ball has been quashed by WWD, who reports the television tycoon will be dressed by Oscar de la Renta for this year's event. In other 'who's dressing who' rumours, Christian Siriano - winner of the fourth series of Project Runway - has tweeted he has a dress for the Met Ball in the works.

It could be likely that Christina Hendricks will sport Siriano again, proving the critics who slated the creation she wore of his to the Golden Globes wrong? However, as it currently remains to be seen who the American designer will be dressing, and the yearly Met Ball rumours beginning to fly, watch this space...

Since winning 'Project Runway', Christian Siriano continues to prove his critics wrong. His latest accomplishment? This week Crain listed the designer in the top 40 under-40 rising stars in New York. Since it's formation, the annual revenue of his business have allegedly grown by more than 75% amounting to $1.2million.

As it's been widely reported, Cathy Horyn commented that Christina Hendricks' Golden Globes dress by Christian Siriano didn't work because "you don't put a big girl in a big dress." We smell more potential for allegedly "big" girls to wear big dresses now that Siriano's rolled out his fall range, which includes more of his signature in-your-face ruffles, plus a satin-bodice closer dress with a train that would put most wedding gowns to shame.

That said, the 'Project Runway' alum did restrain himself at times. He included sleek leather jackets, second-skin sheath dresses with shoulders hinting at Balmain, and easy satin pencil skirts that could work on everyone from office dwellers to the social set. What perhaps drew the most whispers at the show, however, were the oversized bows Siriano used to flank his models' shoulders and hips. Would those work for everyone? Maybe not. But it takes a big personality to find out.

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