The fashion world and all those enthralled with fashion (like me) have been agog these past few days with the Spring 2009 New York Fashion Week. It’s actually quite overwhelming. I’m having problems digesting it all and focusing. So many designers have already showed and there are many more to come - New York alone has 264 shows over just 9 days!

So in an effort to make it easier for you to figure out what shows are worth your while checking out, I present you with my highlights of S/S 09 New York Fashion Week thus far:

The Big Stars:

Marc Jacobs came out on top this season. In seasons past, I’ve often wondered what on earth he was thinking sending some of his creations down the runway. Yes, he is extremely creative, but the clothes just didn’t do it for me - too fashion forward and just meant for the runway, not real life. His ideas for next spring really caught my eye though. Marc presented a collection sparked from 1940’s America - plaids, layers, gingham. Middle America farm girl meets Parisian socialite meets Lauren Bacall meets turn of the century New York meets Anne of Green Gables meets Japanese Geisha. Yes, I know, that’s a lot of introductions - are you confused yet? You’ll just have to take a look for yourself to understand what I’m getting at.

Ah… Proenza Schouler. I believe this season they hired on Kim Basinger circa 1980’s for inspiration. Exposed, industrial zippers are still around, leather is running rampant and fashionistas everywhere will be wearing gloves in the Spring. You may be able to pick up some left over zippered dresses on the sale racks, it was only today that I spied a dress with a large zipper a la Proenza Spring 09 in the Reduced rack at Holts… better hurry.

DKNY is a favourite of mine, mainly because it’s all just so wearable. This season I found that there wasn’t a focus that tied all of the looks together seamlessly. It were as though, Donna Karan combined all of the past 20 years into one show. Despite this, I would still wear 90% of what she sent down the runway, minus the sneakers. The brilliant blues and the peaches were gorgeous. I wish I could post each and every image but I’ll spare you.

Diane von Furstenberg will be heading to an Ibiza villa next spring and summer, based on what she showed this past week. Beautiful flowy dresses and flirty prints. Flower power is back.

The Supporting Roles:

When I looked at the collection by Jonathan Saunders, I thought of lollipops and Jelly Babies. Colour was everywhere. I wasn’t too keen with the whole collection but one piece in particular really caught my eye and I had to share (see below).

I was drawn to Peter Som’s whole presentation this season - blushing pinks and those sparkling blues again. Belts were featured throughout, sometimes multiple belts at once. Lovely - all of it.

I had never really paid much attention to Malandrino before, but the collection Catherine Malandrino showed for Spring 09 was unbelievable. It was so classic, yet modern. A collection oozing sex appeal.

Elie Tahari has the ability to produce clothes that instantly turn the wearer into the centre of attention. This season was no exception. I wish I lived in some tropical locale or perhaps had a luxurious yacht in the Mediterranean so that I could wear clothes like this. I can’t really see myself cruising down 4th Avenue in one of these numbers…

One word comes to mind when I look at the collection at the Herve Leger by Max Azria show… sex. Lots of hot, sweaty, steamy sex. Note to readers - must have legs, the kind that are smokin, in order to carry off these dresses.

And now for the celebrity “designers”:

William Rast, aka Justin Timberlake, was hard edged and masculine, yet really quite sexy. The girls who wear these clothes definitely pump their own gas and hop on the backs of motorcycles driven by Justin Bobby types. I like it, the clothes and Justin Bobby. This collection was a nice change to the flirty dresses and femininity of other shows.

Along with Victoria Beckham’s new haircut, her new line of dresses was a pleasant surprise. A rather small collection, but there was no messing around. She got straight to the point - each piece screamed Victoria, but a demure Victoria. Simple and elegant were the names of the game. But not sure if the $1,500 price tags are justifiable.

Stayed tuned for more from the runways in New York… I may have to quit my day job if I want to get through each and every show… Perhaps my boss would understand if I took a few “personal” days…

Read Part Two of the New York Fashion Week review here.