DESIGNER: Christian Siriano

INSPIRATION: Rich coastal sunsets as seen from a yacht in the Mediterranean (how posh!)

TOP LOOKS: A shiny, intricately folded silk top paired with a tiered chiffon pencil skirt in muted blush and nude hues; a graphic print silk dress in vibrant turquoise paired and a jacket with a matching lining

ACCESSORIES: Floppy and distressed sun hats by milliner Heather Huey; a new collection of sky-high platform heels by Christian Siriano for Payless, some with sequin-studded faux snakeskin straps, others with bizarre printed fabric baggies that gather above the ankle

WHO WAS THERE: Tim Gunn (watching Siriano "Make it work"), Nina Garcia ("PR" all over again?), Tori Spelling, Kelly Rowland, Mena Suvari, Estelle, Leigh Lezark, Alessandra Ambrosio, Kristen Johnson, Veronica Webb

WHAT WE THOUGHT: This was by far Siriano's best collection to date. It seems the "Project Runway" alum has moved beyond overdone silhouettes and tacky show pieces to more understated, beautiful and wearable ensembles.

This time 'round the 23-year-old showed off his aptitude for painstaking detailing with a lighter hand, creating ombre dresses and skirts that graduate from nude and khaki to rose and blush in tiered mesh layers.

He also scored big by punching up the color with a sophisticated print created from an aerial photograph of the Italian coastline featuring spots of black and white volcanic rock and deep turquoise and sapphire shades.

And while Siriano definitely stumbled here and there with blouses and ballgowns with one too many lifts and ruffles, his effort for Spring 2010 was surprisingly overall fierce.