Two looks from Vera Wang's Fall 2010 collection. Photo: Courtesy of Vera Wang

Designer: Vera Wang Pre-Fall 2010

Inspiration: Tailoring and structure for day; Sportswear paired with embellishment; A Kandinsky color palette

Top looks: Jersey back sequined dresses in Kandinsky's painterly pastel palette; Charcoal wool-felted anorak with Mongolian lamb trimmed pockets; Nipped-waist heavy wool-felt blazers with trompe l'oeil shadow lapels in contrasting fabrics; Crinkle silk dresses in forest green with peach faille bow on shoulder; Jaunty outerwear jacket in charcoal wool-felt, trimmed with leather, lamb, and black tinsel

Accessories: Black super-high platform sandal booties, Vera's signature bib necklaces in Mongolian lamb, black tinsel, and rhinestone (all materials used throughout the collection). Bow pins and necklaces and scarves of cut black tulle

What we thought: Vera Wang excels at the evening look-granted it's a slouchy, artsy, deconstructed kind of way of dressing up. She delivered this casualness again for Pre-Fall (ruched jersey leggings, sequin dresses backed with T-shirt jersey, inky silk cocktail dresses draped loosely over shoulders and hips), but the bulk of the collection was focused on outer and day-wear, which is a new direction for the designer.

Fortunately, she brought her cool artist's eye and love of embellishment to sporty anoraks, cropped coats, and wool day dresses-all trimmed with sensual and luxurious fabrics like Mongolian lamb, leather, and a curious but effective shiny black tinsel.