DESIGNER: Jen Kao

INSPIRATION: The idea of self-preservation, and the antique lithograph illustrations in Moby Dick.

TOP LOOKS: A bevy of black and creme cable-knit mini-dresses with cut-outs; an angular dress with black fox fur shoulders; a cocktail frock with body-conscious piping, covered in stacked gold metal sequins.

ACCESSORIES: Superwoman-like metal plate cuffs and futuristic metal earrings that slightly resemble Bluetooth ear pieces -- both by Eddie Borgo for Jen Kao.

WHAT WE THOUGHT: Inspired by the idea of cocooning oneself and by the moody shades of black, jade and oxblood, Kao's collection will surely please fashionable nouveau Goths everywhere (you know, the Carine Roitfeld types) -- as long as they have killer bods to boot. While a sweater dress in the winter makes sense, we're not so sure if loose knit mini-skirt versions with cut-outs will be out and about in Fall 2010. But we're sure, depending on their timezone, Kao fans -- such as Taylor Momsen who tapped Kao to co-design her Pretty Reckless stage wardrobe -- can figure it out, piling the skimpy frocks on top of Kao's architecturally piped jersey tops and leather and mesh patchwork leggings, and under one of her jackets with giant 80s fox fur shoulders.

See all our Fashion Week Fall 2010 runway reviews here.