DESIGNERS: Six womenswear designers who have recently graduated from the Academy of Art University's MFA program: Hyo Sun (Nicky) An, Sabah Mansoor Husain, Marina Solomatnikova, Bethany Meuleners, Naomi Sutton and Steven Oo -- you saw them here first!

INSPIRATIONS: Several designers looked to fine art and architecture for inspiration. Meuleners was sparked by Futurist photography; Solomatnikova referenced Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings; Oo's knits responded to buildings designed by Massimiliano Fuksas. Sutton's art reference was closer to home: her family's snapshots. An, meanwhile, was inspired by Möbius strips. Husain looked up to chandeliers to get her signature sparkling crystals.

WHO WAS THERE: The be-hatted Patrick McDonald, Real Housewife Alex McCord, "America's Next Top Model" runway coach and new author Miss J. Alexander, and fashion writer Lynn Yeager.

TOP LOOKS: Solomatnikova's bluish-gray suede suit might not be the most practical outfit, but its draped back panels and accompanying pleated-collar blouse were deeply romantic. An's long-sleeved gray jersey minidress offset strong shoulders with bowl-of-spaghetti narrow fabric loops. Husain's black felt coat covered with silvery lozenges and glinting crystals brought eveningwear and craftiness together.

ACCESSORIES: Dusty-looking, distressed workboots, broad-brimmed black hats (for Sutton), and even gray suede safari hats (Solomatnikova).

WHAT WE THOUGHT: The most successful looks from these fledgling designers were usually those that concentrated each key idea into one standout item of clothing. For instance, An's approach to toughness and loopiness worked best when consolidated into a single dress. Oo's complex, multiple-textured knits were most striking when they stuck to a simple, dramatic silhouette, like the accordion-ridged cropped sweater.

The patterns on Sutton's silkscreened wool coats were largely washed out in the flashbulbs' glare, but on close inspection they were delicately appealing. She printed the fabric with images of etchings she made from old family photographs, showing children at play -- retro-crafty-touch-of-creepy!