There's a definite consensus around the FashionIndie office regarding this season at the tents: lackluster. Gone was the excitement and the thrill of the new and in its stead stood a circus comprised of the old guard impatiently appraising the crop of would-be streetstyle stars and the army of bloggers hanging about as they waded through the muck of the nameless and the irrelevant to find a collection onto which to pin their ever-dwindling hopes . Still, there were a few shows that set the five barely-beating hearts of FashionIndie racing and had our backs aching to be clothed in their bright and bold designs.

Sam's Faves

 

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- Ralph Lauren: "For the ostrich feather boas."

- Diane von Furstenberg: For handing out little American flags in honor of 9/11 and for making an outfit that anyone could wear.

- Prabal Gurung: "For using one print 100 ways, and also for clever cutouts."

- 3.1 Phillip Lim: "For his tasty sherbert color palette."

- The Row: "For dressing the old ladies that the Olsen twins were born to be."

Lester's Faves

 

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- Thom Browne: "Anyone for a surreal game of tennis? Impeccable tailoring mixed with Browne's signature whims and a mermaid to top it all off."

- Oscar de la Renta: "I was immediately on board when I saw that gorgeous dandelion full skirt in bloom, opening the show and giving a big ole F.U. to Cathy Horyn."

- Theyskens' Theory: "Every bright, young thing should be so lucky to wear this."

- Parke and Ronen: "Obvious reasons."

- Imitation of Christ: "Twas a gorgeous ceremony and set the tone for a lot of twenties influences on the runway."

Jessica's Faves

 

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- Cynthia Rowley: "For seemingly carrying on McQueen through digitized amalgams of printed structure."

- Doo.Ri: "Where jersey and tuxedo shirting live in draped harmony."

- Costello Tagliapietra: "The most beautifully responsible illustrated florals come by AirDye."

- Duckie Brown: "Men bloomed from gloom to rich roses."

- Ohne Titel: "Tonal blocking meets body con in brilliant shades of muted neons."

Amanda's Faves

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- Rodarte: "Best use of prints and I can't get over the meticulous cut of each garment. Truly a work of art, this collection."

- Norma Kamali: "Is the coolest person ever and put her insane 60s-inspired collection in an 8-minute 3D film."

- Derek Lam: "Was inspired by 'Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack crooning by the piano and Angie Dickinson lounging by a crystal-blue pool. Mid-century louche and luxury' in Palm Springs -- enough said."

- Helen Yarmak: "For taking Euro trash to the next level of loud and doing the best colored fox furs of the season."

- Karen Walker: "Did the menswear thing, prints on prints. This would be the wardrobe if Annie Hall was re-filmed, on cocaine, modern day."

Mac's Faves

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General Idea: "Preppy cuts, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air colors with a French twist."

Buckler: "Buckler consistently serves it up for the downtown dandy. Obsessing over his eyewear and snoods."

Simon Spurr: "Simon Spurr always has some of the best suiting but this time they took more bold risks by incorporating more prints and utilizing different materials such as leather."

Michael Bastian: " The show proves that American men's sportswear is not dead yet. The first look was a play on the iconic James Dean image and from there evolved into a wide collection that could fit into many a gentleman's wardrobe."

Tommy Hilfiger: " The label takes note of streetwear hits of the past and uses camo in a sophisticated way throughout the brand. It also seems that the Hilfiger family is going on a European tour."