Fashion Director Cindy Weber Cleary's Favorite Fashion Week Looks

InStyle

’s fashion director Cindy Weber Cleary is selecting her favorite looks for fall 2012 straight from the runway. Click to see her top choices for next season, as she describes what makes each look special-and worthy of room in your closet-from gorgeous evening looks to luxe daytime options.

Raf Simons presented his final collection for Jil Sander during Milan Fashion Week, and ended his seven-year tenure with a purely feminine tour de force. This look, a simple bracelet-sleeve coat in brilliant red over a low-cut dress, needed no embellishment and little accessorizing. It will look as chic twenty years from now as it did today. It’s no wonder his last runway show for the label elicited a standing ovation, as well as a few tears.

Balenciaga creative director Nicolas Ghesquière presented a masterful collection that included this beauty, a seemingly effortless chocolate beaded top and white A-line skirt. Simply, wow.

In what is turning out to be a season full of Asian inspirations, Dries Van Noten's collection was a standout. This chic tunic includes digital photos of historic Chinese textiles worn over a perfect white pant.

For his 10-year anniversary collection, Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz celebrated a modern-day woman warrior with this metallic melange-a gilded and chainmail sheath worn with an enormous amulet necklace. This is for a sexy gal who can handle herself!

A gorgeous mix of tailoring and femininity, the Givenchy collection was beyond sophisticated. I loved how this riding coat was combined with the timeless elegance of a perfectly-cut smoking jacket. This is an investment piece you could wear forever.

Miuccia Prada’s sensational show featured a long, lean silhouette with a high waist, richly embellished with large stones. The back of this stunning coat featured lavish ornamentation you just have to see with your own eyes.

Gucci creative director Frida Giannini delivered the best show of her career. The dark romantic collection was sensual but not as overtly sexy and tough as her previous work. For the first time, the evening looks were as strong than the day looks, if not stronger. And these three semi-sheer jewel-embroidered gowns were simply ravishing.

I loved the “tangerine dream” coat Calvin Klein designer Francisco Costa created. Between the color, the silhouette, and the sleek metallic belt, this look is one great way to make an entrance.

The blue brocade top and short leather skirt by Proenza Schouler was one of my favorite looks of the week. The combination is cool, new, interesting, and wearable—for those with good legs!

Carolina Herrera's pale blue gown was simply a stunner-especially the fine details, like the sketched-vine print and red jeweled embroidery. It was utterly unique.

Derek Lam's chic white peacoat over a dark V-neck sweater and black knee-length skirt evoked an early ‘60s vibe-very To Sir, with Love, but with a luxurious textural twist. The contrast of soft and slick-the jacket is made of reverse-shearling and the skirt is patent-is a thoroughly modern surprise.

Prabal's black coat was classic in shape, but the luminous fabric made it totally new.