What is fashion for, selling clothes? When the high-end prices of today’s fashion designers, certainly not. What is fashion really about, other than acting as a medium of high skill and art, is to sell a whole lifestyle, frills and all, one season at a time. Once again, the fashion gods have dedicated to us mere mortals what will be “in” for the upcoming Spring 2011 season. This past week, Sept. 9 – 16, designers, models and celebrities alike strutted among the tents of Lincoln Center, the new home of Mercedes Fashion Week after over 17 seasons at Bryant Park. Though a different environment from Bryant Park, this year’s Fashion Week proved that Lincoln Center, home of such distinguished art institutions as Julliard and the Metropolitan Opera, can hold its own.

Better known designers Vera Wang, Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera and Marc Jacobs upped the ante with their striking collections. Designer Vera Wang, a staple of high fashion for now 20 years, unleashed her collection of airy, almost gauze like draped oriental inspired dresses and separates in blues, golds, pinks with the occasional pop of bold black, bright oranges and prints. Occasionally layered and pencil skirts also were scattered throughout her show. Yet each piece appeared unique in its own way, yet all were created with a sense of structure, whether in soft drapes or origami style construction.

There seemed to be an overall theme of softer versions of bold colors. A faded rose here, a smoky black there, along with shades such as nude, blush and white scattered in between. Classic skin tones colors also proved to still be in style however.

Donna Karan’s collection was especially minimalistic with clean, soft lines aimed to flatter the figure with a variety of styles of pantsuits, gowns and separates. The monochromatic white, tan and gold color palette also helped to convey a message of effortless chic style.

There always needs to be one designer who can deliver a show stopping collection full of vitality and character.

Leave that job to “Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano, who especially impressed in the dramatics department.  With reds, turquoises and washed patterns dominating the runway, his voluminous fuscia tulle gown that seemed to take up the whole width of the runway.

But, some of the biggest trends of the week included a retro 70s chic from designers such as Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg and Badgley Mischka. With bright bold colors and pattern combinations such as horizontal stripes, volumous hair and airy fabrics that exude a laid back, nostalgic feel.

Vastly different from the rest of the pack, the Rodarte collection stood out for its surreally beautiful collection consisting of gladiator chic cocktail pieces with heavy draping and architectural details in a color palette of subtle gold, brown, tan, blue and gray color with textured patterns.

The show continues until today, however it’s clear that whatever the fashion gods show  us it will be worth our while.