Spring 2012

Attention, fashion lovers! It's time to get familiar with our Spring 2012 trend report, which we'll be updating with even more of all the best trends from the best shows in London, Milan, and Paris. From the sporty theme that dominated in New York, to the craze for lush prints, we've got the best trends covered right here.

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While most designers went tribal for Spring '12, Donatella Versace ventured under the sea. It was a leg-bearing collection as models sauntered down the runway — complete with big blowouts and dangerously high lucite heels — in an array of starfish, seashell, and seahorse printed short sets and minidresses. Sexy indeed, and when skin wasn't showing down below, Versace paired fitted pencil skirts with belly-baring bandeau and corset tops. Pastel hues dominated the collection, but black did make an appearance in the way of cocktail-ready dresses. The rest of the eveningwear portion provided red carpet attire options with studded one-shoulder dresses and high-slit maxi-length gowns. The bottom line? Get ready to hit the gym for Spring. More details from the collection below.

• Trends: Bandeau tops, short suit sets, pencil skirts, sea-life prints, high slits, minidresses.
• Colors: White, black, pastel yellow, blue, purple, and green.
• Key Look: We loved all of the sexy short sets.
• Accessories: Lucite heels, studded clutches, stacked bracelets.
• Who Would Wear It: Girls who loves standout partywear like Rihanna and Beyonce.

>> Yesterday's street fashion lineup seemed to have an unspoken black dress code: Sarah Rutson turned up in black lace and a ribboned Alexander Wang skirt, Giovanna Battaglia paired her black dotted day dress with sunny yellow accessories, and Taylor Tomasi Hill in a belted black leather top and asymmetrically-hemmed skirt. See those ladies — plus more eye-catching looks — in the slideshow.

Tis the season for wild print, which poses an exciting opportunity for Etro to flex its print-happy muscle for Spring 2012. The collection delivered just that, but it also gave us fringe-detailed dresses and jackets and '20s-inspired dresses. Our full collection to come, but for now, check out the pics!

Max Mara delivered an expectedly minimalist Spring 2012 collection, but this season there was an extra lean, sporty element. Think racerback tanks and capri leggings, delivered in colorblocked palettes of aqua, tan, and cream, which might be unwearable for most of us, but thankfully there were loosely structured anoraks, sporty gold lurex jackets, and balloon tunics with which to layer. It was a stripped-down collection that seemed focused on silhouettes, specifically a trim silhouette, and the only fashion fat came from the use of gold lurex and leather to add depth.

• Trends: Sporty, minimalism, racerbacks, anoraks, jumpsuits.
• Colors: Tan, aqua, cream, gold.
• Key Piece: The flowy anoraks and short gold lurex jacket; the strapless jumpsuit.
• Accessories: Espadrilles.
• Who Would Wear It: Girls with super toned arms — we could see Katie Holmes in the jumpsuit.

Miuccia Prada revved it up in more ways than one for Prada's Spring collection in a runway show, named "Women and Car Engines," adorned with giant toy cars referenced to show the Italian man's (stereotypical) love for women and cars. Only Prada can show this meaning in a sweet '50s-themed story showing diaphanous high-waist pleated skirts paired with bandeau tops, lace-print car coats, and varsity jackets. Furthering her car theme were adorable retro car prints — think Chevrolets and Cadillacs — and flame-whipped patterns splayed across skirts and blouses. We especially loved Miuccia's leather pencil skirt adorned with an old-school automobile. Meanwhile, rhinestone-embellished one-piece swimsuits added a sultry touch to her sweet and sexy theme. "Cheerful and witty" was how Miuccia described her collection, and we couldn't agree more. More details from the amazing collection below.

• Trends: High-waisted pleated skirts, bandeau tops, leather pencil skirts, car coats, varsity jackets.
• Colors: Red, sky blue, pink, aqua, black, yellow, hunter green.
• Key Look: We loved all of the lace-print coats and leather pencil skirts.
• Accessories: Bags with car prints, flame-embellished sandals, oversized rhinestone earrings, '50s sunglasses.
• Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave statement chic pieces like Alexa Chung and Kirsten Dunst.

>> Gold and silver foiled eyes — and Daphne Groeneveld getting her hair teased sky-high (left) — at Fendi; Jessica Stam and Ymre Stiekema sightings at Prada; plus, Bette Franke making funny faces at D&G. All these shots — including sightings at Alberta Ferretti — in the slideshow.

Photos: Greg Kessler