SPRING 2011: OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Oscar de la Renta is one of the top three designers in the world today (House of Dior and Chanel are the other two in no particular order).  His name conjours up one word for me: Gala.  I've been a great fan all these years watching him create a look and brand all his own via yards and layers of silks and ruffles.  This season every piece in this extensive collection is as magnificent as the next.  He's gone back to some of the styling that put him on the map in the 1970s: peasant skirts with gathers and plenty of ruffles, head scarves, minis in scrumptous fabrics.  His special talent is grand entrance dressing, keeping the overall look balanced and in perfect harmony.

images courtesy Getty images