Tuesday's Designer of the Day: Diane Von Furstenberg

It started with a wrap dress in the 70's and decades later Belgian-born designer Diane von Furstenberg is a bonafide fashion legend with an empire that has grown to include apparel, cosmetics, jewelry, luggage, home shopping and boutiques around the world.

In this woeful economic season, many designers are erring on the safe side. Diane von Furstenberg, however, is not your average designer and went all out for her Fall/Winter 2009 collection titled 'Nomad' noting in the program: "Wherever she goes, she belongs ... her clothes are her friends."

This collection, which was presented on February 15th to a packed house that included Molly Sims, Diana Ross, Katherine McPhee, Julia Stiles, 'City' girls Olivia Palermo and Whitney Port and many more, was all about being bold, beautiful, and practical with loads of layers, flattering shapes, gorgeous prints, and the merging of unexpected pieces.

Being polished and perfectly put-together were things of the past on this runway where messy, thrown-together layers became the new way to go chic.

Comforting pieces for the colder months abounded with cozy sweater capes, fitted cashmere pants, chunky knits, and cocoon coats layered over stylish sheath dresses, sexy leather pants, and flirty mini-skirts proving style and comfort can co-exist.

The fabrics, embroideries, and prints were spectacular- Mongolian patterns on a cloak, Highland plaid over gold tweed, leopard print on a slinky velvet dress, Oragami braided into a mini skirt, onto the handles of a slouchy bag, and into the folds of a tweed jacket, and the most impossible-to-ignore of all: quirky pompom-covered knit hats.

As daytime styles gave way to glamorous evening-wear, the color palette shifted with rich purples, bright pinks, glowing shades of orange and crimson, and beautiful blues.

Evening styles included sequined shifts and minis, taffeta wraps, lace skirts, and two fabulous gowns which were the final numbers: a leopard printed velvet number and a stunning metallic liquid jersey gown.

Overall, this collection was chock-full of amazing pieces that can be worn alone for simplicity or together for a stand-out-from-the-crowd style, either way, fabulous-ness is always a guarantee when it comes to DVF.

Sabrina Newman is a fashion writer and the creator of ANewMode.com, a blog dedicated to style, beauty and relationship advice. Stop by A New Mode for the latest and greatest fashion and lifestyle tips!