Dresses

The Aria twists at the waist and lets the rest of the dress follow, cut in a crepe-back satin that drapes close and finishes on an asymmetric hem. A round neckline and cap sleeves keep the front quiet; the back drops to a V. Unlined, so the fabric is the whole structure. Marsh green suits its restraint.

A sleeveless satin dress cut clean at the front, then broken by a diagonal seam that wraps the hip and fastens on a single ball button. Below it the skirt opens into a soft A-line and the satin catches light along the fold. Old pink is dusty enough to keep the sheen from reading as evening.

Sleek and embellished, this black velvet mini dress plunges into a dramatic V-neckline. Long sleeves and shoulder pads sculpt the form above its leg-baring, sharply tailored cut.

Alaïa's rib is engineered rather than simply knitted. On this sleeveless dress it runs vertically through a crew-neck bodice, then turns at the hips and fans out horizontally into a flared skirt. The change of direction does the tailoring, drawing in the waist without a seam in sight, and the wool blend has enough weight to hold the flare.

Alaïa lets the rib do the tailoring on this sleeveless skater dress. Vertical ribs hold the crew-neck bodice close, then turn horizontal at the hips and flare into a full skirt, the seam lines curving like the panels of a corset. The weighty wool blend keeps its shape, and lime makes each change of direction easy to follow.

Elie Saab pairs envers satin with lace on this short evening dress. A single long sleeve balances a bare shoulder, the satin drapes across the body into a gathered fold at the hip, and a panel of black floral lace runs the length of one side. It is an asymmetric line, cut close, that asks for very little else.

Blumarine covers the front of this taffeta mini dress in maxi pleated roses, applied in overlapping fans that trail into long ribboned streamers below the hem. A halter neckline ties at the back, leaving the shoulders bare, and the skirt stays clean and close under all that volume. Lipstick red makes the whole thing louder.

Blumarine covers the front of this taffeta mini dress in maxi pleated roses, applied in overlapping fans that trail into long ribboned streamers below the hem. A halter neckline ties at the back, leaving the shoulders bare, and the skirt stays clean and close under all that volume. In black the roses read as shadow and pleat rather than colour.

Blumarine cuts this short dress from a close viscose rib that follows the body from a deep V-neckline to the hip. Long, fitted sleeves keep the line clean, so all the movement is left to the hem, where a scalloped ruffle in an open, lace-like knit breaks into soft points.

The sleek staple every closet needs. Crafted from a softly ribbed stretch knit, the Elthea is a classic midi dress that's fitted at the bodice before flaring into a pleated A-line skirt. A knit skinny belt gently cinches the waist for an even more polished feel. Style this heather grey midi dress with everything from ballet flats to boots.

The sleek staple every closet needs. Crafted from a softly ribbed stretch knit, the Elthea is a classic midi dress that's fitted at the bodice before flaring into a pleated A-line skirt. A knit skinny belt gently cinches the waist for an even more polished feel. Style this black midi dress with everything from ballet flats to boots.

Elie Saab's pre-fall eveningwear leans on colour, and this strapless dress is one of its brightest notes. Sequinned jersey in deep electric blue is ruched through a sweetheart bodice and gathered down the centre, releasing into a column that falls to the floor. The drape does the shaping, so the line stays long and close to the body.