The phrase "modern elegance" often calls to mind tired interior design tropes, but that's not the case with Thakoon Panichgul's Pre-Fall 2013 collection.

In this offering, the designer tried to reinterpret what elegance means right now and found that "for elegance to make sense in a modern, working context, it has to be speedier." That means casting aside opera gloves and costume jewels in favor of clothing women could run around in.

It explains the easy-to-wear A-line dresses, made out of everything from gray wool to pink leather. Some of the coats were generously tailored, too, and one featured a cotton-field print that's used in a variety of garments. There's also plenty of texture: Mongolian fur vests and navy-blue leather pieces gave the collection a luxurious edge.

For Erin Fetherston, Pre-Fall dressing means making the most of the balmy days at the end of Summer. In her latest offering, a recent trip to Los Roques — a group of islands off the coast of Venezuela — informed the tropical color palette and the use of pattern. For example, one multicolored print depicting a stylized ecosystem of people, trees, homes, and butterflies got cut into a sleeveless shirt and a dress.

Of course, shoppers can always expect fun dresses from Fetherston, and this offering doesn't disappoint on that front. A sparkly, strapless pink-and-gold pleated number was eye-catching and fun, but some of the other evening pieces (one combined a black bodice with a gold-spangled skirt covered by a layer of organza) were a little more grown-up. The few separates, like a pair of slim trousers and a sleeveless black peplum top, preserved that sense of polish.

Photo: Thomas Kletecka courtesy of Erin Fetherston.

Cold-weather blahs are easily banished with an injection of rainbow hues and sunny brights. Take a cue from Emporio Armani (left) and pile on some multicolored fur or keep things breezy with disco-light jewels that offer just a hint of sparkle. Ten cheery options right here, in the slideshow.

Photo: Greg Kessler

Who says New Year's resolutions are just for people? There are large entities — professional groups, corporations, even entire governments — that could do with a little improvement, and the fashion industry is no exception. Herein, a list of upgrades we'd like to see from the industry in 2013.

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