Vera Wang

The inclusion of only two photos here underplays this designer. It's just that photography does a poor job of capturing her strengths. Rich colors, romantic folds and fabrics, silhouettes under translucencies - all diminish under thumbnail view. She talked about an ancient Roman influence in her Spring collection, but a green floor-length dress by lesser designers might simply mimic a toga. An extended glance at her version, though, shows slim long body shadows swimming under a jade lake fall. Here are a few (more easily visible) examples of her CK-like illusory simplicity.

A good way for the "I only wear black" crowd to soften their look without breaking rank.