Nine a.m. at Bryant Park is—needless to say—not a popular hour. Yet, with lattes in hand, the early wake-up call failed to detour the fashionable following of contemporary designer, Lela Rose. An early show time at New York Fashion Week may just be the true unsung test of a fashion designer’s staying power, and with a star-studded roster of celebrities and editors clamoring to fill the front row of her spring 2008 show, Lela’s proved that this is one test she’d have no trouble passing. Beloved for her simplistic approach to fashion, Lela Rose has made a name for herself with a quirky edge and a fresh outlook on modern femininity. Exuding youth and excitement in her clothes, she takes the best of what’s old, and somehow makes it new again. Reworking feminine staples, Lela’s most recent collection strives to update existing trends while keeping them alive for spring.

Trenches, cropped jackets, and petite prim dresses all walked the runway: and with a bright forecast for spring’s colors, fabrics in orange, olive, rich yellows and fuchsia rounded out Lela’s playful palette. Metallics, nudes, and blacks worked to tone down the vibrant collection, as scalloped hemlines and soft whites came to echo Peter Som’s resort line, with safari inspired staples reminiscent of resort looks from Dolce and Gabbana. Though Lela gave a shout–out to the moment’s sweeping trends, her original touch brought back floor skimming gowns for spring evening wear, and paired eccentric hippie pieces with polished frocks. Joining in on the cheap-chic movement, Rose also opted to don her models in oversized chunky necklaces and candy colored acetate belts from her recently acquired accessories line for Payless. Making for a fresh and lively spring, Lela Rose proved that she can still ooze eclectic femininity better than anyone. And with a knack for revamping the feminine favorites of super-chic gals everywhere, it’s safe to say that Ms. Rose will be making her own history for many Fashion Weeks to come.

Spotted: The room was a-buzz with the teeny-bopper elite, Brittany Snow, and Sophia Bush of One Tree Hill fame. Mariska Hargity took a front row seat next to Vogue’s Meredith Melling Burke and Plum Sykes, as Tim Gunn and Fern Malis rounded out the front row.

True Trends: Eyelets, understated metallics, statement necklaces and floor length dresses.

For the Bagista Who: Has a sense of humor, and an equally giddy outlook when it comes to clothes.

Katie Ermilio