Every season there are a few choice moments that get us excited about fashion all over again. Whether these moments come courtesy of established designers or emerging talents is irrelevant - what matters is how these visuals make us feel. This season was chock full of excitement for everyone involved but these are the moments / places / people / things that made me stand up and take note.

01. Alexander McQueen

The show of the season hands down and a personal favorite - everything from the sci-fi makeup to the outlandish shoes, was completely original and unlike anything else. In a season where designers were cutting back, scaling down and generally eschewing creativity in favor of monotony McQueen managed to break boundaries and inspire.

(Image Courtesy Getty Images via Daylife)

02. Acne

Ingenious little details are what set Acne apart from other lines and the metal touches on their jeans this season managed to be reminiscent of Balenciaga without feeling derivative. Can’t wait to see these worn in real life by especially daring girls.

(Image Courtesy of Acne)

03. Danielle Scutt

There was something so unabashedly girly about the glittering pink lips Hannah Murray gave the girls at Danielle Scutt’s show. The look isn’t particularly user friendly off the runway but the hard texture of the glitter just stands out beautifully against that bright fushia lip color. Sometimes tiny little changes can really take a look from ordinary to extraordinary.

(Image courtesy of WWD)

04. Viktor and Rolf

The idea of Viktor & Rolf sawing into their tulle ballgowns with chainsaws is the kind of ultimate fashion moment that deserves to be preserved. Here’s to hoping that someone has video of the momentous preparations that led up to their S/S show - including the shearing ballgowns portions.

(Image courtesy Getty Images via Daylife)

05. DARIA at Balmain

In a season dominated by newcomers it was refreshing to see a familiar face. Ms. Werbowy’s opening slot at Balmain was the highlight of the show (gold lame bondage dresses nonwithstanding) and the selective appearance reminded us just how a true modeling MVP can elevate a whole look.

(Image courtesy of WWD)

06. Christopher Kane

Like everyone else looking at Kane I really expected an encore presentation of either fall’s tough girl chic or last spring’s dainty scalloped edges. What I did not foresee was a series of plaid dresses straight out of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book. If there was anyone on earth who saw this coming they deserve either a special medal or their own psychic hotline ala Sylvia Brown. Christopher just keeps us on our toes - even if you didn’t love this collection you still have to wonder just what is coming next.

(Image Courtesy of WWD)

07. Gareth Pugh

Granted, the Pugh feathers were definitely conjuring images of Phillip Treacy’s creations for McQueen but you can’t deny the visual impact they gave on the runway.

(Image Courtesy of Daylife)

08. Rick Owens

This was perhaps the lightest, brightest most freewheelin’ Rick Owens collection ever crafted. You could practically hear birds chirping in the background, that is how upbeat this was.

(Image Courtesy Getty Images via Daylife)

09. Ohne Titel

If you didn’t pick up on the strappy bondage inspired shoe trend this season you were either fast asleep or purposefully ignoring the wave of perilous footwear coming our way. Of all the staggering heels designed to entice our inner foot fetishist Ohne Titel’s were the most fabulous.

(Image Courtesy of Elle.com)

10. Givenchy

Tisci is constantly critiqued for his lack of cohesiveness within collections but I have always felt that the lack of cohesion can make for welcome surprises. One of my favorite dresses of the season was this frothy yellow number worn by Ranya Mordanova. In a collection praised for its graphic black and white severity this was a welcome (and wholly unexpected) touch of softness and delicacy. On the right girl (someone please contact  Thandie Newton’s publicist) I can imagine this being the perfect spring dress.

(Image courtesy of Vogue.co.uk)