For fall, I want to do a lingerie-inspired evening look

Alexander Wang perfectly channeled this for his pre–fall ’09 collection with a collection of sheer looks that were more clean-sculptural than dreamy-ethereal. The new way to do this lingerie look is to crossbreed it with sleek futurism. Taking just the bare-bones outline of a lingerie piece—without elaborate embroidery, lace, or frills—gives a great graphic twist.

Too much lace or dainty frills tip it into the silly side. For a hard-edged ballerinaesque look, take all the delicacy and sheerness of lingerie and combine it with a detailed, clean-lined, slightly hard-edged vibe. So, pale pink, sheer, yes—but then add some black.

Keep textures the same throughout—chiffon with chiffon, silk with silk—for a purposeful-looking, cohesive finish.