“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

It's always exciting when a house or label brings a new designer on board or experiences rejuvenation in the forms of collaborations and re-branding. Or when the chief executive designer loses 92.6 pounds and gains a fresh new perspective on life and fashion.

One of my favourites is the house of Halston, which having been relaunched several times was most recently rescued from the dead by Marco Zanini. Unfortunately, the longtime first designer of Donatella Versace has since departed after receiving mixed reviews last season despite a strong retail showing. I did love the unusual colors in his collection, amongst them mint, orange and lavender. A design team has been rolling out the collections for both 2009's collections, and although they look sufficiently chic and cheerful even for Fall, it's nothing much of a breakthrough.

Halston Fall 2008 RTW

Halston Fall 2009 RTW

Another house I like is that of Sonia Rykiel. Highly unconventional and not very wearable, occasionally bizarre but always whimsical and tres tres French.

Sonia Rykiel Spring 2009 RTW

Sonia Rykiel Fall 2009 RTW

Sonia Rykiel Fall 2009 RTW

C'est beau.