On February 10, 2011, I attended the Tadashi Shoji Fall 2011 runway show at Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. A favorite on the red carpet, Tadashi Shoji is known for his elegant, flattering dresses and evening gowns, some of which you may have seen (or purchased) from department stores like Nordstrom.

For Fall, Shoji was inspired by ancient moss gardens of the Far East, from the formation of rocks, to the intertwining of branches and moss, to the reflection of light and shadows in water. This tranquility translated to a mostly muted palette of grays and purples punctuated by rich pops of color like saffron yellow and violet - one strapless dress in particular in the vibrant hue nearly took my breath away.

Intricate details like ruching, floral appliques and beautiful draping lent interest to simple silhouettes rendered in floaty fabrics like chiffon and silk. Figure skater Johnny Weir sat front row along with his big poof of hair, the sight of which put a smile on my face. It was a somewhat predictable collection but it's a formula that has served Tadashi well and will no doubt keep his fans quite happy.