Thom Browne

Thom Browne has never been more visible than while riding into his Fall 2013 show, having dressed First Lady Michelle Obama in a tailored dress and jacket for the recent inauguration. But those expecting to see more wearable day options from the designer were in for a big surprise at today's dramatic presentation in NYC. Proportions were expanded into theatrical dimensions with wide, structured shoulder-framing jackets over full, embellished skirts. His menswear background was evident in the checks, tweeds, and plaids that popped up, while his rose-strewn tights were completely feminine. Has he introduced a whole new audience to the design sensibility he's known for? Definitely. Has he made a commercial collection for women to buy occasion dressing from? No, but that's exactly why he is so loved by fashion insiders.

Michelle Obama wore it, and now you can too. Available now at Moda Operandi, is Thom Browne's smartly tailored Pre-Fall 2013 collection, which includes pieces very similar to the custom-made fit-and-flare coat that Mrs. Obama sported at the inauguration in DC on Monday.

Among the goodies are a handful of double-breasted dresses cut in the same navy silk tie jacquard, as well as a pleated dress in midnight blue whose silhouette bears a striking resemblance to that now-famous piece of outerwear. For those who admire Thom Browne's figure-enhancing cuts but do not wish to be the first lady's mini me, there are also plenty of other gorgeous, menswear-inspired ensembles; our favorite is an extremely luxe-looking wool houndstooth ensemble made up of a crewneck shell, round-shouldered jacket, and knee-length pencil skirt.

Click through to see the entirety of the Thom Browne Pre-Fall 2013 pieces available for presale on Moda Operandi, and hurry — not only does the trunk show end Jan. 25, but judging by the amount of buzz Browne is currently receiving, these pieces are sure to be snapped up very soon.

Photos courtesy of Thom Browne.

>> Libertine last showed in 2009 via presentation, and it's been since 2006 that the label has done a runway show. But designer Johnson Hartig brought his clothes back to the catwalk today, with former Libertine design partner Cindy Greene (who left the label two years ago), Rodarte’s Kate Mulleavy, Thom Browne, and Meredith Melling Burke and her daughter Eloise (who happily snapped pictures of the whole event with her mother’s iPhone) all in attendance.

The collection was a welcome explosion of color — ranging anywhere from hot pink to yellow — and pieces like giant puff-sleeved tops, funky frocks, and bright three-quarter length coats all displayed Hartig’s inclination for a vivid Fall. A screenprint effect was splashed over tops, silk dresses, tweed overcoats, cropped trousers, and even tights. The rare times when color wasn’t present, Hartig turned to black and grey wool jackets adorned with gothic-inspired embellishments. To finish off the looks, eye-catching tights and an amazing colorful selection of colorblock platform booties — designed by Hartig himself.

>> Thom Browne announced earlier this year that he's making an official foray into womenswear: “I want to develop it the same way men’s developed — small at first, and evolving slowly.” Which means that his Spring 2011 collection — the first full pictures of which have just surfaced — debuted under the radar, save for the closeups Tommy Ton posted at the beginning of the month.

The collection is just as Browne promised: “It’s very focused on jackets and trousers and outerwear. I think it’s what people expect from me, very men’s-inspired women’s clothing. Gray flannel, navy cashmere. Good, all-American men’s wear influence, but fitting in a cool feminine way. I want it to be very understandable. Personally, when I see it on the girls I think it looks so good. I like the idea of men’s tailoring on girls. It’s very strong and sexy in a nonovert way.”

Browne's plan is to have his womenswear become "a fully developed collection . . . in the next couple seasons.” And he's already got a full runway show planned during New York Fashion Week in February for Fall 2011.