Extravagant in its simplicity, Victor De Souza's Fall 2009 collection is coveted by the modern woman. The 40-year-old Argentina-born fashion designer has brought his own brand of creativity to the runway yet again, uniting woman and nature to create a distinct style of dress.

"When you see an insect, the wing is so delicate and beautiful, but so strong you can fly with it. That's what I was trying to express - the strong but feminine nature of women today," he said.

Pointed shoulders, single sleeves, trains and gloves conjure up images of butterfly wings and insect arms. Cap sleeves are seemingly detached from the bodies of the dresses themselves, sheer gloves barely cover the hands, and feathers adorn shift dresses and the tops of gowns.

This fall, The De Souza woman is more of an optical illusionist than a trend-junkie.

"She's not a follower. She loves fashion but buys pieces as an investment, not a trend to throw away," De Souza said, adding that he always tries to put a sense of timelessness into his collection. "I like to make clothes that are not trendy."

With classic silhouettes given a more modern twist, De Souza's designs are uniquely eternal in their own right. His favorite piece from the collection, a burgundy tailored jacket, exemplifies sharp and precise tailoring, an accomplishment he's extremely proud of.

Whether she's buttoned up in a tailored jacket, adorned in feathers, dressing for a night out or for a more formal event, the De Souza woman is sure to be the life of the party.

-- Gemma McFarland