Kostas Murkudis A/W 09

While my taste in fashion often runs toward more hard-edged, severe designs (e.g., Hussein Chalayan; recent collections by Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy and Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga), for me there's a fine line separating the best of those pieces from clothing that has ventured into territory that feels too chilly, dark, and sterile to be much fun. For this reason I love the two most recent A/W collections from Berlin-based designer Kostas Murkudis, a former first assistant to Helmut Lang. Murkudis's designs manage to be tough and supremely modern-looking while still retaining a captivating lightness. Think Blade Runner meets a quantum-leapt Sleeping Beauty and you're partway there. Click to enlarge selected pieces from the collections above and below.Kostas Murkudis A/W 09Kostas Murkudis A/W 08

Murkudis's designs can be found at Project No. 8 in NYC.