Celebrity designers take over NY Fashion Week: We grade the looks

Last week was New York Fashion Week and as Rachel Zoe would say, it was bananas! High-profile designers like Marc Jacobs and their loyal following (the aforementioned Zoe) congregated in the Big Apple to unveil — and gawk at — the newest trends for the upcoming season.

But in addition to now-regular celebrities-turned-designers like Gwen Stefani, plenty of stars brought their creations to the catwalk this year, some as a one-off for a company and others for their own lines. Here, we grade the celebrity-infused runway collections from the meh (Kardashian) to the mahvelous (Posh!).

Victoria Beckham: The stone-faced former Spice Girl has certainly made a name for herself in the fashion world, getting attention from celebrities left and right. At an intimate Upper East Side venue, Posh showed her eponymous collection of slim dresses to the likes of Project Runway‘s Nina Garcia, and to sum it up, we’re in love. Dripping in embellishment, they are not, but Beckham’s classic dresses are all about great fit in bold hues like cobalt and red — paired with large sunglasses and sky-high heels, natch.

Grade: A+

Coveting: Metallic wrap dress

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen – The Row: Beckham may have the celebrity clientele, but the Olsens’ line, The Row, has that and the respect of fashion’s ivory tower, like Vogue‘s Anna Wintour who attended their fall 2010 presentation set in a gallery space. For anyone who hasn’t seen The September Issue (and if you haven’t, you must!), you know that Wintour doesn’t grace her presence just anywhere. Fortunately for the twins, who have already been inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Wintour’s visit was worth it. The 19-piece collection was understated and simplistic, yet edgy (i.e. denim snakeskin) at the same time. To top it off, the uber-fashionable Chloë Sevigny and girl du jour Carey Mulligan sat front row.

Grade: A

Coveting: Boyfriend blazer

Sarah Jessica Parker – Halston: Though the Sex and the City actress is designing for Halston’s secondary line, Halston Heritage, Parker holds an executive position within the main brand, famous for its jersey jumpsuits and slinky dresses that evoke nights at Studio 54. Though she didn’t actually design the collection (that credit goes to Marios Schwab), the ever-meticulous Parker deserves kudos as an executive. The fall 2010 collection was as luxurious as it was simple, combining the disco-fever aesthetic of the brand’s pioneer, Roy Halston Frowick, with Schwab’s inspiration from the 1978 film Eyes of Laura Mars, starring Faye Dunaway.

Grade: A

Coveting: Embellished mini dress

Gwen Stefani – L.A.M.B.: If you didn’t know Stefani was a rocker, then perhaps you should take a look at her fall 2010 collection, which knocks you over the head with the fact. Overt goth makeup aside, Stefani, who premiered her sartorial side at a 2006 show, does what she knows, and she certainly does it well. The collection, which is all about grunge chic overhauled with a British sensibility (think houndstooth prints), includes pieces that you will most definitely see on the cool mommies lazing around London’s Hyde Park.

Grade: B+

Coveting: Leather jacket

Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian – Bebe/Kardashian: Even though the Kardashian sisters showing at Fashion Week is about as legit asThe Real Housewives of Atlanta‘s Sheree showing She by Sheree last year, this collection isn’t totally offensive. Leather shorts and bustiers, fuchsia rompers and boyfriend jackets made their way down the runway, and the only thing that goes through your mind while seeing the images is, “I think Kim has worn that before.” And chances are, you’re probably right. To be fair, the clothes certainly echo Bebe’s style, but they look as original as Kim’s L.A. party-circuit garb. Offensive? No. Predictable and slightly boring? Yes.

Grade: C+

Coveting: Sheer-sleeved mini dress

Pete Wentz – Clandestine Industries: Wentz’s streetwear line got the runway treatment when it took to the New York catwalk, but judging from the simple graphic tees and hoodies, it would’ve previewed just as well at a local Hot Topic. Wentz said that he wanted to turn his show into a rock concert with loud music, distracting art and flowing drinks. He even took the stage in a straight jacket and mask à la Hannibal Lecter. Innovative move or a calculated tactic to take focus off the yawn-worthy clothes?

Grade: D

Coveting: Nada

Photo: Fame Pictures; Conde Nast/Corbis; Demis Maryannakis/Splash News; Thomas Concordia/WireImage.com; Janet Mayer/PR Photos; Jeff Gentner/Getty Images