threeASFOUR Collection, Fall 2010, shown last week in NYC….

You know it’s time to crack out the whip when a proper pastel dressmaker like Alice Temperley starts constructing studded leather. You might expect a bit of naughty from threeASFOUR — on the other end of the more arty collections showing in New York — but even this threesome tends toward goddess-inspired Greek tunics. Not this season, where the UK born Temperley and threeASFOUR could be seen as bookends on a decisive trend toward sci-fi and motorcycle leather looks from several designers including Proenza Schouler (leather!); Diane Von Furstenberg who dipped heavily into metallics; and Alexander Wang (opting for models with shellacked hair), who sent a couple truly hideous and bizarre glistening dresses down the catwalk that could have doubled as science experiments.

While Proenza and Wang should stick with sexy little dresses and sleek street girl wear, respectively, threeASFOUR looked quite cool but probably difficult for many girls less than supermodels to pull off. Frank Tell, the young gun at the shows, sent out a lovely group of tunics with intricate stitching but easy to wear…like sexy girls aboard a spaceship but easy enough to wear here on earth.

Diane von Furstenberg took a more modern turn with this collection and did not go so way out like the others to alienate her core customer while still likely to gain some young hip chicks in the mix. As for Temperley, nice to see her bitchy side. Rock it, luv.

Check out our slideshow below: