By Jessie Freschl Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Feb 28, 2012 at 6:10 PM

My last week came to a close after seeing over 32 collections from Fall 2012. Roughly that translates to over 3,000 pieces of clothing flashed before my eyes in about 50 hours' time.

The week before that, I sat front row (or just about) at most of the shows I attended during NYC Fashion Week, seeing collections from Bill Blass, Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam, Herve Leger, Jenny Packham, Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier, Ports 1961 and Yigal Azrouel, to name a few. And I can assure you that it is a sea of prettiness out there. When all the news today is for the most part depressing, fall fashion uplifts our senses.

For starters, luxury is being offered at a more attainable level. Most exciting this season, McQ, Alexander McQueen's diffusion line, is under the direction of Sarah Burton – she even makes an appearance after their first London runway show.

Derek Lam’s newest diffusion line fulfills the cool girl style. The collection is a take on what a girl finds and puts together from her closet when left alone in a snow storm.

CUT 25, Yigal Azrouel’s diffusion brand, has been growing and proving stronger season after season, opening up its first flagship store in Soho this past winter.

Bill Blass, under new direction with Jeffrey Monteiro as head designer, shows all-American dressing is going to be a power player.

Another reason to be pleased with Fall 2012 is the trends. They are appeasing to just about everybody, with rich fall colors in hues of burgundy, forest green and harvest golds that pick up where the safe chocolate browns left off.  Bold patterns and fabric blocking, and lady-like hem lines, bring most skirts below the knees.

Happy Fall fashion! More to come later.

Jessie Freschl Special to OnMilwaukee.com
Jessie Freschl has been raised in the fashion industry, coming from a rich lineage of fashionable entrepreneurs. In 2001, after graduating college and traveling the world, Jessie joined forces with her mother to run the operations of her family's high-end clothing boutique, Gigi of Mequon. Jessie acted as marketing director of the boutique, head buyer for the contemporary and designer apparel and associate buyer for the bridal and evening apparel. Jessie has a highly sought-after eye for what works in the fashion industry, working closely with several designers to key in on what trends and styles work for consumers.

Moving her young family to New York City in 2010 for her husband's career, Jessie launched her own stylist service in 2011. She began by offering private shopping parties and "pop up shops" and then with the demand from her client base, moved into closet consultations and personal styling services. With a good ear and sensitive approach, Jessie works closely with her clients to better their wardrobes, making the most of the clothes within their closets. Jessie's relationships with many top New York designers, along with her keen eye for what works on an individual, gives her clients a chance to get coveted looks edited to their style in the comfort of their own home.