A model backstage at John Galliano, Paris, October 4.   (Photo: Benjamin Lowy)

The fashion world is constantly evolving and reinventing itself—trends rotate in and out (short shorts, no, pegged-leg slacks, no, harem pants) as often as the models chosen to wear them. At Look, we pluck out the most intriguing people, moments, and ideas from this cycle of perpetual motion. Our focus is on what remains in the collective consciousness after the dizzying whirlwind is over: what people will still be talking about in the months to come.

The season was sometimes inspiring (exuberant mixing of fabrics, patterns, colors), other times perplexing (peep-toe boots? Aprons as accessories? ), and on occasion downright titillating (sheer fabrics abounded). Photojournalist Benjamin Lowy, of the agency VII, to capture it all.

Perhaps because of the worsening economic crisis (see Amy Larocca’s essay on fashion and the financial meltdown, "It’s the Economy, Darling”), there emerged a longing for the familiar. The original supermodels nabbed campaigns and coveted runway gigs, and the eighties “king of cling” Azzedine Alaïa’s influence was everywhere. Alber Elbaz and Marc Jacobs continued to intrigue, while young talents like Gareth Pugh and Christophe Decarnin captured our attention and will likely hold it for seasons to come.

Every fashion season has its memorable moments. Thanks to a fixation on shoes of outlandish proportions, there were multiple model tumbles—talk about killer heels. And European Fashion Weeks got their very own, very vociferous gate-crasher, in the form of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Now that they’re over, we’ve assembled our thoughts on the whole spectacle into this exhaustive chronicle of the spring collections. There’s nothing left to do but wait and watch: What is going to stick in our minds, on the streets, on ourselves?