There are two important times of the year that any fashionista (or fashionisto) eagerly looks forward to: Fashion Week. This is the time when designers show their new collection on the runway. It indicates what’s “in” for the season. Milan, Italy, just wrapped up its fashion week.

Alexander McQueen is known for his outside-the-box, head-turning collections. This season, his menswear collection was, how shall I put this? Very perplexing. His collection is entirely printed with an all-over obscure design, which includes suits, shoes and even ski masks. It was more of a thinking process than a runway show, but then again, that’s McQueen being his usual subversive self.

On a slightly different note, if you want to see a different approach, check out Ermenegildo Zegna. In fact, I encourage you to. Zegna’s aesthetic approach is unlike any other designer. It’s so simple. Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Sophistication is exactly what Zegna brought to the runway. His collection waves goodbye to casual Fridays. His Fall/Winter 2010/2011 collection is all about the suit. This includes brilliantly tailored, double-breasted blazers; gray flannel suits; fitted trousers and rich cashmere ties. It’s all so effortlessly chic. Simplicity brings great style.

I continue my journey in New York City as I scout the streets in search of style, which of course, was not difficult.

Piper Marshall of Manhattan is this week’s Style Eye.

What does style mean to you?

It’s all about being comfortable. It is always a balance between different things. You can’t take yourself too seriously.

Do you believe New York is the most stylish city?

I think it’s one of the very few places where people use style as a form of self-expression. It’s very prevalent.

(Exactly! Style, as many people do not seem to realize, is a form of self-expression. It distinguishes who you are and separates you from the next person. Style plays such an enormous role in our lives; it serves as the frontier for inspiration.)

Explain what you’re wearing.

I’m wearing white Hush Puppies paired with black cashmere tights. I don’t know if you can see, but under my jacket I am wearing a jumper, it’s a dress that is turned backwards, by Electric Feathers (a Brooklyn-based company). I’m also wearing a vintage faux fur jacket.

Contact Style Eye columnist Remah Doleh at [email protected].