September is one of my favorite months for many reasons: Back-to-school, Labor Day, Lil’ Wayne’s Birthday, Starbucks’s Pumpkin Spice Lattes and, of course, Fashion Week. Fashion Week is actually a misnomer; instead of a week, it is a month-long event full of runway shows, presentations and parties that starts in good ol’ NYC, and then travels to London, Milan and Paris.

Don’t know your Marc Jacobs from your Calvin Klein? If the only designers you know hail from Project Runway or Go! International lines at Target, listen up. Here are five hot designers whose work has them poised to become the next Oscars de la Renta and Diane von Furstenbergs.

Grab a bib and get ready to drool.

ALEXANDER WANG

Hailing from Northern California, this 25-year-old designer has been making fashion-lovers swoon for his tough-girl chic designs since 2007 when he launched his first full women’s collection. Since then, he’s been making the grungy, sexy, I-don’t-give-a-f**k look cool again. Basically, anything Wang puts down the runway instantly becomes the latest it-item. Even Topshop, Britain’s better version of Forever 21, has ripped off his designs. This fashion newcomer isn’t going anywhere and is sure to have a long and successful career ahead of him.

RODARTE

One day, sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy are in California packing the few dresses they’d designed into suitcases to show to editors in New York. A week later, they’re on the cover of Woman’s Wear Daily (think the New York Times for fashion types) and their collection is championed by the likes of Anna Wintour. Rodarte, named after their mother’s maiden name, is a design house focused on extremely beautiful, detailed, whimsical pieces that drop jaws. These creations are literally wearable art. Can’t afford to spend $2,000 on one dress? Don’t even worry; the duo is planning a Target collaboration that will be available for sale this December. Expect gorgeous party dresses with offbeat touches on a college-friendly budget.

3.1 PHILLIP LIM

Have you ever wanted a piece of clothing that’s comfortable and cool but doesn’t make you look like you’re trying too hard? Phillip Lim is your man. Everyone from Scarlett Johansson to Camilla Belle to Kate Hudson has worn items from his collections, full of cute dresses in laid-back patterns adorned with feminine details. Earlier this year, he started Go Green Go by Phillip Lim, a 10-piece eco-friendly collection full of tunics, biker jackets and harem pants. As Nicole Phelps from Vogue said, “Lim knows how fashionable women want to dress.” And to me, it’s head-to-toe Lim.

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

Are you an international jet setter that spends one week in Ibiza, the next in St. Barth and ‘relaxes’ in St. Tropez? Neither am I, but if I was one, I would only wear Matthew Williamson. His crazy prints in relaxed fabrics have me imagining myself on a yacht in the Caribbean with a piña colada in hand. This British designer, who’s heading back to London Fashion Week this season to celebrate the British Fashion Council’s 25 anniversary, has been designing his own label since 1997. Earlier this year, he released a collection with H&M that had fans waiting in line for 12 hours before the store opened. With fans like Katy Perry, Kelis, Sienna Miller and Keira Knightly, this man is my second-favorite UK import… After Prince Harry, of course.

PROENZA SCHOULER

So, you’re an aspiring fashion designer on a plane to New York and notice that Anna Wintour, possibly the most powerful woman in fashion, is on your flight. What do you do? Instead of cowering in sweatpants, as most of us would have done, Lazaro Hernandez, half of design duo Proenza Schouler (pronounced Skool-er) slips a note to the notorious ice-queen. One thing leads to another and in 2002, during their final year at Parsons The New School For Design, Barneys New York buys Proenza Schouler’s entire senior collection. Since then, the buzz around Hernandez and partner Jack McCollough hasn’t stopped. Their line, full of strong, timeless statement pieces that can be styled in a myriad of ways, is always one of New York Fashion Week’s most-watched show. Expect at least one Spring 2010 trend to revolve around this collection. Oh, and Lazaro, no more getting head butted by celebs, OK?

Are there any other designers you think we should know about?

All photos via style.com showcase Fall 2009 runway looks

(Left to right, Fall 2008 RTW, from style.com: Jill Stuart, Fendi, Fendi, 3.1 Philip Lim)

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading! In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Belts are your most useful accessories; they can hold up your pants, make your waist look small (even in the bulkiest of sweaters), and (literally) pull your outfit together.

Belts are a worthwhile investment because they are so versatile. Neutral colors like brown or black will work with most items in your wardrobe, and brighter colors can make a boring outfit unique. Read on for different ways to cinch your waist this winter. (Warning: anything that applies pressure to the stomach is probably not something you’re going to want to try out at Thanksgiving dinner.)

All dressed up:

Blake Lively looks amazing in this purple Tadashi Shoji dress and black belt at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards in August. This is a great look for any more formal event, like a New Years Eve party. Just wear some tights if you’re going to be outside! Put this look together yourself below: (Click the picture for more info.)

A Casual Look:

Dress up your drab daytime look by adding a belt. Try wearing one over a cardigan, like Sophia Bush in this picture. It is an unexpected twist that really highlights your waist and adds a little ooomph to your ensemble. Here’s where you can get this look (click pictures):

More good ideas for wearing belts:

1. Tie a long skinny belt instead of buckling it – it looks messy but in a good way.

2. Tuck your scarf in. It makes the whole look a little more chic.

Also, make sure you try both wide and skinny belts – both are very in and very cute right now.

(Left to right: 3.1 Philip Lim, D&G, Versace, Diane Von Furstenberg)

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Warm, comfy, and flattering, a sweaterdress should be in every college girl’s wardrobe this winter. They’re possibly the easiest item to wear, but also one of the most fun to accessorize. Read on to find one that fits your budget and ideas on what to pair it with.

When you’re looking for something cheap, Forever 21 is usually the best place to start. Layering long necklaces over a basic sweaterdress is a good way to make it interesting. Throw on an over-sized bag and a killer pair of boots and you have yourself an easy, chic ensemble.

Dress, $27.80, Boots, $32.80, Bag, 19.80, Forever 21. Necklace, Aldo $15.

This sweater from Arden B is my favorite – the color is fun and the shape is super sexy. It is shown on the model with jeans, but also works with leggings (just make sure they are solid not sheer!). Add a belt – thin or wide – to give the sweaterdress a little shape.

Dress, $58, Arden B. Belt, $6.80, Forever21. Boots, $198, Arturo Chiang Sol at Piperlime. Leggings, $24, Urban Outfitters.

Another way to wear the sweaterdress is layered over a tank (Express – $16.50). This sweater from Express ($59.50) would also look great with a belt, tights, and boots.

Here are some more cute sweaterdresses from Forever 21 (29.50), Express (69.50), and Victoria’s Secret (59.50 and 69).

Or, if you want to splurge (or simply just drool a little), here are a few high-end sweaters. The first one is from Catherine Malandrino available at Saks for $495. I love the cowl neck! The second is by Marc Jacobs and is at Saks for $1500. The ruffle is something different from your basic sweaterdress, so you will definitely stand out. The last sweater dress is by Tibi and is also at Saks for $325. My favorite detail on this one is the sleeves, but I also love the neck.