NYFW: Derek Lam on what women want

Don't talk to Derek Lam about celebrities.

Yes, he understands the value of having a famous person wear your creations. But it's not something that occupies all his time and attention when he's crafting his clothing.

"I don't consider it. I think celebrities are a moment in time. I want to think about how a woman evolves over time," he says. "There are great celebrities like Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett. They really stand out. But other than that, I don't really think about celebrity dressing."

That's why he's much more focused on making "individual pieces" that resonate with his customer. "It's about how a woman can get excited about fashion and easily understand how it fits into her wardrobe," he says.

A particular favorite: a stunning black coat. "You can wear it forever. It's a beautiful cut, very flattering," he says.

His collection was full of yummy knits, crepe pieces and bouclé coats. "It's about energy and a modern silhouette," he said before his show on Sunday at an art gallery on Chelsea. "That's always my star, to really understand what women want and how they express themselves."