Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week may be well behind us, but as October comes to an end, Fashion Week continues for many around the country and across the globe.

Presenting their ever first Spring/Summer season, New Orleans’ newly established, bi-annual NOLA Fashion Week proved to be a success for both the local community and fashion world alike.

Over 7 days of workshops, catwalks and retail-therapy in “The Big Easy”, fresh looks from 9 established and up and coming Southern-based designers were presented to crowds of thousands gathered in the name of fashion.

Among our favorite casual runway looks were those from Matthew Arthur, a self-taught designer drawing inspiration from the rich culture and unapologetic attitude of his New Orleans hometown.

Pairing his men’s collection with Walkover chukkas and derby classics, and his entire women’s collection mint-colored lipstick and black and natural “Bette” wedges from Kork-Ease, we also must say that his styling couldn’t have been any more perfect.

Below are a few images from the Matthew Arthur Apparel Architecture Spring/Summer 2012 Collection. —LAUREN DOYLE