Bursts of color, texture, pattern and pizzazz filled the ballroom at Harrah’s in North Kansas City during Kansas City Fashion Week.

My favorite designs to come down the catwalk displayed edge, risk and unique points of view.

Some were tamer than others, but with clean lines, flattering shapes and timeless appeal. I can’t wait to see more to come from the creative minds behind the pieces below — and I can’t wait to introduce a few of these items to my wardrobe.

{I loved this look from BMDesigns. This is something any woman can easily incorporate into her closet. Photo By Jess Afshar}

Influenced by her time studying fashion abroad, designer Brittany Davidson of BMDesigns creates sophisticated women’s wear that is appropriate for ladies in their 20s to late 30s. This outfit caught my eye because of the volume on top and the sleek, sexy silhouette on bottom.

{I’ve been incorporating more purple and fuscia into my wardrobe, so when this sexy, classy dress from Haus Designs came down the runway, I immediately perked up.}

{We’re going to keep seeing colors inspired by the sea going into spring and summer 2012. I loved the high waist and sunny yellow in this outfit from Haus Designs. Photo By Jess Afshar}

Pieces from Haus Designs by Sierra Moses command attention from the moment the model hits the runway. Created by Sierra Moses, Haus Designs’ aesthetic is rooted in power, strength, femininity and fit. I appreciated the bold colors, flashes of skin where appropriate and delicate tailoring to the curves of a woman’s body.

{Inspired by the silhouettes of the 50s, this one-piece swimsuit by Kalyn Valliere brings a bit of glamour to the surf and sand. Photo By Jess Afshar}

{I couldn’t take my eyes off this goddess as she floated down the runway in a cotton-mix cover-up and high-waisted swim bottoms. Photo By Jess Afshar}

Drawn to the spa and resort lifestyle, young designer Kalyn Valliere plays up women’s best assets with her flattering and sexy swimsuits. Valliere, who just arrived back in Kansas City from New York Fashion Week, featured looks that show off the buffest of bodies as well as more conservative but just as sexy suits that any woman could wear.

{Printed pants and tangerine, the color of the year, turned heads thanks to this combination from Nebraska designer SuShe by J. Tracey. Photo By Jess Afshar}

If you want to integrate color and patterns into your wardrobe, SuShe by J. Tracey can show you how. The Nebraska designer took risks with jaw-dropping hues, outrageous prints, vintage-inspired sequins and sizzling stripes. She knew how to have fun with fashion, and if you want to step out of the neutral zone, try taking something that SuShe showed and updating your wardrobe.

{For someone who loves symmetry and balance, this dress from Bridedoll by Caroline Williard caught me off guard — in a good way. Photo By Jess Afshar}

A pop of precious metals never hurt anyone. Bridedoll by Kansas City native Caroline Williard showed a low-cut white dress with a surprising gold sleeve that you couldn’t help fawning over. I’d take this motif into makeup and accessories — how fun would it be to complete this look with two different-colored shoes and a bit of eyeshadow artwork on just one eye?

{Made of recycled and repurposed materials, this bright dress from American Trash was the star of the show. Photo By Jess Afshar}

Appealing to the greenie in me, KMS Couture Presents American Trash was easily my favorite clothing collection from Kansas City Fashion Week. While most of the pieces weren’t necessarily items I’d be able to pull off in my typical workweek, I appreciated the thought leadership in design around what eco-friendly fashion can really accomplish. Designer Katherine Swanson dismisses the idea that green fashion means wearing beige, green and more beige — with the superstar dress above serving as the conversation starter about what it means to reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink.

{Accessories hold a dear spot in my heart. Jewels from House of Cochon was the highlight of my Saturday.}

{This was one of my favorite pieces from the House of Cochon collection. Love the feathers and jewels. Photo By Jess Afshar}

My accessories table overfloweth with jewels and sparkly things. When I saw the House of Cochon collection, I was blown away by the Jackson Pollock-inspired line by self-taught designer Courtney Perry. She blended feathers with stones and springs to create a free-moving, free-thinking collection that takes center stage when combined with a basic outfit. I can’t wait to add a piece from this collection to my own personal bling box.

What were your favorite looks from Kansas City Fashion Week? (Be sure to check out some additional photos on my Facebook page, the Kansas City Fashion Week Facebook page and on Mimi & Chichi’s blog.) Are you more inspired to discover what local talent is brewing in your own area? Tell me what you’re craving for spring in the comments section.