{NM Daily}

This week, Derek Lam went back to his Cali roots. Lam, who was born and raised in San Francisco, hosted an intimate Pre-Fall and Fall 2011 presentation at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills. Dressed in an immaculate white button down and crisp dark jeans, the articulate designer narrated each look that hit the runway. He even stuck around to help the event attendees, including a few mother and daughter pairs, pick out versatile pieces for their wardrobes.

NM: Who are the women who inspire you?

DL: For me, it’s all about a sense of informality but still wanting to look stylish. I think women who share that sensibility are the women I’m trying to reach—and have reached—with my line. What’s amazing when I come to these trunk shows is that it reaffirms who I have in mind when I design. It’s these women who love fashion but they really also need to get on with their lives. By that I mean, they have kids, and they have work. And yet, they don’t want to give up a sense of their personality and that love for fashion. For me, it’s about balancing all those nuances.