G-star’s long awaited collection of holiday apparel has landed online. The capsule collection features cool pieces like tuxedo pants, evening shorts, sleek jackets and the very flirty ‘Clemence’ skirt (above). See more looks on the next page and the complete collection here.

Of course while at Project in Las Vegas, we visited the G-Star booth to see what this growing international denim brand is up to. Never one to chase trends, the focus remains season after season quality denim, featuring distinct washes and a great 3-D fit, which may look sort of “off” on the hanger, but looks and feels fantastic on the body. 

We also learned while there per awesome p.r. rep, Ida, that G-Star will not show during NY Fashion Week this year. It used to be the runway collection was literally just for show, but now pieces will be available for purchase, thus a change in presentation as well. Plus, says Ida, G-Star thinks it makes more sense to focus on events like trade shows, opening more stores and denim innovation.

And I gotta concur that in many ways the way collections are presented on the runway and all the cost involved somehow seems very old school. You have to figure there is more of this trend of not showing to come.

We featured an image worn by a fit model at the booth above, but you can peep some of the Spring 2012 line on the next page.

Contrary to the video soundtrack, the  show opened to an upbeat electronic version of the Beach Boys very soft  ” God only Knows,” which set the tone for what seems to be  G-star’s  ongoing desire to brighten what has been a  very dark industrial, edge. The looks start from stark white,  go into khaki and finish with navy. Lots of great blazers for men, dhoti denim silhouettes, as well as a show-stopping parachute dress. On the next page, a few of our favorite looks as well as a close -up of publicist  Michelle Wang’s signature  make-up which  would have been a very cool choice for the runway.

We showed some of the denim looks from the G-Star Raw line, which features actress Liv Tyler as its spokesmodel. Here are some behind-the-scenes looks from the summer ad campaign, shot by Anton Corbijn. From what I can see, we’re definitely getting a look at the more serious side of Liv Tyler, who has always struck me as having a light spirit sort of in the same vein as Kate Hudson.

We made our first visit last week to G-Star’s U.S. headquarters in the heart of SoHo. The Amsterdam-based brand is still growing in the United States, but being there and seeing the collections all in one place gave me a feeling of how huge it is worlwide (6,300 points of sale in 65 countries). The brand has been focused on raising the profile of its women’s line and part of that effort includes bringing on board Liv Tyler in March as its first official celebrity spokesperson for G-Star Raw for women, the company’s premium sportswear line. Here you’re seeing photographs of her first line, which is mostly denim, but also some tops. I gotta say, you don’t get more perfect than the skirt featured on this page.

More images from the line after the flip.