Vera Wang's take on 'clothing as sanctuary' is anything but safe at New York Fashion Week

Vera Wang, she of that phenomenal body in Harper's Bazaar last month, does have a day job that doesn't involve posing in swimwear and heels.

She is, of course, one of America's most loved fashion designers, and the volume of stars in attendance at her New York Fashion Week show were testament to that fact.

Renee Zellweger and Leighton Meester were in the front row, while actress Viola Davis and tennis star Maria Sharapova were seated in prime position next to U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Daring: Sheerer-than-sheer swathes of fabric allowed for plenty of sensual flashes of skin at Vera Wang

The future's orange: As well as greys taupes and teals, Ms Wang sent searing pops of neon down the runway

They were all there for the fashion, of course, which was based on the concept of 'clothing as sanctuary'.

Ms Wang's take on the theme was anything but safe, though. Sheerer-than-sheer swathes of fabric allowed for plenty of sensual flashes of skin, whether the shade was searing orange, teal blue or creamy champagne.

Her description in the show notes read: 'The body protectively enveloped in the soft armor of a fitted sheath, the sharp discipline of fencing-inspired jackets, the structured carapace of a coat.

Devoted fans: Leighton Meester (left) and Renee Zellweger sat on the designer's front row at the show today

Prime position: Actress Viola Davis and tennis star Maria Sharapova flanked Vogue editor Anna Wintour

'The female form revealed by smoky transparencies that allow a glimpse of skin and of delicate lingerie not meant to be hidden, but seen.'

Though the silhouettes were sleek and streamlined, they were also feminine, and Ms Wang played with proportions at the hips, adding peplums that added structure to the otherwise fluid garments.

The graphic prints on some of the fabrics also added to the idea of femininity, as the sharp lines curved and played around the models' bodies.

Back to the day job: Vera Wang, who posed in last month's Harper's Bazaar, takes her bow at the end

Leighton Meester, who fronts campaigns for one of the designer's fragrances, loves Vera Wang the woman as much as the label.

'She's a woman and she owns it,' she said. 'She's smart, quick and funny.'

She came to the show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to support 'Vera and all her wonderfulness.

'I am a big fan,' she added.