As a world-class designer, entrepreneur, and the exclusive furrier to Japan's royal family for the past 17 years, Chie Imai is making an explosive impact on the fur-fashion industry.

The designer unveiled her Fall/Winter collection, "Flying Fantasy," with two breathtaking fashion shows (benefiting the Christopher Reeve Foundation and the New York Botanical Garden) at the St. Regis Rooftop. Chie manages, time and again, to produce sexy and feminine light furs (her signature coloring technique is known as "Mosaique de Chie") that distinguish themselves from the classic, dark-and-heavy style of other furriers. Models paraded down the runway in rich, colorful combinations (from warm caramels and creams to striking teals and aquamarines). The luxe furs ranged in price from $320 to $250,000, including: a marten coat; a chinchilla skirt and top; a sheared mink, fox, Finn raccoon, and ostrich-feather gown; a full-length sable; and a lynx cat bolero. Joan Rivers, Victoria Gotti, Denise Rich, and Anne Hearst had front-row seats to the über-exclusive show.

Twenty-eight years ago, Chie made a drastic career change, leaving her job as a flight attendant to jump full force into the world of fur fashion. Today, her talent, hard work, and risk-taking style have made her one of the most successful, famous, and avant-garde designers of her time. Chie's striking collection can be found at her three-year-old flagship boutique, Royal Chie.

We can just picture Sex and the City's "Samantha" wearing nothing but one of Chie's designs when bedding her beau of the moment.