The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Rosa Cha Spring Summer 2011 Runway Show


Rosa Cha Spring Summer 2011 Runway Show

On September 14, I attended the Rosa Cha Spring Summer 2011 runway show at the Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I have to admit I wasn't familiar with Rosa Cha prior to seeing the show but I certainly won't forget this supercool high-fashion swimwear label anytime soon. Designer Alexandre Herchcovitch, a Brazilian designer who has his own eponymous fashion line as well, turned out a dramatic assortment of sexy lingerie-inspired bikinis, one-piece bathing suits and micro-mini dresses that were at once futuristic and retro, hearkening back to the perfecto jacket of the eighties. I loved the graphic use of colors, floral prints and black colorblocking but for a fashion week newbie such as myself, it was hard to concentrate on the clothes (or lack thereof) in the presence of such rare humans, ie. the models, including such beauties as Chanel Iman (shown above). Wow.

More photos and show notes after the jump!

Beauty Review: Softsoap Body Washes


The Budget Beauty Babe lathers up and finds three new budget body washes by Softsoap worth trying. —BB



by The Budget Beauty Babe
Softsoap recently sent me free samples of three of their newest body washes: Body Butter Mega Moisture Heavenly Vanilla, Black Orchid & Velvet Hibiscus, and Nutri Serums Mineral Extracts. I can honestly say that I did see a difference between the products—and that I loved all three of them equally.

For those who love to treat their skin to deep conditioning moisture, there's Softsoap's Body Butter Mega Moisture Heavenly Vanilla (the name says it all!) It left my skin feeling so soft and silky, and it was also great to shave with. It's an awesomely creamy formula that lathers nicely and washes off without a gross residue. "Heavenly vanilla" is a rich, relaxing scent, perfect for cuddling in the cold winter months.

Nanette Lepore Spring Summer 2011 Runway Show


Nanette Lepore Spring Summer 2011 Runway Show

On September 15, I attended the Nanette Lepore Spring Summer 2011 runway show at Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Lepore's inspiration was her mother, which I thought was really sweet, and her connection to her mother must be a strong one because the clothes were beautiful, feminine and chic. There were swimsuits, dresses and skirts rendered in bright resort-inspired colors like tangerine, coral and plum. Jackets, shorts and shirts in white, cafe and sand kept things looking light, fresh and crisp yet totally effortless at the same time. That feeling of being carefree yet utterly stylish was also expressed with live music written especially for the show and performed by John Forte, whose sultry, sexy voice created the perfect backdrop. I think Lepore always puts the perfect feminine finishing touches on her clothing, whether it's artistic beading or shimmering sequins on a slouchy cardigan. Hers was a timeless modern collection that had me yearning for spring.

Celebrities seated front row included Kristin Chenoweth, Aida Turturro and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. See if you can spot them in my photos after the jump!

Milly Spring Summer 2011 Runway Show




On September 15, I attended the Milly Spring/Summer 2011 runway show held at the Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City. The inspiration for the collection was famed art collector Peggy Guggenheim, which designer Michelle Smith expressed with an eclectic mix of patterns, prints and pieces that came together with unexpected glamor and levity. Accessories like turbans, oversized sunglasses and hats also gave a nod to Guggenheim as muse, as did bohemian prints mixed with ladylike separates, cropped jackets and prim pumps. I loved it all, from the preppy-meets-global color palette (give me apple green, navy and white any day and I'm a happy camper) to the Alexander Calder-inspired mobile which decorated the runway, the perfect touch! The delicious handbags and statement jewelry pieces were thoughtfully incorporated yet could totally work beyond the runway. My kind of fashion.

Click through for show notes and more photos.