The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

First Look: Narciso Rodriguez's Istanbul-Inspired Collection for Kohl's


Kohl's has released two looks from the forthcoming Narciso Rodriguez for Kohl's collection (via WWD), including an open-front fuchsia coat and boxy colorblock sheath.

The Narciso Rodriguez limited-edition collection is part of a concept that Kohl's is calling "DesigNation" which will be a series of fashions based on "international inspiration" from different premiere designers. The Cut says Derek Lam is rumored to be next, but nothing's been confirmed.

Rodriguez drew his inspiration from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey earlier this year. "In Istanbul, I found beauty in colors, textures and patterns, but also in the nuances of the city; the patina on the walls, the color of the stone and the way people moved" said Rodriguez in a press release.

Rodriguez's DesigNation collection for Kohl's will feature misses apparel including outerwear, dresses, skirts, pants and shirts. Retail prices for the collection will range from $30 to $150. The collection will be available from November through December 2012.

When I first announced this news, there wasn't much enthusiasm from readers. Have your feelings changed now that you've gotten a glimpse of the collection? Who's excited for this?

Click through for two artist sketches, courtesy of Kohl's >>

Would You Wear: Mismatched Bikinis? Plus, Five Perfectly Mismatched Bikinis Under $50




Temperatures here in the Northeast are supposed to climb into the high 90s today, so why not talk about a sizzling swimwear trend? Mismatched bikinis are all over the place - this isn't new but it's heating up in new ways, with luxe swimwear lines like Giejo (top left) designing mixed-print bikinis that are meant to clash in the best way possible. I think the trend is fun and (wait for it) budget-friendly to boot! After all, you can mix and match bikinis you already own to create new combinations season after season. You can also just pick up a new top or new bottom rather than investing in a whole new suit to inject some fresh sun-and-surf style into your swimwear routine.

{Shown above: 1) Luxe swimwear line Giejo mixes things up with cool, graphic prints. (Top, $98, bottom, $86); 2) Rihanna hits the beach in a mismatched bikini with a shot of color. 3) Rosie Huntington-Whiteley flaunts her Zimmermann Dreamer mismatched bikini as she sunbathes.}


Ready to give this trend a try? Keep reading for 5 perfectly mismatched bikini combinations under $50 to get you inspired: