Backstage at Badgley Mischka, I caught up with the Deborah Lippmann to discuss the nail looks her team created for the Spring 2013 runway show. Inspired by the 1930's film "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the collection features lots of muted pastels, so the designers opted for a neutral nail to complement the color palette, as well as dewy makeup and slightly disheveled hair. The polish of choice? Modern Love, a dusty mauve creme that Deborah is calling "the new nude." On short, rounded nails, two coats of Modern Love was applied, then finished with a high-shine top coat called Addicted to Speed. "Mauve is the new nude!" reveals Deborah. While I love a good neutral, I'm worried this color won't read "high fashion" when I wear it. What do you think?

Keep reading for more of my backstage photos, and check out the short video I shot of Deborah talking about the inspiration for the nail looks after the jump.

This morning, I headed to the city bright and early to kick off my first day of New York Fashion Week with a visit backstage at the Kate Spade Spring 2013 collection presentation. There, I caught up with nail guru Deborah Lippmann to talk nails. This was my first time meeting Deborah (she's great, as you'd expect) and I was dying to find out what she would create this season. The burning question on everyone's mind (okay maybe just mine): Could she top the polka-dot nails presented at Kate Spade's Fall show? Well, suffice to say, it's hard to pick a favorite - but Deborah and her team definitely upped the ante with a bold gingham print that made everyone smile, even the models!