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STYLE360's bebe Spring Summer 2011 Runway Show Finale





Here's a quick video I shot of the finale at STYLE360's bebe Spring Summer 2011 fashion show that I attended on September 14 at the Metropolitan Pavilion during New York Fashion Week. I was excited to see bebe because my blog is called The Budget Babe after all, and there isn't much budget fashion at Fashion Week itself, although the point of Fashion Week for much of the industry is to see how and where all the trends originate. The styles we see on the runways will eventually trickle down to the racks at Target, so that's what makes Fashion Week relevant for everyone who loves fashion. Or just likes to shop.

But back to bebe: I figured it would be nice to see clothes on the catwalk that you and I might actually be able to purchase a couple months from now. Having said that, I wasn't expecting to love the clothes as much as I did. For Spring, bebe seems to be headed in a softer direction. The inspiration according to bebe Founder Manny Mashouf was to take iconic French film star Brigitte Bardot of the seventies and translate her style for the woman of 2011. The result was slightly bohemian, glamorous, sexy-without-being-vulgar dresses, shorts, jackets, jumpers, and minis in a soft color palette or whites, pinks, blues, camel and the always necessary black. I will post stills so you can see the clothes a bit better but enjoy this quick video in the meantime!

Chriz Benz Spring Summer 2011 Presentation




While many shows during Fashion Week attract guests who put on their meanest scowlss aka "I smell dookie" faces as they watch the models strut down the runway, the Chris Benz Spring 2011 presentation seemed to put huge smiles on the faces of all who entered the Atrium near Lincoln Center, captivated by the exuberant colors, happy silhouettes, and cheerful pop music that filled the air. I even saw one Carmen Electra snapping her fingers and bopping her head to the beat. You might even go so far as to say she was dancing. I loved this show, not just because it was happy but because the clothes were exciting and different, although they clearly referenced the '60s.

The designer cited his inspiration as "a '60s ex-pat model in Paris," which played out in bow tie blouses, high waists, a retro color palette, platforms, tweed jackets, colorblocked shifts and full skirst and but there were plenty of modern-day touches to explore, like artsy embroidery, futuristic florals and unusual cut-outs. Purple nail polish was icing on the cake. Celebs in attendance included J.Crew's Jenna Lyons, Kelly Osbourne, Jessica Szohr, Alison Pill. See if you can spot Susan Sarandon, Carmen Electra (from the back; hint her hair's in a bun) and The Rachel Zoe Project's Brad Goreski in my photos, all after the jump!



Backstage Exclusive: Founder of bebe Manny Mashouf Reveals Inspiration for Spring 2011 Collection


Immediately following the bebe Spring 2011 runway show held on September 14 at the Met Pavilion in New York City, I headed backstage where I caught up with bebe Founder Manny Mashouf, a softspoken gentleman who kindly agreed to talk about the inspiration for the SS2011 collection. Listen in as he reveals the collection's muse and the direction bebe is headed for spring!

I'll post still photos from the show later today, I didn't expect to love it as much as I did but I was completely gaga. Fighting that 3 block long line to get in was well worth the effort.

Video by: Dianna Baros, thebudgetbabe.com