The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week: Tadashi Shoji


Tadashi Shoji's Fall 2011 runway show featured elegant evening gowns inspired by the ancient gardens of the Far East.

Embellishments like feathers and hand-cut organza floral details lent drama while simple silhouettes and flowing fabrics gave each piece a light, airy feel.

The color palette was a harmonious blend of subtle neutral hues including pebble and ivory along with gemstone tones of purple, moss green, mustard and magenta.

My favorites included a green silk-chiffon v-neck gown, a begonia tiered fringe silk chiffon off-shoulder gown and of course, the purple rosette adorned strapless gown (which I think would look amazing on Zoe Saldana).

Watch the video I shot of the runway show finale here.

More photos after the jump...

Get Elie Tahari's Dashing Diva Nail Look from New York Fashion Week




Celebrity nail technician Pattie Yankee and the Dashing Diva nail team worked backstage to create nail looks for models at the Elie Tahari Fall 2011 show presented at New York Fashion Week. Pattie used Dashing Diva's Trust Fund with a Make-It Matt top coat for a nude look requested by the designer. This was not a show that I was able to attend myself but I just love a great neutral polish that goes beyond soft pink and this one strikes me as a bit tan or camel in color. How cool would this look for spring?





Photo Credit: Ann Lawlor

Get Marchesa's Fekkai Hair Look from New York Fashion Week




Frederic Fekkai lead stylist Renato Campora created an incredible chignon for the Marchesa Fall-Winter 2011 Fashion Week Presentation – drawing inspiration from the Flamenco Dancer. This wasn't one of the shows I was able to attend this season, but Marchesa is always one of the first shows I look up online to drool over the stunning fantasy gowns.

Keep reading to find out how you can get the look!

Derek Lam + eBay Collection: Let the Voting Begin!




At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, designer Derek Lam presented a line of 16 dresses for , 5 of which will be sold exclusively on eBay in May priced between $125 and $295. Tech-savvy fashionistas can vote on their favorite looks, and the 5 dresses with the most votes get made!

"Having a direct and immediate dialogue with the online audience is what makes fashion exciting and relevant in this moment," said Lam. "eBay's technology offers me a unique and innovative opportunity to reach new and existing customers directly, and to create fashion they desire." Couldn't have said it better myself.



Sign up for eBay email notifications to find out when the dresses go on sale, and for your chance to win the entire Derek Lam for eBay Fashion Collection.