The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Kate Moss is the New Face of MANGO


Spanish fashion brand MANGO has named Kate Moss the star of its new Spring/Summer 2012 campaign. Previously MANGO has worked with Scarlett Johansson, Penélope Cruz, Milla Jovovich, and Naomi Campbell. The advertising campaign will feature Kate Moss wearing the latest new Mango Spring/Summer collection photographed by renowned photographer Terry Richardson. To hear Kate talking about the collab, watch the short video clip above. It's so rare to see Kate Moss speak, isn't it? I, for one, am fascinated.

See the MANGO Spring 2012 lookbook here.

Edie Rose by Rachel Bilson 'Bloom' Collection




Remember Rachel Bilson's Edie Rose collection for Macy's? If not, allow this post to refresh your memory. While browsing macys.com the other day, I noticed a couple new additions for spring that are totally pin-worthy. The "Bloom" collection for spring features more pretty tabletop items with nature motifs like delicate sketches of insects and birds. Prices range from about $15 for a hummingbird-design plate to $58 for a butterfly adorned basket, but you'll find most pieces are already on sale making this a very reasonably-priced way to add some fun to your kitchen. Head to macys.com and search for "Edie Rose" to see many more products, including some cheerful coral-tinged hydrangea pieces.

Sneak Peek: Tracy Reese Fall 2012

Sneak Peek: Tracy Reese Fall 2012

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is just around the corner, and one of my favorite designers sent us this sneak peek sketch of the collection she'll be presenting. Here's a quote about the collection from the designer:

For fall 2012, Reese offers an optimistic color palette of vibrant tomato, juniper green and lemon enlivening neutral browns, grays and black. A mixture of fabric, textures and embellishments create dimension on tailored silhouettes, abundant with refined craftsmanship details. Bold pops of fiery tomato orange energize the classic contrast of black and white, as seen on the Black Box Jacquard Pea Jacket with large leather knot button, and Bi-Level Mini, when paired with the Tomato Falling Leaves Ruched Turtleneck and Black Tomato Gold Mixed Media Pump. A subtle peplum updates a classic mini yet remains flattering and wearable.

L'Amour Nanette Lepore for JCPenney




Fashion designer Nanette Lepore, who is known for her flirty, feminine silhouettes, will translate her runway looks to her first teen-focused line called L'Amour Nanette Lepore exclusively for JCPenney. Inspired by her teenage daughter Violet, L'Amour Nanette Lepore is reminiscent of the American designer's signature style with a youthful twist.

The design partnership with Nanette Lepore was announced today in New York City, where JCP unveiled its vision to transform itself into America's favorite store. The L'Amour Nanette Lepore brand will debut as its own distinct shop beginning February 2013, so we'll have to wait a while for this one. It's geared towards teens age 13-19 but you know I'll be checking it out.

Shown above: Neon-charged looks from the Spring 2012 Nanette Lepore runway (NOT jcpenney) via nanettelepore.com

JCPenney Unveils Plans to Become 'America's Favorite Store'




This morning JCPenney unveiled its ambitious plans to become "America's Favorite Store" with a new logo image, pricing, and promotion strategy including a partnership with Ellen DeGeneres. I watched the presentation via web conference to get the scoop.

"We're not here to improve, we're here to transform" said new JCP CEO Ron Johnson, who along with president Michael Francis, a former top Target executive, have been working to redefine the brand.

Starting February 1st, you'll begin to see the changes. JCPenney is rolling out a new pricing strategy and return policy called "Fair and Square" to simplify things for shoppers. Hallelujah!

They'll be going from 580 promotions in 2011 to just 12 in 2012, accompanied by fresh catalogs and other promotional materials.

The merchandise will also be changing. One such change: JCPenney announced it's teaming up with designer Nanette Lepore for a juniors diffusion line called L'Amour by Nanette Lepore. Love her!

By August 1st, JCPenney will start rolling out mini "shops" within the store. By 2013, they will launch a new retail concept called Town Square. By 2014, they'll have a whole new prototype for the store and by 2015 every store will be completely transformed.

I think these changes will be absolutely amazing for JCPenney shoppers if all goes according to plan. JCPenney was taking baby steps with their designer collabs (like Olsenboye, Nicole Miller and MNG by Mango) but we all know their stores felt stale and antiquated. I hope they overhaul their website, too. It won't be easy but I can't wait to see these changes take effect. How about you?

Photo caption: JCP chief executive Ron Johnson talks to members of the press and Wall Street about plans to completely transform JCPenney stores. via @jcpenney