When you hear words like rebirth, substantive and paradigm shift, the first fashion brand that comes to mind probably isn't bebe, but that's exactly what the brand hoped to conjure with Monday's Spring 2013 collection presentation held at a Chelsea art gallery. There were no lines wrapped around the block, no Snooki (as was the case last season) but rather a stark oval room with dimly lit models poised like Stepford wives from the future behind a wall with portal-like round windows. New Age music set a sci-fi tone for the simple yet striking pieces in leather and tone on tone patchwork in a magnolia inspired palette of yellows, whites, greens and blacks, structured with patent and mesh shaping and punctuated by striking prints and textures. This was the dawn of a new era for bebe, which is aiming for a more "upscale" market. Perhaps this is bad news for budget babes. But then again, there are always sales, even in the year 2013.