The general consensus among myself and fellow fashion bloggers after witnessing the beautiful Ports 1961 Spring Summer 2011 collection float down the runway was this: We want to live in Ports! At once utterly wearable and remotely untouchable, this desert-inspired collection entitled "Essadi" (the pseudonym used by explorer Isabelle Eberhardt while journeying into Northern Africa in the 19th century) featured a perfect mix of both draped and tailored pieces any girl would love to own. Makeup was soft, natural and dewy; hair was feminine retro curls, at once glamorous yet unfussy. Celebrities in attendance included reality TV star Olivia Palermo, who smiled graciously for pictures backstage before ducking away with her handsome boyfriend (photo after the jump!).

Click through for more photos and show notes.

On September 10, I attended renowned couturier Georges Chakra's Spring/Summer 2011 ready-to-wear collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. I can honestly say I've never seen so many (nearly 50!) stunning dresses in one place, from body-con mini dresses to floor-length chiffon gowns. Models were styled with soft yet radiant makeup and wind-swept hair that looked tousled by a sea breeze. The colors evoked the ocean for me as well, from glistening aquas to sandy neutrals. It was hard to pick a favorite but a series of gemstone-hued ombre chiffon dresses, ivory charmeuse long sleeve biaz gown with crystal beading on the shoulders and an asymmetrical draped gold jersey gown with Lucite beaded necklace all momentarily took my breath away.

More photos and show notes after the jump.

Today was my first day covering shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. To kick off this high-octane week, I wore a gold tweed jacket by Milly, so it's only fitting that I should share Milly designer Michelle Smith's sketch and inspiration quote below along with a swatch of a featured print in the spring 2011 collection, which will debut on the runway on Wednesday, September 15 at The Stage at Lincoln Center.

"Smart, well-traveled, and stylishly eccentric, Peggy Guggenheim has influenced me this season. Chic mixes of feminine florals, bold geometrics and tribal elements are glamorous and exciting."
—Michelle Smith, Milly Designer & Founder





Love, love, love her stuff. Follow me on Twitter @budgetbabe and fan The Budget Babe on Facebook for fun fashion week highlights, live from the tents.

Theory's leather panel skirt retails for $200 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Wear it with a feminine blouse and ladylike heels for a chic modern look with a bit of edge.

More Theory...

Get the look for less from Anne Klein, whose leather panel skirt is $89.

More AK Anne Klein...

If you want to try this look on a really tight budget, check out this skirt from Mossimo for Target, just $29.99. I saw it in person, it's a lot shorter and looks more like plastic than leather but a fun look-for-less option. I'm hoping I can get it on sale.

More Mossimo...

Click on any image for more details!

Celebrity nail technician Pattie Yankee and the Dashing Diva nail team helped kick off Fashion's Night Out on Tuesday September 7th at Lincoln Plaza in New York with the following nail trends. I wasn't able to be there in person but my friends at Dark PR filled me in on all the details…





[1] Pure at Heart and the Fifties Flair inspired models wore the popular Fashion Week polish, a sheer pink Dashing Diva runway favorite!

[2] The Rock Chic inspired models wore the gun metal Penthouse Views metallic polish shade.

[3] The Jazz-Age Cool inspired models wore a dark burgundy Dark PR shade for a dramatic finish to nails!

[4] Dashing Diva working on models, including top model Giselle.

Photo credit: Eric Yu from Dashing Diva