For Fall 2010, Tibi designer Amy Smilovic played with balanced opposities, according to show notes, but I think the result was all about harmony. First, the hair: Each model had a glorious poof of long, luxurious, super curly locks floating atop her head that had a fun and flirtatious flower-child feel. Then, the color palette, a beautiful wearable mix of navy, mauve, black, burgundy, plus plenty of Tibi's trademark prints to keep things lively. The clothes were mostly separates, like ladylike bow-tied blouses pairs with tweed shorts, or cozy sweaters layered over high-waist trousers. Accessories were understated yet still managed to pack a punch, like a leather fanny pack, 5-inch platform slingback clogs, and colorful opaque tights. And let's not forget the charming cocktail dresses and sequin embellishments (another trend that isn't going anywhere soon). It was another successful, crowd-pleasing collection from a contemporary brand that doesn't take itself too seriously. I'll take one of everything, thank you very much.

by Dianna Baros, thebudgetbabe.com

Isaac Mizrahi's Fall 2010 runway show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC was classic Isaac: Colorful, ebullient, and full of surprises! The inspiration, according to his show notes, was an eclectic mash-up of whimsical ideas evoking fairy princesses, bag ladies and the great outdoors (stay with me here, it all made sense in the end!). Think "Buffalo Bill Blass" or "Geoffrey L.L. Bean", the program read.

The result: Down parkas over cocktails dresses; a quilted strapless LBD; fur on backpacks and disembodied hoods (that woul be a hood, sans coat). Then, sparkling sequin embellished party frocks, red-carpet looks that seemed swept up in chiffon tornadoes. And throughout it all, thoroughly wearable separates, tons of texture and rich colors like a brilliant tomato-red, moss green and mustard yellow that made for a show with never a dull moment.

I had a fabulous seat thanks to Sarah but my video unfortunately didn't come out as well as I had hoped. Nonetheless, it's worth watching to see the snow and to see Isaac skip out onto the runway to take his bow. Priceless!

Video by Dianna Baros, thebudgetbabe.com

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Let it snow! Those were my thoughts upon seeing the fantastic Mackage Fall 2010 runway show, which included both men's and women's fashions from designers Elisa Dahan and Eran Elfassy. The mood evoked an urban, modern warrior, battling the cold in style with structured wool coats, fitted puffers, lots of leather and fab fur in an aggressive palette of wearable neutrals like black, brown, gray and camel. Body-con dresses, some embellished with hardware like studs, zippers or statement necklaces, were equally fierce, arming each model against the elements in sleek sophistication. In short, Mackage makes bundling up seem sexy.

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Backstage at Tadashi Shoji, I had the pleasure of speaking with key hair stylist Rodney Cutler for Cutler about creating the Fall 2010 runway show hair looks. Cutler saysTadashi wanted hair down and looking young, fresh and uncomplicated to complement the red-carpet worthy gowns—a refreshing break from the up-do's of seasons past. "These clothes are so glamorous and 'evening,' this is sort of a perfect balance," Cutler says. To get the look, he used Cutler Volumizing Spray, a lightweight hair spray that repels humidity, followed by Redken Workforce 09, which allows hair to move on the runway.

Video by Dianna Baros, thebudgetbabe.com

NYFW coverage proudly sponsored by IGIG.

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Models take to the runway for the finale of the BCBG Max Azria Fall 2010 runway show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The collection presented endless variations on a sensible yet chic theme, namely wearable flowing tunics, skirts and dresses--often layered over leggings and paired with ankle boots--in muted grays, blacks and blues, with colorblocking and the occaional sequin applique to keep things interesting. If the line seemed airy and fluid enough to be for spring, that's because designers Max and Lubov Azria were thinking about the customer, someone who who shop the collection straight from the runway late summer, then layer up as she transitions into the colder months. Effortlessly draped dresses cinched with elastic belts at the waist proved to be a highlight of this collectively strong collection, designed as it were to mirror today's independent modern woman.

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