Fashion Flash
Last night’s eppy was so much fun! PR has really gone down in my ratings recently, their challenges seem so predictable and lackluster. But oh boy was there a turn around for me after the second episode this season. Did ya get a chance to tune in?
As Suede sadly tucked the corners of Jerry’s bedsheets and lamented his roomie's loss, Kelli was nearby gloating in all her glory from last week’s win. Honey definitely got a spoonful of conceit. Get over yourself girl, the show’s just begun.
Mod off. In true PR fashion, we were at the runway to see which designers were loyal and which were cutthroat competitors. I wish more people would steal other designer’s models. I know, I know, I’m evil. But HELLO, drama is so much more fun! Nevertheless, only a couple decided to steal and most remained true to their first loves. Joe’s model got the ultimate sendoff. I bet ya he felt a whole lot of crappy. Tear.
Before we could properly bid Joe’s model farewell, Heidi quickly announced the next challenge. Well that’s different. Where’s my field trip Heidi? Or shall I say, Darth-licious? This week, designers would be making cocktail dresses for their clients who just happened to be…their models. Yawn. I was just about to flip the switch and hit the hay when Tim announced that 1. The fabrics they would work with must be “green” and 2. The models themselves would have to do the shopping with absolute no direction. Now you’re talking! Volume Up!
Enter chaos. Designers completely freaked out, some even bordering manic screaming out suggestions as the door slowly closed. Models too were equally flipping as they arrived at Mood. I was so confused by the models' choices. Yes, I am not a fashion designer, and I’m sure I too would make horrible choices. But brown satin bordering on iridescent (I loathe iridescent fabrics) and wacky color schemes paired with peacock feathers. Shudder.
Back at the workshop, designers almost fainted at the horror of models' purchases. A lot of the designers, i.e. “Team Ugly Brown Fabric,” had the exact same fabrics while others had at most 2 yards to wave their magic needle. As models played the role of client, chiming in with their preferences and tastes, it loosely went well as they came to terms with the cards they’ve been dealt. That is of course minus Stella. Sistah Stella could have cared less what her model wanted and decided to go full speed ahead with her own vision. Ooo.
As the night wore on, we got a glimpse of some quirks and late night deliria. Suede started to speak in 3rd person while Stella went on a leather lovin’ rampage, spurring Blayne to poke fun at her neurotic obsession. Tension mounted as Stella overheard. Could this be the drama that Jiae awaits? I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for the fight to ensue, when Blayne and Stella decided it was all in good fun and ended the climax with a hug. Jiae deflates.
Tim makes his rounds. I don’t get Tim's role. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love him, but his ambiguous advice and even more nonsensical metaphors doesn’t really seem to help designers on their path to victory, does it? Moment of hilarity? When Tim stumbled upon Kyoto’s design and replied with a so not convincing “Ohh…” after finding out that her dress was indeed NOT inside out. After he regained composure from the awkward silence that followed, Tim gave designers a little boost for their efforts. The challenge winner would not receive immunity, but will have their winning garment manufactured and sold on bluefly.com. Cool beans.
Showtime: Runway day has arrived and designers were more frantic than ever. My personal highlight for the big event was the guest judge! Cutie-patootie, Natalie Portman. Hit it!
Top 3 (Left to Right): Stella, Kenley and Suede
Suede was our challenge winner and I don’t know why, do you? Miss Portman loved the dress, even speaking up to say that she would wear it. I agreed with Michael when he loved that Suede used two different fabrics to make a new one, but what? I would never wear that dress AND if I ever saw anyone rockin’ it, I would def take notice in a not so positive manner, no? Other top contenders were Stella and Kenley. I personally think out of the three Kenley should have won. Was it the most original? No, but it was definitely chic. Stella on the other hand does not get my vote. I am not a fan of lacing.
Honorable Mentions (Left to Right): Blayne, Daniel and Emily
Here’s a peak of some of my personal faves. I loved Blayne’s bright pink number (surprise!) and anything with pockets (Daniel's dress) usually wins me over. And mama's totally gaga for easy, breezy jersey! Who were some of your faves?
Bottom 3 (Left to Right): Leanne, Kyoto and Wesley
Two members of Team Ugly Brown Fabric, Wesley and Leanne, were in the bottom three. Nina totally reamed Wesley saying, “Shiny, tight and short is the quickest way to look cheap.” And unfortunately Leanne’s reviews weren’t all that much better, reminding NP of Peter Pan. Among them was one of last week’s tops, Kyoto. Michael was on the money when he said her dress looked like there were fins flying off the model’s bum.
In the end, it was down to Wesley and Leanne and I was SO bummed out! They were two of my absolute faves and knowing that one of them would walk the plank was unbearable. But so is life and the adorably shy Wesley was deemed the challenge loser. Double tear.
Next week, designers walk around NYC wearing ponchos? Well at least my fave field trips are back. Yippee!
Peace, love and happy reading!
Jiae
BY JIAE K. ON 7/24/2008 3:53:00 PM 26 COMMENTS
I keep seeing celebs sporting cute, summery scarves. I want to try them out. Any suggestions?
Staying fashionable in the summer is tough when the heat makes it hard to wear anything but your fave bikini. Lightweight scarves are the perfect way to stay stylish--and cool. AE crinkle lurex scarf, $20, ae.com
Snap up bold ‘n’ bright solid scarves to wear with boho tanks and cropped jeans. Metallic accents for more of a pop (and feel fab with your gladiators).They look great worn long and loose…crazy knots feel too stuffy for hot summer days.
Square, airy scarves with wild prints or plaids are super-hot right this second. Pair one with a fitted tank a pair of fuss-free shorts. Gorgeous! Plaid Gauze Square Scarf, $20, urbanoutfitters.com
By: Jillian Dipasquale
BY JIAE K. ON 7/22/2008 1:16:00 PM 98 COMMENTS
Remember how much you loved to rock overalls as a kid? The farmer look may be over, but one-pieces of a different sort are making a major comeback. Sure it looks tough to pull off, but a solid-colored romper can actually make your torso look longer. They look casual-cool with flips and fab for a girls night out with wedges.
(Left to Right): Scarlett Dot Romper, $35, delias.com; Terry knit romper, $29, Newport-News.com; Kendall Halter Romper, $20, gbyguess.com
By: Samantha Gendler
BY JIAE K. ON 7/21/2008 7:00:00 AM 155 COMMENTS
Sigh, it seems like it was just yesterday that Christian (PR winner season 4) was bawling his eyes after winning the coveted title. I was totally aloof to the start of the new season until a clip popped up at a chance meeting while watching another one of my Bravo faves (Flipping Out!). But nevertheless, here we are again. A fresh new crop of 16 designers from all walks of life back at the all too familiar Atlas building on the streets of NYC!
One-by-one, new faces walked through the doors introducing themselves with awkward conversation that only comes from cramming a massive amount of flamboyant strangers into one tiiiny room. I tried to keep track of all 16, but it was mighty tough. You’ve got your designer wannabe zoologist, small boutique owners, up and comers that name dropped some big-wigs, like Marc Jacobs and even Mr. Fake and Bake to name just a few.
After all the names were put to faces, newbies headed up to the infamous rooftop to meet who else but Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum. Dude, Heidi has like some sort of supernatural power. Doesn’t the woman age? She looked positively fabulous. But thank goodness she still retained her scary humor even though a wrinkle wasn’t in sight.
The next morning, or shall I say evening for some, Tim pounced on designers the way only Mr. Gunn could do—with a 4 am wake up call! I felt so bad for them—I’d die! As each groggily awoke, manic mania broke out as they hustled and bustled to meet Tim on the streets.
And there we were, back again, biting nails, as to where they were headed to face their first challenge…until that is we came to a halt at Gristedes (a popular supermarket chain in NYC). To greet them was a familiar forever-ago face, Austin (from Season 1), the champ of produce to pizzazz production.
The Challenge: Create a design of your choice with materials found in Gristedes on a budget of $75 dollars.
Off they went, running of course. Because if you’re on PR its apparently a requirement that you have to run EVERYWHERE you go to strike fear and terrorize shoppers and retailers alike. Some folks had their visions in mind, others just grabbed and grabbed all that was in sight. A few fun purchases were mop heads, Solo cups, bouncy balls and asparagus?! Eek.
Back at Parsons, designers unbagged their groceries and headed to work. Was it just me or did Parsons get a makeover? Their walls weren’t blue before, were they? Anyhoo, I digress. With the challenge ending at the stroke of midnight, designers frantically got to sowing to avoid any pumpkin disasters.
It was fun to see what everyone bought and I couldn’t wait to see what they would engineer. Joe’s boxes of pasta were def intriguing and Daniel’s Solo cups seemed impossible. And we can’t forget about Miss Kelli, who kinda reminded me of Elisa from Season 4, with her bleaching vacuum bags and setting fire to coffee filters. Yikes! Everyone seemed to be groovin’ except for one poor soul, Stella whose trash bags put her original idea into well, um, the garbage.
As Tim made his rounds, he was totally bummed out that SO many designers took the wimpy way out by buying table cloths. I totally agreed when he called them “slackers.” This definitely put a fire under each bum as all tabletop lovers tried their hardest to spice up their pieces.
The Showdown: On runway day, models filed in and headed out equally as fast (many with designers still attached to them). Lights, camera, action!
Top 3 (Left to Right): Kelli (vacuum bags and coffee filters); Kyoto (table cloth, lettuce and tomatoes); Daniel (Solo cups)
Kelli was the challenge winner. And I do agree with the judges, well partially. The skirt is amazing and so cute. However the rest of the “dress” I’m not too sure about. Doesn’t it kinda scream mermaid? Even though I don’t love the whole Xena look from Daniel, I do think he should of won sheerly based on the amount of effort it must have taken to construct his cocktail dress. Wowza!
Honorable Mentions (Left to Right): LeAnimal (table cloth and candy); Wesley (table cloth and Solo cups); Joe (pasta and oven mitts)
Now if you know me, ya know I’m a total girly girl that goes gaga for anything super flirty and cream puff-esk, which is why I had to include my personal faves. Hee! Leanne’s dress was so adorable and yummy, while Wesley couldn’t have made a tablecloth look more sophisticated. And last but not least, Joe made the cutest top with oven mitts!
Bottom 3 (Left to Right): Jerry (shower curtain); Blayne (I have NO idea); Stella (trash bags)
Yes, the trash bags aren’t great, but we have no time to discuss this when Jerry’s questionable styling and Blayne’s horrific contraption is before our eyes. Heidi said Jerry’s model looked like a plumber. Michael said she looked like she came from an insane asylum. All I have to say is, “Word Up!” The judges hit the nail on the head with that one. What was the man thinking? Why the rubber gloves? Why Jerry, why?!
And even though Michael described Blayne’s outfit as an “old dirty diaper” I am totally at a loss for words. After much deliberation, Jerry got the German send off. Honestly though, I’m totally thinking Blayne should have left. At least Jerry made clothes, what the flip was Blayne’s garment? Can some one please shed some light for me? Ugh-a-lug, for sure!
Next week, we have PR firsts and PR fights! Till then I’m signing off and shutting me mouse!
Hugs,
Jiae
BY JIAE K. ON 7/17/2008 2:37:00 PM 50 COMMENTS