Allie S.

is modding

Fashion Flash

Project Runway: And the winner is...

In the second installment of the all-female finale, Althea, Carol Hannah and Irina were on an even playing field when it came to concept, good models and makeup consultations.

Going into the final runway show at Bryant Park, it was anyone’s game!

When it comes to drama, the final show did not disappoint. Irina and Althea’s similar taste caused some conflict when it came to the makeup consultations (both wanted to use smoky eyes!), and Carol Hannah was still fighting off a major bug.

The show was filled with tons of running around, last-minute additions to the designers' last-minute 13th looks and help from their PR partners. Nevertheless, these ladies had to get it together! It was their final chance to battle it out on the runway and impress the final judges: Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and guest judge Suzy Menkes.

Althea gets funky and futuristic.

Let the show begin! Inspired by sci-fi movies of the ‘50s and ‘60s, the judges thought that Althea's pieces were well-made and wearable, but they complained that her collection lacked cohesion and might have been a little TOO down-to-earth. Missing a much-needed splash of color, it seemed to be a collection of opposites, with each piece looking great individually but out-of-place when you put 'em all together.

C.H.'s elegant and impeccable tailoring

Carol Hannah's tailoring was top-notch per usual. The best at playing with color, her blue one-shoulder draped dress (psst! This one was her 13th and final look, too!) wowed the judges. Her collection was by far the most creative out of the three remaining designers. But overall her pieces didn't mesh well, and she did not have a collective theme.

Black is ALWAYS chic...but did Irina go overboard?

The judges gave Irina a hard time for using so much black in her designs. Her collection was inspired by “what it takes to survive in the city as a woman,” and obviously, her urban inspiration ultimately served her well! Heidi praised her collection, saying it was, “sleek, modern, cohesive, and it told a story.” But the judges applauded Irina for her attention to detail, from hair to makeup to the warrior-like helmets that each model wore.

And the winner is...

IRINA!!!

Not only did Irina win a fashion spread...she also snagged a Paris vacation and $100,000! We can’t wait to see her designs on future catwalks!

BLOG IT OUT! What do you think? Should Carol Hannah or Althea have won? What other contestants would you like to see make a collection? What were your favorite pieces of the evening?

-Claudia Notarangelo

Photo Credit: myLifetime.com

BY CAITLIN R. ON 11/20/2009 12:02:00 PM 16 COMMENTS

POST IT ON YOUR

E-MAIL

Sometimes the hottest runway trends can be tough to wear in the real world. Truth is, these daring looks can be super-cute when matched up with basic pieces from your closet.

Keep reading for our insider tips to taming wild vests and making tall boots less tough—and everything in between!

Military and band jackets are a must, but you don’t wanna look like ya just marched out of a parade. Pair one with something flirty and feminine to make it a li’l easier and free-flowing. Pop one over a dress with tights, or wear with a ruffled blouse and your fave pair of skinnies.

Dallas Military Blazer, $48, delias.com

From sequins to glitzy 80s-inspired metallics, clothes are definitely dazzling this fall. Pair a seriously sequined top with skinny jeans, a cute cardi and flats for a daytime look. Lose the sweater and throw on some heels for a night out. Sequins still a bit scary? Look for pieces with a shimmery trim or a hint of sequined appliqué.

Jazz Beaded Tank, $25, wetseal.com

Faux real? Yup, fake fur is totally hot. Pair your vest with dark jeans, a solid, long-sleeve tee and flat boots for a cute cold weather outfit. Want to go boho chic? Wear your cozy faux fur over a great floral print dress with tights and riding boots.

Luscious Faux Fur Vest, $25, forever21.com

Forget boring black leggings and pull on a pair with an eye-poppin’ print instead. Whether they are animal print, plaid, striped or lace, these beauties look best with a solid tunic dress or an oversized button-down. Add a wide black belt and you’re done.

Shiny Animal Legging, $10, Miley Cyrus & Max Azria for Walmart, walmart.com

Over-the-knee boots can be, well, overwhelming! But matched up with the right threads, they can really make an impact and elongate your gams. Find a flat pair and sport them with tights or skinny jeans and a casual top. Or, go for a mini with a turtleneck sweater with tights and over-the-knee socks for a cozy feel.

Wrap Boot, $40, alloy.com

-Claudia Notarangelo

BY CAITLIN R. ON 11/16/2009 11:29:00 AM 72 COMMENTS

POST IT ON YOUR

E-MAIL

Girl power all the way!

New York Fashion Week is right around the corner in Part One of last night’s Project Runway season finale, and Althea, Carol Hannah and Irina have been hard at work getting their creations in order.

The three ladies were given a few months to create a 12-piece collection to show at New York’s Bryant Park, and none other than the fabulous Tim Gunn is sent to check up on them—taking us along for the journey.

First stop is Huntington, New York—new home of southern belle Carol Hannah. With only five weeks until the big tent showing, Carol Hannah gives Tim a glimpse at her whimsical fairytale collection that plays with variations on volume.

While she was known for her evening wear this season, she admits she wants to show versatility in her collection, adding pieces with pants and jackets that still have a twilight flair. One notable piece is a ballerina-esque dress inspired by the architecture at Duke University—adorable!

Next, it’s off to the Upper East Side in New York City where Irina has been working away on her compelling hand-knit pieces. She wants her collection to reflect her roots and takes inspiration from Coney Island, citing her collection as a “Thank You” to New York.

Always willing to take a risk, she wants to incorporate boyfriend tees with fabulous Coney Island imagery into her outfits. But not so fast. We soon find out that the legal team at Project Runway discovered (10 days before the big show) these images are actually trademarked and Irina cannot not use them. What will she do?

Dayton, Ohio is the final stop on the Tour De Tim. Althea has been cooped up in her hometown, seeking motivation from sci-fi movies for her pieces. She notes inspiration from these heroines and hopes to incorporate their strength into her designs.

Althea has been toying with some knit work, too, but Tim thinks a lot of the pieces are frumpy and costume-y. One Matrix-looking coat in particular he compares to “visiting the wild west.”

Fast forward to five days before the big showing and the remaining designers reunite in New York. Well, two of the three as Carol Hannah is stuck with a contagious stomach bug. It’s just Althea and Irina who, if you remember, left on not-so-stellar terms in Los Angeles.

Once the girls head to a new workroom to continue the work on their collections, a still queasy Carol Hannah joins the gang. Tim walks around with some thoughts, leaving us on pins and needles as to which designer’s outfits will in fact be the best.

The final three head to the model casting—11 for each designer—and once they return to the workroom, friendly faces Nina Garcia and Michael Kors pop in to lend some pointers, advising the ladies that what walks down the runway should exemplify them as a designer and that they should always trust their instincts.

A Project Runway finale wouldn’t be complete without a last-minute challenge, though. Heidi drops in with Tim and announces each designer must create a thirteenth piece for her collection—one that must be cohesive with the rest. Designers have 30 minutes to sketch an idea and head to the original Mood (yes, the NY stomping ground finally makes an appearance) with a budget of $250.

Think they can pull it off? Here’s hoping with the help of three extra sets of hands. Logan, Gordana and Christopher surprise the ladies and each grabs one for some bonus help (Althea picks Logan, Irina picks Gordana and Carol Hannah gets Christopher).

Will it be Carol Hannah’s fantasy-glam creations, Althea’s sci-fi picks or Irina’s basic grey and black urban knits? Our money’s on Carol Hannah but ya never know until the final products head down that runway. Be sure to tune in next Thursday to find out which designer dominates the infamous tent.

Who do you think is going to win? Blog about it, fashionistas.

By: Patricia McNamara

Photo Credit: myLifetime.com

BY JIAE K. ON 11/13/2009 11:59:00 AM 23 COMMENTS

POST IT ON YOUR

E-MAIL

Project Runway: Inspiration Station

It's the last challenge before the last three designers get to show their skills at New York Fashion Week. Yep, that means not one but TWO designers got the boot last night.

The final five head to Los Angeles' breathtaking landmark—the Getty Center—where they’re greeted by Tim AND Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of L.A. The camera pans to surreal views of the city and surrounding hills, lush gardens and fountains and regal white buildings. Amazing! But why are the PR peeps at the Getty?

The challenge: Create a garment using The Getty Center as inspiration.

The contestants take a 30-minute tour and then get to spend 30 minutes working on their ideas. Even cooler? Their models come along to serve as muses.

Everyone draws inspiration from different elements. Althea is taken by the architecture and wants to do something very structured and tailored. Carol Hannah falls for a regal French bed complete with feather, fringe and gold accents. Irina adores “Mischief and Repose”—a painting with two goddess-like women in sheer garments. Christopher loves the fountain’s organic elements—especially the algae-encrusted rocks. And, Gordana is taken with a European Monet painting that reminds her of home.

Our fashionistas sketch away and it’s off to Mood where there’s a frenzy of furs, colors and of course, questions from Tim.

Back in the workroom tensions are instantly at an all-time high. Carol Hannah and Christopher seem buddy-buddy, and Gordana and Irina have also paired up. That leaves Althea as the outsider and Irina compares A’s helter-skelter designing aesthetic to “King Kong.” Dirty looks and snide whispers fly.

Tim-time rolls around and he’s got a thing or two to say to each designer. When Christopher tells Tim that he wants to put “angular pieces” on his frock Tim tells him that they look like stalagmites and he “needs to keep an editing eye.” He also gasps at Irina’s fur cape and tells her it looks like roadkill. He’s also unhappy with Althea’s angular dress. Wary of the “panels of puckering, “ he muses that her dress needs work.

Time’s running out and some of the designers are fuhhh-reaking! Gordana and Christopher are both pleased with their creations….but will Althea and Carol Hannah even finish in time? “I feel like I’m in an adventure movie, where I’m just running around all over the place,” C.H. confesses.

On to the runway where regulars Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum are joined by Cindy Crawford and Cynthia Rowley.

How’d the final creations come out?

(Left to Right: Althea, Carol Hannah and Christopher)

Althea’s gold, flowing dress was definitely structured and symbolic of the Getty’s architecture. The judges loved the risky paneling on the skirt but all agreed that it was very risky and the top looked half-finished.

I loved Carol Hannah’s gold “town and country” gown. I thought the ropey straps, shiny fabric and shape of the dress perfectly represented the bed…but the judges begged to differ. They felt her dress was beautifully made, but weren’t sure if it spoke to her inspiration.

Christopher’s fountain-inspired frock also received mixed reviews. The judges hearted the beautiful, silvery frock but felt the bottom was too heavy and only added on as an afterthought.

(Left to Right: Irina and Gordana)

I wasn’t too sure about Irina’s drapey green piece. Her “goddess gown” had a really cool back, but I agree with Nina who called the bottom “dowdy.” There was something about the shape that was a little too bubbly.

Gordana really loved her garment—and everyone else did, too! You could clearly see the connection with the painting and the crinkled, flowy fabric made her look absolutely angelic. Cynthia just wasn’t sure about the “chunky zipper.”

So who’s going to New York?

Although Althea’s look was deemed a “mess” and a “disappointment” she’s staying based on her previous work. And Carol Hannah’s beautifully made dress scored her a pass to Bryant Park. Irina’s consistent performance also qualified her to move on.

We also said our “auf”s to two great designers. Gordana is deemed too safe and the judges feel they don’t really know her as a designer yet. And while Christopher “sees the beauty in things where others don’t,” the panel thinks he just doesn’t have enough experience…yet.

Are ya ready for next week’s epi? Are ya disappointed by who the judges picked? What do you think will go down when the designers hit “The Olympics of Fashion?”

Stay tuned!

Cait

Photo Credit: myLifetime.com

BY JIAE K. ON 11/6/2009 2:14:00 PM 31 COMMENTS

POST IT ON YOUR

E-MAIL