Can you hardly wait for New York Fashion Week? We can’t either! To get our lovely style correspondent Joslyn Davis in style for  the Bryant Park Tents to cover the Project Runway Season 5 fashion shows/finale, we’ve enlisted Rami Kashou from Season 4 to dress her in a piece from his collection. Will he put her in one of his classic draped numbers? Will he choose a piece in a different silhouette?

Stay tuned to watch the video- and in the meantime see how it all went down when Joslyn visited the tents last year by watching the Season 4 Fashion Week videos.

If ever you wished you had your own personal stylist, you’ll be certain to fall in love with Nina Garcia’s new book The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own . This easy to follow volume by the stylish Editrix is in the same vein as her first style tome The Little Black Book of Style. She keeps the lessons easy to follow by listing her pieces alphabetically and using whimsical designs by fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo.

FROM The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own

With her style philosophy firmly out in the world, Nina decided to address the most popular question readers consistently ask her: Exactly what are fashion’s timeless pieces?

The One Hundred answers this question and provides women with a tangible style map to follow when planning a shopping trip and stocking one’s closet. With illustrations from world-renowned fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo, The One Hundred contains the 100 items that Nina believes will never go out of style, and that have become absolutely indispensable for any woman reaching for her own eternal fashion look.

Snag your copy today and  let Nina help you shop your way to a chic new wardrobe!

After the first challenge in Gristedes I think it’s fair to say that most of us cringe at the thought of the designers working with unusual materials. It’s true it always makes for an interesting show, however it’s just so sad to see them flounder. In our experience, the designers either can’t think outside the box or create something so basic by using the most fabric-like material that the innovation the challenge calls for is lost.  On the flip side there are those rare gems that manage to rise to the occasion and laugh in the face of unusual and creative challenges, like first guest judge Austin Scarlett.

For this challenge, as soon as the designers arrived on the roof for their introduction and saw the cars I could cut the tension with a knife. Our favorite line was from Terri who asked ” What am I supposed to do with these cars? I don’t have blow torch!”

As we predicted many of the designers picked seat belts and other pieces of cloth they could easily form into fabric-like pieces. Luckily when they got in the workroom designers like Kenley and Leanne realized early on that to stand out they needed to avoid using seat belts or at the very least use them in a different way. Let’s face it, The judges either dock you for taking the easy road and following the flock or applaud you for taking something everyone else has and re-thinking that material. The choice is yours.

Jerell, Leanne, and Korto were the top three with their dazzling innovative designs. We love the Barbarella/ Judy Jetson look of Jerell’s design. Not only did the piece look modern it combined the materials in really great way and was totally wearable without being a bore. We agree with Rachel that we would wear Korto’s elegant weaved coat in a second. Just as Micheal said we think it was chic. This look took a lot of effort and time, and is an example of a great way to work a common fabric many of the designers snagged. Last, but not least is Leanne who never ceases to amaze! We definitely think she is one to watch. Taking a departure from her pleats and pintucks she made a party perfect cocktail dress out of seat material of all things!

It was no suprise that Keith, Stella, and Blayne ended up in the bottom three. Keith, who finally made a different silhouette ( we were in no mood to see more torn strips attached to a skirt or a sleeve), ended up boring the judges with his conservative look. One could chalk it up to karma for yelling at Alyssa for sitting in the makeup room! Come on! Then there was Stella with her  separates in the bottom three who in all fairness went outside her comfort zone. Be honest, you all thought she was going to make an all leather piece too! It didn’t make sense to Pr Alum Laura or to Micheal Kors and her skirt was clearly puckering and coming apart. Lastly, there was Blayne who rounded out the lowest scores with his elegant, but poorly made dress. We give props from his ‘licious’ departure with his more elegant design. We know he was reeling from not having anything hot pink to choose from. Unlike Heidi we liked the broken glass shards on the bust ( we aren’t superstitious), and we think the look is chic. However, as Laura pointed out it was ill-fitting on the top.

Ultimately, Leanne won with her snazzy dress and Keith was out. We agree with the judges choices for this challenge. Do you? Don’t forget you can take home a piece of the runway by bidding on these creative designs on our Project Runway Auction.  Bid now- and pick up Rachel’s Zoe’s book packed with all her fabulous style advice!

Tune in tonight for celebrity stylist, author, and style maven Rachel Zoe is the guest judge on Episode 507:  Fashion The Drives You. The designer’s will be asked to use a car as their muse in creating innovative looks. Given her penchant for helping to shape the style of today’s hottest young starlets most notably her past work with Nicole Richie,  we know that she will have a keen eye towards cutting edge creativity.

See her inspiration and ways she styles stars like Mischa Barton, Jennifer Garner, Joy Bryant, Keira Knightley, Kate Hudson, and Anne Hathaway by snagging her fashion book with Rose Apodaca titled Style A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty, and Everything Glamour.

As if we weren’t already Jealous that Rami Kashou was making her wedding dress, we find out from our lovely friend Tanya Z ,owner of Maneater Threads, that he had a private show in Puerto Rico that she just attended!

Visit  her site for all the details including gorgeous pictures from the runway-and shop Project Runway alums like Kashou and Kara Janx .

This was was a truly regal challenge. Dressing first-class drag queens is no small feat and from the looks of the garments creating these pieces was both fun and frightening. Let’s gets started with the bottom three to mix it up a bit.

Upon close inspection Jerell’s dress is beautiful. It’s well made and you can tell he took his time to make sure each tiny detail was complete. In the light the cool colors of the sequins sparkle and the the detailed collar is impeccable. Still, as all the judges and Heidi agreed this does not look crazy enough to be worn by a drag queen. The length should have beeen shorter, and the details on the collar could have been incorporated elsewhere on the dress.

Next there is Keith’s design which kept us guessing. From the looks of the shoddy work and the layers and layers of fringe we felt like we were experiencing some deja vu from episode 503, wherein Micheal told him his design looked like toilet paper.  All together the look is grand, but not in a good way.

Although, we did not think Daniels Cha Cha dress was the worst it did deserve to be in the bottom three. It was similar to Jerell’s dress in that it looked like a basic gown a costume designer might have. It did not scream Drag Queen. First of all the dress was heavy. To be honest it seemed like he took all of the fabric he purchased and incorporated it into the dress. There were layers and layers of fabric and simply put there was just too much going on.

AND NOW ON TO THE GOOD STUFF….

Despite feeling lost, Joe came through with a stellar sailor jumpsuit. It looks just as good off the runway as it did on Varla Jean Mermann. Not only was the color of the jumpsuit pretty but the little details like the stars on the cuff and the oversized belt (which accentuated her waist just right) were dazzling.

Terri’s design is just as outlandish and fun as it was on the runway. It really is a sight to see. Each piece by itself from the kimono style wrap to the Wonder Woman esque lace-up back bustier was well made. Combined, the look commands attention and perfectly embodies the outrageous personality of Terri’s model Acid Betty.

Finally….

there is Korto. Her design with it’s hot “notice me” red is amazing! Not only is her design fit for a queen  but the intricate details like the curled pieces on the shoulder give it just the right kick to take it over the edge. We love that the skirt can be unattached and turned into a cape, making two complete looks. This is the type of innovation that the judges were looking for. Sweetie seemed to be having fun on the runway, and with a dress like this, who could blame her?

We had too much fun this challenge and cannot wait for next week!

For those of you who were jonesing for some of your favorite designers from last season, tonight was a special treat as Chris March came out to help announce the challenge. As we all know from watching his audition tape and looking at his portfolio he is the king of costume design and is particularly talented when it comes to making beautiful drag pieces.

Surprinsingly, the designers seemed to have less problems with this then they did with the Olympics challenge. Apparently making over-the-top creations for beautiful drag queens where the sky is the limit is totally within their realm of understanding. Well, all except Joe who was struggling with the concept of making a piece for a drag queen.

It was interesting to watch the designers pad the bust forms and play with bras made for men. Some designers like Joe, Kenley, Jerell, and Korto really had fun while other’s like Stella and Keith seemed to be stuck in a rut. Terri went over-the -top  it was up for debate whether it was in a good way and Leanne’s design looked like the pleats and pintucks she has done for other challenges. In the words of Micheal as far as Leanne’s design went we  felt like ”she could have gone farther.”

Perhaps the most interesting was Suede who claimed his design came to him in a dream where his gardening grandfather told him to toss seeds all over  his dress. He was pleased with his design and lettuce influences only to have his model call him “lazy” for making gloves instead of sleeves . Yikes!

After all the spats and speculation the designs hit the runway. As expected Keith, Jerell, and Danielwere in the bottom three. Although I definitely had issues with Daniels cha cha design we were pretty confident the vote to go home would be Keith. I mean how many times can you do scrappy tears.

Terri, Joe, and Korto rose to the occassin and impressed the judges especially glamazon guest judge Rupaul. Ultimately, Joe claimed his first victory with his curve hugging pink sequins jumper, while Daniel was out for not being innovative enough.

This challenge was good queen fun! Check back tommorrow for the up-close and personal details of the garments! 

We’ll admit that one of our favorite designers is Leanne. There we said it. Not only does she create beautiful innovative designs she also manages to save her small gripes for her interviews and steers clear of drama. Yet it’s not only her designs on the runway  we dig, but her personal style.That’s why it’s great news that she often wears her own designs (see above) from her own line Leanimal. This means that we can steal her style.

With Leanimal she does for pleats, pintucks, and folds what Rami does for draping. Each of her designs, which you’ll note from her audition video she designs and produces all herself, is a beautiful piece of wearable art. We know she will be doing big things this season.

Get to know Leanne a little better- and check out her Spring 2008 line  on her website!

We checked out Jennifer’s blog ‘The Suite Life’ and found  this sweet note to Project Runway fans and the bidders on her losing design for Episode 504.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

All I have to say is that you have to go home, go home a winner!

I just want to thank everybody who bid on my losing design for the 4th challenge on Project Runway, making it the winner of the auction!!

Read more to find out about what what she’s up to and what projects she’s working on here!

This week, the designers worked in teams to create a look for the ladies on Lipstick Jungle. I have to say, some could have been done by Victory herself and others seemed never have to encountered the New York Fashion scene. So, I won’t make you wait a moment longer for the inside scoop.

This week, Kenley and Keith were the queen and king of the jungle with their winning design.

My favorite design this week was from Korto and Joe; I just adored their sexy backless dress and voluminous coat. The dress had a very low back with a single strap across the back. The leather trim along the neckline was a nice tie into the jacket embroidery and clutch. My only gripe was the polyester fabric - too retro ’70s for a cocktail dress! The jacket was a fabulous orange taffeta with golden embroidery trim along the edges. I especially liked the enormous sleeves on this jacket. Korto and Joe also created a beaded choker and leather clutch with a bow to accessorize their look (because no Lipstick Jungle girl is ever without her fabulous accessories!). If this look is chic enough for the Lipstick Jungle crew, then you better make sure you bid on it!

Terri and Suede were partnered up and they created a fiesta-inspired blouse and tailored black trousers. The black trousers were well made, but they were made out of a stiff linen-like fabric. So not Lipstick Jungle chic! The blouse, however, I did like. It was bold and flirty with a ruffly collar. The black belt with the teal stripe added shape to the breezy blouse. I thought this outfit is perfect for a flirty night out when paired with a fabulous bag and stilettos. Make sure you place your bid in the auction as this top would be adorable with skinny jeans and black heels when wore for a night out with the girls.

Stella and Jerell teamed up to make a very jungle-y skirt and simple scoop neck tank. I did like the minimal approach to thier design. (And after last week, Jerell needed to take it down a notch). Their a-line, leopard pattern skirt was simple, clean, and universally flattering. I also like the use of the fabric in the trim of the scoop neck tank. As always, Stella found a way to incorporate leather with a wide, bright green leather belt. However, I thought that it was fitting for this design. This outfit would be perfect for inside the (Lipstick) Jungle or outside, so make sure you place your bid in the auction!

Kelli and Daniel did not have the skills to dominate in the jungle and we said auf wierdersehen to Kelli. The two create a black pencil skirt, jacket, and bustier from a black fabric. While I liked the concept, the suit seemed a little to throw back to the 80s for me. The skirt was well done, but the fabric was a matte black with a crinkle texture wasn’t chic enough for the sophisticated ladies of Lipstick Jungle. The blazer had a good concept–I loved the ruffle waist and bold teal belt. But overall, the design, just wasn’t fierce enough for the jungle, but paired with a different blouse and killer heels, the suit could be great. Make sure you bid on it in the auction!

Lastly, Blayne and Leanne just missed the entire challenge concept, unless their idea of the jungle is Crocodile Dundee! I was just shocked by how un-chic and unsophisticated their design was. It would’ve been a good concept for the desert, but not the city. The created blue-grey denim Bermuda shorts with a purple belt. I did like the sun-dial like belt buckle. The purple halter top was poorly made out of a jersey fabric. The blue button-down shirt was mostly well done; I liked the cuff detail. And the leather vest (oh!). It was poorly made and glued together. Overall, the design did not fit into the Lipstick Jungle ideology. On the other hand, if you live in the desert or want to look like you do, then bid on this outfit in our auction.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to look Lipstick Jungle chic! Make sure you place your bid in this week’s auction!