Tim Gunn (my Hero)

It's a crazy world when my favorite reality show host is turned into a 2-D action super hero. Actually, it feels like an extension of Modelinia's Spiked Heel episodes (supermodels as superheros- starring the one and only Heidi Klum). I love you Tim Gunn, but this is getting too weird. If you're interested in what the comic is going to be about, check out the New York Times article.

The 'Anna' Documentary

First Valentino and now Anna Wintour! Looks like all the big names in fashion are getting a feature film documentary these days. I guess people can't get enough of Vogue. To be honest, I think U.S. Vogue has been getting worse and worse- haphazard or boring fashion spreads and articles that read like lists of socialite and designer names. Hardly anything catches my interest. I usually flip to the back first and browse the three pages of guest editor selected 'must haves' (you know, the ones that look like scrapbook pages). Then I check out the photo shoots and luxury brand ads. I get a 1/2 inch thick mag every month and there's nothing in there worth reading, skimming maybe but not reading- boo-hiss! I am definitely not renewing this year.

Despite my complaints with Us Vogue, it's a given I'm going to watch 'The September Issue'. I may not like Wintour's selection on recent issues, but I (and probably every fashion blogger out there) dream of being the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue. Attending fashion shows and everyone asking your opinion on what's fashionable and what not, having the power to promote young designers, putting together fashion spreads and reviewing fashion articles, what's not to like about that job? I definitely want to check out the amazing things you get to see and do as the Editor-in-Chief of one the best known fashion magazines in the world.

The Sartorialist Book

Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist is finally publishing a book of his photography. I can't believe I didn't read this earlier considering I'm an avid follower of his blog. Even though he has received lots of acclaim and book offers, he always turned them down because he didn't want his book to be just another coffee table adornment that's too heavy to actually read. He finally agreed this time because they are doing a paperback release at the same time. I think paperback is so much smarter because I'm more willing to flip through and buy a paperback. Just a few days ago, I was at Barnes and Noble skimming "The Women in the Mirror" which is an amazing book. It was filled with photographs of women from cover to cover, including a number of fashion editorials. The book was huge (maybe 15 in. x 18 in.) and felt like 20 pounds- not a invitation to read. So I'm very excited for Sartorialist- the Book. Congrats Scott! I look forward to seeing your book at my local Borders.

Project Runwayless Runway Show

Even though Project Runway has yet to appear on Lifetime, they have started shooting and even did a runway show with the top 3 designers showing for Fall 2009 NY Fashion Week. Unfortunately because of the delayed airing, the designers were anonymous and did not appear on stage. How horrible to not be allowed to put your name on your work and get the recognition you deserve! They probably weren't allowed to invite their families to see their work on the international fashion stage that is Bryant Park. Thankfully NY Mag has kindly covered the show. While the clothes great, the result of the PR fiasco is disappointing. Bravo, Weinstein Co., and Lifetime, stop acting like schoolyard children and settle things already!

Contestant 1 is going for the Alexander Wang 'cool girl' look with lots of chunky knits and leather, but occasionally shows off a polished side. There were definitely stumbles along the way and I don't mean models tripping here and there. The eveningwear felt weaker than the sportswear in that dresses were awkwardly draped.





Contestant 2 had the kind of girly-glamorous style that I personally aspire to dress. I found the silky dresses in rich jewel tone to be effortlessly chic. Most of the collection is really lovely and flattering on the female body. The style similar to brands like Rebecca Taylor, Milly, and Cynthia Steffe. However, the critic in me wants to rip apart looks 2 and 4 because they look cheap and groan at the awkward 'is that a shirt or a dress?' length of some the outfits.





Contestant 3 has a similar style to contestant 1 but does it better. He/she mixed things up with different fabrics and textures, but carries the criss cross pattern throughout the collection. The workmenship is impeccible, especially the work done to the leather pants in picture 3 below.







My prediction for the winner is contestant 3 because the collection really displays the person's ability to manipulate fabric. My personal favorite is still contestant 2's collection.

Inauguration Special: Malia and Sasha

Although it's been their mother, Mrs. Obama, who's been receiving the most press about her outfits and keen fashion sense, Malia and Sasha Obama are getting their turn in the spotlight. New York Post did a feature called First Fashionistas- which takes a look at the fashion choices made by the Obama daughters. In formal occassions, they take cues from their mother and dress in the same color family. Other times, Malia indulges in tie-dye Tease T-shirts, and Sasha looks adorable in anything.

Gerson & Gerson named their black dress after Sasha, after she wore it on Election Night.

Sasha is taking part in the 'Presidential wave.'

In other news, we may be welcoming more than a new President this January. There is talk that Vogue's editor in chief, Anna Wintour, may be replaced.

Project Runway Legal Mess

While skimming NY Mag, I saw this brief article:

The legal battle among the studios and networks fighting for control over “Project Runway” .... stem from a decision by the Weinstein Company, which produces “Project Runway,” to move the show from Bravo to Lifetime. NBC Universal, the parent company of Bravo, has sued the Weinstein Company, which has sued Bravo, and Lifetime sued them all, saying that the channel had exclusive rights to the show.... A sixth season of the show remains up in the air, pending resolution of the suits.

So Project Runway's move to Lifetime didn't work out so well. NBC sued the Weinstein brothers because they want to keep PR on Bravo. I considered a lawsuit to be a logical action taken by NBC since PR is the most popular show on that network, to lose it would be a big blow. Bravo thought they had a lasting agreement with the Project Runway producers but Lifetime swiped the show for $150 mil for the next five seasons. No doubt NBC/Bravo was pissed by the deal.

Then Weinstein Co. counter sues by claiming that Bravo intentionally refused to promote Season 5 by having few and not well done ads, showing spoilers, and limiting press about the season premier date. Huh? I watched season 5 and didn't notice any of those things.

Now Lifetime is suing both NBC and Weinstein Co. claiming they have exclusive rights and NBC is wrongfully blocking the cable channel from airing future Project Runway episodes. They sued the producers for selling rights to "Project Runway" without fully disclosing the potential conflict with NBC. Sounds like people are just pointing fingers at this point.

Lifetime can't show any PR stuff until these lawsuits are settled and have pushed back the premier date to Summer '09. In the meantime, Bravo is creating an eerily similar fashion design show, but America gets to vote who's in and who's out. I hope it doesn't end up as ridiculous as 'Make Me a Supermodel.'

Do I Know You From Somewhere?

Leighton Meester at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists party:

"I see a really cute guy over there." The gentleman in question made a beeline over to the Gossip Girl star. "Excuse me, do I know you from somewhere? Are you an actress?" he asked, grabbing Meester by the waist and passionately kissing her. "I'm sorry," she said, briefly coming up for air. "This is my boyfriend. We play this game all the time.

source: Style.com

I Want a Piggy Ride too Heidi!

How cute is this picture taken backstage of Christian Siriano's SS09 show?! I love this picture for two reasons. 1) There's such a big height difference that Christian is a good two feet off the floor and 2) Heidi is actually supporting a Project Runway winner.

Here are some of the dresses from his show. L-O-V-E, Christian's proving he's not just a one hit wonder.





I think he really used vertical pleats, sheer fabrics, and bright bursts of yellow and red thoughtfully. The overall look was polished and not overdone.

New 'Shoester' In Town

Watch out Zappos, Shoes.com, Endless, and Piperlime, a new heavyweight is entering the online shoe-selling arena. It’s DSW, a brand that first established itself as a brick and mortar store (more like warehouse store). There happened to be two near where I live, but I only shopped there once. It’s truly a shoe emporium with shoes stacked row after row. Despite the abundance of shoes there, I didn’t find anything I liked. Although I’m not DSW’s biggest fan, I do welcome it with open arms. More competition means a bigger selection and better sales for shoe addicts like me. And that’s something to be excited about!

Parsons' Designer of the Year: Stephanie Suberville

Today was my last day of classes (woot woot) but I still have finals in the coming two weeks. While I’m prepping for my final exams, seniors at Parsons The New School for Design (that's a mouthful) are getting ready to graduate. The best fashion designers of the graduating class get the opportunity to showcase their designs at the Parsons’ Annual Benefit and Fashion Show.

The Parsons’ Benefit is a fabulous black tie affair that raises funds for scholarships and academic programs at the school. This year at the event, Parsons honored two acclaimed individuals in the fashion industry: fashion designer and CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg and Barneys New York Chairman and CEO Howard Socol. The school also awarded Stephanie Suberville as the Designer of the Year- an honor that could potentially launch her career.

Dress designed by Stephanie Suberville

Suberville says this of her final collection:

"I wanted to show who I am, and a lot of who I am as a designer comes from my background," said Suberville, who grew up in Monterrey, Mexico and whose grandparents owned a department store. "I come from a French background, but I am actually Mexican. As a Mexican and as a woman I have always been very inspired by Frida Kahlo, but it was very important for me to not be the Mexican student doing Frida Kahlo. So instead of focusing on her paintings, I focused on her personal life. Frida always said that her whole life was based on two tragedies: Her back accident and her love for Diego Rivera. So it's a very dark, very romantic collection."

It will be exciting to see where these new graduates will end up. Recent graduates Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez (the Proenza Schouler boys) have gone far. Hopefully, Suberville will be as successful as McCollough and Hernandez. Maybe someday soon I can make a post about her new collection at Barney’s.

Here’s the list of Parsons students who also showed their collection at Parsons’ Annual Benefit and Fashion Show:

Boram Oh, Kirstyn Catlett, Nayeon Lee, Yoon Jeong Gee, Sunghiun (Seonghyun) In, Amira Marion, Judy (Yun-Chu) Lee, Hanmin Kim, Sarah Law, Samantha Aprea, Heezu Hwang, Dominique Cammaert, Spencer Phipps, Melissa Luning, Wen Shi, Sylvia Kwan, Andrew Rogers, Esther Marina Shimberg, Hye Seong (Clara) Yoo, Yoon Jung Ha, Grace Shin, Aiden (Seunghoon) Yoo, Bo Bae Lee, HJ Lee, Cullen Meyer, Sara Shahbazi, Rachel Rymar, Hernan Garcia, Woomi Pyo, Freyja Van Noort, Hyun Ah Choi, Jigon Son and Angela (Yang Zi) Gaoxia.


Edit: Tracey Lomrantz attended the event and blogged about her experience and top designer picks.

Thou Art Fierce

Sorry to do a Fashionista-style quote post but this was too good to pass up:

“Vanessa Williams is the queen of fierceness and Becki Newton is the princess…” ~ Christian Siriano

I love it because it’s so true, so true. If you want to know why Christian is commenting on the fierceness of the Ugly Betty crew, well that’s because he will be joining them as a guest on the show.

Hopefully, some Christian Siriano will inject some fierceness into Ugly Betty again. I really liked the first season of Ugly Betty which was so funny and endearing. My roommate introduced it to me and I was immediately hooked. I probably watched 4 hours straight of streamed video that night. Somehow this year, I’m not so tempted to watch. It’s probably because the plot got too ridiculous, a common problem for new hit dramas. Once I missed an episode, I wasn't all that interested in catching up, but now I'm completely lost. I, at least, will tune in for the Christian episode on May 1.

It seems that Christian is taking full advantage of his popularity following his Project Runway win. I just saw him on "Make Me A Supermodel" and now he's doing "Ugly Betty." He either has a really good publicity person or is naturally talented in that department too.

WTF! Project Runway Moves!

I can't believe this. Apparently Project Runway is no longer a Bravo series, but is moving to Lifetime. The whole story is here.

I'm a bit sad. Project Runway was the show that first introduced me to Bravo which I now love. If PR is really moving to Lifetime, I will follow because it's one of my favorite shows and I adore Tim Gunn. Personally, I'm not enthused with Lifetime. I feel that many of their programs are fluff and their movies are very predictable and therefore boring. I probably won't watch anything else on that channel until they produce some edgier shows. I also have no love for the Lifetime website- which is very sterile and directed at 40 year old women (well, that is their base viewership). I am quite sure that Projects Runway's move is less about reaching more viewers (because there's a ton of us already) and more about the bigger paycheck. Well enough of my cynical delvings into the subject. I guess what I really care about in the end is that PR keeps its 10pm time slot and plays reruns right after, because otherwise I will end up missing episodes and will be very sad. Oh Project Runway, why did you have to get greedy and go to the highest bidder? I love you still, but I question your loyalty.

Oh, and some secondary news- Nina Garcia has been let go from Elle. Supposedly, she had been spending to much time outside of the office and not enought time doing her job. I can believe that, especially when she's been promoting her book and making appearances at different events. Based on this article, Nina may still be judge for PR's next season, but somehow I'm doubtful. The producers would definitely want to sell the judge position to the highest bidding advertiser (based on their current record). If ELLE is still on board, wouldn't they want the judge to be one of their own?