Tim Gunn's Style

We're all so familiar with Tum Gunn's fabulous, tailored suit look, but over the last few years, he's branched out a bit. On the most recent episode of Project Runway, he sported a look that was more playful and even youthful. Rather than wear his standard suit with a patterned shirt and tie, he wore dark wash, fitted jeans with the hem rolled into cuffs, kind of reminiscent of the 50's. He was still polished and professional, not to mention impeccably tailored, but I just adore how he played with the whimsical feeling and added just a touch of nostalgia to an otherwise basic look.

I created a polyvore set inspired by this outfit. I hope my gentlemen readers will consider this look at some point:

Tim Gunn Style by rtboo featuring flat shoes

If not, maybe just the tailored jeans and blazer look? I'm a fan.

Project Runway: Season 11

So... I'm a little behind the 8-ball on this season of Project Runway. Since I completely avoided the most recent "All Stars" season, I was not aware that the newest season had begun! Fortunately, the seamstresses at work are major fans and they keep me up to date on all of it.

Anyway, I will (obviously) not be blogging every episode, but I figured I'd put in my two cents about the changes this season, since there were quite a few.

First the bad:
- No Michael Kors! I miss his oompa-loompa-esque complexion and his amazing, snarky one-liners delivered in a perfect nasal deadpan. Zac Posen is fine in terms of his taste and judging skills, but no one will replace the incomparable MK when it comes to creative insults.

- Teams! I know that Tim Gunn and Heidi are all, "This is the REAL WORLD!" I just don't buy it. So far, we're three episodes in and the team method has some horrifically bad designs getting through because the rest of the team is stellar, and some other great designs that could be winners that are not being recognized because the rest of the team is so terrible. Also, watching the "Dream Team" crash and burn for three weeks in a row is just painful. Put them out of their misery already, producers!

And now the good:
- Redecorated workrooms! Parsons looks so fresh and new. I love the new workrooms, sewing rooms, and the stew room. All of it is fresh and fun. Last year, the stew room was especially stark, making Tim's entrance at the end to ask the losing contestant to "go upstairs and clean up your space" that much more difficult to watch.
- Fun challenges! I was particularly fond of the Spin uniform challenge- now that's what I consider "real world" stuff. Working with clients to create something stylish and functional is not always easy and the winning team really nailed it.

And just for fun, here are some of favorite designs (so far), by my favorite designers (so far).

Patricia- Episode 1 "NYC Inspiration"

Patricia- Episode 3 "Surprise"

Patricia is definitely a very talented lady. I love how quirky she is. So often there will be someone on the show with a unique background and an even more unique personality and all too often they are eliminated early on. It's as if they were selected more for the TV appeal than their design ability. Patricia seems to be the exception to that and at this point, I truly hope to see her make it to the finals. 

Michelle- Episode 1 "NYC Inspiration"

Michelle Episode 2 "Spin"

Michelle- Episode 3 "Surprise!" 

Michelle is the best example of someone who is currently being overlooked because she is on the losing team. Every singe runway show, she has sent something down that is original, true to her design aesthetic and fashion forward. Had her team won the "Surprise" challenge, I have no doubt Heidi would have chosen her as one of the winners. And for the "Spin" challenge, I felt heartbroken for her. It was a complete waste of a fabulous design. 

Daniel- Episode 1 "NYC Inspiration"

Daniel- Episode 3 "Surprise!" 

Daniel, much like Michelle has shown consistency each week with his design aesthetic and his workmanship. He's earned two wins in three episodes, and in episode 2, it was his design that won as well, but he quite gallantly gave the win to his design partner, Layana. He is obviously one of the most talented individuals we've ever seen on the show and I hope he continues to prove a strong contestant because I would love to see his runway show in the finale.

All in all, this season is off to a great start. I'm looking forward to seeing how the team aspect plays out in the long run. 

Are you watching this season of PR? What do you think of the changes? Of the designers? Of the judges? Leave a comment and as always, thanks for reading! 

Project Runway Season 9- Almost Here!

If you follow the news about Project Runway, you know that Season 9 airs next week. I was checking out the casting videos for some of the season 9 cast and I think there are definitely a lot of personalities there. I'm a bit worried the casting directors focused more on personality and whether they had a good "look" for TV rather than trying to get a diverse group of incredible designers. Based solely on their 1-2 minute "casting sessions" videos on Lifetime's website, I predict Danielle Everine and Amanda Perna as the first two to be eliminated (P.S. Rumor has it the first episode will have a quadruple elimination). I also predict the top three to include Joshua Christensen, Becky Ross and Bert Keeter in the first episode with Joshua as the winner of the first challenge.

I wonder how much the judges know about the contestants before they see their work. In a perfect world, they would know nothing and could base their scores solely on the work they see that day. But I imagine it's more complicated than that, especially for Heidi. I'm looking forward to Michael Kors saying things like, "She looks like a rodeo clown from the 13th century," and for Nina to roll her eyes at contestants who talk too much about their inspiration, but don't actually make anything inspiring. Also, should we start taking bets on the level of Michael Kors' tan? Last season, he was more orange every week. I can only imagine how much worse it's gotten. But enough about that- I can't wait for Tim Gunn to say things like, "There's no joy in this. Where's the exuberance?" I love when he says "exuberance." I also love when he frowns and holds his chin in his hand. He's awesome. (And he once said that I'm fabulous.)

Take a few minutes and watch some of the casting sessions yourself- then leave a comment and tell me who your favorite is so far. It's hard to tell with just a short video, but I like to see what my gut reaction is to each person before I see the slick, edited episodes.

Nantucket Bound

As you are reading this post, I'm likely pedaling my rented bike around the streets of Nantucket. My mom and I decided to get up really early this morning, drive the 2+ hours down to Hyannis, hop on the first ferry of the day over to Nantucket and spend the day exploring the island. I'm not wearing anything blog-worthy, as I need to be comfortable for riding a bike all day. Actually, we may rent scooters instead of bikes- as I write this post, we haven't yet decided. Regardless, I can tell you that my outfit consists of denim shorts, a Life is Good t-shirt and a pair of pink Converse low-top Chuck Taylors.

I'll be sure to post pictures of our day at some point. I'm hoping for sunny weather, but the forecast said there would be some scattered showers.

Since I'm not really blogging anything today, I thought I'd give you a few interesting articles to read:

I enjoyed this post on Mashable about How Social Shopping is Changing Fashion Production. It's eye-opening when you think about how many different ways designers can engage fans of their lines- through twitter, facebook, and of course the ways mentioned in the article. Check it out- it's an interesting read!

Last week I posted about the new season of Project Runway. (Side note: I was wrong about the date- it's actually JULY 27th, not JUNE 27th- oops!) While I may not be really looking forward to it, like I have in seasons past, I certainly will have a few choices of other shows to replace it with if it turns out to be a disappointing season. It seems there are some Project Runway spin-offs in the works: Chris March has his own show Mad Fashion airing on Bravo soon. It appears as though it will be full of Bravo personalities we already know and love to hate. As if that wasn't enough, Tim Gunn is hosting The Revolution on ABC, a new twist on a make-over show. Instead of a quick week-long make-over, it seems the women featured on The Revolution will be making a 5-month long weight loss attempt and their progress will be documented over 5 episodes. Hmm... we'll see if that takes off.

You all know how I like to post about "green" fashion choices- whether is it clothing, accessories, fair trade, organic, etc. So you can understand why I enjoyed this article on Fashion News about New Hampshire company Timberland and their choice for "Best Green Handbag." I wasn't able to find a photo, but the description of the bag sounds great.

Well, I hope these links keep you busy for a little while. I'll try to take lots of pictures today, provided the weather cooperates! Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Project Runway: Season 8, Episode 9

WIN: Mondo
AUF'd: Ivy

When this season first started, I was thrilled for the additional 30 minutes added to each episode. I felt for a long time that the extra length made the show feel less rushed and we were able to see more of the design process as a result. Now I just find it annoying because I feel like some of these contestants intolerable and an extra 30 minutes of them is practically torture. Examples? Gretchen and Ivy. I can't say how happy I am to finally see at least one of them go. The contestants who get along with her keep saying what a great person she is, but I've found her to be nothing more than an arrogant shrew with decent sewing skills, but not much creativity or point-of-view as a designer. Her best work was last week's challenge- the sportswear inspired by Jackie O. This week? Not so much:

This gown is not salvageable, in my opinion. Tim Gunn said it was unfortunate that she was judged on two unfinished garments, but I don't think finishing would have made a difference. The colors didn't work, the concept was too literal and the fit was horrific. Look at the way the fabric is pulling across the models hips- it's hideous. I agree with the judges decision to send Ivy home. I did not, however, agree with them that Gretchen's design was amazing. They loved this awful mostrosity:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seems like something you'd see at the Rennaissance Faire, especially that headpiece! Gretchen started off strong in this competition, but she hasn't been in the top for a while and in fact has been in the bottom more than once. She certainly has a point of view, but it's not one that I like.

On the other hand, I was proud of Mondo for his second win in a row! Both of his looks were perfectly in line with the challenge and with his point of view:

The length on the front of his "high fashion" look is unfortunate- I wonder why he didn't re-do the front of that skirt. But I suppose it wasn't enough to ruin his chances at winning, so why bother re-hashing it? Especially when the ready-to-wear dress is so fabulous and so clear a translation of the first look! I think that the best designers are the ones who can be given a challenge outside of their esthetic and still come out on top. Last week, Mondo proved his worth in that regard with the Jackie O. sportswear challenge and this week he solidified my opinion of him as a strong designer. Also, I love his cute little outfits that he wears on the runway:

He's adorable! Not quite as adorable as Christian Siriano, but close. His personality is a LOT more subdued and his point of view couldn't be further from Christian's, either. I still like him and I'm happy for him for this win.

Next week, I hope Gretchen goes. I'm done with her. I admit that I'm curious to see her final collection, and it's already online along with the collections of nine other designers. Since fashion week occurred early in the season, all of the designers still on the show had to create runway shows, but 7 of them were decoys. To view them, click here. I couldn't help myself and looked at nearly all of them- basically I looked at the shows of the designers remaining at this point. I won't say much more about it in case you are waiting for the PR finale to see them all.

Happy Monday, everyone! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Project Runway: Season 8, Episode 5

WIN: Casanova
AUF'd: A.J.

Wow. Drama, drama, drama. I LOVED this episode! First of all, there is nothing better than an underdog succeeding. Second, everyone loves to see the bad guy go down and not only was Gretchen nearly eliminated, but Tim Gunn called her a "bully" and said she manipulated the other designers on her team! Oh, snap! Don't mess with the Gunn, friends!

As for the fashions, I completely agree with the judges on this one. Team "Luxe" was anything but. Their designs were frumpy, ill-fitting and booooo-ring! Team "Military & Lace" nailed it. With a textile like lace, their collection had the potential to be either very granny or very vulgar. They managed to make it look edgy and current. Also, they incorporated the military aspect in interesting and unique ways. It wasn't just your basic structured jacket looks with epaulettes and buttons down the front. They used chains instead of braided trim and buttons and studs in unexpected places- like down the side of Casanova's skinny pants.

Speakng of Casanova, I am SO happy for him! He has had a rough couple of weeks, but his look was truly beautiful. The funniest part of his diva-meltdown was the line, "And I'm getting fat!" His green sweater was an unfortunate choice and didn't do anything for his body, but that line was so over-the-top, I died laughing. And in the end, his look was a real stunner. It was one of the few designs that came down the runway and made me think, "Wow, that's hot." The pleating detail at the knee of his pants was beautiful and I thought his use of brass studs down the side was genius. It reminded me of a tuxedo stripe, but the fact that it was studs made it so much more innovative and edgy. Brilliant:

Honestly, team "Military & Lace" didn't have a single miss- everything worked together AND each designer managed to maintain their own individual point of view:

April- I'm so proud of April for this look. It's an amazing comeback after her diaper disaster last week.

Mondo- It's hard to see in this picture, but the shoulder detailing on this look was amazing.

Michael D- This is a lot of look, but I adore the chains draped over the arm. Very modern and unexpected.

Peach- Another underdog comeback! The top is amazing. I don't love the skirt because of the studs and chains, but I suppose she had to incorporate the military aspect somehow.

Valerie- I like that this look is white. It helped add a bit of lightness to the collection. But even more than her look, I was dying for Valerie's hairdo all throughout this episode! I have to find a way to style my hair that way- so cute!

I love how she tied the scarf. This was the best picture I could find of it, but trust me it was so much better from the back.

Ok, let's talk about the losing team. The judges were spot on: everything was boring, out of proportion and ill-fitting. As Michael D put it, "They have a garment called a grandpa sweater!" That really says it all. The ego on this team was just ridiculous. Between Ivy and Gretchen, this team looked like a bunch of jerks! Also, I wish Gretchen would just STOP TALKING! Her statement, "I don't think our collection looks like any of us and that's a Project Runway first." Well, guess what, Gretchen- just because it's a first, doesn't mean it's good! I feel like I have to show you all their looks so that you can see exactly what the judges are talking about:

I didn't label any of these by the designer who made them because it was so hard to keep track. They each made various pieces, but only Ivy made all the pieces in an entire look (3rd picture).

The best and worst part of the episode was Gretchen. Her ego was just ridiculous from the moment the challenge was presented, right up until the end. And then the way she said that she would not stand on the runway and throw anyone under the bus, yet as soon as things went really downhill, that's exactly what she did. It was horrible to watch because she was such a jerk. That really is the only word I can think of to describe her in this episode. Tim Gunn had an even better word- bully. I absolutely deplore the way they all treated Michael. Especially since his blouse (4th picture) was one of the only pieces in the collection that was beautiful. At least Tim Gunn let her have it at the end. I really wish she had gone home, but since she didn't, I really hope she has a lot more humility next week. At this point, she's the kind of person that no one wants to see win because she seems like such a terrible person. No one wants a bully and a jerk to win. I would have been happy to see her sent home this week after that display.

Do you think I'm being too hard on her? Is she really a nice person who just had a bad week? Or is she a manipulative bully? Leave a comment!

Project Runway: Season 8, Episode 3

WIN: Andy
AUF'd: Sarah

I always LOVE the unconventional challenge! The grocery store, the party supply store, the used car parts- it's always so interesting to see what the designers do! I often wonder what I would come up with in an unconventional challenge like that. I think I'd probably wander around overwhelmed, anxious and confused and at the end of the 30 minutes of shopping, I'd probably have something like a single roll of streamers in a hideous "Happy Birthday" print and a few packets of glitter. Tim Gunn would be so disappointed.

Fortunately, it wasn't me that was doing the shopping and designing! I think these challenges using unconventional materials really separate the designers into two camps- the ones who are able to make something that looks like it actually could have gone down a runway and the ones who implode because they can't wrap their heads around dealing with the strange materials. I appreciate the designers who create realistic-looking garments while also remaining true to their personal design esthetic. It shows true creativity and inspiration. Now for the runway looks:

Andy's design- Materials: ribbon

Yay for Andy! That's what I say! Also, yay for Gretchen not winning a third challenge in a row. Her head is getting too big for anything else to be in the room. But more on her design next. Andy did a spectacular job on this dress and managed to make it look sleek and fitted. So often when a designer starts weaving and layering on materials, it looks bulky and unflattering on the model. Andy really succeeded in making a wearable dress out of nothing more than ribbons. He deserved the win for sure.

Gretchen's design- Materials: mylar fringe, paper bags

Gretchen's whole, "I'm a force to be reckoned with" is just starting to get annoying. That whole conversation about "It will change the whole dynamic if I win a third challenge in a row" was just annoying. But the thing about big egos on this show is that they always get crushed at some point. I'm sure the producers are setting us up for a big one. We love seeing someone great go down almost as much as we love seeing the underdog triumph. (Case in point: Did you know that in Fenway Park, during a Red Sox game, when another team is beating the Yankees somewhere else in the country, they actually post the score on the big screen for the Sox fans to see. You've never heard a crowd roar so loud as when Sox fans hear the Yanks are losing. No joke. But I digress- back to fashion.) I'm not trying to downplay Gretchen's skill and talent- there's no doubt about it. I'm really looking forward to seeing what else she'll come up with. Even this week's design was impressive. She managed to make cheap mylar look expensive and the jacket made out of paper bags was admittedly quite brilliant. And as the judges pointed out, she's the only one who did separates. Maybe she IS a force to be reckoned with.

Valerie's design- Materials: napkins

I feel so bad for Valerie always being in the top three, but not getting the win. Her designs are truly beautiful. This is one of those designs that looks like a real dress. If you didn't know it was made with napkins, you'd just think it was chic and feminine and interesting. I'm rooting for Valerie to get a win soon. I think having Gretchen always in the top is a strong motivator. She's been so close every time that I'm sure she's going to give it her all to get a win soon. I'm looking forward to seeing it happen.

As with any unconventional challenge, there are always some serious runway disasters. Cassanova's was no exception. What do you think about his whole language barrier issue? Is it real? Does he really misunderstand ALL THE TIME? Or is it an act to help get his atrocious designs through to the next challenge? Take a look at his monstrosity:

Cassanova's design- Materials: plastic table cloth, stuffed animal fur

If Cassanova lasts through another challenge, I'd be shocked. He was in the bottom for the first challenge with that vulgar, hideous dress. Then he was in the middle last week, but his design was beyond matronly. This week he was called out on the bottom again, but scraped by. His days are numbered. For sure.

AJ's design- Materials: you name it, he used it

AJ (and Tim Gunn) remarked several times that this was a challenge right up his alley- that he does this sort of thing all the time. But the time constraint was his excuse for not living up to his reputation in this instance. At one point in the episode, Cassanova said, "We're making a dress, not a pinata!." Well, AJ made a pinata.

And then of course is Sarah. Poor Sarah. She's struggled and strained and Gretchen wouldn't stop giving her advice, but in the end, she just seemed to give up.

Sarah's design- Materials: decorate palm tree, tablecloth

Sarah's original pallate of ombre pinks and teal blues was stunning and Tim even said so. I wish she'd stayed with that color story and gone for it. At least it would have been more of a statement than this boring kindergarten project. (P.S. Can we talk about the model's face in this picture? Poor girl! She looks SO busted!) In the end, I wish Cassanova had gone home. I think that Sarah would have done some good work in the future if given the opportunity.

In my opinion, there were two other "stand out" designs that looked like real clothing to me and I can't resist showing them to you:

Christopher's design

Michael's design

Just the fact that Michael's looks like a red carpet gown, but he made it using $100 worth of party supplies is simply mind-blowing. And Christopher's dress made of napkins actually looks like something I would buy in a store. Kudos to both of them! And to all the designers who survived the unconventional challenge!

Rate My Look- I'm eating my words

My best friend told me a few months ago that everyone can look good in a pencil skirt, it's only a matter of finding the right one. I disagreed with her, simply because I felt that a pencil skirt would not work on MY shape. I had not tried one on in years that actually looked good. Then, a couple of months ago, I found a casual denim pencil skirt with an adorable ruffle detail at Ann Taylor Loft. It was on sale for only $14.99, and I found myself eating my words when I tried it on. It actually looked great. At least I can admit when I'm wrong, right? Decide for yourself if this is a successful skirt look for me:

I love the fact that even though it's a pencil skirt, the denim textile and the ruffle detail help to keep it playful and casual. Combined with my Tim Gunn-inspired "Carry On" t-shirt, and some fun layered necklaces, it's sufficiently girly, but not too dressed up. If you aren't careful, a pencil skirt can feel very stiff and corporate. By choosing a denim one, that helps to keep my look casual, but pairing this silhouette with something as casual as a t-shirt also helps prevent the look from being too office-worker-esque.

Since I felt so great in this skirt all day, I decided to swing by the Ann Taylor Loft on my way home from work to see if there was another great deal waiting for me. You never know what kind of bargain you'll find and today was no exception. I walked out with a short grey wool skirt. The shape is more my standard silhouette- fitted waistband with full, short, above-the-knee skirt. But the best part about it was the price: $4.77! Honestly, I spent almost that much on my latte this morning! I won't get to wear it until the fall, but it's going to be a perfect staple for my wardrobe. Grey is obviously a fabulous neutral and the skirt length is going to work with flats, heels and boots. I can picture it already- a pair of tights and some layers on top- there will be plenty of combinations to choose from! It's hard to believe we'll be pulling out the fall looks soon, but I have to admit, I'm looking forward to it. It has been a very humid summer, one where I feel I haven't even enjoyed being outside because it's been so uncomfortable. I'm looking forward to weather that's cool and dry. Until then, I'm going to work on some more fun outfits to make with my pencil skirt. I'm an official convert!

Project Runway: Season 8, Episode 1

WIN: Gretchen
AUF'd: McKell

What is worse- making something basic and a little pedestrian or showing so much skin that Michael Kors says your model looks like a Dubai pole dancer? (I'm paraphrasing.) It's a tough call to say the least. All too often I have to wonder if the producers are encouraging the judges to keep someone around because they'll make for better TV or if they truly want to see more of that person's work. In the premier episode last night, Casanova made an incredibly vulgar dress that was completely unwearable. Is he the Santino of this season- completely inappropriate and over-the-top, but the judges are "intrigued?" Or will he just be good for ratings because of the language barrier/hearing problem and the tragic demise of his $1000 pants? (Not to mention his tiny yellow tie.) And was McKell's dress really that bad? Because I would wear it in a heartbeat. It was a little basic and not particularly innovative, so that combined with her quiet personality meant she was auf'd? In my humble opinion, there were far worse train wrecks on that runway than this precious little dress:

Need an example? How about this mess of an outfit:

Really? This is color blocking gone horribly wrong. Valerie made this monstrosity using Casanova's $1070 Dolce & Gabbana pants. That's just wrong. And what about this mess of an evening gown:

At least Nicholas was called out for this hot mess. I honestly don't understand what the judges meant when they said, "Well at least we know he can make clothes." Really? Because when I saw the back of this dress, I thought, "What on earth is going on with that zipper?" I'm all for exposed zippers, but his was all puckered at the bottom and looked so messy. Also, was it his intention for the gown to be so wrinkled? It's a mess.

I did, however, agree with the judges about the winner. I also felt the choice was clear because this look made me gasp, it was so beautiful:

Everything about this is wonderful. The dress is so beautifully made and the back is even more stunning than the front:

In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I die." The styling is as perfect as the dress, from her hair right down to the ankle boots. Also, when Tim spoke to Gretchen about her design, she seemed to have really put a lot of thought into the dress. It was more than just a garment for her- it was an idea, a person. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her work.

As for the changes to the show, so far I am LOVING the new 90-minute format. There have been times when I felt the show was rushed, like they were cramming as much as possible into an hour that they possibly could. Now it feels a little more relaxed for the viewer. We get to see more of the design process and isn't that why we tune in to begin with? What do you think of the first episode this season? Love it? Hate it? Have a favorite designer yet? Leave a comment!

Style Icons- Reality Competition Show Hosts

I admit it, I'm a reality competition show junkie. You already know about my obsession with Project Runway, but I also love The Amazing Race, Top Chef and Top Chef Masters and never miss an episode of any of them. I also occassionally indulge in America's Next Top Model, the Bachelor/ette, and I'm looking forward to the new Bravo show "Work of Art" (premiering tonight, actually). I prefer the shows that require a refined skill, which is why Project Runway and Top Chef rate so highly for me. But every reality show has a host and everyone knows that the host's job is to speak well and look good.

ANTM has Tyra:

I'm not even gonna go there.

The Amazing Race has Phil Keoghan:

Dressing Phil is probably the hardest host-styling job out there. His travel schedule is absolutely insane- the contestants are usually in a different country for each leg of the race and sometimes even a different continent. Weather and climate are always a factor, I'm sure. But no matter where they are- Detroit or Dubai, Phil always looks pulled together and appropriate. I love his casual, laid-back style. It must be fun to travel the world, but he spends so little time in each place, it also has to be hectic. I don't know if I would be up for the task of hosting a show with that much traveling in such a short amount of time.

I would be happy, however, to host a show like Project Runway with Tim and Heidi:

Let's be honest- Heidi basically always looks stunning- and she's been pregnant on the show more than once. As for Tim, he knows what works for him, so he is consistent with his perfectly tailored suits. Obviously I would enjoy being the host of a show like PR because the task hits so close to home for me. But if I had to choose between hosting Project Runway and hosting Top Chef or Top Chef Masters, I would go with Top Chef/Top Chef Masters hands down without a second thought. There two primary reasons for this:

1.) Chef-testants are not known for being very fashionable. In fact, they are often quite a motley crew, so the host always looks stunning by comparison.

2.) There is an abundance of exceptional, gourmet food around at all times for the host (and judges) to eat.

Padma Lakshmi and Kelly Choi are the lucky hosts of Top Chef and Top Chef Masters, respectively. I love both of their style choices nearly all the time. Occassionally Padma will wear something a little out-there, but I always appreciate that she's a fashion risk-taker. (And did you know she's one of the former Mrs. Salman Rushdies? How's that for a notable spouse?) Both Padma and Kelly like to sport solid jewel tones and they always look amazing in them:

I find that I have difficulty watching TV and movies without thinking about what people are wearing. It's an occupational hazard, I suppose. But I appreciate your indulging my obsession through this blog post. Is there a host or hostess that I've left out who you feel is an amazing style icon in the reality show world? Leave a comment!

Project Runway: Season Seven, Penultimate episode

Bryant Park: Mila.

Boo. I am NOT a Mila fan at all. I feel like her clothes have all been done before. At least Jay was a little more innovative. The judges were right, though- he overdesigned everything. That's definitely typical of a less-experienced designer, or someone who's trying too hard and Jay definitely qualifies in both respects. Mila's 3 pieces were so expected and typical and could she PLEASE use a little bit of color? Please?!?!

Ok, who out there felt this was the harshest Tim Gunn has been across the board with his designer at-home visits? Holy cow! He was not mincing words this season! I am absolutely DYING to see Seth Aaron's collection and I think Emilio's will be interesting, too. I hope he adds some youth and vitality to it. What we saw of it tonight was exactly as Tim described and I really hope Emilio finds a way to breathe some life into it!

Who are you rooting for? Do you have a favorite? Leave a comment!

Project Runway: Season Seven, Episode 5

WIN: Anthony
AUF'd: Anna


First of all, I want to say that Anthony's winning reaction was priceless. He is a hoot! And unlike many contestants, his quirkiness is true. It doesn't seem like some contrived personality made to stand out on TV. I believe he truly was that surprised and happy. As he should be! A COVER picture on Marie Claire magazine? Amazing. And as Tim Gunn pointed out, it has never been done in Project Runway history. And for Heidi Klum to be the model, well, that's just icing on the cake!

I feel that when the challenge involves a celebrity actually wearing the garment somewhere, it basically has to come down to what they prefer, so a designer who plays to their personal style will always come out on top. (With Tiki Barber really suffering the most with that horrible menswear challenge a few seasons ago. That was painful to watch.) Anyway, Anthony's dress was truly stunning. If you know me at all, you know that the shade of blue he chose is my asbolute favorite, so I was leaning towards his dress anyway. Add to that the gorgeous scultpura detail that went from the shoulder down the front of the dress, it was really masterfully done. Nice job, Anthony! I'm so happy for you!

As for Anna, after being in the bottom last week, I think we all sort of saw that one coming. Janeane has been sort of under the radar, but I'm sure you all notice that remark she made about it coming down to her and Anna in the bottom. Anna's outft was WAY too teenie-bopper-cute. And let's be honest, a top like that is barely flattering on someone stick-thin, but Heidi will be in a post-pregnancy body, meaning big ol' boobies which would only make that top worse. The vest was so boring and forgettable and the shorts were cute, but the fabric was so blah-office-worker-esque. Basically, the entire outfit was just boring. Unfortnately, she seemed to focus entirely on perfect construction and not so much on great design.


Finally, I agreed with the judges in all three of the top choices- Emelio and Ben also made stunning, spring-magazine-worthy dresses. I especially loved Ben's dress because he made bold color choices, but the end result was not busy or distracting. I could absolutely see it on a magazine cover. And Emilio's gorgeous cherry-red concoction was so flattering and it was one of the few dresses with really nice movement. I guess movement isn't something to consider for a 3/4 photo, but when I saw it move on the runway, I instantly felt like it was a harbinger of spring. Nicely done, guys!


I also agreed with the judges bottom choices for once- Mila's weird color-blocking is definitely getting old and to be perfectly honest, her construction looked poor. The points of the chevrons were puckered all over and even the straight sides of some of them looked like they were rippling a bit. Also, is Mila going to turn into a one-trick pony? Is that all she can come up with? Color blocking? I'm not a fan. Also, her remark about the other designers not cheering for her 2nd place status last week was odd. Umm, Mila? Maybe they're not psyched because they think your designs are ugly?


And poor Janeane. What was up with that fabric choice? The color, the weight, the stiffness- everything was terrible! And then to pair it with a weird organza shrug- I didn't get it. If her inspiration was ocean waves, she picked fabric that did not lend itself to that inspiration at all. She's on thin ice for me. 

Project Runway is BACK!!!

WIN: Emilio (Hurray! His was my fave!)
AUF'd: Christiane


I promise to post a full write-up of each episode as I did last season, but tonight I simply HAVE to go to bed ASAP. This post may be a tad brief but I'll make up for it in the future. For now, here are some basic observations of the season opener:


- Heidi looks as radiant as she ever did. Love her.
- Michael Kors is looking more orange every season. Someone please tell him to lay off the fake 'n bake. He's a pumpkin.
- Nicole Richie looks as terrible as she ever did. I kind of want to shake her and shout, "Eat a burger!" and "Lay off the eye make-up!"
- The talent is definitely there this season- the runway show was impressive. The designers were ambitious and I love that.
- Parsons looks like it got a fresh paint job- everything is bright and pretty.
- The grand prize is SO much bigger- that HP/Intel package sounds awesome!
- Why wasn't Jay on the chopping block for putting a pom-pom on the model's belly? Can we say "UNFLATTERING?"
- Janeane is the female version of Ricky- she is already crying way too much.
- Anthony is hilarious- they'll keep him on the show for entertainment value alone!
- "Ping?" Really? Is that her real name?


I completely agree with the judges' decision and I'm hoping that since the show is back in New York, we'll have more consistent judging. Last season had too many judges. Nina, Heidi and Michael are great judges and along with Tim, they keep the level of the show very high. Their standards require designers to work at a top skill level and creativity level. And of course Tim Gunn is just amazing. The formula works, so please, producers, keep the show in New York and don't change a thing!

Pictured: Emilio's Design (My fave!)