SheFinds» Project Runway

Sneak A Peek: Christian Siriano’s Fierce New Shoes You Can Actually Afford

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:00:26 +0000

Former Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano will launch his spring 2010 Payless line soon, which includes three Alexander McQueen-esque cloth-covered pumps we can envision Lady Gaga teetering in. Known for creating beautiful pieces (as well as coining the phrase “hot tranny mess” to describe everything), we think Sirano’s shoes articulate “hot” and “tranny,” if not “mess.”

We’re excited: right now, there’s only one lonely, tame Christian Siriano flat left at Payless–we think Siriano’s name will be more justly served once its outrageous cousins arrive to keep it company:

The pairs are exact replicas of the ones that walked down the runway at his spring 2010 show: sequins, bull-horn heels and all.

They hit stores in mid-March, about six weeks after the rest of his spring collection, and will retail for $79.99 each.

What do you think – will you try them?

See our guide to the Top 9 Fashion Collaborations of 2009, flip through our guide to the best booties, and gear up for the next season of Project Runway.

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Sneak Peek: What to Expect From Project Runway Season 7 (Hint: It’s In New York)

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:53:44 +0000

We’ve got the scoop on Season 7:

Where: Looks like L.A. didn’t translate so well for the show, which originally began in New York and thrived there. So this season, they’re back to New York, where it worked.

Who: The cast ranges in age and talent, from 22 year-old Maya Luz, a Santa Fe, NM freelance designer who started her label, Unsweetened, her senior year of high school, to 47 year old designer and instructor Pamela Ptak, who lists her favorite designer as God. We think this could be an interesting season, but only time will tell.

Judges are the same old lot–Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, with some surprise guests.

When: Premieres Jan 14 at 10pm EST on Lifetime. We’ll let you know if it performs better than Bravo’s Launch My Line.

[Photos courtesy Lifetime TV, MyLifetime.com]

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Project Runway: Bryant Park, Here We Are

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:30:50 +0000

With two days left before the Bryant Park finale, the remaining three designers rushed to finish their collections (once at Bryant Park, Tim pretty much had to force everyone down the runway).

On the judging panel was the usual trio: Heidi, Michael Kors and Nina, plus an additional guest in Suzy Menkes, the world-renowned fashion critic for the International Herald Tribune.

Althea presented her 13-piece collection first, and wowed the judges with her knitwear and sportswear. Suzy, et al raved that her designs were wearable, and they praised Althea as being the designer most in touch with what women are wearing on the street.

Carol Hannah stuck to her sensibilities and created pretty dresses. Judges praised her color palette and meticulous construction, as well as her precise use of structural draping. A particular fave was the first piece (above), a sexy mini with flattering details.

By far the most detail-oriented of the shows, Irina’s collection was created around a theme of shielding the independent, New York woman. While there was an awful lot of black (judges criticized the collection’s lack of color), the hats and bags she made to go with pieces helped create the edgy cohesiveness that landed her the big prize.

Irina’s sleek design aesthetic gave her clothes a feminine bent with a hard edge. This Preen Line Laced Funnel Coat is an investment, but its laced sleeves and belted silhouette bring together a good mix of chic femininity and edgy detail. If you’re a fan of the distressed leggings she used throughout her collection, these David Lerner Half-Ripped Leggings have just the right amount of sass without looking too punk.

For more of Irina’s tough chic, we recommend checking out our guides to leggings, over the knee boots, and leather jackets.

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Project Runway: Bryant Park Is In Sight, Now Edit, Edit, Edit

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:10 +0000

With Bryant Park as the ultimate prize, the final three designers set to creating 12-piece collections that will wow the New York fashion elite. Tim set off visiting the three ladies as they created their looks over a series of weeks.

Carol Hannah moved to upstate New York to reduce distractions. On her drive there, she stopped at Duke University, and drew inspiration from the chapel at night. Tim likes her looks so far, but wants her to edit.

Irina stayed on the Upper East Side to create her collection, but she ultimately draws from her youth in Coney Island to create an ode to New York City. The dark color palette drew concerned criticism from Tim, but Irina pushed on.

Althea went home to Dayton, Ohio, to work on her looks, which weirdly mirror some of Irina’s. Tim’s biggest criticism is that her 12 pieces don’t look like they’re for the same client, and encourages Althea to edit, edit, edit.

With just days to prepare for the show, Carol Hannah is hit with a stomach virus that zaps her energy. Good thing Heidi brings back Gordana, Logan and Christopher to assist the finalists. And surprise, they’ll have to create a thirteenth look for the show. Until then…

As the temps drop, dressing for comfort is all about layers, layers, layers. The knit Preen Line Tiny Baker biker jacket brings all the style of cropped jackets with the comfort of a knit sweater. Best of all, the details make it a standalone piece over jeans or skinny pants. Similarly, Old Navy’s Metallic Cable Knit Cardigan ($34.50) has a relaxed, but fitted shape, with elbow-length sleeves and a stylish stand-up shawl collar—at a fraction of the price.

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Project Runway: Designs Imitate Art

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:30:36 +0000

In the last challenge before Bryant Park, the remaining five designers took a trip to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles where they had to find inspiration for their final designs.

Irina used a painting of Rubeneque goddesses to create her flowing Grecian-style dress. The back detail was pretty, but Nina thought the length and accessories were dowdy. Still, she’s headed to the show.

Carol Hannah’s 17th-century French bed-inspired gown was a hit for its impeccable construction, but judges didn’t see the connection. However, her consistency was enough to get her down the runway.

Judges uniformly agreed that Althea’s architectural design was more than she could handle. Heidi called it a mess. However, her willingness to take risks got Althea a ticket to BP.

Christopher was inspired by a rock fountain covered with algae. He stood behind his choices, but judges couldn’t get over his gap in design knowledge, and sent him packing.

Monet’s Rouen cathedral brought Gordana to tears, and she turned it into her own masterpiece: a beautiful strapless silk organza gown. Cindy Crawford said she’d wear it, but judges thought it was too safe.

Gordana’s gown drew raves (even though she won’t show at Bryant Park). We liked the similarly pretty Adrianna Papell Strapless Ombre Silk Gown, which also uses a graduated color scheme. In addition, the waist and bust rhinestone details add some definition to the flowy silhouette. And while she didn’t get the same reviews, Irina’s cold shoulder sleeves are hot for fall. This INC Drop Waist Cold Shoulder top has elbow-length cutout flutter sleeves and a belt that gives shape without being tight.

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Project Runway: Designers Get Inspiration From…Other Designers

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:00:58 +0000

Using their previous winning looks as inspiration,the six remaining designers in episode 11 of Project Runway had to come up with complementary looks that matched their originals’ style.

It’s been a few weeks since Christopher designed anything the judges liked, and his ball gown with flower appliques was no exception.

Carol Hannah thought about designing something besides a dress, but why mess with a good thing? Her cute cocktail look with pockets wasn’t as glamorous as her Bob Mackey-inspired gown, but the judges didn’t notice.

After the success of her Park Avenue edgy cocktail dress, Gordana tried to translate edgy into a sleek upscale outfit, but failed miserably.

So it’s a good thing for her that Logan turned up the volume way too high. The irony for him is that zipper-gate (where Althea passive-aggressively accused him of stealing her collar idea) was basically what sent him home.

And despite Irina accusing Althea – on the runway – of copying her over-sized sweater design, “Meana Irina” got her comeuppance by creating a “beautiful” brocade dress, but losing out to Althea.

Borrowing the paper bag element of her winning skirt, Althea created impeccably crafted pants, topped with a sexy tank and a cozy cocoon cardigan.

Judges unanimously loved Althea’s outfit. While the slim pants have a lot of volume near the waist and might not work for every body, they’re a nice alternative to leggings. These Silence & Noise Paper Bag Trousers fit the bill, but won’t break your budget. There’s no shortage of cocoon-style cardigans with kimono sleeves, but this Ella Moss Striped Ollie Cardigan has a pretty silhouette and a belt to keep it from looking sloppy.

Score more of this week’s favorite styles with cardigans, cocktail dresses, and harem pants.

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Project Runway: Going Around the World Looks Pretty Boring

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:35 +0000

Based on their favorite places around the world, the designers had to each create a look inspired by their chosen locales. Althea picked a safe St. Tropez shorts look, while Logan designed a cute, if poorly accessorized, young Hollywood look.

Along with Logan, Christopher and Nicolas (Sante Fe and Greece, respectively) were chastised for being too safe. It was a shock, though, that Christopher got to stay after his third week in the bottom two. Bye, Nic.

Gordana wowed guest judge Milla Jovovich with the flashy necklace on her Park Ave. dress, as did Carol Hannah’s Palm Beach twisted sundress.

But it was Irina’s back-to-the-80s Aspen ski lodge faux fur vest and faux ski pants that got the judges panel panting this snoozy week. I thought the oversized cowl neck sweater was cute, but the look all together was a little ironic.

Irina was on point, though: faux fur is hot for fall and winter. Just ask Rachel Zoe. The one thing to watch out for is looking too much like an extra from Where the Wild Things Are. To glam it up, I liked the Gryphon “Rocker” beaded collar faux fur vest. For something a little different, the Juicy Couture Faux Fur Vest is lighter-colored and fluffier, but just as adorable. And the cropped length on each is perfect for sipping hot toddies at the lodge.

Shop for more of the best faux fur, and then pair it off with black jeans and button-down shirt for a trendy but not over-the-top look.

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Runway’s Designers Take a Shine to Working With Sparkle

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:30:16 +0000

This week’s episode saw the designers blinging out over-the-top stage costumes for pop star and guest judge Christina Aguilera. We had legendary costumer Bob Mackie extolling the virtues of the diamond-encrusted crotch and we got to hear the words “super sexy slut” come out of Tim Gunn’s mouth.

Nicholas, the self-named Feather Prince, was all in a tizzy for this challenge. His top-three look—a white feathered ultra-minidress— was perfect for on-stage hip shaking. Get the same effect with Sue Wong’s ostrich feather party dress.

Althea ramped up the glamor with a long-trained sequined gown. Her chevron pattern was praised for being super flattering; you can get similar waist and booty accentuation with Alexia Admor’s sequined dress.

This week’s winner, Carol Hannah, played with texture, layering sequins, feathers, and varying panels of shiny and matte fabric on an elegant black gown. Choose depth and dimension over wow-factor color with a textured sequin and tulle gown from Badgley Mischka.

Shirin’s stuffy, ruffly “upscale witch costume” earned her a “boring” critique and got her a one-way ticket home. Christopher, who’s on a surprising losing streak, redid Christina’s Moulin Rouge look, complete with a sorry-looking bustier and sparkle panties. If you haven’t had your Lady Marmalade moment yet and have been longing for shinier knickers, try out American Retro’s sequin shorts.

For more dressy looks, shop for a cocktail dress, and then top it off with a swipe of the best mascara and eyeliner.

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Project Runway Repurposes Defunct Wedding Vows Into New Looks

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:00:07 +0000

Models of the Runway, step aside. This week, designers had divorcees (some recent, some not so much) who were looking to turn their old gowns into hot, new memories.

Shirin complained from the outset because her model’s dress was the simplest and had the least amount of fabric to work with. Oh, and her client wanted something Cher-inspired. Shirin’s solution: ignore her client and create an original stitched design.

Christopher felt more confident with his actress divorcee, and created a silver organza overlay with a cinched belt. Kors described it as a space trash bag.

But Christopher got a pass since Logan and Epperson decided to go with “Oktoberfest” looks. Logan went with wool pants (why?!) and a strange-fitting ruffled vest. Epp had a rough start, but turned it around for a kimono-sleeved dress with fitted waistline. His client loved it, but the judges did not. Auf wiedersehen.

Divorced designer Gordana took this challenge to heart, and created a fashionable but edgy cocktail dress from the lining of her client’s original. Gordana gave her model a new outfit, and the dress a new reason to leave the closet.

For something similarly flirty and sassy, Banana Republic’s asymmetrical tiered mini dress has a short, sexy length and pretty kimono sleeves to add some softness. The sugar plum color is also a nice variation on the traditional LBD. But black doesn’t have to mean boring. This Ann Taylor chiffon and grosgrain strapless layered dress has sleek, waist-enhancing ruffles and even a shelf bra to avoid potential bulges.

Get more of the look with the best cocktail dresses, sheath dresses, and wrap dresses.

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Project Runway: Macy’s Gave Designers The Blues

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:00:57 +0000

It was team challenge time on Episode Seven of Project Runway. Macy’s asked the design teams to create two looks–only in shades of blue–for the Inc brand.

Good news: Kors was back. Along with Marie Claire Senior Fashion Editor Zanna Roberts and Macy’s EVP Martine Reardon, the judging panel praised Carol Hannah and Shirin for their day-to-night high-waisted skirt with blouse and their going-out tunic.

However, team leader Irina and Gordana, who had some difficulty working together, shone with their chevron-patterned sundress and sheer blouse with leggings.

On the flip side, judges criticized the Christopher/Epperson team for their shiny shirtdress and high-collar shiny tunic. Kors even said the shirtdress looked like a tablecloth, which brought Christopher to tears.

Louise with partner Nicolas didn’t get the save, though. Kors described one of their ruffled dresses as a bridesmaid dress with a shower loofah up the front (see above). Nicolas had immunity from last week, so Louise had to pack up her workspace.

While judges were big fans of Irina’s patterned sundress, it’s a little cold to wear a strappy, thin dress. And really, I didn’t think the shape was flattering to anyone over a size 4. But, if you want something in stripes, with some camouflage to create curves, this navy and white Stripe Origami Jersey Dress ($70) is a good option.

Even though Irina was unconvinced, judges loved Gordana’s simple semi-sheer blouse. From J. Crew’s new line, the Silk Pleated Posy Top ($89.50) isn’t sheer, but it’s a gorgeous slate blue with a pretty neckline. And, it can go from work to happy hour, too. For something sheer with a unique pattern, try out the 3.1 Phillip Lim Petal Sleeve Blouse ($375).

For more pretty looks, take a look at the best evening tops for jeans, cocktail dresses, and pleated skirts.

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