Fashion Week continues! First an interview with Michael Kors from The New York Times:
Click here for a great review of Christian Siriano's Fall 2011 Collection. A highlight: Christian has created a line for Spiegel Catalog! (More here at Racked.) Is there anything he can't do?
Devoted mom, Nina Garcia is covering the Lincoln Center shows between feedings. Her new baby, Alexander is only 2 and a half months old! Click here for the story.
We just couldn't let this one pass by without comment. When Andy South asked the judges to base their decision on what they knew of the designers, CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award winner (how pretentious is that introduction each week?) Michael Kors had this to say:
"You know that's not how it works. This isn't about past history. It's about what we are looking at today. That's the truth."
Really, Michael? Anyone who has watched Project Runway for more than 10 minutes knows what utter crap that line was. Chloe Dao won Season 2 based on past history. How many times has Heidi asked "Who do we want to see more from?" in the judges deliberation? Did Gretchen's two wins really not factor in your decision at all?
Michael, please don't think that award gives you license to bully these young designers with nonsense. We love you for your snarky, accurate evaluations of the designs. But don't insult the intelligence of Project Runway fans by trying to make us think you start with a blank slate every week. Of course past history plays a part in your decisions, this is fashion. And this certainly isn't our first time at the rodeo.
From left, with Lance LePere, his boyfriend; with his mother, Joan, on her wedding day in 1974 (he helped customize the dress). (Photo: From left to right: Patrick McMullan; Courtesy of Michael Kors)
Click here for a new Michael Kors profile from New York Magazine.
In anticipation of Tim Gunn's Gossip Girl appearance, Movieline presents his "Three Best TV Cameos."
Click here for more about back-to-school shopping from Nick Verreos.
Soon, fall is about to replace summer. And in a little while, many fashionistas are curious about which trends the new fall/winter collections reveal. For all those who cannot wait any longer I started out to research a little bit about this season�s fashion trends in Europe. And this is what I discovered.
According to the motto �opposites attract�, this fall is a multifaceted mix of draperies, patterns and styles. Traditional costumes get suitable for everyday use, Minimalism gets reduced to the maximum and sweet school girl outfits coexist vintage suits � la Wall Street. The 80�s masculinity meets the charming fifties. And rock star outfits are comingled with baronial glam to a baroque mix.
1st trend: Minimalistic chic
Derivation
With its seeds in art and architecture, this trend traces back to the German Bauhaus era of 1919. The principle �Reduce to the max� adverts to reclaim clean lines and simplicity over an excess of ornaments. Later, it made its way as a mindset in fashion in the 30s with Marlene Dietrich as an outrider. Today, minimalism is an inherent part of the fashion scene.
Look
This mindset alludes to the basics. Imaginative shapes displace colourful prints. Instead of that, brands like Chlo� or Michael Kors tend to fawn or shades of brown which can be variegated.
Michael Kors runway look leads us to the next fall/winter trend.
2nd trend: wool and shag / Norwegian style
Derivation:
Believe me or not, but this trend emerged due to the English royal dynasty. In 1922, the Prince of Wales wore a pullover with a Norwegian style on a golf tournament and made it socially accepted. In ancient times, the colourful patterns had a certain symbolic meaning: Mainly, they were worn by fishermen or peasants and were a distinctive mark of families or counties.
Look:
This season, wool cardigans and pullovers are extremely casual but debonair. Whether trumpet sleeves or Norwegian pullovers, this year�s fall is inspired by Nordic patterns.
Really in: woollen costumes with elegant pencils skirts (combined with lace at the runway shows of Dolce and Gabbana). Another winterly eye-catcher: Flashy colourful stripes.
Dolce and Gabbana
Woolen look by Donna Karan
3rd trend: Revival of the 50�s and 80�s
Although these eras are long ago, nearly every decade celebrates its comeback, sooner or later. This fall it�s the 50�s and 80�s.
Derivation of the 80�s Wall Street look:
A new type of woman created a furore in those times: the successful businesswoman. In 1988, Melanie Griffith and Sigourney Weaver taught the business world the true meaning of fear in their movie �Working Girl�. And to show the women�s toughness, many men�s clothing classics got adopted to the female wardrobe.
Look:
The look is very businesslike. Coats, chemises and cravats are a pretty good investment. Typical 80�s: classical shapes and shoulder pads. To mix it up, mini-skirts can help to interpret the look in a female way. Noble hats cap the look.
Herm�s
Derek Lam
50�s look:
The characteristic silhouette is defined with small tops and wide flared skirts. A plunging neckline caters for modern sexiness. Very hip: slinky bustiers or a basic t-shirt combined with a skirt. Moreover, former floral prints get replaced by modern art-appeal.
Louis Vuitton
Prada
4th trend: Baroque �n � roll
Derivation:
Already in the 60s, musicians like Jimi Hendrix knew how to play to the gallery and they mixed glam outfits with quillings, velvet and brocade. The style carried forward to the 80�s and to nowadays. You definitively must have a look at the video clip �Prince Charming� by �Adam and the Ants�.
Look:
Precious brocade and sparkling gold threats come to the fore. The stylistic dimension varies from baroque-inspired glory to the sixties look and the shimmering 70�s disco style. Who doesn�t like to be that sparkish: A minimalistic combination of black and gold sets priorities without gaudiness.
A highlight: Tim is unabashedly honest. He cannot tell a lie. Seriously, he can�t. Because of this he has developed the most interesting sensibilities and ways to get around not lying to save face, and to be as honest as the situation calls for. He is so himself, so comfortable in his own skin that he is able to share intimate details of himself with such ease and simplicity that it seems as if you are talking to or reading your best friend's letter...
Click here for a report (and lots of photos) from Seattle's "Project Red Dress." Nick Verreos served as MC and judge for the design competition.
Project Runway judge Michael Kors has been awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the CFDA. More information here. Congratulations!
Aspiring designers please note that The Fashion Show is now casting for season two. Iman is joining Isaac Mizrahi as the new host. Click here for more information.
Michael Kors hosted a fashion show of his Fall 2010 collection yesterday in Connecticut. Click here for the story.
The advance press photos from this week's episode of Project Runway reveal a curious absence. There is no Michael Kors! Sitting in his spot this week is Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa, in a repeat of his Season 5 guest judge appearance. Taking up the last director's chair is model/actress Molly Sims.
MK's absence is especially puzzling considering the fact in our pre-season interview with Project Runway Executive Producer Sara Rea, she stated "...the first thing I'll tell you about Season 7 is we have Michael and Nina the entire time...". Here's hoping this is the only challenge that is missing the full judging crew.
It seems that Tim Gunn, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia went directly from Good Morning America to "Fashion Avenue" for the street-naming ceremony. Lifetime President Andrea Wong welcomes the crowd.
The new street sign is revealed.... How many Project Runway designers and models can you spot in the crowd?
Here is the new "Project Runway Avenue" sign. There are quite a few season six and season seven designers, but season three and season one are represented as well...
Our own Nancy T was on hand to cover the event so please stay tuned to BPR for a full report.
The big bad orange man is back! And he's gonna make someone cry...
The much missed Michael Kors returns to the judges chair tonight in Episode 7: "The Sky Is The Limit". BPR will have the usual lineup for your viewing pleasure:
The BPR party room will open at 9:30 p.m. You think MK can dish it out? You should see what the party people say!
Tbone will have live play-by-play coverage of Episode 7 beginning at 10:00 p.m. This week he will be joined in the booth by special guest suzq whose wit is as quick as her fingers.
Let us know what you thought of tonight's show in our weekly reactions thread, posted immediately after the show
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