SISTER CHRISTIAN: All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately "Project Runway" is now a memory, as well as our first fantasy league. Christian claimed victory, thanks in no small part to Posh Spice's vote. I'm all for adding some credibility to the show with famous fashionista's like Posh, but it would be nice if the designers were judged, for the final, by the three judges who know them best and have seen their triumphs and tragedies throughout the season. Truth be told, I wasn't fully crazy about any of the last three collections, but I thought Jillian's was the strongest overall. It was contemporary, wearable and covetable, all things Christian's collection was not. Christian is a good designer, no doubt, but he excels at costumes, not clothes for everyday living. And I'm all for the Viktor & Rolf's and Alexander McQueen's succeeding in the business, but if I'm going to pick the next great designer it's the Miuccia Pradas and Marc Jacobs who have the greater impact on people's lives. The clothes you see at the mall are inspired by their collections, not by those of the avant-garde artists. Jillian was robbed! FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: In the end I couldn't be caught, thanks to a few early wins, but it was close! Brad and Julia tied for second, and were only one win behind me. Kate and Angy finished in third with four wins, and Rachel was in fourth place with three wins. Unfortunately Andrea finished last with one win, but there's always next season!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Fantasy League results
SISTER CHRISTIAN: All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately "Project Runway" is now a memory, as well as our first fantasy league. Christian claimed victory, thanks in no small part to Posh Spice's vote. I'm all for adding some credibility to the show with famous fashionista's like Posh, but it would be nice if the designers were judged, for the final, by the three judges who know them best and have seen their triumphs and tragedies throughout the season. Truth be told, I wasn't fully crazy about any of the last three collections, but I thought Jillian's was the strongest overall. It was contemporary, wearable and covetable, all things Christian's collection was not. Christian is a good designer, no doubt, but he excels at costumes, not clothes for everyday living. And I'm all for the Viktor & Rolf's and Alexander McQueen's succeeding in the business, but if I'm going to pick the next great designer it's the Miuccia Pradas and Marc Jacobs who have the greater impact on people's lives. The clothes you see at the mall are inspired by their collections, not by those of the avant-garde artists. Jillian was robbed! FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: In the end I couldn't be caught, thanks to a few early wins, but it was close! Brad and Julia tied for second, and were only one win behind me. Kate and Angy finished in third with four wins, and Rachel was in fourth place with three wins. Unfortunately Andrea finished last with one win, but there's always next season!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Enchanted
The ever ubiquitous Amy Adams has made it to the Vogue best dressed list. And she looks great in the color of the season (almost) past: grey. She's reminiscent of Nicole Kidman in her redhead years. For a classic look at Adams, check her out in a couple of early episodes of "The Office," which she appeared in a couple of years ago before her star really rose. She played Jim's short-lived girlfriend, who was almost as dumb as Dwight, but a lot better looking.
Dressed to impress
AND THE AWARD GOES TO: Well it's a bit late for my favorite Oscar looks, but better late than never! The dresses this year were really great overall, with few misses and a lot of people looking much better than in recent outings, including the Jennifers: Garner and Hudson. And the best dressed ladies were all about the accessories, from baby bumps to jewels to die for. Among the best were Helen Mirren in a ruby red dress, Penelope Cruz in sapphire blue and Anne Hathaway in stunning scarlet. But the best looks of the night? Check out a pregnant Jessica Alba, Marion Cotillard in a fishtail white gown, Jennifer Hudson in a look reminiscent of "Dreamgirls" and Nicole Kidman dripping diamonds while also pregnant.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Fantasy League week twelve
MY PICK FOR WEEK TWELVE: Well this is it, the end of another season, and the onset of Runway withdrawal. I think Jillian is going to win it all, and I think it's well deserved. I would be OK with any of the three finalists winning, but disappointed, absolutely, if Jillian doesn't get the recognition she has deserved all season. She's a great designer of clothes for women. They're drool-inducing and fashion forward without being over-the-top. Christian's clothing is too costume-y, which is why I think he got along so well with Chris. It's all collars and darts and Flock of Seagulls looking. Rami makes beautiful dresses, no doubt, but that's it, and the next great designer has to do more than dress a starlet.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Get on the bus
THE TIME OF THE SEASON: I've always loved these old VW buses. If only my parents had one so I could've inherited it and drove it until it died, I would've been thrilled! But I have another chance, as Volkswagen is releasing a new bus later this year. At just $20,000, it's not exactly cheap, but totally reasonable for an amazing slice of the past.
If the shoe fits
If you're going to buy one new shoe this year, it should definitely be a gladiator sandal. Flat sandals are great, very practical for weekends and cool with short skirts. But if you're like me and you like a little boost for your 5'2" frame, these Nine West heels are perfect. They elevate the classic style by adding a platform heel, and will work with jeans, pants or longer skirts. And at only $89, they're a great investment. But hurry, they're already beginning to sell out!
UPDATE: LookGirl beauty here, just chiming in to let you about my recent Gladiator-inspired purchases. (Please ignore the horrible photos I took trying to bend over and point the camera in the vicinity of my feet and my desperate need for a pedicure!) Last weekend I was browsing Target's shoe racks and came out with a great pair of sandals from Issac Mizrahi for $24.99. They're not real leather clearly, but for that price they seemed like a steal. Plus, they're very comfortable. Then, this weekend, while consignment shopping with a pal, I found the most amazing pair of like-new Coach Gladiator heels (they're higher and cuter than they look in the pic) in gold. They are fantastic! But you haven't heard the best part: They were only $28. Yeah.
Eastern promise
My favorite store in New York City, and there are a lot of great ones to choose from, is Pearl River Mart. It is an Asian-goods emporium, with everything from silk pajamas to tea pots to paper lanterns. Everything is super affordable too, much less than you'd pay for comparable items at other stores. Check out their Web site whether you're furnishing your home or your closet. Our favorites are the wall fans and the embroidered tops. And you don't even have to fly to Hong Kong to snag them.
Week eleven results are in...
Oh Chris, poor Chris. He seems like such a nice guy, and we all know what happens to nice guys. They finish last, and deservedly so in this case. Chris made a truly frightening collection, complete with jackets and dresses trimmed in human hair. It was more macabre than masterful, and he paid the price. Not that Rami's collection was anything special. It looked straight out of the mall, although the craftsmanship on the gown was impressive, although the dress itself wasn't terrible original. FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: It was almost a complete sweep, with all but Andrea and Rachel picking Chris to go home. All in all I'm still in the lead with seven wins, Brad, Julia, Kate and Angy all have four wins, and Andrea and Rachel have one.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Fantasy League week eleven
MY PICK FOR WEEK ELEVEN: Now that we're in the home stretch, it seems only fitting to tweak the rules. This week you have only one vote: Who will be sent home, Rami or Chris? Those who pick correctly will score a win that's equivalent to two wins in previous weeks. The same will be true for the finale, too. Since the stakes are raised for the designers, it's only fair that they're raised for us, too, and it opens it up so it's still anyone's game! I am going to vote that Chris is sent home, bon voyage!