Want to Intern during New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collections 2010 (in February)?

See “Internships” section on NIF for more information!

Earlier this month I was invited to attend the South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach.  And it’s hard for me to express the feelings I had. Everyone was welcoming to me and I had a great time. Even better, I came away with a better understanding of what SCLS does and the dedication their staff has to their job. In fact, I dare say that many SCLS attorneys and support staff believe that their work is a calling. I was glad to be a part of SCLS for 3 days!

And I’m thankful for the work they do including:

1. To keep people in their homes;
2. To make sure people are able to access benefits;
3. To help people out of unsafe living conditions; and
4. To let people know that they are not alone in the civil legal system.

Below are some photos from the Conference: (I wish I had more to share, but most shots were under- or over-exposed)

Opening Dinner 11/10/09

George Cauthen, SCATJ Commissioner and SCLS Board Member

Getting to Know Staff Begins

Singing

Singing with guitar accompaniment

Poetry

Flute Solo

The Fashion Show Begins

Models

More Fashion

Like New York Fashion Week

Fierce

Making it work (a la Tim Gunn)

Let the Votes Begin

More Fashion Votes

Door Prize

Agenda

Consumer Law

More Consumer Law Issues

Attentive Students

Continuing Legal Education

The Knowledgeable Panel

Truth in Lending Act

Willard N. Timm, Jr., Assistant Director, Tax Clinic, Georgia State University

Jada Charley introduces Steve Cook to speak re: Assistive Technology

Again, many thanks SCLS!

-RFW

I find these the funky & bright geometric prints inspiring.  Here are bits of her collection from SS 2010…  Mara Hoffman is designing unique boho fashions wearable day to night.

love these older designs

Are we seeing a theme here? Everywhere I turn it’s a tribute to the Eighties for fall 2009… and I like it! Marc Jacobs wasn’t exempting himself from this nod to the neon era, but added a futuristic twist. There wasn’t a kilt in sight, just loads of bright hues, pleated trousers, sculptured cocktail dresses, colorful ponchos, printed leggings, thigh-high boots, all worn over black tights and topped with coiffed hair. Throw in some serious ’80s block shades, padded clutch bags, and long leather gloves and it was clear that Steven Sprouse for Louis Vuitton was still very much on Jacobs’s mind. Overall, it was daring, exciting but above all, fun. That said, I’m sure many will struggle to transfer these looks into wearable pieces, let alone afford to buy them. And sadly, at a time like this, that’s a worry.

Project Runway’s season 6 finale aired last night, in which Irina Shabayeva won with edgy designs that were shown to the judges during New York Fashion Week earlier this year.

Shabayeva, or ‘Mean-a-Irina’ as her competitors named her, won $100,000 to start her own line, a trip to Paris, and a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine.

More:

Project Runway Season 6 Winner: “Mean-a-Irina”

‘Project Runway’ Winner: Season 6 Queen of Mean has her Day

“Project Runway” Season Finale Airs After Legal Dispute

Project Runway Winner Irina Shabayeva: “I Can’t Believe I Won”

How would fashion be materialised for the modern street samurai? Would there be a sleek black or white garm with a head piece of sorts covering the eyes, and some sort of sleeve for today’s samurai weapon? Maybe a silenced automatic weapon that would wield teflon bullets and sharp exploding stars. What do you think? Well whatever this trained 007 style assassin would wear when out anihilating his foes, the Rag & Bone brothers David Neville and Marcus Wainwright have their interpretation of such a collection of stylish garments. Found in elite fashion merchandising around the world. This brand of men’s, women’s, and children’s wear is not for the timid at heart. These are professionals in this video, please try this at home.

I’m actually not too sure on details for the casting for this show. Among this large group of new and developing girls I only recognized a few girls from the hype the recieved during the preseason. Melodie Degault, Mathilde Frachon, Johanne Friis and seasoned vet Viviane Orth made up a majority of the familiar faces. Upandcomers Madeleine Berrevoets & Bara Holotova have both progressed in steady increments from season after season with recent trailblazing success.  Check out the full casting list in the style.com slideshow.

M
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It’s finally here. New York City. Bryant Park. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

The beginning part of the show was a tad boring. Carol Hannah has a relapse of her sickness. Christopher is so cute though, he says he is so happy that he is there to comfort her and get her stuff done. Aw, so adorable.

Althea and Irina run into another problem of “copying” one another when they are talking about their ideas for makeup. Their models didn’t end up looking alike, crisis averted.

Backstage before the show, the designers are all running around like chickens with their heads cut off and Tim Gunn is their farmer. “Designers, I’m about to lose it!” “The clock is ticking backwards!” “Your models are 10 percent dressed when they are supposed to be lining up!” “This is crazy!” Normally Tim is so calm and serene…

Heidi Klum’s outfit tonight looked like a hot pink 80’s mess. Seriously, you’re supposed to be judging fashion? Hideous. She looked like she was trying to be business Barbie.

The judges this week were of the usual’s, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, with guest judge Susie Menkes who is a fashion critic. Could they not have gotten a celebrity or something to be the guest judge? I’ve never heard of Susie Menkes.

Althea went first. Her collection was inspired by 1950’s and 60’s sci-fi movies. It was supposed to be what the women of today would wear tomorrow. There was a lot of leather and it was a little boring. There were a lot of pieces that could be used as separates, so that was something new. Althea got a bravo for having sportswear, but the judges believed that she tried to hit too many notes with her collection, especially with the last 3 designs. The judges did like how she can translate the street to fashion.

Althea. photo from mylifetime.com

Althea. photo from mylifetime.com

Althea. photo from mylifetime.com

Althea. Best Piece of the Night. Photo from mylifetime.com

Carol Hannah went second. In my opinion, her collection was the best. I always like what Carol Hannah does. She did a lot with drapery and volume and as always, did impeccable tailoring. The judges said they were always impressed with Carol Hannah and she played with color and energy the best, but she lacked the connection thread.

Carol Hannah. 13th Look. Photo from mylifetime.com

Carol Hannah. photo from mylifetime.com

Carol Hannah. photo from mylifetime.com

Irina went last. Her collection was about New York and what it takes to survive in the city as a woman. She had some of her models wear these super odd armor hats. The judges liked them, but I didn’t. The judges think that she is very plugged into the streets and what is cool and hip. She had the best showmanship and her collection looked finished. They were, however, disappointed in the lack of color, especially since she disregarded Nina’s advice.

Irina. photo from mylifetime.com

Irina. photo from mylifetime.com

Irina. photo from mylifetime.com

I thought it would be tied between Irina and Carol Hannah, but Carol Hannah would pull through for a surprise win. This is what I would have liked, but this is not what happened. Irina was crowned Project Runway’s season 6 winner.

3.1 Phillip Lim spring 2010

L.A.M.B. spring 2010

Marc By Marc Jacobs spring 2010

Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2010

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2010

Preen Spring 2010

Karolin Wolter @ Supreme
Sara Blomqvist @ DNA
Anya Kazakova @ Marilyn
Hanne Gaby @ Supreme
Kasia Struss @ Women
Anna Selezneva @ Silent

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We are only one episode away from fashion week and the end of this season of project runway. Let the games begin.

photo courtesy of lifetime.com

photo courtesy of lifetime.com

photo courtesy of lifetime.com

As usual, Tim Gunn visits the 3 remaining designers in their hometowns. I always find it funny when Tim visits because you can always tell he is so out of his element.

The designers travel to New York and have a few days to there to put the finishing touches on their collections. Irina and Althea are the first ones to arrive in New York. They hang around their apartment quite awkwardly waiting for Carol Hannah who doesn’t show up because she is very ill with a contagious stomach virus. For once, Irina is a little sympathetic saying “if you don’t have you’re health, you have nothing.” While Althea is a little less sympathetic, “it’s a competition first and foremost.” Sorry girls, but Carol Hannah pops up the next day.

Tim offers his critiques to the designers once again while in the work room in New York. Althea’s pieces look like their for different customers and some look matronly. I am impressed that she knitted some of her pieces, something I don’t believe anyone has ever done before. Carol Hannah’s pieces also cater to different customers and some of it looks a little old ladyish. Carol Hannah’s collection is primarily dresses, of course, and she focuses on evening wear. Her collection is “nothing that i’m intimidated by,” says Althea. Irina’s collection is black, black, and some more black. I think that is a tad risky, you need some other colors in their besides black and I don’t mean grey. Althea is trying to make a new leather pant that Tim thinks looks like chaps and her final dress is kind of a mess.

Irina brings up Althea “copying” her, “Oh Althea, what would you do without me?” Ha, ha…not. How does Irina have a right to talk about copying when she was ready to plagorize photos of Coney Island for her collection?

Nina Garcia and Michael Kors make their first appearance ever in the workroom for some pointers and a little chitty chat chat. Nina’s advice: “If it feels like something else or something we’ve seen before, throw it out!” and “think about color.” (Irina – hint, hint). Michael’s advice: “Go with your gut” and “take the judges on a ride.”

photo courtesy of lifetime.com

In an unbelievably predictable moment, Heidi visits the work room announcing that the designers have to create a 13th look. I don’t know why they seemed so surprise, like duh this was coming. Who walks in next? Christopher, Logan and Gordana! They come to rescue the designers. Christopher helps Carol Hannah, Logan helps Althea and Gordana helps Irina. ( Yay, Christopher’s back )

The designers original model will wear the piece that will be seen by the judges during eliminations. It is up to those 3 models to cast the models for the 13th looks. Uh, are you sure you want to give them that much responsibility?

Next week = fashion week!

photo courtesy of lifetime.com

"This worries me...."

Well, it took an entire season but after going home with the top 3 designers – Meana Irina, Giggles Hannah and Hometown Althea –  I think I’m finally invested in Project Runway. Though that might have nothing to do with what the girls are actually working on and more to do with watching Tim Gunn first in a flowery apron and then trying to work that old elevator in Althea’s building. Seriously, seeing the fear in his eyes as he stepped into that death-trap really made all the time I invested in this season worth it.

I mean, really, who says, “Gads!”?

Those Lifetime people really shoveled a lot of sh*t into last night’s one-hour episode. First Tim goes home to check in on the contestants, then the contestants come to New York, then they get feedback from Tim AND Nina AND Michael AND Heidi, then they do a model casting, then they get assigned a 13^th look and then Carol Hannah gets stuck with Christopher. Oh, and she’s barfy.

Whew. I get tired just thinking about it all. But I’m also super excited by everyone’s collections – yes, even Irina. But that might only be because I think her dog is super cute and I’m like a puddle of goo in the face of a little white fluff ball. Although I do think her whole t-shirt-under-something-chic idea rocks (even if I did do a fist-pump of joy when Tim made her re-do them all). What can I say? The girl’s got just as much talent as ‘tude. And that’s a lot.

Althea’s collection is a little different than I expected of her (did anyone expect her to go home and watch a lot of Sci-fi??), but I still sorta dig it. And I don’t care what Tim thinks about that sequined jacket-y thing; Althea made that a year ago and sequins are all the rage now. Either she can see into the future or homegirl is a fashion genius.

And then there’s Carol Hannah, whose collection -despite the fact that I find the designer herself highly annoying – might be my favorite. When she said she was inspired by Duke University I was expecting to see something more along the lines of beer pong and comfy sweats for class. But she obviously sees a college campus differently than I do because she’s making some really beautiful and elegant gowns.

Honestly, I’m not normally a tutu girl (something about being the fat girl in dance class scarred me for life), but I would kill to wear that giant tutu-gone-runway to something. Anything. New Year’s?

I have no idea how things are gonna go down next week. Everyone seem to have one stiletto in the weeds right now (except for Carol Hannah who is elbow deep in there), so who will be able to pull it out on the runway? (Note: am I the only one who gets gross mental images when using the term “pull it out”? Yes? OK….) I can finally say I’m excited to find out. My money’s on Althea.

What do you think?

One of my new favorite emerging talents is New York based designer Katie Gallagher. Her freshman effort titled “Veil” is a wonderful cohesive blend of mixed fabrics, both sculpted and soft layered silhouettes polished with signature touches. As Katie’s website details, she graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and has previously worked for other NY based houses Threeasfour & Anna Sui before elaborating on her eponymous line.

Check out the full Spring/Summer 2010 collection and Archive collections at katiegallagher.com

xx

Despite the fact that I was only able to attend the first night of fashion week, Thurs. Oct. 22, I was still thrilled to be there! A new Chicagoan, I am not familiar any past “attempts” at fashion week in the city, but am praising 2009’s as a valiant effort as Chicago’s first foray into the world of fashion.

Thursday’s runway show had a focus on local designers with an emphasis on ready-to-wear. Macy’s Fashion Incubator project– local student designers are selected and based out of Marshall Fields to crank out a line by fashion week, a la Project Runway– was a runway crowd pleaser, with much of the audience applauding like a proud parent.

However, I must admit it was nothing like NY or Paris fashion weeks. Who’s to say we won’t get there someday?

Here are some shots from the show:

I’m very interested to see how everything is going to pan out over the next few years…

In honor of TFG’s one year anniversary, I compiled a list of my favorite “Top 10” lists that I wrote or found. If you haven’t read any of them, then you can click right on the links below. Enjoy!

10. Top 10 Halloween Costumes of 2009

I love Halloween and I loved making this list!

9. Top 10 Things Shoppers Need

Because of my retail experience, I felt that this list was necessary. 

8. Top 10 OMG Moments of New York Fashion Week

This list was truly funny, thanks to www.glamour.com.

7. Top 10 Best Dressed at the Emmy’s 2009

This is list is probably one of the best that I’ve done.

6. Top 10 Best and Worst Dressed at VMA’s 2009

I got to offer my criticism, and it felt good!

5. Top 10 Eyelash Products

I compiled this on my own, through my own research. And since then, I’ve been in contact with Latisse.

4. Top 10 Ways to Shop on a Budget

I’m a bargain hunter so this list was extremely fun to make!

3. Top 10 Fashion Mistakes Men Make

I wanted to include men in my blog, and this list is how I started.

2. Top 10 Fashion Mistakes Older Women Make

I’m glad that no one was offended when I wrote this list! I want to help EVERYONE out!

1. My Top 10 Favorite Trends

I always love giving insights on what I like.

It’s often said that models look like aliens and this pic of Siri Tollerød isn’t dispelling that notion any. The effect is mostly due to the lighting, but she manages to look positively unearthly during a NYFW SS10 runway practice.

images: firstview via tfs

milan was probably my favorite fashion week this year… the video in the music may drive you crazy…

paris to come

more to come

R’el Dade @ Marilyn
Rad Hourani Spring.Summer 2010
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Ryan Martel @ DNA
Rad Hourani Spring.Summer 2010
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Is bitchiness contagious, cuz Jordana definitely caught it.

So it’s finally time for Fashion Week. Fashion Week that happened a year ago, but a big moment for those designers who made it through, nonetheless. It’s been a long journey. 12 challenges and ots of lost talent along the way (we’re talking mostly to you, Ra’Mon!). But after last night’s episode, I can honestly say that those judges finally did some good…er…judging.

So let’s give a big thanks to Cindy Crawford. You go, girl. And, DAMN, you look good.

Last night’s challenge was to find some inspiration at L.A.’s Getty Center. I’m not quite sure what that place was or what the purpose of it is, but the mayor was quite proud of it so I went along for the ride. Each designer could choose anything in there to inspire a look and then go to it.

I’m not sure what happened along the way, but it seems that Christopher must have taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up at a David’s Bridal booth at the Renaissance Fair. The “dress” he put together was heavy, ugly and pretty infuriating if you ask me. And you’re reading this post, so you definitely asked.

"Why'd I get stuck with the weird guy?"

As Chris was constructing this monstrosity, he confessed: “I know my place…I’m the wacky, weird guy.”

No, Christopher, you’re the mentally and stylistically challenged guy who somehow snuck by this far and took a spot from someone who really deserved it. Hell, even Nicolas deserved to make it further than you and he made these. Your sense of style is non-existent, and you’re far too literal with your designing. Really? You drew green flowers on your dress to represent the moss? Welcome to 4th grade, Chris.

And then there’s Jordana. Between her emotional ups and downs (one minute she’s Meana Irina’s BBFF [bitchy BFF] and the next she’s sobbing from some spiritual moment with a painting) she finds her inspiration in a Monet. Or was it a vagina? Because from here it looks a lot like a vagina. A big vagina dress.

"It's like a pencil in a hallway...."

Don’t tell you don’t see it. I saw it the moment that girl came strutting down the runway. And I think the judges saw it, too. Hence their decision. With Paris Hilton doing her thing at Fashion Week, there isn’t room for any more giant vaginas in Bryant Park.

Zing!

Anyways, let’s get to the good stuff. Well, the better stuff, at least. Everyone’s designs looked a hot mess this challenge, but it’s good to see the judges still made the right choice when it came to sending the top 3 to Fashion Week. Althea, Carol Hannah and Irina (even if she’s a giant bitch) have been consistent throughout the season. They all have a unique style and, being that I was betting on Althea from the beginning, I can’t wait to see what these girls bring to the Big Apple.

Well, besides Irina’s ‘tude, Carol Hannah’s nervous laugh and the nipples that inevitably show in all of Althea’s designs.

Wow, I’m actually excited to watch next week! Who ever thought that was possible?!

This is the last week of Project Runway until the designers head off to Bryant Park for fashion week. This is it. This is the end. Everyone is at risk.

The 5 designers are taken to J. Paul Getty Museum for inspiration. The mayor of Los Angeles gives the designers an inspiration talk and the models join the designers in their tour of the the Getty where there is so much to see and so much to not touch.

Irinawas inspired by a random painting, Carol Hannah by a bed, Christopher by a rock fountain, Gordana by a painting by Monet and Althea by the Getty’s architecture.

The designers have 2 days to complete their outfit and 2 will be eliminated.

Irina-meana is out for blood. You can tell that it’s final time because the tension is thicker than ever. Irina thinks Christopher’s so far in his head, he can’t see anything outside of it, Althea thinks Irina’s garmet has no tailoring and Irina said Althea sometimes does OK with finishing, but most of the time it’s really bad.

Hey Irina and Althea, didn’t anyone ever tell you putting someone else down won’t make you any better? Chill.

None of the outfits were exceptionally good this week.

Messages from the Judges: Althea, your outfit was a of a mess fest. Irina, your dress is old lady length. Gordana, is there a moment when you can really take a chance? Carol Hannah, it was safe perfection, but where’d you get your inspiration from? Christopher, your heavy bottom looks like a fake jean skirt.

The designers were asked to pick who should go with them to fashion week. Althea picked Carol Hannah and Irina, Carol Hannah chose Christopher and Althea, Irina picked Althea and Gordana and Chris chose Irina and Carol Hannah.

Going to Fashion Week: Irina, Carol Hannah and Althea. That means Christopher and Gordana are outski.

See you at Fashion Week!      Watch The Full Episode Here

Carol Hannah's Outfit. (photo courtesy of lifetime.com)1

Althea's Outfit. (photo courtesy of lifetime.com)

Christopher's Outfit. (photo courtesy of lifetime.com)

Gordana's Outfit. (photo courtesy of lifetime.com)

Irina's Outfit. (photo courtesy of lifetime.com)

Additional Links:

Lifetime’s Project Runway Website

Rate the Runway

Designer’s Portfolios

Tom Hassler @ ???
R’el Dade @ Marilyn
Valerija Kelava @ Next
Charlotte di Calypso @ One
Ryan Martel @ DNA
Joshua Ku @ Request

**special thanks to Faith Akiyama of tfs for ID’ing the models!!**

M
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“Progressive Targeting Boosts Lord & Taylor’s ROI” (MediaPost)

Rocket Fuel has partnered with Morpheus Media to drive sales, loyalty and brand engagement for Lord & Taylor. The fledgling hybrid ad network that launched earlier this year helped to triple the retailer’s campaign goals from the first to the second for online sales of women’s fashion, apparel and accessories by analyzing behavior, social, contextual and search data.

“Study Predicts Online Holiday Sales Boost” (WWD)

A Forrester Research Inc. report predicted Monday that online retail sales in all categories except travel will reach $44.7 billion during November and December, an increase of 8 percent over 2008. “Despite the lingering effects of the global financial crisis, the online space remains the retail industry’s growth engine,” the report said.

“Luxury Goods Maker Gets Creative in Hard Times” (Khaleej Times)

For the Philippe Charriol Group, a Swiss jewellery and leather goods maker, the economic downturn has prompted a return to basics — and an eagerness to innovate. Pummeled by a worldwide decline in sales of at least 30 percent, the family-owned firm has started to offer its customers products that are both cheaper and more traditional in design, said Philippe Charriol, its founder and president.

“Lincoln Center Names Fashion Week Director” (WWD)

Lincoln Center, which will host Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week starting in September, has named Stephanie Winston Wolkoff as director, fashion week. Winston Wolkoff, who previously was Vogue’s director of special events, will start Jan. 1. Beginning with the spring 2011 collections, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will relocate from Bryant Park to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center.