malin ackerman in rami kashou. Another winner from Project Runway winner Rami Kashou. I love it, gorgeous! On the lovely Malin Ackerman. ramikashou.com image from instyle.com. Posted by Kate at 9:08 AM. Labels: Dress, malin ackerman, …[More..]

Reviews: eShakti, Rami Kashou, Rachel Pally Hello all! Some new clothes have come my way recently and I thought I

le barcito

a hop, skip and a tumble down the street from where I live is a crusty little bar called le barcito, nestled between a laundromat and rough trade, which is a seller of…um…er…adult leather goods? i think. at least that’s what i heard somewhere. anyway, i’ve been in le barcito a couple of times for a drink on my way to akbar or the eagle or church or wherever and have always thought it was a perfectly okay place to start or end an evening.

the bar itself is a typical hole-in-the-wall gay latino bar — flat screens showing news, soccer or telenovelas, really bad techno, pop and tejano music, and semi-scary drag performances. oh, and cheap drinks. pretty standard stuff. nothing to write home about.

so i was surprised when i read this article from the LA times last november reporting that the los angeles city council had designated le barcito a historic-cultural landmark. whaaaa? pero, por qué?

amazingly, the bar, which was formerly called the black cat, was the center of major protests in silver lake in february 1967. in the 60s and 70s, life as a gay american was a lot different than today. there were no legal protections for gays and people could be fired from work if they were outed, or arrested if they were caught holding hands or kissing someone of the same sex. so in that environment on new year’s eve of 1966/1967, plainclothes cops went into the black cat, beat up and arrested 14 patrons and bartenders. two of the men arrested were later found guilty of lewd conduct, just for kissing each other as auld lang syne played, and were registered as sex offenders. these events happened two years before the stonewall riots (which are widely seen as the birth of the gay rights movement in america), and the resulting protests drew hundreds of LA residents demanding equal protections for homosexuals under the law.

Protests outside of The Black Cat. Photo courtesy of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives

in addition to a handful of my friends who live in the neighborood, the event commemorating this landmark drew superstar LA city council president eric garcetti, lillian faderman – a scholar, author and historian of GLBTQ history and alexei romanoff, who was the owner of the new faces bar (now circus of books bookstore) down the street from the black cat. (rami kashou of project runway fame was also there, and we chatted for like eight seconds. he seems really nice!)

the event made me well up with such a Snuggie™ feeling of pride and gratitude for everything that GLBTQ’s of a previous generation have done for me and the friends i love. it also gives me courage and hope for the future, and brings added meaning to the hours of protesting we did following the passage of prop 8 in november.

even though i was closeted growing up in my little hometown in florida and constantly received signals from all around me that it wasn’t okay to be gay, i knew that there were other places in the world where it was. and it’s because of the amazing sacrifices that people like alexei made to just be the person they were born to be that made that possible.

photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com - February 8, 2009

photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com - February 8, 2009

photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com - February 8, 2009

photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com - February 8, 2009

In the world of fashion, “one day you’re in, and the next, you’re out,” according to Project Runway host Heidi Klum.

Want to know who’s in? Just check out some of those who-wore-what pics from the Grammys. You’ll see designs by Reem Acra, Basil Soda, and Zuhair Murad gracing the runway.

With all of these Middle Eastern designers popping up and becoming more prominent, I’m beginning to think LBC should air its own version of Project Runway to find the next big designer. Heck, maybe Project Runway’s season 4 runner up, Rami Kashou, could be the contestants’ mentor – I could so see him being a Palestinian Tim Gunn He could make it work, indeed!

Of course, some Middle Eastern designers have already made names for themselves, such as Reem Acra, Norma Kamali (although she’s actually Arab- and Spanish-American), and Elie Saab. I mean, who can forget Saab’s real debut on the scene when Halle Berry donned his dress at the 2002 Oscars? Soda, former workshop head and assistant to Saab, appropriately credits  Saab with creating the image of Lebanese fashion to the western world:

Soda talks about him with great respect and admiration. When told Elie Saab represents the image of the Lebanese Couture worldwide, he showed no single jealousy or irritation. However, he replied that “yes, it is a very good image, isn’t it? He’s more like Fairuz in the music scene. This is very positive for the country”. He adds “in fact, there won’t be any fashion history in Beirut without Elie Saab. He has always been very high ranked. In my opinion, his success is a result of his hefty talent, but also to his businessman skills. He knew how to work out his image abroad. He is the first to know how to represent a certain Mediterranean image of fashion this way”

Although Elie Saab is now established and well known in the West, new Middle Eastern designers such as Soda have recently caught the eye of the fashion blogosphere. For instance, Nana at flypaper.bluefly.com writes:

Katy Perry and Paula Abdul both hit the Grammy carpet in statement gowns encrusted with oversized jewels from the Spring/Summer ‘09 collection of Lebanese designer, Basil Soda. Initially, I thought the gowns were a little busy, but after googling Basil’s site and checking out his full collection, the blinging bonanza of gowns and skirt suits with details of origami proportions has started to grow on me. Soda’s designer bio explains, “Form, symmetry, shape and the relationship between points, curves, lines and angles all come together to climax in a melange of feminine allure.” I think it’s one part Versace, one part Jerrell (from Project Runway).

Now what’s drawing the fashion world to Lebanese and Middle Eastern designers? According to Soda:

What makes Lebanese creators different from many western designers is “that Lebanese sketch dresses that women can wear. Over the whole set creations of a western fashion show, only three or four dresses can be worn…!

Dresses that women can actually wear? Well, I’m definitely a fan of that!

Project Runway, the Emmy nominated series starring supermodel and host Heidi Klum.

Stills from Project Runway: The Complete Fourth Season (Click for larger image)

Project Runway: The Complete Fourth Season is available at Amazon for $17.99. To Order click here
Amazon Product Pages contain a lot of other details on this product as Customer Reviews, Sales Ranking, Special Offers, Alternate products that customers are going for and much more.Want to read these details? click here

Want to get some other Format / Binding / Version? You can search for them from here

Other Products of Interest

• Project Runway – The Complete Third Season
• Project Runway – The Complete Second Season
• Project Runway – The Complete First Season
• Mamma Mia! The Movie (Two Disc Special Edition)
• Sex and the City – The Movie (Special Edition)

I love dresses. I could wear them all day all night. And this time of the year provides the greatest excuse to do so.

For work, then coffee, and dinner, let’s party. Here are my picks for the holidays.

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim Embellished Mini Dress  2. Acne Baroque Bustier Dress  3. Alexander McQueen Queen Print Bustier Dress  4. Antik Batik Dinah Sequin Dress  5. Bottega Veneta Wrap-front Dress  6. Day Birger et Mikkelsen Poiret Tunic Dress  7. Hanii Y Sequin Belt Dress  8. Hervé Léger Sequin Bandage Dress  9. Matthew Williamson Paisley Print Dress  10. Milly Patterned Shift Dress  11. Oscar de la Renta Guipure Lace Strapless Dress  12. Roberto Cavalli Cady Chinoise Dress  13. Stella McCartney Ruffle Trim Dress  14. Temperley London Mini Ermine Dress  15. Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Monroe Lamé Dress

Initially, I had another Phillip Lim dress on the list. Somehow, a ‘celebrity’ was seen wearing it recently at some party. Who is she anyway? She’s all over the fashion world yet I have no idea who she is nor that I’ve seen any of her work(s) if there is any. Yes, I am that lame.

The very pretty 3.1 Philip Lim Confetti Dress.

Lauren Conrad at some event, in the dress.

Speaking of fab dresses, do you love Rami Kashou as much as I do? Damn the man can sew. How much do you love the little dresses he made and I believe is still making for Heidi, like this one.

Not a very good picture of her but this isn’t about her. Sorry Heidi.

And this purple number people, is called the Heidi Dress. Cuteness.

And good news, you don’t have to travel all the way to LA to own one, you can buy it here for USD496.

Merry Christmas everyone, and drink responsibly if you can!

Lots of great holiday shopping parties & special events happening across the country – check out the updated Sample Sales & Event section now for an event near you!

On with the sales…

BAG SHOP

Free Shipping Worldwide & great deals happening now at Bag Shop!

Bag Shop’s FIVE BEST DEALS:

#1) LAUREN MERKIN: Our Best Selling Clutches. Enter code “lauren” for an extra 10% off our already discounted prices.

#2) ERIC JAVITS: HANDBAGS & HATS.LIMITED TIME OFFER! 20% OFF with code “ERICJ”

#3) FURLA: NEW STYLES plus FALL CLASSICS. Enter code “Furla” for an extra 10% off our already great prices.

#4) WOLFORD: HOSIERY, BODYSUITS and LINGERIE

#5) WACOAL: Time to get new Wacoal bras with 20% off until 12/10. Enter code “wacoal” for an extra 20% off our prices.

BEKLINA

Holiday Sale – Use the code “30sale10″ for 30% off all full-priced inventory, and 10% off already marked down items. Yes, this means discounts on best sellers like Ashley Watson Junco bags, Prairie Underground’s Cloak Hoodies and Manimal Moccasins! No word on when this ends, so…you know the drill.

BLUE HEAVEN BOUTIQUE

Holiday Sale – Take 20% off your entire order ($100 min) with code “HOLIDAY” at check-out. Offer good through 12.24.08

DOLCE VITA

Holiday Store-wide Sale – $20 off $100 purchase, use code “dolce100″ / $50 off $200 purchase, use code “vita200″ / $80 off $300 purchase, use code “dolcevita300″. Shop now for the best deals!

DOLLHOUSE & PEOPLE STYLEWATCH

People StyleWatch Exclusives bring you a Dollhouse offer of 25% off your order now through 12.9.08 with code “X77G2″ at check-out.

HOLLYWOULD

UBER INSANE MEGA SALE – Shop today through 12.5.08 for items up to 85% off and prices as low as $19!
Deeper discounts each day! Shop early for the best styles in your size!

JILDOR SHOES

Semi-annual sale - Save up to 50% on Stuart Weitzman, Ed Hardy, Aquatalia, Daniblack and many others.

MANEATER THREADS

Mystery Sale – 30% off Rami Kashou, Mike & Chris, Wendy Katlen, By Francine, and Burning Torch. Use code “GOGLAM” at check-out. Offer ends Tuesday, 12.9.08 at midnight.

NASHELLE JEWELRY

Friends of Nashelle 20% off sale – Use code “thxfriends” at check-out now through 12.20.08 for 20% off your entire order. Order by 12.20.08 and receive it by 12.24.08 (shipping upgrade is on them!).

Why you should shop Nashelle: When you buy from Nashelle, not only do you get gorgeous jewelry designed and handcrafted to order by real people paid a living wage working in a studio in Bend, Oregon; you are contributing to a better life for children and families in our area. We donate a portion of our profits to Family Access Network, a non-profit organization committed to keeping shoes, clothing, glasses,and other daily needs on our children that are less fortunate.

NATION LTD.

Happy Everything! – Gifts under $25 – check out the basic tees, v-necks, long sleeves, dresses, thermals, and tanks all for under $25 bucks!

NIKA BUTIK

Holiday Hottie Sale – Take 15% off your entire order with code “dazzle15″ at check-out. Offer good through Sunday, 12.7.08.

WINK

20% off store-wide sale – Use code “SHOP20″ at check-out, offer good through 12.8.08.

I am a fan of Project Runway and my favorite is its Season 4. My choice was Rami Kashou to win, however, it was Christian Siriano who won the contest. I know this was months ago, still I want you guy to be reminisce (if you’re a fan like me).

Here’s Rami’s Project Runway Collection and I love love love those dresses!

Project Runway season 5 episode, Project Runway Images and Photo Gallery, Project Runway season 5 Episodes list, Watch online Project Runway season 5 Episode youtube video.

Source : http://www.24timepass.com/movies/tv/project-runway-season-5-episode.htm

There are plenty of Project Runway designer items on eBay right now. I was so excited when I saw this dress on eBay from Leanne! She’s my top choice on Project Runway this season and I definitely think she’s going to be the winner. Her modern, sculptural shapes are always put together perfectly. I want it!

Last season’s runner-up Rami Kashou was a master at complex draping for evening looks, but he also has made a line of everyday fashions that can give you his refined aesthetic for any occasion. Ebay store Shop8008 (I featured them a few weeks ago) currenly has a Rami Kashou high-waisted skirt, a sweetheart dress, and a jacket.

I remember when Tim Gunn visited Jeffrey Sebilia a few weeks before the Project Runway finale, he was quite impressed with Jeffrey’s use of zipper trim on this dress. I definetly was impressed to see green and white stripes used in such a fresh way. If I had the right party to go to, I wouldn’t mind giving this dress a try. There are two sellers carrying this dress currently, one up for auction starting at $99, and the other up for “best offer” under $400. I’d go for the $99 one..

Also, there are a few sellers carrying the INC jacket by Angela (Jeffrey’s least favorite co-contestant) from just $12.99 and up. I think the original was done in black with a coordinating cropped pant. This was a rare occasion in which rosettes were used for the better.

Rami Kashou was attacked at a nightclub late last night.

Rumor has it that someone chucked a bottle at his head and he got pretty roughed up.

I’m curious to see if this is the work of a homophobic coward; an idiot who hates reality-TV; or Sweet P.

PS: Yes, the title of this post is a play on the fact that Kashou sounds like cashew and assaulted sounds like salt. Eat it.

Photo: http://hautelikefire.files.wordpress.com/

Before HSN announced it would be working with power stylist Patricia Field, they had previously enlisted the help of another cool designer to get women who are eligible for Medicare (the only people who stayed glued to HSN during the wee hours of the day) to buy into hip and contemporary fashion: Rami Kashou.

As was mentioned earlier, the Project Runway finalist was asked to create one dress with Scoop that would be exclusively sold on HSN. Last month, the Grecian-goddess styled garment — Surprise! — made its grand debut in black, lime green, wine, and teal.

If the cheesy presenter and faux excitement in this clip is any indication the success Rami’s dress had, the piece was wildly popular and sold-out in seconds. Literally. Check it out the spectacle for yourself.

Santino Rice

Daniel Vosovic

Jeffrey Sebelia

Jillian Lewis

Rami Kashoú

With all of the drama surrounding Project Runway these days, it’s easy to forget that the addictive hour of reality television has actually produced some quality talent.

Case in point: Rami Kashou.

Project Runway finalist Rami Kashou has designed an “exclusive” look for the upcoming one year anniversary show of Scoop Style on HSN, which will take place on May 15th at 1:30am-2:00am and 10pm-12am.

According to the press release, the ensemble will highlight the “designer’s draping expertise with a rayon-blend fabric, available in black, rich peacock, lime pop and vintage sea foam for $280.00.”

Basically, the sexy little number will look a lot like that dreamy off-the-shoulder goddess dress he made for the first challenge on Project Runway. For those who didn’t catch the episode, think Lanvin spring ‘08 on a budget.

Last year, Uli Herzner — PR season 3 finalist — participated in this threesome and her pieces were a total success, so I imagine Rami will suffer a similar fate considering his designs are more Shopbop friendly.

My grandmother will be watching.