Natasha Poly for Vogue Paris February 2011

As a continuation of the last post, I have to post these stunning black and white shots of Natasha Poly for the February 2011 issue of Vogue Paris. She looks absolutely gorgeous in knits and sequins by Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Burberry Prorsum, Salvatore Ferragamo and Michael Kors. Her hair is fantastic - I adore long, tousled hair with a fringe, done bohemian style. I want my hair to grow fast, fast, fast so I can I have exactly this hairstyle for the summer. And I wouldn't mind these designer pieces either, thank you very much.

Source: TFS

Pre-Fall 2011 Collection: Michael Kors

The pre-fall collections are here! Check out Michael Kors' Pre-Fall 2011 collection:







Photo Source: Elle

Pre-Fall 2011

Pringle of Scotland

Donna Karan

Elie Tahari

BCBG Max Azria

Michael Kors

Calvin Klein Collection

Oscar de la Renta

Reed Krakoff

Jason Wu

Chanel

Carolina Herrera

Images courtesy of style.com

BAFTA Britannia Awards Red Carpet

Check out some of the celebrities' fashion style for the BAFTA Britannia Awards.

Dakota Fanning in Valentino gown.


Marion Cotillard in Elie Saab dress.


Olivia Wilde in Michael Kors' black cashmere bodysuit and long sequined skirt.


Carey Mulligan in a Preen dress and YSL pumps.

Photo Source: InStyle

Project Runway Season 8 Finale!!!

It's finally here!!, the very last episode of Season 8 of Project Runway. But first things first, who on earth hired Jessica Simpson as one of the final judges on this most important fashion show of the whole season? I know, there's a recession going on...

Moving on, surprise! We've got an episode within an episode as Tim and Heidi introduce a Reunion special with the final three designers sitting, once again, next to the booted off contestants from Season 8. I'm happy to see everyone together again, however cringe- worthy video clips and a whole lot of tears and chit chat ensue, and all I'm thinking is when do we get to Fashion Week? when when when???
Back in the workroom the designers put the final touches on their collections, and I must point out one of Andy's looks, which is a cut out bikini bathing suit with twisted fabric pieces coming up out of the crotch. Tim thinks it looks like hair...aaaanyways, Next stop Fashion Week!

The designers arrive at Lincoln Center, and the backstage drama begins...Because I've just arrived off a long flight I'm still too wobbly to write about all that went on backstage, besides Mondo's hair coif looking sensational, so it's on to the Runway with Heidi, who by the way is wearing an all red pantsuit which irks me. She introduces the designers and the show begins with Gretchen's collection, and now I'm going to let my thoughts run free:
-The Charlie's Angels hair styling is gorgeous, and she's managed to step up her accessories styling as well with heels, hats, and sunglasses. Love the printed brown chiffon dress, but we see five more pieces coming down the runway looking pretty much the same, a bit repetitive. However I'll admit the collection is very wearable, and it's all very well edited for a clear customer in mind.

Next up is an emotional Andy, wearing those parachute pants he made for the Jackie Kennedy challenge:
-Those flower headpieces are distracting and look like antennae, but I love the rough chiffon wrap and bathing suit, very sexy. Loved the silver tone pleated top with shorts look. I don't like the pea green cigarette pants however I love his eleventh look for the last challenge, the green intricately pleated two piece dress. It felt underwhelming and way too conservative for Andy's warrior aesthetic we are used to seeing.

And last but not least is Mondo's inspired and joyful collection:
-Love the first look of the dotted blouse and shorts, but I really can't appreciate the silk screened skeleton print everyone apparently loves. My favorite look was the the plaid bubble dress, and the headpiece was a total show stopper. Sleek looking slim-fitting plaid pants and pink and silver tunic dress were some highlights. Overall the headpieces were incredible and the whole collection just felt whimsical and happy.

For me the clear winner is Mondo, simply because his collection was fun, ebullient, bright, and inspiring. Somehow I'm finding it difficult believing Heidi when she says she was 'blown' away by each collection. Really? Usually I'd dive right into discussing the judges' extensive thoughts on each designers' showing because it was quite the in depth debate, but I am regrettably still a wee bit tired (am I even typing straight?) so let's just hope you've already watched the fun bits. Basically we have a split decision between the judges. Heidi and Jessica are all for Mondo's polka dot sheath and upbeat collection, while Michael and Nina prefer the focused, effortless wearability, and clear vision of the customer Gretchen is designing for.

Drum roll please........and the winner is: Gretchen. Wow, just a few hours ago (actually most of the season) I never saw that one that coming, besides the fact that Tim once scolded her for being "manipulative and pushy." But since when does sell ability win out over wearability? I mean, how many times have we watched Michael, Nina, and Heidi choose ambitious high concept and creative collections over more sedate, sellable, and wearable ones? Darn that recession of ours, I have a wee feeling it's partly to blame.

Well Auf Wiederhosen everyone,  and I'll miss you most of all Tim!
Can't wait to bring you more drama from the next season of Project Runway....
xoxox for now,
RedPoppy

Project Runway Episode 12: I Miss You More Than Ever Christian Siriano

Designers, there are only two episodes left and I am still wondering who, out of the Final Five, will finally send something absolutely WOW down the runway!?? Who will go on to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week? Will it be Mondo? Andy? April? Gretchen, Michael? That's a whole load of questions without any answers yet. In the meantime Heidi sends the Final Five to NYC's opulent Mandarin Oriental Hotel for some champagne, toasts, and relaxation. Nursing massive hangovers the next morning (just joking), the designers meet Mayor Bloomberg so he can present them with the final challenge: Design a look that's inspired by New York City!

With the entire City at their disposal, the designers wander around their favorite spots in search of inspiration. Michael is literally inspired by Miss Liberty's drapery, April and Mondo analyze the linear structure of the Brooklyn Bridge, Andy breathes in Central Park's nature, and Gretchen stumbles down the the Lower East Side...One last trip to Mood and someone better have some fabulous fabric hiding in their bag. Or else. And yet I'm seeing lots of boring black around the workroom, and Gretchen is designing some awful boring separates in maroon tones. Tiiiiiiiim we need you!! Finally Tim checks in and informs Michael the sea of black fabric attempting to be a dress he's working on looks like a "tortured mess." Then it's on to Andy's slutty cocktail dress and Tim warns him against going all "Real Housewives of New Jersey." Let 'em have it Tim!

Final Runway Show Time arrives and I'm absolutely dreading what the judges are about to see. I want them to be wowed, yet I'm almost certain they won't be. Almost everyone's made something safe and black, and Tim must be seething inside with disappointment. And now I'm about to have a major prophetic moment: I say out loud that I've never longed to see and hear Christian Siriano more than at this very moment. And then BAM!!!!The camera pans over to guest judge Christian Siriano and I almost fall off the couch. Just to clarify, I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA who the guest judge was this week. I need to take a moment......!

On the Runway: Just look at Michael's basic-looking draped black dress, for me it's so blah. Gretchen's leather jacket and skirt separates look more like career-Midtown than Lower East Side, while Andy's back-slashed warrior dress is shiny and fierce. Mondo's graphic mixed textiles dress is cute and architectural, but I don't love it, nor do I like the fit. April's gauzy dress looks like everything else she's made this season...

What do the judges think? Michael Kors loves Mondo's houdstooth/patterned dress, Nina and Christian loves Andy's edgy body-con dress, Michael Kors thinks Gretchen has ran out of steam and her look is more secretarial than downtown, and he also agrees that April has made the same joyless version of this "preganant witch" dress over and over again. And last but not least Gaaah! Michael Kors, and everyone else, loves Michael C's blah draped dress. What the hell?

After Heidi plays the annoying "which two designers should go with you to Fashion Week" game with the designers, it's the moment of truth. Who's going to Fashion Week? As the guitar strums notes of major chords in the background it's Congratulations to Michael C, Mondo, and Andy. And oh yeah, Gretchen. Auf Weederzane April, best of luck.

...And stay tuned for next time when Tim makes some house calls!!

Project Runway Episode 11: Heidi Likes It In The Workroom

Alas and alack this week Project Runway ran out of original subject ideas and decided to use Heidi Klum as the client. It turns out Heidi 'designs' a line of drab looking overpriced activewear for New Balance which is sold on Amazon.com. For this challenge each designer had to create a sportswear look for the line which, by the plain and boring looks of it, is quite convenient as Heidi is in dire need of some new interesting design ideas...
Pan to Heidi's invaluable visit to the workroom. Gretchen doesn't like her in the workroom, and quite frankly neither do I. As Heidi goes around critiquing we sample a wee bit of attitude from sweet little Mondo who snarls, rolls his eyes, and snaps back at Heidi when she questions the wearability of his too-cropped hoodie and stiff-necked blouse. In a huff Mondo decides to scrap his original design and barks at Heidi: "Maybe I'll dress my dog in it when I get home." AWKWARD!! Mondo's had an emotional few days...And then it's Gretchen's turn to flare her nostrils and disagree when Heidi criticizes her fabric choice and use of butt shirring on a pair of leggings. That tense encounter ends when Heidi walks off shrieking "Cheers!," and announces that the designers must create two additional looks (even more convenient for her HKNB New Balance line). The next surprise is the entrance of extra work reinforcements in the form of 'Outed' designers Casanova (essssactly), Ivy (ugh not again), Peach, A.J., and Valerie. And then the real drama begins with Doublesidedtapegate when bitchy and bitter Ivy accuses Michael C. of cheating on the Jackie Kennedy challenge.
Please let's just get on with the show!!!
It's Runway time, Heidi is wearing a blue sausage dress and no makeup, and guest judge is sportswear designer Norma Kamali (good choice for once). Tonight I'm going to skip the part where I share all my thoughts on the looks coming down the runway because all I see is one big billowy production of Flashdance. However I do like Mondo's pieces and Andy's clever use of chiffon and jersey in some unflattering sporty swirls. Who's going home this week? Christopher finally! For the last eight weeks he's made clothes which I can barely recall and which have bored me into a coma.
The winner is....Andy, whose sportswear designs have already been produced and featured in Heidi's New Balance line. And we're now just one episode away from Fashion Week and I still have no idea who on earth is going to Lincoln Center besides Mondo...Until next week, Auf Weederzane!!!

Project Runway Episode Episode 10: Mondo's Story

Yikes. This was one emotional episode. Backgrounds, family, memories, locked-up secrets converge in the workroom when the designers must design a textile fabric for their look that is inspired by a moment from their past. After all, as we arrive in the workroom and see childhood photos of Michael C in his underwear plastered all over an HP computer screen you know this is going to be one deeply personal challenge. Most notable and poignant is Mondo's inspiration for his fabulous and vivid plus+sign textile print. Through a brave and powerful on-camera admission we learn that Mondo is HIV positive, a secret he has kept for the past 10 years. This is no light fare, and I'm almost wishing for some rude and pure Gretchen workroom drama, but no such luck. By the way did I miss the part where the designers get a tutorial in using the HP Touch Smart textile design program system for this challenge? Just wondering...
And this episode's surprise workroom guests are....everyone's mother!!!! No one, and I mean no one is spared from any tears this week, not even Tim. Within minutes every single designer is reduced to a blubbering baby, and well, it's precious to watch. We even discover a bit more of Gretchen's tough back story which perhaps makes her seem a tad more human and justified in behaving as rottenly as she does?......Nah!
Then Tim does away with the work day and all the designers get to spend the day with mom. Well there goes Andy's focus...

It's Runway time with guest designer judge Rachel Roy who, by the way, needlessly comes off as super snarky... and GAH! what kind of circus act dress is Heidi wearing???
So far I'm loving April's love divided punky dress with the too-long peekaboo cool printed sleeve...Andy's shorts and loose blouse combo is a no brainer in being knowingly worrisome, and Mondo's purple checkered pants and printed blouse top are incredible...Valerie's ill-fitting black sheer dress with blue patterned skirt feels super messy and cheap, like pieces of paper stuck together... I love Gretchen's textile pattern, and the frilly tank is pretty but I would have liked to see lots more of it... Michael's dress, though clearly an ode to dark family times, fits perfectly and is so well tailored, well done, while Christopher's print, though silky and fresh, is paired with boring pants and the entire look is so blah and underwhelming...Meanwhile the judges had lots to say about the mixed bag of momentous looks on the runway. Rachel Roy refers to Gretchen's outfit as "Almost," (as in not quite there yet), Michael Kors thinks Michael C's dark evil eye print dress looks like a joke, and Nina's so right by exclaiming, upon critiquing Christopher's boring ensemble, that she wants to see OUTSTANDING Fashion!! For goodness sakes, it's Episode 10 of Season 8 and I'm still waiting for more cow bell!...

....and Mondo is once again the deserving WINNER for the third straight challenge. He's simply the only designer with enough curious vision and mental color palette to wow us thus far...and in this episode Mondo becomes, without a doubt, his as well as our own, Inspiration.
That means quirky and kind Valerie is rightfully OUT. That dress was awful, along with a lot of other awful she's designed the past few weeks.
SO dry your eyes, throw away those crumpled balls of kleenex, and stay tuned for next week's episode where the designers must design for Heidi Klum herself, and that is a clear guarantee for some more ugly in the workroom...Auf Wiederseheeeeeeeeen!

Project Runway Episode 9: It's A Tight Race for Hideous Today

Better late than never, here's last week's PR review. Thanks for your patience xo

My first thought is Heidi looks like a big 'chunk of change' in a too tight satin dress. But on to business, this week's challenge was to create a high-fashion look, think Paris Couture, which will appear in a L'Oreal Paris Advertorial. Huh? It's an online ad I think. Problem is the challenge feels a bit too gimmicky, from winning a pot full of gold at the end of a rainbow of bad dresses, to the designers having to use one of the 'Studio Secret Eye Shadow Duo Finishes' (think metallic, velvet, crystal, etc.) from L'Oreal as inspiration. The lucky winner of this challenge will receive $20,000 from L'Oreal (darn generous considering this season's lackluster talent), and besides being a very exciting incentive, by the time the designers are done with every task of this never-ending challenge someone better be going home with 20K. Besides, April wants a miniature pony and Mondo needs some drinking money...
Back in the workroom Gretchen and Michael C are battling against an addiction to burgundy, and why on earth is Andy wearing a tichel? A few design ideas so far:
Mondo- Kaleidoscope, Ivy- Hawaii, Gretchen- Kimono sleeves, Andy- Warrior Girl, Valerie- Silk
Then it happens, Tim comes into the workroom and scares the daylights out of everyone by announcing that the designers have to create a second Ready To Wear (RTW) companion look. Seriously? Poor Tim is Death's messenger here. More sketching plus another trip to MOOD, and I have major pee in my pants anxiety...
It's finally Runway Time and guest judge this week is designer Naeem Kahn. He makes beautifully embellished clothes and actually knows a thing or two about fashion. What a concept producers!
My Runway thoughts:
April: arrgh it's hard to tell what her garment is on the tv screen, but I like that it's short. Does she make anything else? Cute RTW look though.
Mondo: love the couture feeling and Vivienne Westwood meets Sonia Rykiel stripes, and I LOVE the back. But really don't like the black satin skirt in front. I kind of wish the back was really the front. RTW piece is super cute and wearable.
Ivy's horribly constructed gown and RTW piece look like they came off the rack from David's Bridal Oceanic Line. Cheap, tacky, tasteless. Aaaaaaaaaaaah
Michael C: his over the top gown could kill someone with that massive wired train, but the RTW dress is super cute despite its being very tiny.
Christopher's gown looks like a mermaid at her wedding, accidentally covered in chiffon toilet paper. Thank goodness the RTW dress is elegant.
Gretchen: Yowzers! You know it's bad news when even designer judge Naeem Kahn looks absolutely baffled. It's really just not my taste. At all. The hippy feathered velvet robe looks fit for Kumbaya time around someone's firepit.
Valerie's white gown looks like 'Glinda The Good Witch's' special occasion dress. And that black RTW companion is the worst companion I've ever seen. A blah vision of blackness with 3 little crystal buttons...
Um wait a minute, I'm actually liking something coming down the runway...it's sparkly and inventive... It's Andy South's metallic pleated warrior girl outfit! And his RTW bodycon dress with metallic panels is utterly chic. I really hope he wins...Note to Self and Everyone Else: Of course Heidi didn't hate Ivy's blue bridesmaid dresses as much as the other judges did, because she also has sucky taste people! Also, what's with the judges praising Gretchen's velvet swamp thing caftan? So Valerie's dresses get slammed by the judges and Michael Kors goes on a comedy diatribe about how ridiculous they are, so much so that Nina and Heidi can't stop laughing behind their runway cards. Judge Oops of the week: Nina tells Valerie her dress looks like 'Miss Guatemala'. Poor Val has to admit that her family is actually from Guatemala...One more newsflash: I do not envy the judges one bit. Trying to make sense out of a mostly ugly and cheap heap of dresses is no easy feat, not to mention L'Oreal's having to part with $20K on that account......And Mondo's the winner. I was hoping for Andy in terms design, but I do love Mondo anyways. And the loser? Wohoo it's Ivy. Here's hoping David's Bridal will hire her...
Image source: mylifetime.com