FASHION 101
Fierce - Project Runway Auditions
Do you know you have what it takes to be America’s next great fashion designer? Then come to the open casting for Bravo’s Project Runway in New York! Gen Art teams up again with Project Runway to seek out the best and the brightest fashion talent.
We are looking for up-and-coming aspirants as well as established fashion professionals. In addition to a completed application, bring a portfolio, 3 current looks and a hefty dose of attitude.
For more details and an application go to:
http://www.bravotv.com/Casting/projectrunway/index.php
New York Project Runway Casting:
Saturday, April 5
Sunday, April 6
Monday, April 7
9AM - 6PM
W New York - Times Square
1567 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
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Lining Up at Henri Bendel’s
So twice a year NYC’s famous Henri Bendel’s holds a search for new indie designers looking for an in to the industry. Designers will start to line up outside starting at 2am in the morning. I was not going to get up that early, however I did get there at 7:30am and at that time was still 2 city blocks away from the entrance. While about a thousand people continued to add on with every hour or so.My time paid off thanks to the hands of the fashion gods and my brilliant reps at Bui-Lavry PR who helped me display and sell my treasured head pieces. Bendel’s is giving me a time slot to host my own Angel Lust trunk show near the end of April, which will coincide with the debut of my items on “Gossip Girl” !!!I’m going to write more about the event on my personal blog along with some very helpful tips for all future designers who want to stand in line. Visit me http://angellustpr.blogspot.com/-Kristen May Anastasia
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12 Best Indie Fashion Magazines
Fashion magazines are a dime a dozen. There are the big names like Elle, Vogue, Nylon, Harpers Bazaar, and gasp* Us Weekly. Their are the better known high end fares like V Magazine, Another Magazine, Purple and Paper. But hidden amongst the big boys are a slew of indie fashion magazines that don’t get as much attention as they deserve. Check out this list of indie fashion magazines that you should know compiled by Glam.com …
10
Christened 10—a bold, simple number that is recognizable in any language—the book has attracted a large international following. The 300+page publication is chock full of contemporary culture of every sort and for those who can’t be bothered to read the staff’s well-written pieces, it serves as a spell binding picture book that’s hard to put down.
A4
A recent winner of the Chimera Press Design Award , A4 cleverly connects street culture, high art, and fashion in a series of collage-like pictorials. The Polish book aims to promote young artists in all fields, and promote they do: Crisp and clear without being cold, their well-designed pages are highly memorable. (Bonus: Their online site isn’t too shabby either.
With so much high-quality fashion pouring out of Sweden (hello Cheap Monday, H&M, Acne, and Filippa K) that it’s no surprise that the country has cornered the market on Scandinavian-influenced mags. The country’s leading fashion magazine, Bon, takes the cake with it’s visually and verbally dense pages. The tome and it’s online component offer up sophisticated coverage from all the international weeks, but hones in on—and rightfully so—their homegrown talent.
Launched in 1998 by the eponymous creative agency, the “bookzine” focuses on architecture, fashion, and overall great design. Expect quirky spins on boldfaced names—from Miuccia Prada to David Sims and Dior— up-and-coming stars in fashion, art, graphic design, and other visual fields. The multi-talented minds behind Tank also produce a radio station, publishing house, and online TV segments.
French-based Numero allows all you impatient trend hounds to get a sneak peak at the fashions of tomorrow. (Modelizers will appreciate the editorial team’s ahead-of-the curve front-cover placement of young catwalkers.) The magazine, which has earned accolades for its arresting photographs and influential design, serves as a must-read for the W magazine subscribers who prefer their style news served up with some edge.
The recently launched Plastique offers a behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot lifestyle. While stories touch on contemporary cinema and art, the real reason to pick up the book is its many thoughtful interviews with designers, photographers, illustrators and more.
Curated by a rotating roster of intellectual designers (including Yohji Yamamoto, Martine Sitbon, and Martin Margiela) A Magazine delves into the inspirations, craftsmanship ideals, and external influences that are crucial to the design process. the insightful presentation of such oft-over-looked stories will prove to be rewarding to those who are interested in what goes on behind the atelier’s gilded doors.
LULA MAGAZINE
London-based Lula taps into the fairytale trend that’s prevailed in certain fashion and art circles as of late. Helmed by former Vogue UKer, Leith Clarke, it’s plum full of romantic, ethereal photos, cameos by bewitching girls—such as Zooey Deschanel, Erin Fetherston, and Karen Elson—and nostalgic stories of timeworn treasures including Anne of Green Gables books, heart lockets, and more. Not only does each issue spin a well-crafted yarn, but Lula’s online flipbook is just as enchanting.
If the Steven Sprouse-like logo doesn’t tip you off about Wonderland’s energetic coverage of the film, fashion, and art worlds, you’ll figure it out once you flip open the first page. Created by young Londoner, (A Visionaire alum and former Mario Testino assistant) Huw Gwyther, the book looks at with the unabashed, rocking enthusiasm of undergrads at St. Martins (of which Gwyther is an alumni, duh).
By offering short fashion films (in lieu of photoshoots) via web and limited-edition DVDs only, the Paris-and New York based magazine is quietly redefining the medium. Recent trendsetting contributors include Shirin Neshat, Julia Restoin Toirfeld, Missy Rayder, and Debbie Harry. If it sounds impressive, that’s because it is.
More that missed the list.
I’m in love with INDIE magazine, but apparently they don’t love me. This magazine used to be available in the states at select newstands, but disappeared recently. You can still pick up the amazingly detailed and spot on tome to independent fashion in Austria or order the magazine online.
A completely addictive magazine that features the best indie fashions from local and LA designers, Metropop has remained a strong voice in the indie fashion scene with it’s fashion spreads which feature young fashion designers. Recent cover girl Amanda Lepore and models such as Andre J and Jerry Tam of Form make the pages of this mag golden.
Think we missed some? Do share
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VMAN Needs a Few Good Men
V MAN and Ford Models are teaming up to search for the mags next cover model.
Check out some of the boys who have entered so far and enter to win a photo shoot with Hedi Slimane and instant cred.
This dude is currently in the lead with over 200 votes.
Close Second
Currently tying for last place
I think we have a winner
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Design A T-Shirt for Temposhark
Design a tee shirt for the London-based electro-rock band, Temposhark, for your chance to have your art prowess seen around the world.
Not only can your design become the official shirt of this fashionable and exciting new band out of the UK, but you’ll be eligible to win a bunch of cool prizes too.
The top contenders will be presented to the band, and they will choose a winner, who will recieve a $1000 plus other goodies.
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The Great Designers Symposium
So I’m flying to Paris next week to enjoy a few days off for my 25th birthday and long and behold the great designers decide to hold a two day symposium. This is the equivalent of fashion cake with stylish frosting on top. Paris or a weekend with designer Maria Cornejo, Bergdorf senior VP Linda Fargo, and fashion-history professor Caroline Evans?!? So hard to decide.
You better register early cause this thing will undoubtedly be packed.
The Museum at FIT, Seventh Ave. at 27th St., rm. E301; 9:30–5.
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Shoe Star Challenge 1 Looks Sketchy
We’ve been following Shoe Star, a shoe design challenge by Nine West. Check out the competition so far.
It’s Down to Six: Sketch Challenge Raises the Stakes
By Lindsay E. Sammon and Clair Windsor
The first shoe has dropped in the FN Shoe Star competition.
Nervous energy filled the air on Feb. 6 as the seven FN Shoe Star finalists lined up in the Nine West design studio to face the first elimination round of the six-month-long competition. The students had five minutes to present their five sketches to the judging panel: FN’s Michael Atmore, Nine West’s Fred Allard, FIT’s Ellen Goldstein and guest judge Giuseppe Zanotti. Inspiration, technical execution and on-trend styling were the main elements up for critique.
“The talent we are looking for has to have their finger on the pulse of fashion today,” said Nine West creative director Allard. “They did well in what could have been an intimidating situation.”
According to Atmore, judging the inspiration boards — which ranged from the Amazon rainforest to Japanese kimonos — and sketches was no easy task. “We had to judge on their concept and execution — and in many cases, one element was stronger than the other. Once they’re in the real world, they’re going to have to deliver on both,” he said.
The judges’ closed-door deliberation lasted nearly 30 minutes and, in the end, Lana Klemeyer was eliminated.
Six finalists remain, and only one thing is for sure: One of them will be the FN Shoe Star.
After the jump see the designs (including a shoe inspired by ice cream) and see who was eliminated.
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maurices Project Handbag Finalist : Phil Hatchet
Project Handbag finalist Phil Hatchet gives us the scoop on his unique creation, designing for men, and the art of fashion. Read on…
How would you describe your handbag?
Clean lines, intriguing surfaces, and attention to detail were all key for me during the designing process of my bag. A woman’s bag should always tell a story of sort and I wanted to create a bag that said something strong about it’s owner.
Where did you draw inspiration?
I am an admirer of the classical and somewhat a nostalgic aesthetic. In old film noir movies, the men’s shiny black patent leather shoes have always drawn my attention. The way light plays off the surface and the small punched holes along the scalloped edges speak volumes to me and I knew I wanted to translate that feeling into a bag. I placed small gathers in the center front of my design to give the piece a modern feel while drawing from the classic stylings of fine Italian leather shoes for the rest of the piece. The bag is both empowering and distinctly feminine.
So have you always wanted to be a handbag designer?
Though I enjoyed this small challenge immensely, I am not typically a bag designer. In fact, I rarely design pieces for women. Menswear is a notoriously overlooked and underdeveloped facet of the fashion world and I love creating edgy and fresh looks for our male population. Controversial at times, my designs consistently push the envelope and I would have it no other way.
Describe your love for fashion?
Fashion is art. And as art, the purpose of fashion is to communicate. Whether an idea, a feeling, a statement or whatnot, if the clothes speak strongly, they are successful. Sometimes political, other times more intimate thoughts, I want my clothes to speak beyond “looking good”.
Vote for Phil Hatchet’s creation at maurices.com.
Popularity: 1% [?]
maurices Project Handbag Finalist: David Tezanos
A brief interview with Project Handbag Finalist David Tezanos.
FI: What was your inspiration when creating this handbag?
DZ: The sunshine state..
FI: Have you always wanted to be a handbag designer?
DZ: I have always wanted to be a handbag designer. i just love the fashion statement handbag’s make. I’ve been working hard and this year I will make my statement……
FI: How is fashion a part of your daily life?
DZ: Fashion is life and life is my runway…
FI: Describe your style?
DZ: Unique, eccentric, loud, colorful, bold, sophisticated and classy.
Vote for this handbag at maurices.
Popularity: 2% [?]
maurices Project Handbag Finalist: Cathy Bullington
FI: What was your inspiration when creating this handbag?
CB: My muses for this design were my students who are little fashionistas in the making and some fierce spectator pumps I had recently seen in a fashion magazine. The pumps reminded me of some my grandmas had worn back in their days as flappers when the 20’s were Roarin’, thus the Retro. Bringing that style a modern twist by adding the faux stones gave it the Metro. I think the faux stones could be in opaque onyx or chalk white. I had actually drawn a couple of design ideas, but time after time people picked this one as being “HOT!”
FI: Have you always wanted to be a handbag designer?
CB: I have always wanted to be a fashion designer and certainly handbags are part of that. I have designed and made clothes for myself, friends and family as well as jewelry and handbags. My mom had also wanted to be a fashion designer and she taught me many things about art and sewing and style. I am currently learning as much as I can about shibori (stitch shaped resist dye) so I can make my own custom fabrics. As a middle school art teacher, I have put my fashion design skills to use making costumes for school plays and musicals as well as doing backdrops and special effects. Two other art teachers in my school corporation, Liz and Libby, also have that fashion urge and we have collaborated on designs for textiles and fashions.
FI: How is fashion a part of your daily life?
CB: Isn’t fashion a part of everyone’s daily life? My dear hubby Mark is very tolerant of the overflowing
closet and the projects that sometimes take over the living room. He is working on building me a steamer for steaming my dyed silk yardage. My niece Mallory is my fave shopping companion as she is brutally honest about what looks fab and what looks flab. I love to cook too and I think food needs to look good as well as taste good. You need to surround yourself with beauty to have a beautiful life. As Coco Chanel said “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
FI: Describe your style?
CB: My style is very eclectic. I don’t worship one particular style. My style is what makes me feel good
that day. I like to mix pieces from different stores and designers with my own designs to put together my own look. I consider myself a BBW and I am so thrilled to see stores like Maurices offering plus
size clothing that not only fits, but looks good and makes me feel good. Now if we can get some of the hot designers to recognize the BBWs and their wonderful curves…
Vote for this bag at maurices.
Popularity: 5% [?]
maurices Project Handbag Finalist: Christina Oertel
FI: What was your inspiration when creating this handbag?
CO: I was inspired by many things: the classic high-end bags I’ve always admired; the great layering trends; and most importantly, with spring on its way, I wanted to keep it fresh by adding a bold, colorful print on the inside. As a young mom, I wanted to keep things practical so I played with the size and added pockets.
FI: Have you always wanted to be a handbag designer?
CO: The thought of being a handbag designer, or any type of fashion designer, would pretty much surpass my wildest dreams. So yes… that would be a definite ‘yes’.
FI: How is fashion a part of your daily life?
CO: Although I am a graphic designer by trade, I fit in my fashion fixes throughout the day. In the morning, its choosing an outfit that fits my mood; throughout the day, I’m surfing fashion websites while eating my lunch and on breaks; and after I put the kids to sleep, I’m all over the lastest magazines. On a lucky day, I’ll even catch a Fashion Television podcast on my mp3 player.
FI: Describe your style?
CO: My style changes from day-to-day … as well as season-to-season: I love trying new things! In the summer, my style leans toward clean, classic, easy-going and girly-bohemian. Living in Wisconsin, my style has to be a little more practical in the winter months. This winter, I focused on great winter coats and knee-high boots. My biggest celebrity inspirations would be Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, Kate Hudson and Rachel Bilson.
Vote for Christina Oertel at maurices.com
Popularity: 3% [?]
maurices Project Handbag Finalist : Sara Kahrs
What inspired you to design this handbag?
I love fashion. I enjoy being creative with my style. I have been in the clothing project in 4-H since I was 8 years old, and part of that clothing project is being judged in a “fashion revue” which involves me modeling the garment I sewed, with all accessories I believe enhance my garment. I have constructed everything from an eyelet sun top and capri pants when I was 9, to a short tweed jacket with a black skirt when I was 13, to a mid-calf length red wool coat when I was 15, and I am proud that I have won in several divisions on a state level.
Accessories are a very important part of bringing the whole look together, and the proper handbag is of utmost importance! It must compliment the garment you are wearing, as well as be functional and comfortable! I learned about this contest while I was shopping with my mom one evening. She knew I liked to sketch clothing and encouraged me to try to design a handbag to enter. I thought about what I like in a handbag…one with comfortable handles, with colors that compliment many outfits so I don’t have to do a handbag switch every time I walk out of the house, one that is not so top-heavy that it falls over when I set it down, one that is comfortable enough to carry to the mall but large enough to hold my things! Every girl wants that perfect handbag!
Have you always wanted to be a handbag designer?
I have wanted to be in fashion design, including handbags and hats, for as long as I can remember. As soon as I began making my own clothing for competition, and after having toured the clothing and textile department at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and after attending a style show at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, I knew I wanted to go down that career path. I find it fascinating and challenging!
Sara’s submission. Vote for it now!!!
How is fashion a part of your everyday life?
Fashion is a part of my everyday life because no matter where I go, I want to show my personal style. You can tell a lot about a person just by what they are wearing. Like it or not, we are judged by our look and the clothing we wear. Our fashion and clothing choices are all parts of our complete body image package. When we look good, we feel good and show more confidence! When I start my day looking my best, wearing the right shoes and carrying the perfect handbag, my whole day goes better!
Describe your style.
I feel like I have a very unique style. I absolutely love to wear my skinny jeans and high heels, or my turtleneck with the jumper over it with my legwarmers and heels. But, I also love the elegant look. One of my idols is Audrey Hepburn, I love her look. I like to take old styles, and make them more modern and up-to-date, so as to bring them back, but at the same time, make the look my own. I live in a small town, and love to go to larger cities to shop.
Popularity: 1% [?]
The New School’s New Center Opens Up
Designed by Lyn Rice Architects, the 32,800-square-foot “urban quad” for Parsons The New School for Design has just opened. Lyn Rice, who was part of the team behind the popular art destination Dia:Beacon, used skylight-covered public program spaces, exhibition galleries, learning centers, a futuristic, compact auditorium and chartreuse-accented offices in his design for The New School to assure students and faculty will cross paths frequently, with the hope that spontaneity will help trigger all sorts of creative ideas and exchanges and/or curious stares and glances from first years you we’re hoping to never bump into again.
Students and faculty at work in the Johnson Design Center will probably have their share of curious onlookers, due to full-length windows that face Fifth Avenue and East 13th Street. So all you Parsoners better smile and look happy ( just imagine Tim Gunn just accepted his old job back) . Passersby on Fifth can see a wall-size digital photo, a wooden model, video footage and color photos of the park pavilion built near the Catskill Mountains by 11 New School students over a 10-week stretch last year as part of a design workshop
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