FASHION INDIE

HOUSE OF DIEHL’S STYLE WARS: The Style Battle Championships Grand Finale at Stoli Hotel 330 West Street

W/ VIP Judges : Mick Rock, Riley John Donnell (Surface), Matthew Waldman (Nooka), Sloane Crosley + Special

Guests.
DJ Larry Tee!

STOLI OPEN BAR ALL NIGHT LONG
FREE w/ RSVP

Must be 21 and over.
Flying in from all around the country, America’s TOP 8 fast fashion designers face off in LIVE STYLE BATTLES for the first ever Style Wars crown.

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Marie Claire. Insisting that pregos can be “sexy” since 1890.

So Nina Garcia didn’t remain unemployed for too long. It seems the hispanical fashionista found a place to rest her rump at the offices of Hearst’s Marie Claire magazine. Not really known for it’s fashion sense, the mag seems like an odd spot for Nina (what happened chica, Fashion Indie Media not good enough for you?).  Hopefully this means more fashion in Marie Claire which will also enjoy the benefits of having Project Runway as it’s official reality tv shout-out after the next season (Elle is booking from the show after the first year at Lifetime.

What does all this mean in the world of Runway?  Basically, it means the show will most likely tank and Nina will be out of a job in about two years when Marie Claire realizes that without Runway she doesn’t bring anything to the table. We will then become addicted to the British fashion reality series, Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts, which pits young designers in the role of manufacturing their own goods in Malaysian sweat shops. Whiney designer wannabe’s schlepping it with the common folk?  I didn’t realize Simple Life had gone international. Runway’s so last season, I want me some Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts!!!

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On Wednesday, May 7th editors, buyers and bloggers gathered at the rooftop deck of Hotel Gansevoort for the announcement of the winner of Project Handbag, a collaborative talent search conducted by fashionindie media and maurices, a fast-retailer with over 650 stores across the country. The runway was set, models were dressed and at 7:10 the music blared and the lights shone brightly for what was to be maurices first New York City fashion show.

Over 40 looks hit the runway, ranging from wear at work items to lounge wear, and editors were pleasantly surprised by a collection of low-priced fashion pieces which fit a New York ethos of style, sophistication and wearability. Rebecca and I were backstage directing traffic, while Busie played figurehead with the editors of Cosmopolitan, Cosmo Girl, and Oprah magazine. Models were changing at breakneck speeds, lining up and hitting the runway once more. The music was a mix of eighties girl bands and solo artists; Madonna, Joan Jett, the GoGo’s, and Blondie energized the walk with DJ Cassidy mixes thrown in.

After the last piece hit the runway, we were ready for an official announcement. With her handbag created and ready for it’s debut, Christina Oertel of Plover, WI. Her Layered Leather Handbag design won over 30% of all votes in this competition from the 17,000 online style loving voters who headed to fashionindie.com and maurices.com to choose the best handbag.

THE DESIGN

THE FINISHED BAG

Christina Oertel couldn’t have been a better winner. The 27 year old mother of two had always wanted to be a handbag designer, but it wasn’t until this contest came around that she had the opportunity to share her talent with the world. When her handbag, a tri-leather carry all, came on to the runway it was met with loud applause. We had a chance to sit with the young winner and grill her on her inspiration, becoming a fashion designer and her personal style.

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.

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We are currently in love with Belgian stylist turned fashion designer Jean-Paul Lespagnard, who paraded a number of 9-to-5 girls down the runway to win one of the top prize at last months 23rd International Festival of Fashion and Photography.  Drag queen ready heels, accessories made to look like french fries, and clown-striped pants brought the look together and garnered the designer much praise and a check for $23,300 bucks from French fast-fashion chain 1.2.3.  We can’t wait to see Jean-Paul’s full collection in the states pronto.

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This Man…

 designed this…

Riccardo Tisci was brought onto Givenchy in 2005 and given the position as Chief Designer of womens ready-to-wear and haute couture. Following the footsteps of great designers before him, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, Tisci was appointed to make the brand once favored by the Kennedy’s and Audrey Hepburn translatable to today’s customer.

Of course, in all this hubbub it seems the brand forgot to give Riccardo a wardrobe. With 10 day old scruff and a tee shirt better befitting a high school student, the 33 year old designer looks like an amateur in the game of fashion, forgetting one of the dead set rules of those dedicated to their craft, always represent your collection.

Many designers out there forget this simple, yet appropriate direction. They create amazing $1000 dresses but sport $15 tees and baggy, sloppy jeans.  I can image the rest of Riccardo’s outfit in the picture above; faded, ripped jeans, Converse, a skateboard and a dubbie in his back pocket. While refusing to fit a mold is an admirable pursuit, being so opposite to your brands image may in fact alienate you from your target customer. If you were introduced to Riccardo in his laid back get up your first impression would be “amateur”.  The gut reaction he would receive is that of someone who doesn’t take is work seriously and thus is not displaying his full potential on the runway.

For young designers, it is especially important to translate your collection onto your everyday wear.  Thom Browne is the perfect example of someone dedicated to his craft. While he may be the only man on the planet who wears Thom Browne suits, you know the reason isn’t cause he’s not actively promoting his wears. Thom rocks his high water crafted suits on the street, to events, and has even been seen rocking jackets with “I’m Thom Browne” embroidered on his back. Dedication.

So next time you’re heading out be sure to rock a piece from your collection or at least dress in something that reflects your brand. If you a tee shirt designer, rock tee shirts. But if you’re a high-end couture designer in charge of one of the largest fashion brands in the world, try not to pull a Riccardo and look like a complete burnout.

(photos courtesy of WWD, Style.com)

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