Heidi Klum will be portrayed by Angela Lindvall. The role of Nina Garcia will be played by Marchesa‘s Georgina Chapman. Joanna Coles, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire will star as mentor-in residence Tim Gunn. And returning to the fashion reality competition show stage is Isaac Mizrahi as Michael Kors. Guest judges will include Diane von Furstenberg, Miranda Kerr, Miss Piggy, Pharrell Williams, Nanette Lepore, Rachel Roy, Catherine Malandrino, and Mark Badgley and James Mischka.

The All-Stars in question are past Runway contestants who weren’t quite up to snuff, such as Austin Scarlett, Sweet P, Kara Janx and that much-reviled whiny copycat, Kenley Collins. Personally, I stopped watching Project Runway as soon as it hopped from Bravo to Lifetime,  deciding along the way that a season in L.A. was a good idea, but this new spin-off series could bring some much-needed fresh air into the franchise.

The All-Stars will compete for a handsome set of prizes, the most lucrative in Runway history: “an exclusive designer boutique in select Neiman Marcus stores and on neimanmarcus.com; $100,000 in technology and office space to help expand their business from HP and Intel; $100,000 cash from L’Oréal Paris; a feature spread in Marie Claire, for which he or she will serve as a guest editor for one year, and a sewing and embroidery studio provided by Brother International.” Well, at least they made returning to the scene of one’s former and very public embarrassment suitably enticing.

Will you watch Project Runway All-Stars when it premieres January 5 on Lifetime, television for women unemployed gay men? [WWD]

Nina Garcia, Tinsley Mortimer, Derek Warburton, Charlotte Ronson, Chris Benz and CNN“s Alina Cho were among the well-appointed attendees, while liquor sponsor Domaine de Canton kept the ballers well lubricated with a host of refreshing cocktails. Bill Cunningham donned his best — and in all likeliness, only — tuxedo to capture the scene, including the 20th Annual Holiday Train Show. Calling it a”Train Show” is a bit of an understatement since the Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory was turned into a miniature train town, featuring the most stunning scaled-to-size architecture I’ve seen since Barbie‘s Dream Italian Villa.

Besides an excuse to dress up and be fabulous, the Wonderland Ball also supports the Garden’s world-renowned Children’s Education programs, allowing children of all ages, particularly underserved children in the Bronx, an opportunity to learn about nature in engaging ways through workshops and hands-on activities. While it may sound like a very serious and somber affair, the night was a blast, particularly after the DJ took to the turntables. There’s nothing quite like seeing a stately woman in a feathered gown shaking her tail-feather to LMFAO.

Click through the gallery for images from the Winter Wonderland Ball — courtesy of Patrick McMullan and Will Raggozino — and try your hand at Domaine de Canton’s signature cocktails with these handy recipes:

Etlingera

1 ounce of Domaine de Canton topped with Champagne. (served in a champagne flute and Garnished with a Wild Hibiscus flower)

“The Winter Gold Rush”

1.5 Ounces of Domaine de Canton

1 ounce of Makers 46

Half ounce of fresh lemon juice

(Shaken and strained into a martini glass and garnished with a luxardo cherry)

“The White Orchid”

Equal parts (1 ounce ) of Domaine de Canton, Belvedere Citrus Vodka, White Cranberry juice. ( Shaken and strained into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnished with a white orchid flower )

Alison Edmond handled the styling duties, though according to fashion director Nina Garcia, Edmond didn’t have that much work to do: “[Jolie] is the utter professional,” Garcia told New York Mag. “[She's] opinionated, she knows what she likes and what she doesn’t like…Very simple and classic shapes.” Cut to some Salvatore Ferragamo pajamas, an Elie Saab dress, and a DKNY slip and we’ve got an editorial.

Photos: Image Amplified

I woke up in a pile of drool as I felt the plane touch down in Milan this morning. We arrived tired from a whirlwind 2 days in London filming my new commercials for Astor Cosmetics with my favorite photographer, Rankin! I perked up as soon as I knew it was only a short time until I got to visit one of my favorite stores, attend the always fabulous Versace show and end the night wearing a fabulous gown designed by one of my dear friends.

1pm – Stopped by the Duomo for a little sightseeing.

3pm – When you are in Milan you have to stop by one of my favorite stores, 10 Corso Como. They are known for having the best fashion! They buy things from designers that no one else does!

7pm – Quick stop backstage to see Donatella before the Versace show. Look at her dress! She is as fabulous as ever.

8pm – What a beautiful show. I wanted everything!

10pm – Arrived at the amfAR event wearing a gray strapless dress with a full skirt from Cavalli. I ran into Nina Garcia, Bar Refaeli, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen and the always stunning Eva & Roberto Cavalli.

11:30pm – Just as the night was ending, look who fell into my lap! Chanel Iman

12am – Headed back to the hotel to eat some spaghetti which is always a must in Italy! Some gelato? Bring it on! Can’t wait to fly back to my family tomorrow!!

11. University of Delaware Newark, DE

Campus Tour: The smallest state also has a small design program that is focused on quality garment making from every angle. The program follows a garment through its entire lifecycle, from the creative design and tailoring, to a focus on sustainably producing goods on both small and large scale in a socially and environmentally minded manner. An entirely student run fashion magazine, UDress, and fashion shows exist outside of class, working to show and pull fashion out of this college driven town.

Programs: Apparel Design, Merchandising, Sustainability

Student Body: 16,500

Tuition:  $27,000

Star Alumni: Well, me. And a fierce force that is the backbone of the garment industry.

Over a month ago, when I had the pleasure of witnessing Project Runway‘s finale show firsthand, I didn’t think Gretchen had a snowball’s chance of winning. Maybe my brain had turned to mush after sitting through 75 minutes of decoy collections, but her crunchy-granola take on tribal just seemed so…boring. It left me cold.

On the other hand, I thought Andy South‘s collection was elegant, romantic yet slightly hard, and vaguely reminiscent of his beloved Yohji Yamamoto. Sure, it didn’t have any of his dominatrix/warrior princess edge, but why can’t something just be LOVELY, god damnit? Naturally, the judges hated it and counted Andy out of the running entirely.

Mondo’s collection, on the other hand, I loved from start to finish. I am not a print girl in my daily life, and I don’t really go for whimsy…but the moment his first look walked down the runway, all of Lincoln Center seemed captivated. His prints are wild and could become costumey with a less skilled hand, but his tailoring was so sharp and clean that it still looked refined.

Not so, sayeth Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. They lambasted him for being too “circusy” and skewing towards a “junior market,” remarks which led to the best. Project Runway. Catfight. Ever.

Lasting a whole 20 minutes–unheard of in reality TV–Michael and Nina duked it out with Jessica and host Heidi Klum, Team Gretchen and Mondo respectively. Team Gretchen was pleased that the designer, once written off as too “Birkenstocks,” styled her models a bit higher-end and more luxe, and they applauded her hand-forged (by other hands) metal jewelry. Heidi, however, correctly pointed out that no consumer wants to buy a top and have to buy the accoutrements necessary to make it fashionable.

Boxing gloves out, the tie was somehow broken and Gretchen takes home the prize. Ultimately, the judges said she was “current” and speaks to what modern women want to wear today.

I’ll let Mondo sum up my feelings in his exit interview. “You know, I was just really, really shocked…Gretchen, it was mundane, it was kinda one idea.” Yep. Guess Tim Gunn was right when he said the judges were smoking crack this season.

Who do you think deserved the win?

]]> http://fashionindie.com/a-very-heidi-halloween-klums-top-5-costumes/feed/ 0 http://fashionindie.com/are-bloggers-fashion-editors/ http://fashionindie.com/are-bloggers-fashion-editors/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:46:40 +0000 Rebecca Alexander http://fashionindie.com/?p=90000

I personally consider myself a fashion editor. Sure, it probably isn’t as difficult to be me than Kate Lanphear, but the work I do and the reach our site has can easily be compared. Swide.com has asked the question ‘Are bloggers considered fashion editors?’  to the likes of Hilary Alexander, Fracana Sozzani, Kate Lanphear, Zanna Roberts and Nina Garcia. Here are their responses.

Hilary Alexander, Telegraph

“I think we’ll always want a magazine because digital is fleeting. I think somehow it’s more personal. You feel it’s part of you.”

Kate Lanphear, Style Director, American Elle

“I’m obsessed with the blog, I think it’s such an amazing thing but I think there is a sisterhood between the internet and a magazine”

More quotes and video on SassyBella

We don’t actually care about this show since I haven’t opened up an issue of Marie Claire since, um, ever. But some of you might actually care about what happens behind the scenes of a major magazine. So, here’s the first episode of Marie Claire’s soap-umentary, “Running In Heels” before it premieres on the Style Channel.

In this episode people cry, Nina Garcia shows up after getting booted from Elle, and they all realize that the bloggers have won and get fired. Okay, everything but that last part. Enjoysies…

Thanks Fabsugar!

Seems like Anne Slowey is no Nina Garcia.

Stylista continues to lose it’s audience with 30% fewer people (only 2.4 million) checking in this past week to see Elle’s editor stumble on her stilettos. Guess the magazines attempt at getting advertisers to care about their glossy since losing Project Runway’s Garcia isn’t turning out as well as they hoped.

Could Elle be the next mag to shutter it’s doors or scale down in the next few months? Will the winner of Stylista even have a job after all this?

Kate Lamphear, fashion editor for Elle magazine, was looking pretty fabulous around Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week. I absolutely love the masculinity she throws in to counter her delicate, feminine aesthetic. The fitted blazers and the basic colors have got Ms. Lamphear looking like Karl Lagerfeld’s twin! And if you ask me, Kate Lamphear rocks the bleached, edgy cut better than Agyness Deyn! If only Nina Garcia had this much style…and better hair…

Thanks London. Paris. Milan. New York!

Unless Nina’s scowling at a PR contestant and giving them the fashion glare of death, I don’t really care.

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!!!

Read the full interview here… 

Nina Garcia

What’s most interesting is that on their website, YAZ is still refering to Nina Garcia as “of Elle Magazine”. Did they not get the message?

So designers, if you want to get noticed by Nina Garcia (and more importantly win $10,000) be sure to submit some new packaging ideas for oral contraceptives.  Sexy kind of. Details after the jump or head to PillPackMakeover.com for more …

Fashion Guru Nina Garcia Launches National Design Competition

- Aspiring young designers give YAZ(R) birth control case a makeover -

WAYNE, N.J., April 30 /PRNewswire/ — Nina Garcia of the Emmy-nominated
series “Project Runway” is calling upon designer hopefuls everywhere to
submit contemporary and fashionable packaging concepts for the oral
contraceptive YAZ(R) (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol). In partnership
with Step Up Women’s Network, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated
to mentoring and empowering young women for advancement, and Bayer
HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Garcia announced today the launch of the “YAZ:
Step Up and Go Beyond” contest. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000
to help jumpstart a career in design.

“Whether you are an aspiring designer, graphic artist or simply the
office fashionista with a flair for what’s chic, now is the chance to put
your talent to the test and turn your visions into reality,” said Nina
Garcia.

Like many young women, Garcia dreamed of being in the fashion industry.
She started her career working in the public relations department for Perry
Ellis and its then head designer, Marc Jacobs. She then moved to Mirabella
magazine and later to Elle, gradually rising up the ranks, and today, she
is one of the world’s foremost fashion trendsetters.

“The design challenge we’re posing is a fashion transformation unlike
any other,” said Garcia. “We’re taking an iconic accessory — the birth
control case — and asking aspiring designers to take a shot at redesigning
it into a chic, more sophisticated carrying case that they could slip into
their purses.”

Contestants can enter the contest online at http://www.PillPackMakeover.com.
Design submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2008. On behalf of
Garcia, Step Up Women’s Network and Bayer HealthCare, one lucky winner will
receive $10,000 to invest in design classes or for the purchase of special
design materials and software. The contest winner will be announced around
the time of Fall Fashion Week 2008.

“At Step Up Women’s Network, we are dedicated to providing women with
opportunities for advancement — whether that’s in their careers, education
or just their everyday lives,” said Danielle Carrig, Executive Director of
Step Up Women’s Network. “In tandem with our mission, we are pleased to be
part of this unique and inspiring contest, which will tap the potential of
creative designers, and spotlight their talents that may otherwise have
gone unrecognized.”

Putting a Spotlight on Health

YAZ is the first and only oral contraceptive approved to treat the
emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms severe enough to impact a
woman’s life. These symptoms, called premenstrual dysphoric disorder
(PMDD), can include irritability, fatigue, moodiness, feeling anxious and
bloating. These symptoms can also significantly impact a woman’s quality of
life interfering with school, work or personal relationships with others.
YAZ is the only oral contraceptive (OC) that has been shown to be effective
in clinical studies to reduce monthly menstrual symptoms and improve
quality of life in women with PMDD.

In addition, YAZ is proven effective in treating moderate acne in women
seeking contraception. In recent studies, nine out of 10 women taking YAZ
saw improvement in their moderate acne. YAZ is the first and only oral
contraceptive on the market clinically proven to treat both PMDD and
moderate acne, providing women with health benefits beyond birth control.

About the “YAZ: Step Up and Go Beyond” Contest

The “YAZ: Step Up and Go Beyond” contest is a design competition open
to people age 18 or older. Registration is available online at
http://www.PillPackMakeover.com. Here, designers will be asked to fill out a
registration form and submit an electronic file of their design along with
a 100-word description. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

– Most embodies the theme of female empowerment (25%)
  — Most creative and original (25%)
  — Most discreet (25%)
  — Most fashion forward and stylish (25%)

Judges of the contest include Nina Garcia of “Project Runway”,
Executive Director of Step Up Women’s Network Danielle Carrig and Lauren
Streicher, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at
Northwestern University, Chicago. The contest is sponsored by Bayer
HealthCare, in partnership with Nina Garcia and Step Up Women’s Network.

According to this clip fierce is out, Nina Garcia should stick to reality series, and the offices of Mode are just not working. Big surprise. Let’s give Christian a huge round of applause for being the most marketable Runway winner to date.  Self flagulation is the most sincerest form of celebrity.

Tim Gunn when asked about Nina Garcia’s possible departure from Project Runway to New York Magazine.

Okay, so all that was not true.

We’re not sure what Nina did at Elle, she was a fashion editor or something, but it is a good thing that she’s out. She now has time to get her own series and give Stacey London a run for her money. I’d suggest heading to Univision (not being racist, so keep reading) cause a ton of spanish chica’s need some help in the “looking like a white girl” department.  They aren’t all J.Lo’s (like the enjoy believing) which is why Nina can help out her brethren and teach girls with junk in da trunk how to not wear jeans that are four sizes too big.

Or she can pull a Conrad and come out with a line. We suggest shoes, since she’s such a big fan. Or take over Tim Gunn‘s job at Liz, cause that man has no idea what the fuck he’s doing there.  (I think mascot is his official title).  Or, maybe Bravo can give her her own show as the genius that was Project Runway slowly sinks into irrelevance on the network that caters to women who wear Depends and crazy cat people.

Either way, we know this is not the end for Garcia and we can’t wait to see how our favorite fashion spic (we can say it, you can’t) makes her mark now that she has the free time. You can always come work for us Ninya.