Chi-town Chic

Project Runway: Episode 7

I need to start this post by saying I sort of feel bad about poor Keith.  Don't get me wrong...I didn't like the guy.  I thought he had a bad attitude and I didn't like most of what he created, but I DID feel kind of bad about his sobbing on national television.  Only a little.  The other 99.9% of me wanting to yell "man up" at the television and tell him to stop whining!  Seriously, I am sorry that you lost the competition and have to go home, but do you need to blubber about it.  And not just cry, but ugly cry?  And not just ugly cry, but blame your going home on trying to do "what the judges want" and not owning up to the fact that your work that week (and the week before...) was bad!  Tim really seemed to like Keith, but I wasn't convinced.

Okay, enough.  On to happier things.  Last nights episode had the designers using car parts (seats, seat belts, break lights, etc...) to create an innovative look.  I thought the concept was really cool, but I was a bit worried about the execution.  As it turned out...most of the designers did a good job.  I had quite a few that I liked. 

Leanne wins!  In the past I have not been impressed with her work, but this was really cool.  She used car seats to make her mini-dress and fringed out the seat belts for the detailing at the neckline.  Very cool.  I love the shape, love the construction, and love the pairing of the ankle boots with it.  Good job Leanne!!

I loved Jerell's design.  It was such a weird night last night!  Loving on Leanne & Jerell...never thought I would say that!  Anyway, he thought to use the reverse side of the seat cushions to mold the top and parts of the dash board for the detailing.  Very cool.

I want this coat! Korto has some really creative ideas.  This coat entirely made out of woven seat belts ended up having a great shape.  I was worried for a bit that they wouldn't mold to the models body, but it looks really good and didn't turn out boxy at all.  Good job Korto!

After seeing the other looks...how can you not think this is just super boring??  What is innovative about a tan pencil skirt and a creamy colored halter?  Not to mention it was unfortunate that the skirt was too tight for the model.  Oh well.  Hope things go well for you in the future Keith!

Jackets

I love the start of a new season (well except winter. hate winter).  By the time a season ends not only am I sick of the clothes, but I am giddy thinking about the possibilities of new things.   One great thing about the start of fall is finding some good fall coats/jackets.  If you are lucky (at least in Chicago) you only get a few good weeks you can wear a lighter coat so you need to cherish those moments!

It's not quite labor day yet (and currently about 80 degrees out) so I am trying not get too ahead of myself...but you never know when it's going to cool off around here!

Michael Kors Short Sleeve Jacket



Robert Rodriguez Floral


Nick & Zoe Plaid Knit Coat



Leifsdotteir Painted Button Melange Sweater

Project Runway: Episode 6- Keith

Keith you warrant your own post.  Two weeks ago I wasn't sure about your design.  I like elements of it (I liked the flow, shape of the skirt), but I really didn't like the top.  Your attitude and need to be the tough, "I don't care what others think of me" gets a little old.  Anyway, I accepted that you won.  Fine.

However, how in the world did you turn around and create this?

No wonder you were bitching complaining that you didn't get immunity in the last challenge.  You needed it!  Watch out Keith...you are starting to be a one trick pony...and the judges don't take too kindly to designers who only do one thing.  The shredded fabric needs to stop. Now.   Besides the obvious repeating of ideas, the entire outfit just looks messy and ugly.  It does nothing for the queen's body and just ended up looking like she was wearing a mop. 

Keith you are really lucky that Daniel was boring and off again...or it might have been you!

Project Runway: Episode 6

Of all episodes to be late on writing about...it had to be the one about the drag queens!  And the one where my least favorite person Daniel gets the boot!  Better late than never I guess. 

Anyway, this episode was bound to be full of drama and laughs...I must say I was somewhat disappointed.  I was hoping for a bit more...oh well... on to the styles...

Joe was the winner and I thought he really deserved it.  Not only did he deliver an design that fit his clients desires/needs, but it was well made and fit the challenge.  Joe has been doing a really good job lately of listening to what the challenge is and delivering. Too many designers ignore that.  This outfit has the right amount of sparkle and "over-the-topness" (made up my own word) to fit this queen.


Korto designed the above dress and got pretty good reviews on it.  I really appreciated how confident the model/client/queen felt in the look.  That makes a HUGE difference on how the design is perceived.   Good job Korto!


Another great example of a designer making the model feel good.   There were a few bumps in the road, but in the end  Hedda Lettuce did walk the runway.  It could have been faked confidence of a case of "the show must go on" but the queen acted happy in the end. 

Onto the not so good (at least in my eyes)...

Okay I am going to have to go with Tim on this one...I didn't like this look.  I know drag queens are in costume, but this is too costumey.  This is nothing besides a short skirt indicating femininity.   I get the whole edgy futuristic thing Terri, but I don't like the look.


Blayne drives me insane.  I don't think I will ever get used to him or enjoy hearing his voice.  I will admit that occasionally he has good ideas.  This particular outfit makes a lot of sense when you see/hear his client, Miss Understood.  However, it loses major points from me because Blayne designed it AND it was falling apart on the runway.  Not good.



Daniel, Daniel, Daniel...why do you insist on doing the same thing every week??  The dress isn't bad.  But it is the entirely wrong look for a drag queen.  Why do you insist on ignoring the challenge each week in favor of what you'd rather do?  That is how you get kicked off!  I must say I am not sad to see him go.  I was getting sick of his whining about how he only does couture, how he has impeccable taste, and really just thought he was above it all.   Guess what?  If you were above it you wouldn't be on the show to begin with!  You would already be a famous designer!  Good Luck Daniel!

Polyvore: Life's a Beach

I am already mourning the end of summer...and it's not quite here yet.  This is a tribute to the wnderful warm months!

 

Wicker Park/Bucktown Sidewalk Sale

I am SOOOOOOOO excited...this weekend is the Wicker Park/Bucktown Sidewalk sale.  Wicker Park/Bucktown has come a long way in the last few years.  Guaranteed to be great shopping!!

The following stores are participating...happy shopping!

Clothes Minded 1735 N Damen
d.marie handbags 1867 N Damen
g boutique 2131 N Damen
Grasshopper 510 1944 N Damen
Helen Yi 1645 N Damen
Hunny She She Boutique 2027 N Damen
Jean Alan 2134 N Damen
Knitting Workshop 2115 N Damen
Larkspur 2123 N Damen
Ms. Catwalk 2042 N Damen
p.45 1643 M Damen
pyschobaby 1630 N Damen
Red Dog House 2031 N Damen
riley 1659 N Damen
Saffron 2064 N Damen
shebang 1616 N Damen
Stitch 1723 N Damen
Tangerine 1719 N Damen
Veruca Salt 1921 N Damen
via Firenzi 1821 N Damen
Virtu 2034 N Damen
vive la femme 2048 N Damen
Wow & Zen 1912 N Damen
Anjenu 1747 N Damen
Bonnie & Clyde’s 1751 W Division
Dynamic Studio 1754 W Division
Elevenzees 1901 W Division
Eye Candy Optics 2121 W Division
Funkshion Clothing 2121 W Division
GROW 1943 W Division
NEW’d 1917 W Division
Penelopes 1913 W Division
Porte Rouge 1911 W Division
Le Dress 1741 W Division
Pour Vous Bath & Body 1750 W Division
Strut Boutique 1744 W Division
Alternatives 1232 N Milwaukee
Another Level 1420 N Milwaukee
Continental Furniture 1425 N Milwaukee
Crossroads Trading Company 1519 N Milwaukee
Eskell 1509 N Miwlaukee
Eye Want 1543 N Milwaukee
Findables 1643 N Milwaukee
Hejfina 1529 N Milwaukee
John Fluevog 1541 N Milwaukee
Lenscrafters Optique 1538 N Milwaukee
Silver Room 1442 N Milwaukee
Store B 1472 N Milwaukee
Trim 1629 N Milwaukee
With Art 1911 N Milwaukee
Urban Outfitters 1521 N Milwaukee
Zip Car Milwaukee & North Ave
Akira 1317 W North
Asrai Garden 1935 W North
Cold Stone Creamery 1924 W North
Quimbys Bookstore 1854 W North
Untitled 1941 W North
Beta Boutique 2016 W Concord Place

Shop Styles: All things Grey

Project Runway: Episode 5

Last night was teams night!  Teams can be a great thing or they can be a really dysfunctional thing.  In the case of PR they are almost always a disaster.  Most of the designers have extremely strong personalities and a strong sense of their own design tastes. 

Anyway, last night proved to be full of those situations.  It wasn't over the top full of fights, but it had some quarrels.  This week the celebrity guest judge was Brooke Shields.  I personally like her.  I was a bit annoyed that it seemed like a constant shameless plug for NBC's show, Lipstick Jungle, but overall I like her and I liked the challenge they were given (to design an outfit that her character, a movie executive, will wear on the show). 

On to the good stuff...I must say I am shocked that I can say that I really liked Jerell and Stella's design.  I had my doubts about Jerell after the Little Bow Peep hat he made last week, but their look was the perfect mix between edgy and sophisticated.  It was not the winner, but I think it was the only look created that truly showed both designers styles and abilities.  It was my personal favorite.

The winner was....Keith & Kenley. I did like this look.  I thought it was very creative how the sleeves on the shirt could be changed to bring the look from day to night.  I thought it was very nicely made and that it would fit Brooke Sheilds' body very well.  Keith & Kenley seemed to be best of friends by the end, however, during the working time they didn't seem to be doing too well.  They are both extremely opinionated which led to some conflict at the fabric store and during construction process.  Overall, I think both opinions and style were needed to pull off the winning look.  Side note- Kenley annoys me.   I think she is a good designer, but her attitude is hard to handle.  I know we were ALL laughing when David said he had impeccable taste, but we weren't about to do it in his face on national television!!!

Terri and Suede had a good look as well.  I liked the details on the top and the fact they used pants. I am not sure about the off the shoulder look for work though. 

I was not a huge fan of Koto and Joe's design.  I thought the dress didn't properly fit the model (which is covered up at the moment by the jacket.  But it certainly wasn't the worst. Those are coming...

I actually thought this was the worst look.  It was Blayne's design and he was paired with Leanne to create it.  The burmuda shorts didn't seem to fit the model very well (poorly made) and the vest (which is currently blocked by the models hair) was a bit too much for the outfit.  There was nothing about this look that screamed sophisticated or work!  To Blayne's credit- when asked who should go home he took the responsibility of being the team leader.  I wish Blayne would have gone home!

Kelli and Daniel...where to begin.  It's clear this came from them...it has Kelli's edgy rocker thing and Daniel's poor ability to sew written all over it.  You cannot tell from picture but the skirt was not made well at all.  I didn't think it was the right look for the challenge at all.  I also didn't think it warranted  Kelli going home.  I know she was the team leader, but she has consistently done well in the challenges and Daniel has not. I am hoping guessing that Daniel will be going home next week. 

ShopStyle: Bags I am liking

Project Runway: Episode 4

Where do I begin?  First, I must say I haven't enjoyed the challenges that have been chosen recently...I know that Ralph Lauren just designed the clothes our current Olympians will wear, but it's not really what I think of when I think designer wear.  And to further prove my point only ONE designer made anything remotely athletic!  I was shocked to see that.

Second point.  Is anyone else completely sick of Blayne and what the producers are trying to say about him?  We get it...he likes to tan is addicted to tanning, but do we need to keep discussing it.  Blayne drives me nuts.  Not only do I not like his style, but his personality kills me.  Holla at your boy?!

Now, on to the designs for the evening...and the winner is:

  I liked what Korto did.  I am not entirely sold on the high waisted pants...few people can pull them off, let alone athletically built people, but it's a clean and sporty look. 

 It might not be my absolute favorite look ever, but at least Joe made something sporty!  His look was the only one that resembled what you might see on the Olympians come this weekend. 

And onto the worst things ever...

Jerell...what were you thinking?? I know that you were shown pictures from all different eras of Olympians, but seriously, you thought this was good?? Not only is it ugly, but do you really think someone with an athletic build would look good in the shape of this outfit?  Not to mention the hat...there aren't words for the hat.  You should consider yourself lucky you survived another week!

The bottom three were all scary.  This party dress which is really purple (and shiny) does not say Olympics at all.  I am sorry but I don't think Daniel can use the "I didn't play any sport except putt-putt" as an excuse for not being able to design sportswear.  Yet that is exactly what he did.  And moved on.  Another person who should be happy they survived another week.

 

Jennifer...you are out.  Thank goodness.  Though this outfit is actually cute it does nothing to answer the challenge.  She as the judges said "couldn't separate herself from the design"  Which is why she ended up with peices that looked a lot like her clothing and nothing that said "America" or "Olympics"

Overall, I cannot see a standout winner...we'll have to see what happens once they have picked away at some of these bad ones and put a bit more pressure one some of the people who keep falling in the middle.