Project Runway Thunder Blunders

[caption id="attachment_20085" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="Thunder from Down Under with Tim Gunn."]

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[You know I love you guys] but this was the worst

Project Runway

ever! I think that even the judges and producers of the show would agree. The designers were challenged to create tear-away menswear looks for the steamy, ripped, hard-bodied muscle men of

Thunder from Down Under

... it was a fashion disaster. So lets talk about accountability. Any designer on Project Runway these days who doesn't know menswear is a weak link. To say, "I've never done men's clothing" is just a stupid and lame excuse because there is a menswear challenge every season. Get it together future Project Runway candidates and know you're shit! Or don't come on the show.

On the other hand, while the judges sat in their chairs, laughing and giddy about the ridiculous Thunder blunders on the runway, the seriousness of the matter is that someone would be going home. (Sorry Amanda!)

Project Runway set these designers up for failure with this challenge.

I'd like to see Zac Posen, Michael Kors and Isaac Mizrahi create tear away men's clothing in one day for freakishly sized men. Project Runway has a responsibility to conceptualize challenges that while push the envelop are still (somewhat) realistic and doable.

If an entire class fails a test, the problem lies with the teacher, not the students...  Not surprising, there were NO winners this episode.

This will help you forget the fashion crap you just saw... pulled directly from Thunder from Down Under's website... enjoy.

All better now!

Tune into a brand new Project Runway this week, thank goodness.

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Project Runway with Miranda Lambert

[caption id="attachment_19679" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="Country music star and Grammy winner, Miranda Lambert joined Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum in the judges circle. "]

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Country & Rock collided on

Project Runway

when the designers were challenged to create stage and red carpet looks for country music star

Miranda Lambert

. For this episode, the designers split into teams of two and for the most part, I'd say they all played very well together. No big surprises. No big drama. Imagine that... a Project Runway episode about fashion and

it's

challenges.

Amanda crawled from under the bus her "team" threw her under to create this judge's fav fringed dress. It fit well and had great movement. Amanda didn't win the challenge but I was happy to see her kick butt.

Another judge's fav. Benjamin's red carpet look was beautiful but I just wasn't crazy about it. For some reason, the bedazzled fringe dangling from the bodice really bugged me!

Daniel got served a big fucking slice of humble pie! His cocky and overly confident attitude in the workroom was too much. Look at me, look at me. I'm so fabulous. This technique is the best. Look at me... UGH! Hopefully, being in the bottom put his ego in check and an abundance of talent is all we'll see from Daniel from this point forward.

*Sidenote

, does anyone else hate that ridiculous moustache?!!

Kate's red carpet look is a little much with the red leather. I like the dress and appreciate the effort but the hardness of the leather fights the flowy chiffon bottom. I would have used the red leather sparingly. Also, notice the gold stud work on the shoulders? Perhaps Kate ran out of time, but there just wasn't enough of them. They look like an afterthought. I want to see more from Kate. My advice to her: EDIT.

The ruching and structure of the bodice is very nice and I like that the belt adds a flattering touch of sparkle to the look. I am just not crazy about center slits AND why is the model holding up the dress?!! If she can't work a gown, she shouldn't be on the runway.

This was painful. Not the dress so much as Matthew's demeanor. The dress wasn't awful but it didn't scream Miranda Lambert. The real problem was Matthew's lack of confidence and self esteem. It was hard to watch him speak and question and doubt himself. He was sent home. Hopefully he'll get some help.

Are you kidding me? A denim skirt for a red carpet look! Like the judges, I have to question Michelle's taste. The leather vest was rockin' fab, Miranda like it and Heidi pointed out that they are judging the complete look, not individual pieces. The vest was painfully over-shadowed by the floor length denim skirt and bib necklace. Zac Posen said the necklace was so distracting it looked like linguini dangling.

The Native American-esque leather fringe is dramatic and fabulous. Now, all Patricia needs to do is create a dress to go with it... not this one. She needs a dress that works in unison with the fringed accessory. Right now I am seeing two, very distracting things happening. It's just not working. I think that Patricia is starting to get consumed with her heritage and is compromising good design.

Yay for Richard! He was so genuinely happy to win the challenge and he deserved it. Not only was it a terrific looking dress with plenty of appeal and movement, but Richard truly "made it work." [Tim Gunn should be very proud!] The dress was made of mesh making it too revealing. At the last moment, in a stoke of genius, Richard cut up the Mood t-shirts he bought with their budget money and created a lining. Perfect!

This dress is boring. Stanley struggled with it and it shows. Do I really need to say anything else?

Samantha's look was not a hit with the judges. I didn't love it, but I liked it. The colors are too dark so a lot of detailing got lost. The leather vest is HOT!

Poor Tim Gunn almost suffered a stroke or something in the workroom with Tu Suthiwat's dress. Thank God, Praise the Lord that the advice Tim offered was taken, otherwise the model would have looked like a balloon cartoon with the blowouts Tu Suthiwat wanted to make in the chest and hip areas. And though the final result isn't bad, he didn't really consider the client. This is not a look for Miranda Lambert.

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Project Runway Season 11; Episode 1

[caption id="attachment_19136" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn"][/caption]

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn return for a new season of Project Runway. It was very nice to see them back together again.

[caption id="attachment_19137" align="aligncenter" width="396" caption="Nina Garcia & Zac Posen"][/caption]

Returning for another season to share [and entertain us] with her wisdom and expert advice is judge Nina Garcia. Joining the team is designer Zac Posen who replaced Michael Kors.

Let's meet the designers... 

[caption id="attachment_19158" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="The "new" Project Runway Designers "][/caption]

For the 11th Season of Project Runway, the powers that be decided to give the show a "twist" that in my opinion, "made it work" very well. The sixteen designers were split into two teams, not just for the opening challenge, but for the entire season! Yup, team challenges all season long! Team "Keeping it Real" (stupid name btw) is on the left and Team "Dream Team" on the right (pictured above). What I'm curious about and slightly concerned with is what happens when a member of the team with the lowest score, hence placing them in the bottom for any given challenge, has the best overall design? Does that designer not win even if clearly they had the best design? Sounds like... we'll just have to keep watching.

The inspiration for the first Project Runway challenge of the season was the city of New York. The Dream Team had the lower scores, placing the whole group in the bottom.

"DREAM TEAM"

I love this sassy, yet classy piece by Matthew Arthur. The blouse could have been tailored for a better fit and I wish it had short sleeves, but it's okay. The skirt, on the other hand, is fabulous!



Samantha Black represented the Dream Team nicely with this little navy chiffon number. Great detail work on the bodice, on trend and very wearable.



Tu Suthiwat Nakchat may be the avant garde designer of the group.  There are things I like and don't like about his garment. The overall color choice is just blah and the skirt is too simple for Project Runway standards. The blouse, however, is great! I like the structure and style.



James Martinez, how dare you share my last name and produce this underwhelming crap for your first Project Runway! I'm in agreement with the judges... a poorly constructed tank and a pencil skirt, really James? Make it work next time!



Benjamin Mach, the best dressed bloke of the lot of designers, gave us this tone on tone, flowy chiffon dress. I liked it, though I didn't love it. It had a nice runway presence.



This look kills me, which is kind of funny as the designer is a funeral home director. Yet, ironically, I wouldn't be caught dead in this frock! Don't quit your day job Cindy Marlatt.



Explain yourself Michelle Lesniak Franklin! Like it's not bad enough that you chose baby shit as your textile color, but you added insult to injury with the homemade crafty harness. WTF! You have a hip hairstyle and seem pretty cool yet you giving us dull.



Did anyone notice Nina Garcia's expression when this nightmare tainted the runway? I am not sorry for Emily Pollard. She bragged early on about how good she is and will probably land in the top three... I can't even say anything else about this....

"TEAM KEEPING IT REAL"

I always feel cheated when the designers go sleeveless. They are taking the easy way out. Admittenly it works well here. Its a great, modern look by Stanley Hudson, I just would have liked to see her a little edgier.



Kate Pankoke. Personality: annoying. Dress: boring.



Richard Hallmarq gave us a flattering, asymmetrical jersey knit dress. The judges loved it. Me too.



When Patricia Michaels made that call of the wild sound on the boat I thought, "weirdo!!!" Well, whatever Native American voodoo she put out worked because the dress was on top. It is cute and creative. My only worry is that she's a one trick pony... I guess time will tell.



Hey Amanda Valentine, I've got news for you dear. Adding those rectangular shapes to the side of your boring pants is not going to make this runway yawn exciting, interesting or innovative. Step it up!



"Let me make a big first impression on the Project Runway judges by creating something original that has never been seen or done before, like the LBD..." said no one, ever! Layana Aguilar, Dios Mio, what were you thinking mija! Go back to the workroom and start over, geez!



I just don't know about this one. Blah must have been the color scheme trend this episode. Joseph Aaron Segal's dress looks like he draped chiffon-like fabric around the model and sewed a seam across the top... oh wait, he did. The shoulder straps are too wide and the shoe is horrible. Hmmm, I guess I did know about this one.



Daniel Esquivel holds the honor of winning the first Project Runway challenge. The outfit is chic, elegant and sophisticated with hints of Dior couture... I find it amazing that a man with questionable personal style sporting a hideous blazer and wearing pleated pants could produce something this classy.

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Best & Worst Dressed Golden Globes 2013

[caption id="attachment_18857" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Julianne Moore in Tom Ford."]

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My best dressed ladies on the red carpet are those who know how to work a gown, how to style their hair, wear their make-up and accessorize with confidence. Of course, there's always room for improvement as you shall see... MY pick for best dressed  is 52 year old

Julianne Moore

. She embodies, fashion, style and sophistication. She was totally on trend with her black & white Tom Ford gown. Julianne knows how to wear a dress; the dress does not wear her. Younger starlets can learn a lot from watching Julianne Moore. Flawless. 

[caption id="attachment_18860" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Kate Hudson; Alexander McQueen"]

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[caption id="attachment_18861" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Jennifer Lopez; Zuhair Murad"]

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[caption id="attachment_18862" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Anne Hathaway; Chanel"]

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Just look at that pose... a true A list celebrity... I hope Anne keeps her hair short for a little while!

[caption id="attachment_18863" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Amy Adams; Marchesa"]

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Amy Adams looks beautiful and glamorous though the gown washes her out and I wish she had worn large earrings. It would have better balanced the silhouette.

[caption id="attachment_18864" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Naomi Watts; Zac Posen"]

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[caption id="attachment_18866" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Nicole Kidman; Alexander McQueen"]

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[caption id="attachment_18867" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Lucy Lui; Carolina Herrera"]

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Lucy Lui is so gorgeous in this Carolina Herrera gown. The dress is pristine while Lucy's hair not as perfect making the entire look fresh and modern.

[caption id="attachment_18868" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Kerry Washington; Miu Miu"]

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Adele; Burberry

I just adore Adele. Love her signing, love her speaking and love her style. The only suggestion I'll make is to consider a modern hairstyle.

Borderline Best/WORST

[caption id="attachment_18874" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Nicole Richie; Naeem Khan"]

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[caption id="attachment_18875" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Eva Longoria; Emilio Pucci"]

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LOVE the dress but really Robert Verdi (Eva's stylist) did you make her stick the leg out like that? It ruined it for me... Did anyone notice her walking down the carpet? Eva looked like a baby ostrich. It was very distracting. Not crazy about the hairstyle either. Seems like I've seen it, a lot.

[caption id="attachment_18876" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Amanda Seyfried; Givenchy"]

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Beautiful chic Givenchy, wrong color on Amanda!

[caption id="attachment_18877" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Jessica Alba; Oscar de la Renta"]

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Jessica needs to lose the necklace and take notes from Julianna Moore on how to wear a gown... It's wearing her.

[caption id="attachment_18878" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Jennifer Lawrence; Dior"]

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Jennifer Lawrence does not deserve to wear this dress. She said to Ryan Seacrest, "I am wearing Dior Haute Couture. I don't know what "haute" means but I was supposed to say it." Clearly Jennifer is more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal. The Dior had fit issues as well making her side profile weird looking around the cup area.

[caption id="attachment_18879" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Zooey Deschanel; Oscar de la Renta"]

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[caption id="attachment_18880" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Julianne Hough; Monique Lhuillier"]

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Julianne Hough wore her prom dress to the Golden Globes. How cute.

[caption id="attachment_18881" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Lena Dunham; Zac Posen"]

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I nearly died when I learned this was a Zac Posen. Only Lena could make such a sophisticated gown look like some horrible Sherry Hill pageant dress. Lena, also had difficulty walking. She obviously couldn't work her heels. As for her HBO show Girls... I love it. I love her too actually! But I doubt she make any "best dressed" lists anywhere anytime...

[caption id="attachment_18882" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Olivia Munn; Giorgio Armani"]

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The necklace is in violation of this look. Its all wrong. The bodice has no structure because of the oversized beading which did no favors to her figure. The hair didn't work. Again, you must always take everything into account. If you are dead set on wearing a particular dress, then the hair, shoes and jewelry MUST complement it.

[caption id="attachment_18883" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Jessica Chastain; Calvin Klein"]

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The combination of the ill-fitted, sagging dress and the boring as heck hairstyle is a big, sad fail for Jessica Chastain. The dress is too long, btw.

[caption id="attachment_18884" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Halle Berry; Versace"]

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It kills me to pronounce Halle Berry as MY worst dress pick, but she has gone rogue on good fashion! What is this?! Donatella Versace must have an expression of horror on her face, if she could move it. Was Halle coming from a movie set where she played a warrior princess?? And then, there's the awful leg trend that Angelina started. Halle Berry owes us big time at the next major awards show!!!

BTW, here is what the dress looked like on the Versace runway:

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Michael Kors exits Project Runway; Zac Posen enters.

[caption id="attachment_18518" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="ZAC POSEN at the NBAF Fashion Show at Neiman's Atlanta. Photo by Ninh T. Chau."]

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Project Runway

is replacing one Queen with another next season. When the 11th Season begins on January 24th,

Michael Kors

will not be in the house. The

Huffington Post

reports that "scheduling constraints" are the reason for MK's departure. Taking his place on the judge's throne is designer

Zac Posen

. I'm looking forward to that though Zac's got some big designer shoes to fill as Michael delivered some of the snappiest one liners ever on the show! MK fans, don't worry, Michael will be back for the season finale.

Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia will return!

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Zac Posen, Neiman Marcus: Fine Art + Fashion

NBAF and Neiman Marcus presented Guest of Honor, Zac Posen during the recent 2012 Fine Art + Fashion event, held at Neiman Marcus in Atlanta. The world-renowned designer ignited the second floor of Neiman’s with a rare 360-degree runway featuring his stellar couture line; bringing a slice of New York Fashion Week straight to Atlanta.

Legendary Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus, Ken Downing, was on hand for one of the most fabulous evenings of fashion that Atlanta has ever seen.

This year, NBAF and Neiman Marcus in partnership, presented the Partnership Award to Charlene Crusoe-Ingram and Earnest Ingram, honored Tamara Bowens, Ray Bergeron and Anthony Liggins for their outstanding contributions to the world of art, fashion + design and recognized the late Sandra Anderson Baccus with the Fine Art + Fashion Star Award.

The event concluded with a special award presentation to Zac Posen and a well-deserved standing ovation.

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