PR Designers Design for JustFab

This week — the RTW, traditional design for the sponsor of our show challenge! More specifically, the designers were asked to create RTW looks that could be reproduced and sold online for JustFab. Tim was joined by Just Fab Fashion Director Yuchin Mao to provide the challenge details. JustFab has various style personas for their customers — Girl Next Door; Bombshell; Trendsetter; Modern Classic; Femme Nouveau. Each designer would be given a persona to design for in order to create a high fashion look that could be sold at an affordable price. In fact, the winning look would be reproduced and sold online!

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Last week’s winner, Candice, received the honor then of not only selecting her persona of choice, but the persona for each of the other designers. All were mostly happy!

  • Candice — Trendsetter
  • Ashley — Girl Next Door
  • Swapnil — Bombshell
  • Kelly — Trendsetter
  • Laurie — Modern Classic
  • Merline — Femme Nouveau
  • Edmond — Bombshell

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Everyone was then off to Mood for this 1-day challenge with a budget of only a $100. Ashley had to make some cuts at the register as she was over. And to top it off, she bought the wrong kind of zipper. But during Tim-time, others were a focus, as well as a little surprise!

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Tim and Swapnil were not seeing eye to eye. Laurie was asked if she was really putting something new down the runway. And Edmond was being labeled as “basic.” Tim’s little surprise was another small component of the challenge. Each designer would have to create a label to print and wear on a t-shirt for the runway show. They would use the Brother printer to assist with the label-making process.

  • Swapnil — Swapnil Shinde
  • Laurie — Wanda Grace
  • Merline — Provoke Style
  • Kelly — Rack Addick
  • Candice — Ccuoco
  • Edmond — Edmond Newton

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Model fittings actually presented a lot of major fit issues, leaving some designers unsure and others to start all over again. The “morning of” was just as crazy as the end of the night. Laurie had so much to do in starting over. Swapnil too had a wrong zipper and so he sewed his model into the dress. Merline even had her model assisting. This week’s guest judges were singer Ciara & Yuchin of JustFab.

Shout-outs — Sally Beauty, such gorgeous, flowing locks; Natural, clean Mary Kay look; perfect JustFab accessories, black clutch & killer heels!

pr14-ep9-enHeidi announced this would be the last immunity given out for the season. Somehow, amidst all of the craziness with judging, Edmond was declared the winner. I’m not sure what really happened here, with the designers, with the judges. But this was pure craziness and chaos. The fact of the matter here is no designer had a great look. Edmond winning was really like the best of the worst. This is not to say Edmond’s dress was bad. I agreed with Heidi in that it’s a great red dress, super sexy, and I’m sure people would buy it. But I also agreed with Nina & Zac. This was just a basic, red dress. There was nothing special to it. I didn’t see Edmond in it. And if I saw it hanging on a Macy’s rack, it would blend in. We’ve seen this before.

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Shout-outs — Such a cute hairdo from Sally Beauty and love the beauty look, Mary Kay

If there was a top 3, I guess Ashley would be there. I mean really I think JustFab would have just sold this jacket and called it a day, but the look here in its entirety was just ok. And really Ashley didn’t do much to hype up her look. The back of the crop top was very cute, but we only saw it during the judges up close critiques. The jacket was great, but with a basic crop top & flare skirt, where a so-so print is doing all of the work, how can you get all that excited.

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I wouldn’t know who to put as the final member of the top 3. The judges were really all over the place. I guess the safe crowd was Kelly & Candice. I would likely wear Candice’s look over Kellys’ so I will discuss her next. Candice had a few finishing touch issues, which is unlike her. But I think she got bogged down in RTW. I don’t think this is her design forte and so she showed some struggles. She really needed to edit here.

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Moving on to Kelly, her look was not bad, but it just wouldn’t be for everyone. This was like Kelly to the max and I don’t think it would fit the JustFab clientele, or at least the masses. This would be for a very specific customer and I think that was a major issue here. And really the pale blue furry vest was not a fave of mine. Nina was for sure not a fan!

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But compared to the bottom 3, Kelly’s look was top notch! I’m not sure what Swapnil was thinking here. Firstly, mass production, online, JustFab — that is not this dress. And I’m not sure what the deal was with the outer portion. Did he not get that Edmond’s odd outer vest the week before had not gone over well??

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Merline has had some ideas all season, but her construction has been very questionable all season as well. But here, even some okay ideas really weren’t that great. Even if this look was fully executed, I wasn’t seeing a winner. I’d rather Laurie have not been eliminated. For me, Merline has had far too many passes on poorly crafted looks.

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Shout-out — Love the accessories, sexy heels & black clutch, JustFab & this chic updo is spot on, Sally Beauty

The week before, Laurie’s look at least had some direction, whereas Lindsey, who was eliminated, went too basic. That was Laurie’s downfall this week. Merline appeared to have had some promise with her look, some ideas, whereas Laurie’s look was far too basic — a halter and pencil skirt — not very imaginative. The top was also sheer, showing some side-boob, which was also an issue for her the week before. With that, Laurie was out.

 

 

You Will be Charmed, I’m Sure, by Erin Fetherston!

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After seasons of showcases, Erin Fetherston returned to the runway to present her S/S 2015 collection. The Erin Fetherston girl is sophisticated, girly, refined, elegant, & polished. And hey! I am one of them! I would literally wear every outfit that Fetherston has ever put out and of course, specifically what came down the runway for S/S 2015 I was amazed by this presentation at Lincoln Center for MBFW! A great deal was seen, such as crisp whites and playful citrus-colored lace filling the runway with dark satin juxtaposing gorgeously.

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The collection, entitled “Moonlight and Roses,” epitomized feminine fashion with floral and butterfly prints. What I most enjoy about Erin’s work is that you know the Fetherston girl and you want to be the Fetherston girl. The looks are so effortless and chic, and stay so true to her signature aesthetic. But there is no doubt that her work is still modern and what women today want to wear. Much of the show kept in line with many recent trends including high-waisted skirts, satin shorts and dark, sheer fabrics.

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To add texture to a collection filled with smooth pieces, lace was a prominent feature, most notably showing up in a multitude of crop tops.

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For inspiration with this collection, Fetherston offered, “I was looking at old videos of my shows, and feeling nostalgia for how beautiful things are in motion,” she said backstage at Lincoln Center. “I wanted to see the models bring them to life again.” It was the right time for a runway revival, given that nearly every piece aligned perfectly with Fetherston’s own aesthetic. A green-and-pink rose motif was inspired by 1960s botanical prints from her grandmother’s personal collection.

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The “maxi” silhouette was key this season, but little shorts were a big story, too. They were done in black satin and paired with a rose-print tunic, or with a crop top in lime-colored metallic jacquard.

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So glad some “Charmed I’m Sure” pieces lingered from the F/W 2014 season!!

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This butterfly print was girly, fun, and cute-sy, definitely one of my fave aspects of this collection. Of course, there really were so many to choose from!

While many looks were cut close to the body, there were pieces with more volume. An organza tiered minidress, for instance, was almost trapeze-like, with black and silver metallic stripes.

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For hair, the look was inspired by a young Kate Moos. The hair look of sleek & stylish buns, created by the team from Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door Spa, was quite intricate, yet had such a chic, simplistic ease. Woody Michleb, Red Door Spa Creative Director and National Training Director for Hair Style, and Amy Michleb, Red Door Spa National Training Director for Hair Color, were the lead stylists backstage at Erin’s show.

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Moving on with the beauty looks, the nails were another lovely aspect. Since the collection was so feminine, manicurist Gina Edwards used KISS Products to create a classic, girly nail. The nail was crisp — a bright white — in a classic oval shape. A thin gold stripe at the tip made it even more chic and fashion forward.

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With her ability to create a fresh, innovative look from what are largely expected springtime staple trends, Fetherston’s collection provided an airy yet elegant look regardless of the coast.

Special Guests in Attendance included —

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AndrewAndrew, DJs         455204636.jpg_364_0_1707.28358209_3000

455205314.jpg_360_0_1703.28358209_3000      Olivia Somerlyn, actress

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actresses Willow Shields, Lilla Crawford, Serinda Swan, & Cassie Scerbo

455205350.jpg_349_0_1692.28358209_3000     singer Ariana DiLorenzo

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Andrew Bevin of Teen Vogue & Maxwell Losgar

455206600.jpg_455_0_1798.28358209_3000      Luigi Bianco

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Scott Lipps & Gabe Saporta

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Once again, unbelievable collection, filled with so many looks to instantly fall in love with. These are such refined an polished looks, very chic, and for the young, modern, trendy woman.

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I’m Charmed, I’m Sure, just as I hope you all are!

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More NYFW Journeys — Runways to Retreats

During NYFW you are bound to end up at a wide variety of locales — showcases, private runways, MBFW @ Lincoln Center, store openings, and even fun blogger parties aka Retreats! So first up, let’s take a look at some rockin’ womens’ apparel.

Emily Saunders created a rock ‘n roll Garden of Eden for her spring/summer 2015 collection. And the collection/presentation had it all, including bringing on board for a performance, Singer/Songwriter, Kiki Rowe.

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Inspired by the song “Inna Gadda Davida” and the heavy metal sounds of the late 60s, her presentation was a blend of bright hues, playful prints, and modern silhouettes. A variety of styles was surely encompassed — crop top combos, long dresses, peplum, shorts, & more.

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This is my fave look, classic white, perfect length for a dressy cocktail or formal event, bold plunging neckline, all in all a confident look. I could definitely see this on a red carpet!

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Not only did Saunder present some amazing looks, but some just as amazing accessories — handbags and clutches!

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Accessories continue on with some stunning jewelry pieces.

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And finally, no better way to complete a look than perfect styling, down to the hair, make-up, and nails. (nails & make-up by butter London)

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Next up, Haspel, popular menswear brand know for seersucker suits.

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Haspel revisits the sophisticated classic suit, style, and look for spring 2015. Holding it up as the perfect summer uniform, the seersucker suit is delivered in a wide spectrum of colors that include green, tan, red and optic white.

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Breaking up the staple is military-inspired outerwear, lightweight windbreakers, naval deck knits and jacquard woven shirting.

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 From the runway to store openings, it’s NYFW so truly you get to see it all. Boris Bidjan Saberi had their Flagship Store Opening Party.

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The shop will be at 494 Greenwich St., NY. The brand has grown into a luxury menswear label, reflecting Saberi’s personal and experimental take on handcrafted clothing. Quoting street and skate culture as one of its main influences, the brand has now begun to pay more attention to functional qualities, whilst maintaining a strong connection to urban roots.

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Saberi’s compositional mood includes layering of fabrics and edgy cuts expressed through a monochromatic color palette. The main focus of Saberi’s aesthetics is always the human body — seemingly like an armor. Recreated, remolded, and rearranged in a de-structured style, in Saberi’s perspective the human silhouette blends floating shapes with rigid geometries. Nonetheless, organic materials such as felt and cotton coexist in the skillful administration of inorganic elements like vinyl and tar.

And finally, fun blogger parties, retreats, courtesy of Nylon Magazine & Gansevoort Meatpacking Rooftop lounge — Hi-speed Blogger Retreat, Get Re-charged! DJs on board —

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Additional event details/sponsors —

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Kenley Collins — There is Just No Stopping this Designer!

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It amazes me how much this young talent can do — coming out with yet another collection, which now even includes menswear, still designing stunning and sexy pieces for the young pop starlet, Ariana Grande, and just to throw some fun in the mix, designing looks for the windows of various It’Sugar candy stores. Kenley Collins‘ latest collection has been out a few weeks now, but great work still deserves recognition. So just like her past collections — Grease “Pink Ladies” & Marilyn Monroe-inspired line — I am here to now write about her PopArt collection.

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(Pop Cassettes printed Crop-top & pencil skirt, and a black Holly Golightly dress)

The one aspect of Kenley’s work that I always love and commend, is that no matter what the underlying theme of the line is, you can always tell when you are wearing a Kenley original. She has such a unique and distinctive voice and aesthetic within her designs. You can see it in the cut, the silhouette, the dynamic prints, and more! And I always feel there is something for everyone — dresses, separates, accessories, bathing suits, and more! Also now, that “something for everyone” includes men! Yes, you heard it right, now those bold Kenley prints can also be rocked by any man who dares and I say WHY NOT!

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You can always shop online (always some great sales going on!) for stunning Kenley originals or, if you are in NYC, you can head over to Brooklyn and shop for her pieces at Slapback. Taking a closer look at the menswear pieces, there are a lot of fun selections — from the Cool Rider tie to the Pop Cassettes printed shirt to the Ronnettes Rose printed shirt to the Citrus Squeeze tie (all seen in the image above). But of course, there is even more fun in store for the ladies!

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(Audrey swimsuit in black; “Be My Baby” pink swimsuit; Tiffany’s swimsuit)

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THE DRESSES

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TOP — “Chapel of Love” dress & Crystals Chevron; BOTTOM — Sinatra dress

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With the above picture, the look on the right, we have the Ronettes Rose crop-top & circle skirt, which brings us to some very versatile SEPARATES!!

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(White Bardot crop-tops; Pop pink skirt; & Blue sea skirt w/ sheer overlay)

AND WHO DOESN’T LOVE A FUN & GIRLY ROMPER!!

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(Pop Cassettes print & Chain of Hounds)

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(Watermelon Supreme top & skirt and Shangri-Las top & shorts)

And so as mentioned above, aside from being so creative, always coming out with chic collections, Kenley also manages to make custom outfits for pop sensation Ariana Grande. So it’s highly likely if you’ve seen Ariana perform lately, she was wearing a Kenley custom original!!

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Also, and this is very Project Runway-esque, she is still whipping up unconventional materials looks, specifically candy, to liven up the windows of It’Sugar candy stores- SUPER FUN & EXCITING!!

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KENLEY, YOU WILL FOREVER HAVE A FAN OF YOUR WORK WITH FASHION NEXUS!! & I’m sure my readers will enjoy seeing what you’ve been up to and we all can’t wait to see what’s next!