Project Runway Season 11

It seems a long time since I started watching Project Runway – the reality-style competition based on the Lifetime channel in the USA – and by now it ought to be exhausted, much like its fashion counterpart America’s Next Top Model. Eleven seasons later, however, and I still love this show as much as I did when season one was screened.

This time around there are 16 budding designers aiming to woo fashion model Heidi Klum with their up-and-coming designs. Established designed Zac Posen has also joined the judging panel for the first time (a somewhat welcome change from Marchesa’s overly-British Georgina Chapman).

So who’s my favourite? Amanda Valentine has some great (albeit last season) aztec prints, Kate Pankoke has some lovely wedding gowns and Michelle Lesniak Franklin created the fab little striped dress pictured here.

My overall favourite though? Every year Project Runway features one complete and utter mad-man designer and, from their online portfolio, this year I think he may just be my winner. Joseph Aaron Segal makes jumpers with kittens on and skirts made of patchwork. I’m not sure I need to justify exactly why he’s my favourite.

Make It Work, Joseph Aaron!

Emma Watson in Erdem

This week was the premiere of Emma Watson’s latest film, the Perks of Being a Wallflower – but a wallflower she definitely wasn’t. Pictured here in a beautiful blue and white peplum dress from  Erdem’s Resort 2013 collection, Emma Watson has become renowned for her fashion credentials. Previously the face of Burberry, it seems as if she’s unable to put a foot wrong. I want to hate her, but I just can’t. I also love Erdem – together, these two are a force stronger than Hurricane Isaac could ever be.

Looking for something else to marvel at? I’ve recently set up my own Pinterest board. Click the link above or to the right and follow me to see images of all my sewing, craft and cross-stitch projects as and when they appear. You can also take a look at the fashion I’ve noted and loved as well as the things from around the web that inspire my creations. Follow me now!

Project Runway, Round 10

Last year I wrote a post about Project Runway season 9. I wrote about a young chap named Gunnar Deatherage – but unfortunately he never even made it past the auditions. Project Runway season 10 started in the US this week and, to my surprise, Gunnar has been allowed to enter the show for the second time. This time he says ‘I know who I am as a designer now’. I really hope so, as yet again I find myself hat-pinning my hopes on his success. Despite him being a bit of an idiot in person, it’s #TeamGunnar all the way.

Japanese Kooan Kosuke is mental. Half his clothes look like they’re made out of Lego and styrofoam. In fact, not even half. ALL of his clothes look like they’re made out of Lego and styrofoam. See the photograph on the left for his first runway look. Mental.

Christopher Palu is a lovely guy. He’s what I wish Gunnar was like. Unfortunately, I don’t rate his designs too highly – clearly a matter of opinion as the judges seemed to think his two crinkly dresses were a work of art and made him the winner of the challenge.

I’m sure as the season progresses my view will change and I’ll find myself rooting for ‘lesbian designer’ Alicia Hardesty instead. Nobody, however, is ever going to out-shine my original favourite – Christian Siriano - who won season 4 of Project Runway. His Vivienne Westwood-come-Galliano-come-Valentio inspired ball gowns are a close fore runner in the ‘Who’s Going to Make My Bespoke Wedding Dress’ Olympics. Don’t believe my hype? Check out the dress Taylor Swift was caught wearing here.

I shouldn’t be so excited about Project Runway – it’s only a reality TV show after all – but there’s something endearing about watching people’s sewing machines break, their fingers being pricked by needles and crying because they’ve cut a hole too big in a chiffon blouse… but I can’t be the ONLY one these things happen to, surely?!

à bientôt, HMV

And so yesterday was ma journée finale at HMV Harrogate. I’m super sad to be leaving such an epic chapter of my life behind, but the number of times I’ve complained about not doing enough with my life is now getting beyond countless. Direct from my favourite book ‘Chocolat’ by Joanne Harris (and also a song):

‘V’la l’bon vent m’amie m’appelle. V’la l’bon vent, v’la l’joli vent’ – The wind calls my name, the good wind, the pretty wind.

As most of you now know, in February I will be moving to Paris to be a fille au pair for  a lovely family there. I’ve blogged about it at every opportunity so if this knowledge has escaped you, I ask where have you been?

As a leaving present from work I got bought this amazing ‘J’adore French Boys’ jumper. I’ve blogged about this previously too. If you’re reading this, HMV 466 – THANK YOU for an amazing 2.5 years, and I will miss you all like you would not believe! Have fun without me x

Pixelated Preen

British designers Thea Bregazzi and Justin Thornton have evidently been browsing the Dulux paint aisle in Homebase for their latest Spring/Summer collection. Full to burst with candyfloss hues and pixelated patterns, this distinct clothing line is more of an art form than a fashion range.

The pixel print dresses are made from super-zoomed in photos of flowers, with the lace then casually draped over the top to soften those sharp square edges.

“We’ve been looking at flowers, the idea of Victorian glass houses and reading Virginia Woolf” said Justin Thornton. Clearly.

New Look Goes ‘Grunge’

A few posts backs I posted about H&M’s new limited edition Girl With the Dragon Tattoo clothing range (read it here). Packed with leather jackets, worn jeans and spiked jewellery, the collection is pretty much everything you’d want and expect from a high street retailer.

And then New Look decided they’d jump on the bandwagon. Yet calling their newest range ‘grunge’ has sparked a small flame of disappointment/fury within my soul. Grunge is a subgenre of angst-ridden music also known as Seattle Sound. For many of you, images of Kurt Cobain should be flung to the front of your mind almost simultaneously with that loose definition.

Grunge is cheap, thrifty, flannel-based, comfy clothing that looks a bit rough round the edges and possibly a bit like you live under a bridge somewhere in downtown Chicago. Grunge is not New Look. Their newest range of ‘Bronx Brogues’, crochet tops and floral shorts screams more Pixie Lott than Courtney Love. And the animal print trousers and Giles Deacon tights certainly wouldn’t look out of place at Loveboxx Festival.

I’m not saying I don’t like any of the pieces – I’d certainly buy into one of the ‘cross print’ jumpers, but only because they look a bit like I could pass it off as an homage to Ed Banger’s Justice.

You can see the New Look grunge collection here. But don’t get your hopes up.

H&M’s Dragon Tattoo

With the help of costume designer Trish Summerville, H&M is about to launch a new collection inspired by the incredibly iconic style of Lisbeth Salander from Larsson’s Dragon Tattoo trilogy. Packed with skinny leathers, rust-tinted biker jackets and gothic jewellery, you need to own at least SOMETHING from this collection.

The range launches on 14th December and can be previewed online here. It’s seriously good.

Your New Christmas Jumper

Christmas jumpers seem to become more and more daring every year. Perhaps it’s thanks to Mrs Weasley and her annual knitted Weasley jumpers, or perhaps it’s thanks to the carefree attitude fashion has recently taken. Either way, how good are these festive knits from Topshop?

£50 each may be a little expensive, but so worth it. It’s not like you can buy yourself one in the January sales. These jumpers need to be worn. Right now!

Music Notes

Charlotte Olympia’s £650 piano key shoes are perhaps the best thing I’ve seen all week.

“a striking combination of suede and patent this piano shoe is truly harmonious”

Well, that was until I spotted this Dolce & Gabbana piano handbag. Just incredible.

 

If you’re still stuck as to what to buy for my Christmas present, head to Charlotte’s website here or Dolce & Gabbana here.

And in other news – make sure you check out my new travel blog! I’m off to Paris in February and am hoping to document all of my adventures for your entertainment.
http://lafilleaparis.wordpress.com – add it to your favourites.

Pudsey’s New Frock

This year Children in Need have got several renowned fashion designers on their side to create a range of limited edition Pudsey Bears. Adorable! From left to right – Erdem, PPQ, Mulberry, Giles Deacon, Katie Hillier, Liberty, Henry Holland, Patrick Grant and Jonathan Saunders. There’s also a black and white bear by Topshop and one featuring Pudsey in a leather jacket, styled by Louis Vuitton. The bears are currently for sale on Children in Need’s eBay page here and are (so far) fetching between £500 and £5500 each! If I had the cash I’d definitely be making an attempt to put  my paws (sorry) on that Erdem Pudsey.