Monday, 18 October 2010

Old Ending - New Beginnings

I just got through watching the recent episode of "Project Runway" and we're down to the Final 4 (April was eliminated). The Final 4 are Mondo, Michael C., Gretchen, and Andy. The challenge was all about New York City. They had to create a garment using New York City as an influence. The challenge was introduced by the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg.

As they let the designers loose in my hometown, I felt the memories of being on those streets rush back like a tidal wave. Andy goes to Central Park and as the cameras showcase the view, I think back to all the times I've gone there with friends to hang out. Mondo and April go to the Brooklyn Bridge and I think back to the many times I've crossed the bridge on foot, when I didn't have money to get the train to get to Manhattan to see my friends, or to check out all the interesting places I loved to see, armed with my walkman and tons of cassettes. Michael C. goes to the Statue Of Liberty and I remember the first time I went there in third or fourth grade. I loved seeing the statue and every time I'm in New York, I go there. I love what she represents to so many people from anywhere in the world. Gretchen goes to the Lower East Side and it takes me back to my teens and early twenties, going through those streets enjoying the funky looks of of all the artists in the area mixing it up with the streetwise Puerto Rican, Asian and black teenagers. The challenge was a loaded one for me, because it hit me on an emotional level. I love living and being from New York. It will always have a special place in my heart.

Now, I'm living in Berlin, Germany and loving it. I'm loving all of the history here. In some ways it also feels like New York to me. Berlin is a place for me to begin again.

I recently took a workshop at ESMOD (one of the fashion schools here) with Fashion Patrons on how to set up a fashion business in Berlin. The workshop was intense and it went for two weeks. It was the best two weeks in my life. I got a hell of a lot of information (setting up a business plan, creating a look book, getting publicity, etc.) and met some amazing people from all over the place like Denmark, Amsterdam, Austria, Holland, Russia, Israel, and Greece. it was exhausting at times, but I know more now than ever and I'm ready to put all I've learned into action. I also hope to collaborate with some of my fellow designers in the future. I thank all of my seminar instructors for passing on their knowledge of Berlin and the Berlin business and fashion scene to me. I'll be emailing you all with questions as they come up. I also thank the coordinator for putting me on to this and making it available to me. I needed this so bad, you have no idea.

As I bring this entry to a close, I hope I touched upon my old endings and my new beginnings. Let me know what you think. I'll keep you posted on all the goings on in my fashion world.

Stay fashionable and sexy!!!!

Monday, 4 October 2010

Project Runway - The Halfway Point (or a little further than that)

As I edit down some sketches and prepare to do some more, I want to take a moment to write about my favorite show, "Project Runway".

As season 8 reaches the halfway point, the challenges are becoming more interesting and for some of the designers, a little more difficult. They are (the designers) are really starting to pull out the big guns with their creativity. The challenges where they are pulling out all the stops are also some of my favorites. They are:

The Unconventional Challenge- Create a garment using supplies from a party store.
The Sportswear Challenge- Create a sportswear look inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy.
The High Fashion Challenge- Create a high fashion or avant garde look and its ready to wear counterpart.
The Group Challenges- Create a resort line (Groups of 6), Be the others sample maker (Groups of 2).
The HP Touch Challenge- Create a print based on your memories from your family photos.

At this point in the show, you usually can see who will make the final three, but it's anybody's game at this point. Some of the designers who came in with a lot of big talk and trashing some of the other designers have been eliminated and the underdogs that are not as skilled are stepping up their game. One thing I do know is, I'll be watching along with you. If I had to choose who I think the final three will be, I believe they will be Mondo, Gretchen, and Christopher. Either way, I wish all of the designers luck and I hope for all the best to those that are eliminated.

Stay fabulous and glamorous!!!