Project Runway Season 11, Ep. 1: There is No “I” in Team!*

I would love to play in the Lord & Taylor accessories wall!

*But there is a “me.”

Last night launched the latest season of Project Runway. Unless you live under a rock, Project Runway plucks 16 designers from comparative obscurity, and puts them through Hell Week(s) of design challenges, sleep deprivation, dark moments of the soul, and a whole lot of backstabbing and catiness (all captured by camera, of course). What also emerges are some fairly fabulous designs, and, at the end, a handful of designers who do have what it takes.

So, Heidi announces to the gathered group this season’s twist–teams! teams! teams! The group is gobsmacked, some opining privately to the camera that their design vision is sacred, they are Type A’s and must be in charge, working with others can ruin your project, blahblahblah. Daniel is the only one who evinces any interest in working in a team (so, will he be sacrificed early on?).

What bothers me throughout the rest of the episode is–why are these designers so averse to working in teams? Yes, yes, I know, creative vision, unspoiled ideas, don’t want to be coerced into changing what is pure and artistic within them. However, fashion is very much a business now–a BIG business–and any established designer is very well aware that he or she must work with others–vendors, investors, department stores, the entities who own large design houses and view them as money-making machines–in order to succeed. Why be so naive?

Anyway, the teams manage to turn out a number of looks that are quite original and interesting. I loved Daniel’s suit–that could have been plucked from Dior’s spring show, with Raf Simons’ black palette. Stanley’s structured suit and Tu’s colorblock dress rocked the runway, too, as did those of several others.

On the downside, what was that mess that James made? I laughed when one of the judges said it looked like “intern couture.” And poor, little Emily. She looked like she wanted to burst into tears and run away when Nina gave her a slapdown for having the most unfinished garment in the history of the competition. From there, it was clear she was going to go, and go she did.

I  loved when Zac Posen said that taste, a design eye, and craft in the hand are what one needs to win the competition. Well put, Mr. Posen. But I miss Michael!

Whose design did you like? Or are you still watching? And isn’t Tim Gunn the best ever?

Mistress of Fashion

While watching The Mistress of Spices the other night (a wonderful film based on the book by Chitra Banerjee Divalarun), I reflected on the heroine who is trained in the mystical art of using spices to help people solve their personal problems. While watching, I kept thinking, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to do this?”

And then I thought, but wait, I do something similar, with the clothes that pass through my shop. I thought of those whom I help to find the perfect outfit, and how perfect these moments are:

• The woman attending a 50’s party who finds a great retro top, shoes, earrings, and a glorious rhinestone pin. She had the makings for a perfect outfit, and was thrilled when she left, having spent under $20 for said outfit.
• Another woman attending a New Year’s Eve party, whose go-to color was black. She left with a pair of pants the color of polished pewter, and a soft pink angora sweater. She later reported on receiving record number of compliments on this outfit.
• A young girl going to prom on a strict budget found a striking aqua and black polka dot number with a crisp crinoline. She was thrilled and later showed us photos of her triumphal prom entry.

We help people find what flatters, what fulfills their need, and what makes them feel good about their bodies and their selves. They may not have originally considered these items, but leave the store loving them. So, we are the Mistresses of Fashion. Come on in and lay down the challenge. We love to help customers discover pieces that they may never have considered but, once on them, they find they love. We will help you find an outfit that will make you exclaim, “Why, it’s perfect!”

We’re the Mistresses of Fashion! It’s our passion and pleasure, and it’s calorie free.