So Chic, So Attainable

Yes, Project Runway and I have had issues over the years and I now only experience the series through recaps on Tom & Lorenzo. But sometimes, they have picked actually talented designers to highlight on their show. One such contestant was Laura Bennett from Season 3 way back when the show was on Bravo.

Flipping through the pages of her new book, Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun, I was amazed at what she was able to accomplish. This book allows you to make extremely lush and high end-looking accessories with a crafty mind on a thrifty budget. Using real or synthetic leather to craft luxe looking accessories and bags with metal hardware to recycling thrift store real mink shawls and coats (or you could buy synthetic fur instead) to make gorgeous fur items, including a to-die-for mink pullover that evokes images of the 1960s. Come on, just picture it with a headband, cigarette pants, and black ballet flats.

Believe it or not, every one of these is a project in the book!

The instructions are simple, so simple, but the results are amazing, right? If you are crafty, stylish, and lust over high-end accessories but have a much lower budget to play with, this is your book.

Images: Rodale Books

Oh, Come On!

I don't think Project Runway is even trying anymore.



Which order is correct above, Winner/Loser or Loser/Winner? One designer above won this task and the other designer was actually eliminated from the competition. In my opinion, the wrong one.

• One looks like real fashion* and the other one looks like an arts and crafts project.


• One shows imagination, actual designing, construction of three separate garments, and a decent manipulation of the materials. The other is a simple sheer beige gown covered with unfinished fabric scraps.

Perhaps, if the scraps had been finished in an interesting way or fastened to the dress in a way that didn't look like they were pasted on, maybe? But, just how much work, time, and thought do you think each designer put into their work? Equal amounts?

So, who do you think did a better job?

*You may think questionable fashion, but fashion, nonetheless.

Images: via Tom and Lorenzo

Unsophisticated Use of WHAT?!?

T & LO considered this an unsophisticated use of color. WHAT?! I don't get it. If anything, it's a retro influenced palette from the 1940s. I'd wear it proudly.

I loved Emilio Sosa's use of color in his final Project Runway collection. Especially the splash of a new color revealed in the coat and jacket linings.

Image: Tom and Lorenzo

I Don't Get It...

Jesus Estrada

What was wrong with this dress?

I was just on Tom and Lorenzo's (Project Rungay) site and read their thoughts and the comments and almost everybody there trashed this dress from season 7, episode 2.

What did you think?

I think I would be lucky to own and wear this dress. It's gorgeous, the colors are sophisticated and classy. This is cocktails after work-wear. The construction is incredible; I mean that neckline is TDF and so very flattering on a small bust. The only thing I didn't like was the exposed zipper but that's the fad these days. I guess the contestants would be voted right off if they dared show individuality and still chose an invisible or (god forbid!) a lapped zipper.

So what's wrong with this dress? Nothing.

Jesus Estrada is cool in my book. Good luck, Jesus!