MAKE IT WORK!

“As you know in fashion, one day in you’re in, the next you’re out,” says Heidi Klum on every episode of the uber successful Project Runway. But that statement hardly prevents designers from chasing dreams of becoming the next big fashion star.

Production for the fifth season is starting, and auditions for the next top designer took place from Saturday April 5th to Monday, April 7th. I caught up with Project Runway hopefuls auf the catwalk, just moments before they were escorted into the W Hotel in Times Square for Season 5 auditions. Here are some designers who we just might get a chance to see more of on TV. Will they make it to become Heidi’s catwalk kill? You be the judge.

Hopeful #1: JUAN COLON

Juan’s a designer from Peurto Rico who designs for REAL women: pregnant, curvy, whatever their size may be (and even for their beloved pooches). He describes his style as classic. And as we can tell, he sure is! The two piece ruffle blouse and highly detailed black pants are stylish in their own right, though I’d suggest to wear them separately. Juan’s not a stranger to Runway. No, siree! Last season he was the first in line at the Miami auditions, got there at 4:30am. I joked about how he probably has strategized coming at a better time. Being the sacrificial audition’s not the best way to go… Good luck this 2nd time around!

Hopeful #2:

Demetrius here is all about the full stylized look. “I zoom into the style, and magnify it!” It’s no wonder, since he’s a former fashion stylist. If you could only see his shoes, which were made from these wonderfully ombre croc skin. This easy-going Atlanta, GA designer reminds me of Season 3 favourite Michael Knight. But when asked who his fave from that season was, and without hesitating, he said Laura. (She was the mother of 5? 6? 7? who went a little crazy on the beadwork on all her dresses). Not my cup of tea, but cheers to a world of different perspectives!

Hopeful #3: IVY H.

Forget getting inspired by someone else’s visions of what a woman should wear! Ivy H doesn’t look toward vintage clothing for ideas, instead she’s Inspired by art & nature. And sure enough, she incorporates art into her clothing as well. The tree inspired blouse she’s holding up is all hand painted. She’s got street cred too, having interned at Donna Karan (I’m jealous!) and now working on her eponymous label. For more information, be sure to check out her website when it officially launches. I’ll keep you posted!

MAKE IT WORK, Juan, Demetrius & Ivy!

Hugs, MIR

* Please excuse my lack of computer skills… Photos were taken in upright position but I have no idea how to get them to show that way. Help, anyone?

Super Kawaii Harajuku Girl!

Forget everything I’ve said about Gwen Stefani bringing Orientalism into fashion or her poorly matched endorsement for HP…

Because this HP application makes up for everything. Make your own HARAJUKU GIRL! Who can resist?

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I knew the woman I wanted to become.”

- Diane von Furstenburg

Watch this Amex ad collaboration with Lady DVF. It will make you think twice about marketing.

1) Maybe art and commerce and fashion go hand in hand

2) How far marketers are going for the emotional quotient in ads nowadays (or) Do the heartstrings really sign up more Amex cardholders?

Wheel of Heel

Omg, isn’t this genious!

I found this little innovation on Fashion Evolution’s site.

Apparently it’s $69.95 at Bed, Bath & Beyond. You’d think that I’d take advantage of the fact that I’m in New York and run out to grab this. Slight issue: all my heels are in Van

Why Complicate Simplicity?

I saw someone carrying this Marc Jacobs bag, and I was befuddled. Okay, so wearing Marc Jacobs over here is the norm whereas the name only rings a bell in Vancouver. Fair enough that New York incorporate high-end contemporary design into their everyday wardrobe. What seems a little unnecessary is not the vertical product line expansion, but the grandiose branded names they’re given.

JACOBS by Marc Jacobs for MARC by Marc Jacobs. Give me a break.

While Priya at Pomegranita gushed over its “cuteness,” I would rather spend $1 (vs JACOBS’ $12) on one of those in-the-moment eco-grocery bags.

Oh, Maya!

The very reason this blog exists.

Memoirs of a Miranda

Let me briefly recount the history of my blogindecisiveness. Having been a fan of StyleBubble pretty much since she began blogging, I always thought I would blog about trends, fashion, street style, personal stylizations. blahcetera… the usu in the fashion blogosphere.

After being in New York for exactly 2 months (to the day!) it wasn’t until I went to a random Book Court reading in Brooklyn that I realized something so obvi about my style of writing. There were two authors there that day: a novelist and a memoirist, both amazed at the different type of work the other engages in. Says the memoirist, “I don’t think I can ever write a novel, I have no imagination!”

That’s when an eco-friendly lightbulb turned on, “I have no imagination too! We have so much in common!” Not exactly the common thing to say upon introduction to a well respected New York author, but hey, honesty is a pretty damn good policy.

Screw trying to write about fashion when I don’t own any fashion real estate. Screw opinion pieces too. Playing devil’s advocate with myself isn’t as entertaining for others to read as it is to myself in the confines of my mind. Even trying to write about my fashion interning experience wasn’t quite right. I am so much more than a coffee-fetching intern; I don’t need to actualize the less than entry level position by blogging through that identity!

This blog is about whatever the heck interesting happens in my life, narration to stream of consciousness edited appropriately.

Doggie Days

Maaaaaan. I’ve never taken such good care of anyone in my life. “Anyone” in this case turns out to be sexy. It’s Sexy the Boston Terrier. Yupp… and so begins another day in the life of an intern.

Another rather ordinary day for this intern, but what a big day it was a big day for the 2-year old pup, because she’ll be off in a jet plane tomorrow. Her French owner is going to Paris to work on Market Days. Pretty much to get as many new retailer clients as possible in this weeklong selling spree. And the precious darling gets to fly from one fashion capital to the next, spending as much time there as I ever have in Paris.

Many of you have been wondering what the heck I do as an intern for a fashion company listed by Style.com. Well, children, let me enlighten you…

10:17 am
- Took Sexy out for a “walk” this morning
- She ‘went’ a grand total of 4 times – 3 urine, 1 bowel movement
- I pooch poop-scooped for the first time EVER (glad no one was in visible proximity)
- Wiped her paws with Cottonelle wet wipes when we returned

10: 39 am
- I overheard my boss saying he’ll send a messenger to JFK to get the papers signed, and say to him, “I have the slightest feeling I’m taking a field trip with Sexy.”
- He laughed

11:12 am
- Took her medical papers to the clinic
- Waited at least 10 minutes for the receptionist to find out whether Sexy’s health papers have expired
- In the meantime made small talk with the woman who had a beautifully marked cat called Harrison
- Dog needs new papers, so I book a 3 o’clock appointment to get her checked
- Called my boss to inform him that we actually need to bring her in but we don’t have to go to JFK airport for anything
- He disagreed but hastily told me to return and buy lunch on the way back
- I realized I didn’t bring cash so immediately hastily return to the “office”

2:44 pm
- After an awesome Lean Joe hot wrap from Energy Kitchen and a trip to Staples, I bring Sexy to the vet.
- She keeps sniffing at garbage, and getting pets from random strangers
- We get there on time.

2: 50 pm
- The vet’s assistant kept asking me questions about the dog. “Uhh… I think she’s been urinating fine…”

“We’ll always have Paris”

 

 

 

 

 

 

To JV, who, without him, I would not be here in New York blogging about my eccentric/ eclectic/ ordinary/ surprising/ quotidian adventures.