In this week’s edition of Whatever Wednesday we tackle a stunning new photoshoot from Flare Magazine, Project Runway’s winner, a controversial, sexy, suit-selling editorial and more.
Tiiu Kuik for FLARE Magazine, December 2010
This is one of those editorials where I end up coveting some of the pieces the model is wearing. Tiiu Kuik looks absolutely amazing in this photoshoot by photographer Max Abadian.
In this case, I am coveting every. single. piece. (except maybe the red feathery dress – that isn’t me). But the rest, wow! I adore everything about this shoot. Gorgeous styling, a striking model, great photography, and to die for clothes. Perfect!
All images via ZAC Fashion Photography
Project Runway-gate/Mondo-gate/Gretchen-gate
I don’t even know what to call the season finale of this year’s Project Runway. The day of the finale, I posted my own thoughts on the finalists and called Mondo Guerra for the win. I just knew Mondo would win – how could he not? He was clearly the front-runner in every way imaginable. He had won the most challenges, including the “create a high- fashion piece” challenge. His designs were original, superbly constructed, exciting, and lustworthy. His final collection stayed true to that aesthetic and craftsmanship, and he put on a true high-fashion runway show that designers the likes of Betsey Johnson would have been proud of.
Gretchen Jones’s work, on the other hand, declined as the season progressed. She started off strong, winning the first two challenges, but her designs were very two-dimensional and – frankly – boring. Her final collection was an improvement, but the pieces and patterns were very repetitive, and, save for the accessories, I wasn’t impressed. I was certain Mondo had it in the bag.
I was literally stunned as I watched Nina Garcia and Michael Kors push for Gretchen’s designs. The two of them focused on Gretchen’s marketability and the ready-to-wear aspect of her designs. They praised her for the accessories she designed (and then outsourced), but gave Mondo no recognition for the fact that he designed and made all of his own accessories. Further, they continuously emphasized their belief that Gretchen had her pulse on where fashion was going. I am sorry, but if that is where fashion is going – it is going out the window!
Heidi Klum and guest judge Jessica Simpson, meanwhile, fought in favor of Mondo. They were the only two who seemed to understand that the runway shows weren’t held to showcase ready-to-wear pieces. Runway shows are for high-fashion. They are meant to be theatrical, exciting, and fun, and the pieces in each collection should reflect that. All four judges admitted that Mondo’s final collection had the same characteristics and strengths they had praised him for all season. Yet, all of a sudden, this wasn’t acceptable to Nina and Michael anymore. They appeared to be more focused on the fact that Mondo did not listen to their advice and replace the showstopper dress in his collection with something else. All this despite the fact that both Heidi and Jessica said they loved and would wear the dress in question.
Ultimately, Heidi and Jessica were unable to sway Nina and Michael, and Gretchen came out the winner.
In an interview with ew.com, Gretchen shared her own thoughts on why she thinks she won:
In the end, Mondo’s collection was fun and playful and exciting to watch. He’s a master when it comes to textiles. But my goal was not just to put on a great show. It’s to dress women. And my collection spoke to real women.
I am a real woman, and Mondo’s collection spoke volumes to me.
Mondo also shared his own thoughts with ew.com:
Gretchen’s line was good. It was well-made, it was pretty, but I think it is a mater of taste. Giving her the win because she has her finger on the pulse of fashion — What? What did I have? But I’m like, one day you’re in, the next day you’re out, and hopefully I have some longevity.
You will definitely have longevity, Mondo – and you have your finger on the pulse and heart of fashion!
Finally, Tim Gunn himself shared his own thoughts on the finale:
You go, Tim!
“Shameless” Suit Advertorial
Have you seen the “Shameless” ad campaign by Dutch Label Suit Supply? The advertorial has caused a bit of a stir because of it’s NSFW nature. The company even had to pull the photos from their facebook page because they were deemed offensive. The advertorial certainly is graphic and sexy. As always, sex sells, and in this case, they are clearly trying to ramp up the sex appeal of their product. Unfortunately, in my case at least, I find the suits quite unappealing. The campaign, however, I think is brilliant – it certainly is memorable, and that is the point, isn’t it?
Click on any of the images below to see the rest on their website.
All images via Suit Supply
What if it isn’t Blogger Burnout?
Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t been posting, commenting, and visiting your blogs as much as usual in the last couple of weeks. I keep reading a lot about Blogger Burnout, and have read countless tips on how to combat that type of burnout. But what if it isn’t blogger burnout?
What if it’s really just “There Isn’t Enough Hours in the Day” Burnout?
Between work, which for fundraisers like me, ramps up dramatically at this time of the year, and my personal life, I feel like I barely have time to eat and sleep, let alone blog. But I want to blog. How do you deal with this type of burnout? I can’t create more hours in a day, and I can’t seem to find the time to write and schedule posts in advance, so I am at a loss. Any tips from the seasoned blogger’s out there?
Random Comment of the Day
In yesterday’s update on Isla Moda I shared that I had received an email from Karl Lagerfeld’s Communications Director. What I didn’t share was – it was completely unsolicited. She contacted me. Little old me. All on her own.
I know, she probably did a search on Isla Moda and sent mass emails out to anyone who had recently posted about the resort and Lagerfeld’s reported involvement, but the fact that I made it onto that list made me feel special for a moment. My blog had actually garnered her attention and warranted an email response. It just made the blog – and it’s potential reach – all the more real to me!
What is new in your world? Is there anything you want to discuss this Whatever Wednesday?
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