The status of the splatter paint fabric

Inspired by Jay McCarroll's pants, I purchased some splatter paint fabric at Mood (the fabric store of choice on Project Runway) -

I have started on a wrap dress for myself (as if I need any more wrap dresses, but I just thought it would be so cute).  I promised my New York friend, Elizabeth, a t-shirt out of this fabric, so I whipped one up today while she was in town.  However, I was so un-confident in my ability to make a garment with no fittings that I didn't even take my camera when she tried it on.  It fit!  I was excited, but I have nothing to show you.  I promise I will take a picture of the wrap dress when it is done.

We did have a conversation about buying high quality items that will last longer.  That is one thing I have decided to do once I am buying clothes again.  This fabric buying experience showed me that I still tend to buy cheaper and more "fun" items (i.e. splatter paint fabric) versus more expensive and "mature" items (i.e. these beautiful silks that are $25 a yard) -

I thought maybe I could buy them online later.  Alas, they are not for sale online.  It is nearly impossible to find good silk fabric in Atlanta.  I can't believe I passed them up.

Anyway, while I was there, I had to buy t-shirts for my girls who now love to watch Project Runway with me.  Don't miss the finale tonight!

Famous people - Part 1

I saw a few famous people at New York Fashion Week.  As always, these people will only seem "famous" to you if you watch a lot of reality TV.  I will start with my favorite show ever (the one that inspired me to sew again) - Project Runway.

And my favorite of Project Runway is Jay McCarroll, who won the first season -

I loved his splatter paint pants, so I asked him if he bought them or made them.  He burst out laughing and said, "It would be so pretentious if I had bought them.  They are my work pants."  I don't know if "pretentious" is the right word to use in this situation, but I subsequently purchased some splatter paint material to make into a dress.

He also told me that he is coming out with a new sock line soon.  You can purchase them from his website here.

I have to follow that up with Kooan, who is always entertaining, and Nathan, who always looks dapper.  I really wanted to see more of them this season.  I was very glad that Kooan had the guts to show up even though he left the show.

They were hanging out with Laura from season 9 - 

Mila from season 7 and Josh from season 9 look both look great.  Mila is so tall and gorgeous -

And I love her earrings -

Nick Verreos always looks elegant and colorful -

 

Here is Michael Costello of Season 8 -

Then, Anthony Ryan and Josh of Season 9 -

And Olivier (I checked the spelling, because I know they pronounced it "Oliver" on the show) -

Along with the winner of Season 9, Anya -

Going back a little further, the winner of Season 2, Chloe -

And finally, one of my favorites (and the runner-up) of Season 5, Korto -

It is so fun to see all of the people who have inspired me to design my own clothes.  People always ask me if I would want to be on the show one day.  My answer is - absolutely not!  Let me tell you that the contestants on this show are super FAST.  This season (with two people dropping out) is a testament to how difficult it is to be creative and productive in that short amount of time.  My hat is off to all of them. 

Fashion Reality TV

At NYFW, I saw a few people from the world of fashion reality TV.  Let's start with the ones who were kind enough to stop for photographs.  First, I saw Robert Verdi (stylist) walking by and asked if I could take his photo.  As soon as he stopped for me, he was swarmed by photographers.  He jokingly said that he was going to charge $3 a photo.  He knows how to work a crowd.

I noticed his cool shoes when he started to walk away -

He was with Jay from America's Next Top Model, who also kindly posed for photographs that day (but not the next when he was with Nigel Barker) -

Kelly Cutrone, fashion publicist and owner of People's Revolution, stopped when I asked her.  However, she was consistent with her tough personality and did not smile -

The next day, I saw Nigel Barker, photographer from America's Next Top Model.  He was racing through the courtyard and did not stop for photographs even though people were shouting his name.  I could only get a couple of pictures as he was hailing a cab with Jay -

I saw many of the Project Runway Allstars in September but none this time.  I did run across a few contestants from previous seasons.  I already told you about meeting Jay McCarroll, which was a highlight of my trip.  I also saw Jack Mackenroth -



and Diana Eng -

I also saw Zana Roberts Rossi, Editor for Marie Claire and former Project Runway judge.  I am fascinated by her shoes that look like ski boots -



Here is Joanna Coles, Editor of Marie Claire and mentor to the Project Runway Allstars -

And my last photo is of a woman who was the host of a fashion television show that aired when I was much younger.  I heard her voice and was immediately pulled back into my teenage world of fashion in which I was the only person I knew that cared to watch fashion shows on television.  I would watch "Style with Elsa Klensch" and then this woman's show.  I don't remember her name, but her voice I could never forget.

Inspiration

I saw two people in New York that have been a huge inspiration to me.  The first was Scott Schuman (aka The Sartorialist).  His blog was the second blog that I ever read.  (His girlfriend's was the first.)  He is definitely the most successful street style blogger.  I was fascinated by the fact that he would stop strangers and ask if he could take their photograph.  I never imagined that people would let you take their picture just because you liked their oufit.  It took years of reading and studying his blog for me to finally get up the courage to start approaching people. 

I was so excited when I saw him outside of Lincoln Center.  It was so much fun to watch him work.  I didn't want to bother him while he was working, so I didn't speak to him.  Hopefully, I'll have another chance to do so.

The other person I saw was Jay McCarroll, the winner of the very first Project Runway.  It was his season that lit the spark in me to want to learn how to design and sew clothes.  I watched every episode over and over and over.  Since he was just hanging out, I walked up to him and introduced myself.  He seems just as fun in real life as he is on TV. 

Guys, thanks for your inspiration!

Project Runway Heaven

The highlight of my whole trip to New York was meeting some of the former Project Runway contestants.  After the Project Runway finale show, a lot of them walked out of the door where we were standing. When I saw A.J. waiting in the walkway, my antenna went up.  Then, I spotted Nick Verreos walking quickly through the crowd, so I stopped him for a picture.  He is so nice and is one of my all time favorites -




Nick Verreos

I saw some people taking pictures of Gretchen Jones (winner of Season 8) and didn't even recognize her at first.  Her hair is much blonder than it was on the show.  She looks really pretty -





Gretchen Jones



Then, some of the contestants of the current season came out.  I talked to a few of them.  Joshua is every bit as nice in person as he is on the show -




Joshua Christensen

Danielle Everine, Cecelia Motwani, Fallene Wells, Rafael Cox



Julie Tierney, Becky Ross, Danielle Everine, Cecelia Motwani, Fallene Wells, Rafael Cox



Mondo (fan favorite from Season 8) appeared in his typical fun style -




Mondo Guerra



He was with Valerie Mayen, Michael Drummond, Michael Costello, and Ivy Higa.





Ivy Higa



Here are Ivy's shoes -

Then, for a great finale Austin Scarlett and Kenley Collins walked out -

They were both super nice.  Kenley is so pretty and friendly.  They told me that Project Runway All Stars is starting in November.  I can't wait!

I'm back!

Although my family was extremely nervous that I was in New York on 9/11, it was totally worth it.  New York during Fashion Week is so much better than I expected.  There is fabulousness everywhere!  I took so many pictures that I haven't even had time to look at all of them yet.  I will post again later today but wanted to give you a little taste of what I saw.

Models just standing around on the sidewalk -

Eye popping fashion -

And my personal highlight - Project Runway contestants!!!



A.J. Thouvenot from Project Runway


Please check back tonight (and all week), because I have so much to show you...