Project Blah

I know... I was supposed to do hardcore Project Runway recaps week-to-week. It's a huge aspect of fashion that is brought to people's homes through television - but I just couldn't do it. Why? Because honestly, I just couldn't watch it. This season just didn't capture my attention. There was no individual I was really rooting for: half of them I couldn't stand, and the ones that had a good personality I didn't think deserved to go to Bryant Park.

Apparently I'm not the only one not watching. According to this blog and it's responses, fans of previous seasons just weren't drawn into this season.

Half the time we were missing our favorite judges. They were replaced by guest judges who just weren't up to par. The challenges weren't really challenges - they lacked creativity and audience appeal.

So, considering I only catch the episodes if I have some downtime and happen to check out Comcast OnDemand (product placement? I think not) I think readers should check out the Project Runway blog. This is how I've kept up with the season when I couldn't even sit through the episodes.

I also find Una LaMarche's articles on the Huffington Post to be extremely entertaining. I am consistently captivated by her brutal honesty and facetious anecdotes. She just says what everyone else is thinking.

I think the only guest judge that anyone will miss is Milla Jovovich. With her snarky "Project I didn't mind it" comment, I think she has this whole season down.

Netflix Style Fashion

Once upon a time people used to have to drive to Blockbuster to rent a movie that had to be returned in a timely manner - there was a deadline. Now, the majority of people that I know have upgraded to Netflix. I was never one for renting - I'm too forgetful for that - but Netflix does all the hard work for me and I don't have to waste money on DVDs anymore.

But even as someone who is mildly obsessed with fashion, I never would have imagined combining the ingenious concept of Netflix with clothing, and not just clothing but high-end garments from the best in fashion.

Rent the Runway makes it possible for an average woman to attain a dress that would otherwise be out of her price range. The dress is rented for a four-day period and the cost ranges from $50-$200. Just like Netflix, when you're done with the dress you just pop it in a prepaid envelope and ship it back, dry cleaning included. If any minor damage is done to the dress, there is a $5 fee. If the dress is outright ruined, the wearer is rensponsible for the full retail price - so pray that you don't have a "Can't Buy Me Love" moment.

If you haven't seen the movie, ten minutes after stealing this spectacular suede garment, complete with fringe, from her mom, Cindy's friend spills red wine on it. After a disastrous scene where she tries to clean the stain with water, she attempts to return it to the store only to find that the replacement would set her back $1000. Ouch.

But back to Rent the Runway. The recession has led to some brilliant money saving mail order services, such as Netflix and Gamefly, which is where this service found it's inspiration. But unlike these other rental services Rent the Runway allows a woman to have a Cinderella night. She can be the "bell of the ball" on a budget, with a time limit (rather than midnight, think four days).

There are several issues that arise when dealing with high-end garments over DVDs. This article by Jenna Wortham for the NY Times discusses the issues that have already been found in the first week trial, such as the limited audience this service can reach (it's invitation only) and the fact that fashion changes so quickly they may not rent the dresses out enough to make a profit. There have also been fashion rental services available in major cities before and the only thing that makes this one different is that it is that it is an online service that is more widely available.

Seeing as the service is only in its first week trial, there's no telling what the future may hold. If the issues become a major concern the service may not last long - or perhaps the kinks can be worked out. Only time can tell...

Unusual Movie Inspires Fashion

So we've all seen fashion inspired by movies, and fashion often inspires movies. Just think of all the Holly Golightly copycats -who knew a LBD and some pearls could inspire decades of cocktail attire? The look was timeless, classic, some would say to die for. But I'm somewhat less impressed by the latest movie-inspired fashion trend. I mean, did people actually buy this high-end wolf suit?

Why yes, I am referring to the latest influx of fur that has been inspired by none other than a little boy named Max. I am a huge fan, even at 21, of the children's book 'Where the Wild Things Are' ... "Oh, please don't go! We'll eat you up, we love you so!"... but I was somewhat less of a fan of the new movie (which was still pretty awesome) and even less a fan of this WTWTA inspired clothing trend. Never a fan of fur, these costume-like pieces only serve to perplex me. Some, of course, are better than others - and most are better than this wolf-suit. Was the purpose of this for Halloween? I suppose it could be, but considering the hefty price tag that most likely accompanies it (I couldn't find the actual site selling this exact suit), I would assume most people would find it difficult to abandon this in the back of their closet until the next Halloween.


And as for these graphic T's... I admittedly love them but could never bring myself to spend $50 on a tee, no matter what designer label I find on the inside.

I don't understand how a should-be children's movie, morose in nature, could inspire such a wave of trends. The most wearable of all the lines would have to be Urban Outfitters - but when it comes down to it, most of the items should be considered a stretch. A tee covered in owls and color block everything from dresses to jumpsuits don't really instill the feeling in me that reading the book still does.

Fashion is about creativity - finding inspiration from unusual sources, and I'm happy with the fresh use of imagination. My problem is that this is a children's movie. A $50 shirt is not in the spirit of wild rumpuses... and mimicking the wild things themselves is taking the passion for the wild rumpus a little too far.

Composing Cyberspace: Audacity Reflection

Upon downloading Audacity, I found recording to be a simple process but I didn't get into editing at all. I had trouble deciding what to record but when my 3-year-old niece interrupted with a plea to read a book, I decided I could simply record myself reading to her. I then found that she loved to hear her voice and constantly wanted me to replay snips of the recording. I, on the other hand, was not a fan of the way my voice sounded. I did not like to listen to the pieces where I spoke and was not thrilled about posting the recording for the entire class to listen to. I have never been a fan of speaking in public, and to me this was worse than that. Public speaking occurs once, while a recording can be played again and again.

I found it interesting to listen to the recordings of my classmates. I thought that most of their voices sounded much better when recorded, but I know a lot of people don't like to hear their own voice.

EBay Becomes an "Inside Source" for Fashion

Lovers of fashion have found a new venue for their shopping expenditures in the last decade. As a shopping junkie myself, I have trekked far and wide for major purchases - from outlet shops in Virginia, to Canal St in New York, and I even roamed the streets of Cork, Ireland in awe of European fashion - so different from that of my hometown.

But suddenly, with the widespread availability of the internet, shoppers didn't even have to leave home. With the click of a mouse a plethora of tops, bottoms, shoes, bags, and accessories were at their fingertips. The sales were coming to them!

Now some people have always been willing to spend more than I, sacrifice a little more in the name of fashion, but I have always been a fashionista on the cheap. I scour sale racks, hunt down bargain buys, and consider Bluefly out of my price range. So yes, I do look on EBay occasionally for my fashion fix. And now EBay wants to be one of the top choices for fashion gurus everywhere.

EBay has now started a fashion magazine. This Wednesday The Inside Source will be introduced to the public as a marketing effort. The magazine will feature trends as established by the purchases of EBay customers. An interview with Eva Longoria's stylist is one example of a feature article in the magazine. The article will then link to Longoria-inspired articles.

The magazine is essentially a way to help those who have never used EBay begin using it, as the website can be overwhelming for newcomers.

NYTimes.com: EBay Starts a Fashion Magazine

Streaming Catwalk

Fashion shows and designer labels have previously only been for the socially elite. Those that could afford to buy their way into shows wearing Dolce & Gabbana and Armani were the ones that saw the catwalk live, up close and personal. And the ones lucky enough to see the shows front and center? Well, they had to be famous enough to prove the designer was still drawing the best celebrities to their shows.

Now the catwalk scene has evolved - and everyone is invited. At least through streaming video, anyway. Emporio Armani and Alexander McQueen streamed their shows live on their websites, and other designers are sure to follow.

"This is just the first step toward revolutionising the 'show system' as we know it," said McQueen.

Fashion Stream

Fashionable and Tech Savvy?

Fashion designers are embracing the age of technology. They realize that with the advent of the internet and trendy new gadgets, they can broaden the scope of advertising and make it tremendously simpler to purchase their clothes.

The iPhone, probably the trendiest gadget on the market, has found plenty of ways to target fashionistas and tech savvy individuals alike. The iPhone has replaced chic wristlets, tennis bracelets, and cute mini-pets to become the most coveted fashion accessory of the year.

But have you ever thought of spending $1000 on a cell phone case? Apparently someone has. Japan's phone company SoftBank has released a line of cases hand crafted and designed to look like a samurai, with a "famous warrior's characteristics". They're made of laquer with gold specks - does that make the significant price tag worth it?


Softbank's Japanese Texture (In Japanese)

- Major fashion labels are also cashing in on this iPhone craze. Chanel debuted their app which allows fashion techies to view the latest runway show.
- Style.com's app now makes Fashion Week almost instantly available to the general public by streaming videos from the shows to your phone. They even made Fashion Week's "Fashion's Night Out" accessible to the entire nation, making it possible to see what stores participated, along with events and celebrity appearences. A perfect app for your fashion week itinerary!

-Seventeen Magazine makes it easy to find and buy clothes by allowing consumers to search their app by product, trend, or price and even reserves final selections at the store closest to you.

Technology in Starring Role at NY Fashion Week

And the iPhone isn't the only mobile phone making a splash off the runway. Microsoft Windows new mobile phones, available October 6, will give you the opportunity for designer backgrounds from Diane von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, Isaac Mizrahi, Rock & Republic, and Ron Arad.