Friday, January 29, 2010

Project Runway: & The Drama Begins...

Last night's episode of Project Runway started off with a trip to the Met, where the designers were brought face-to-face with ten signature pieces from the costume institute. Tim announced that the challenge was to create a high-end design that could "fit in with this company"-- company that includes iconic designers like Yves saint Laurent and Dior.

To top it off, they have to work in pairs-- but I'd say the $500 (which is the highest amount ever given out on PR) helped ease a bit of the sting that came from knowing they'd have to use a little thing called teamwork this time around.

As indicated by everyone's jabber at the very start of the episode, nobody wants to work with Ping-- and really, who could blame them?

Unfortunately, she is elected a team leader & chooses Jesse as her victim.

Let the cutting, sewing, & drama begin.

In the midst of the designers creating their pieces, Tim hits them with an announcement. In addition to their high-end design, they must also create a "look-for-less" version-- the twist is, it has to be of another team's look.

Gasp. Shock. Horror.

Now on to the actual designs.

One of my favorites of the night was Jesus & Amy's dress.

I love the sheerness mixed with the black overlay pattern. I would've loved it even more if the ruffle sleeves were different. I know they're going for the "dramatic" look, but I think toned-down, it really could've been better.


The back of Anna & Emilio's dress was completely "WOW" when the model turned around.


One dress I was really rooting for was Anthony and Seth Aaron's. I can see where they were trying to go with this-- but, unfortunately, the execution is what killed them. I think it really could've been a showstopper if done properly.


Once again, I disagree with the judges top two.

Maya's ruffle design just read "ew" in my opinion. The color inside the ruffles reminded me of mushrooms and just didn't seem very appealing. I found the $50 version more pleasing.



The winning design-- which Mila took all the credit for, even though she only made the jacket-- didn't win me over. The moment I saw it, all I could compare it to was a penguin tracksuit. I just don't see how this fits in with the high-end look the judges were looking for. The cheaper version of the design looked more "high-end" than it did.


And now for the losing team...

Ping & Jesse. No surprise here.

I think Jesse knew from the start, their team would end-up in the bottom. He had to spend his time trying to tame Ping in her spastic antics and had less time to focus on the design. Even then, Ping would over-rule by reminding him that she was team leader & eventually, he just stopped trying to give his unwelcomed input.

Luckily for Jesse, his model defended him on the runway and he was safe. Some of the other models thought she shouldn't have spoken up about what happened behind the scenes to the judges, but hey, it secured her with him for next week... so maybe it wasn't so bad.

I think even without the model's input, Jesse would've been safe, because it was quite obvious that this design was 90% Ping and the 10% that might've been Jesse's vision was covered by Ping's draping nightmare.


Thankfully, the judges finally snapped out of their Ping-loving-spell and gave her the auf wiedersehen-- to which she cried about... a lot.

This week was definitely a nice boost of drama & design-- making me forget & forgive how horribly boring the first episode was.

Now, it's your time to judge the runway.

Who were your favorites this week & are you as thrilled for Ping's departure as I am?

Let me know!


--
Missa

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

FASHION FACEOFF: Marc Jacobs

Can you guess which two actresses have worn these very similar Marc Jacobs designs?

See who & leave your opinion on who wore it best right here at FashionIndie.com.


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Monday, January 25, 2010

MONDAY MATCH: Anna Paquin

Saturday night at the SAG Awards, True Blood star Anna Paquin wore this deep V-neck, Alexander McQuenn dress. Get a similar outfit for less with the all new MONDAY MATCH.

(Click on image to enlarge)


Just a reminder to follow me on Twitter & to subscribe to the Missa by Design YouTube page to keep up-to-date on everything happening.


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Friday, January 22, 2010

MOVIES WITH STYLE: (500) Days of Summer

Read about the style seen in the film (500) Days of Summer and how a certain color was a huge part of the story, in my new article here.

I know today is usually the day I would give my analysis of last night's Project Runway episode-- but I'm crazy busy at an event this weekend, so I don't have time to write about it.

I will say, though, that I think Ping should've gone home.

Do you agree with the judges choices?


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

TRENDSPARK: Abstract Patterns

Read about the latest trend seen on the runways, in my new article here.


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

FASHION FACEOFF: Michael Kors

Discover which two actresses have been seen in the same Michael Kors design & let me know who you think wore it best here.


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Monday, January 18, 2010

Golden Globes 2010 Red Carpet Run-Down

Award season has finally graced us again, kicking off with the 2010 Golden Globe Awards, which were held last night.

So here's a run-down of the great, tragic, & trendy looks of the night.

Color was everywhere-- the complete opposite of the many neutrals spotted last award season.

The popular color of the night was purple-- vibrant and softer shades.


Sandra Bullock (in Bottega Venetta) and Jane Krakowski (in Jay Mendel) looked fantastic in their violet gowns. I was not completely loving Chloe Sevigny's ruffled Valentino dress, though. The ruffles going directly across the top of the bodice aren't flattering and make her look very boxy.

Another popular trend of the night was black. Many ladies, from Penelope Cruz to January Jones, were seen wearing this color in every form imaginable.


Asymmetric dresses were yet another trend seen on many that night-- seen here on Marion Cotillard.



Now on to some of the best dressed on the red carpet.

Kate Hudson was undeniably one of the best, in this white, structured Marchesa gown.

Unfortunately, due to the rain, we weren't able to get the full effect of the gown-- since she held it up off the ground. Regardless, though, she still looked fantastic in it.

Some others that really wowed were Emily Blunt (in Dolce & Gabbana), Olivia Wilde (in Gucci), & Maggie Gyllenhaal (in RM by Roland Mouret).


Some of the worst of the night included Mariah Carey, Drew Barrymore, Diane Kruger, and Jennifer Morrison.


I would've loved Drew Barrymore's gown if it weren't for the strange jeweled hip pad. Mariah Carey's bandage dress just wasn't flattering on her and made her shoulders look even broader. Jennifer Morrison's gown was not right for her skin tone & the ruffles looked like a mess. The fuchsia ruffled look on Diana Kruger wasn't one of my favorites either. It stood out for all the wrong reasons.


The cast members from the show Glee-- which took home the award for Best Comedy Series-- all looked fantastic, which means they also win the award for best dressed cast. The two that really stood out were Lea Michele, in Oscar de la Renta, and Dianna Agron, who always looks fashionable on the red carpet.


That's my list of the best, worst, & trendiest. What's yours?


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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MONDAY MATCH: Abbie Cornish

In this all-new MONDAY MATCH, you can get a look like the one actress Abbie Cornish wore to the Critic's Choice Awards.

(Click on image to enlarge)


--
Missa

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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Movies with Style: Sherlock Holmes

Check out my article about the costumes and style in Sherlock Holmes right here at FashionIndie.com.


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Friday, January 15, 2010

Runway Let-Down.

I'm sure I am not the only one who felt the season premiere of the newest Project Runway to be a bit of a let-down. Where was the innovation? The first episode usually kicks the season off with an innovative challenge-- my favorite being the Clothes Off Your Back from season two. Last night's challenge was for them to simply grab whatever fabrics they could in a mad dash, and then choose only five from that, then create a piece that represents them as a designer.

Despite the fact that the challenge should have been an incredibly easy task, many didn't step up to the plate.

For the first time, I didn't agree with a single person the judges picked as the "top" designers of the night. I felt they were so-so and there were others that weren't chosen to stay on the runway whose designs were a lot better overall.

The only designer that's really grabbed my attention is Anna Lynett-- who, unfortunately, was part of the safe pack & not in the top designers of the night.


Many reasons to love her. First, she reminds me a bit of Alison from season 3. Second, her model looks like Taylor Swift. Third, I really feel that she's true to herself and isn't trying to be anyone else.

There were some other designers that I just felt were trying too hard to be "edgy" and it didn't seem very genuine.

Emilio Sosa was named the winner of the night. I give him props for the construction, but the overall design just didn't appeal to me.


What are your reactions to what went down on the Runway last night? Do you have a favorite designer yet?


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Thursday, January 14, 2010

I'm Over-It: Metallic Trend

Sometimes trends over-extend their stay. See why I'm starting to grow weary of metallics in my new article at FashionIndie.com.


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

FASHION FACEOFF: Burberry

Find out which two celebrities have been caught wearing the same Burberry dress & let me know who you think wore it best in my new feature on FashionIndie.com.


--
Missa


FOLLOW ME
: @MissaByDesign
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MONDAY MATCH: Vanessa Hudgens

Happy Monday to everyone!

I hope you're having a great new year so far. Award season is upon us, so starting with the Golden Globes, you can find red carpet coverage of the best and the worst right here.

Let's kick this week off with a brand new MONDAY MATCH featuring High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens.

She was snapped wearing this dressy-casual outfit last week and now you can get a similar style for less.


The YouTube channel is SO close to 500 subscribers! I think all we need is 9 more-- how exciting! It truly blows me away how many of you not only watch & subscribe, but continue to come back for more.

There are going to be a lot of fun, decade-centric videos coming up, so keep on to subscribing, watching, and sharing.


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Friday, January 8, 2010

H&M Gets Slashed

H&M was one of two retailers caught in the act of destroying clothing.

Read my article here about why people are so upset over it & let me know what your opinion on the situation is.


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Spring Ahead: Trends for 2010

Ready for spring? Check out my article on FashionIndie.com, examining three top trends for when things get warm in 2010.


--
Missa


FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
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Monday, January 4, 2010

MONDAY MATCH: Mandy Moore

Singer and actress Many Moore looked gorgeous on the red carpet last month in this lovely black dress. Get the look for less with the new MONDAY MATCH.

(Click on image to enlarge)


There's not going to be a new DIY video for this month, but you can still watch all of the videos that are already uploaded at the YouTube Channel here. Remember to subscribe!

If you have any ideas or suggestions for future videos, feel free to let me know as well!


--
Missa

FOLLOW ME: @MissaByDesign
BECOME A FAN: Missa By Design