Just when we thought that the line-up for the second season of 'Project Runway All Stars' was confirmed, today another change was confirmed.
In case you haven't been following Angela Lindvall, who hosted the show last season, made a surprise departure, which left many speculating that her exit wasn't entirely mutual. Since then Rosie Huntington-Whitely was brought on board as her replacement but recently it was revealed that the model dropped out of the show three weeks before filming was set to begin due to her filming commitments for Mad Max.
The latest change is the news that producers have secured supermodel Carolyn Murphy to take Huntington-Whiteley's place. Aside from that, everything else will stay at the same and Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman will return to the judging panel and Marie Claire's Joanna Coles will continue in her role as the designer's mentor.
Coco Rocha is one of the few models that have managed to carve a solid career for themselves outside the modelling realm. Through her blog, she quickly became the face of a campaign for healthy standards in modelling and during New York Fashion week this month, she went behind the lens to shoot behind-the-scenes for New York Magazine. Today she confirmed that's only the beginning.
Rocha has been bocked to host a new hair and make-up reality show which is set to premiere online this spring. Much in the format of reality shows like 'Project Runway' and 'America's Next Top Model', the show called 'Canada's Beauty Talent' will see you hair and make-up artists compete against each other in the hope of getting spreads in various magazines.
There's not much that Michael Kors hasn't achieved. His business is worth billions, his shows continue to be amongst the sought after tickets at New York Fashion and week and of course, he's conquered the world of reality TV through his judging role in 'Project Runway'. Next up for the designer? The Stock Market.
The company is hoping to sell 48 million shares on the New York Stock at $17-19 meaning that the company is valued at around $3.62 billion. According to WWD: “Kors, which has both established its reputation and has room left to grow, is one of a small group of designer brands that is seen as ready to take this step,” and it’s noted that the company is one of the very few designer apparel firms to go public in recent years. Kors is also planning on opening hundreds of stores across North America, Japan and Europe."
So you can own a part a small part of the Kors empire today. Will you buy shares?
Lifetime are not sparing anything to push the next season of 'Project Runway'. Last week Heidi Klum shot images for the show's latest campaign where she bared all and went nude. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the decision was reached by Lifetime president Nancy Dubuc in order to 'embrace the contemporary woman'.
Just in case you're unfamiliar with Christian Siriano, the Maryland-native rose to fame in 2008 after winning for forth season of 'Project Runway' and things haven't quietened down for the designer ever since. Over the last three years Siriano has managed to do what many others haven't by bucking the reality-show-come-designer trend who quite frankly, don't go anywhere.
Yesterday Siriano didn't disappoint. Rather than sticking with his usual penchant for theatrics, this season he opted for a more subdued collection focusing a lot more on details and textures. Maxi skirts came in dramatic ruffle styles but were toned down tesamed with simple sheer tees. Despite showing a black-heavy collection, it didn't feel dated or 'done'. He cleverly teamed a black tulip maxi skirt that had a subtle shine with a simple cashmere turtlneck to make the hue look more interesting.
Stella McCartney isn't the only very fashionable someone to bring a baby into the world in the past week. Nina Garciaannounced on Twitter that she's just given birth to her second son. She Tweeted: “Delighted to announce that over the wknd we welcomed 8lb13oz Alexander David Conrod into our home! Baby is doing great & Lucas is thrilled!” Congratulations to the 'Project Runway' judge and Marie Claire fashion director, who, no doubt, passed on some very stylish genes to the little one.
Despite the fact that the majority of designers are moving towards minimalist investment pieces since Pheobe Philo's 'Philo Effect' two seasons ago, it's refreshing to see 'Project Runway' winner Christian Siriano stick to his guns and go all-out. And it looks like buyers are happy to see his larger the life designs too. “Our customers are crazy about him and his clothes,” said Ken Downing, the fashion director of Neiman Marcus to The New York Times. “They love when he comes into the store, because evening wear is where he excels."
In his show notes the designer said that this season he was interested in "African, Indian and Chinese influences mixed with measures of elegant opulence". This translated on skin tight red animal print wide leg trousers and dresses in an earthy orange on what resembled traditional African prints. Just in case the reference wasn't clear enough, a classic trench coat and skirt were reworked, sporting a giraffe print which also appeared on a blue and brown top styled with brown leather shorts and on one of Siriano's signature dramatic eveningwear gowns. And accessories were just as exotic, with the shoes - named the Shanghai, the Mumbai, the Nairobi and the Zanzi - looking like African artwork.
Although Nina Garcia has admitted herself she was dubious when approached about appearing as a judge on Project Runway, her tune has changed since joining the show, and the Marie Claire fashion director now thinks that appearing on television is now somewhat inevitable for the Fashion Editors of today.
She took up her role as judge on the reality programme after being encouraged by the show's involvement with the likes of Michael Kors and Heidi Klum, and has never looked back since. "The fashion editor as it used to be has changed," she says, "Now you have to wear many hats, and whoever tells you different is wrong."
