Month: September 2014

How Suede Makes It Work

Designer Suede of Project Runway and All Stars (Photo Credit Springs Creative Group)

From the moment he stepped into the Project Runway workroom, Suede made his mark. He was destined to be a PR legend. He knew how to brand himself, and he even referred to himself in third person when doing his on-camera interviews. We think this was just his brilliant way to make sure you never forgot who he was. Suede definitely has a punk rock vibe, but he doesn’t shy away from color or print. His runway collection from Season 5 demonstrates his love of texture, sparkle, and feminine silhouettes. Suede recently took some time away from his extremely busy schedule to interview with us, and we’re so excited to share what he’s been up to with all of you!

HOW SUEDE MAKES IT WORK

1. Who are you, and what season/s did you participate in?

Suede – Project Runway Season 5, the show’s final Season on Bravo, and Project Runway All*Stars Season 2, on Lifetime.

2) Please give a brief description of your design style.

Suede created the SUEDEsays™ Brand after appearing on Season 5 of Project Runway. Our design aesthetic ranges from Classic, Edgy, & Flirty for young ladies, to Prep, Sport, and Rock for young men. We are international and in over 4,000 stores in the United States alone. Our mission statement is to bring affordable, timely, trend right products to market.

Suede Says Menswear Looks (Photo Credit Tom Contrino)

Suede Says Brand “Rock Your Prom” Designs (Photo Credit Tom Contrino)

4) Who have you met or worked with during or since the Project Runway experience that you are most proud of or excited about?

Our biggest accomplishment has certainly been launching the SUEDEsays™ brand, and being able to work with the everyday consumer internationally and in over 4,000 stores in the United States. We have an exclusive line of Special Occasion Fabrics with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, which is beyond thrilling for us. While it’s always fun to dress celebs, our biggest joy comes from working with the all the home fashionistas out there and providing inspiration.

Suede Says “Rock Your Prom” Fabrics for JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores (Photo Credit Springs Creative Group)

3) What was the most challenging thing about the Project Runway experience BESIDES the challenges themselves?

Besides the obvious, the most challenging thing about being on Project Runway was stepping into the great unknown – no family, no friends, no contact with the outside world while on set – not knowing how you would place, and being sequestered in a bubble with so many other talented designers.

5) What are you currently working on or excited about professionally?

We work about a year in advance, so we are working on product assortment for 2015, coming up with new concepts, all the while managing current assortments with our various retailers – Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores, Wal*Mart, Hobby Lobby, and Hancock Fabrics to mention a few.

Suede Says for Simplicity Patterns (Photo Credit Tom Contrino)

6) How has Social Media impacted your life after Project Runway?

After appearing on Project Runway, our door to social media became fully open. We live in the age of Social Media, so it’s paramount to connect with your fan base and consumers. We get e-mails on a daily basis from people all over the world. We love hearing from everyone, and we get back to all who do reach out to us. Be sure to visit us at SUEDEsays.com and feel free to shoot us a message through the website, or directly to uROCKit@SUEDEsays.com

Suede Says Design

7) Besides the basics, what sewing notion or tool could you NEVER do without?

The tool we can’t live without remains a secret for now <wink>, as we are working with our partners to bring this new tool to market. Promise, once it comes out it will have all of you buzzing and totally excited – stay tuned kittens!!

8) Is there anything else you’d like us to know or see?

To keep up with all things Suede be sure to check us out at SUEDEsays.com.

For the full line of SUEDEsays patterns visit: SUEDEsays™ Patterns

For the full line of SUEDEsays fabrics visit: SUEDEsays™ Fabrics

Suede Says for Simplicity Patterns

Special Thanks to Suede for taking the time to answer our questions. Suede, we wish you all the best and we commend you for your business savvy! – C.Scott

The Results are In! Fashion “Would You Rather?” For SS15!

Well, a couple of weeks ago, you cast your votes on the fashion trends you would rather see, and we’re giving them to you straight off the SS15 New York Fashion Week Runways:

WOULD YOU RATHER?

Would you rather: Messenger or Clutch?

Answer: Messenger

Custo Men SS15 Messenger and Tote Bags

Custo Barcelona won us over with their huge range of messenger and tote bags for SS15, and you know, they showed in the men’s collection, but we definitely think these bags work for everyone! Click the photo for the full collection on HommeModel.

Would you rather: Hair Up, or Hair Down?

Answer: Hair Down

DVF SS15 Runway Hair (Collage from Premiermodelstyle.com)

For the hair down look of SS15, we think Diane Von Furstenburg’s runway hair takes the cake.

BioSilk Hair Team doing Kendall Jenner’s Hair for DVF SS15 (from Twitter: @eatpraykendall)

Would you rather: Heels or Sneakers?

Answer: Heels

SS15 is looking pretty interesting when it comes to heels, and we have selections from Dolce Gabbana, Marni and Nanette Lepore to Prove it.

Dolce Gabana SS15 Shoes

Marni SS15 Shoes

Nanette Lepore SS15 Shoes

Would you rather: Silk or Cotton?

Answer: Cotton

We saw some great classics remade in the SS15 collections of Tibi and Thakoon Addition. Get ready for comfort in cotton for next spring and summer. Check out other favorite spring/summer trends from Style Blazer.

Tibi SS15 at NY Fashion Week

Thakoon Addition SS15 Dress

Would you rather: Leather or Denim?

Answer: Leather

Zana Bane Leather Lingerie SS15

Zana Bane’s leather lingerie work is gorgeous. See the whole SS15 collection here.

Fendi Bags SS15

We can’t talk leather without showing you Fendi. See the whole runway show, including the delectable bags here.

Would you rather Avant Garde, or Ready To Wear?

Answer: Ready To Wear

Ok, this is tough to pick, but the SS15 Ready To Wear Collections that we have to mention are:

1. Jeremy Scott, who teamed up with none other than Miley Cyrus to design his accessories, which coincided with her own sculpture show called “Dirty Hippie”. We can’t make this stuff up. But seriously, the collection is cool, and completely Hippie Retro.

Jeremy Scott SS15 NY Fashion Week

2. Giamba SS15 Milan has a groovy vibe we like. A little softer and more feminine than the technicolor that Jeremy Scott is putting out. Refined, you know, in that European way. We love the dotted stockings too.

Giamba SS15 Milan

3. Rodarte took punk to a new place, exploring sirens and punk rock at the same time. Hard core ethereal, man. The added face jewelry really made a statement as well.

Rodarte SS15 Hair, Makeup, Nails, from Rodarte’s Tumblr

See the whole collection here.

Rodarte SS15

There you have it, folks. Just a few highlights from the SS15 Runways based on your poll picks. If you have any other collections or images to share that fit in these categories, just send them our way- we’d love to see more! -C.Scott

The 10 Most Long Wearing Lip Colors by Allure

We thought we were going to have to do the leg work ourselves, but luckily, Allure Magazine has done it for us. We are so excited to try as many of these products as we can, to find the perfect long-wearing lip color for whatever event is on the calendar. Check out Allure’s choices here.

Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar

We are already in love with Obsessive Compulsive products, and know that they have a HUGE range of colors to choose from. Time to shop!

Stila Stay all Day Liquid Lipstick

Any product Stila makes with the “Stay All Day” title is epic. We’re huge fans of the liner and brow pen, so we anticipate total success with the liquid lipstick.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain

We call this the fancy option. Mostly because we think YSL is just fancy. So is the price tag of all YSL cosmetic products. Still, the review is amazing, and at least the fancy product may actually provide what’s promised.

Thanks to Allure for doing all the fancy footwork for us! -C. Scott

Once you try Wasabi Potato Salad, You’ll Never Go Back

Wasabi Potato Salad

Like Kaiyu Ho over at Saucy Spatula, we too, have become addicted to the spicy, creamy, crunchy salad, that clears your sinuses and gives you that comfort food feel in your tummy. We also attribute our recent addiction to the recipe of the geniuses at Asia Dog, who recently opened a food counter in the new and ever-so-popular Berg’n Beer Hall in Brooklyn. (Please eat the Katsu Crunch Corn Dog immediately)

We happen to have a dinner party event coming up, where each of our friends is making a pork belly recipe for all party goers to try and then judge. We felt like this amazing salad would be the perfect, fresh compliment to the pounds of pork on everyone’s plate. Of course, we’re going to sprinkle a touch of JD Food’s Bacon Salt on top, just for that added pork tribute.

JD Food’s Bacon Salt

Try the recipe yourself by clicking on Saucy Spatula’s Photo.

3rd Time’s a Charm for Kate Pankoke, Project Runway All Star?

Kate Pankoke in her Studio, Photo by Heather Talbert

CHICAGO (September 16, 2014) – Bridal designer, Kate Pankoke, is back again to try her hand at Lifetime’s hit TV show, Project Runway All Stars. Kate Pankoke is the only designer in Project Runway history to compete on three seasons back-to-back! Kate was a contestant on Seasons 11 & 12. Project Runway All Stars, Season 4 premieres Thursday, October 30, 2014 on Lifetime.

Pankoke says “I was a bit reluctant to go back for a third round after last season’s elimination, but I felt like I owed it to all of my fans that supported me through those hard times. I needed to show them and the judges that I don’t back down. You can kick me, but I am just going to come back stronger and ready for more.” Pankoke survived two controversial double eliminations, but hopefully, the third time is a charm for this Project Runway All Star.

Kate is currently getting ready for Bridal Fashion Week. She will be presenting her new collection to buyers and brides at her showroom in Chicago August 28-29, and then at Bridal Fashion Week in New York October 11-13.

To watch the premiere of Project Runway All Stars Season 4, tune into Lifetime on October 30, 2014 at 9:00PM EST/8:00PM CST. To meet with Kate and see her most recent collection for Elaya Vaughn by Kate Pankoke, schedule an appointment by e-mailing sales@elayavaughn.com. For more information on Kate or her line, Elaya Vaughn Bridal by Kate Pankoke, visit her website ElayaVaughn.com, and find her on social media @KatePankoke & @ElayaVaughn.

How Jack Mackenroth Makes It Work

We’re going old school this week with our Project Runway interview series! Back in the day, when Project Runway was just peaking in popularity, and still on the Bravo network, a very handsome young designer, Jack Mackenroth, was making his mark from week to week. It has been seven years since the airing of the series, and Jack has made his way in the world, not best known for his sportswear design, but for his work as a model and an HIV+ spokesperson. We recently got in touch with Jack, and he shared some of his PR memories, but also let us know about the important work he is doing right now.

Project Runway Designer Jack Mackenroth

HOW JACK MACKENROTH MAKES IT WORK

1. Who are you, and what season/s did you participate in?

I was on season 4. I was doing well–never in the bottom 3, and won a challenge, but I had to leave the competition early because I got a very serious staph infection in my face, and had to go to the hospital.

2. Please give a brief description of your design style.

I was always a sportswear designer–primarily menswear. I design clothes that real people wear. I like subtle, special design details that make a piece original without saying “LOOK AT ME!”

Jack Mackenroth modeling the “Love Across Barriers” T-shirt he designed for Clothing of the American Mind (COTAM).

3. What was the most challenging thing about the Project Runway experience BESIDES the challenges themselves?

Instafame is pretty crazy. Season 3 and 4 were at the height of the show’s popularity, so after the show aired I was inundated with emails and Facebook messages, and people stopped me on the street constantly. That took a lot of getting used to. But it also faded away pretty quickly. It still happens from time to time even 7 years later. It’s such a weird concept to think that people you don’t know know who you are.

The other thing that was incredibly challenging is the schedule. I don’t think viewers realize that we film the whole season in about 5 weeks. There are no days off and we sleep about 4-5 hours per night. It’s insanity.

4. Who have you met or worked with during or since the Project Runway experience that you are most proud of or excited about?

Well I am a bit of an anomaly compared to most of the other Runway Alumni. I decided to take my 15 minutes of fame and go in a different direction. In the year after the show I filmed 4 TV pilots (that never aired), and did a lot of red carpet hosting gigs. I had a cameo in the Sex and the City movie with SJP and all the girls.

Jack Mackenroth in the Sex and The City Movie

Jack Mackenroth’s cameo in the Sex and The City Movie

I was also the first Runway designer to be open about my positive HIV status so that brought some amazing opportunities as well. I toured around the country for 4 years as the HIV spokesperson for Merck Pharmaceuticals, and I worked on an amazing HIV testing initiative, and photo campaign. We photographed TONS of celebrities–Sandra Bernhard, Billy Porter of Kinky Boots, Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio, Senators and Congressmen, and on and on.

5. Besides the basics, what sewing notion or tool could you NEVER do without?

Definitely a seam ripper.

Pink Seam Ripper

6. Is there anything else you’d like us to know or see?

PLEASE follow me on Twitter! I’m an addict. www.Twitter.com/jackmackenroth

Jack Mackenroth for Beautiful Mag

You can also find more about Jack at: www.jackemackenroth.com!

Special thanks to Jack for taking the time to talk with us! We wish you all the best and commend you for your positive work and for being a role model to the HIV positive community! -C.S.

Take A Sneak Peek of our Exclusive Photo Shoot with Korina Emmerich!

Designer Korina Emmerich. Photo by Ben Trivett, Makeup, Hair, Styling by Coleen Scott

We wanted to send out a big congrats to Korina Emmerich for her win on last week’s episode of Project Runway! Wishing you luck for tonight’s episode!

Be on the lookout for more exclusive photos and our recent interview with Korina, coming soon!

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