Month: October 2014

Fashion Icon, Oscar De La Renta, Dead, 82
Oscar De La Renta, Fashion Icon

Oscar De La Renta, Fashion Icon

Oscar De La Renta, famous fashion designer, most recently known for Amal Clooney’s Wedding Dress, died today at age 82. (See ABC News Report here)

Amal Alamudin and George Clooney on People Magazine's Cover (Amal in Oscar De La Renta)

Amal Clooney and George Clooney on People Magazine’s Cover (Amal in Oscar De La Renta)

Amal Alamudin's Oscar De La Renta's Wedding Dress

Amal Alamudin’s Oscar De La Renta’s Wedding Dress

De La Renta has been designing stunning gowns for decades.  Sarah Jessica Parker paid special tribute to the designer by wearing his signature embroidered into her gown.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar De La Renta at the Met Ball this year.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar De La Renta at the Met Ball this year.

A quote from Parker about her gown and how it got the designer’s signature: “Did you see his name on the back?” Parker asked, twirling around so we could see the designer’s signature in red script across the gown’s tail. “I said to Mr. De la Renta, please let me use scarlet embroidery thread, and splash your name across the back. It was my idea. He would never in a million years have done it, he’s far too modest.” (source)

And finally, some highlights from this Spring/Summer 2015 Oscar De La Renta Collection:

Oscar De La Renta SS15

Oscar De La Renta SS15

Thank you for all of the beauty you created over the years, Mr. La Renta.  You will be missed, but you will be remembered in all that you’ve left behind to inspire us!  -C. Scott

“Chef” The Movie Inspires Culinary Adventures

 

Chef The Movie Header

We have been waiting to stream “Chef” at home for quite some time, and last night, we finally got to see it.  The passion project written, directed by, and starring John Favreau, includes John Leguizamo,  Bobby Cannavale, Sophia Vergara, Dustin Hoffman, Scarlett Johanssen, and a huge string of other big names in the cast.  The movie itself, though, is not about the big stars you see, it is about the story.  We love food, and this film showcases characters passionate about food, cooking, and making people happy by feeding them.

We’re such jaded New Yorkers, that as we watched, we kept waiting for something terrible to happen after the primary plot twist, but it just didn’t.  This was a story about believing in working hard at something that makes you happy and hoping that it works out.  It’s about how kitchens work when you build the right team, and it has some amazing camera work making the food look delectable, teasing your taste buds.  Some of the focus on the art of food happened with the help and tutelage of Roy Choi, famous food truck chef, and culinary genius.

The film also focuses on social media, and how it can make AND break you.  Not only that, but most of the big promotion for the film was done strictly through social media, with additional advertising on Bravo’s Top Chef tv show.

Here is how the #ChefMovie website summarizes the plot:

“When Chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) suddenly quits his job at a prominent Los Angeles restaurant after refusing to compromise his creative integrity for its controlling owner (Dustin Hoffman), he is left to figure out what’s next. Finding himself in Miami, he teams up with his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara), his friend (John Leguizamo) and his son to launch a food truck. Taking to the road, Chef Carl goes back to his roots to reignite his passion for the kitchen — and zest for life and love.”

There’s nothing else to say but, SEE IT! (Trailer here)

 

Project Runway Designer Korina Emmerich: Our Exclusive Editorial Shoot and Interview

We have spent the last year interviewing numerous designers from various seasons of Project Runway, and from their testimonials, we have learned a lot about the PR experience.  Designers are chosen for a plethora of reasons to participate on this show, and it is an unforgiving and tough process.  We would not expect it to be anything less, of course.  If you are fortunate and talented enough make it onto Project Runway–  you are then sent to the location to live with strangers, not allowed to view any type of media, not allowed contact with loved ones or friends, and you shoot ALL of the challenges over the course of about 4 weeks, wherein your days are somewhere between 12-20 hours long.  It is a DREAM opportunity, but we assume it is not a DREAM process to endure.  It is true, though, that some of life’s hardest experiences are the most memorable, and the most life-changing.

Photo by Ben Trivett

Project Runway Season 13 Designer Korina Emmerich

Before you decide anything permanent about any one of the designers on this season of Project Runway, or any other season up till now, we’d like to remind you a little about the conditions these designers are working under while you watch them in your living room.  We’d like you to think about how you might react being in this type of environment, and to think about how you would feel getting closer and closer with each challenge, to a dream you’ve had your whole life.  Now, we’d like you to think about whether in the most extreme moment of stress, you might not give a shit if the cameras are on you or not.  You just might need to let out some steam.  Some people handle stress quietly, others vocally, or by lashing out, and even others by crying.  We’ve definitely seen it all in every season of Project Runway.

Photo by Ben Trivett

Korina Emmerich in one of her own leather designs. Click image to link to our EXCLUSIVE video interview.

HOW KORINA EMMERICH MAKES IT WORK

We said “Auf Wiedersehen” to Designer Korina Emmerich on last week’s episode of Project Runway, Season 13.  We have to say as viewers, that this was the most angering episode we’ve encountered this season.  We noticed other online fans angry about the decision, surprised about the choice to let Korina go, and keep other designers who may or may not have already been saved multiple times, and who from our point of view, have not demonstrated the construction skills needed to continue to this level of the competition.  It was a hard episode for Korina especially, as the show’s editing did not help to paint her in a positive light at all.  She was clearly venting steam and stress in the one-hour final elimination challenge, and unfortunately, the cameras caught a moment of negativity that also seemed to anger some of the fans vocal on the internets.

Designer Korina Emmerich in a jacket from her Raven Collection

Designer Korina Emmerich in a jacket from her Raven Collection

Recently, when this season had just begun, we got in touch with Korina about doing an editorial shoot, using some of her own designs, and playing with a little vintage as well.  We spent the morning together styling makeup and hair, coordinating different looks, and asking questions for our exclusive video interview.

Not only are we happy with the final images and video, but we had a fantastic time collaborating with Korina, who in our minds was one of the front runners in this season of Project Runway.

Designer Korina Emmerich in Vintage from Tattoo Girl Lingerie

Designer Korina Emmerich in Vintage from Tattoo Girl Lingerie

Well, we know now that Korina’s runway show at New York Fashion Week will not be featured on Project Runway, but you can see some of it from Designer Helen’s Instagram feed here.  (Often the last 6 or 7 designers left on the series do show at fashion week.)  Little did we know, we shot one of the leather jackets featured in that very same collection. (See the collection on Korina’s site Here)  Needless to say, the whole experience was a pleasure, and Korina was both a pro and a joy to work with.  We hope to do it again in the future.

Designer Korina in one of her new SS15 Ephemeral Collection Jackets

Designer Korina in one of her new SS15 Ephemeral Collection Jackets

There you have it Project Runway fandom.  We ask you to take everything you see on tv with a grain of salt, and we remind you to see the work of all the designers up close and personal, if ever you get the chance.  Project Runway is a vehicle that can launch the career of a designer, but if these designers strive to be part of this industry for life, Project Runway cannot and should not define them forever.

Special thanks to Korina for her time, her patience, and her professionalism.  Keep up with her on Twitter @EmmerichNY, and on her site at www.emmerichny.com.

Photos by Ben Trivett (Copyright Ben Trivett). Hair, makeup, and styling by Coleen Scott.- C. Scott

A note about comments:  We will approve comments from legitimate email addresses only, and we welcome all to share their thoughts and opinions.

PROJECT RUNWAY ALLSTARS SEASON 4 PREVIEW!
Project Runway All Stars Season 4 Cast

Project Runway All Stars Season 4 Cast

Project Runway announced it’s cast for Season 4 not long ago, and now there is a trailer released for your viewing pleasure. (Watch it Here) As expected, there’s no lack of glamour or drama!  We can’t wait!  Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for our exclusive interviews with designers, Dmitri, Peach, and Kate!  For now, take a peek at our recent feature on designer Justin from Season 12!