We are so excited to share Institute Magazine’s feature of an editorial shoot we did with the wonderful photographer Pieke Roelofs! Click Here to view!
Also, check out Pieke’s behind the scenes video from her site, PhotoandGrime.com
From Institute Magazine, Photos by Pieke Roelofs
Our current homework in The Val Garland School of Makeup is an editorial brief, set by none other than i-D Magazine. The theme is “Youth Now”, and we’ve just begun our research on the creative team and their work, as well as the foundations of the magazine itself, currently in it’s 35th year!
Follow Project Make It Work's board I-D Brief: Youth Now on Pinterest.
Daniel Jackson and Alastair McKimm for i-D Magazine 2015
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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: 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
Giamba SS15 Milan
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
NSYNC at The 1999 VMA’s
Well, the VMA’s are tonight, and as you well know, the VMA red carpet is known for it’s risky, over-the-top, and hardly ever classy, fashion. Good old Buzzfeed has done it again-They’ve gone into the VMA image vault to give us 27 Things from the 1999 VMA’s that we Might Have Forgotten. Honestly, we MIGHT have forgotten them on purpose. This set of images reminds us that we were making REALLY BAD fashion choices in 1999. Even JT is pushing taste boundaries in head to toe leather. Let’s just try to do better tonight, shall we?
Christina Hendricks Emmy Dress Prediction: Christian Siriano!
Emmy Gown Prediction for Taylor Schilling of Orange Is The New Black
PopSugar did the dirty work- they’ve put out their gown predictions for Monday’s Emmy awards show. With two award shows in two days, we’re sure to see a fashionable feast for the eyes, and enough red carpet looks to get us through until the Winter Awards season.
Our favorite prediction from the site, is for Christina Hendricks, who loves wearing Project Runway alum Christian Siriano’s gowns!
Check out more of PopSugar’s predictions here. (All photos and predictions by PopSugar)
Kerry Washington Emmy Dress Prediction from PopSugar
Korina Emmerich
We had the absolute pleasure of hanging out in our studio this week with Korina Emmerich, designer from Project Runway Season 13, still in by the skin of her teeth after last week’s episode! While we goofed off and made art with vintage clothing, props and some stunning leather pieces of Korina’s design, we also had fun with a little Instagram Video, and played “Would You Rather?”. We have a full interview and stunning images that we’ll share soon, but for now, click the photo for Project: Make It Work’s Instagram teaser video.
Fashionable readers, what “Would You Rather?”
Every two options in the poll below is a contrasting pair- Choose the ONE you prefer for each pair, and send in your votes! We’ll post inspirational images from new fashion week collections based on the results!
*Photo by Ben Trivett, for @KorinaEmmerich Instagram. Video by Project: Make It Work.
Johnathan Kayne’s designs sparkle, just like their creator. In the literal sense, his signature gowns are covered in Swarovskis, but figuratively, they reflect the care and love Jonathan puts into designing them. We would go so far as to say that Johnathan is the event gown guru of Project Runway. Johnathan has the market cornered for red carpets, beauty pageants, and proms. We would also refer to Johnathan as a Project Runway pro, as he has done his time on a regular season, and a season of All Stars. Recently, we had the wonderful pleasure of speaking with Johnathan, and he shared with us all of the very exciting things he has going on in his sparkly world.
HOW JOHNATHAN KAYNE MAKES IT WORK
1. Who are you, and what season/s did you participate in?
I competed on Season 3 on Project Runway and was a Top 5 finalist. I also competed on Project Runway All Stars Season 2.
2. Please give a brief description of your design style.
My design style is very elegant and feminine. My shoe and dress collections are typically adorned with Swarovski crystals and intricate hand beading.
Johnathan Kayne Design SS2014
3. What was the most challenging thing about the Project Runway experience BESIDES the challenges themselves?
Honestly, the most challenging aspect was trying to figure out exactly what the judges were looking for each challenge.
4. Who have you met or worked with during or since the Project Runway experience that you are most proud of or excited about?
I have been most excited to work with and design for Jennifer Lopez, Lee Brice, Martina McBride since my Project Runway experience.
Lee and Sara Brice at the American Country Music Awards
Maggie Rose at the CMT Awards
5. What are you currently working on or excited about professionally?
I have moved my home and entire business operation back to my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. I also serve as a red carpet fashion correspondent for Country Weekly Magazine and Zuus Media. I am building my brand as the go-to red carpet designer of the south.
I am prepping to launch my SS 2015 collections debuting this fall. I also have hired a good friend and Project Runway All Star, Joshua McKinley, to collaborate on an evening wear collection.
This is the first time in history that two Project Runway Alum have collaborated on a collection!
Johnathan with collaborator and friend, Designer Joshua McKinley (From itsjoshuamcklinley instagram)
6. Besides the basics, what sewing notion or tool could you NEVER do without?
A seam ripper.
7. How has social media impacted your life after Project Runway?
Social media has allowed me to give the world a closer look at my creative vision, and allows for my fans to see what inspires me. I believe a picture truly is worth a thousand words, and a video, millions. We try to inspire our followers through our collections and through our social media. I love connecting with our fans, and am so thankful and blessed to have such beautiful people across the world as followers.
(Johnathan Kayne social media: Twitter: Johnathan_Kayne, YouTube: johnathankayne, Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnathankayne, Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/johnathankayne/)
8. Is there anything else you’d like us to know or see?
Check out my website, www.JohnathanKayne.com where you will see all of my current collections, custom designs, and related media. Also please like and follow all of my social media links on my website to stay up to date with my brand and I.
Johnathan Kayne Dress, Model: Chanley Painter, Photo by Adrian
Thank you so much to Johnathan for his participation and generous contributions to this piece. Johnathan, it has been a pleasure chatting with you, we wish you all the best! – C.Scott
All text and images provided by Johnathan Kayne unless watermarked, linked, or specified.
Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Charles James: Beyond Fashion by fabsugar
The Met’s Costume Institute exhibit celebrating an enormous collection of Charles James garments ended today. We snuck in under the wire and got a chance to see it, and we can’t be happier to have witnessed this display of genius in fashion live. The Met has been creating inspiring exhibits for years, but since they combined efforts with The Brooklyn Museum, their archives and resources have become legendary. We are so glad to see time, effort, and truly creative curatorial technology in play when it comes to showcasing fashion history. The Met really is the best place to see exhibits of this type in The United States, and the only thing we’ve seen to compare with their work is at The Victoria and Albert in London. Support these institutions, and others like them!
Ken Laurence
We were holding our breath last week as Project Runway Season 13 aired, waiting to see which former Project Runway designer would be chosen in the Runway Redemption campaign. Alas, the brilliant Ken Laurence did not make it onto season 13, but as Twitter fans talked about how much they loved Ken, we suggested perhaps he should have his own show. Ken’s designs have a clear point of view of elegance, structure, and luxury, and we loved seeing everything he chose to put down the runway in Season 12. Ken presents himself in a chic and classy way, a perfect representative for his brand. His time was cut too short on Project Runway, but since his participation, Ken has been careful in choosing which opportunities will propel him on his path to design success. We caught up with Ken recently to find out what he has been up to and where his focus and determination has led him since the show.
HOW KEN LAURENCE MAKES IT WORK
Ken Laurence Dress Design
Ken Laurence Structured Top
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Ken Laurence Designs
Special Thanks to Ken for taking the time to talk with us. Ken we wish you all the best as your brand re-launches and grows! -C. Scott
All text and images provided by Ken Laurence unless watermarked, linked, or specified.
Project: Make It Work 