The "Project Style 2012" National Winner Is...

The "Project Style 2012" National Winner Is...

April Yang !!!

April Yang, Winner of "Project Style 2012"

Last week, we crowned our National Project Style 2012 Winner! She is April Yang! April is 19 years old and hails from Murrieta CA. She attends Palomar College where she studies Fashion Design and Visual Merchandising. April also has a fun Fashion & DIY YouTube Channel  that has recently hit over 31,000 subscribers and
over 4 million views (!).

Style Trois: Nick Verreos, April Yang and "Project Style 2011 Promendae Temecula" winner Lexi Laura

"Project Style" is a
national contest organized by Forest City Centers to
find the Next Top Trendsetter of the Country. Selected Forrest City Centers/Malls across the Country held local competitions looking for the next great Stylista--someone who could style a fab outfit using shopping gift cards. They also had to put videos of their outfits up for people to vote.

 Nick Verreos, Project Style 2012

The top vote-getters then got  the chance for a "Live Style Off" at their local malls--some of which I had the pleasure of hosting! The winner of each "Live Style Off" received a Shopping Gift Card worth $1,000 and a chance for the National Prize--

A trip to NYC, attend a NY Fashion Week fashion show, a SoHo shopping trip (both with me!) and lots more!

 Nick Verreos Hosting "Project Style 2012" Promenade Temecula

Now, back to our winner: April Yang happens to be the Winner of Promenade Temecula's "Project Style" which I had the honor of hosting as well as judging not too long ago. At the time, she showed all of us (myself and the other judges) her individual style, great eye for color and professionalism. She also brought a HUGE crowd of family and friends to support her at the time--with big ol' posters and photos.

April Yang, Winner of Promenade Temecula's Project Style 2012 "Live Style Off" and National Winner

Subsequently, she was crowned "Project Style 2012 Temecula Mall" Winner, which put her in the running for the overall National Finals. She then competed against 14 other "Project Style 2012" regional winners for the Grand Prize. They all had to submit videos, photos and explanations on their outfits.

Jeannie Mai and Nick Verreos--Project Style 2012

I've been part of "Project Style" for several years now and this year, I was made their Official Co-Spokesperson--along with the gorgeous and fabulous--Jeannie Mai of Style Network. Jeannie and I were two of the three Final National Judges. The other esteemed judge was:

Jane Lisy, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Forest City, recognized by the industry for her award-winning retail leadership and
technology experience with shopping centers

Each of the 15 finalists received a $200 mall gift card and were challenged to create the ultimate outfit/ensemble that best represented their sense of style. We judged on Concept, Creativity, Sense of Style, Presentation and Fashion Knowledge, giving the stylistas scores for each of the five criteria. It was a really difficult decision to pick a Winner and trust me, we deliberated for a very long time. The scores were very, very close. But finally, we all agreed on April as our Project Style 2012 National Top Trendsetter.

Here are Photos of April's Winning Look:

 

April Yang, Project Style 2012

Here are excerpts of what she said about her Project Style 2012 Winning Outfit:

"The
juxtaposition of contrasting textures is a classic design aesthetic for
beautiful architecture. My outfit is inspired by the soft curves, hard
lines, and ornate details of the buildings at Balboa Park in San Diego. I
layered a denim button up underneath a black body-con dress to create a
mix of textures between the leather and the denim...The body-con dress is feminine because of its fitted
style but I loved how the leather cut-outs on top give it an edge. This
created a very structured look which is why I decided to choose jewelry
with soft lines. I kept my shoes a neutral color to draw the attention
first on my outfit and then down to my shoes. The contrasting textures
of my clutch sums up my theme and brings harmony to the overall look"

She went to Forever 21, Reflection, Macy's, Charming Charlie and H & M for her outfit.



Congratulations to April and to all the other finalists in "Project Style 2012"! April: see you in NYC next year! Can't wait--we'll have SOOOO much fun!

Click Below to watch April's Winning Video:

Little White Dresses. Is The LWD Replacing The LBD This Season?

Little White Dresses. Is The LWD Replacing The LBD This Season?

A new classic in cocktail-wear is in town. The little white dress is sexy, classy, and versatile all in one small bright package. White dresses are definitely one of summer’s hottest fashion trends.

You're all familiar with the Little Black Dress, aren't you? But this summer, put aside the Little Black Dress and welcome the Little White Dress. Why? Because white is a shade of colour that looks good on everybody specially with that summer time sun-kissed skin. The Little White Dress isn't only for the summer days, it also works perfectly for summer nights, you just have to make it work for the occasion you're wearing it for. Treat your Little White Dress as a white canvas, you can style it with different shades of colours and each time you'll get yourself a fresh new look.

Wearing white is always a great way to instantly create a fresh, chic look. The beauty of wearing white is that you have free rein when it comes to teaming it with colour. Knowing how to wear an all white outfit will help you pull off one of the hottest trends right now.

White is sheer and transparent. So, beware of extremely thin white material as it can become see-through. Make sure you wear a white satin slip and either white or nude undergarments when wearing a white dress.

Make a fun statement by teaming up your little white dress with some pop of colours. Colourful, chunky necklaces and bright heels can make you standout. Carry a coloured blazer or handbag that will draw attention.

Bring an eclectic vibe to your white dress with a metallic belt or add some patterns with your little white dress. You can also pair up your LWD with a colourful patterned scarf, shawl or leggings. Make sure not to add more than one patterned accessory to your white dress, as it will look too overpowering.

Red Lipstick can also take you places when teamed up with a white dress.

So whether you decide to go for a white on white look, or you feel like adding a splash of colourful accessories, the Little White Dress will be your go-to look this summer.

Zando - G Couture Lace Dress White R 899

Zando - Revenge Sleeveless Mesh Stripe Dress White R 789

 

So tell me girls, what’s your favorite way to wear a LWD?

Cute Outfits For Curvy Figures - Spring Trends

Cute Outfits For Curvy Figures - Spring Trends

Curvy girls have it tough when it comes to dressing. But, there are no set rules in fashion which you should stick to, and the fashion gods will not come crashing down on top of you. Dare to make a statement this season with all the apt fashion essentials in town. Most importantly, you need to know how to hide the ample curves.

Read on to find out how in a few easy ways you can transform yourself into a slimmer self. Here’s how you can easily enhance your best assets.
Vital Fashion Staples

The rule is to opt for solid hues instead of crazy or neon colours or large prints. Sleek, simple, non-ruffled outfits will complement you.

    Have a few button up shirts and feminine tops in your closet, it can make you look feminine and classy. In fact, it would look good on any body type.

Fabulous Spring Trends for the Curvy Girl

    Opt for full-printed jumpsuits or rompers. These should be in every curvy girl’s wardrobe. The prints camouflage the not so great parts, giving a toned look.

    Get yourself a skater dress in varied hues or floral prints, it beautifully hides you waist down if you are well-endowed, camouflages the bottom and makes your waist look thinner. Skater dresses in fit and flare styles also make you look feminine and skim over your hips.

    Sheath dresses flatter your figure type. This is almost a staple, works from day to night so go pick a few in black, navy blue, slate grey or maroon.

    Maxi skirts and maxi dresses are always appealing and flatter curvy women. They are easy, breezy, and casual so why not make them your best friend. Get them in chiffon, georgettes, satin and knife pleats.

    Embrace midi-skirts like it’s your go-to item in your wardrobe. These skirts preferably in A-line or pencil skirts can hide the flab on your thighs and buttocks. Pair it up with a shirt or a plain tee and you are instantly transformed.

    If you wish to go short, don’t fear! Simply shop around for chino shorts or Bermuda shorts or Capri instead of the teeny weeny hot pants. They are comfortable and high on style quotient.

    Go retro! The 70’s style fashion can hide those extra kilos with ease. From high-waisted pants to bell bottoms, just let go of your inhibitions.

    Do you want a piece which serves serious glamour moments? Well, embrace the fringes. Fringes on a top or dress or skirt can hide extra flab and give you a cool look.

    If you like denims then opt for darker versions and not the light ones. Make sure you refrain from the slim fit or skinny ones as they can draw attention to wide hips and thighs, the regular fit or high-waisted or wide legged would suit you better.

    Off shoulder or peasant tops are having a moment. They highlight your shoulders and hide the flaws waist-up. If you are top heavy, this is quite the ideal clothing for you.

    For party wear, you can actually pick a one shoulder top, scoop neck or slightly loose tube top which again camouflage the upper body flaws/flab or curves. Even a halter top frames a large body beautifully well.

    Avoid over-sized or loose clothing as it would invariably make you look big, however you should also steer clear of figure hugging outfits. Well fitting and tailored clothes are just what you need to get the apt look.

    If you are going holidaying, make sure you carry along a printed or bold coloured one piece bikini and tie a sarong on it.

    Tailored blazers can give you a chic and classy look. Needless to say, they make a difference to your look and flatter the figure.

    Now, here is a must-have to go every attire that you have in your wardrobe – the waist belt! This miraculous piece can make you look slender by adding definition to your curves.

Project Runway Recaps: Episode 10 "High Kicking Couture" Designing for The Rockettes!

Project Runway Recaps: Episode 10 "High Kicking Couture" Designing for The Rockettes!

Kick It Ladies!

Tim and Heidi High Kicking it with The Rockettes--Project Runway Season 10

This past week's Project Runway Season 10 Episode was all about The Rockettes. The Challenge was to design a costume for the Radio City Rockettes to be worn at a future performance. How Fab Is That??? I would have LOVEd this Challenge. It was sooooo "Season 2 Design a Costume for Olympic Figure Skater Sasha Cohen"!!! If you know me, you may realize I love bedazzling, costumes, and ANYTHING that looks somewhat close to Figure Skating Costumes...and designing for The Rockettes fits that bill.

Candy Cane Kicks: Nick Verreos joining The Rockettes at FIDM Downtown LA Campus, promoting "The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular" in 2010

Two years ago, I had the privilege of hosting a fun Rockettes event at my Alma Mater--the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, when they came to town promoting their "Christmas Spectacular".

Nick Verreos and The Rockettes: I got the pleasure of meeting lots of the ladies and their fabulous costumes--designed by Erte and Vincente Minelli (yes, Liza's dad!).

Rockettes Costume Heaven: Nick Verreos with The Rockettes in some of their iconic costumes--FIDM

Notice The Beading, Kids: Nick Verreos describing the intricate sequin work on a Rockettes Costume--FIDM 

Now, back to the episode and the Challenge: To Design a Costume for the Rockettes...

The Special Guest Judge was actress Debra Messing, who of course we all know from "Will & Grace" as well as "Smash". Let's just say she might know a thing or two about bedazzled costumes. The Top Designs--according to the judges were:

Dmitry Sholokhov: Dmitry-- was a professional ballroom dancer for over a decade back in Belarus, where he is originally from. Therefore, WE KNOW he definitely knew MORE than a thing or two about sequins, dancing and costumes! His one shoulder/one sleeve asymmetrical design was very directional for the Rockettes. If the ladies wanted to go a little more "Fashion Forward" this could have been it. The midnight blue color was great and it was made extremely well.

  

Ballroom or Radio City?

But I felt it might have been a tad too sexy for the lovely Rockettes--especially in performances where 8 year old's might be present. It was more appropriate for a sexy Ballroom Dancing performance (very similar to the costume in the photo above) and maybe not the Rockettes. The judges also agreed, so the Winner was:

Christopher Palu: From the moment he described what he was going to do, and then soon after he began working on his costume and hot gluing them NY Skyline sequins on...I was like "There's Your Winner!". The judges tried really really hard to not make it obvious when talking to the top vote getters, that Christopher's was THE BEST, by far. I thought it was a GENIUS design idea and creation. It's sure to become an iconic "Rockettes" costume and part of their repertoire. Too bad little Christopher can't be paid for designing it! LOL!!!



The Bottom:

Elena Slivnyak: She created a royal blue completely sequined number that was part Cleopatra: the Las Vegas version/part HOOCHIE Cheerleader and part Baton Twirler (see above photos for reference!). I kind of liked the "In your Face" bedazzle of it all but it did lack any sort of expensive quality. And the center-front dip on the skirt hem was unfortunate focusing on an area of the woman's body you might not want to draw attention to.

Melissa Fleis: Melissa, one of my favorite designers from this season, created a sassy little number that gave an homage of sorts to the "Cigarette Girl". She did her 'stiffened" front torso panel thing (which she has done before) and used almost 20 pattern pieces to create a black and fuchsia costume. And she finished it off with a little hat. It was cute but the judges didn't like the unintentional "No. 1" in the front and ...it was WAAAY too short. Imagine the kids in the front row of a performance seeing THAT! Oh Dear.

Ven Budhu: But it was Ven--of I Hate Plus Size Girls/Love Origami Flower Pleating--fame, who went home for doing a boring uninspired costume that looked very "Mother of the Bride". The fabric was gorgeous, yes, but the silhouette and demure halter neck looked "Grandma".

Even this mother of the bride in the photo above has a more open neckline!! I think Ven played it too safe and he (worst of all) bored Nina. You do not want to bore Miss Garcia.

Ven Budhu's NY Fashion Week Finale Collection of Origami Flower Girls

And after his elimination Ven was one of the 8 designers to show at New York Fashion Week. And what did he do?! He went right back to his Origami Pleated detailing. I'm assuming he thought of it as an "in your face" to the judges, but to me it just proves that he is the ultimate "One Way Monkey"!



Anyhow, if you want to know how I REALLY FEEL...keep reading below for my MyLifetime.com BLOG Recap:

High Kicking Couture

We all know the First Rule of "Project
Runway": Never Bore Nina. And add to that rule that Krazee will always
outlast boring on "Project Runway." With that in mind, on last week’s HP
Print Challenge, Gunnar went home just for that — doing something that
was boring design-wise. And even though his bullying story was
admirable, passionate and endearing, his print was macabre and
un-exciting and the end result of his supposedly equestrian-inspired
design was more Chico’s than chic. A lot of you weren’t too happy about
this elimination. People wanted Ven to go mainly because they just don’t
like him (that Ven/Terri debacle will live on for eternity!) and yes,
partially, for doing that "origami flower" one more time. However, I
feel the judges were correct in their decision last week. Ven’s dress
was just a little more creative than Gunnar’s so ... it was Gunnar’s
time to go. But guess whose time is now?



High Kick Ball Change



The remaining designers wake up and are all told to meet at Radio
City Music Hall. Upon walking inside, Tim Gunn is on stage with a bevy
of bedazzled women: The Radio City Rockettes! Gee, I wonder what the
kids will be designing this week? As The Rockettes begin their iconic
high-kicking dance moves, the curtains part open, and they are joined by
none other than Miss Heidi Klum. After one or two Heidi High Kicks, she
announces (to no one’s surprise) that the challenge this week is to
design a new costume for The Rockettes. Linda Haberman, Director and
Choreographer for the Radio City Rockettes, joins Heidi and Tim in
explaining to the designers what is expected of them: it must be
versatile enough to wear all year long; spectacular up close as well as
far away — glamorous and elegant, contemporary and must have a modern
aesthetic. The winning costume will also be worn by The Rockettes at a
future performance. This reminds me so much of my "Design a Costume for
Olympic Figure Skater Sasha Cohen" Challenge back in my season so I am
privately smiling. Good times.



My Time With The Rockettes

The Season 10 kids get some time after The Rockettes sashay off, to inspect various actual Rockettes costumes. Last December...



Click HERE to continue reading my Full BLOG Recap of this past week's "Rockettes Episode"