Nic Narrates » Project Runway

Bravo, Quitter. Bravo.

Nic — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:06:46 +0000

No, I didn’t have a note card in hand, although I definitely thought about it. Instead, I walked through the door silently mouthing like a crazy person, “I need to quit the gym. I need to quit the gym. I. Need. To. Quit. The. Gym. ” In my mind, a debate was raging.

What if they offer to freeze my membership? What then? Should I do that? Would that be better than quitting out right? Maybe I haven’t been going because it’s been so cold outside and then I had The Cough and then another GD (can’t believe I gave up swearing for Lent) break up. And in a month (or two) it will get nicer out and I’ll have more energy to do stuff on school nights….maybe….NO. Quit the gym. It’s expensive. You’ve gone once this year. That’s $220 for 45 minutes on the elliptical. That is not fiscally responsible. You do not make enough money to be frivolous. You wouldn’t even spend that on a pair of shoes- and at least those would last longer than an hour workout! Quit the gym. Say it: QUIT…THE…GYM.

“Hi, welcome to [Beautiful, New, Shiny, Happiness-On-Earth Gym]. How may I help you today?”

Ugh. This is going to be harder than I thought. Their lighting is so tasteful, their apple soap so refreshing and clean, their leather couches so leathery, their equipment so new and fancy. Their TVs…

“You don’t get Bravo!” I sputtered.

“Excuse me?”

“I mean…I, uh…I need to….quit the gym?” Sheepishly, I looked down at my feet, shuffling them back and forth.

Over the next ten minutes, while I waited for “Ben” from Member Services, the debate raged on. I enjoyed the tasteful lighting and the leather couch’s leatheriness. And when “Ben” appeared and shook my hand and expressed his disappointment at my decision to end my membership, I actually apologized. I apologized. For what?

Now I have $110 more a month. Now I don’t have the guilt of wasting money on the idea of working out while in reality I’m gone 12 hours a day with work and my commute. Now I can watch Bravo in the comfort of my own home! Bravo!

I will miss that fancy foaming apple soap though.

Chicago's 'Fresh Faces' Need More Beauty Sleep

Nic — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:07:00 +0000

Last night, I volunteered again for the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion show. Last year, I was stuck up front with the guest list (I accidentally almost didn’t admit the Mayor’s wife’s entourage- if you’re there for Maggie Daley- SAY THAT).

This year, I was a woman on a mission. I was getting in that damn tent come hell or high water (sorry to the girl I sent to coat check in my place under the guise of the event planner needing someone immediately- A FASHION EMERGENCY!- go! go! Don’t think- just GO!).

In the past, I’ve paid for a ticket. I’ve stood in the back, even finagled a sixth row seat at best. I have to say, helping out with the event has given me more access to the designers, models, buyers, and media than paying my way ever has.

That said, I spent the hours before the show mostly standing around. I watched the run through and successfully dodged getting pulled to be a dresser (read: Little J) or front of house. During the cocktail reception, I was instructed to keep the models from joining the martini-swilling-canape-scarfing revelry despite their best efforts to sneak past me. And then I found myself seating the VIPs. Hooray!

It was at this point that I brought my best bitchface and booted out a couple from the third row who were supposed to be in the sixth through eighth rows (I seriously thought this chick was going to punch me). And then spoke with WWD and People who drilled me for a scoop on the local celebrities and buyers in attendance.

After host Pete Wentz’ “speech” (there to promote his Clandestine Industries lifestyle brand), the lights went down an hour later than scheduled and I took a no-show’s seat in the front row just as a very cute and pregnant Ashlee Simpson snuck in directly OPPOSITE ME, where they proceeded to hold hands and whisper throughout most of the show.

Billy Dec (who looked lost most of the time) and Steven Rosengard from Project Runway season four (who politely smiled and squinted, tilting his head at the handiwork) were also seated across the runway. Call it a perk of volunteering, but I got a seat you can’t buy and a VIP gift bag to boot!

The show itself, if you’re unfamiliar with Gen Art’s format, consisted of five or six local designers. This year’s Chicago show included Elise Bergman, Eskell, FREI Designs, Sophia Reyes, Shorty Clothing, and menswear designer Philip Sparks.

While I’m all for supporting local fashion, I have to say in comparison to past years I found the designs yawn-worthy, and in some cases, a bit “design school project.” The finishing on some of them wasn’t what I thought it would be and some of the color choices were….odd. Although, to be fair, I found Sophia Reyes and Shorty to be well-received highlights of the evening and favorites of those sitting around me.

Sadly, however, the models themselves seemed bored with their garb and poorly prepared to walk in the heels provided by Akira. And the spiritless applause from the crowd spoke volumes. I’d say we all missed the designers of years past: I’m thinking Lara Miller, Michelle Tan, Shanel Regier, and now MIA menswear designer Kent Nielsen (I loved his colorfully tailored style).

Mostly, I enjoyed watching people’s reactions to the designs far more than the clothes themselves. But hey, what do I know? I was just a volunteer; happy to crash the party.

Project Runway Finale First Looks

Nic — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:44:00 +0000

The Project Runway finalists showed their collections Friday morning, which can be viewed in their entirety on the New York Magazine’s site. If you’re not interested in seeing what the finalists’ designs looked like, DO NOT SCROLL DOWN…

Because I’m about to show you.

I told myself this year I wasn’t going to peek and ruin the surprise. Alas, I couldn’t keep myself from looking for even a day…learning that ALL 5 designers ended up showing collections, although only three will be considered for final judging (no, I do not know which three and please DO NOT tell me if you do). That meant that Sweet P, Chris March, Rami, Christian, and Jillian each showed collections.

Sweet P’s collection was disjointed. She seems so nice on the show, but I don’t really like her style either. So when I looked at what she put together, it wasn’t so much that I didn’t like it, but that her colors and fabric choices just didn’t make sense as a collection. As Nina would say, “what’s your asethetic?” or “there’s no cohesion.” Exactly. I had a difficult time trying to figure out what the “story” was behind her 13 looks. I think she was right on the money with this chartreuse dress though (a number of designers showed one or two looks in this shade and this fabric- a trend for fall?):

While I was ultimately confused by Sweet P’s work; I very much did not like what Chris March showed. The whole thing brought about a general “YUCK” from me. And it’s unfortunate because I like Chris M. and think he is very good at producing a garment. Plus, he cried when SJP was the guest judge! But his taste is questionable at times–and this is one of those times. I couldn’t even go along with the collection as “high fashion” because it wasn’t even that. It just seemed irrelevant, and a bit tacky. Case in point:

Rami’s was probably one of the more professionally produced collections of the five, I think, but of course…(use your Nina voice here) “very Ramiiiiiiii”. His designs however showed like a collection from a designer who’s done this for years. It was extremely well thought out and had a clear and logical progression from start to end, where it evolved into goregeous Ralph Lauren-esque eveningwear.

And then there’s Christian, who I am partial to. He stuck to black and neutrals and experimented with texture, shape, and embellishment. His collection looked like it took the most amount of work and came across as very European, very sophisticated. I’m not sure that it was my favorite, but it was definitely very strong.

Jillian is not to be forgotten either. After looking at the collections all week, I’m surprised to see how now her work actually is. Her designs are in keeping with much of what I’ve seen from countless other designers for fall, and yet still evocative of her personal style as a designer. I think she did so well that I think she may be the dark horse here.

Although I didn’t love any one particular collection, it was nice to see such variation between each designer’s work. I think it’s going to be down to Jillian and Christian and Rami.

Indulge Me

Nic — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:34:00 +0000

It’s time to talk Runway. This season has been a bit blah with a boring cast and commercialized challenges, but last night’s episode FINALLY forced them into high fashion. Designing avant-garde looks; I love, love, loved what Christian and Chris came up with:

Glorious! Reminiscent of looks designed by Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci and John Galliano for Christian Dior for Fall ’07, it was nevertheless amazing.

I also appreciated what Victorya and Jillian designed, although I’m glad they didn’t win the challenge:

Very Jean Paul Gaultier.

For the finale, I’m really hoping to see a collection from Rami with all his beautiful draping, Christian and his skillful creativity, and Victorya’s lady-like elegance…with Christian winning because he’s the most innovative and talented and he’s only 21!

Making it Work

Nic — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:21:00 +0000

Every fan of Runway is by now all too familiar with the well-worn phrase, “Make it work.” Tim Gunn’s ubiquitous application of the phrase has made it a tagline of sorts for the show. When push comes to shove, the designer’s have to “make it work” each week as their design challenges progress in difficulty. They face time and resource constraints. They’re holed up in a work room with some of the most eccentric people on this earth (as the fashion industry can be counted on to foster) and their creativity and commitment is taxed.

The finale aired last night and Jeffrey won. I’m happy that Jeffrey won. He is an extremely talented designer and turns out a well-made collection that is surprisingly cohesive and innovative. Given the months he and the other designers had to prepare for OFW, he made use of his time and stayed grounded in the process. I myself would likely not wear a design of his (well, maybe that French looking blue, white, and red sashed dress that caught everyone off guard), but it doesn’t matter it isn’t about personally liking it so much as recognizing the talent. He is a professional. He “made it work.”

He made it work by staying true to himself and his asthetic. He remained focused. He fought for what he wanted.

Making it work. How many of us can say we’re “making it work” in our daily lives? Or maybe not even our daily lives, but in general? Do we make it work on the job? Do we make it work in raising our kids? Do we make it work when bills come due? Do we make it work in our relationships with those we love?
I can’t know what the collective “we” does, but I can say this. I don’t always make it work. Sometimes I want to just give up. Sometimes it just feels easier, like less of a struggle. At 26, sometimes I’m tired of having to fight for what I think and feel and want and need. How can this be? How, when there’s nothing more frustrating than having to give up or being given up on?

I too often find myself with limited time and resources and means. And although my “challenges” are not so superficially constructed as on Project Runway, it feels at times like there’s a wrench thrown into my wheel each week that can take the whole cart off course.

Making it work is a work in progress.