Project Runway Recap- Season 5, Week 3

So, I missed last week's Recap, but I'm back in effect today! My feelings towards this season are anything but psyched. Being one of my all time favorite shows, because it incorporates all things loved by The Shoenista (fashion, make-up, creativity and scores of gay men)I feel that the contestants this season just aren't measuring up to the talents of the past 4. I
believe Bravo TV is showing their ass...can I blame them, not really. Nonetheless, I tune in each week to see who will make a spectacle of themselves and prove how null and void of talent they really are. Wow, that was harsh...shrugs...moving right along!

Last nights challenge, "Bright Lights-Big City", was to create a design for a Night Out on the Town in NYC. The designers, and I use that term loosely this season, were to interpret scenes from around the city into their designs. They were able to take pictures of manic Manhattan at night and utilize them as inspiration. Apologetically, I do not have footage of their inspirations...maybe you can take a few guesses. View the following to see how it went. As for the shoes...Bluefly does not have all shoes featured on their website, so again, I improvised!


Designer: Kenley...THE WINNER! And rightfully so.
Inspiration: A tile that with a splash of color...or something. I heart this soooooo much. I'd wear it everywhere! My absolute fav!


Roberto Cavalli $508



Designer: Leanne
Inspiration: A tree planter. Executed beautifully!!!


Gucci $620



Designer: Blayne
Inspiration: I honestly cannot remember his inspiration. I must have been puke on the outside of some NYC local bar. Gross!


Gabriella Rocha $60



Designer: Daniel
Inspiration: Don't remember his either. I light post maybe?



Stuart Weitzman $171



Designer: Jerrell
Inspiration: A tree? I dunno...he's pretty dull!


Charles David $85.99



Designer: Joe
Inspiration: A light fixture, which he did replicate pretty well, even though I still thought it was a big snooze.


Guiseppe Zanotti $341



Designer: Kelli
Inspiration: Don't know, don't care...I likey alot!


Guiseppe Zanotti $909



Designer: Korto
Inspiration: No idea! I do like it though. Simple. Elegant.


Versace $528



Designer: Stella
Inspiration: Blayne's soon to be leather face!!! Seriously, I have no idea. It was going to be leather anyway, so does it matter????


RSVP $75



Designer: Suede
Inspiration: His fantasy tranny dress! I could have bought this at Rainbow Stores if I really wanted it. Really Suede, is that all that Suede is capable of?


Yves Saint Laurent $680



Designer: Terri
Inspiration: Graffiti. Eh, wasn't orgasmic enough for me!


Miu Miu $344



Designer: Keith, aka I take non-talented self way tooooo seriously
Inspiration: Charmin toilet tissue! I kid, I kid...it was a tattered newspaper, but its really the same thing no? Looks like shit to me.


Givenchy $514


Designer: Jennifer
Inspiration: Her grandmother at age 5???? Had to be something OLD!


Bettye Muller $207.99



Designer: Emily...THE LOSER!
Inspiration: A streak of bright light against the dark night. Its quite possible that the light blinded her and she thought she saw Chiquita Banana in the pic!


Yves Saint Laurent $528


We'll wrap this up again next week. Let me know your thoughts!

The Shoenista Suggests: Strap Ons!!!!

EWWW...nasty! That is so not what I meant. Get your mind out of the gutter!!!!!

So, you know me...cruising the internet for some late Summer finds. Just so YOU know, now is the best time to stock up on shoes for next Spring/Summer season. Why you ask? Well, these are the some of the shoe principles I live by and will share with my fellow "shoe-lings"...

1. Everything is on SALE because stores need to rid themselves of Summer stock. Fall goods are already being sold. It's a great possibility those sandals you've been eyeing all season are at least 50-70% off. Even the ones you thought you'd never be able to afford. View this as an opportunity, an investment even. Just keep your fingers crossed that they still have your size!

2. Next Spring/Summer you'll have new shoes before Spring even starts. So, when you pull them out and throw them on with that hot little dress, your friends won't even know how to fix their faces! You can chock that one up as planning ahead!

3. Everyone will love them and ask you where you got them, but guess what...they won't be selling them anymore because they don't make them anymore! A certain type of exclusivity that I enjoy.

With "The Shoenista Suggests" tidbit out of the way I can now bring you some Strap Happy sale must-haves from ShopBop. I was seriously drooling as I viewed their shoe selection. I must invest in a bib!
Enjoy!

Derek Lam
org $675 sale $337.50
50% off


Allesandro Dell'Acqua
org $960 sale $288
70% off



Banfiz Zambrelli
org $575 sale $172.50
70% off



Jean Paul Gaultier
org $795 sale $238.50
70% off


Donna Karan
org $395 sale 118.50
70% off


The Shoenista's Quote of the Day:
Fashion Law: If the shoe fits, it's ugly. ~Author Unknown

Rubber never looked so good!

Rubber shoes. My first thought of rubber shoes makes my toes cringe. All I can think about are sweaty feet and pretty ugly shoes! But strangely enough, that is not the case, as far as the ugly is concerned...sweaty feet, quite possibly.

Melissa, a Brazilian eco-friendly label who has been producing shoes for the last 25 years, constructs all of their shoes, which they affectionately refer to as "Fashion Accessories", out of plastic. The Melissa shoe brand is heavy on
the artistic asthetic as well as being environmentally concious which makes the branding and designs that much more appealing. Another aspect of their branding which is extraordinarily cool are the collaborations with uber talented artists that bring the most amazing creations to life. Past and current collaborations include, Alexandre Herchcovitch, The Campana Brothers, and Ms. Vivienne Westwood who will be a part of the Winter 08 collection as pictured below.



The newest addition to the collabo roster is none other than reknowed, Iraqi-born female architect, Zaha Hadid. In 2004, she was the first female to be awarded the
Pritzker Architecture Prize, which is the equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the architecture community. Most recently, she has been noted for the Mobile Art structure she created for Chanel to display their merchandise. Now, to add to her long list of accomplishments, shoe designer will be included.



These space-y creations will be available exclusively at London's Dover Street Market this September in 8 different colors. These are definitely a collector's item and sure to go fast! If you're interested I suggest you make some phone calls ASAP!!!

I am going to lock down a few other pairs on the Melissa site. I think I've found another brand to add to my FAV list. I beg you to check out the site...The Shoenista approves!


Quoteable:
“Most reformers wore rubber boots and stood on glass when God sent a current of Commonsense through the Universe”
-Elbert Hubbard

The Other Knowles....Solange

We have all come to know and love (for the most part), Mrs. Beyonce Knowles-Carter. I don't know if that is her married name, but let's just roll with it. We all know Mrs. Tina Knowles...although we'd like to forget her designs...and of course Daddy Knowles, aka Pimp Daddy, literally. But what about Solange? I, for one dig Solange...dare I say I dig her more than Beyonce??? Perhaps.

For the most part I believe that Beyonce's image is completely fabricated. She is an awesome entertainer, but lacks any pizzazz and personality. No, I don't know the chick, but her interviews are just as soothing as a lullaby...guaranteed sleepy time! But Ms. Solange is all sass and spunk and I think she is finally coming into her own. Her style included. She definitely plays up her assests- always donning the cutest strapless short dresses and long and lean pants to show off those shoulders and stems. But the one thing I dig the most is always her off color choice of footwear. It screams personality!

The pics are a little dated, but they are a few of my favorite Solange moments! And if you haven't already...check out her video! Fiyyyaaaahhh!

Event Recap: Shane & Shawn Present "Ladies Night"

Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of attending "Ladies Night" at the Shane & Shawn's shoe emporium on Mulberry St. in NYC, which just happened to be hosted by Jillian Lewis from Season 4 of Project Runway. Jillian possesses a polished, sophisticated style which qualified her as one of my favs along with Miss Honey himself, Christian Siriano, and Rami Kashou.

The event was chock-full of shoe obsessed women looking to score their next fix and a glass of Belvedere to boot!

This label, designed by twin brothers Shane and Shawn, is relatively new to me so I figured I'd do a bit of inquiring within the crowd to get a feel for what the fans, which transcend quite a few age and ethnic backgrounds, had to say. The most common validation related to price. A greater portion of the women I spoke with felt as though they were presented with a product that they liked as well as a price they felt was more than reasonable. FYI, the Ladies shoes range from $130-$230, which include athletic footwear, flats and a variety of pumps (they also produce a Men's Line as well).

Now, I must truthfully admit, I was not completely blown away by the selection of footwear, but what I did appreciate was the attention to detail and comfort. Certain shoes are fashioned with the signature "S&S" heel logos as well as padded insoles...a girls feet could not ask for more!

As I normally say, "someone will love them", and obviously with the fan base demonstrated last evening, it is proven that a few someone's do! By the way, Queen of all Media, Wendy Williams, will be featuring this designing duo on her television talk show Friday, July 25th. I'm sure it is a definite MUST SEE TV event!

Here are a few photos featuring some Shane & Shawn product, my fav- The Belvedere, the event-goers and lookers on. Enjoy!