If you think you’re the next big fashion designer, MTV may give you the chance to prove it if you’re a high school or college fashion designer.
Producers for its newest show, “Fashion High,” are looking for “fabulous, creative and dynamic” high school or college students who are currently studying fashion and are gearing up to show their designs.
You should appear to be at least 15 years old, have a huge personality and want the world to see your work.
To apply, email fashionhigh@mtvstaff.com by May 6, 2008. Include your name, school, grade, city, state, phone number, email address, the best time to reach you, and a parent’s name and phone number.
Also, answer the following questions:
>> How did you get started in fashion and what you have designed so far?
>> What kind of clothing do you make?
Do your friends/parents support you?
Do they like your designs or think you should look into doing something else with your life?
Do you have an arch competitor?
Is there someone you are jealous of because of their talent, but also want to beat in a competition?
Attach a photo of yourself and the clothes you have designed.
U.K.’s Daily Mail is reporting that Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld wants Frances Bean Cobain to appear in his next ad campaign.
Given that Cobain pulled more of her mom Courtney Love’s genes, she’s an unlikely choice, though anything the girl ends up doing is bound to make news.
I really loved, loved her dad Kurt Cobain, what he stood for and his music. After he died I went to Seattle to be at Ground Zero, found his house, shot video, all the usual stalkerazzi stuff. I somehow hoped Frances would grow up to be a rock star and pick up where Kurt left off. I miss all the music he didn’t get to make.
Prada is auctioning designer prototypes from its spring 2008 collection at Prada.com.
Among the first items up for grabs were a delicious plum buckskin bag, rose boot and plum buckskin boot. Currently up for grabs is a quartet of skirts for those willing to pay for truly exclusive items. Prices are running $1,500 in euros, with six days remaining.
ABC Who said the next “American Idol” needs to be a singer? How about a designer? Christian Siriano is a natural.
Missed last week’s return of “Ugly Betty.” I don’t know why but Thursday has to be the most fashionable day of the week because that’s when a lot of parties take place. Last season I had to keep up with Betty and Henry by watching them on Internet.
I’m staying home this week (I think), to catch His Royal Fierceness Christian Siriano as he commands the staff at Mode to, “Worship me, bitches.” Acting? He doesn’t need to act. That is so pure Christian!
Hawaiian Moon photo Judi Loo with her Pomeranian Symba, in matching outfits from Hawaiian Moon.
CNBC has posted a video about the aloha shirt, featuring an interview with Hawaiian Moon owner Aaron Chan.
The story by Mike Hegedus for his “Mike on America” segment is done well, and current in picking up on the idea of ohana dressing, which has extended from mom, pop and kids to include the family dog. It’s a story I wrote last November, and people on the mainland will either laugh at us or start adopting the ohana dressing idea.
CNBC video
Speaking of laughter, did you ever see the Hawaii chair?
Nadine Kam photos Rie Nomura, left, and Harumi Yoshizumi showed up at the opening with their own Anteprima Plastiq purses, purchased 2 and 5 years ago respectively. The plastic wire-mesh purses hold up over time and are great for travel because you can toss them around with little harm done.
Went to the opening of the Anteprima Plastiq boutique at Ala Moana Center Friday morning to see what shiny new purses they’re carrying. I have to admit I didn’t understand the appeal of the knitted wire bags as little as four months ago, but they really grow on a person like a lot of what’s new in fashion.
Who doesn’t love a pony?
Designer Izumi Ogino, who started the Milan-based line, is so creative and adds all kinds of whimsical details to the basic bag forms. Since last season, she’s added a lot of sequin and bead work to her collection. People with more classic tastes were pointing out their favorite bags and asking mine. I’m such a Jekyll/Hyde person that I can veer from the very classic to the goofiest stuff out there, so of course I was drawn to one purse with orange duckies all over, and another Western-style purse with plastic ponies sewn on.
Also checked out the grand opening Hawaii exclusive, a green wire tote with four-leaf clover embellishment. This might be one for the Vegas addicts. Crystals from the clover, interspersed with charms in the shape of horseshoes and lucky 7s. At $690, a purchaser’s gotta be pretty lucky to begin with.
Video over the cash register showed Ogino’s clothing designs. I wish those would come here too. Her garments are simple and pretty with a lot of ease. Perfect for Hawaii.
Next up for Anteprima Plastiq is expansion to Guam, and figures, Las Vegas.
Heading out later, passed by J. Crew, where I saw this cute dress on the manikin. A stylist recently told me she was sorry J. Crew opened here because everyone would discover her little secret as far as finding stylish clothes at relatively affordable prices. I can see why. This metal jacquard Zoey dress is $198, but the way prices have headed, this would easily be $400 to $600 elsewhere.
J. Crew Zoey dress. It’s pinned in the back, so fuller than it appears.
Clothing from dear by Amanda Bynes, available at Steve & Barry’s.
The first Steve & Barry’s retail store in Hawaii will open at 9 a.m. April 25, with a sale. Everything in the store will be priced at $9.98 or less, though my shopping advice is: don’t buy what you don’t need. When prices are this low, it’s all too easy to go overboard. I’ve said before, I really hate the idea of disposable clothing.
Anyway, the retailer, based in New York, is on a roll, set to open 18 stores in coming months, in addition to the 262 stores across the country. Its aims is to offer quality casualwear at 50 percent to 90 percent less than at competing department and specialty stores.
Brand names include Starbury II, a high-performance basketball sneaker co-developed by NBA star Stephon Marbury, as well as Bitten, affordable sportswear created by Sarah Jessica Parker, who challenged “Project Runway’s” designers to come up with separates for the line during the most recent season. The Bitten collection is sold exclusively through Steve & Barry’s, with pieces all priced at $19.98 or less.
Debuting next month will be a line of men’s casualwear created with Laird Hamilton. More on that later.
Opening in town will be Hawaii’s second Anteprima Plastiq boutique at Ala Moana Center’s new expansion.
Belated post from April 13 Japanese Women’s Society Foundation fashion show, “Open Your Tansu.” Been filling in for someone on vacation, so it’s been a grueling three weeks doing two jobs+. Didn’t have much time to edit my video from the show until yesterday, tho’ I don’t know why it’s so pixelly. I swear it’s clear when I’m looking at it direct from camera to computer.
The show opened and closed with dancers from Iona Pear opening and closing a tansu set up on stage. Takeo and Eric Chandler, back from the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, were first on stage to present their 2Couture designs.
After that, students from Chieko Yamaguchi’s Kimono Samba classes showed their creations. Emcee Pamela Young said they were so nervous they couldn’t eat anything before taking their turn on the runway. It’s a big stage when you’re a newbie.
The last time Yamaguchi was here in January, I asked her if any of her students had surpassed her. She laughed and said, “Not yet.” And after seeing her designs, I’d have to agree. From what I could see up close, her work involved more labor than she let on in trying to encourage people to take up needle and thread to transform unused kimono into street-ready, contemporary garments. She conducted a workshop in the days following the show, which had to be extended to allow students to finish their projects.
It was different from a typical fashion show, in which garments are put up for sale, in that none of the Kimono Samba pieces were available for purchase. It’s that whole “teach a man to fish” philosophy geared toward teaching skills others will also be able to pass on over time.
Speaking of passing on good things, I was seated on a table with Audrey and Ed Case, who brought living gardenia plants from Maui for all at the table. Just before Earth Day, it was a thoughtful gesture and good idea to get people to start thinking about green giving and planting as much as possible.
Adore, at Kahala Mall, has just launched its own blog to fill shoppers in on new arrivals, such as these slim, functional card cases and wallets prominently featured in Oprah’s O magazine.
Nadine Kam photos Jennifer Tunoa is Kurenai Yuuhi from “Naruto.”
Back from Kawaii Kon at Hawai’i Convention Center where the cosplayers were out in full, colorful force.
Strangely enough, I was in street clothes and they were looking at me like I was the
odd one. It was noticeable when I was getting names of some people and others were around me doing the “oohh,” purr-y thing. I felt like Dorothy in “Wizard of Oz” when she’s discovered by the Munchkins, who come out of the bushes to check her out. SB photographer Cindy Ellen Russell was there and filled me in: “They think you would be a great cosplayer because you’re tiny like the characters.”Hmm, come to think of it I already have a pink Betsey Johnson dress and corset that looks like a Misa Amane outfit.The event goes on to 9 p.m. April 19 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 if you want to check it out or be checked out.
Kanoe, front, is Suiseiseki from “Rozen Maiden,” with Chani, from left standing, Ursula, Cynthia, Amanda and Blair. Amanda, in red, is Shinku, the main character. Kanoe paid $300 to have his costume made by a dressmaker. I asked him if it felt weird to wear a dress. “Kind of,” he said, “but you get used to it.” Below, the original Shinku and Suiseiseki.
Ashley Silao is Misa Amane of “Death Note.” Her lenses look like one called “Red Wolf” from Exotic.lenses.com’s stock.
Theatrical contact lenses are part of the costume for many. The Contact Lens Co., was among the dealers offering every style and color of lens. The most popular is the white with black pupil “Zombie.” Lenses were selling for $40 to $80. Check out www.exoticlenses.com
I was tempted to get a pair, but I already wear normal lenses and they do need upkeep and cleaning, so I probably wouldn’t unless I had a specific event in mind. The woman there said once a month cleaning is recommended, but that sounded like too little.
In the dealer’s room, Audra Furuichi and Scott Yoshinaga — who I met online at Twitter.com — were behind the table showing their nemu*nemu books and T-shirts. At left, Krystine Nakano helped drum up business by strolling the grounds with a handmade, stuffed version of Anpan on her head. She has really great posture because that pup wasn’t secured. Other people had to tie their animals to their heads. (more…)
