Children's & Teen Fashion
- Project Runway New Season Debuts
- High Fashion Looks in CosmoGirl
- Retro Bathing Suits: Summer Trend
- Yellow is Trendy Color for Summer
Project Runway New Season Debuts
Posted by
Lindsey Michelle
Lindsey Michelle
The majority of the fifth season contestants of Project Runway are younger than the past seasons, mostly in their 20s.
On Wednesday, July 16, the fifth season of Project Runway debuted on Bravo. The sixteen contestants once again congregated in New York City to be mentored by Tim Gunn and judged by host Heidi Klum, designer Michael Kors, Elle Editor-at-Large Nina Garcia (according to press, she was fired from Elle and is now working for Marie Claire) and one guest judge per episode -- the first was Season One contestant Austin Scarlett.
The first challenge was a copy of a Season One challenge in which the designers had to create an outfit using items bought at a grocery store.
There was a serious lack of creativity amongst these designers -- far too many of them opted to make dresses out of tablecloths. The winner of the challenge was the one very original and very cute dress, with a skirt made from bleached vacuum bags and a "hook and eye" back closure that was really a spiral notebook edge.
What would you create?
My idea would be a ballgown skirt created from wax paper and then covered with big and small marshmallows. Then a little sweater made from wax paper and completely covered with white rice (to look like beads or pearls). If a little color was needed, perhaps some LifeSaver buttons. I think it's fun when they use edible ingredients.
The first challenge was a copy of a Season One challenge in which the designers had to create an outfit using items bought at a grocery store.
There was a serious lack of creativity amongst these designers -- far too many of them opted to make dresses out of tablecloths. The winner of the challenge was the one very original and very cute dress, with a skirt made from bleached vacuum bags and a "hook and eye" back closure that was really a spiral notebook edge.
What would you create?
My idea would be a ballgown skirt created from wax paper and then covered with big and small marshmallows. Then a little sweater made from wax paper and completely covered with white rice (to look like beads or pearls). If a little color was needed, perhaps some LifeSaver buttons. I think it's fun when they use edible ingredients.
High Fashion Looks in CosmoGirl
Posted by
Lindsey Michelle
Lindsey Michelle
Eight pages in August's CosmoGirl! are devoted to high-end designers.
Teen magazine CosmoGirl! routinely features clothes and beauty products that are appropriate for a high school or college student's budget and wardrobe.
But as a treat in the August issue, eight pages are devoted to "The Influencers", looks by high-end fashion designers including sheer fabrics by Issey Miyake, a taffeta party dress by Alexander McQueen and plaid tartan by Dolce and Gabbana.
These aren't exactly back-to-school clothes but they are, indeed, influential and inspriring.
But as a treat in the August issue, eight pages are devoted to "The Influencers", looks by high-end fashion designers including sheer fabrics by Issey Miyake, a taffeta party dress by Alexander McQueen and plaid tartan by Dolce and Gabbana.
These aren't exactly back-to-school clothes but they are, indeed, influential and inspriring.
Retro Bathing Suits: Summer Trend
Posted by
Lindsey Michelle
Lindsey Michelle
The "new" look for bathing suits in 2008 is decidedly old-fashioned.
For some reason or other, fashion magazines love to place bathing suits in separate categories in fashion features. Standard categories include "floral", "girlie", "trendy", but one that has shown up repeatedly for summer 2008 is "retro".
Among others, the June issue of British Glamour featured retro swimsuits. The look has been spotted in collections of high-end designers and trickled down to affordable stores such as the GAP and H&M.
What makes a swimsuit "retro"? It can be either a bikini or a one-piece. The most popular print seems to be polka-dots, either in 1950s black and white or nautical navy and white. Other patterns have a more colorful, 1960s/Pucci vibe.
Retro bathing suits generally have more coverage than their modern counterparts, be it a boy-short bikini or one-piece tankini/boy short duo.
My appreciate for retro swimwear started with the 1959 film Gidget. Though Gidget's friends wore some questionable bikinis (one of the bikini bottoms seriously resembles a diaper), Gidget's one-pieces were cute and sporty.
When I was a kid, I was ectastic to find two Gidget-inspired bathing suits. Both were one-pieces, with the bottom resembling boy-shorts. One was bright yellow (wouldn't that be good for this season?) with yellow embossed stars; the other was bright blue with a flat, plastic flower over one of the straps. I wore them both frequently. The only reason I started to wear them less was when I found a new style -- long-sleeved surfer bathing suit tops that, even though I don't surf, protect much better from the sun (I recommend these -- they also help in adjusting to a cool pool or a hot jacuzzi). Paired with boy shorts or bikini bottoms, they're very flattering and protective... because as much as we all want to be retro, some things (like the sun's sharp rays) make us change.
Among others, the June issue of British Glamour featured retro swimsuits. The look has been spotted in collections of high-end designers and trickled down to affordable stores such as the GAP and H&M.
What makes a swimsuit "retro"? It can be either a bikini or a one-piece. The most popular print seems to be polka-dots, either in 1950s black and white or nautical navy and white. Other patterns have a more colorful, 1960s/Pucci vibe.
Retro bathing suits generally have more coverage than their modern counterparts, be it a boy-short bikini or one-piece tankini/boy short duo.
My appreciate for retro swimwear started with the 1959 film Gidget. Though Gidget's friends wore some questionable bikinis (one of the bikini bottoms seriously resembles a diaper), Gidget's one-pieces were cute and sporty.
When I was a kid, I was ectastic to find two Gidget-inspired bathing suits. Both were one-pieces, with the bottom resembling boy-shorts. One was bright yellow (wouldn't that be good for this season?) with yellow embossed stars; the other was bright blue with a flat, plastic flower over one of the straps. I wore them both frequently. The only reason I started to wear them less was when I found a new style -- long-sleeved surfer bathing suit tops that, even though I don't surf, protect much better from the sun (I recommend these -- they also help in adjusting to a cool pool or a hot jacuzzi). Paired with boy shorts or bikini bottoms, they're very flattering and protective... because as much as we all want to be retro, some things (like the sun's sharp rays) make us change.
Yellow is Trendy Color for Summer
Posted by
Lindsey Michelle
Lindsey Michelle
Exploring the influx of yellow clothing for summer.
I've never been a fan of yellow. Thinking back on my wardrobe from childhood until now, I can't recall any pieces of yellow clothing. Not only did I not care for the color, I always thought yellow looked best on darker skin tones (not me -- I'm at the far end of the pale spectrum.)
But it's hard to ignore the magazines that are suddenly featuring yellow clothing like there's no tomorrow (it's the new summer trend, along with purple makeup). It felt only right to write an article about yellow children's and teen clothing -- and to my surprise, when researching (a very serious term for browsing online stores!) I found many options that I actually liked. Each of the dresses and tops that I featured in the article are pieces I genuinely like. I can't say I purchased any of them, but I did admire.
I think a big key to yellow it what you pair it with. I prefer to see it with neutrals, such as brown and gray, rather than other candy colors. And you'll notice that all the pieces I listed are simple fabrics, such as cotton. Yellow feathers, fluff or marabou is just too Big Bird!
But it's hard to ignore the magazines that are suddenly featuring yellow clothing like there's no tomorrow (it's the new summer trend, along with purple makeup). It felt only right to write an article about yellow children's and teen clothing -- and to my surprise, when researching (a very serious term for browsing online stores!) I found many options that I actually liked. Each of the dresses and tops that I featured in the article are pieces I genuinely like. I can't say I purchased any of them, but I did admire.
I think a big key to yellow it what you pair it with. I prefer to see it with neutrals, such as brown and gray, rather than other candy colors. And you'll notice that all the pieces I listed are simple fabrics, such as cotton. Yellow feathers, fluff or marabou is just too Big Bird!