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America's Next Top Model/Project Runway - Nov. 21

We're a little late getting to our recaps of "America's Next Top Model" and "Project Runway" because of Thanksgiving.
But get to it we shall.

"America's Next Top Model"


Sadly, our Jersey Girl, Lisa, was eliminated. Yes, nerves took over when she did her commercial. But the biggest problem was her confidence disappeared. Too bad. Lisa was gorgeous. Hopefully we'll see her somewhere on a runway or magazine doing her thing.

Chantal really proved herself a knockout this week. Cute, young and just charming as heck.

As for audience favorite, Heather, she won the challenge - doing a shoot while flying through the air. But again, speaking in front of a camera proved her undoing. And as Tyra pointed out, even when she was fed the lines, she had problems - a huge problem. Hopefully she can overcome this because her pictures were great.


As for "Project Runway"...

This is really shaping up to be a fun season.

The challenge for the week was to create a look for Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line using a budget of only $15. Talk about realistic!!

Jersey Boy Kevin probably shot himself in the foot when he failed to notice that Sarah Jessica tried to shake his hand after his presentation. Duh!!



But he ended up being teamed with Victorya who designed the winning look. Kudos to both of them - Victorya for her designing chops without a lot of drama, and Kevin for being a good teammate - supportive, quick and adept.l

And boy are the personalities starting to emerge or what?

First, we have Elisa, who is just so out there with her spit marks to "imbibe the energy." Heidi Klum's expression of horror was priceless as was her, "what planet are you from?" Loved that.

And then there was Boy Wonder Christian who is sooo full of himself for such a young lad. Yes, he's talented, but someone needs to be brought down a peg or two. Maybe being in the bottom two will do that.

Did someone say sales?

Tis the season for sales, sales, sales.
Here are some sales and special offers you may not have heard of:

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The Jackson Premium Outlets, 537 Monmouth Rd, in Jackson will open its doors at midnight on Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving).
The Midnight Madness sales , which continue through Sunday, will offer additional discounts on top of the usual outlet savings.
Shoppers can also sign up for free VIP Shopper Club cards by going online at www.premiumoutlets.com/vip.
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Ports 1961 Sample Sale
Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
601 W. 26th St., Suite 875, NYC
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Tracy Reese/Plenty by Tracy Reese Sample and Stock Sale
Nov. 27-29
(8-8 Tues. and Wed.; 10-6 Thurs.)
145 W. 18th St., NYC
212-388-0339

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TSE Sample Sale
Dec. 2-6, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Soiffer Haskin
317 W. 33rd St., NYC
(917) 606-6795
(sorry, no strollers permitted)

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Echo/Monsac Sample Sale
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and Dec. 3-8
(weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
75 Oxford Dr.; Moonachie, NJ
Bags, scarves, gloves
Admission is free.
(201) 994-0444; www.echodesign.com

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Banana Republic and Goodwill Industries are joining forces for the Share the Warmth initiative this season. From Dec. 6-12, Banana Republic shoppers who donate a "gently used" sweater at any Banana Republic Store will receive 30% off a new sweater (except for the cashmere sweaters). All donations support local Goodwill job training and career services to help people in the community find good jobs.

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James Jeans Sample Sale (women's and men's)
Dec. 4-7
(10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tues. through Thurs.; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday)
James Lounge
500 Greenwich St., #202, NYC
(betw. Canal and Spring street)
212-221-4603

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What's New ....

Here's a look at some of the new products (and related launch activities) coming to a store near you.

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Erin Fetherston is the latest designer to create a limited edition collection for Target.
Fetherston's collection, which launched on Sunday, is part of Target's GO program which produces affordably priced lines by world renowned designers. Fetherston, a California native now based in Paris, has become one of the hotter new designers on the scene.

Her line for Target will be available through December.

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Cosabella, one of the leading designers of intimate apparel, is launching its first designer collaboration with designer Carmen Marc Valvo. The new collection, to be called Carmen Marc Valvo by Cosabella, is described as a collection of rich and seductive luxury lingerie inspired by the dresses and gowns featured in Carmen Marc Valvo’s eveningwear and couture collections. A capsule collection will debut for Holiday / Resort 2008 followed by a complete collection in Spring 2009.

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Supermodel and activist Petra Nemcova will appear on Dec. 1 at two different Ann Taylor stores in New Jersey to promote the launch of Ann Taylor's first fine fragrance, possibilities. Nemcova is the face of the new collection.

Petra will appear from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Ann Taylor at the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus; and from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Ann Taylor in the Mall at Short Hills.

As part of Ann Taylor's partnership with the supermodel, $2 from every possibilities purchase until the end of the year will be donated to Petra’s personal charity, the Happy Hearts Fund, which supports children of natural disasters worldwide.

Possibilities is described as a unique and contemporary floral fragrance, featuring keynote scents of Bulgarian Rose, Waterlily, Blue Rose, Peach Musk and Exotic Woods. Possibilities will be available in Ann Taylor stores nationwide and at www.anntaylor.com, with prices ranging from $20 - $62.

American Music Awards - The Fabulous and the Almosts

Nothing like an awards show to check out plenty of fashion fabulousness.

The best looks, among the ladies, were metallics - silver and gold - and short. But length is key. What looks right for a twentysomething can be a tad too short on a thirtysomething. Ladies, take note.

And for those opting for long, there were some winners here, too.

Here's a look.


Alicia Keys.
We're loving the new, girlie look. Aren't you?


Ashanti.
The long gown was a tad out of place for the red carpet here, but she did look gorgeous in it.



Ashley Tisdale.
Our Jersey Shore Girl is working it.


Beyonce.
The mermaid gown she wore onstage is gorgeous. Yes, it's too snug at the hips; the gown draws your focus there to her detriment, I think. But that's her thing and she's gorgeous enough to pull it off. But take a close look, ladies. This is NOT a look for everyone. The hips don't lie!


Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.
If you're gonna do the look, do the look in an interesting way. Kudos to them for not just doing the t-shirt with a chain thing.



Carrie Underwood.
Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.



Christina Applegate.
Thirtysomethings out there, take note of the length. Bringing it to just above the knee instead of mid thigh is a more appropriate look. It's still sexy but you won't look silly. By contrast, going below the knee as Avril did, is too long and will just look frumpy.


Queen Latifah.
We weren't crazy about her red carpet look, but the onstage gown was fabulous. And we love the new hair, too.



Mel B.
Why they called this Spice Girl the Scary one is beyond me now. The dress is a tad on the shorter twentysomething side, but hey, she's working it so give her props.


Rihanna.
We hated her red carpet Mad Max dress. But this Zac Posen gown is gorgeous.



Vanessa Hudgens.
Looking good Miss Vanessa.

And the Fashion Fund winner is ...

... Rogan Gregory of Rogan.

Gregory, of the socially and ecologically conscious labels Edun and Loomstate, was named the winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award. The award, which comes with $200,000, includes a year of mentoring from an industry executive. Past winners Doo-Ri Chung, Trovata and Proenza Schouler's Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough.

Runners-up for this year were Phillip Lim of 3.1 Phillip Lim and jewelry designer Philip Crangi. Both will receive $50,000, as well as mentoring.

The winners were announced Thursday at the 7th on Sale gala in the 69th Regiment Armory here, which benefited the CFDA/Vogue Initiative for HIV/AIDS.

Loomstate is a line of t-shirts and jeans made from organic cotton. Edun is his fashion line produced with Bono and his wife, Ali, that is designed to bring trade and jobs to poor areas in Africa, Peru and India.


Finalists were selected from 101 applications. They were: Scott Sternberg of Band of Outsiders, Erin Fetherston, Gabriel Asfour, Angela Donhauser and Adi Gil of Threeasfour, Nunthirat Koi Suwannagate of Koi, Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava, Michael Bastian and Victoria Bartlett of VPL. Beginning this year, all finalists will receive mentoring and support from the CFDA's business advisory committee.

Notables on the selection committee were CFDA president and noted designer Diane von Furstenbergl CFDA executive director Steven Kolb and associate director Lisa Smilor; Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and fashion news director Sally Singer; Barneys New York vice president and fashion director Julie Gilhart; Jeffrey president Jeffrey Kalinsky; Theory president and founder Andrew Rosen; Coach president and executive creative director Reed Krakoff, and Gap executive vice president of design Patrick Robinson.

The fund is sponsored by Gap and underwritten by Liz Claiborne Inc., Lord & Taylor, L'Oreal Paris, Barneys New York, Coach, Juicy Couture, Kellwood Co., Nordstrom, Theory and Vogue.