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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.

Fashion night on TV - America's Next Top Model and Project Runway

Whoo hoo!

Wednesday has become fashion night on the telly.

We started at 8 p.m. with Miss Tyra and company on "America's Next Top Model" and then sashayed over to "Project Runway" at 10 p.m. And I know some of you probably also checked out the looks on the tres hot show of the moment "Gossip Girl".

So here's our take on last night's festivities.

This new season "Project Runway" looks very promising. The level of talent is very strong. No more hobbyists; these are designers, most of whom are already working in the business. Elisa has the wacky designer tag for this season. But I already love the affable Chris March (please give them some wacky challenge so we can see him do his magic). And our Jersey Boy, Kevin Christiana, looks like he may have staying power, too, though I'm already tired of the "I'm straight" shtick. The top two for this week certainly look like they'll be around for a while.




Rami, this week's challenge winner





and runner up Christian Siriano, who may be the youngest, but is extremely talented ... and hilariously snarky.













"America's Next Top Model" showed some interesting shifts in dynamic among the top models on "Top Model."

Heather, America's sweetheart and one of the frontrunners, had a bad week - stumbling through lines she had to speak on the runway and then just not being totally on for the final shoot.

And yet, her shots weren't bad. They weren't great but they weren't bad. Let's hope she pulls herself together.

Frontrunners for this week were:


Jena


and Bianca. Watch out for this one.




As for our Jersey Girl, she faded into the woodwork this week. Let's hope she pulls it together or she could be on her way home.

7th on Sale - Shopping for a Cause

We told you this was the season for serious sales.

Here's another notable one that you don't have to travel for and it's for a good cause, too!

7th on Sale, the largest online charity sale of designer and celebrity-owned merchandise benefiting AIDS/HIV charities, begins tomorrow (Nov. 15) offering designer items at dramatically reduced prices.

7th on Sale is sponsored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), VOGUE magazine, eBay, Kenneth Cole Productions, M.A.C AIDS Fund, Marc Jacobs International, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Topshop. Items on sale include those donated from celebrities such as Fergie, Oprah, Demi Moore and Zooey Deschanel.

All proceeds will benefit AIDS and HIV charities. The M.A.C. AIDS Fund will match every dollar raised from the online auctions up to $500,000. In 2005, 7th on Sale raised $1.7 million to fight HIV/AIDS.

You have two ways to shop 7th on Sale.

If you want to shop in person, you can visit the 69th Regiment Armory, Lexington Ave. and 26th Street, in New York City where items will be on sale from Nov. 16-18. Prices are 70 percent below retail.

You can also shop online through ebay for web exclusives with prices starting bids will be as much as 90 percent below retail. Shoppers can start bidding on items on ebay Nov. 15 through Dec. 6 at www.7thonsale.ebay.com/ And you can look for new seven-day auctions every day.

Designers represented on ebay will include:

(pictured)
• Diane Von Furstenberg (Retail price: $1,400; Starting bid: $140)





















• Ralph Lauren
• Doo.Ri Chung
• Dolce & Gabbana
• Carolina Herrera


(pictured)
* Kenneth Cole (Retail Price: $298; Starting Bid: $29.80)
























• Donna Karan
• Calvin Klein
• Michael Kors
• Derek Lam
• Oscar de la Renta
• Phillip Lim
• Thakoon Panichgul

Showroom Sample Sale - Denise Williamson

There are a lot of great events coming up this week including - fanfare please - showroom sales.

Now as any savvy shopper knows, the New York showrooms are a haven of great gets with prices offered at up to 75 percent off retail. It's all a matter of finding out which showroom is selling its samples and when.

The Denise Williamson Showroom in New York City is having a sample sale of looks from Spring 2007. Labels represented include Thread Social, Nili Lotan, Ulla Johnson and Cindy Lee.

The sale opens to the public on Thursday and runs through Saturday at the showroom, 119 Mercer Street (between Prince and Spring Streets) , Loft 2S, in the SOHO section of New York City.

Hours are:

Thursday, November 15th 8:30am - 7:30pm
Friday, November 16th 8:30am - 7:30pm
Saturday, November 17th 11:00am - 6:00pm

Cash, Mastercard, & Visa accepted.

The Weight Issue on America's Next Top Model - Nov. 7

The fact that our Jersey Girl - Lisa , triumphed again this week and that viewer favorite - Heather, continued with her frontrunner status seemed almost a sidenote this week given the issue that was the real elephant in the room - Weight.

In case you missed it, Heather fainted from not eating.

And then there was Sarah who was eliminated because, as a plus sized model, she seemed to have lost weight and was getting too thin. Talk about a strange dichotomy. I'm guessing that Sarah probably went from a size 12/14 to a size 8/10 - too big for a regular model but oddly enough, too small to do plus sized. Too bad, because Sarah was definitely stronger than the amiable but floundering Ambreal.

But the weight issue needs some serious focus on "America's Next Top Model."

We would suggest that this is another issue Miss Tyra needs to seriously address on the show - how to work in the modeling industry while eating healthy. Certainly the show would be doing a major public service, not just to the millions of young women who watch the show and dream of being a supermodel, but to the thousands of models currently working in the industry.

You may recall that about a year ago, the weight of models was a big issue with fashion councils from Britain to Spain making declarations about what needed to be done. The New York-based Council of Fashion Designers of America even held a press conference to discuss the issue, promising that it would work with industry leaders to promote a healthier lifestyle and image for models. The plans were to include seminars and other programs, as well as encouraging designers to speak up when encountering models that are dangerously thin.

I can't say I've seen much evidence of any of these special programs or seminars. Maybe I missed the announcements about the special programs and seminars.

Weight is a tricky subject. As someone who has covered the dance and now the fashion worlds, I know that not every thin woman is unhealthy. There are plenty of women out there who eat like a horse and don't gain an ounce.

But I also know that body image is a problem and that young women can easily fall into bad habits when it comes to diet because they feel a need to get thinner to compete - for a special role in "The Nutcracker" or for a chance to be considered for the highest levels of modeling jobs such as walking the runway during New York's Fashion Week.

Fashion Show Fundraiser at Brookdale

Students from Brookdale Community College's Fashion Society will present the Fall 2007 fashion show, "Fashionably Yours" to benefit The Next Generation Foundation to raise breast cancer awareness. The event will be held Saturday, November 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Warner Student Life Center Navesink rooms, which is located on the main Lincroft campus.

All proceeds from the $10 ticket sales, available at the door, will be donated to help the organization create student scholarships via a written essay on breast cancer awareness. "Through this participation, we believe students will take an active stand in the fight for a cure. The earlier individuals become involved, more advances will be made to find a cure," said Deans Fumando, the Foundation's president.

The Fashion Society models will show clothing from Ciao Bella, Asbury Park and Lord & Taylor, Monmouth Mall, Eatontown. Adding to the fun will be costumes from Halloween Express, East Brunswick.

In addition to the fashions, the event will also include performances by The Icon Dance Company, Manalapan (in choreography by Geo Hubela). Music for the event will be provided by Inferno DJ Services.

Local Brookdale students involved in the production include event producer, Christina Pucciarelli - Matawan, Jessica Ricany - Toms River, Melanie Barilla - Jackson, Christine Lewis - East Brunswick, Ashley Arico - Seaside Park, Irene Graham - Middletown, Kristin Fox - Toms River, Toccara Scott - Neptune, Rita Zaret - Marlboro, Shaniqua Williams - Old Bridge, Shanel Kenney - Howell and Brittany Hardy - Neptune.

Refreshments available for purchase have been donated by Skylark Fine Diner & Lounge, Edison and ShopRite, Manchester.

For more information regarding the event, contact Marilyn Ryder at 732-224-2553.

New Tommy Hilfiger Book Celebrates Americana

Hot Dogs. Dagwood. Elvis. Mickey Mouse. The Statue of Liberty.
The one thing they have in common is that they're as American as apple pie and identifiable iconic images of our culture.
Now, designer Tommy Hilfiger has published a book that celebrates these and other iconic images. Called "Iconic America: A Roller-Coaster Ride Through the Eye-Popping Panorama of American Pop Culture", Hilfiger's book, created with advertising guru George Lois, celebrates the beautiful as well as the tragic.
"From the very beginning my design has been about what's American, what inspires,'' Hilfiger says in press materials announcing the book. "There is so much in America to be proud of and to enjoy so I thought it would be a good idea to put it all together and put it all in one book."
The coffee table book is published by Universe (an imprint of Rizzoli New York) and sells for $60.
To coincide with the launch of the book, Hilfiger has designed a unique collection of t-shirts ($52) and sweatshirts ($75-$100). The collection will be sold in select Tommy Hilfiger stores around the world.
Also, in addition to a grant form the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation, Hilfiger will donate $5 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for every copy of the book and each item from the collection sold at Hilfiger stores. Fifty percent of that will go towards helping children internationally and 50 percent will go towards educating American children about the world, according to a press release.

Fortunoff Shop and Give Event Nov. 1-4

The Fortunoff Shop and Give charity shopping event starts today.

Shoppers can purchase a $10 ticket that enables them to 15 percent off most purchases throughout the entire store. One hundred percent of proceeds from the ticket sales will be distributed among participating charities including the Libby Ross Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Shop and Give event will also include free instore demonstrations and tastings.