BPR Field Reporter, Rie Sadler was at the event last night and sends us this report - thanks Rie! The 2nd annual "Beauty is Skin Deep" fashion show presented by Miss Sinergy was held at the La Maison Francaise at the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2011, to benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation. The show featured several pieces from a number of different designers, including Malan Breton, Stephen Mikhail, Maggie Norris, Timo Weiland, and DarBeDar by Tala Raassi.
Everything from swimwear to couture was shown. Will Thomas, weekend news anchor for Fox 5 in Washington, was the Master of Ceremonies, and special guests included Carson Kressley from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "How to Look Good Naked", Cat Ommaney from "Real Housewives of Washington DC", and Lucy Sykes Rellie, former fashion director at Marie Claire Magazine. Socialite Alexa Winner was the official stylist of the event. Kari Erskine, wife of Washington Capital's defenseman John Erskine, was a featured model.
Malan showed several selections from both his men's and women's lines, including the alligator print kimono he featured during his Fall 2011 show just a few weeks ago in New York.
The Skin Cancer Foundation was founded in 1979 and has set the standard for educating the public as well as the medical profession about skin cancer, its prevention by means of of sun protection, the need for early detection, and prompt, effective treatment. It is the only international organization devoted solely to combating the world's most common cancer, now occurring at epidemic levels. Many designers who donated their time, including Malan, have had loved ones who have suffered the effects of skin cancer.
BPR Field Reporter, Rie Sadler was at the event last night and sends us this report - thanks Rie! The 2nd annual "Beauty is Skin Deep" fashion show presented by Miss Sinergy was held at the La Maison Francaise at the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2011, to benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation. The show featured several pieces from a number of different designers, including Malan Breton, Stephen Mikhail, Maggie Norris, Timo Weiland, and DarBeDar by Tala Raassi.
Everything from swimwear to couture was shown. Will Thomas, weekend news anchor for Fox 5 in Washington, was the Master of Ceremonies, and special guests included Carson Kressley from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "How to Look Good Naked", Cat Ommaney from "Real Housewives of Washington DC", and Lucy Sykes Rellie, former fashion director at Marie Claire Magazine. Socialite Alexa Winner was the official stylist of the event. Kari Erskine, wife of Washington Capital's defenseman John Erskine, was a featured model.
Malan showed several selections from both his men's and women's lines, including the alligator print kimono he featured during his Fall 2011 show just a few weeks ago in New York.
The Skin Cancer Foundation was founded in 1979 and has set the standard for educating the public as well as the medical profession about skin cancer, its prevention by means of of sun protection, the need for early detection, and prompt, effective treatment. It is the only international organization devoted solely to combating the world's most common cancer, now occurring at epidemic levels. Many designers who donated their time, including Malan, have had loved ones who have suffered the effects of skin cancer.
BPR Field Reporter, Nancy T attended Malan Breton's show this morning and sends us this report. Thank you Nancy!
Malan Breton doesn't hold fashion shows -- he holds events. Last season's collection featured a pas de deux in Paris. The Fall 2011 season's culmination: a Japanese wedding. Malan's events are always memorable and beautiful.
As befitting a fashion show culminating in a wedding, the styles this time seemed (for the most part) to signal seriousness and commitment. The inspiration was classical Japanese kimonos and obis, with nary a trace of contemporary Japanese design. Styling was more formal and tailored than in Malan's previous collections, though Breton stayed with luxurious silks and wools. The collection consisted of monochromatic pieces with a dramatic palette of black, white, and jewel tones. The men were dressed for work in the pre-casual-Friday era. Most of the womens' outfits were modest and appropriate for all ages.
But, Malan always throws in a few curves to keep it interesting. This time, it was the use of unusual materials on several pieces -- an alligator suit here, a red sequin trouser there, lace pajama suit (for the honeymoon?) and a skirt made of duck feathers. And, the event ended with Malan's friends ready for their wedding. The couple looked radiant: Baron wore an alligator kimono and wool suit, Irina wore a ruby silk wedding dress. The outfits might look bizarre at a wedding at a 21st Century Kyoto shrine, but were divine here in Manhattan.
BPR Field Reporter, Nancy T attended Malan Breton's show this morning and sends us this report. Thank you Nancy!
Malan Breton doesn't hold fashion shows -- he holds events. Last season's collection featured a pas de deux in Paris. The Fall 2011 season's culmination: a Japanese wedding. Malan's events are always memorable and beautiful.
As befitting a fashion show culminating in a wedding, the styles this time seemed (for the most part) to signal seriousness and commitment. The inspiration was classical Japanese kimonos and obis, with nary a trace of contemporary Japanese design. Styling was more formal and tailored than in Malan's previous collections, though Breton stayed with luxurious silks and wools. The collection consisted of monochromatic pieces with a dramatic palette of black, white, and jewel tones. The men were dressed for work in the pre-casual-Friday era. Most of the womens' outfits were modest and appropriate for all ages.
But, Malan always throws in a few curves to keep it interesting. This time, it was the use of unusual materials on several pieces -- an alligator suit here, a red sequin trouser there, lace pajama suit (for the honeymoon?) and a skirt made of duck feathers. And, the event ended with Malan's friends ready for their wedding. The couple looked radiant: Baron wore an alligator kimono and wool suit, Irina wore a ruby silk wedding dress. The outfits might look bizarre at a wedding at a 21st Century Kyoto shrine, but were divine here in Manhattan.
Project Runway season 5 designer, Kenley Collins is singing in a 50's inspired rock band called Jetblack Bullseye. Catch a performance on December 9th at The Trash Bar.
Malan Breton and Jack Mackenroth are among the stars featured tonight at "A Very Mary Holiday". Tickets are still available. Click here for more information.
For his Spring 2011 collection, Malan Breton returned to classic film and music. This time, the muse was "An American in Paris." The Chelsea Symphony performed Gershwin's symphony as men, women, and a poodle paraded or danced down the runway. Side Note: I was in Paris this summer. I WISH the Americans or the Parisians looked so cool, collected, and classy. When I wore a skirt there, I felt overdressed. Ah -- to live in older days, or in the movies!
Malan's womenswear designs were timeless and ageless, appropriate for anyone who wants to look stylish but not fussy. The colors were simple and spring-like, with blueberry, yellow, and red mixed in with the classic black and white. Menswear was more flamboyant and daring. And typical for Malan, almost everything was made of a luxurious silk.
Two classic Hollywood-style dance performances provided smoothly transitions between menswear and womenswear sections of the runway show. The models, dancers, and orchestra maintained their carefree personas even when the fire alarm went off during part of the show.
I could say more, but the video will better convey the beautiful simplicity of Malan's creations. My apologies that the color was not rendered as brilliant as on the runway, especially for the yellow attire. Note: two of the looks (two onyx Audrey Hepburn-style dresses including the next to last runway look) are scheduled to be available at fashionstake.com on September 29, 2010.
The front row audience included actress Denise Richards. I sat just behind Project Runway alum Diana Eng, who will have some new items available this fall.
Field Reporter Nancy T was on site at the Project Runway event in New York today and sends us these photos. Nancy is the "NY Reality Television Examiner," and her full report is here.
Project Runway season three designer Malan Breton partied at Danielle Staub's New Year's Eve Party at China Club in NYC.
Click here to enter a contest to win a Christian Siriano-designed bag from myLifetime.com.
More about Nicole Richie as guest judge of the season seven premiere at TVGuide.com. A highlight: "Nicole is a fabulous guest judge," Runway executive producer Sara Rea told the magazine. "She has strong opinions and gives clear and specific constructive criticism to the designers. Also, she isn't afraid to disagree with the other judges."
Reports are coming in from Nick Verreos's trip to Washington DC. Here is a story from the Washington Examiner where Nick names the SECOND lady of fashion in DC.
Here is an account from "The Capitol Fashionista."
More here from "Convince Me DC." A highlight: Nick is working on a deal with QVC...
Click here for a new interview with Christopher Straub.
Click here for a Smithsonian Channel video of Tim Gunn. Before you watch, ask yourself what Project Runway item do you think deserves a place in The Smithsonian?
Malan Breton Homme is featured in the current issue of BlackBook Magazine.
