The flier likened it to WWD meets WWF, but the Style Wars event at Cinespace on Tuesday night was more like Iron Chef meets Martha Stewart's Craft Corner - on crack.
I've got some styling work and a jewelry line under my belt, but the people I competed against were "real" designers and I think they took it all a lot more seriously than I did. Most wore open pins on their person, and the gal who beat me (yes, I lost) actually wore her supplies in her hair!
We had 5 minutes to create a look based on various themes, mine was Bauhaus (the art movement, not the band), and damn, those minutes sure went fast. Thankfully, former Style Councilor Steffie Nelson was in the audience and I enlisted her help on stage.
Unfortunately, we were up against the only gal who had done it before and she meant business (hence the hair above). She actually traveled all the way from San Francisco to compete. Hardcore.
Regardless of my loss, my glitter-queen number (made out of an old '70's empire waist disco halter and a sequined skirt, with added help from an ugly, plus-size thrift store dress Divine might have worn) got some great response from the judges. Project Runway winner Jeffrey Sebelia actually applauded my " creative foresight" and said my frock was more wearable than my competitor's.
Alas, over-the-top trumps everything in this crazy competition.
Had I made it to the next round (incorporating kitchen supplies) I would have totally creamed everyone though. My hubby's a chef and I was gonna use his food safety gloves to make an amazing sash!
Ultimately, the right person won the freaky fash-bash. Designer Paul Magalad worked it, turning a dress into a jumpsuit, and re-creating a wedding dress by turning it upside down, fashioning a frock that could've easily passed for some marvelous Alexander McQueen-type monstrosity.
"Now I can pay last month's rent!" he said of his win. No big shocker- the life of a fashion designer may be fabulous, but like that of a freelance writer, it's definitely feast or famine.
Look for lots more wild behind-the-scenes scoop from Style Wars in next week's edition of Nightranger, and check out this week's column for reports on the Viper Room, the new speakeasy called 86, and more.
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Comments
There are 4 comments posted for this article.
lina lecaro is the best designer. I love her FABULOUS collection.
ELIZABETHTHUYTIEN.COM
Posted on November 29, 2007 1:12 PM by Elizabeth thuytien
You rock!!!! You should have won that night. Love the gown, model and your complete runway look!
Posted on November 29, 2007 1:44 PM by Jeff Corwin
I feel your pain. I made a newspaper dress in five minutes and lost to a tutu.
Oh and I would love some press about my dresses.
Send me an email so we can chat, Im also a photographer.
Payam
Posted on December 2, 2007 3:53 PM by Payam Emrani
hey!
domini ( the chick from SF) checking in. I only now found this, and i'm sorry it took so long. I thought your entry was lovely and i'm sorry i nixed your chances of going further. There was so much talent there...
I just got back from the finals in NYC ( apparantly they like watching me lose?) and they were awesome. Stay tuned to HoD for more interesting developments in the future. It's not over until you WANT it to be over.
xo
Posted on May 12, 2008 3:49 PM by domini