WELCOME!

#31 - Project Runway - Emmett McCarthy Update

Just received my first newsletter from Emmett's website:

http://www.emmettmccarthy.com/

Dear Loretta:

I was so pleased to see all the designers again at the reunion show and at Bryant Park during the taping of the final runway shows during Olympus Fashion Week. Chloé, Daniel, Kara, and Santino put their best work on the runway--I was especially pleased that Chlóe and Kara where there, as they both have become very close friends to me since our bonding experience under the intense scrutiny of the Project Runway cameras last summer. I loved both of their collections and was happy to see Kara get raves afterwards from non other than Womens Wear Daily and Fern Mallis, whom apparently didn't know Kara was the decoy and declared Kara the winner! Kara actually lives a few blocks from my apartment and I talk to her and Chloé almost daily. Chloe showed a passionate collection focusing on luxury fabrics with beautiful and unusual construction.

Chloe's generosity for sharing her experience, insights, and advice regarding my new EMc2 boutique have been incredibly helpful. I also liked Daniel's collection, it amazed me how young and sophisticated he is as a designer. Santino's left behind his television theatrics for his presentation and his designs had both beautiful use of color and silhouette. After the filming, I hosted a cast party at the boutique. It was nice to relax and get to know one another better and, with the cameras finally off, see each other as individuals not TV characters.
Since November, starting my own brand and opening the boutique (more on that later...) has been the most exciting, terrifying, and challenging experience of my life--much worse than wearing that skintight pink shirt during my final episode as a Project Runway contender. My family, friends and colleagues have come out to support me as well as thousands of supporters who have emailed me from all over the country. Thank you, thank you thank you! It's a huge risk but I know I am not alone.
The grand opening is set for March 17--Saint Patrick's Day--wish this Irish lad luck.
much love,

Emmett

For more information and to be put onto my newsletter contact me at www.emmettmccarthy.com and sign up for the news letter.

#30 - Portraits

Here's a little sample of my portrait work:


TILLY THE WONDER DOG:






LITTLE BEAR


SELF-PORTRAIT ala Anime Style (as if I ever would look like this...LOL!)


HUBBY



AKIKO WAKABAYASHI

#29 - Project Runway - Emotional Enema

Good drama offers the audience with a cathartic release of emotions.

That's why we enjoy watching drama so much.

What is a catharsis?

To be blunt... it is an emotional enema... a purging of the emotions.

Wickipedia (of all places!!!) has a pretty good summary if you are seeking a little wisdom today:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharsis

What has this got to do with Project Runway this week?

Plenty!

In the hopes of providing viewing audiences a pre-fashion week catharsis, the producers and writers of Project Runway have created a tell all reunion of the designers in which conflicts are addressed.

Little video vignettes are offered throughout the hour to wrap the viewer into an emotional roller coaster of righteousness at Jafar...oopsie... Santino. The fame hungry one is confronted for his blatant disregard for others' feelings.

Heart strings are laughingly and lovingly tugged as we watch the enigma of Andre dancing down the sidewalks of New York. (My favorite bit was the elapsed time clip of his emotional first assignment... almost 10 minutes of tearful expose'... way to go Andre!!)

The running gag of naughty students doing the "Tim Gunn: Make it Work" imitations.

Zulema's "evil twin" Shebangy (sp?) was introduced... yes, well... whatever...

Lots of glossing over.

Lots of manipulation of the audience.

LOADS.

I walked away from this one unsatisfied and feeling very set up.

The producers/writers of Project Runway making "Nice, nice" before they toss us into Fashion Week.

Me thinks they are angling for the audience to accept Jafar.... oopsie...Santino winning this whole shebang.

After editing him into become evil incarnate for the past several weeks... maybe a little "damage control" so that the audience will accept him?

Nah... doesn't work.

I wanted entertainment, and instead... I really felt my gut wrench as I saw the pain in Diane Eng's eyes as the clip ran of Santino insulting her.

Same goes for Daniel Franco and Santino's cutting remarks.

And I felt embarrassed that the directors allowed Guadelupe to get in front of the cameras in the condition she was in.

What a mess.

Reality television is not about reality... it is about public humiliation by the looks of things.

I have said this before, and I will say it again because it is worth repeating here... I want to see Project Runway developed into a fair and square contest... drop the reality junk and actually just focus on the fashion/ design components. I don't need to know about who thinks what about whom.

Here are some updates from the contestants:

Santino has been doing Red Lobster and Kelly & Regis:

http://santinorice.com/2006/02/red-lobster-time-square.html

http://santinorice.com/2006/02/saran-wrap-and-cabbage-live-with-regis.html

Uncle Nick is off to Torino for the Women's Figure Skating. Long Programs are on tomorrow...YIPPEE!!!

http://nickverrreos.blogspot.com/2006/02/nick-at-olympics.html

If anyone has blogs for other contestants... please, please do leave a link address in the comments here. Thanks!

:)

MORE STUFF:

Here is an EXCELLENT Project Runway Blog:

http://bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com/

#28 - Jafar...oops... Santino Did Not Design This One...

Woman wears live scorpions as part of her wedding garment.

Sorry no pics, but a fascinating read:

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0215ScorpionGown15-ON.html

Project Runway hangover... what can I say?

Pass the Oereos puh-leaze.

#27 - Project Runway: Knickers in a Twist

Thank goodness that I don't make a living making Project Runway predictions!

Jafar... er... Santino is in.

Kara and Daniel stabbed Chloe in the back.

Chloe is in and her head is probably spinning from the assault during judging.

So what do we learn from all of this, kids?

If you are brash, full of hubris, obnoxious and hate women... you get to be a star contestant on Project Runway. Forget the fact that you hardly ever finish a project. And your stuff looks like a Jackson Pollack nightmare.


If you are kind, professional, and consistent, folks will jump all over you.

Well, gosh.

Silly me.

I forgot that this program is not a contest... it is reality television posing as a contest.

You know what I would like to see?

I would like to see the whole darn show gutted, changed to a different station and taken on as a serious endeavor.

Better yet?

Bring back Nick, Andre, Kara and Emmett along with Chloe as hosts and judges.

Go take Michael Kors for a few walks around the block, feed him some ice cream and let him know a sour puss ages your face faster.

Tell Nina Garcia that creative genius without the constraints of compassion grows old fast...

and somebody give Heidi a break to go enjoy her baby.

And that's all I have to say about that.

WHERE ARE THOSE DARN COOKIES???

Oh... one last note...

Final prediction from the misguided tiger here:

Santino is probably going to win.

Cookies, please?

#26 - Project Runway: Uncle Nick Lost & Found

I am slowly climbing out of the "Auf Feidersein" Uncle Nick blues.

Not enough cookies around to fully recover.

But, guess what???

Just when I thought Uncle Nick was lost to the great 15 minute of fame beyond... I found his blog:

http://nickverrreos.blogspot.com/

And more guess what's....

He is doing really fantastic.

Yeah, nice guys do win!

He recently designed a dress for Brenda Strong for the red carpet at the SAG (Screen Actors' Guild) awards:

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7331/2128/1600/US%20Weekly_Brenda%20Strong.3.jpg

Alright, Uncle Nick!!

Too bad his Project Runway Greek heiress Barbie is sold out.

Well, all this happy news means I am going to have to put the cookies away... darn it.

Tonight's Episode Predictions:

I think Santino is going to be OUT.

Why?

Because the guy is posting his Fashion Week outfits on his blog:

http://santinorice.com/2006/02/fashion-week.html

In my humble and terribly uninformed opinion... I don't think he would be doing something like that unless he was bounced out.

In all fairness to Jafar... oopsie... Santino... New York (nymag.com) has posted ALL of the finalists collections.

SPOILER ALERT.. if you don't want to know then don't click below:

CHLOE: http://www.newyorkmetro.com/fashion/fashionshows/2006/fall/main/newyork/womenrunway/chloedao/

DANIEL:
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/fashion/fashionshows/2006/fall/main/newyork/womenrunway/danielvosovic/

KARA:
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/fashion/fashionshows/2006/fall/main/newyork/womenrunway/karajanx/

SANTINO:
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/fashion/fashionshows/2006/fall/main/newyork/womenrunway/santinorice/

#25 - Project Runway: Bye, Bye Uncle Nick

Totally bummed out today because Uncle Nick is "OUT".

I saw it coming, yet, a glimmer of hope that this wouldn't be so.

Nick dressed Daniel in mauve (I think)... which was a boo-boo. And from what Michael Kors stated during judging, a "women's fabric" was used for Daniel's suit.

"Women's fabric"???

That is a new one for me.

I didn't know that we gals had our own fabrics not to be shared with the male of the species.

Go figure.

But, darn it, Uncle Nick, the suit puckered.

I guess the judges didn't care that Jafar's... oopsie... Santino's outfit was strung together with glue, whip stitching, and bullying poor Kara into submission. God forbid that she should like MOVE or anything insignificant like BREATHE!!!!

I mean... what's up with all of this?

I would have liked to see Nick put Daniel V. into some funky retro Beatles outfit circa George Harrison, 1970's... or even earlier.

Darn, darn, darn.

And Santino... what woman who is built like a real woman would want to squeeze herself into a very ill fitting jumpsuit?

Kara would have looked delightful in an evening gown, romantic style, with that beautiful head of hair of hers, piled atop her head with tendrils to soften her face.

But, who asked for my opinion?

Daniel V. already got toastered big time from the judges, so I will spare the tirade on what happened to Chloe?

(She would have looked really cool in some "Juicy" couture style... by the way).

Chloe and Kara both did a fantastic job.

Why?

Um... gee... maybe because they know how to LISTEN?

Just a thought.

Chloe's was the best, though.

First time out making men's clothing, using pinstripes... ai yee ah! and making cute Uncle Nick cuter, but also professional.

Here is Nick's website:

http://www.nikolakidesign.com/

Now, I am going to bum out some more...

ran out of cookies though...

got have cookies for a really good Project Runway hangover.

Til next week...

TA!

#24 - The Mother of All Excuses

Looking to extricate yourself out of an inconvenient obligation?

Try this site for inspiration:

http://members.tripod.com/Madtbone/

#23 - Look! Look! See! See!

I had the best teacher in the world when I was in 6th grade.

He was so wonderful, that I trace my desire to be a teacher directly to this man.

He was kind, he broke up a clique that had spent a few years tormenting me... the skinniest and poorest kid in the class. That was quite a fete.

He thrilled all of us by reading J.R.R. Tolkien and taught us how to write, write, write.

One of his phrases has stuck with me over thirty years later...

LOOK! LOOK! SEE! SEE!

He would write this on the board, tell us to open our eyes, and write this on our school papers when we were not paying attention to the intricacies of what we were learning.

Well, today is a LOOK! LOOK! SEE! SEE! day.

Something new in our world to feast our eyes upon.

Take a peek here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/sci_nat_papua0s_0lost_world0_/html/1.stm

#22 - Project Runaway - Go Green!

Finally, finally... an absoluting wild assignment.

This week Project Runway contestants were told to design a "garden party" outfit using materials purchased at 2 whoelsale florists and a supply shop.

Here are the final designs:
http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway_2/Episodes/Episode_9/Rate_the_Runway/Daniel_V.shtml

I was absolutely rabid during the final judging.

The judges appeared completely clueless to the incredible amount of hurdles the designers had to face for this challenge.

There was a presumption that the designers would know enough about flowers to be able to choose floral pieces that would last overnight and under the hot lighting for the runway.

As I recall, last season... Austin Scarlett designed a whole garment from corn husks only to discover that this wonderful garment SHRUNK overnight!

The designers for this episode were prudent and incredibly innovative.

Not one clunker this week.

Daniel V. won because he pasted orchids on the bodice right before his model hit the runway.

I found his garment to be the most unfinished. The muslin was still showing on the top of the bodice and the straps.

He got the big immunity prize because the judges are floral illeterate.

Didn't they know that the designers were only given $100 to buy FLOWERS IN N.Y.C.?!!!

That amount of money won't buy you much.

I was totally shocked by the beauty of Kira's design and would very much have loved to see her win this challenge.

I have to wonder how much input the producers have on the judges' final decision????

Andrea got "outed".... hmmm... I think the fella has been out for awhile now... but, getting back to his design. I thought his spanish moss dress was perfect. I was truly disappointed to see him go. He has shown diversity, creativity, and he is a very talented designer.

Drats.

Santino redeemed himself by his humorous take on Tim Gunn. I finally retract my earlier Jafar comments. He is very funny. And his design this week showed the talent that he has when he restrains himself a bit.

I like Nick and I am growing concerned that he is going to get himself bounced out. He seems to be slipping downhill with each challenge. He designs clothing that is exquisite for women... TRANSLATION: yeah... I could wear that.

;)

But, last week's episode produced a poorly fitting top that really was "made" by a brooch. He is getting caught in a Greek heiress rut and he has used the same cut skirt hem too many times.

And this week he was skirting (no pun intended) disaster by not having enough supplies to complete his assignment.

In the words of Tim Gunn... "Step it up" Nick!!

Oh well... what to do what to do until next episode.

sigh....

#21 Fun at Wal-Mart

Here is a fun e-mail that I receieved from Jeanine (THANK YOU!)

Things to do at Wal-mart while your spouse/partner istaking their sweet time:

1. Get 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them inpeoples' carts when they aren't looking.

2. Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals.


3. Make a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading tothe ladies rest rooms.

4. Walk up to an employee and tell him/her in anin an official tone, 'Code 3' in house wares and see what happens.

5. Go to the Service Desk and ask to put a bag of M&M'son lay away.


6. Move a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. Set up a tent in the camping department and tell other shoppers you'll invite them in if they'll bring in pillows from the bedding department.

8 When a clerk asks if they can help you, begin to cry and ask,
'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'


9. Look right into the security camera; use it as a mirror,
& and pick your nose..

10. While handling guns in the hunting department, askthe clerk if he knows where the anti- depressants are.

11. Dart around the store suspiciously loudly hummingthe Mission Impossible theme

12. In the auto department, practice your Madonna lookusing different size funnels.


13. Hide in a clothing rack; when people browse through,say PICK ME!

14. When an announcement comes over the loudspeaker,assume the fetal position and scream "NO! NO! It's those voices again!!!!
And last, but not least least.

15. Go into a fitting room and shut the door and wait awhile; and then yell, very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here!"

#20 - Fashion Studio

Project Runway night!

Yippee!

I think Kara is going to be out this week.

Completely unsure of who will win tonight's assignment.

For those of you who enjoy paper dolls and piecing outfits together... here is a fun high tech way of creating your dolls:

http://aolsvc.kol.dolls.kiddonet.aol.com/fashionDesign/create.htm

ENJOY!