Back to Diva Week is This Week's Project Runway Moment

"Back to Divas" week continues with this week's Project Runway nod to the "B".


Given a "make a dress inspired by a teenagers artwork" directive wouldn't you make a mermaid David's Bridal prom piece?

Or as designer contestant Viktor more succinctly put it

"I just hope it doesn’t look like a House of Dereon dress"

Sorry, Viktor, but it just might.

Black is Beauty-ful

With yesterday's announcement that Ethiopian model Liya Kebede is to be the latest face of L'Oreal, another lady of color joins the vast ranks of beauty ambassadors.


L'Oreal for one has Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Freida Pinto in its diverse roster already

(There's nothing "Slum"my about Ms. Pinto's beauty)

Revlon, of course, famously has ageless Halle Berry on board

(Most people would name Halle Berry as the face of Revlon)

Penelope Cruz and Dominican model, Arlenis Sosa are both proud Lacome spokesmodels

(Sosa is anything but so-so)

Estee Lauder showcases diverse beauty is "Ideal" in its new ads with Peaurto Rican model Joan Smalls and Liu Wen from China. 

(Nope, not a Benetton ad; rather an "Idealist" view of beauty)

So my point? When will fashion labels catch up with what beauty labels already know: the more range you show in your ads, the more people you connect with. Fashion is no longer just for pretty white people and with economies emerging in China, India, the Middle East and such, fashion labels have scrambled to open new boutiques there. Why not follow the beauty giants' lead and open themselves up to new markets visually too? 

After all, the only real color that matters in the world of business is green. 

W(TF), Beyonce?

Sometimes the sum is truly greater than the parts. This is a prime example. Let's list the things I'm so-so with here

1. Beyonce. Not crazy in love with her although that "Irreplaceable" song is still my jam. 

2. W Magazine, which can't get the cover right to save its life lately.

3. Givenchy, which has become another casualty in that faux gothic/ punk leather and lace fixation.

But add them all up and this a pretty smashing look for everyone involved. Kudos, kids. Now keep the momentum up!

xo

It Can't All Be Dior

MET Ball? Glad I Went to Kylie

Pouring through the photos of last nite's CFDA Ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I am not feeling love at first sight

(I just won't be able to get this hideous frock out of my head!)

And there was something generally missing from the evening. Where was the pomp? The drama? The art? We're celebrating a man who made a dress out of medical slides here people!

(That's Karen Elson for crikey's sake!)

Some people delivered

(Anna Dello Russo)

(Ashley Olsen and Christian Louboutin)

(Naomi Campbell)

But there were too many meh looks on too many c-listers

(La La got an invite? What was Angie Martinez busy?)

The crowd was thick with folks in their finest Tory Burch, Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors as if they were celebrating Junior prom, not one of the greatest design minds of recent fashion

(Wait - why you there? And why you wearing Tory Burch?)

(Jessica Stam's been practicing her prom queen acceptance speech ever since she picked up her Tommy Hilfiger dress at the mall)

Ok, this  Michael Kors fuchsia number on Brooklyn Decker at least embraced the color trend so strong for Spring but people this is the MET Ball! You can where whatever you want and you're encouraged to be adventurous!

But let's end on a high note (cuz it can't be that the above dress is "ok"). 

Friend of Alexander McQueen and never afraid to take risks Daphne Guinness won the evening as best dressed in McQueen

And really that more than makes up for all the Maxxinistas in the room!