Designer, Chardon native Blake Patterson on Project Runway

The 14th season of Lifetime's Project Runway is set to begin on Thursday August 6 at 9 p.m. We hope that Chardon native Blake Patterson never hears supermodel and head judge Heidi Klum say the dreaded "auf Wiedersehen".
With a smooch on each cheek, those are the words Klum uses to dismiss a contestant at the end of every episode. It means "goodbye" in her native German, and it's the last thing any designer wants to hear.
Patterson is one of 16 candidates this season, which is set in New York City. The city will act as their inspiration and their canvas. The designers will be put through their grueling paces by mentor and fashion consultant Tim Gunn, and by Klum and her fellow judges Nina Garcia, who is the creative director at Marie Claire magazine, and Zac Posen, who is a fashion designer, plus a roster of guest judges.
Patterson, 24, grew up in Chardon and graduated from Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School. Soon after, he packed a suitcase and headed to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, where he still resides.

navy blue bridesmaid dresses

Even though he had to wear a uniform in high school, he managed to let his style and creativity shine through with carefully selected ties and doubled-up polo shirts. Being selected Best Dressed solidified his decision to chase his dream as a designer.
Patterson, who is inspired by African culture and is known for creating avant-garde designs, like his jellyfish-inspired collection, took some time out to answer a few questions.
Tell us a little about you.
I moved to LA from Ohio fall 2010 and graduated spring 2014 from the advanced fashion design program at FIDM where only 9 students from the whole school were selected.
How do you spend your days?
I spend my days talking with clients, fabric shopping, sketching, finding new inspirations, exploring new places, and coming up with new ideas constantly.
How do you describe your personal style?
I have two personal styles. One is causal luxury with a pop of glamour and the other is more on the preppy hipster side.
Was the Project Runway experience different from what you imagined from having viewed the show?
Project Runway was a very different experience from what I expected. It's a lot easier sitting on the couch at home than actually being there. No one will really understand what we, the designers, had to go through unless you already went through Project Runway. I give the previous designers so much credit and have a new found respect.
What was the best aspect of the show?
The best part was meeting all the other designers and seeing what they came up with in the competitions.
And the worst part?
The worst part was being shut out of the real world.
How were the judges?
There was one really great guest judge, Kelly Osbourne, who had a lot to say. I really respect her as a person and what she has to say. I love judges who are more opinionated than others and she definitely was one of them!
What can you tell us about Heidi Klum that we might not know?
Heidi's even more beautiful in person. She has a funny personality that made us all laugh a lot.
Is mentor Tim Gunn as wonderful as he seems? What can you tell us about him?
I wish Tim had been a little bit more opinionated. However, he did help guide me in the right direction a couple times with his critiques.
Not asking if you won, but what can you tells us about your plans for the future?
My plans are to keep making more dresses and jumpsuits for my clients. Then gala season is upon us and my clients need something amazing to wear!
Who is your client?
I design for women who are confident, feminine, and sophisticated.
Describe your design aesthetic.
My aesthetic when I'm designing is to make women feel empowered and beautiful. I love using volume to create something new and fresh.
What did you learn about yourself through this experience?
I learned that I can push myself further than I thought I could and get a lot more done in a short amount of time.
celebrity red carpet dresses

Modest swimwear is making waves

Reminiscent of older fashions in beach attire, “modest swimwear” has made a comeback in recent years.
It first surfaced as an alternative swimwear option for religious women looking for a more conservative choice, but is now spreading to a larger audience. According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, it has now developed into a “competitive cottage industry.”
It comes in many different styles for many different kinds of women. From swim dresses to swim skirts, one-pieces to leggings, modest swimwear offers the choice of covering up as much — or as little — as you’d like.

formal wear perth

Companies are beginning to pop up all across the web, devoting entire catalogues to modest swimwear, or even debuting their own lines. ModLi, an online shopping hub for all kinds of modest wear, says it has seen an increase in sales and demand for the modest swimwear it produces.
The demand increase suggests the popularity is spreading beyond just those who seek to cover up due to religious reasons. Nava Brief-Fried, creator of ModLi, describes the kind of woman who she sells to as “moms with children, women who want to stay protected from the sun, plus size women, and religious women.”
“The more the bikini becomes popular the more women will look for alternatives (modest swimwear) so that they too will feel confident and good about themselves at the beach,” she added.
orange formal dresses for juniors

RUTI SKEWS HOMOGENOUS TRENDS WITH ISRAELI FASHION

With every round-trip from her hometown in Tel Aviv, Israel, techie Ruti Zisser would lug more and more coveted pieces of clothing from the Holy Land back to her studio in Palo Alto to sell at trunk shows to her friends.
Soon, with more designer items to import and an unstoppable growing list of clients, she opened the first Ruti store in Town and Country Village across from Stanford University.
This brick-and-mortar boutique now has five locations, with the youngest living in the bustling fashion district on Abbot Kinney Blvd. Ruti brings a rustic yet modern style to the boho-chic fare typically seen on the street. This multi-brand store brings hard-to-find clothing and accessories from Tel Aviv to an otherwise homogenous American fashion.

white formal dress

Owner Zisser has said in the past that she looks for clothing that is flattering to women of all shapes, sizes, styles, and opinions. She either designs or handpicks every piece in the collection.
“My stores tell my story – a story of love and fashion,” Zisser said on her retailer site. “I showcase a mixture of women’s ready-to-wear shoes, bags and jewelry which, together, create a singular, carefully-curated collection. Chic and modern, the collection combines my love of fashion with my Israeli roots, as most of the brands my stores carry are Tel-Aviv based.”
With established locations in the Bay Area and another on Montana Ave. (their first store opened in Palo Alto in 2009 and spread from there), Ruti is regularly bringing Middle Eastern sensibilities to the West Coast. What’s more, Ruti emphasizes fair trade and sustainable handwork; items range from $60 to $200.
“Everything that we carry in our boutique is all-Israeli inspired and all manufactured there, as well, in the city of Tel Aviv,” said Alyson, the Ruti merchandiser.
So, what’s hot this summer?
One of their best-selling garments is the Gloria dress, a geometrical dolman-like frock synched by a thin belt that hides inside the back.
“We get it in a lot of different colors and patterns throughout the year … it’s just an easy, very lightweight fabric. It’s also very flattering and women seem to find it easy to wear for any occasion, from casual to a wedding even. And it seems to be something that’s easy but also very chic and effortless.”
Another bestselling item if you’re looking for a non-body conscious outfit is Ruti’s Kisim Vest, meaning “pockets” in Hebrew.
“Basically it’s just a really great, versatile piece, again effortless-chic. It adds a lot of dimensions to any outfit really. So you can pair it with a dress, leggings, skinny jeans, shorts. We’ve sold out of it quite a few times.”
It’s safe to say Ruti is fit for all shapes and sizes. Their loose-fitting clothing plays well with L.A.’s year-round Mediterranean climate. But that’s not all they have.
If you’re hunting for European-inspired accessories, Ruti sells unorthodox jewelry and handbags. Chunky gold cuffs, necklaces with lava rock, and earrings made of bent metal pair well with the fine leather bags that eschew the current trends – this is essentially the Ruti principle.
formal wear canberra

The Powerful Fashion of Dishonored's Women

Dishonored was a game that I wanted to like more than I actually did. The world building, from the ground up, was incredible. It told me enough about the world without sending me into an exposition dump, and everything I saw and heard was in service to that. I felt like people lived in that city—I felt like I knew its districts and neighborhoods as well as I knew my own. Of course, the game didn’t ever really do anything with that expansive and wonderful world, nor did it do much with the political struggle it set up for itself. I could see each twist and turn before it happened, and ultimately it was just slightly disappointing.
But I’m excited for Dishonored 2, and there’s two reasons why. One is Emily Kaldwin. Two is more of those gorgeous clothes. Girl, they are to die.
What I really loved about Dishonored is that it set up a female-centric government without falling into sexist tropes. Jessamine Kaldwin wasn’t just a figurehead, but a political leader, and her murder, while still a fridging, was about politics and not sex. It was clear that the world of Dishonored wasn’t just a reimagining of European history—it was its own place, with its own history, one devoid of some of the same foibles that we have in our world. And the women get to wear pants.

best celebrity dresses

It seems like nothing, but it was fascinating to me that Arkane Studios thought so much about the world they were creating that they even thought about the fashion. In a society where women are respected enough to rule the country, whynot pants? Why not waistcoats and vests and cravats? Not only that, but they’re neither sexualized nor unfeminine. These aren’t just women in men’s clothing, or women in a sexy version of modern dress. I want to see the history of fashion in Dunwall. Where did they develop their own distinctly gendered, but unrestricted, sense of dress?
You see it in what Jessamine wears just before her murder—the high necked collar, the embellished buttons, the slightly masculine comb in her hair. She’s a woman, yes, but she’s in power here. And you can see it in the young Emily, who, frankly, looks like Little Lord Fauntleroy, but with only slightly more bows. She’s precious, she’s sweet, she’s innocent, but she is learning less about being seen and not heard and more about commanding respect as the future Empress of the Isles.
What I like about how Jessamine dresses is that’s it’s understated, except where it counts. Essentially, the outfit is a pantsuit without being dowdy—it’s easy to recreate the basic shapes with a well fitted black blazer, slim fit slacks, and a nice, stiff white button up. But look to the detailing—the little notes of gold in her buttons, her ornate hair clip. While you probably won’t be able to find anything that mimics the near-Jacobian ruff that Jessamine sports, you can definitely up your accessory game. While flower crowns and pastels are trending during the summer festival season, hair combs aren’t in short supply either—this one from ASOS looks as regal and serious as Jessamine herself, and this one is slightly more understated, but no less glamorous. Pairing that with a statement necklace likeeither of these and then these Pointed Ballet Flats make a look that’s severe, professional, but uniquely feminine.
Unfortunately, we don’t get to spend a lot of time with Jessamine before she dies—but we do get to know Emily. She’s similarly outfitted in familiar, practical, but feminine clothing, wearing pantaloons and a blouse covered in ruffles and ribbons and bows. It’s simply adorable, but I like to think that climbing trees and sparring aren’t things that her choice of dress inhibits.
It’s also appropriate for a child, which makes writing a style guide for, presumably, adults a little difficult. My only frame of reference for adults wearing bloomers is Elegant Gothic Lolita, a Japanese street style that’s similarly focused on sweetness and girliness. Most, if not all, of the people that wear EGL areautonomous adults with control of their own image. And, well, I completely love the look myself.
Separates are less common in EGL than dresses, but they do exist. Brands likeBaby the Stars Shine Bright even have their own US stores and ship to the United States. You could make your own little young Emily Kaldwin outfit from their catalogue alone. Pairing the Memory in the Rose Garden Blouse and the Long Drawers and the Annabel Tassel Shoes with some opaque white tights creates a fresh, pure look on an adult body. The older Emily we see briefly in the trailer forDishonored 2 dresses a lot like her late mother, but eschews bold jewelry for a bold scarf.
Jessamine and Emily are both feminine characters without being weak, helpless, or resigned to wearing things that prevent them from being active. There’s no shame in wanting to wear dresses—in this hot, sticky summer, I’m wearing them all the time—but I loathe the idea that wearing pants suddenly masculinizes you. It all depends on how you wear it, it all depends on how it fits, and ultimately, it depends on how you want the world to see you. I’m so excited for Dishonored 2and to see more of the world that lets these two women exist.
Gita Jackson has dedicated her entire adult life to wading through the marginalia of popular culture and finding gold.
long formal dresses melbourne

Zimbabwe fashion designer makes waves in the US

Speaking to the BBC about her love of fashion, 32-year-old Farai Vije Mnwanaka Simoyi, who is now based in New York, says her interest was sparked at a really young age, but she never imagined it would land her where she is today.
“When I was young, I was always very creative and I used to make clothes for my dolls and for myself. But growing up in Zimbabwe, I never thought that I would make something like this into a career,” she said.
As a result, when she finished school, Simoyi studied psychology. But it was not long before she realised that her heart was not in this field, and that she longed for a career in fashion.

white formal dress

She enrolled for a bachelor degree in Design and Merchandising at West Virginia University and graduated in 2005. She also did a summer fashion program at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy.
Simoyi’s achieved a great deal since turning her focus to fashion and her accomplishments include clinching deals with music superstars Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj.
According to Forbes she worked with Beyoncé as a senior denim designer for House of Dereon, a label the artist co-owns with her mother Tina Knowles.
Simoyi is also working as the technical director for Minaj’s fashion collection, according to the BBC.
“Working with Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj has been such an eye opener and such an amazing experience. I always tell people that you can’t get to that level of stardom without being brilliant and without being a genius, and they are amazing talents. Working with both of them, I learned a lot of different things about myself and a lot of things about being a businesswoman and really making sure your voice is heard at the round table,” she told the BBC’s Farayi Mungazi.
Simoyi’s hard work and determination have definitely not gone unnoticed, and her work continues to get the recognition it deserves. She has proved that it is not where you come from that determines your future, but what you do with the opportunities you are given.
unique formal dresses for juniors

Finephilia | Designer MA ALLEN

At 31 years old, MA Allen has become one of the most renowned interior designers of her generation. She is causing a design movement in her city of Raleigh, North Carolina and is my pick for breakout star. Not only is she deeply respected by the design community, but she has been ranked as a design expert by ELLE DECOR and House Beautiful. When first learning of her work, I assumed living outside of New York or Los Angeles might pose a challenge to stay on trend and having access to resources these cities provide easily. Come to realize, she is setting the tone for design trends all on her own with her fashion meets timeless design aesthetic. Her swift rise to the spotlight is a great example that her work speaks to the hearts of the growing population of millennial families looking for a modern take on their southern homes and retail spaces. I met MA in New York where she frequents often for buying trips.
What fashion designers do you look up to?
Southern designers Wes Gordon and Lela Rose are favorites of mine. I also love Isabel Marant. There is a boutique called Vermillion here, it's like an Opening Ceremony for Raleigh. They carry a well curated selection and do an excellent job of introducing Raleigh to great designers.

www.queenieaustralia.com/semi-formal-dresses

What is your personal style like?
I Like to invest in classic pieces for my home as well as my wardrobe and mix in vintage items. Acne jeans with a vintage sweater, a pair of Celine glasses, and a timeless handbag, and I'm all set.
Have you worked with anyone in fashion before?
I worked with the owner of a women's clothing boutique in Raleigh on her personal home, it was fun to see how she approached fabric texture and pattern. We wanted to make sure her home was a reflection of her fashionable lifestyle.
Do you follow trends when it comes to designing a project?
I am influenced by trends, but I do not let trends control my decisions when it comes to designing a project. I like keeping myself up to date on what patterns, colors, and wall coverings are new and making a statement. I tend to go towards timeless pieces so the client isn't having to continuously re-decorate if something is in or not.
In your opinion how do fashion and interiors intersect?
Fashion is a form of self expression and tells you a lot about a person, and an interior is much the same. If you spend time making sure the way you dress is a reflection of yourself than a home should do the same thing.
How do you incorporate fashion in your projects?
Colors, lines, textures and prints from fashion all parlay into my projects. A quilted leather chair may be reminiscent of a Chanel bag, hardware details on a chest are like jewelry. I accessorize a room just like one accessorizes an interior--incorporating heirloom pieces, adding current trend items, and mixing colors.
Is it challenging to work on projects in North Carolina vs. New York or LA?
Yes. I think the clientele in big cities have more of an open mind when it comes to out of the box design ideas. That point of view is hard to sell to the more conservative southern client base in Raleigh. However this city is experiencing major growth, not only in population, but in the arts, tech industries, and other areas, bringing in a flux of creative people willing to take risks and try something new.
How has NC changed over the years?
NC, and Raleigh in particular, are growing steadily. Forbes ranked Raleigh as number one on the list of best places for businesses. The research triangle park is a major hub for biotech and high-tech research, one of the largest in the country.
Which fashion designers in your opinion have done the best job with a home collection?
Armani has a beautiful collection of furniture, accessories, rugs, wall covering and lighting with Armani Casa. The sleek lines are classic yet modern. Missoni Home is another favorite and I tend to use a lot of Missoni Home pieces in my projects. Their iconic flame stitch and patterned fabrics translate so well from clothing to upholstery and accents. Their bright kaleidoscope of colors can add personality and whimsy.
If you could have a product line what would it be?
I would love to design a collection of textiles and a furniture line too. I am constantly seeking unique furniture and designing custom pieces, so it would fun to turn this into a product line. I love patterns, geometric designs, textures and coming up with color palettes, so a line of fabrics and trimmings would be amazing.
www.queenieaustralia.com/cheap-bridesmaid-dresses