Project Runway All Stars at Bevery Hills Nieman Marcus - Up Close and InCircle

Designing is an art form, one the leaves little time for press or publicity, each collection equating to press themselves; unless the designers are prominent stars of fashion reality series Project Runway, where designing is the publicity. An upscale event complete with string trio playing delicately in the background, guests mingled on the second floor of Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills getting posters signed and chatting lightly with designers of Project Runway All Stars whilst sipping on Perrier or Mionetto. Neiman Marcus’ InCircle event promoted upcoming premiere of Project Runway Allstars on January 5, 2012 at 9pm on Lifetime.

Each of six designers present showcased an item from their plethora of collections to display both creative accomplishments and personality with Kathleen ‘Sweet P’ Vaughn (S4) featuring an orange and pink multi-colored wool flannel tube tier maxi dress from a collection in 2008, describing herself as a “fun, flirty, and feminine” designer.

On display by Costello was a jumpsuit loungewear piece finished off in Bohemian neckline and dolman sleeves with elastic band for multiple looks. “I love pieces where you can just put them on and wear them effortlessly,” states acclaimed Michael Costello (S8); who brought forth this item from his Resort 2012 collection.

As a designer for Project Runway All Stars, Jerell Scott (S5) has emerged as a forerunner in commercial design for fashion forward women by focusing on the dainty feminist in form fitting, architecturally structured, prototypical couture pieces. His main purpose as a designer is to “get women noticed,” contributing a distinctive dress in lace layered, muted metallics made just five days before. Most emblematic is Jerell’s utilization of traditional elements in unconventional ways, formatting the bow to new heights and flattening the little girl’s favorite accent into a woman’s sexy adjustment.

Rami Kashou (S4) emphasized work demonstrative of his muse - the women he designs for. The item showcased in Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus epitomizing his work was inspired by Queen Rania of Jordan, channeling her Middle Eastern aura through purity of silk georgette complete by an ostrich feather lined hem completing the high neck one shoulder sweeping arrangement. Kashou has extended design beyond the runway with collectable sketches enriched by sumptuous fabrics and textures, available at Papyrus.

Gordana Gehlhausen Goga (S6) is GOGA by Gordana. Asked about her experience with Project Runway All Stars, she stated its influence instilling personal confidence as a designer. More marvelously startling than the intricately draped one piece knit work in what I call constructured deconstruction with pulled wool and dyed edges from a Fall 2010 collection was the art worn on her forearm. Not only a fashion designer, Gelhausen is also a finely handcrafted jewelry designer specializing in crochet wired cuff bracelets interwoven with crystal stones. 

Modern designer drawn to graphics in black and white, the M from Mila Hermanovski (S7)’s logo is actually taken from her grandfather’s signature. Her showcase demonstrated such passion to clean lines with silk crepe in crème asymmetrically cut by black and white stripes paired with leggings in stripped leather, mesh, shear and honey comb fabrics. Speaking on the tenth run of the designer-turned-celebrity show, Mila commented on the wealth of talent and lack of jealously; with focus centrally concentrated on design, “it was less about competition.”

There was no lack of support from Neiman Marcus staff. One of these thirteen individuals, after all, will be the winner of the most valuable grand prize(s) ever presented. Sponsorship from Nieman Marcus in the form of an exclusive designer’s boutique in select stores and online; $100,000 dollars from HP and Intel via technology and office space; $100,000 cash from L’Oreal Paris, a feature spread and one year guest editorial position in Marie Claire, in addition to support from Brother International through sewing and embroidery studio. If they weren’t known before (which they were), there’s nothing that a title and $300,000 in cash and prizes can’t fix.

Photography graciously provided by Gordana Gelhausen Goga.