SATC stylist @ Dillard's

Wardrobe stylist Rebecca Weinberg worked with actress Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of the movie "Miami Rhapsody" in 1994, then again on the HBO series "Sex and the City."

Emmy-winning stylist Rebecca Weinberg will host Dillard's Fall Fashion show at 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at the SouthPark store.

Weinberg has styled celebs such as Brittany Murphy, Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera and Christy Turlington, among others. She has been honored for her work in 1998-2001 for costume/styling direction of "Sex and the City."

During the Dillard's fashion show, Weinberg will discuss the best ways to mix, match and accessorize the latest fall styles. The Condé Nast Media Group, in partnership with Vogue, Glamour, Allure and Lucky, are working with Dillard's to present the free event, to which no RSVP is required.

Gas crisis goodies @ Potion

Local beauty boutique Potion has an inspired answer to your gas woes: now through Oct. 1, call in your order, receive 10 percent off and free shipping.

The fab stores (with locations at Birkdale in Huntersville and Blakeney in South Charlotte) carry a well-edited selection of lines including Chantecaille, Kai, Becca, and the hugely popular Bare Minerals.

By the way, it was new owner Samantha Smith (she recently bought the stores from founder Candice Langston) who turned me on to my product obsession of the moment: Bare Mineral BareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer. It's the only primer I've found that can stop my eyeshadow from creasing and sliding. Sam is also to blame for my unnatural fixation on Becca's Mattifying Primer.

Call the stores at Birkdale Village: 704-655-8755; Blakeney: 704-541-8182.

Project Runway: Sabotage!

Yesssss... one of my favorite songs (and also a ringtone on my phone) is perfect reading music for this PR recap!

First it was Leann with the model steal. Sabotage!

Then it was Jarrell and Korto giving Kenley bad hip-hop advice. Sabotage!

Then there was Korto's bleach fumes. Sabotage? No, just poor ventilation.

Then Jarrell admitting to he wanted to sabotage Suede. It worked. A little.

The crazy design-for-your opponents in a musical genre challenge provided ample opportunity for whining.

My girl Korto took home the win with her punk-inspired menswear ensemble for Suede.

And what a shock, Kenley was the most vocal, most annoying whiner of them all. She snapped at Tim (again) and Nina (what?) and should be thanking her lucky stars that guest judge LL Cool J chose not to respond to her massive diss of hip-hop attire as "stupid."

I was shocked Kenley Spears (Jarrell seemed to have a little too much fun dressing her like a pop starlet) didn't get the boot, but I guess that would have been too obvious.

Thoughts?

FASHION REALITY: Bravo is casting a new show, "Fashion House." If you're interested, check out the details.

Fashion frenzy in Charlotte

"Sex and the City" star Kristin Davis reacts to her line of clothes on the runway in Charlotte on Thursday.
(JASON MICZEK PHOTO -- SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER)

Charlotte Fashion Week festivities held lots of promise for the Queen City.
(JASON MICZEK PHOTO -- SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER)

Phew! I am tired after a marathon weekend of fashiony events. But cautiously optimistic about philanthropy and creativity in the Queen City. You can read about my weekend in Thurday's Style section. But here's a quick peek.

By the end of the day last Thursday I was beat. I headed to the Ballantyne Resort in the afternoon to interview Kristin Davis about her clothing line at Belk.

After a quick outfit change and a different pair of shoes, I started the night at the Dress for Success event at the Merchandise Mart. The fab organization helps disadvantaged women gain economic independence by providing free professional attire and support. The group honored Marcia Simon with the Paradigm award and Carolinas native Andie MacDowell was the keynote speaker.

I dashed over to the Blake hotel for a fashion two-fer: the Kristin Davis for Belk/Junior League fashion show and the debut of Charlotte Fashion Week.

The Junior League event was well attended (rumored to be around 700 people) and the "Sex and the City" star was as polished and cute as you'd expect in an ensemble from her own holiday collection (set to hit Belk stores later this fall). She mentioned the possibility of a sequel to the hugely popular movie (Cynthia Nixon said it's likely during the Emmys preshow broadcast on E!).

The inaugural Charlotte Fashion Week festivities were a decidedly smaller affair, but promising. Former Charlottean Carmen Webber was the emcee, mentor and motivator during the festivities, and her enthusiasm was contagious.

Project Runway: Career driven?

She's chic and comfortable -- the perfect combo for a prospective employee. The contestants this week had to create a look for a recent college graduate. Jarrell scored his second win in a row with this structured-but-slouchy look.

I'm a PR broken record. Witness the slight variations on the same themes from weeks past:

I know why the judges are keeping Kenley around -- she's the typical reality-TV girl that you love to hate -- but she's a cocky, self-important train wreck waiting to happen. Wait, what? She dissed Tim Gunn again? Nooooo! Clearly she's out of her weak-vintage-inspired mind.

Suede's blue hair dye must be giving him the vapors, because that horrid clearance-rack at Ross circa 1990 ensemble he put together was inexcusable. I was so distracted by Kenley's incessant smack-talk I didn't immediate realize that Suede's look was overworked, tacky and just not practical. Nina Garcia was speechless! Never a good thing.

The pinstriped/pocket square fiasco finally sent unimaginative Joe home. About time!

Late last week, the six final designers showed their final collections at Fashion Week in Bryant Park. All six were included to keep the secret of who wins Season 5 a secret. But judging from the still photos, it's still Korto and Leann's game. My vote for a possible upset is Jerrell.

Thoughts?

Does size matter?

I'm struggling to overcome my attachment to a cherry-patterned Betseyville cosmetics bag, and my inability to contain my products.

I was recently forced to upsize my bag because my stable of daily primers, powders and shadows had gotten too big. I think it was the Too Faced Brow Envy that was the product that broke the bag's back.

My only requirements for cosmetic storage is that the vessel needs to be easily packable and easily closeable. I've had the best luck with soft-sided bags. I still can't part with a leopard-print LeSportSac bag from my Marshall Field's retail days.

It's not like I haul the goods with me everyday (and now, in bigger the striped oil-cloth case from IKEA I couldn't even if I wanted to), so why am I stressing about the size of the bag? I have a much smaller JV set of cosmetics that travel in my purse.

Maybe it is because the changing of the bags coincides with changes in my life. Three years ago, I proudly could cram all my daily cosmetics needs into a glorified pencil case. Since then, I've had my second child and gone from working part-time back to full and changed jobs.

Or maybe it's just that I am product junkie. Anyway ... What do you use to for cosmetic storage?

Fashion week reflections

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City wraps up today. Time to check in with Charlottean Ruth Caldwell, buyer for Capitol boutique. She is mid-way through her fashion stay: She’ll spend the next week in the city, placing orders with designers.

How many shows will you attend? Around 30.

Favorite show? Marc Jacobs. No contest. I loved his glamorous gypsy looks, mixing plaid, sequins, leopard print, obi belts, bustled skirts -- everything but the kitchen sink. And it all worked together! Jacobs is one of the few U.S. designers who offers consistently a fresh and independent perspective.

Which shows were you most looking forward to? Rodarte, Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs typically show very different collections, but are three of the most powerful influences on the overall mood of the season. I always look forward to seeing their interpretations of what’s to come.

Describe the overall scene. Even Hanna’s torrential rains in New York have not been able to put a damper on the optimism of the spring collections. Thank goodness for my patent leather shoes, the secret to dashing through giant puddles to get to shows.

Best celebrity sighting? Roger Federer is staying in my hotel (The Carlyle) during the US Open. I saw him in the elevator.

Biggest surprise? My biggest shock has been how horribly, painfully, heartbreakingly thin several of the models walking the shows have been. Wasn’t the industry going to work on this? I joined others in gasping in horror at one girl in particular. Most of these girls are only in their early teens. It’s hard to watch.

Any non-fashion plans? I sneaked into my favorite bookshop today between shows and browsed for a while, leaving with the Spanish version of “Goodnight Moon” for my twin 8-month-old nieces. I would go crazy if I couldn’t have a few non-fashion moments up here. Two weeks of New York fashion can get a little intense.

Project Runway: Then there were 6

I have to agree with Tim Gunn on Jerell's look. It's very school marm redux. But apparently, that's what the former contestants are considering chic these days.

If fashion had a superhero, it'd be Michael Kors. The man is creative and entertaining on and off the runway. His catty commentary has been the star of the show for weeks now, and tonight he was en fuego.

Designers still in the game were paired with those who had been eliminated earlier. Together, they were to create an avant-garde look based on a zodiac sign. Love it! (I'm a Gemini -- June 20 -- and couldn't be more twin-ish if I tried, but I digress).

Designers from past seasons (including former Charlottean Carmen Webber) were brought in to pick the winner. And Francisco Costa, creative director at Calvin Klein, joined MK, Nina Garcia and Heidi on the runway to pick two designers to auf.

MK's mouth couldn't be contained and I agreed with all of it. Blayne's horrific cotton candy bondage dress was "pooping fabric." Terri's dress looked like a "voodoo princess from hell." And he mocked Suede's annoying habit of speaking in third person.

There wasn't one look tonight that I thought was worthy of a win. It was all uninspired, especially Kenley's second hyper-exaggerated take on the Balenciaga silhouette that garnered her a win early on.

And enough of the sassing the judges! I wasn't sad or surprised to see Blayne and Teri get the boot. About time.

Thoughts?

Posh goes pixie

Victoria Beckham showed off a new 'do at the Marc Jacobs show Monday night in New York.

I love it. So cute, so chic! What do you think?

Kristin Davis in Charlotte

Kristin Davis is coming to the Charlotte to fete her new clothing line on Sept. 18.

Davis, the "Sex and the City" star and former resident of Columbia, S.C., launched her hotly anticipated line exclusively at Belk. The fashion show at the Blake hotel will benefit The Junior League of Charlotte. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The fashion show begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and are available at Belk SouthPark or on the Junior League's website.

Sept. 18 is shaping up to be a style supernova in the Queen City. Also on the docket for that night:

• Andie MacDowell as the keynote speaker of Look at Her Power, the Dress for Success benefit preview of the Southern Women's Show at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart. (Read my interview with Andie, another Carolina native, in Thursday's Style section.)


• The start of the first Charlotte Fashion Week (also at the Blake hotel), featuring former "Project Runway" contestant Carmen Webber and a bevy of local designers.
  
  Which event will you attend? It'll take some quick leg work, but I'll be at all three. See you there!

Clinton Kelly in Charlotte

Clinton Kelly, one half of the fashion-fix it team on TLC's "What Not to Wear" is coming to Charlotte.

He will be hosting a fashion show at 1 p.m. Sept. 27 at Macy's SouthPark, dealing with how to shop based on your body type and building a fall wardrobe.

Those who and make a $100 ready to wear purchase will receive a copy of his new book (while supplies last) "Freakin' Fabulous: How to Dress, Behave, Speak, Drink, Eat, Entertain, Decorate and Generally be Better Than Everyone Else," which is scheduled for release Oct. 7.

The event is free, but you must be at least 16 to attend. Seating is limited. To RSVP, call 704-364-5110.

Project Runway: The gloves are off!

Bookish Leann won her second challenge in a row -- the winner of this competition will have their look sold to a select audience through American Express and Diane Von Furstenburg.

Gah. I'm starting to sound like a broken record! If only the clothing were as entertaining as the sassy, nosy, diva designers.

Wednesday's challenge for a fashion "legend" was relatively uneventful. The special guest (and judge) was designer Diane Von Furstenburg. Were you surprised that poor little tanorexic Blayne heard "legend" and immediate thought "Mary -Kate Olsen?" Sigh.

I can't be the only one who was waiting for Kenley's head to explode or spin around. Her hysterical laughing and crying was a freaky train wreck: I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

The catty claws have been bared by just about everyone, including "I'm straight" Joe and "I'm meek" Leann. Stella wouldn't share the details of her outfit (maybe if she would have, she could have saved her self). The leatha lova got the boot, but not before calling out celebrity judge Rachel Zoe about last week. My girl Korto squashed the petty, catty talk with a confident flick of her wrist, telling the biters to bring it on the runway.

And what is up with sassing the judges? The designers better watch it -- Michael Kors looks like he's thisclose to charging the runway the next time someone like Suede can't take constructive criticism.

Who should be auf'd next?

Carolina girl on ANTM

Clark Gilmer, 19, a University of South Carolina student from Pawley's Island, SC, is among the contestants on "America's Next Top Model" which debuts at 8 tonight on WJZY Channel 46.

I've never watched "America's Next Top Model." Too much other reality TV to distract me. Like "Rock of Love" and "The Hills."

But, after listening to some of my friends who are ANTM fanatics, I watched the screener of tonight's two-hour debut (8 p.m. on The CW, WJZY Channel 46 in Charlotte).

What did I see? Cheesy special effects, humans impersonating robots and plenty of drama. Hello hot mess!

In the model mix for cycle 11: a pre-op transgender female, a Kimora Lee Simmons-wannabe and Clark Gilmer, 19, a University of South Carolina student from Pawley's Island, SC.

I'm still on the fence about whether I'll stick with it. Should I?

LISTEN UP! I'll be on the Matt & Ramona show at 3:45 pm Wednesday to talk about fall fashion. Tune in at 107.9FM or http://www.mattandramona.com/.

FALL FASHION FORECAST: Check out Thursday's Style section for our take on fall fashion. Designers are drawing from many silhouettes from past decades: nipped waists of the ’50s, flowy boho skirts from the ’60s and ’70s, and the exaggerations of the '80s. Scattered? Sure. But also fun and wearable with a modern spin.