So fresh, so clean

Before: 1980s hair metal.


After: Short and chic.

Thank you Adam Morrison.

I agree with what some of your teammates recently told Observer writer Rick Bonnell: “I told him now he's got to get rid of that nasty mustache,'' said teammate Sean May. “Then he's ready to go.''

Sharpie love

As I dragged my beloved animal-print pony hair Danskos out of summer hibernation recently, I said a silent prayer of thanks to the patron saint of shoe longevity: the Sharpie.

I know that's a lot to take in all at once. Animal-print pony hair? Oh yes, they are just that fab (right).

Someone who professes to be stylish wears clogs? You betcha -- my feeties need a comfy non-Crocs break from 4-inch heels a few times a week.

Anyway, back to the Sharpie love. Last year, I realized I loved my clogs a little too much: The cuffs of my pants wore off the pony hair.

I couldn't stand the thought of retiring them, so I did the next best thing. I went to AC Moore, bought a slew of fine-point Sharpies in an array of browns and got to rehabbing my clogs. The result? Refreshed (still bald in spots, but less noticeable) animal print Danskos.

This isn't the only time the Sharpie has averted a fashion crisis. But I've never gone as far as one friend who used one of the markers to color in a snag on her tights. It worked well until the hole moved (and she had to recolor).

What is your fashion lifesaver?

Shoe fetish? Tell me about it

We've got a busy couple of months ahead of us in Style-land. And I know you can help us. We're looking for readers to share their stories on a few different subjects.

If you're willing to be quoted in the Charlotte Observer and have an anecdote or experience you'd like to share about the following topics, send an email to the style@charlotteobserver.com. Be sure to include your name, phone number and a brief description of your story.

• How do you cope with the pain and problems associated with wearing high heels? Are blisters, aching heels and other maladies worth it for the look of your tootsies in 5 inch heels? Or do you prefer higher?
  
  
• Are you a man who is embracing his inner fashionista? Or do you know a man who has come to appreciate the benefits of a well-put-together wardrobe?
  
  
• What is your favorite tip for dressing for holiday parties?
  

Stylista: It's like a trainwreck

Oh Anne Slowey -- you're no Miranda Priestley, even after throwing your coat and bag at a contestant on "Stylista."

I can't take my eyes off the screener of "Stylista" which premieres at 9 p.m. Wednesday on The CW. It's a campy train wreck full of intriguing questions:

• How has Elle magazine fashion news director Anne Slowey gotten this far in fashion without knowing how to walk in heels?
• Will this new reality series replace "Project Runway" in the catty hearts of fashion fiends?
• How did Tyra Banks' production company convince Elle magazine that participating in this program was a good thing?
• Shouldn't someone have mentioned to the cast and crew that being a "Devil Wears Prada" knockoff is so 2006 (or even 2003 if you're talking about the book)?

Will I watch the trashtastic, tragic fun? You betcha.

Project Runway: And the winner is ...

Not only did she get Tim Gunn to wear a bike helmet and ride a tandem, Leanne won Season Five of "Project Runway."

My girl Korto came in second with her beautifully colorful collection, featuring her elegant beadwork.

Like the whiny broken record that she is, Little Miss Tugboat (aka Kenley) rocked the noose-like rope details on her dresses and finally got a clue, but not before taking a tone with Tim (again).

So who does that leave as the winner? Of course, Leanne. Her collection at Bryant Park was the most cohesive and sophisticated.

It was great to see three women with a strong point of view in the finals, but my overwhelming sense at the end of this episode (and season) was relief. It's over. Finally.

Thoughts?

Sundance love or obsession?

How did I develop this unnatural love of all things Sundance, specifically "Iconoclasts?" The blame falls on on captivating designer Tom Ford (left) and artist Jeff Koons, the subjects of the first episode I watched.

Have I told you that I'm obsessed with the Sundance Channel?

I apologise if I'm repeating myself, but I can't stop TiVoing documentaries and spreading the good word about the channel's fabulousness. I spent the weekend with a slew of fashion docs the channel aired last month, including "Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton."

And, I'm giddy that my gateway Sundance show, Iconoclasts, is returning at 10 p.m. Thursday (featuring Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sir Richard Branson).

Highlights for the rest of the season include: designer Stella McCartney and artist Edward Ruscha on Oct. 23; skater Tony Hawk and actor/director Jon Favreau on Oct. 30 and Venus Williams and Wyclef Jean on Nov. 13.

Some of my favorite pairings from past seasons include Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and surfer Laird Hamilton; actors Robert Redford and Paul Newman; dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and chef Alice Waters.

Have you watched? What do you think?

Crazy designer deals

Shoppers snatching up deals Friday morning at the first Downtown Boutique Warehouse sale in Mooresville.

If you're interested in William Rast denim for $75 (True Religion, too), then hustle to downtown Mooresville for the first Downtown Boutique Warehouse Sale, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11.

The sale being held at 183 N. Main St., Mooresville 28115. Details: 704-660-09223.

The collaborative sale, touting deals up to 90 percent off, features clothing, shoes and accessories from the following Lake Norman boutiques: Dot's Women's Wear, Monkee's of Lake Norman, Fresh, Avalilly's, Lollipop Decor, Along Came a Spider, Sweet Grass, Four Corners Framing & Gallery, Lavendar Boutique, Pout Couture and The Mustard Seed.

Among the brands spotted at deep discounts: Ella Moss, Rebecca Taylor, Tory Burch, Nanette Lepore, Juicy Couture, Denim of Virtue and many more.

The shoe deals rival the denim deals. I tried to will my feet into a pair of red patent Marc by Marc Jacobs sandals -- for $25!! -- to no avail. Tried to perform the same shoe magic with a leopard-print pair of Stuart Weitzman ballet flats. No luck.

I didn't leave empty handed -- I snatched up two Karlie tanks for $10 each.

Project Runway: Then there were three

There was no winner of Wednesday's epi, but Kenley "borrowed" some inspiration from Alexander McQueen with her feathered bridal gown.

My fellow Kenley haters will be saddened to learn (if they don't know already) that little Miss Tugboat made it to the final three to show at Bryant Park.

Which is so sad, given that nearly her entire collection is a copy of someone else's work, including the feathered wedding gown she sent down the runway (Michael Kors told her it looked just like the Alexander McQueen). Remember that Balenciaga silhouette she "borrowed" early in the season?

Tim Gunn visited each of the final four where they were working on their collections. And of course, there were lots of tears. Jerrell bawled when he talked about his truck-driving Daddy, Kenley cried when Tim complimented her on her fabric selection, Korto cried on the runway when she thought she might get the boot (Jerrell did). Tim cried because he was proud of them all.

My favorite moment of the whole epi was Tim in a helmet riding a tandem bicycle with LeAnne in Portland.

Thoughts?

Combative shopping?

Reared from an early age on marathon mall trips with my mom and aunts, I did not anticipate that I would ever tire of the physical act of shopping. But these days, I'm dismayed by the growing lack of civility between shoppers and sales clerks.

Think I'm being dramatic? Witness a recent encounter shared by a friend:

K was shopping at an upscale Lake Norman boutique and had tried on a designer dress that didn't quite fit. She told the sales clerk, who responded, “Well, maybe that can be your goal – to fit in that dress.”

Oh no, no, no. Read Thursday's Style section for more tips on how to diffuse shopping rage.

Shoppers and salespeople, share your shopping story here ... good or bad!

Spooktacular fashion

Don't be fooled -- that's not Madonna, that's me circa 1986, I think, doing my best Madge impression.

It's contest time!

Send us a picture of your best fashion-related costume from the past and your name will be entered in a drawing for a giveaway: Philosophy’s Haunted House, featuring a trio of mini bath products.

E-mail the photo along with your name, phone number and the details of the photo you’ve sent (year it was taken, whom you’re portraying) to us. Deadline for entry is Oct. 16. Entries will be considered for publication in an upcoming Style section.

Project Runway: O.V.E.R. it.

Jerell's winning look, based on a photo he snapped at the botanical garden.

The melodrama amps up as the number of designers dwindle ... and I'm officially over this season of "Project Runway."

Why? Here's a few reasons, just from Thursday's episode:

• Kenley hates on the designers, claiming LeAnne's lack of "selling it" on the runway as the reason her mom jeans/faux hip-hop look lost the rock 'n roll challenge.
• Kenley cries because she grew up on a tugboat, where rudeness is apparently welcomed, along with eyerolling and being disrespectful.
• Jerell, Korto and LeAnne delight in keeping crabby Kenley out of the cool kids circle, and refuse to share their tulle with the absent-minded whiner.
• Since she's already talked smack to Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and her fellow designers, Kenley focuses her grating defensiveness on Heidi. Imagine the most obnoxious whiny ValleyGirl tone you can, and picture Kenley telling Heidi: "I wasn't going for elegant, Heidi, gah!"

So who got the boot? No one. And, given that this "we're cutting to three, nope, we'll keep four" scenario has played out in the last few season, it shouldn't have been a surprise. I know it's "reality" TV and the only reason Miss I-wish-it-was-the-1950s is still on is because she makes for good TV, but dios mio!

I wondered for a sec if it didn't have to do with this recent development in the Bravo/Lifetime battle over PR, but then was too worn out from hating on Kenley to care.

I still think it'll be Jerell, Korto and LeAnne in the finals. I still think my girl Korto will win. Thoughts?

Fab Finds: Pumpkin, pumpkin everywhere!

If you want the deliciousness of a pumpkin pie without the calories, dig into these products. They’re sure to trigger cozy fall-ish feelings despite the typically schizophrenic Carolina weather.

Philosophy’s Pumpkin Spice Muffin shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath ($16; Nordstrom, Sephora) is multi-tasking comfort food in a bottle. The high-foaming soap has a scent that is more spice (cinnamon, all-spice and nutmeg) than pumpkin, but doesn’t linger too strongly outside the shower.

Desert Essence Organics Pumpkin Hand Repair Cream ($8.99; select retail locations) contains organic pumpkin seed oil, which has high levels of vitamins A, C, E, K and zinc. The sweetly -scented lotion absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave hands greasy. It’s a great overnight treat for hands and feet.

Halloween Contest: Send us a picture of your best fashion-related costume from the past and your name will be entered in a drawing for a giveaway: Philosophy’s Haunted House, featuring a trio of mini bath products.

E-mail the photo along with your name, phone number and the details of the photo you’ve sent (year it was taken, whom you’re portraying) to style@charlotteobserver.com. Deadline for entry is Oct. 16. Entries will be considered for publication in an upcoming Style section.

And maybe, I'll share pics of one the numerous Madonna looks I pulled off back in the day.