Project Runway: Mock away!

Kenley's winning dress. Meh. I was surprised the judges went so ga-ga over it. I can deal with the 1980s silhouette and almost garish pattern, but I can't get past the unbalanced hips.

I laughed all the way through "Project Runway." I don't think I've ever seen a single hour of TV so full of people, phrases and clothing just begging to be mocked on "Saturday Night Live."

Too bad Chris Parnell isn't on SNL anymore -- I can't be the only one who thinks he'd do a great Suede. Heck, even Suede even does a great Suede, jazz-handsy thumbs up and all: "Suede rocked it!"

And there couldn't be anyone better suited to play all the indistinguishable pseudo-"surreal" and "underground" designers (yeah, I'm talking about Jennifer, Emily and Leanne) than Kristin Wiig.

I can see her now, doing her rendition of Emily's defense of the losing Carmen Miranda dress: "Hell no, this was not the losing dress for the challenge. That dress was beautiful, it was finished, it showed personality ..."

My faves: Terri's backless dress and pants, Korto's jumpsuit and Jerell's ruffly gown. What's your take on the looks of episode three?

Back to school shopping tips

YALONDA M. JAMES - yjames@charlotteobserver.com
Adalaya Brasington, 9, of Burnsville, tests a backpack in the aisle at Target on July 26. "We are looking for a backpack, tennis shoes and a bike helmet, but we may find some other things," said her mother, Whitney Brasington.

Sure, the school supplies showed up in stores after July 4. But the real back-to-school shopping frenzy starts this weekend, when North and South Carolina suspend their sales tax on select items. Here's a few tips to help you navigate the minefield of backpacks, binders and school clothes. Read Thursday's Style section for more.

Don’t get tricked by tax-free. Under normal circumstances, would you rush out for a 7 percent-off sale? If you spend $200, your out-the-door savings would be $14 if no other sales are involved. Do the math and make sure the tax-free savings is coupled with another deal or sale. Consider the percent-age and how it works, as well. For example, a buy-one, get-one-half-off sale isn’t as good as it sounds. It’s 25 percent off each pair of shoes.

Do check return policies and hang on to receipts. No one needs to remind parents that children grow fast. Make sure you’re familiar with the store’s return policy before buying, and leave the tags on items that won’t be used immediately. Put all receipts in a central location (an envelope labeled “Fall 2008”), so if a return is necessary, you’re all set.

What are your tips for successful back to school shopping?



Listen up!
I'll be on the Matt & Ramona show at 3:45 p.m. today to talk about back to school shopping. Listen in at 107.9 FM or www.mattandramona.com.

A bad 1980s faux flashback

I don't see many TV commercials (thanks TiVo), but I did happened to see the JC Penney spot that is a modern spin on some of the best scenes from "The Breakfast Club."



Oh.No.They.Didn't.

It's so wrong on so many levels. The song is a weak cover of Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)." The clothing? Please. Not even close.

Molly Ringwald was a huge fashion crush for me. I can't tell you how much time I spent trying to find the pink dress she wore to the dance in "Sixteen Candles" or the boots she wore in "The Breakfast Club."

I'm not the only child of the '80s put off by the sacrilege in the church of Hughes (John, that is). A couple days after I saw it, my friend Amber emailed the video to me and only said in the subject line "Have you seen this?"

I can't figure out which is more frightening -- that I'm fired up over a cheesy homage to a beloved movie from my youth or that there's a good chance that many of the targeted audience for the commercial aren't familiar with the original.

Ohhh ... shiny purses ...

I call dibs! Which one? Maybe both. Botkier for Target hobo bags in gold and silver, $49.99.

Target's latest capsule collection of handbags -- this time, from designer Monica Botkier -- is welcome, luxe-inspired change.

I wasn't too wowed with the offerings from the previous collection from Gryson. I was fired up when I got the look book, but when I saw the bags in the store, my desire to spend up to $49.99 disappeared quickly. I'm not the only one who felt that way: Target's clearance racks are now jammed with Gryson bags that are 50 (or more) percent off.

The Botkier bags fun and functional -- hobos, satchels, clutches, wristlets -- in metallics, faux-snake skin and funky metallics.

I was doing my best Elaine from "Seinfeld" impersonation (you know, slapping people's shoulders and yelling "Shut up!") when my friend showed me her Botkier for Target faux gray python clutch that she got for $19.99.

What's your take on the Botkier for Target collection?


Contact Us: What are your secrets to successful back to school shopping? What tips top your list of dos and don'ts? We want to hear it all for an upcoming story. If you're interested in talking to a reporter, send your tips to style@charlotteobserver.com along with your name and phone number (not for publication).

Project Runway: Over the excuses

Rachel was so pleased to see Suede embrace the sameness of his materials rather than complain.
He turned out a sexy, flirty, punk, inventive dress that will be sold on bluefly.com.

In honor of Suede, the winner of the episode 2 green challenge, Rachel will write this entry in the annoying third person.

Rachel loved the twist -- having the models shop was genius. Rachel initially thought all the designer drama following the announcement was funny, then it was just boring.

Yes, Rachel thought, we get it. You are a bunch of control freaks. And Stella really likes leather. Please move on!

Nina and Heidi were deliciously catty when discussing Wesley's puckery brown silk dress which ended up sending him home. Rachel laughed out loud when Nina said: "I think shiny, tight and short is the quickest way to look cheap." Rachel immediately wanted to add the quote to her Facebook page.

In the almost-forced hip verbiage department, Rachel will give the adorable Tim Gunn (he said caucus! And he wasn't talking politics!) a pass for invoking a phrase from season four when he told Korto her dress may be a hot mess.

Rachel would like to hear what you thought about the episode. Are the designers really a bunch of whiners, or is Rachel just a crabby armchair designer wannabe?

'Brideshead' style

Julia Flyte (played by Hayley Atwell) wears the most stunning clothing in the film.

Earlier this week, I saw a screening of the film "Brideshead Revisited," based on the novel by Evelyn Waugh.

The tale of love, lust and high society set in the pre-WWII era is full of drama. The film, which opens in theaters in Charlotte on Aug. 1, stars Emma Thompson as Lady Marchmain, the matriarch of the family who call Brideshead home.

The story is interesting, but I was most impressed by the luxe 1920s and 30s fashion for men and women. To reiterate the cyclical nature of style, many of the trends expected to be important this fall could be found on screen.

Among them: fur as trim, red lipstick, smoky eyes, jewel tones, hats and large, elaborate necklaces.

Project Runway: Wha? Diaper boy stays?

Kelli won the first season five challenge -- use items from a grocery store to create a look.

I was underwhelmed with the creativity of the season five "Project Runway" cast.

Checked table cloths? Ugh. I love retro-cuteness as much as the next person, but dios mio, did everyone think they were the only ones making a beeline for the table linens?

In the end, I was pleased to see Kelli win -- I loved her innovation and attention to detail.

I was bummed that Christian Siriano-wannabe Blayne didn't get the boot for his horrific diaper ensemble and his blatant attempt at coining a "fierce" catchphrase.

Girlicious? How about gaglicious. Mr. Tanorexic needs to go!