NY designer Irina Shabayeva wins 'Project Runway'

Friday November 20, 2009 8:30 AM By Anne Bratskeir

No surprises last night as Irina Shabayeva, "Project Runway’s" designated queen of mean ends up ruling the runway and winning the whole shebang, including $100,000, a trip to Paris and a spread in Marie Claire magazine.

Although Althea Harper and Carol Hannah Whitfield designed finale collections that were really more than decent – Althea with a nod to hip street wear, Carol Hannah’s pretty and thoughtful use of color – Irina’s collection went way beyond both in execution and presentation. It was positively pro.

What a pleasure to have the dynamic duo, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, back together to judge, while Suzy Menkes, fashion editor of the International Tribune, served as the third judge.

There were only three dramatic moments on the show:

- Once again, poor Carol Hannah is violently ill and you have to admire her determination and grit in getting the collection done.  And there is an obvious relationship (we think he’s her boyfriend, though she’s not saying) between her and Logan, who hugs her when she’s almost breaking down. 

- Tim Gunn goes ballistic backstage, flapping his arms, grousing and growling, all trying to get the kids to get their acts together.  It’s a little scary because Tim is generally such a cool cat, but things do get wild backstage at Fashion Week.

- Finally, it is Irina’s win that provides insight into the woman and her determination.  The floodgates open when she hears she wins (there was an issue with the fact that her collection was all black – not great for editorial – and for a sec, you wondered if Althea might take it), and you realize that beneath the tough-girl façade is someone who has worked hard to get here. Her dad, a very traditional patriarch-type, actually cries, too, causing Nina to dab at tears.

Oh yes, and let's not forget the miracle editing that placed the designers on the runway, kissing their families and walking with the models.  It never happened.  Because of contract disputes, and a show that was off the air for more than a year, the collections - we were there -- were introduced like headless horseman, one, two, three.  No fanfare, no one to root for, no idea who made 'em. Reality show?  We think not.

Here’s a little après "Runway" gossip we picked up from Carol Hannah (lovely by the way) last week.  She, Epperson and Logan have opened a workroom/showroom/studio in the garment district.  And her roomies in Brooklyn are Malvin Vien (aufed early on) and Althea Harper.

And our thoughts on Irina?  We think she’s talented and great, and perhaps editing did her a disservice in the personality department.  We believe she may have a real shot in the fashion biz.  In the meantime, where can we get one of her great knit pieces?  Congrats Irina. And thank heavens the show has fled LA and will return to New York next season.

PHOTOS: "Project Runway" Season 6 finale

 

VIDEO: "Project Runway" returns to New York! 

A little John Mayer at the Beacon

Thursday November 19, 2009 1:35 PM By Mark La Monica

While I am of the belief that John Mayer's best work occurred on "The Chappelle Show," I do recognize that other people may disagree with that notion.

So here's a little clip from his performance at the Beacon Theatre on Tuesday night. The show encores on Fuse this Saturday.

Baby otters: Cutest things of all time

Wednesday November 18, 2009 3:35 PM By Elizabeth Nielsen

This might be the cutest thing ever. Forget kittens and puppies, baby otters are the pet of the future. Unfortunately, according to Yahoo! Answers (which may or may not be accurate) having an otter as a pet is illegal in the United States unless you've gone through two years of otter school. Also, apparently otters bite, spray and are nocturnal. So unless you don't mind being bitten, smelling like spray and never sleeping, it's not reccommended you adopt an otter.

>> PHOTOS: Cute overload! Puppies and kittens galore

>> PHOTOS: The world of animals

>> PHOTOS: Cute critters

'Project Runway': Carol Hannah and Huntington and the hunk

Tuesday November 17, 2009 3:09 PM By Anne Bratskeir

Though no one knew who she was at the time (those network contract disputes kept the show under raps), Carol Hannah Whitfield, of Project Runway fame, spent a lot of time sketching her final collection at The Book Revue in Huntington. 

After being named one of the top three finalists, she moved there with one of her best friends from college rather than staying in her hometown of Charleston, S.C.  “I weighed the pros and cons of coming here and just felt because of the availability of fabrics and resources it was an easier transition,” Whitfield said.  Her friend, she says, “was a support for me, and living in a house, there was so much space.”  She ran at the local YMCA, dined on sushi at Azuma ("Two doors down from my house," she said), drank "the best" coconut martinis at Blue Honu, loved the windows at Marshs, and shopped for the accessories for her final collection shown at New York Fashion Week at the Walt Whitman Mall.

So, is she in or is she out?  We won’t know that for sure until Thursday, Nov. 19, but here’s a little Carol Hannah news.  Just last night, she moved into a design studio – yet unnamed – on West 39th Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues.  “It will be a working showroom,” Whitfield said.  “People can shop by appointment, have fittings, see trunk shows, it’s retail-meets-manufacturing."

Oh, and did we mention that she’s sharing the space?  True.  With co-contestants Epperson and heartthrob Logan Neitzel.  Well, well, are the designers, who were obviously crushing on each other during the show, a romantic item?  “Everybody asks me that,” Whitfield said.  “I’m not answering.”  Hmmm.

And speaking of life after "Project Runway," Whitfield has moved to Brooklyn, where she’s roomies with Malvin Vien (aufed early from the show) and finalist Althea Harper.   All in the family. 


 

RIP, Ken Ober

Tuesday November 17, 2009 11:43 AM By Mark La Monica

Ken Ober hosted the best nonmusic show in MTV's history, "Remote Control."

Those of who grew up alongside MTV and watched this show were no doubt slightly dismayed when they heard the news of his Ober's death. Lawyer friend Tim hit up the Pet Rock berry Tuesday morning screaming "He hit the pig! He hit the pig!"

While Ober was more well-known for his "Remote Control" hosting duties, he also did the, um, play-by-play in the early years of MTV Rock 'N Jock softball. One year, MTV put wooden animals in the outfield. Why? Well, why not? The premise was simple: Hit the animal, earn free runs.

A Homeboy hit a pig in the outfield to help beat the Awayboys. When it happened, Ober uttered those famous words: "He hit the pig! He hit the pig!"

In the MTV universe back then, it was akin to "Do You Believe in Miracles? Yes!"

Of course, this is a very obscure pop culture reference, but then again, that's pretty much what Ober's game show was all about, so I'm fairly certain he'd appreciate this. 

Chillin' with Jon Bon Jovi

Tuesday November 17, 2009 12:29 PM By Martha Guevara

Somewhere in between the “Omigod” shrieks and the “I love you” screams, Jon Bon Jovi saw 1,000 faces and he rocked them all.

Inside Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the New Jersey rocker entertained fans with an intimate unplugged set mixed in with answering questions about his music and discussing his film “When We Were Beautiful.” The 90-minute documentary about the band is available with their new album “The Circle.”

Pet Rock got its hands on a copy of both (and the book!) and as soon as we get a chance to watch the DVD, we’ll tell you all about it. The album, by the way, is very good. Great songwriting from Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, just in case the past 25 years don’t ring any bells.

The event (we’re not really sure what to call it since it wasn’t a concert) had the feeling of a private performance for close friends and family, and in a way, it was. Tickets were only available in one place: Twitter.

Where else these days, right?

American Express, in its first use of Twitter to promote their exclusive cardmember events, posted the tickets link at twitter.com/americanexpress, and the show sold out in a matter of hours. All proceeds from the $50 ticket sales will be donated to City Harvest.

Makes you wish you were a Twitterer, doesn’t it? Or a Tweeter, or a Tweep, or a Twit or a Tweety Bird or whatever they’re calling those 140-character social-networking mavens these days? Well, Pet Rock scored one of the few press seats, so let’s get back to the action on the inside.

After showing a clip from the film, Jon and his hair emerged in all their glory. Seriously, that dude’s hair is still rockin’. Yes, I’m jealous. Deal with it.

Once the applause quieted down, Jon settled into his seat for some back-and-forth banter about life and music with “Beautiful” director Phil Griffin. Within seconds, as Alice Tully Hall sat in anticipatory silence, from somewhere toward the back of the audience came a female scream: “I love you, Jon!”

No confirmation on if that was Gina doing the screaming.

“Thanks, Mom,” Jon responded.

A few seconds later, a more masculine voice bellowed: “I love you, Jon.”

No confirmation on if that was Tommy doing the screaming.

“Thanks, honey,” Jon responded after throwing his head back in laughter. “Wiseass. Only in New York.”

Strong work off the cuff by Jon. Of course, if you spent as much time as I have searching this here Internet for the “Oooooh!” game show clip when Jon last hosted “Saturday Night Live,” you’d know he has some comedic chops.

One more quick example. In discussing U2’s songwriting, he said: “That’s my Irish envy. I have Irish envy . . . Sales in Italy just went down.”

OK, on to the music . . .

Jon played eight songs from various albums (full setlist below, along with two clips from the night) and spoke about each one either before or after. It was very "VH1 Story Tellers." Pretty cool stuff.

Before playing "We Weren't Born to Follow," the first single off their new album, he said any time an athlete or coach hears the lyric "This one's about the one who curses and spits," they think it's about them. "It's about a nun in Philadelphia," Jon said. "True story."

"Superman Tonight," also off the new album is a beautifully written song that will have every woman swooning and yearning for the answer to all of Jon's questions.

After he finished his version of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, the entire crowd stood and applauded. Impressive work.

Earlier in the night, Jon performed "Livin' on a Prayer." It was a slowed down, acoustic version. I wanted to be really mad. "Prayer" is an all-time rock classic that needs to be played fast and loud and sung with all your might. Just like we've all done at the bar at 3 a.m., at your friend's wedding, in your car, at the karaoke bar, wherever. It shouldn't be slowed down.

Then, at the end of the song, you realize you're no longer mad because you just experienced the lyrics for the first time in 20 years. You just met Tommy and Gina.

>> See photos of Bon Jovi through the years.

Setlist from Monday Night
(click the link for to watch the music video)

Someday I’ll be Saturday Night
Who Says You Can’t Go Home?
Livin’ on a Prayer
Lost Highway
Whole Lot of Leavin
Superman Tonight
We Weren’t Born to Follow
Hallelujah
Wanted Dead or Alive

"Superman Tonight" from Alice Tully Hall on Nov. 16, 2009.

"Hallelujah" from Alice Tully Hall on Nov. 16, 2009.

Old school Tuesday: The Bon Jovi song you forgot about

Tuesday November 17, 2009 1:29 AM By Mark La Monica

While we're writing up our thoughts from Monday night's Jon Bon Jovi Unplugged event we attended, we'll take a few minutes here on Old School Tuesday to get you pumped up.

During the fan Q&A portion at the end of the night, Jon Bon Jovi was asked "50 years from now, you're remembered for one song. Which one is it?"

Great question. Hard for any of us to answer let alone Jon.

He wavered for a bit then determined "Livin' on a Prayer" would be his ultimate songwriting legacy.

"I remember sitting in the back of a cab with Richie [Sambora] saying it's not that good, and it should be on the soundtrack for this Fat Boys movie 'Disorderlies.'"

Four things on that:

1) Great quote.
2) Great story.
3) Great movie. (Well, not reallly. More like cult classic.)
4) Here's the song that DID wind up on that "Disorderlies" soundtrack: "Edge of a Broken Heart."

Enjoy Old School Tuesday, and we'll be back around noon or so with more from the Monday Night Jovi fest.

'Project Runway': The Finale – Part I

Friday November 13, 2009 7:48 AM By Corris Little

It’s finale time, and Tim Gunn makes house calls to see how the three finalists are doing with their assignments to create a 12-piece collection with a budget of $9,000 to show at Fashion Week.

First stop, Carol Hannah Whitfield, who has moved from Charleston, S.C., to – helloooo -- our very own Huntington, where she is living with friend Ellen and working on her collection. 

Thanks for sharing Project Runway honchos – you might remember that we treat our talented reality stars rather nicely ‘round here – ever hear of Jillian Lewis?

Carol Hannah’s collection is inspired by architecture at Duke University, and the clothes are pretty and whimsical with, she says, “a little evening flair.”  There seems to be much braiding, purple and gold.   Natch there are dresses, but she’s even done a pant, a pair of shorts and a jacket.

Tim dines Southern-style with her family, who has flown here (as in to Long Island) to celebrate.  They recruit him for biscuit-making and he happily dons a fabulous, retro flowered apron without complaint.  At the end, he tells Carol Hannah that she’s “cooked up a great collection.” 

That’s the last time we see her healthy on this show.  The poor thing has some sort of violent stomach virus  though she perseveres. The mom in us wants to baby her -she has clearly lost weight -her lips are blanched, she can barely keep her eyes open, and we leave her hunched over a toilet.  Awww.

Irina Shabayeva doesn’t get the raves from Tim that she hopes for, but he is interested in her collection and it is interesting.  She wants to celebrate New York, specifically Coney Island, grounding her looks with a series of oversize logo shirts that she tops with luxurious knits or fur basket weaves.  It is a dark collection – sort of luxe rock ‘n’ roll and Tim questions the somber black color palette.  But Irina holds her ground, though shaken when she learns that she can’t use the T-shirts because they are trademarked.  So, being the creative creature that she is --she makes her own.

Irina’s family, who hails from the Republic of Georgia, gather with Tim at a NYC restaurant.   Her mom is so sweetly supportive and calls herself a winner “to have a daughter like her.”  Tim toasts to “the American dream.”

Onto Althea Harper in Dayton, Ohio.  She says she’s been inspired by sci-fi.  We don’t see it, but we do see one luscious sweater and a coat that Tim says is too “Wild West” and needs to be severely hemmed.  The family gathering includes high school friends who say that back in the day, if you didn't have anything to wear, Althea would whip something off on a sewing machnine.  Nice!  On leaving Tim says, “I saw a lot of great work.  Edit, edit, edit.”

Thank goodness they all head back to NYC (little Carol Hannah is delayed by her illness).  The show feels different here – snappier, crackling.  Tim is more energetic.  And yay, what an absolute delight to see Nina Garcia and Michael Kors – together – when they come to give some advice to the finalists.  Heidi Klum, looking angelic, delivers devilish news.  The designers now have to make a 13th look for their collections.  A silent scream goes up in the room. 

Aha, but they’ll have help! Back comes Logan Neitzel, Gordana Gelhaus and Christopher Straub to assist..  Althea picks Logan (you can see Carol Hannah’s miffed – sick, shmick, Logan’s her crush), Irina tells Gordana to “come to mama,” and those two are happy, and Carol Hannah gets Christopher by default, but she sweetly embraces him (potentially killing him with the germs from her illness).

Folks, we already saw all of these collections on the runway way back.  Up close. And only one is truly excellent.   Stay tuned. 

3T to Eddie Money in a 23-stop YouTube road trip

Wednesday November 11, 2009 6:55 PM By Mark La Monica

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you without a YouTube road trip to listen to. But we're back with an excursion through smooth R&B, freestyle and some other crazy things.

First, a quick refresher. A YouTube road trip begins with one video and continues with selections from the "Related Videos" section on YouTube. You never know what will show up there, or how the YouTube algorithms are working that day. Think iPod shuffle, only you have no control of the songs.

Basically, it's the best way to waste an afternoon, um, I mean listen to some music to help get you through the work day.

This trip began the other day when Hi-Cal JP checked in to let me know that Tony Toni Tone lied to the both of us back in 1990 when they sang "It Never Rains in Southern California." Clearly, it does rain once in a while.

That song is my jam, and it set off a wonderful 23-stop ride through the 1980s and 1990s. Follow the map below.

1) "It Never Rains in Southern California" by Tony Toni Tone
2) "Sensitivity" by Ralph Tresvant
3) "Every Little Step" by Bobby Brown
4) "Now That We Found Love" by Heavy D & the Boyz
5) "Wiggle It" by 2 in a Room
6) "Buffalo Stance" by Neneh Cherry
7) "Can You Feel the Beat" by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
8) "Let Me Be the One" by Expose
9) "It Takes Two" by Seduction
10) "Tell It to My Heart" by Taylor Dayne
11) "Conga" by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
12) "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!
13) "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley
14) "Wishing Well" by Terence Trent D'Arby
15) "I Wanna Be Rich" by Calloway
16) "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" by Jermaine Stewart
17) "Crush on You" by The Jets
18) "Catch Me I'm Falling" by Pretty Poison
19) "Talking in Your Sleep" by The Romantics
20) "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell
21) "Private Eyes" by Hall & Oates
22) "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield
23) "Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money

OK, your turn. Send me a link to a real music video on YouTube and I'll map out another road trip for us.