Obamas are a handsome clan, but they could outshine themselves even more if Michelle had a good stylist. With brains and beauty and a lot going for her, I have to say that the wardrobe department is suffering in a major way. It’s not enough to wear a brand name, it’s the cut, fit and colors that play the main part. I’d gladly make-over our new first lady…

Kenley Collins

Leanne Marshall

Korto Momolu

The PR season 5 finale was a close race. All three finalists displayed strong collections on the Bryant Park runway, unique in their own right. It was a tough pick for the judges.

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MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA ( 20) The exhibition celebrates 20 years (already?) in fashion at MOMU museum in Antwerp now through February 2009. This unique show is curated by Bob Verhelst (once part of the Margiela fashion house) and highlights the incognito Belgian designer’s conceptual genius and master tailoring. The exhibit explores various themes used throughout Martin Margiela’s career as a designer, as well as fashion shows, store & office designs, house style and communications policy. Exclusively for this event, Margiela will have limited-edition items on sale at the Fashion Museum reception.

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LA Fashion Week is in full swing and my friend Raquel Allegra is showing her Spring ‘09 Collection this Sunday, Oct. 19 at Box Eight. From the invitation alone, her new pieces look gorgeous. She has been transforming LA county jail rags into riches for a while now; turning them into beautiful, lacy and super soft tanks, t-shirts, tunics, dresses and scarves. I’ve always loved the concept of recycling, taking something on its last thread and giving it another life of wear and tear, and Raquel’s execution is superb. The proof is in the pudding: I own one and adore it! And… of course, want more.

Watch a video of Raquel’s design process after the jump, minus the shredding secret, sadly…

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“Kenley is very damn talented and I’d let her dress me everyday of the week because she makes stuff that I would wear BUT it doesnt cover the fact that her attitude smells like rotten fish.

Yeah she has tough skin, but sometimes I feel like part of the reason why she has tough skin is because she knows her attitude is bad so she gets defensive when she is adressed about it.

Jerrell is super talented and i would have loved to see him be picked for fashion week but his wedding dress was way too ‘out there’.

I LOVED Leann’s wedding dress. I would either wear Her or Kenleys dress.”

Hi Skinny Genes,

Thanks for dropping by with an opinion!
You inspired the wedding dress challenge poll. Please vote in the left sidebar and pass it on.

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The countdown to this season’s Project Runway finale is riveting. I had my heart set on Jerrell for a while, because I admired his aesthetic throughout the show, but it seems that he does best when given direction, but if you give him too much freedom, he tends to go over the top. And as a result, last night he lost the wedding dress / bride’s mate’s dress challenge. We’re now down to top 3: Leanne, Korto and Kenley. I don’t know about you, but I’m rooting for the underdog Kenley. Her wedding dress is phenomenal and blows the rest of the contenders out of the water. As far as I’m concerned, that girl deserves to win. She has been ceaselessly berated for her attitude, but that tough skin has come in handy in her fight to the top. It sucks that the other competing designers have ostrasized her from the group, but that also served as a catalyst for her kick-ass final collection. Kenley went all out with hand-painted fabrics and beautifully crafted designs to really prove to the judges that her skills precede her personality. Vote for Kenley!

I thought I’d share my latest obsession - Nagi Noda. You may not have heard of the name, but you have seen her work. She is the conceptual guru behind the Scissor Sisters video “She’s my man”, a Coca Cola commercial (which The White Stripes did the music for) and numerous other works. She is so brilliantly kooky that lately I can’t seem to get enough. This series of paper bag designs is just a glimpse of the Japanese pop art genius.

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Five reasons to love Willow sandals by Twenty Two Shoes: 1) they are simple, 2) they are hand-made from Italian leather, 3) they use vegetable dyes and non-toxic glues, 4) their packaging and shoe boxes are crafted from recycled paper and printed with soy ink, 5) they come in silver or gold. If these flats float your boat, you can stop by their LA location or purchase them at their online store.

Twenty Two Shoes

8304 W 3rd St.

West Hollywood

b/t S. Flores St. and S. Sweetzer Ave.

(323-782-1929)

Italian-owned Sugar Kane designed these really cool glasses slash sunglasses. They can be worn inside and outside due to the photochromic lenses that darken on exposure to the sun. The glasses are just slightly asymmetrical, unisex and fun. The frames come in ten different colors and you can buy them online by contacting the merchant directly at occhiali@sugarkane.it.

Jil Sander has done it again! Design cool shoes that is. I like the cubist/futurist heel and strap construction of these high heel leather sandals. They come in fluo orange or sea cloud. How poetic. Find them at Jil Sander online or My Prestigium.