Top Model Contestant on VH1's Celebrity Rehab 3

Could you guess? You may remember her from season 5 peeing in an adult diaper and basically being one of the most entertaining (and legitimately talented) models ever on the show. Lisa D'Amato! Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 3 airs January 10, 2010 on VH1.

Lisa claims on her MySpace page that she "went on the show for self betterment & to learn more about drugs and alcohol. I was NOT detoxing, and did NOT have an addiction." Er- what? Girlfriend has been modeling since age 12, dated Robbie Williams and parties in Hollywood with Cisco Adler. If she hasn't had her face in a huge pile of blow in the last 2 years I'm a fucking astronaut with two dicks. Love her, but seriously.

Anna McCraney Wins "The Fashion Show"

Tonight design teacher Anna McCraney won Bravo's Project Runway replacement The Fashion Show. Compared to the other contestants, she was the only one with restraint and marketability. She falls somewhere between Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters on the aesthetic chart.

As for the other finalists: I have no idea why James Paul's origami bullshit (he's often like a way less wearable Yamamoto, isn't he?) even made it to the finals aside from the fact Reco gave the judges no choice by busting out a bedazzled Tello's/Joyce Leslie/Texas pageant fiasco all over the runway. I'm also pretty sure Reco was a Dave Chapelle character. Daniella's collection was okay, but aside from a couple of the sequined numbers (which I would probably wear) all the sheer fabric got a little too Fly Girls for me.

I just want to make a side note about the "version of the winning designs for sale on BravoTV.com" situation. In nearly each case, a terribly sad iteration of the designer's winning piece was created and then sold for a laughable price (upwards of $99.) Supposedly James Paul's blobby black dress "sold out." Really? I think that may be a lie. Look at the Fashion Show designs for sale and tell me what you think.

Bravo's Fashion Show Winner Announced Thursday

Voting has closed, but tell us - which of these designer-wannabes would you pick to win?

James Paul's designs

Daniella's designs
Anna's designs

Who should win?
	James Paul
	Daniella
	Anna
	They all suck
pollcode.com

Check Out the Project Runway Season 6 Cast

While I've actually enjoyed Bravo's replacement "The Fashion Show" (admittedly just as a Mizrahi fan) most of y'all have dissed it and are waiting impatiently for the 6th season of the original Project Runway.

The show is now on the Lifetime Network (a tough pill to swallow for the straight male fans out there, no? I know there are PLENTY of you...) and the premiere slated for Thursday, August 20 at 10 p.m.

The panel of judges has not changed (designer Michael Kors, editor Nina Garcia, token idiot Heidi Klum and fashion mentor Tim Gunn) but the cast of course has. Lifetime just recently posted bios and portfolios for this seasons crop of sartorial competitors on the network's new official Project Runway page.

The Fashion Show: Review

The basic components of Bravo's "Project Runway" replacement "The Fashion Show" are the same - near-impossible challenges, team projects, judges wandering through asking questions while looking concerned (minus the elegant Tim Gunn "elbow hold and two fingers on the cheek" pose), runway showdown, and tense elimination round. The judging panel formula is also basically the same - gay designer + useless idiot + aging fashion powerbitch + guest judge. The exception being that the Tim Gunn figure actually sits on the judging panel at the end, instead of handing the baton to another designer.

For a "knockoff" it wasn't half bad - and it had a few subtle differences that gave it an edge in terms of charm - first and foremost, Mr. Isaac Mizrahi. He's hilarious but kind, and he seems genuinely engaged in the process. He's not just there to zing the designers about their final product Kors-style. To compensate for his lack of entertaining cruelty, I forsee Mizrahi treating us to some emotional breakdowns in the later episodes during judging.

Watching Project Runway I always found myself yelling "what the f*ck do you know? You model mall underwear!" whenever Heidi shared her opinions on design. I feel the same level of disbeleif and annoyance whenever Kelly Rowland opens her over-glossed lips. Seriously? You're a Destiny's Child leftover. Interchangeable with any Go-Go member that isn't Belinda Carlisle. Nobody cares what you think!

So how is The Fashion Show different? For one, the contestants seem genuine. Over it's 5 seasons Project Runway producers fell into a Real World-style casting format where you could clearly see who was filling the shoes of which contestant from the previous season.
"He's supposed to be the Jay, and he's the new Santino..." and so on.
It got old, and turned me off to the show in the end. On a whole, The Fashion Show's contestants are far more likeable and seem to be less flamboyant. That is, with the exception of a 40 year old Guatemalan elf-monster that calls himself Merlin (pictured at right in an equestrian Star Trek uniform of his own design), who is nothing short of disgusting in every way.

The sad part? I'm not yet convinced The Fashion Show cast is of the same caliber of design skill as past PR casts, but that remains to be seen. So far they have called silk harem pants, tube skirts and super-short bolero jackets must have pieces...

The Fashion Show is on Bravo Thursdays at 10 p.m.
Watch episode 1 HERE on Hulu.

It's On: Project Runway vs.The Fashion Show

Season 6 of Project Runway will premiere at its new home on the Lifetime Network on Thursday, August 20 at 10PM. The core cast of judges will all be there (Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia) despite speculation about Nina's return. This time around Nina isn't repping ELLE Magazine though -instead she's pimping Marie Claire, where she is now fashion director.

The show will be followed by an hour long spinoff called Models of the Runway, a.k.a. Project Runway but from the models' perspective. None of those mannequins seemed all too fascinating, so we'll see how that works out. Worth the production costs? I doubt it!


Clearly Bravo lost the legal battle over P.R., but they aren't out of the fashion reality TV game yet. Their new show "The Fashion Show" (OMG so creative) premieres next Thursday, May 7 at 10PM. Yes, THE SAME TIME SLOT! Guess they want to kick P.R.'s ass in the most direct way possible. It's hosted by adorable designer Isaac Mizrahi, and Destiny's Child backup bitch Kelly Rowland, who so far as I know has no experience in the industry beyond donning Beyonce's mom's awful designs.

The other similarity? Tim Gunn is the Chief Creative Officer for Liz Claiborne. Where does Isaac Mizrahi work? Liz freaking Claiborne! He's the Creative Director (so he's totally Tim Gunn's boss, right?) Hope they don't have to share a cubicle.

America's Next Top Model Cycle 12 - Midseason Recap

So - has anyone been watching America's Next Top Model Cycle 12? Or am I alone in this shameful habit?

If you're familiar with the show's formula, this will get you up to speed on this season: So far we've gone past the makeover episode (aka the crying episode), the Benny Ninja appearance, the awkward fashion show, the acting class and the television commercial shoot, not to mention the return of last season's winner (in this case, the awkward McKey) with scripted words of wisdom from her past year of "being a working model." (Outside of her Cover Girl contract - entailing a string of poorly delivered commercials - and the Tibi show the commercial claims she walked in, I'd love to learn what other "work" she has been doing...)

Last week the burn victim with the soccer mom face, Tahlia (pictured above), was eliminated, just as all of the models who are admitted to the competition mainly to promote a cause or bust a stereotype tend to be about halfway through ("I'm bi-racial" "I was brutally circumcised" "I have a dick" etc.)

What anyone who knows anything about modeling will have noticed is the fact that every season, the judges are grooming the models for a vein of the industry in which they will ultimately not be performing in. Catalog and commercial models are an entirely different species than runway and editorial high fashion models. And what job do America's Top Model winners land? Spokesperson for a company that sells makeup at Wal-Mart!!!
Of all of the remaining contestants, Teyona and her freaky alien head, Allison and her freaky gigantic eyes and Celia with her uber-angular face are the only ones who could viably exist as high fashion models - however, Allison is probably too short to do runway.

London and Fo are the most consumer-friendly faces/personalities (despite London's burning passion for Jesus) and are my bets for the final two contestants. They look like commercial models, and are well suited for Seventeen Magazine and Cover Girl.

Natalie has been a strong competitor since the start, and while she too is a catalog model, she looks older and more suited for Victoria's Secret type jobs. I though the same thing about Kortnie (who was eliminated a couple weeks back.) P.S. Does anyone else think Kortnie had a nose job? Click the image to enlarge - looks a little pinched, no?


Tonight Ciara will visit the girls and put them in a music video. My bet for elimination is Allison or Aminat (above). Aminat looks like a cartoon alligator and has no place in the competition outside of her height and alarming thinness.

Update: They gave London the boot tonight for her "major weight gain." Supposedly she packed on 10-15 lbs. since tryouts. WHAT? The girl was as thin as a floorboard. If the aim of the weight subplot was to make the hoards of teenaged girls who make up ANTM's audience understand how totally whack the modeling industry is, fine. I'd argue that making and issue of London's weight when she was already unattainably thin was irresponsible.

Whatever. So now I'm like 80% sure Fo is going to win the whole thing.

Next week the remaining 6 actresses contestants go to Brazil.

Christian Siriano Gets Fierce With Payless; Spears Loves Candies

Project Runway peacock Christian Siriano is only just showed his first for-real RTW line at New York Fashion week this spring, and already he's expanding into the "fast fashion" game. This September Payless will feature the designer's first stab at shoe design with a 5-pair collection (2 ankle booties, 3 hidden-platform pumps) and two coordinating handbags.

Get a sneak peek at the shoes his designs will be inspired by here.

Boyfriend is following in the footsteps of Lela Rose, Abaete and Patricia Field, who have all dabbled in the cheapo shoe game with Payless collections.

------

Keeping with their "slutty blond chick" advertising tradition, Candie's (now sold at Kohl's) has paid Britney Spears a bazillion dollars to be the face of their hideous clunky shoes. Former spokes-skanks include Jenny McCarthy and Hayden Panettiere.

Seriously? Britney can't be that broke. Even she's above a Candie's campaign.

Notes on the Oscars

Fugliest Accessorization
Amy Adams' necklace was a beaded bib nightmare. You don't throw a mardi-gras looking melee of color up next to a dress that's already, boned, piped, draped and bright red.
Angelina Jolie looks like she bought her earrings in the checkout line at the Christmas Tree Shop. Side note - she might as well wear the same dress to everything, because she always looks the same! And bitch, dont tell me you dont have time to dress shop with 85 kids, we all know you have more nannies than Obama has secret service agents.

Saddest Detail
Sarah Jessica Parker's dress would have been fabulous if the attached belt didn't have a big honkin' BUCKLE on it. The muted gray-green chiffon with white gold beading was ethereal and gorgeous

Most Orange
Valentino. As always. And Natalie Portman clearly spent a tad too long in the booth at the Syosset Spray Tans n' More. (But her Rodarte dress was killer.)

Pretty Girl in an Ugly Dress (x2)
Anne Hathaway's Armani Prive gown on the red carpet was a fantastic work of art that unfortunately fit as flattering as a suit of armor and totally washed her gorgeous complexion out. Clearly she couldn't sit down in it either, because she changed into a weirdly cheap looking Macy's prom dress/ figure skating costume for the sit down part of the show.

Fugly Girl in a Pretty Dress
Miley Cyrus' dress was age-appropriate, glamorous and almost vintage looking. Unfortunately is was worn by a rude teenaged hillbilly who couldn't act her way off the Disney Channel

Fiercest Cougar
Meryl Streep was the epitome of understated chic in her off the shoulder, draped gray gown. But she could have worn the hair a bit lower and looser to age her down a bit.
(Also - Sophia Loren is a surgical nightmare - I couldnt get past her face to notice her dress)

Worst Hair
Marilyn Manson's former statutory rape victim Evan Rachel Wood looked like a pinhead. The 'do looked like it shot straight out of a Dairy Queen dispenser. Her Ellie Saab dress was gorgeous but totally the wrong color for her.

Best Hair
Jennifer Aniston looked young and elegant with her fishtail braid headband and loose waves. I hate hard-hair with formal gowns! It's all about juxtaposition, people. Her dress was also flattering and glamorous. And I just have to draw the comparison - she really did look better than the bitch who boned her husband right out from under her a few years ago.

Best Dresses (surprisingly on people I hate!)
Marisa Tomei in silver fan-pleated Versace
Penelope Cruz in vintage Balmain (although the faux fringe was a mistake! Talk about awkward hair.)
Marion Cotillard was one of the few who amped up the drama in her sapphire and onyx gown. Leave it to the Europeans, ladies.
Jessica Biel's (man in a skirt alert!) bloused out bow was structure done right (Heidi Klum's stupid dress, take note)

Worst Dresses
Was megabeard Vanessa Hudgens wearing craft store bouquet with a feather jammed into it?
Reese Witherspoon had WAY too much going on. I didn't know where to look.
Even gorgeous Amanda Seyfried from Big Love couldn't overcome the frump of this prom/mother-of-the-bride trash heap.

Notes:
Loved Mickey Rourke rocking it scumbag style in Jean Paul Gaultier. Tuxedos are SO boring.
Tina Fey looked beautiful - hair, makeup and the dress were all choice. She's got such a bangin' body!

FYI: Jeffrey Sebelia Has a Job (Kinda)

Remember Jeffrey Sebelia - a.k.a. neck tats - from Project Runway a few seasons ago? I haven't seen or heard much about him in ages. Then a few months ago he showed up on Rock of Love Charm School, and I though awww shit. Somebody needs some money!

So here's the deal. The Cosa Nostra label (a mafia name, in case you don't watch the History Channel) that he had going on waaay before he started enduring Heidi Klum's ghostwritten criticizms is still alive and kicking, though being sold mostly in Japan and to private clients. As a retail effort it only lasted one season in 2007 and everything from that season is now being sold at a discount. Here are a few pieces from that season that I love (and nope, can't afford - although, the tank dress in the middle is $135...):

This past fall he launched a more affordable line called Good Vig, which supposedly sold at L.A.'s Ron Herman boutique, but after some serious Google effort I still cannot locate one piece of it for sale online.

Beauty Steal: Mad Men How-To

Like many chic chicks I know, I've become obsessed with the AMC drama Mad Men, which if you weren't aware, is about an ad agency set in 1960-62. Not only are the sets and costuming amazing (check this post about the decor by my friend Ashley) but the MAKEUP is killer.

I set out to find out what products the makeup artist uses to create the red or rose lipped looks that make the actresses fair complexions glow. Thanks to BellaSugar and Access Hollywood, this is what I've found:

Lip liner: MAC shades Brick and Cherry
Lipsticks: Laura Mercier in Baby Lips and Mistress
Brows: MAC Fling and Lingering

Whatever you choose, veer away from blue-based reds and pinks, and keep it matte. Word is no one used frosty or blue-based shades at that time (which is why the red lips on Joan and Betty look almost natural.)

As far as the rest, Matte face powder and a black liquid liner are obvious necessities. In this case you could pretty much use any brand to score that part of the look. Makeup artist Debbie Zoller says she uses a cream blush called Cheekies by Julie Hewett dabbed on the apples of the cheeks, or a tiny dab of the lipstick the actress has on at the time.
[Photo: AMC]

"Stylista" Puts on a Lame Show

According to some reports, ELLE Magazine is kicking Vogue's ass in ad sales lately. But this in no way means Editor-in-Chief Anne Slowey is the new Anna Wintour. Poor Anne didn't get the memo though, and she's copping the legendary Wintour persona hardcore.

I watched the premiere of the new CW reality show "Stylista" this Wednesday, where a gaggle of obnoxious college-aged kids compete to be a junior editor at ELLE. In the process they have to impress head cunt Slowey --whose contrived attitude and cold expressions suggest she's watched The Devil Wears Prada way too many times-- with their editorial and ass-kissing skills.

Maybe it's just because the in-house drama, bitchery and elective stereotypes hit too close to my freshman housing memories of Parsons School of Design. Maybe it's because I know most print publications are teetering on the brink of a fiery demise thanks to the Internet, so who gives a rat's ass (ELLEgirl is just a website these days...) Or maybe I'm just holding producer Tyra Banks to a higher standard of talent selection (HAH.) Watching the show was more embarassing than entertaining.

More Fashion Reality TV Coming Soon

Project Runway is not quite in the clear for it's jump to Lifetime, and the made-for-TV-movie, Meredith-Baxter-ridden network is beefing up its roster of fashion-related reality shows.

'Blush: The Search for the Next Great Make-Up Artist' starts November 11 at 10 p.m.

Ex-General Hospital slut Vanessa Marcil will host the show, which will judged Nina Garcia-ly by In Style Magazine's Hal Rubenstein and Tim Gunn-ishly mentored by makeup artist Charlie Green.

The prize? $100,000 and a contract with Max Factor.

I guess this is proof that Max Factor is aware of it's desperate need for re-branding. I don't know anyone who uses their products, and I know plenty of makeup addicts. They need a lot of work still, despite recently signing Gisele Bundchen as their newspokes-skeleton.
(Let me just note that Carmen Electra's shiteous makeup in their most recent ads was not working in their favor. )

Small Bites

* Michael Kors is going to make a guest appearance on Gossip Girl this fall. He'll play himself, but who do you think he'll be interacting with? (My bet is Blair.)

* You can finally buy Bumble and Bumble products on their (totally revamped) site.

*Rumor has it that Jovovich-Hawk is just about over.

*Did they lighten Beyonce's skin in this L'Oreal ad? Uhm...

Gossip Girl is More Powerful Than We Think.

Today's New York Times reports about the cultural impact Gossip Girl has made on the fashion and retail industries. Merchants, designers, consultants, and television-deft people-watchers claim that the show is probably the biggest influence on the spending habits and fashion choices of young women.

It's an interesting article without any plot spoilers, so the GG addicts out there can read it, but chances are they don't need to know that everyone dresses like Serena or Blair.

Older Models Compete on New Reality Show

This year I realized I'm finally too old to try out for America's Top Model (or to convincingly threaten my friends that I'm really going to go try out and act like a freak just to get in the clip reel.) Which means I'm probably also too old to try out for Make Me A Supermodel. But now there's another one coming out, and I'm too YOUNG for it?!
Yup, She's Got the Look, which premieres June 4 on TV Land, will be ANTM for the 35+ crowd. Hosted by Debbie Harry doppleganger model Kim Alexis, it will be judged by model Beverly Johnson, stylist Robert Verdi and Sean Patterson, president of Wilhemina Models.
The prize is a contract with Wilhemina models and a photo spread in Self Magazine. Challenges will include walk-offs and photo shoots, as they all do.
Watching grown adult women fight will be so much more amusing than teenagers-- they're far more experienced in bitchery. I can't wait.

Would you watch 35-and-older models compete?
	Yes
	No

Fashion Publishing Gets "Real" Tyra Style

Looks like Tyra-nnysaurus Banks is up to more CW network fashion frivoliciousness. Starting this summer, she and producer Ken Mok are launching a new show called Fashionista that will have ladies (and maybe men, not sure?) competing for an entry-level gig at the now Nina-less ELLE Magazine. Tyra won't be IN the show (they can't afford a wig budget that high on two programs) but I'm willing to bet she won't be able to resist a cameo.
Two thoughts:
1.) I really hope there are boys involved. They need to change it up from ANTM. (Which is SO boring this season, isn't it?)
2.) I also hope the winner actually works at Elle and it isn't like how The Hills' Lauren Conrad "worked at Teen Vogue." Because as far as I saw, Lauren did little more than check her text messages and make knowing glances at her equally un-busy coworker before going to Paris (cause you know, they totally send interns to Paris for Fashion Week at most pubs) on MTV's dime and pretending it was for "work."
More details on the premiere of Fashionista and it's "cast" to come.

Bravo, You Ah Owt

Just when straight guys were feeling comfortable enough to admit their addictions to Bravo's fag-ulous hit fashion reality show Project Runway, it up and moves to Lifetime.
Lifetime... you know, "Television for Women"? Home to such hit made-for-T.V. movies as "Mother May I Sleep With Danger?", "A Friendship to Die For", and the stunning tour-de-force "Her Best Friend's Husband"?
Anyway, no word on what time or day it'll be on now, but Tim, Heidi and the gang will all still be involved, and Season 6 begins this November.
PR's deal with Lifetime promises 5 more years of runway drama for the series.
NBC is all pissed about it and filed a lawsuit today to squash the deal. But their ain't no winning against the Hearst/Disney monster.

Look Familiar?

(Photo: UK Vogue)

I guess some of the America's Next Top Model rejects do get jobs! That's dumb-ass Barbie Chantal, runner-up from Cycle 9, walking in the Pussycat Dolls lingere fashion show at L.A. Fashion Week today. (Hey, I didn't say they were good jobs.)

F-List Fabulous: Becky's Jael Sighting

As promised, my favorite comedienne/Hollywood madam Becky sent in an account of her America's Next Top Model reject sighting in L.A. - Enjoy!

Hi. I’m Becky. I work with Pixie via the information super-highway and I was offered to guest-post based on an amazing celebrity sighting that I endured earlier in February.

If you can remember America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 8, there was that chick 50-Cent pushed into the pool, Jael. Well, kids, yours truly bumped into her.

There I was, sipping a complimentary can of malt liquor (it was a Monday night, after all) in a bar in Hollywood called The Beauty Bar. Its claim to fame is that instead of booths, the chairs are made out of old-fashion hair dryers that everyone’s grandmother used to sit in and gossip about how sexy FDR was or something like that. Needless to say, in my mind, Beauty Bar is known as a place where guys who look like every Poindexter that went to Camp Shalom Alechim go to wear their new Gap fedora and pretend they can dance to Dirty South Hip-Hop.

Needless to say, amidst all the desperation that comes with dive bars in Hollywood, I saw a tall girl with blond short hair, drinking the same type of malt liquor I was downing, while typing away on her sidekick. She was wearing faded jeans and a pink tank top. After I recognized her as Jael, I realized that the tank top she was wearing was the exact same tank top our collective subconscious conjures up whenever we’re asked to think of a stereotypical urban prostitute.

My friend Ashley elbowed me and said, “Oh my God, Steve would totally shit himself right now. That’s Jael from America’s Next Top Model.”

Steve is my straight-male roommate who happens to be the only human being alive who can pronounce Yves St. Laurent correctly.

A part of me wanted to go up to her and ask how it felt to be pushed by 50-Cent into a pool, but I didn’t want to stand too close to her. After all, we were wearing the same exact tank top.