Mission Catwalk: ‘Hat Couture’

Twelve (12) competitors “took their hats off” to the Belizean beauty on episode 4, the sizzling season 2 of “Mission Catwalk” as Rebecca Stirm rose to the top winning the third challenge. Challenged to create an ensemble inspired by a hat, the competitors dug deep to create a design that would complement the hats they chose. The night saw some really great designs, as well as some dare we say it- not so great ones. The looks ranged from “Old Hollywood Glam” to… “A box of Kleenex”? Uhm what? (see below-r)

See all 13 Designs

Well that was the critique made by lifestyle editor for the Jamaica Observer and Mission Catwalk's head Judge; Novia McDonald-White, with reference to Trinidad’s Shannon Kwong who may have tried a little too hard to match her outfit to the colours of the hat. Also falling victim to “matching” was Shellane McFarlane who also found herself in the bottom two along with Kwong.  However, at the end of the show, it was McFarlane who failed to rule the catwalk and was sent home. Teary eyed McFarlane(featured below-L) made reference to the show’s inability to acknowledge talent and beauty outside of draping. The judges believed that given a beautiful hat, the dress simply did not live up to the requisite fabness Ouch!!! 

Outside of fashion, the episode also showcased how cut throat and serious the competitors are as they claw for the crown; from Gregory not wanting to ‘mingle’ to almost everyone basically ignoring Shannon after she accidentally cut her finger during sewing. With the prizes on the line and the limited time they have to complete their designs, I can’t say I would have done differently. (Don’t judge me -_- lol)

As usual, my eyes were glued to the social networking sites and the fans surely had a lot to say. Most are amused by Gregory and Keshon’s personality and lauded their favorites, whether they flew or flopped. Among the recurring names were Rebecca Stirm, Gregory Williams, Ryan Chan, Janelle Forde, Kerin Scott and Keshon Hawthorne. The designers’ personal style also came into play as persons tweeted about the lack of effort on the designers’ part to “look fashionable” but praised Gregory for his unique style and personal style.

Personally I agree, designers should be walking billboards, constantly selling their own product. How you look shouldn’t be an indication of how you design and style, but often times it is. Impressions made in fashion are purely visual, so the designer’s need to pay keen attention to their personal appearance.

Gregory Williams

Join me next week as we review episode five (5); the designers who stood out and the ones who got trampled. Who will rule the catwalk? Stay tuned and remember to always keep it fashionable because you never know if you’ll get picked up by the fashion police.

                                       Winning Design & Designer

                                 Rebecca Stirm

Fashion Writer

Nadejah  'D'Jah' Deacon

FIERCE FASHIONISTAS FASHION FACE-OFF

HAPPY EASTER FASHION FANATICS,

IT’S FASHION FACE-OFF FRIDAYS, AND THIS FRIDAY IN PARTICULAR HAPPENS TO BE GOOD FRIDAY SO THE FASHION GODS DECIDED TO BE EXTRA NICE. CHECK OUT OUR FIERCE FASHIONISTA FACE-OFF DOUBLE TAKE. WHO WILL WIN THIS THROW DOWN? SEE DETAILS OF THEIR LOOKS BELOW;

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

RIRI BAD GIRL GONE GOOD

RIHANNA SEEMED TO HAVE TONED THINGS DONE A BIT SINCE HER LAST PERFORMANCE ON THE X FACTOR 2010 IN A BARELY THERE COSTUME;LITERALLY UNDIES,FISHNETS & A BRA. NOVEMBER OF 2011 SAW THE PERFORMING DIVA MOVING TO A FASHION EXTREME AFTER BEING CHASTISED BITTERLY FOR 2010’S RAUNCHY LOOK. HERE RIRI ROCKS A SCHOOL GIRL INSPIRED DEMURE TARTAN DRESS, SHE PAIRED HER NAUGHTY SCHOOL GIRL OUT FIT WITH STOCKINGS. THIS FIERCE FASHIONISTA STILL MANAGED HOWEVER TO MAKE A VERY CONTROVERSIAL FASHION STATEMENT IN HER GRAFFITI INSPIRED SHOE WITH THE PHRASE “F***OFF” WRITTEN ALL OVER IT.

KATHERINE JENKINS, WELSH SINGER AND ‘DR WHO’ ACTRESS WAS SPOTTED WEARING THE SAME DRESS. SHE REPRESENTED HER STYLE BY PAIRING THE LOOK WITH OPAQUE BLACK TIGHTS AND HEELS.

UPCOMING ACTRESS AND NEW KID FASHIONISTA CHLOE MORETZ SEEN HERE WEARING A MINIMALISTIC CHIC VERSION OF THE LOOK. SHE FOCUSED ON ACCENTUATING THE LOOK BY POPPING THE EYES WITH BLACK EYE LINER.

EMMA WATSON  ALSO SEEN WEARING SAME TARTAN DRESS, BUT MANAGED TO MAKE  IT HER OWN BY GIVING THE GIRLY HOT TICKET A SOPHISTICATED ROCKER CHIC EDGE. THE ACTRESS PAIRED IT WITH BIKER JACKET AND RED SOLE LOUBOUTINS.

DIE HARD DENIM

TRENDING DENIM

Hey Fashion Fanatics, the Denim Jacket is timeless and has been reinventing itself over and over; riding the fashion wave for a few yrs now; most definitely a closet ‘must have’ for both males and females. Grab those denim jackets that you have had for umpteen years in the closet, or that one tattered denim or in fashion parlance - distressed jacket that you only wear when it’s cold, dust it off and make your fashion statement.

So if you are one who likes to look good, then you can relate to that one moment when you stare helplessly in your closet; fingers crossed-silently wishing, depression sets in as you browse through your drawers and come up with nothing. You then call your friend or friends that you were suppose to hang or party with-give them the headache/tummy ache pill and you pillow jam in your room while everyone else is out having fun-Sad.

Spruce up your closet and fashion lifestyle by giving your ‘once in a blue moon’ denim blazer a good wash, take out some of those cool tees  and like ‘magic’ you add a milieu of timeless outfits to your closet that can suit many occasions. Denim on a whole is timeless and most are familiar with the proverbial denim shorts while the denim jacket is reserved for that last resort statement piece or an indicator of the climate you are experiencing. #Get with the Trend!

As it relates to styling, the denim jacket is uber dynamic and can be paired with just about anything, from leggings, skinny jeans, maxi dresses, skirts, flats or heels-add some sass and throw a scarf around it, do you and let your inner style star shine. It’s a classic article of clothing and a great wardrobe investment  rocked worldwide by some of our favorite style stars including Kate Bosworth, Nicole Richie, Miranda Kerr, Rachel Bilson, Rihanna, Kanye, Amber Rose and many other movers and shakers of fashion.

When picking a new denim jacket consider the following style elements:

The Cut & Style: Do you want a classic, blazer, bomber style or the over-sized style? Choose a style that looks best with your body type. For an edgy look find for a modern style with studs or a motorcycle jacket cut with asymmetrical zippers. Also consider a denim vest which is pretty popular among celebrities in fashion forward cities like London, NYC and Los Angeles.

The Wash: Anything goes! The classic acid has made a huge comeback. Or you can opt for the basic dark denim color or faded blue wash.

The Fabrication:  Also try to go for a denim jacket that has a thicker weave so it will last long and be durable.

Fashion Cop; Cat