But Suzabelle, Suzanne Jaberg’s Seattle-based line, instantly corrects all that is wrong in a world where far too many otherwise gifted designers overdose on trends. There’s a very good reason why Jaberg earned the title “the Seattle coat queen” a few years back: her military-style lightweight wool jacket in creme and windsor coat in brown/tan plaid are as timeless as a pea coat, but the interesting details — a fold-over collar here, brass dome buttons there — give them that extra special flair.

Windsor Overcoat

Lark Jacket

Greenstreet Coat

Suzabelle is for women who want to look good in black and white photos; women who appreciate the classic days of cinema, when all an ingenue needed was a fitted houndstooth dress and killer heels.

Hitchcock Dress in grey plaid

Veronica Day Dress

And a preview of its fabulous spring collection proves the ladylike label will NOT be promoting bare tummies.

Cecily Day Dress

Rita Hayworth would certainly approve.

Images: Suzabelle

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Suzabelle’s modern belle

It’s very cute, though I don’t think the little bit of bare midriff is really necessary..other than that, I agree this is a good design.

One of my other favorites was Anna’s Goth look – even though it’s not really very goth, and it was better looking without the jacket, I really enjoyed the neckline of the blouse and thought this was a punchier pink to have picked for the runway. I haven’t really paid much attention to Anna’s work before, but I think I will now…

Another one of the designs that stood out for me was Daniella’s Treehugger outfit. It was more of a risk and showed extra creativity compared to the other designs offered in this challenge. Instead of sticking to the stereotype, I feel like she injected a bit of that high fashion-ness that made it more than just clothes.

And now onto some of the least appealing designs this week…

Lidia’s Nerd was a disaster for me. This school girl uniform says nothing about the girl who escaped high school to evolve into something more during her 20s. It’s sad, droopy and totally unrealistic. I felt this was definitely the worst design of the bunch.

Of course, that would be followed up with Johnny’s Jock – which, sure it makes sense that this is a sporty look, but talk about phoning it in! There isn’t an ounce of creativity or personal flair going on here…I wonder if Johnny will go on to design anything more than basic t-shirts for a massive chain after this show. Booooring…

And finally, there is Angel. Poor Angel and her very uneducated attempt at a B-girl look. Most people I’ve asked and almost every single article I’ve read has suggested that 80% of the population never knew that word before this episode. But regardless of what inspired it, she didn’t attack the challenge with any gusto – so it just looks unpolished and unfortunate. Probably doesn’t help that her model isn’t even trying to carry it off with confidence.

The Fashion Show airs at 10pm ET/PT on Bravo and don’t forget – after each episode, check out Tresemme’s Style Seeker for hair style tips and don’t forget that the winning design is available for purchase on BravoTV.com!

Images: Bravo/NBC Universal

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The Fashion Show: Episode 6 Best and Worst

The Harper’s Bazaar Mini Challenge is about designing t-shirts for student body presidential candidate, Julianna inspired by one of the following high school cliques.

• Drama Club (Reco)
• Skater (Haven)
• Jocks (Johnny)
• Tree-Hugger (Daniella)
• Mean Girls (Merlin)
• Preppy Crew (James-Paul)
• Goths (Anna)
• Nerds (Lidia)
• B-Girls (Angel)

Complicated? Well, they are t-shirts – so it shouldn’t be that hard to do…but then again, they only had an hour to do it and the final designs weren’t all that spectacular. Daniella wins the mini challenge…again.

Next, the designers must create an outfit for the girl who was part of their clique from the mini challenge…who is now in her mid 20s. Time is running thin too – designs must be ready for the runway the next day!

The designers are stressed, tension is high, and Merlin almost has a complete meltdown when Kelly and Issac stop by and start second guessing his work. How can Merlin be so confused about the definition of “mean”?? Better yet is when they stop by Johnny’s station to snark for a few questions about the Fred Flintstone look he’s wearing – now that was hilarious!

I think Anna’s Goth look actually had a lot of potential, even though it didn’t really fit with the stereotype. Merlin and Haven’s designs are named the best and in the end, Merlin wins.

Then there was poor Angel…oh, she tried. She gave it her best shot, having no clue what “B-girls” meant at all – but ultimately, you could see how that sad little puffy vest wasn’t going to make a good impression in front of the judges. None of the designs this week were particularly fantastic, but hers was just lost from the start. Johnny’s Jock look is also pretty laughable, but I really felt bad for the way Angel was raked over the coals for not knowing the term. Kelly Rowland looked visibly offended. Geez, guys…just send her home and put her out of her misery…

Which they do – but not before Issac Mizrahi goes on a tirad about what fashion is all about while the designers stand there and nervously take it. Pressure’s on guys…it’s down to eight designers for next week!

The Fashion Show airs at 10pm ET/PT on Bravo and don’t forget – after each episode, check out Tresemme’s Style Seeker for hair style tips and don’t forget that the winning design is available for purchase on BravoTV.com!

Images: Bravo/NBC Universal

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The Fashion Show: Episode 6

Student Body President

High School Again

Backstage Mayhem

The Fashion Show airs at 10pm ET/PT on Bravo and don’t forget – after each episode, check out Tresemme’s Style Seeker for hair style tips and don’t forget that the winning design is available for purchase on BravoTV.com!

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The Fashion Show: Episode 6 Preview Clips!

Do you remember high school? Where some folks (erm, not me) appeared to be cool without even trying, while the rest of us struggled to keep up with changing trends and new styles…on an allowance? This should be an good challenge to see where the designers take it, especially since some of the designers, tend to go a little over the top. I don’t think Merlin’s dress from the shoe challenge would make the cut in high school. Super fab designer Charlotte Ronson will be joining the judges as a guest judge.

Let’s see if this week everyone can hold it together, stop their whining for a minute and get to work!

The Fashion Show airs at 10pm ET/PT on Bravo and don’t forget – after each episode, check out Tresemme’s Style Seeker for hair style tips and don’t forget that the winning design is available for purchase on BravoTV.com!

Images: Bravo/NBC Universal

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The Fashion Show: Going Back To School

I love this jacket. The lining, whatever kind of material it is, has slowly made its way into every fashionistas closet, whether they buy this clothes off the runway or run down to Forever 21 for their clothes. Obviously it is a fashion statement, not a “I need to stay warm” coat, because it doesn’t even come down to your thumb. Nonetheless, I like the coat. The skirt, it is a classic look with a punch of 2009 with the gold belt all over the place.

I can absolutely see someone like Lindsay Lohan wearing the dress. It looks like a new twist on the grudge ear of the early 1990s; the flannel look with a twist if glam. The belt has a feel of the west and of the tribal feel of some of Fendi Spy bags of the last few seasons. Grab a hobo bag and this outfit will be complete. But, someone tell me what is the deal with that model’s face? That was obviously a bad picture. ¡Pobrecita!

I almost feel like it is 1986 when I look at this outfit; but what is old is new again. I love the colors. I always end up buying these types of colors in the fall. I enjoy the contrasting dark color of the jacket and the shoes, but the actual style of the pants and the square shoulders of the denim jacket are just too “New Wave” for me. There was a reason why I didn’t embrace that trend when it happened the first time.

This outfit is just too indecent for words. I mean, could have even put some tape on those? I didn’t even notice that until I previewed my post! I was too distracted by the horrid pants. Are there also pleats with that pattern? Holy cow! That model couldn’t even make that outfit look good. I’m sorry Charlotte!

This was an okay show, there were some good things, like the bomber jacket and the new grudge look, but if you take out the bad, pants, nipples, and new wave look, this may have not been any fun to look at.

Photos from: PR Photos

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Charlotte Ronson Fashion Week 2009