Casting call: 'Project Runway' on hunt for next star in Season 10

It may be hard to believe, but it's been nine seasons since Jay McCarroll emerged the winner of the first "Project Runway." Now on the Lifetime network -- since Season 6 -- the show is gearing up for its 10th season of high fashion, flying scissors, super egos and plenty of attitude.

Did you watch last season's "Project Runway" and think you could have done better than winner Anya Ayoung-Chee? Fancy yourself the next Christian Siriano? Casting is now open for the new season. If you're 21 or older, apply by March 15 to be a contestant at www.bmpcasting.com/casting/pr/.

Make it work, people.

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-- Jenn Harris
twitter.com/jenn_harris

Photo: Tim Gunn and judge Heidi Klum compare notes on "Project Runway," Season 8. Credit: Barbara Nitke / Lifetime Television.

Fashion News: Will Apple's new iPhone be the next 'It' thing? [Updated]

Forget about dressing up your outfit with the season's new "It" bag, earrings or scarf. I'm wondering if Apple's new iPhone 4S, unveiled Tuesday, will prove to be the season's hottest accessory? [Los Angeles Times]

Like many of the spring-summer 2012 women's collections being shown in Paris over the past week, Alexander McQueen's presentation Tuesday night was sweet and ladylike (despite the edgy masks covering the models' faces), as seen below. "It's all about femininity and womanhood," said creative director Sarah Burton (famous for, among other things, designing the breathtaking gown Kate Middleton wore when she married Prince William in April). The clothes were in soft, pearlescent colors and shaped to show off a woman's body, fitted in the bodice, nipped in at the waist.  [WWD]  

 
The collection Marc Jacobs put on the runway for Louis Vuitton, below, was almost sugary sweet, with lace collars, vanilla tulle, sweet skirt suits and princess dresses -- "a heavenly constellation of prettiness," said the Telegraph's Lisa Armstrong. [Telegraph] 

Back to Alexander McQueen for a minute. The Kate Middleton wedding gown mentioned above drew a record number of visitors to Buckingham Palace when it was displayed from late July to Oct. 3: 600,000 people, topping the unofficial record of 420,000, set in 1994. [People]

"Project Runway All-Stars" has lined up some notable guest judges for the season that starts Nov. 3: model Miranda Kerr, hip-hop star Pharrell Williams and -- my personal favorite -- Miss Piggy. [The Cut]

Chico's signed up its first celebrity endorser, Diane Keaton, who will be featured in the brand's holiday campaign. [WWD] 

Giorgio Armani is slated to launch a website on Thursday, and it's intended to be a global flagship. The site will contain five of Armani's brands and will operate in the United States, Japan and 30 European countries. [WWD] (Subscription required.)
The Getty Center was bathed in light, above, as it feted the immense Pacific Standard Time art extravaganza Sunday night, hosting more than 1,000 partygoers, with invites including artists (such as Judy Chicago, John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha, Robert Irwin), actors (Cheech Marin, Lisa Edelstein, Angela Lansbury), politicians (Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa) and movers and shakers in the arts community (Hammer Museum director Ann Philbin, LACMA chief executive Michael Govan, MOCA director Jeffrey Deitch, Getty Trust chief executive James Cuno). Ellen Olivier of SocietyNewsLA shot this picture of the Getty serving as the backdrop for a light show, taking viewers through the period covered by Pacific Standard Time, 1945 to 1980. PST, as it is also known, encompasses exhibitions taking place at more than 60 cultural institutions and 70 art galleries from Santa Barbara to San Diego. [SocietyNews LA]

[Updated at 10:50 a.m. Oct. 9 to correct spelling of Lansbury.]

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-- Susan Denley

Upper photo: Sarah Burton's collection for Alexander McQueen was all about femininity. Jacques Brinon / Associated Press Photo

Middle photo: Models Joan Smalls, left, and Kate Moss show sugary confections at the Louis Vuitton spring-summer 2011 show. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Lower photo: The Getty Center, bathed in a light show Sunday night. Credit: Ellen Olivier / SocietyNewsLA

Fashion News: Amy Winehouse's collection proceeds

The clothing collection Amy Winehouse was working on for Fred Perry will continue, despite her death. The fall 2011 and spring 2012 lines will be available in Fred Perry and other stores carrying the brand. Profits will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which her dad says will "help children and young people in her name." [The Cut]

Plans are going full throttle for "Project Runway All Stars," which is set to debut later this year. Contestants including Kathleen "Sweet P" Vaughn, Kenley Collins, Austin Scarlett, Gordana Gehlhausen and Mondo Guerra will compete for an exclusive designer's boutique at Neiman Marcus, a spread in Marie Claire, $100,000 cash and more. Model Angela Lindvall will host, with designers Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman serving as judges and Marie Claire editor Joanna Coles as mentor. [People]  

Dame Vivienne Westwood, at 70 still known as the "godmother of punk," let loose with her opinions on the Duchess of Cambridge (doesn't like her eye makeup and disapproves of her trying to look "ordinary"), Kate Moss (wears too much vintage -- but throws a good party) and John Galliano (he doesn't look haggard anymore). [Telegraph]

Model Petra Nemcova, formerly of "Dancing With the Stars," plans to wear a Marchesa wedding gown when she marries Jamie Belman next year. [People] 

British model Daisy Lowe is on the cover of September's "Playboy" and billed as the next big thing. [Telegraph]

Cameron Diaz (in an A.L.C. mini), Zoe Saldana (in a strapless Lanvin), Blake Lively (in a bright dress from Gucci) and Rachel Bilson (in a ruffly dress from Chloe's resort 2012 collection) all looked glamorous at Sunday's  Teen Choice Awards. [Telegraph]

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Pendleton: Born in the USA and still going strong 

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Amy Winehouse. Credit: Stuart Wilson / Getty Images

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: Italian Vogue puts plus-sized models on June cover; Heidi Klum might bare it all for 'Project Runway'

The June issue of Italian Vogue features three plus-sized models, shot by Steven Meisel. The models -- Candice Huffine, Tara Lynn and Robyn Lawley, all clad in Givenchy lingerie --  look incredibly gorgeous and Sophia Loren-esque. Huffington Post

One model not wearing a stitch of clothing is Heidi Klum, who reportedly has posed nude in ads for the ninth season of "Project Runway." The 38-year-old mother of four certainly looks to be making it work. Fashionista

Natalie Portman's fiance, dancer Benjamin Millepied, has landed a new gig as the face of YSL's L'Homme Libre, following Portman's lead -- she's the face of Dior's Miss Cherie scent. The ads will be out for fall. Daily Telegraph

In other model news, 35-year-old Swedish beauty Caroline Forsling is suing Estee Lauder for $2 million, saying it used a digitally altered image of her for an anti-aging beauty product. Forsling claims that the cosmetics giants labeled her as "old" and used her picture without permission for an anti-aging product aimed at 45- to 60-year-olds. Daily Mail

There will be a segment on Michael Kors on Friday night's episode of "20/20." The designer and "Project Runway" judge apparently dishes out fashion advice like, "I always say, 'Really spend a lot of money on accessories.'" Noted. WWD

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Q&A: How to get a nod from 'Project Runway's' Heidi Klum or Tim Gunn? Casting director Alissa Haight Carlton tells us

Tired of girly perfumes? Check out what guys are wearing

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: Heidi Klum at the  Golden Globe awards in January. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Q&A: How to get a nod from 'Project Runway's' Heidi Klum or Tim Gunn? Casting director Alissa Haight Carlton tells us

What does it take to make it onto "Project Runway?" The lucky folks shown above with hosts Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum made it on last season, the eighth for the popular series.

April 15 marks the deadline for the show's casting call for Season 9. All The Rage sat down with the Lifetime show’s casting director, Alissa Haight Carlton, to get the scoop on what it takes to recieve an eyelash bat from Klum or raised brow from Gunn — and compete with fellow designer hopefuls as America watches, of course.

All The Rage: What are some of the key things that you look for when casting for 'Project Runway?'

Haight Carlton: For this show we just really need talent, because we are looking for such a specific skill set. Especially because there’s a lot of fashion designers who just don’t sew.… We look for designers with a point of view that can sew like crazy.

Are you only looking for exceptional designers or is the show open to someone who has raw talent but needs to learn more?

Absolutely. If you look at Season 7, Anna Marie Lynett had a point of view and something to say with her clothing even though she had only been designing for something like six months.…We are also getting a lot of people right out of design school like Christian Siriano.

Generally, how many applicants are there?

Not as many as you would think, because there is such a specific skill set required unlike a show like "The Real World." I would say there’s below 1,000. Every year the applicant pool has gotten bigger.

While casting do you ever think, “this is going to be the villain” or “this is going to be the sweetheart”?

We don’t go into it thinking we want to find X, Y and Z. What we do is really narrow down the talent. But it is a TV show and we don’t want to cast 14 wallflowers and we want to make sure there’s personality there.

Is there anyone from Season 8 who surprised you?

I guess I would say Mondo. He really became beloved by all of America that was in a way surprising. He has really become an active spokesperson for HIV, and we never expected that.

What are some mistakes people make when applying to the show?

A mistake some people make is sometimes they think they can put on a fake personality. Really, we just want them to be their selves.

Casting is always a puzzle. Oftentimes there’s really great candidates who don’t get on because there’s someone too much like them, or they just aren’t ready yet. Often they come back during casting for the next season. For example, Mondo was at the casting for Season 7 and ended up on Season 8.… A lot can happen in a year.

If your designs are destined for the catwalk and you’re at least 21 years old, it’s not too late to fill out an application here.

-- Sophia Kercher

Photo: The season 8 cast of "Project Runway" (from left, top row) Christopher Collins, Kristin Haskins-Simms, April Johnston, Andy South, Nicholas D'Aurizio, Peach Carr, Mondo Guerra (Bottom Row) Casanova, Ivy Higa, Gretchen Jones, A.J. Thouvenot, Valerie Mayen, Jason Troisi, Michael Costello, Sarah Trost, McKell Maddox and Michael Drummond. (Foreground) Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum. Credit: Lifetime.

Get your scissors ready for the 'Project Runway' Season 9 casting call [Updated]

Ever wonder what it would be like to have Marie Claire's Nina Garcia, American designer Michael Kors and supermodel Heidi Klum scrutinizing your every cut and stitch? Here's your chance to find out.

"Project Runway" is gearing up for another season of contestant back-stabbing, full-on meltdowns, extreme challenges and, oh yeah, fashion. The show is casting for Season 9 and looking for plenty of designer hopefuls with talent and personality to fill the show's fourth season on Lifetime.

If you're at least 21 years old, are itching to show your premiere collection at the Lincoln Center tents* and totally thought you could have done better than last season's runway throwdown involving Gretchen, Mondo and Andy, click here to fill out an application. Get your application and audition tapes in by April 15. And in the word's of Tim Gunn ... make it work, people.

-- Jenn Harris

twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

[Updated 3/29 at 4:43 p.m.: An earlier version of this post referred to the fashion shows at Bryant Park. The tented shows have been held at Lincoln Center for the past two seasons. Also, Nina Garcia is the Fashion Director at Marie Claire magazine.]

Photo: TV personalities Nina Garcia, left, Michael Kors and Heidi Klum attend the Project Runway Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in the Promenade at Bryant Park on Feb. 20, 2009in New York City. Credit: Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images.

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Megan Fox, Rafael Nadal star in new Armani ads

Megan Fox and Rafael Nadal are smokin' hot in new Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans ads. They'll start showing up on billboards and such next month. [WWD]

Diesel's new "Diesel Island" advertising campaign will also launch in February. It will feature a mythical island populated by Diesel models and fans, brought to life via online games, viral videos and a Facebook application where consumers can interact with the island and its imaginary population. There will also be a fake Wikipedia entry that will be updated weekly as the island grows. “Think ‘Lost’ but with nicer clothes," says Riccardo Bellini, Diesel’s global vice president of branding and marketing. [WWD]

We've written about all the green (as in emerald green) gowns on the Golden Globes red carpet Sunday, but Colin Firth's wife Livia Giuggioli, shown here at an after-party, wore a different kind of green -- the eco-chic kind. Her silvery gray dress was made from hand-dyed indigo "peace" silk, also known as "vegan" silk, designed by Jeff Garner. [Telegraph]

Star stylist Rachel Zoe starts a new column on StyleList with some of her greatest shoe picks for the start of this year. [StyleList]

"Project Runway's" very busy Tim Gunn is writing another book and has added Weight Watchers Fashion Consultant to his resume. He talks about why he loves the red carpet, hates jeggings and called Anna Wintour out in his last tome.  [StyleList] 

Alexander Wang has his first-ever print ad appearing in March's Interview magazine. But the designer prefers to call it an "image piece." [WWD]

--Susan Denley 

Photo: Livia Giuggioli and Colin Firth after Sunday's Golden Globes. Credit: David McNew / AFP/Getty Images

Michael Kors talks about Big Sur, In-N-Out burgers and selling to the suburbs

Having dinner with Michael Kors is like having dinner with Auntie Mame. You know nobody is going to be at a loss for words or laughs.

Over hamburgers and vodkas a few nights before his spring runway show last September, he was full of quotable quotes.

On his spring collection: “It’s all about the anti-stiletto and the anti-tight dress. I can’t stand to see one more warrior” woman.

His favorite getaway: “We’ve gone to Big Sur three times in the last year and a half. For as much of a city boy as I am, nothing beats nature and luxury combined. We get no reception!”

And his dream designer collaboration: “I want a deal with In-N-Out Burger — to do a special sauce or a wrapper. I’m horseradish-obsessed!”

It’s shaping up to be quite a year for Kors, who is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his business. While the recession has caused many designers to scale back, Kors is in expansion mode. By the end of 2011, he expects to have 200 of his own boutiques worldwide, including his first in Paris, on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, in addition to the 1,000 department and specialty stores that already sell his clothing and accessories. And his company is on track to hit $1 billion in sales.

Then there's "Project Runway"...

To read more of my Kors profile running in Sunday's Image section, click here.

--Booth Moore

Photo: Fashion designer Michael Kors began his career at age 19 and launched his own line of clothing in 1981. Kors is based in New York. Credit: Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times.

Tim Gunn sounds off on 'making it work' in real life in his latest self-help book

Admit it — you think Tim Gunn is a wise old sage. Yeah, so do we.

Which is why his recently released self-help book, "Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work," doesn't feel like it's coming out of left field — even though the "Project Runway" host is weighing in on life issues, not style conundrums.

But Gunn has always been a guy with good sense and courage enough to call out bad manners when he sees them (he recently lambasted a "Gossip Girl" star for her bad behavior on the "Runway" set and has publicly iced the White House-crashing Salahis, whom he called "sociopaths").

In his travel-sized new tome, the dapper creative director of Liz Claiborne let his classy flag fly by way of anecdotes from his professional life, which is steeped in academia.

Rule No. 1, of course, is "Make it work!" -- or "make the best of a bad situation." Rule 2? "The world owes you ... nothing," also the name of a chapter in which Gunn talks about the disturbing trend of college kids who can't function without their parents doting on them every minute. "Maybe it's because I became a public person late in life," wrote Gunn, "but I have never lost the belief that all my success could vanish just like that."

Other rules, including "Take the high road," "Never underestimate karma" and "Take risks! Playing it safe is never really safe," ultimately tell Gunn's personal story, including how he became involved with "Project Runway."

The show's producers were looking for a consultant, and they called him at Parsons the New School for  Design. "I will tell you that I had my snob hat on," Gunn wrote. "Fashion reality? ... That sounds disgusting."

But he met with the producers and discovered "there was integrity there." But Gunn's employer nearly fired him for getting involved in a TV show the first season. "Afterwards," said Gunn, "they were congratulating themselves for getting in on the ground floor."

What was that thing about karma again?

-- Emili Vesilind

Photo: The book jacket for "Gunn's Golden Rules." Credit: Gallery Books

 

 

 

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Kim Kardashian is a serious fashion shopper. Heidi Klum is serious about Halloween. 'Project Runway' fans are seriously unhappy.

Kim Kardashian says that when she's at fashion shows -- as she often is --she's there as a buyer for her boutique as well as for herself. For those who can't get enough of the Kardashians, Kim and sister Kourtney have a new E! network show, "Kourtney and Kim Take New York," lined up to start in January. [WWD]

Heidi Klum and husband Seal are noted for their annual Halloween party and inventive costumes, and they didn't disappoint this weekend. Klum towered over her guests dressed as an 8-foot-tall fuchsia-haired, purple superhero. The height was thanks to 2-foot boot extensions. Seal wore a metallic muscle suit, portraying the Silver Surfer. [StyleList]

Maybe the party helped Klum forget the controversy still swirling around last week's season finale of "Project Runway," when a divided panel of judges picked Gretchen Jones as the winner over Andy South and fan-favorite Mondo Guerra. In an interview, Jones took the outcome in stride, but commenters throughout the blogosphere are not happy. [Zap2It]

Lanvin threw a blowout of a Halloween party over the weekend at its new Madison Avenue boutique. There were celebs (Janet Jackson, Anne Hathaway, Padma Lakshmi), 2,500 balloons and seasonal snacks (sour green candied apples, Limoncello popsickles). Artistic director Alber Elbaz was a pussycat in a crystal-encrusted mask, and scattered around the store were the "Lanvin Dolls," a group of drag queens dressed in Elbaz's designs. Scary. [WWD]

Also at the Lanvin soiree, Rachel Zoe was dressed as -- Rachel Zoe. No time for a costume. She said the swirling rumors that she's pregnant aren't true. Meanwhile, her former assistant, Brad Goreski, was hilarious, dressed as 14-year-old fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson. [The Cut]  

California girl Hailey Clausen was walking the runway in Los Angeles for martinMARTIN in spring 2009, and just 18 months later she was walking for Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Versace and Christian Dior in Paris. And she just shot a spread for Vogue Italia. Not bad for a 15-year-old. [Mondette]

If you're a fashion designer, you'd better look stylish ... and many of them do. FabSugar cites some of the most chic, including Rebecca Minkoff, Vanessa Bruno, Cynthia Rowley and Georgina Chapman.

What to do if your hairstylist ups the price? It happens, especially in salons with a tiered payment system, in which the more skilled/experienced/sought-after stylists command a higher price. If it happens to you, there are ways to cope -- taking advantage of free bang trims, for instance, or changing to a low-maintenance style, Or even just basking in the knowledge that your stylist was good enough to get promoted. [BellaSugar]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Kim Kardashian attends Badgley Mischka's showing of its collection for spring 2010. Credit: Peter Kramer / Associated Press