Tag: GoBank

Project Runway Season 12 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Abby HathornLeave a comment

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Hello, my fabulouses, and welcome to the VIP’s recap of Project Runway Season 12 finale! While watching this episode, I was on the edge of my bed and holding my breath at my hotel in Virginia. It was so amazing getting to see all of the designers hard work hit the runway. Each of them did such a superb job. Hopefully, I did not disturb everyone at the hotel too much with all my shouting. If so, I apologize, but I am not sorry because I could not contain my excitement!!

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This season on Project Runway, designers competed to win the grand prize package of “$150,000 from GoBank, the award-winning new bank account made to be used on a mobile phone; $50,000 of next generation technology from HP and Intel to help enable their creativity and launch their new business; a year’s supply of Resource Natural Spring Water and an all-expense paid, luxurious spa retreat for two to the exotic Maldives, courtesy of Resource Water; a chance to design and sell an exclusive collection at Belk; a complete sewing and crafting studio from Brother Sewing and Embroidery; a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine; a 2014 Lexus IS 350; a $100,000 fabric allowance from Tide Pods to inspire fashions that truly pop; and a $50,000 styling contract with L’Oréal Paris.  It is a prize package worth more than half a million dollars.  The model paired with the winner of “Project Runway” will receive a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine and $25,000 from L’Oréal Paris.” (http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/about)

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Taking home the whole kit and caboodle was Dom Streater, who DOMinated the runway with her Mercedes Benz Fashion Week collection. I adored her overall concept and attention to detail, and I absolutely LOVE her use of funky patterns. Congrats, Dom! The VIP cannot wait to see more of you in the fashion world!

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Love Project Runway designer Dom, shopping, and have a dream of going to New York City? Well, here is YOUR chance to enjoy all three! GoBank is giving one lucky fan the chance to hang out and go on a $500 shopping spree in New York with the winner of Season 12 of Project Runway, Dom Streater! Oh. My. Gracious. So amazing! Enter to win the sweepstakes by following the instructions below:

  1. Like GoBank on Facebook here.

  2. Share your thoughts about Project Runway on GoBank’s Facebook. GoBank wants to know who you think made it work, who needs work, and what your favorite looks were. (Look for the “Enter to Win!” button on GoBank’s Facebook page next to the “Photos” button.)

  3. Fill in your information. Voila! You’ll be entered to win. You may enter the sweepstakes once per day. The sweepstakes will run until October 24, 2013.

For official rules, please visit http://press.gobank.com/

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

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Project Runway Season 12: HP Intel Challenge

Abby HathornLeave a comment

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There was a lot of pressure on Project Runway Season 12 Episode 11 because the remaining seven competitors had to design their own textile prints inspired by next generation innovators for the HP/Intel Textile Challenge.

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As the designers were creating their prints on the new HP Rove…I could not help but flashback to my time at the Auburn University Project Design Week 2012 where I had the opportunity to experience some of the classes of a fashion design major. During fashion camp, I got to play around with draping, making prints on the computer, and participating in lots of other fun activities! I would love to go back–the VIP had so much fun at Auburn Project Design Week! Whoopsy….I guess I got a little distracted there. Let’s get back to Project Runway!

Once the designers had their textiles designed, they embarked on their usual trip to Mood where they had a suggested GoBank spending budget of $100. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a GoBank card, an HP Rove, AND a Belk accessories wall?! Oh…it most definitely would! Okay, Birthday Fairy and Santa, why don’t y’all get on that for me *wink wink*

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Time to Hit the Runway:

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As soon as Dom’s model hit the runway wearing the brightly colored garment inspired by Premal Shah…I just knew that she was the clear winner. Dom truly grasped the object of this challenge and DOMinated it! See what I did there *wink, wink*

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Call me crazy, but I actually liked this look by designer Alexander. I thought it was very artsy and futuristic chic; however, the judges disagreed. I was so sad to see Alexander go home because of this garment. “I guess I should not mix religion and cake together anymore…except for at a wedding,” said Alexander jokingly on Episode 11.

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I am choking up just typing this…I was literally crying when they sent Kate Pankoke home. No, the garment was not very well executed…but Kate is talented and fabulous. Kate, keep reaching for the stars!

Phew…Episode 11 was quite the humdinger! I cannot wait to see what the designers will be bringing to the table on the next challenge!

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Project Runway Season 12 Episode 10 L’Oreal Makeover Challenge

Abby Hathorn1 Comment

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Tim Gunn: The designers don’t know you’re here.

Superfans: *chattering with excitement*

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On The L’Oreal Challenge, each of the remaining designers were assigned a Project Runway superfan to give a glamorous makeover–hair, makeup, custom outfit–the whole kit and caboodle.

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With a GoBank spending budget of $200-$400, the designers and their superfans went to Mood to shop for their materials. Oh, how I wish I could have a designer create me a custom garment using fabric from Mood with a GoBank spending budget of $200-$400…that would be so fabulous!

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How would you feel if someone came into your temporary home, intentionally knocked your iron off the ironing board, and ruffled your feathers with a sassy comment?

Hmmmm…in my opinion, it appeared as if Alexander were trying to pick a fight with Ken…or was it just made-for-TV drama?

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You may know Ken as the designer who has been showcased in a negative light, but for those who know him best, he is a true Southern gentleman and a self-taught fashion designer with a passion for creating chic, tailored garments. “Reality TV creates characters, and I’m not the person they make me out to be. I can be sassy, but I am also silly and love to joke,” stated Birmingham-native Laurence.

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I cannot argue with the winning look of this challenge. Helen did a fabulous job of transforming her superfan from blah to glam! Kudos to you, designer Helen! P.S. I would like to have this dress in my closet.

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The losing look of this challenge was Ken Laurence’s garment; however, you cannot argue with how happy his superfan was on that runway! You could tell that Susie was truly confident and in love with her custom dress.

Even though I was sad to see designer Ken go home on Episode 10, I know he was super happy to be back home in Birmingham, Alabama. “Coming to Project Runway and coming this far in the competition was reassurance of myself as a self-taught fashion designer…I am relieved [to be going home]. This [Project Runway] was such a boost of confidence for me. I came in intimidated as hell because of my lack of experience and education in design,” explained Ken on Episode 10.

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No matter how some people, especially the press, paint Ken Laurence’s image, one has to admire his determination to push through life’s hardest moments as well as his self-taught design ability in such a highly-competitive and educated competition. “Project Runway is only the beginning,” stated Ken Laurence in the VIP’s interview at his premiere party for Project Runway.

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Check out my “Abby In the City” article on www.thisisrealmedia.com about the modern Southern woman with exclusive commentary by Project Runway’s Ken Laurence. Click here to read the article.

 See today’s 30 Day J.Crew Challenge here.

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Project Runway: Belk Challenge Season 12 Episode 9

Abby Hathorn2 Comments
THE REMAINING NINE (back row from left to right) Jeremy, Brandon, Alexander, Alexandria (front row from left to right) Kate, Ken, Dom, Helen, Justin
THE REMAINING NINE
(back row from left to right) Jeremy, Brandon, Alexander, Alexandria
(front row from left to right) Kate, Ken, Dom, Helen, Justin

Heidi: “Are you impressed that you’re still here?”

All of the designers: “Yes!” *nodding their heads*

Southern style brunch on Project Runway Season 12 Episode 9.
Southern style brunch on Project Runway Season 12 Episode 9.

Hey y’all!–imagine my saying this in my most genuine Southern Belle accent–Are y’all ready for the VIP’s weekly recap of Project Runway?

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Tim Gunn: “She is a modern Southern woman…She is the Belk customer…She dresses vibrantly and impressively. She is always fashionably put together. She knows how to use accessories, and she loves color and anything with feminine detail.”

Me: “Mom, I think Tim Gunn just described me perfectly!”

Mom: “Sweetheart, he just described every true Southern lady perfectly.”

Ken purchasing his fabric at Mood with his GoBank card. Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
Ken purchasing his fabric at Mood with his GoBank card.
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.

After their classy Southern brunch and thirty-minute sketching time, the designers were given thirty minutes in Mood to find their fabric and were given a suggested GoBank spending budget of $200–$250. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have a $200–$250 GoBank shopping budget at Belk? I can imagine myself walking out of those doors with bags of fabulous attire, accessories, and sweet high heels. Do I have a shopping addiction? Sure, some would call it that…now, back to Project Runway!

With one day to create their looks, the designers were antsy about creating something that a modern Southern woman would wear.

Helen: “I do not design for the modern Southern woman…this is way out of my comfort zone.”

Alexander: “I do not dress like a modern Southern woman…just like a modern 80s woman.”

When time was up in the workroom, Tim Gunn (looking dashing as always) escorted the designers and models to the runway.

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The winner of this challenge was Brandon. I liked the concept of his design; however, I am not too crazy about the plaid. I can definitely see this dress in vibrant colors and a pretty, flowy fabric…perhaps then…the true modern Southern woman would snatch it off the rack at Belk. Kudos for the fabulous design concept, Brandon! Boo on the plaid!

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Heidi: “We think you all did not fully understand the concept of this challenge, and you all could benefit from a little bit more time…For the first time in Project Runway history, I’m going to send you back to the workroom. Right now—you will have one hour to work on your look, and to give you a little help, each of you can choose one fellow designer. You have access to all of the fabrics in the workroom….”

So…Designers Dom, Jeremy, and Ken were sent back to the workroom…all I could think was good luck, my darlings!

Designer Dom's second look. The second winning look of this challenge.
Designer Dom’s second look. The second winning look of this challenge.
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.

I LOVE THIS DRESS! Just so all of you know….when this dress arrives at Belk, I will be running to get it!

Designer Jeremy's first look.
Designer Jeremy’s first look.
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
Bless his heart…Despite Jeremy’s valiant effort, he was sent home. I was very sad to see him go because I am going to miss his wonderful designs and especially his British accent.
Ken Laurence's first look.
Ken Laurence’s first look.
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
Ken Laurence's second look.
Ken Laurence’s second look.
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.

After watching Episode 9, I chatted with Ken about the challenge and his two spectacular garments.

Me: “If you could have created a completely new garment, what would you have created?”

Ken: “I would have created the exact same dress in a different fabric. My goal was to find a lighter, more flowy fabric, but I ran out of time in Mood…and the color was most important.”

Me: “What was the concept behind your first design?”

Ken: “I wanted to design something that I witnessed selling on a day-to-day basis when I worked as a stylist at BCBG–before Project Runway. Southern women came in looking for maxi dresses that were simple, easy-to-wear, and could be accessorized for all occasions. Another factor I tried to think about was the climate here in Alabama, and that was why I wanted to go with a lighter fabric.”

Me: “What was your goal when you went back to the workroom to modify your look?”

Ken: “My main goal was to just have a dress…I was not thinking about the modern Southern woman anymore…I was just thinking about giving the judges a different look. In my original sketch, I actually created a silhouette similar to the one in my second look so I just went with it.

Personally, I loved designer Ken’s first look the most! I loved the fact that it could be easily accessorized…we all know how much the VIP loves her accessories!

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Phew…this episode was quite the humdinger! I cannot wait to see what Episode 10 has to offer!

Don’t forget to live tweet with YOUR favorite designer by using the hashtags below!

#DesignerKen

#DesignerKate

#DesignerHelen

#DesignerDom

#DesignerJustin

#DesignerBrandon

#DesignerAlexandria

#DesignerAlexander

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Project Runway: Season 12 Episode 8

Abby Hathorn1 Comment

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Hello, my fabulouses and welcome back to the blog! Today, I want to chat about Project Runway Season 12 Episode 8. How did the designers start off the challenge? Well, with Tim Gunn waking them up in a referee outfit! What? Tim Gunn in a referee outfit rather than a tux? Let me tell y’all, Tim Gunn worked that referee outfit like a pro!

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Tossing on some snazzy sports apparel, the designers were off to have a Project Runway field day with the winning team being rewarded with one extra hour of sewing and first pick at fabric.

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Project Runway added a new twist to the show this week by asking the designers to create performance wear for Heidi Klum’s New Balance collection that was not only fashionable but functional. The winning runway look was to be manufactured and sold at select New Balance stores under Heidi Klum’s collection. Phew…talk about motivation!

Ken using his GoBank card at Mood! Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
Ken using his GoBank card at Mood!
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.

With a $50.00 GoBank spending budget, designers Dom and Justin had first pick at fabric because they won the Project Runway field day challenge.

After the designers chose their 10 yards of fabric and paid with their GoBank mobile phone apps and debit cards, it was time to head back to the workroom! Go, team, go! Give me a P-R-O-J-E-C-T  R-U-N-W-A-Y…What’s that spell? PROJECT RUNWAY! Go, Team!

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Lessons I Learned From the Workroom on Season 12 Episode 8:

  • Secrets and Name Calling are Never Good:

Secrets and name calling are never good…especially in high-pressure situations. “Pressure pushing down on me. Pressing down on you, no man ask for under pressure…” (Under Pressure by Queen)

  • It is good to have a mentor, spiritual mom, and/or Tim Gunn to talk to and give you advice.

D. Green (Ken’s mentor/spiritual mom): “You can’t give up now. Do you hear me?”

Ken: “Yes, ma’am.”

D. Green: “Ken, you were born for this.”

Tim Gunn (talking to Ken): “You wouldn’t be here, if we didn’t believe you’ve got the stuff not just to sustain this but to win.”

Ken: “Yes, sir.”

  • Pep talks refresh the memory.

Ken: “After speaking with Tim Gunn, it refreshed my memory of why I am here and, in that moment, I just really needed to hear that.”

  • Nonverbal actions speak just as loud as verbal actions…sometimes louder.

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Is Helen smiling like a Cheshire cat while tattling on Designer Ken? You tell me…

  • When under pressure, it is not uncommon to lash out at someone and say things one later regrets.

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  • Some people will do anything to win…even ruffling a few feathers.

Helen: “It is a competition. I cannot comprehend what set Ken off. This is all about strategy; and if you’re going to win this competition, like I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to ruffle a few feathers.”

  • Don’t judge.

Ken: “You should never actually judge a person because you don’t know what they are going through….That struggle [see explanation below] has made me a very, very, very independent person.”

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In an exclusive interview, Ken and I chatted about his struggle and how he arrived to where he is today.

Ken: “I have been designing clothes since I was about 10 years old…and the dream has come true with Project Runway….I have been homeless before…having to live in my car…and all of the struggles I have been through have made me into the person I am today. I am very independent because of what I have been through. If there is one thing I have learned from these struggles is that it is important to have faith in God that your dreams will come true…don’t let the distractions stop you from reaching your dream.”

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  • It takes a strong person to apologize.

Ken (talking to Helen): “I’ve been frustrated all day–”

Helen: “I know.”

Ken: “–I like you, and I flipped out on you for no reason, honestly.”

Helen: “Okay, no worries.”

Ken: “I just needed to apologize. Can I have a hug?”

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Tim Gunn: “I feel like a proud dad!”

Designer Dom (commenting on Ken’s apology): “It felt genuine. I think he just got really stressed out.”

Okay…that’s enough with the life lessons. Let’s get back to the runway!

Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.

What do you wear when you work out? Are you sleek and chic or comfy and casual? I completely understand what Heidi Klum’s vision for this challenge was…but when the VIP works out, I like to dress very basic and carefree. I do not care if my outfit could hit the runway after an hour of booty-kicking Insanity with Shaun T…Oh, Shaun T is such a motivating cutie.

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Image provided by The Weinstein Company.

Designer Ken’s athletic wear outfit is something I could wear during my work out–while being covered up and feeling confident. I like the approach with the longer shirt because let’s face it…we all worry about what our booties look like when we are running or doing squats in front of an entire gym of hot guys.

Designer Ken’s look was basic and wearable for the everyday woman; however, Helen took home the win with this challenge because her performance wear jacket exemplified Heidi Klum’s concept of bringing the runway to the treadmill.

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Man…Episode 8 was quite the doozy! Now, I feel like I should go throw on my slouchy work out clothes and go for a run with my precious Giant Schnauzer, Ziva! See y’all next week for yet another VIP Project Runway recap post!

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn