Last night, August 30th  at the closing Republican National Convention, viewers were able to witness Clint Eastwood lose his got damn mind. No, we’re not talking about the fact he actually was the guest speaker for the convent; Eastwood is a noted Republican. It’s the fact he gave a free for all speech, talking to an invisible President Obama in an empty chair. Yes, you read it right. We have a feeling he thought long and hard of a creative way to something memorable but homeboy screwed up big time. So much so that a lot of political pundits are staying that it is damaging to the Republican party. President Barack Obama made sure to remind Mr.Dirty Harry, what seat he already taken:

Image: Tumblr and Twitter 

Here’s the whole 12 minute clip of Clint Eastwood’s batshit crazy speech.

This week the gang had to create a dress that will be sold in Lord & Taylor stores as part of a 10 piece Project Runway line made up of designs by one designer from each season of the show. The design had to be easy enough to reproduce while keeping with the aesthetic of the Lord & Taylor customer. It was no small feat to few, yet some had meltdowns i.e. Sonji’s in the design room and Elana at judging.

But surprise! No one went home. Check what the ever heelarry Michael Kors had to say as well as our critique below.

Top Four

Fabio: Fabio created a cute day to night dress with lots of legs. Come on, like how chic would this be to wear to a funeral and then a bar mitzvah? Options people!

Kors Quote: “Asymmetrical is tough to do well. It can look like your Guinevere from Camelot and it can look costumey. But it’s looks polished.”

Christopher: We’re kinda mixed on this. On a paler skin person, the dress would be glamorous yet we’re not to sure the versatility it has on someone of color. It would be kinda of bland.

Kors Quote: “It’s a gown that looks like separates, shirt and skirt.”

Melissa: Melissa loves a clavicle moment per her continued moment from two weeks ago. Yet she knocks it out the park with this number. Just one thing, brocade is a amazing!!!

Kors Quote: “The bronze is a good way to have dark glamour. The asymmetry went too far. It looks like she has a bell hanging from the end. I want to cut it off.”

Elana: We’re so happy for Elana. Finally the girl gets a major nod from the judges and us.

Kors Quote: “This dress is an example of fashion meets commerce. She looks nice and nasty.”

Bottom Two

Gunnar: We agree with the judges, the lace and sparkle looks like what every designer has created so far. Yet, this one just screams of a Real Housewives Christmas edition.

Kors Quote: “It looks like a dress that they already carry and Lord and Taylor. It looks a bit blah and can turn into mother of the bride.”

Alicia: Alicia’s dress wasn’t bad but her sappy ass monologue about how she doesn’t make “girlie clothes” was a real letdown. It was like Ben Stein talking about Givenchy.

Kors Quote: “ The dress looks like a field hockey uniform. The neckline looks Amish, it’s giving ‘oooh don’t look at me’.”

Winner: Christopher

Loser: No one

Next week: More drama ensues as the crew work in pairs. Things don’t look good between Dimitri  and Elana. Let the battle commence!

Inspired by mid-century design and architecture, WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie has created a collection that mixes smooth planes with intricate detailing. From leather with suede, organic cotton with waxed cotton to wool with leather, the collection showcases the duality, versatility and functionality of the brand while keeping the classic touches. Check for snippets of the fall/ winter 2012 lookbook below.

You can check the rest of the collection out at WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie.

The girls at Opening Ceremony Jeanette Hayes and Jen Brill recently made this film (see above) for LOVE magazine and Proenza Schouler. To say it’s quirky would be an understatement. There’s Spongebob, archival footage of JonBenet Ramsay, animated cats and Proenza’s new Fall 2012 collection. If you ask us, this looks like one big acid trip involving pretty purses and an Iggy Azeala style rap drawl. Enjoy!

If we had a choice of which royal to get party tips from, we’ll have to go with Prince Harry. Although he sure does know how to have a good time (re: his nudie pics from playing strip poker in Vegas earlier this month and hanging out with Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte), we have a feeling we won’t be seeing any party planning tips from him anytime soon. Alas, Pippa Middleton might do.

The Dutchess of Cambridge’s youngest sister will release a party planning book – her first book ever – this fall, entitled “Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends”. In over 400 pages, you’ll find out from Pippa how to cook, craft and curate soirees. We’re thinking the most important three c’s at the big C, Cambridge. Unfortunately, we probably won’t get any tips from Kate Middleton on how to wear the hell out of an Issa dress, but Pippa’s “how to make” festive dollies will do just fine.

The book will hit bookshelves October 30^th.

Pop stars and their collaborations these days. Azealia Banks has teamed up with M.A.C. Cosmetics to release her very own semi-matte lipstick named after her alter-ego Yung Rapunxel. The color is similar to the shade she enjoys sporting, a nice deep plum, which is just in time for this fall.

It will be available at MAC stores in the US only from September 6, 2012 through September 20, 2012 and online at maccosmetics.com a day early on September 5th. And if that wasn’t enough, Azealia will be at the M.A.C. store in SoHo for Fashion’s Night Out putting on a free show. Who’s going to rock their Yung Rapunxel lips and twerking to some Azealia on FNO? We’ll most likely be in the building.

[Erin Fetherston]

For all you haute fashion junkies who just can’t get enough of all things fashion week related, get excited, designers are giving a sneak peek of what they’re working on via illustrations. As we count down the days to the start of NYFW what better way to enter the fashion madness than with a sneak preview. We found a few awe-inspiring sketches featuring what we can expect from their upcoming collections are beginning to surface and we must admit, what is to come is shaping up to be le amazing.

[Norisol Ferrari]

[Dennis Basso]

[Custo Barcelona]

[BCBG]

Last week on Project Runway, was a Michael Kors challenge, so clearly this week it was Nina Garcia’s turn! Not only were the designers up against a Nina challenge involving a photo shoot for  Marie Claire @ Work, but they had to deal with each other. That’s right. ANOTHER TEAM CHALLENGE. Bring on the drama! From Gunnar hating everyone’s ideas on his team to Elena acting like a deranged animal, there is never a dull moment when the contestants have to…dare we say it…work together. 

In addition, the winner got a spread in Marie Claire @ Work while the loser of course went home….Let’s check out who made it to the top and who were in the bottom three!

Top Three

Melissa: Finally the girl gets some recognition that she deserves! Melissa created a striking blue dress with an amazing collar. It’s modern, it’s chic….and every woman would want to wear it.

Kors Quote: “The dress is very strong looking but at the same time believable in an office. You made her edgier looking which I believe is very you.” 

Fabio: What’s black and white and we’re drooling over? Only this amazing dress by Fabio. FINALLY we see something by the intriguing man that finally fits his personal style.

Kors Quote:  “My favorite garment is by Fabio’s. I know women in their 60’s who would wear this dress.” 

Christopher: Who doesn’t love a print skirt with great texture? We know we do! And paired with black and white accents? Total perfection.

Kors Quote: “Skirt….brilliant. It’s your trademark. You made the old lady cooler.” 

Bottom Three

Elena: ENOUGH with the shoulders. We get it. We’re officially bored and so are the judges.

Kors Quote: “It looks like everyone did their own thing.”

Raul: Raul created very boring and unflattering tops. A bit of advice…if you’re going to be cocky, at least be talented.

Kors Quote: “Unflattering and not executed well.”

Gunnar: A new rule of thumb….if your model looks like she has saggy boobs, your garment is a FAIL. Done and done.

Kors Quote: “The pleating in the silk crepe is very unflattering. It’s the soufflé that flopped.”

Winner: Team 6….and one of our favorites….Melissa!!!

Loser: You are the weakest link….again…Raul. GOODBYE!

NEXT WEEK: Client makeovers!

Images via Lifetime

In the words of pop artist George Michael “sometimes the clothes do not make the man”, but they sure do help! With the race for the White House fast approaching, many things are politically inspired on film, TV, and entertainment. We take a moment to examine the “fashion” choices and crimes of a few past, present and current and president and vice president hopefuls who help shape the zeitgeist.

Mitt Romney

Crime: Wading in the water

From the waist up 2012 GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney has a maverick smile and a wave that rivals Miss America. Though on the campaign trail, from the waist down, his trousers puddle like drapes. Maybe that’s why he stands on soapboxes?

Ron Paul

Crime: Just a little too comfortable

Texas House of Representatives member and for GOP Presidential Candidate, Ron Paul is known as the “Intellectual God Father” of the Tea Party movement. Here, I think he was caught deep in thought…

Vice President Joe Biden

Crime: Wearing a suit too well.

I had the pleasure to work with VP Biden here in New York over Veteran’s Day weekend this year. Not only was he charismatic, but he had a refined appreciation for fine tailored clothing. He finds a strong balance between being subtly fashionable, and quintessentially classic.

Herman Cain

Crime: Sunday’s best in someday’ s worst.

With the persona of a Baptist pastor, former Presidential hopeful, Herman Cain, has the wardrobe to match. Noted for his choice to wear a double breasted (which I find commendable) suit during the early stages of the GOP debates and appearances; it looked as though he was attempting to create a political fashion revolution of his own.

Paul Ryan

Crime: Small boy in big man’s clothing

Former Representative and now Republican VP candidate, Paul Ryan, is seen as a bolt of energy to some in the Romney campaign. Bringing a sense of youth and vitality, lately Ryan has been photographed minus a tie, making him more appealing to young conservative voters. He brings that youth (fullness) to his sartorial wardrobe — gaining his bearings.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Crime: NOT “Keep up with Appearances”

Former VP Dick Cheney may not frequent the White House quite as often, he is still public political face. He doesn’t need to keep up with the Jones’s because their last name starts with “O”, but he certainly could put a pep in his step.

Ralph Nader

Crime: No effort

Known to some as the candidate that stole 2004 Presidential Election [votes] from John Kerry, green party candidate and resident election crasher, Ralph Nader is caught somewhere between Bill Nye the Science guy and an un-happy camper.

If you don’t know her name, you’ve surely heard of her magazine, Ghubar. One of fashion’s youngest editor in chief’s, Sarah Diouf has taken the industry by storm. The 20 something editor created Ghubar Magazine in 2008, after noticing a lack of diversity on the runways. Wanting to change the concept and with a penchant for striking imagery, Sarah embarked on Ghubar. Flash forward to today and it’s no wonder that magazine is a sought after international digital glossy.

We were treated to interview Sarah as she readies the documentary for The Ghubar Project, chronicling the mag’s behind the scenes three year journey.  Read more as Sarah talks her career in fashion, her inspiration behind Ghubar and what she has to say for industry hopefuls.

When, where and how did you begin your career in fashion?

My fashion journey began with between high school and college when I saw a photograph shot by Helmut Newton in 2006. I was struck by the strong black and white imagery of a topless woman with arm length leather gloves. I thought it was so fascinating. At that moment, I knew I would do something in an image-based industry. That is what led me to study advertising and communication, to learn how to translate the longest speech into one single image.

Why a career in fashion? What prompted you to get into the industry? 

I never really decided to lead a career in fashion, ironically, it just happened. I’ve always loved designs and accessories. I credit my mother, who is a very stylish woman, for giving me an appreciation for fashion. Yet, I see myself as a business enthusiast. Fashion is a field I operate in. I have always been attracted by strong imagery. I’m constantly taking pictures and doing collages.

Ghubar’s June/July issue with DJ Rashida on the cover

What made you start Ghubar Magazine? What influenced you to do so?

I started Ghubar Magazine in 2008, wanting to showcase girls of all ethnic backgrounds. At the time blogs were booming and the debate about the lack of black girls on runways were a hot topic. I couldn’t understand why it was a big deal. What was wrong with showing color on runways? I wanted to change that. By creating a platform, different from a blog but as attractive and visually more daring than a news website, I wanted to create a magazine for all women with no frustration of being left aside.

Have you experienced any breakthrough moments as editor –in – chief of Ghubar?

Oh my plenty! Good and bad moments, but I think what only matter is to have a strong heart. You never know what’s going to happen next when you throw yourself in such adventure.

How do you create the fashion direction for Ghubar? What inspires you to create them?

This might sound cliché, but mostly everything. I’m inspired from an old picture to a piece of jewelry. It helps me pulling and build concepts I will work around. But the most beautiful inspiration I can have is a travel.

Ghubar is widely known in the international fashion sector? Any plans for a US takeover?

I can’t really realize the impact, and I must confess I am always impressed – even shocked – when someone stops me in the street to say how much he or she love the magazine and the work my team and I put in.

Today, Ghubar is read on 153 countries over the world and I am aware it is quite something, but there is still a lot of work to do.

By this October we will be releasing The Ghubar Project, a documentary we’ve been working on for a year now, retracing our three year journey from an inside and backstage perspective, addressing to the US market. It was about time we take over America, and it has finally arrived.

Any tips for fashion industry hopefuls?

Achieving a dream or reaching success is a lot of work, filled with failures and disillusions, so one must always remember that when he or she sleeps, his or her life sleeps. Time goes by too fast to end up asking “what if’, so do not think too much. Just do it, and do not ever let anybody doubt your talent.

You can follow Ghubar Magazine via Twitter and Facebook.