‘In the world of fashion, one day you’re in and the next
day you’re out.’
— Heidi Klum
On
July 12, the Bravo cable channel premiered it’s third season of
the twice Emmy-nominated reality show, “Project Runway.” The
show began with 15 contestants — all aspiring fashion designers — who
each week compete to stay in the running to become “America’s
Next Top Designer” by creating an outfit based on the crazy challenges
given them by the panel of judges and Project Runway’s host, über
German supermodel Heidi Klum.
Each week one contestant is eliminated by the panel of judges which include
designer Michael Kors; Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia; a different
guest judge every week; and host Heidi Klum who proclaims weekly, “In
the world of fashion, one day you’re in and the next day you’re
out.” Serving as mentor and advisor to the contestants is Tim Gunn.
The three remaining contestants get the chance to showcase their designs
at New York Fashion week — the most prestigious fashion event in
the U.S. At stake for the winner is a new car, national exposure, a design
apprenticeship and $100,000 to start his/her own line.
“Project Runway” is but one of numerous programs that address
the American addiction with the fashion and beauty industry. TV, magazines,
newspapers, the internet, designers and mega-chain stores have taken the
mystery out of fashion and democratized what many thought of as the superfluous
religion of the consumer obsessed elite.
Before this advent, the only glimpse into fashion for the masses were magazines
like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. At that time they showed clothes
that were only available to those with a pedigreed last name.
The world of fashion — once as mysterious and exclusive as a secret
society — has become so inclusive that anyone, regardless of where
they live, can romp in that playground.
Up-to-the-minute fashion is only a click away on the internet for the average
Joe or Jane in Littletown, USA. The ability to purchase items featured
on the catwalks of New York, Paris and Milan is available on sites like
Bluefly.com, e-bay, shopetc.com or most major department stores’ sites.
Newspapers have also gotten into fanning the flames of the fashion obsessed:
The venerable Wall Street Journal constantly has articles on fashion, image
consulting and how to succeed in the workplace by improving one’s
image and appearance.
Perhaps the most important — and endearing — influence on pop
culture in fashion has been HBO’s “Sex and the City.” Sarah
Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, and the show’s
wardrobe stylist Patricia Fields made fashion names like Manolo, Choo,
Oscar and Prada as common as Rice Krispies, Tylenol, Band-Aid and Kleenex.
Other pop culture influences on fashion include films like “Unzipped,” “Seamless,” “Clueless” and
the current hit, “The Devil Wears Prada,” starring Meryl Streep.
Other network influences include the Style network’s “Fashion
Police” and “Extreme Makeover” — not the home edition — but
the one that remakes its guests with dramatic plastic surgeries, huge weight
loss and exercise programs and dental transformations.
Other shows that have demystified the world of high glamour include TLC’s “What
Not to Wear,” CW’s “America’s Next Top Model” with
Tyra Banks as host and Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight
Guy.” Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and
Jai Rodriguez have become the “Fab 5.” They are loved by both
gay and straight men and women. Most importantly, I think they’ve
shown millions of straight people that the only thing they have to fear
about us is our elevated taste level.
I’m thrilled that information relating to beauty and fashion is available
to everyone — even those whose last name isn’t Post, Vanderbilt,
Auchincloss, Hilton or Bush. Now everyone has access to what was once reserved
for the very elite. Anyone can enjoy the ever-changing and evolving world
of high style. And it is important to keep up if you want to play; because,
as Heidi Klum points out each week on “Project Runway,” “In
the world of fashion, one day you’re in and the next day you’re
out.”
— Edward Norman is an Image Consultant, Master Designer and Colorist,
and the owner of Edward Norman Image Consulting. He can be reached at 704-614-0207
or by email at qstyle1@yahoo.com.
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