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Project Runway recap: Descending into Good and Evil [S16.Ep5]
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on September 16, 2017
Project Runway. Season 16 Episode 5 on LIFETIME. judges: Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen. Guest judges: Dove Cameron and China Anne McClain. Host: Heidi Klum. Mentor: Tim Gunn.
An easily forgettable overall snooze of an episode. It starts with Tim Gunn taking this designers to the Lyndhurst Mansion where they meet the stars of Disney Channel’s Descendants 2—Dove Cameron and China Anne McClain—this week’s guest judges. Not even Disney but Disney Channel. Come on Lifetime and Project Runway! These children’s film tie-ins are tiresome. How about a tie-in with Mother! or Battle of the Sexes? Have I aged out of Project Runway? Who are these stars?
This week’s challenge: create an evening wear look inspired by the movie Descendants 2.
Some will be designing a good look and some an evil look. As last week’s challenge winner, Michael assigns good and evil. Good looks: Amy; Brendan; Kentaro; Aaron; Ayana; Claire. Evil looks: Kenya; Samantha; Shawn; Margarita; Batani; Michael.
“I love stories and I Love making garments inspired by them.” –Samantha
Being a model-focused season, the designers discuss which models they’ll be designing for and if there are challenges, concerns or particular inspirations. In the workroom, Margarita struggles and videochats with her parents. She’s crying that she’s not a crazy designers and that making women beautiful is her thing. She says: “I would hate to go home trying to be something I’m not.” Okaaaay Margarita. It’s season 16. You know there’s going to be avant garde, evening wear and unconventional challenges. The twins persist in annoying some of the designers. The Brandon/Kentaro bromance continues.
Tim comes in to critique. He tells Brandon that he’s full of the unexpected as Brandon designs another menswear-inspired shirt dress. He tells Claire to “beat back the costume” and questions whether or not lace on Michael’s look is matronly. Shawn feels that her design is really her. Aaron’s look. Oof. He’s not lasting all that much longer. He says he’s trying to “be more innovative and fun” but Tim says “it’s a gimmick.” He tells Margarita that she’s moving in a “beautiful direction.” So she needn’t worry. Tim tells Samantha her look is “like a big craft project.”
The Brandon love fest continues as his model Christina says: “I love Brandon. All these girls have a crush on him. But he does have a girlfriend FYI.”
Runway notes: Shawn’s look is cool. Kentaro’s is flowy. Brandon’s look is interesting. Samantha’s is basic. Aaron’s look is a big no. It looks like post-school dance. Michael chose gorgeous fabric and it’s a pretty design. Claire’s is simply. Ayana’s look is lovely.
SAFE: Batani; Amy; Kentaro; Ayana; Shawn; Margarita
HIGH SCORES:
Brandon
He says he thought about his girl as a superwoman for inspiration.
Heidi: “It’s a modern straight jacket. I love it. It feels very fashion forward.”
Dove: “You did a fantastic job of taking the challenge and making it your own.”
Zac: “We’ve seen a lot of these different length shirt dresses. You can’t be a one-trick pony.”
Kenya
She says: “I’m evil and I thought about a dark tuxedo look.”
Heidi: “It all works. I’m just in love with this look.”
China: “It’s tailored perfectly.”
Nina: “I love the fact that you didn’t do a gown. The drama is in balance.”
Michael
He says he’s inspired by “darker elements.”
Heidi: “She was a queen walk down the runway.”
China: “I wrote fabric sleighs in all caps.”
Zac: “It fits spectacularly.”
LOW SCORES:
Claire
She says the first thing she thought of was princess.
Zac: “It looks like Cinderella on her day off.”
Nina: “We have seen a version of this a billion times. This is a cliché.”
Heidi: “This to me is forgettable.”
Samantha
She explains that she was inspired by poison fruit and poison flowers.
Zac: “I don’t like your fabric choice. It’s just ugly.”
Nina: “This feels very old.”
Heidi: “It’s kinda like an 80s prom dress.”
Aaron
He says: “I was given good and I thought that resonated with a pink.”
Heidi: “It’s just so messy. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Nina: “It looks like a child put together this outfit.”
Brandon is the WINNER
Aaron is OUT
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Project Runway recap: We’re Sleeping Wear? [S16.Ep4]
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on September 8, 2017
Project Runway. Season 16. Episode 4 on LIFETIME. judges: Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen. Guest judge: Demi Lovato. Host: Heidi Klum. Mentor: Tim Gunn.
Episode 4: “We’re Sleeping Wear?”
Heidi and Tim arrive onstage. Apparently designers were called back right after last week’s elimination. Heidi is wearing a backpack and Tim’s hauling backpack on wheels. They announce that designers will be spending the night atop the Empire State Building.
This week’s challenge: create a sleepwear look for Heidi Klum Intimates sleepwear inspired by Empire State Building and New York skyline. Designers will also create their own textile.
Aaron: “Sleepwear’s kinda cute and sexy so I think it could be fun.”
Samantha: “I love painting so this seems like it’s right in my wheelhouse.”
Heidi calls out Claire for looking scared. Claire says: “That building is very tall.” They all head over in pajamas. Claire holds Shawn all the way up on the elevator. Amy notes: “It feels like floating through some kind of vintage movie dream.” Once on the 86th floor and out on the observation deck, they sketch for 30 minutes. “It’s definitely a magical moment,” Brandon observes.
Kenya plans to design a romper. Michael is making a slip style garment with angles like the Chrysler building or a “Harlem renaissance” dress. Kentaro says he’s not going to construct an all-black garment but instead a colorful maxi dress. In the morning, a full suited Tim bearing breakfast sandwiches sneaks up to wake the designers. I hope they brushed their teeth at least!
Back in the workroom they have about 11 hours for this one-day challenge. Brandon’s wearing his hair in two braids. Aaron said he’s doing a two piece. Sounds like pajamas to me. Kenya says her style is classy, sexy, trendy and she doesn’t do sleepwear. Shawn’s designing a long jumpsuit while her twin Claire is making an art deco print. The twins seem calmer and quieter. As annoying as they can sometimes be they’re also enthusiastic and dedicated. It’ll be hard when one gets eliminated before the other. Deyonte isn’t yet sure of his direction.
Kenya’s struggling with her textile. As he holds up his textile, Kentaro says to Brandon: “Hey brother it looks like I killed someone with this fabric.” Brandon explains: “Kentaro’s my buddy. That’s my G. That’s my brother. I look to him for advice. Just to have the connection has got me in a good place.” We’re getting to that time in the season when bonds get formed.
Heidi and Tim arrive for critiques and Heidi says: “Did you have time for a shower or no? No. That’s okay.” As they approach Shawn, Tim tells Heidi: “This is remarkable. She has something on a form. She never has for me.” Tim may not be a fan. Heidi tells the twins to chat less, work more. Deyonte’s hot pink and gray confuses Heidi who refers to it as a clown costume. Ayana explains she won’t be designing modest this time around because under the modest clothing is something not so much modest. Margarita shows her kimono robe. “I see a menstrual cycle,” Tim says. When Michael shows his strappy design, Heidi’s concerned. She wonders how to get out to go to the bathroom. I think it’s not the bathroom that concerns her. Claire is using purple and bright pink. Amy talks about a sunset and cityscape and Heidi tells her she’s thinking too literally. Heidi doesn’t think Kenya’s romper jumpsuit is very sleepwear. “You wanta be in the bed. You’ve got a boo. It’s gotta be easy.” In other words for the Heidi Klum Intimates collection it should be easy access and easy in and easy out. [I took a look at Heidi Klum Intimates and wasn’t wowed by anything. nothing stands out as unique sleepwear.]
Later on as they continue to work it turns out the twins ARE irritating everyone again. This time their tag team approach bothers the other designers. “I think we all help each other out in the workroom but I think the twins take it to another level. It’s not fair,” Margarita says.
Kentaro’s model says she’s the “Naomi of plus size” and that she gave some advice to Kentaro because she’s known for her shape. Aaron’s having problems with his fabric as its texture changed and there’s not much flow. Amy had remarked that he’d have a tough time working with his fabric. Kentaro has learned a new American term and tells Samantha he wants to stop being anal so often. Samantha hugs him. “Kentaro is all sugar and happiness and butterflies and so sweet,” she explains. A model says she feels frumpy and matronly and too covered up in Deyonte’s design.
Runway notes: Amy’s design is in a pretty print and color. Margarita’s look is bleh. Claire’s doesn’t do it for me. Michael’s look is very pretty. Don’t like anything about Deyonte’s design. I want Ayana’s look. It’s super lovely. I want Shawn’s look in a different color. Kentaro created a nice print. I adore Samantha’s design and want those pants.
HIGH SCORES:
Michael
He tells judges his inspiration is art deco.
Demi: “I love the color combination. The blush is so pretty and flattering on many complexions. The neckline is unique. It’s practical and comfortable.”
Heidi: “It looks sophisticated, sexy, expensive.”
Zac: “I wrote down Deco Cleopatra.”
Nina: “I love the effect in the back. The multi straps. It feels very 1920s. Very New York.”
Shawn
She says she noticed the plaque of origin that stated that the building is sleek and slender and she wanted to “evoke the same kind of feeling.”
Heidi: “You are giving us something sophisticated, sexy, elegant.”
Zac: “It looks very polished.”
Nina: “I love the detail of the print. It looks modern, sophisticated, sensuous.”
Kentaro
He says he saw a sunrise and the top part he modeled after the building. He also noted that it “flows like a butterfly.”
Heidi: “This I can see a woman wanted to go to bed in. We have design here. It feels easy. A little flouncy.”
Nina: “This is adorable, charming, fresh. There’s something very feminine about it in a very quiet and modern way.”
Zac: “Beautiful draping. Effortless. Easy. It has something playful. I thought it was a breeze and happy.”
LOW SCORES:
Aaron
He tells designers that he was inspired by a vent. Which is problematical in and of itself. A vent? Of all the aspects of that building?
Heidi: “I’m so surprise. You’re giving two pieces that are too tight.”
Nina: “The waistband looks like a bad sweatpant. It’s a problem.”
Zac: “I thought it was lackluster. This is Runway. The world is watching.” IS it Zac? I’m not sure ratings-wise.
Deyonte
He tells the judges that after Tim and Heidi’s critique he did some revamping and thinks the model looks beautiful and dreamy.
Nina: “First of all, this doesn’t even look like something to sleep or lounge in. It looks like a dress. Her armhole feels very high up so she’s looking tight on top. The shape is nothing.”
Zac: “It’s boring. This didn’t do it for me today.”
Heidi: “Where is the sexy? Show me the sexy.”
Kenya
For her inspiration, she says she thought art. She starts crying during the critique and judges go easy.
Heidi: “I’m sad to see you at the bottom.”
Zac: “You have a beautiful color palette.”
Nina: “You didn’t take the easy way out and you get a lot of credit.”
Michael is the WINNER
shop Michael’s design here.
Deyonte is OUT
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Project Runway Recap: ‘A Leap of Innovation’ [S16.Episode 3]
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on September 2, 2017
Project Runway. Season 16. Episode 3 on LIFETIME. judges: Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen. Guest judge: Maddie Ziegler. Host: Heidi Klum. Mentor: Tim Gunn.
This week’s challenge: create a look inspired by dance, movement and innovation.In another inexplicable tie-in/inspiration, designers watch the children’s animated film Leap! as well as a performance by the dance group Hiplet. Designers will have 30 minutes to sketch and $200 to shop at Mood.
Batani: “This challenge is perfect for me. I do hip-hop dance. I do belly dance. I do Indian dance. To bring it together with fashion is just going to be explosive.”
Kentaro remarks that he’s only worked with size 0-4 models. Might be challenging for him that his model this week doesn’t fit that size range. Margarita will use her Puerto Rican culture as inspiration. Ayana has become an early favorite for me. This week she creates her own starry textile. She notes that her design is “flowy and has movement but also looks like stars and looks like midnight. Reach for the stars.”
Kudzanai wants to get the judge’s attention this week as he’s been safe so far. Whenever someone says this they ultimately win or get eliminated. He states: “I’m African so I’m incorporating a lot of different aspects from African culture—feathers, colors, all those aspects of motion and movement.” Deyonte chose a chartreuse fabric. He then has a sewing accident. A needle goes right through his finger. Medics bandage him up and he continues on.
In the workroom, there’s not yet much friction between the designers. The twins seem to annoy everyone. And you know producers were excited to bring this element to the show. Because why not? Twins worked on The Bachelor franchise. Kenya: “I’m just tired of the twins running around the workroom like their heads are cut off.” Kudzanai: “The twins are a lot. I wish I was sitting somewhere a bit quieter.” Project Runway has always attracted vast swaths of designers, this season’s cast is especially diverse. Michael and Margarita bond over their Latina backgrounds [he’s Mexican; she’s Puerto Rican] and speak Spanish to each other. Brandon, already quiet, gets in what he calls “Zen mode” when designing. He’s so focused that he blocks out all noise and distraction.
Tim comes in for critique. He tells Claire what maybe many are thinking, to “stay away from Red Bull and coffee.” He tells Shawn she might be thinking too literally. He warns Aaron not to make his garment “a pu-pu platter of different treatments.” [side note: do millennials know a pu-pu platter?] He tells Margarita that her design “looks like full tilt costume.” To Ayana: “There’s a lot going on. I’d reel it in a bit.” And to Kudzanai: “It’s a look that’s about being a lot of look and at this point I think you just have to go for it.”
Runway show notes. Deyonte’s design is way too short. Not flattering. Kudzanai’s design isn’t flattering at all. Margarita’s look is puffy. Claire’s looks ill-fitting. Ayana’s look is stunning. Shawn’s look is okay. Batani created a pretty flowy floral look. Samantha’s design is edgy.
HIGH SCORES:
Batani
She tells judges she got her inspiration from the inventor in Leap! She thought about colorful butterflies.
Nina: “When I first saw the shadow of this I already liked it and then when it walked down the runway, the print, the color, the fluidity of the fabric really captured it for me.”
Zac: “I was mixed on it.”
Heidi: “I am a huge fan of Burning Man and a lot of people wear this kind of stuff there. It’s loud. It’s a little bit sexy but a lot of people have wings.”
Margarita
She tells judges that she’s inspired by dance and that Bomba, the traditional Puerta Rican dance came to mind. “So I set her in a little tropical paradise ensemble,” she states. I didn’t love this look. I wouldn’t have picked it for top three.
Heidi: “I loved this look. It moved beautifully on the runway. It looked sophisticated. Maybe the midriff is a little too open.”
Nina: “I love the spirit of this dress.”
Brandon
He tells judges that hip-hop was the inspiration. Also something that’s inspired his designs from the beginning. After this runway, I expect Brandon to be showing at NYFW. When I saw his final look I just thought: it’s black and white. It doesn’t appeal to me. I like man-bun Brandon and his quiet Zen energy though. The models also favor Brandon. He’s handsome. And mysterious.
Nina: “Wow. I love this. I love the creativity. I love its boldness.”
Heidi: “I love your taste. It is fabulous. It is different. Something we haven’t seen before.”
Zac: “These are the moments I wait for on Project Runway. It’s a really focused point of view. It talks about movement and innovation.”
LOW SCORES:
Kentaro
His inspiration [and his inspiration from the beginning of the competition] is his training as a pianist and classic ballet.
Zac: “I don’t think it had the biggest runway impact. It’s just not enough. I’m not impressed.”
Heidi: “It’s a little too literal. It’s a little too snoozy.”
Nina: “There needed to be some kind of punch when we saw it.”
Deyonte
He tells judges his woman is going out on the town to see the Hiplet dancers.
Zac: “It’s definitely vibrant. That’s about it. It’s dull. A sheer skirt and lace top and a mullet hem?”
Guest judge Maddie Ziegler: “This reminds me most of dance because I’ve worn a costume almost exactly like that.”
Heidi: “You guys are designers. This is supposed to be fashion. I see an ice skater. I see bad 80s. It is a little bit painful.”
Kudzanai
His inspiration is mixed West Indian culture. Earlier in the episode we saw Kudzanai’s African/West Indian backstory.
Heidi: “I feel you got a little too inspired by a children’s movie because it looked very juvenile. It’s also not very flattering. It kinda looks like a piñata that exploded in the back.”
Nina: “This is maximal at the max. You embellished it so much that it’s taking away.”
Brandon is the WINNER.
Kudzanai is OUT.
Project Runway airs Thursday at 9pm on LIFETIME.
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Project Runway S16: meet the designers
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on August 27, 2017
Season 16 of Project Runway premiered August 17, 2017 on Lifetime. This season designers will design for various sized models (from 2-22 Tim announces in the first episode). The designers will work with a different model on each challenge. They’re also incorporating a model mirror where the models comment about the designs and the designers. Another season featured model “confessions” and I think it didn’t carry over to the next season as its a design show and focus is on the designers not necessarily the models.
The first episode featured a red carpet challenge. Amy stated: “My trunk is packed full of wisdom so I don’t think this is going to be that hard.” Brandon, who designs menswear, said: “I’m out of my element. It’s got me questioning myself and my abilities.”
Deyonte won. ChaCha lost and was eliminated.
Deyonte’s winning design:
ChaCha’s losing design:
On the second episode designers worked in teams on an unconventional materials challenge using recycled materials. Why do they do unconventional and team challenges so early on? During the judging, Claire said: “I’ve never designed for a curvy girl.” Maggie Q whispered to Marie Claire‘s Anne Fulenwider: “She’s totally normal.” Anne replied: “I think she’s skinnier than I am.”
Ayana won. Sentell lost and was eliminated.
Ayana’s winning design:
Sentell’s losing design:
Here are the designers:
AARON MYERS
Age: 23
Hometown: Sevierville, Tenn.
Resides in: Brooklyn, New York
Education: Columbia College Chicago
Style Icon: Alanna Pearl
AMY BOND
Age: 46
Hometown: Idaho
Resides in: Los Angeles, Calif.
Education: MFA in fashion design
Style Icon: Tilda Swinton
Current: professor at Otis College of Art & Design
AYANA IFE
Age: 27
Hometown: New York, New York
Resides in: Salt Lake City, Utah
Education: Middle Tennessee State University– textiles, merchandising and design
Style Icons: Chriselle Lim, Rihanna
BATANI-KHALFANI
Age: 32
Hometown: East Los Angeles, Calif.
Resides in: Inglewood, Calif.
Style Icons Rihanna, Janelle Monáe
BRANDON KEE
Age: 24
Hometown: Murray, Utah
Resides in: San Francisco, Calif.
Education: Art Institute of San Francisco
Style Icon: Rihanna
CHACHA
Age: 24
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan
Resides in: Chicago, Ill.
Education: Art Institute of Chicago– masters in fashion design
Style Icon: Miley Cyrus
CLAIRE BUITENDORP
Age: 27
Hometown: Grand Ledge, Mich.
Resides in: Grand Ledge, Mich.
Style Icon: Katy Perry
DEYONTE WEATHER
Age: 36
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Resides in: Lynwood, Wash.
Style Icon: Beyonce
KENYA FREEMAN
Age: 37
Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia
Resides in: Atlanta, Georgia
Style Icon: Tracee Ellis Ross
KENTARO KAMEYAMA
Age: 38
Hometown: Gifu-Ken, Japan
Resides in: Los Angeles, Calif.
KUDZANAI KARIDZA
Age: 32
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Resides in: Atlanta, GA
Style Icons: Pharrell, A$AP Rocky, David Beckham
MARGARITA ALVAREZ
Age: 30
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Resides in: Los Angeles, Calif.
Style Icon: Iris Apfel
MICHAEL BRAMBILA
Age: 25
Hometown: Oakland, Calif.
Resides in: Oakland, Calif.
Style Icons: Tilda Swinton, Panos Yiapanis
SAMANTHA REI
Age: 36
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
Resides in: Minneapolis, Minn.
Style Icon: Janelle Monae
SENTELL MCDONALD
Age: 33
Hometown: New York, NY
Resides in: Bronx, NY
Style Icons: Tracee Ellis Ross, Corinne Bailey Rae, Solange Knowles
SHAWN BUITENDORP
Age: 27
Hometown: Grand Ledge, Mich.
Resides in: Grand Ledge, Mich.
Style Icon: Gwen Stefani
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National Women’s Soccer League Game of the Week to be broadcast live on Lifetime on Saturdays beginning April 15
Posted by Amy Steele in TV, Women/ feminism on March 31, 2017
Lifetime cements its commitment to women and women’s television and entertaining by airing National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) games on Saturdays. Supporting and showcasing women’s sports strengthens Lifetime’s position as a television station focused on women and airing programming by women, about women. I played soccer in my youth and it’s an empowering team sport. I look forward to watching the games. Honestly I’ve always wanted to watch women’s soccer but it’s often difficult to find the games on cable. Knowing that there will be a NWSL game every Saturday makes it easy to support NWSL.
The NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime will air Saturdays beginning at 3:30pm ET with a 30-minute pregame show leading up to kickoff at 4pm ET. The season opener on Lifetime will be Portland Thorns FC hosting the Orlando Pride, The schedule includes 22 regular-season matches as well as playoff semifinal games and the NWSL Championship.
| DATE | PREGAME | KICKOFF | HOME TEAM | VISITING TEAM |
| April 15th | 2:30PM | 3:00PM | Portland Thorns FC | Orlando Pride |
| April 22nd | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Orlando Pride | Washington Spirit |
| April 29th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Portland Thorns FC | Chicago Red Stars |
| May 6th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Chicago Red Stars | Houston Dash |
| May 13th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Houston Dash | Sky Blue FC |
| May 20th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Sky Blue FC | Houston Dash |
| May 27th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Houston Dash | Seattle Reign FC |
| June 3rd | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | North Carolina Courage | FC Kansas City |
| June 17th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Chicago Red Stars | Washington Spirit |
| June 24th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Orlando Pride | Houston Dash |
| July 1st | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | North Carolina Courage | Sky Blue FC |
| July 8th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | North Carolina Courage | Seattle Reign FC |
| July 15th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Portland Thorns FC | North Carolina Courage |
| July 22nd | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Chicago Red Stars | Orlando Pride |
| August 5th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Portland Thorns FC | Houston Dash |
| August 12th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Orlando Pride | Sky Blue FC |
| August 19th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | North Carolina Courage | Washington Spirit |
| August 26th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Seattle Reign FC | Portland Thorns FC |
| September 2nd | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Orlando Pride | Boston Breakers |
| September 9th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Orlando Pride | Seattle Reign FC |
| September 23rd | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Houston Dash | Chigaco Red Stars |
| September 30th | 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Portland Thorns FC | Chigaco Red Stars |
The NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime will be available for live and on-demand streaming via the Lifetime iOS and Android apps and online at MyLifetime.com. Use #NWSLonLIFETIME to discuss on social media.
About NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a ten-team Division-I women’s professional soccer league featuring national team players from around the world. The clubs are the Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, FC Kansas City, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, and the Washington Spirit. Based in Chicago, the NWSL is supported by the Canadian Soccer Association and the United States Soccer Federation. For more information about the NWSL, log on to the league’s official website at www.NWSLsoccer.com.
About Lifetime
Lifetime is a premier entertainment destination for women dedicated to offering the highest quality original programming spanning scripted series, non-fiction series and movies. The critically acclaimed UnREAL, Project Runway, Dance Moms, Bring It!, The Rap Game and Little Women franchises anchor the network’s programming, in addition to its over 25 original movies annually that continue to define the TV movie genre. In 2015, Lifetime launched Broad Focus, a major global initiative dedicated to supporting and hiring female directors, writers and producers to make its content which totals over 450 original hours. Lifetime’s Fempire positions the network as a curator of feminist content and conversations, as well as a place where women connect, learn and are entertained. Lifetime Television®, LMN®, Lifetime Real Women® and Lifetime Digital™ are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation.
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TV review: Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge and Michel’le
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, Music, TV on October 15, 2016
“Rap was about rage not beauty. Rap hated most women.” –Michel’le
After Straight Outta Compton premiered in theaters last year, many remarked how the film completely avoided depiction of N.W.A.’s violence against women. Here’s the counterpoint. It’s hip-hop artist Michel’le’s powerful and courageous story. As Michel’le narrates the film, this is her truth. Raised by her grandmother in Compton, Michel’le learned to expect men to hit women. That it was just something men did and that women should avoid provoking men and if he hits you to “fix it.” There’s this tragic conditioning of women and acceptance of violence against women. This is Michel’le’s story about her experience in the rap world, particularly her relationships with Dr. Dre and Suge Knight.
Plucked from a department store, Michel’le [adeptly portrayed by Rhyon Nicole Brown] starts singing on N.W.A. albums. She’s a surprise as she speaks in a high voice like Minnie Mouse but sings in a deep, gorgeous tone. She almost immediately attracts Dre’s attention and the two start dating. Michel’le remarks: “We were like family. They were like my brothers. Except for Dre of course.” Dre [Curtis Hamilton] had five children and “didn’t take any of these girls seriously.” Almost every guy that Michel’le knew had a baby. She said it was nearly a “Compton right of passage.” She and Dre move in together and she records her first album.
In the studio, Dre comes up and punches her hard. Repeatedly. It’s a disturbing scene. Being young and in love and not understanding love, Michel’le stayed with Dre. Another time he chokes her and exclaims: “Sing the song stupid bitch now.” They’re together for several years and have a son together. Here’s this distorted perception on love and loyalty. Women are afraid of men who control them. It’s often difficult to leave. Many women don’t feel self-confident enough to do so. She’s also young, inexperienced and swept up into this wild scene with drugs, booze, parties. In order to numb the pain, Michel’le started drinking and doing drugs. She also starts becoming successful apart from Dre. She opens for MC Hammer on tour in 1990. She also becomes an alcoholic and drug addict. Death Row Records co-founder [and Dr. Dre’s business partner] Suge Knight [R. Marcos Taylor] becomes an ally, a protector of sorts, and offers to get her into rehab. While Suge’s in jail, they marry. She has a baby. She takes her child to her grandmother because she doesn’t feel confident enough in raising her own child. When Suge beats her, Michel’le leaves him.
See this film. It provides a memorable and potent first-hand female perspective on the rap world. Although a music critic, I only know what I read in the news about the rap world. Alternative music has always been by genre. It’s literally about a woman being knocked down and picking herself up and carrying on. Tremendous respect to Michel’le for this film.
Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge and Michel’le premieres Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT on Lifetime.
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Project Runway S15: meet the designers
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on September 25, 2016
Heading into episode three on S15 of Project Runway, two designers have been eliminated: Linda and Ian.
In episode two, the designers needed to design something that would appeal to a wide variety of women. The winner’s design would be sold on the Just Fab website. Laurence won. Linda got eliminated.
winning design by Laurence:
Project Runway S15 Designers
TASHA HENDERSON
Age: 41
Hometown: Shreveport, LA
Resides in: Shreveport, LA
Favorite Designers: Kanye West, Control Sector, Daniel Patrick
Style Icon: Kanye West, Jesse Boykins, SZA, Rihanna, Janelle Monae, Pharrell
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Christian Siriano, Samantha Black, Sonjia, Mondo Guerra, Dom Streater
SARAH DONOFRIO
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Resides in: Portland, OR
Favorite Designers: Jean Paul Gautier, Ungaro, Walter Von Bierendonck and
Martin Margiela
Style Icon: Madonna
Favorite past Project Runway designer: Amanda Valentine and Mondo Guerra
ROBERI PARRA
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Resides in: Miami, FL
Favorite Designers: Different designers for different moments. I prefer those with a unique point of view and ideas.
Style Icon: Bjork
RIK VILLA
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Resides in: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Designers: Maison Margiela, Acne Studios, Rick Owens, Lanvin,
Nicolas Ghesquiere
Style Icon: Gwen Stefani
Favorite Past Project Runway Designer: Seth Aaron
NATHALIA JMAG
Age: 24
Hometown: Framingham, MA
Resides in: Boston, MA
Favorite Designers: Alexander Wang, Eileen Fisher, Riccardo Tisci, Stella McCartney, Jeremy Scott
Style Icon: Rihanna, Cher, Gwen Stefani
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Layana Aguilar & Kelly Dempsey
Education: Framingham State University design program
MAH-JING WONG
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Resides in: Philadelphia, PA
Favorite Designers: D2square, Zac Posen and Versace
Style Icon: Pam Grier, Lil Kim
Favorite past Project Runway designer: “I don’t have one, I love them all.”
Education: Art Institute of Philadelphia
LINDA MARCUS [eliminated week two]
Age: 55
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Resides in: Milwaukee, WI
Favorite Designers: Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Ricky Owens, Vivian Westwood
Style Icon: Iman, Jessica Alba, Zendaya
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Mondo Guerra, Austin Scarlett, Dom Streater
LAURENCE BASSE
Age: 41
Hometown: Paris, France
Resides in: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Designers: Tom ford, Balmain, JPG, Alexander McQueen
Style Icon: Grace Jones
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Kini Zamora
KIMBERLY RICHARDSON
Age: 42
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Resides in: New York, NY
Favorite Designers: Rodarte, Marchesa, Valentino, Stephane Roland and Vera Wang
Style Icon: Miroslava Duma
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Christian Siriano
Education: Art Institute of New York
JENNI RICCETTI
Age: 22
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Resides in: San Francisco, CA
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Mondo
ERIN ROBERTSON
Age: 29
Hometown: Provo, UT
Resides in: Cambridge, MA
Favorite Designers: Elsa Schiaparelli, Pheobe Philo, Miuccia Prada, Roksonda Ilincic, Alexander McQueen, Iris Van Herpen,
Style Icon: Anna Dello Russo
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Sean Kelly
Education: BFA in Fashion Design and Fiber Art from Massachusetts College of Art and Design
DEXTER SIMMONS
Age: 32
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Resides in: Oakland, CA
Favorite Designers: Victor and Rolf, KTZ, Hussein Chalayan
Style Icon: Grace Jones, Prince
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Michael Costello
CORNELIUS ORTIZ
Age: 24
Hometown: Boston, MA
Resides in: Boston, MA
Favorite Designers: Marc Jacobs, Rick Owens
Style Icon: Janelle Monae
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Sonjia Williams
Education: bachelors in Fashion Design and Retailing from Framingham State University
BRIK ALLEN
Age: 26
Hometown: Baton Route, LA
Resides in: New Orleans, LA
Favorite Designers: Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, and Kenz Style Icon: James Dean
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Mondo Guerra
Education: Bachelor of Science in Textiles, Apparel and Merchandising from Louisiana State University
ALEX SNYDER
Age: 30
Hometown: Boca Raton/Delray Beach, Florida
Resides in: San Francisco, CA
Favorite Designers: Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, and Christobal Balenciaga
Style Icon: Frida Kahlo, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, the Mara sisters, Sia, and Kate Blanchet
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Jay McCarroll
Education: MFA in design (unspecified school)
IAN HARGROVE [eliminated week one]
Age: 30
Hometown: Cary, IL
Resides in: Chicago, IL
Favorite Designers: Proenza Schouler, Altuzarra, Baja East
Style Icon: Jaden Smith, Jenna Lyons
Favorite past Project Runway Designer: Fabio Costa
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TV review: Indiscretion
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on July 23, 2016
INDISCRETION starring: Mira Sorvino; Christopher Backus; Cary Elwes; LisaGay Hamilton; Melora Walters directed by: John Stewart Miller written by: Laura Boersma and John Stewart Miller
It’s not always a guarantee when couples act in films together that it’ll work. Superbly talented Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino excels at her craft. If you watched Underground you saw her husband Christopher Backus in supreme creep mode. In the psychological thriller Indiscretion, New Orleans psychiatrist and politician’s wife Veronica [Sorvino] and artist Victor [Backus] partake in a steamy weekend fling. Veronica asks him why he isn’t out with some younger woman on a Friday night. He responds: “Girls my age don’t really have any life experience other than throwing up on Bourbon Street.” Interesting as there’s a 14 year age difference between the duo who have been married for 12 years and have four children. I’m a Mira Sorvino fan! She’s brilliant and lovely and kind.
As Veronica she’s tough, sexy and smart. Plus there’s intense onscreen chemistry between Sorvino and Backus. There’s sweet chemistry between Sorvino and Elwes. Veronica tells her psychiatrist friend: “It made me feel like anything could happen. Guess I just wanted male attention.” The film starts with Veronica in a sit-down interview and that’s interspersed throughout the film—a strong indicator something wicked will happen. Add to the scenario that Veronica’s husband Jake [Cary Elwes] had a very public affair recently. Elwes glides smoothly as the seemingly perfect politician. It’s mentioned by Victor: “Why’d he cheat? Why’d you cheat? Why are you here?” Of course when Veronica attempts to end the affair with Victor, he refuses to accept that they won’t be together. Victor befriends her husband and daughter. Indiscretion contains all the elements one wants in a Lifetime movie: sex; betrayal; attractive, success family with families; deranged lovers and violence. The story’s not too predictable and the film brims with all the emotions. A few twists and turns and a surprising ending will keep you riveted. Plus Sorvino’s eyelashes are on fleek! Tune in to find out what Victor does to destroy that which he cannot have and how Veronica protects her family.
Indiscretion premieres on Lifetime Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 8:00PM (ET/PT)
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Project Runway All-Stars S5: the designers
Posted by Amy Steele in TV on February 18, 2016
Thirteen designers return to compete on Project Runway All-Stars S5. This season started last Thursday and no one got eliminated! The judges want to see more. Alyssa Milano hosts Project Runway All-Stars. The judges are designer Georgina Chapman and designer Isaac Mizrahi as well as a celebrity guest judge each week. Zanna Roberts Rassi will again be the workroom mentor.
Here are this season’s competing designers:
Valerie Mayen–S8, 7th place
Cleveland, Ohio
education: graduated from Cleveland Institue of Art with degree in illustration
–started a company called Yellowcake
–first generation Guatemalan-American
Stella Zotis–S5, 9th place
New York, NY
inspiration: Ozzy Ozbourne; David Bowie; The Rolling Stones; Iggy Pop
fashion icons: Alexander McQueen; Balenciaga; Vivienne Westwood
Sam Donovan–Under the Gunn, 2nd place
Astoria, NY
education: Parsons School of Design
Mitchell Perry–S13, 12th place
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
education: Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
–teaches children to sew and up-cycle clothes which then get donated to the homeless
Layana Aguilar–S11, 5th place
New York, NY
education: FIT
–grew up in Brazil
–interned for Oscar de la Renta
–launched the lines Layana Aguilar and Laya Land
Kini Zamora–S13, 3rd place
Kapolei, Hawaii
education: FIT
–started his own label called Kinizamora which includes the lines KiniZamora Custom; KiniZamora Ready to Wear and KiniZamora Bridal and KZHawaii
Ken Laurence–S12, 8th place
Atlanta, Georgia
–writing a book
–launching his own online boutique
Fade Zu Grau–S13, 9th place
Coral Gables, Fla.
–born and raised in East Germany
–works in graphic design by day
Emily Payne–S13, 5th place
San Francisco, Calif.
–grew up in a small town in Texas
–has a children’s line
Dom Streater–S12, winner
Philadelphia, Penn.
–born and raised in West Philadelphia
–first African American to win Project Runway
–designed an exclusive clothing collection for Belk stores
–designed a collection of headphones for Velodyne
Daniel Franco–S1 and S2
Los Angeles, CAlif.
education: BA from Otis College of Art and Design; AA from FIDM
–worked as assistant to Richard Tyler in New York
–worked as designer for BCBG
–inherited the Albertson Chapel in 2007 from his father
Asha Daniels–Under the Gunn, 3rd place
Cincinnati, Ohio
education: University of Cincinnati
–interned at Marchesa
Alexander Pope–S12, 7th place
Ridgewood, NY
education: FIDM
–grew up in Hollywood in the 80s
–former drag queen
–designs costumes for Broadway shows
Project Runway All-Stars airs on Thursdays at 9pm on Lifetime.
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TV News: Amanda de Cadenet speaks with Secretary Clinton on The Conversation
Posted by Amy Steele in TV, Uncategorized, Women/ feminism on January 7, 2016
First, I’m not sure if The Conversation is returning as a series to Lifetime. This sounds like a one-off special. Following Amanda de Cadenet on Twitter, I think it airs online. Second, I have zero idea who any of the YouTube “personalities,” “experts” or “influencers” are or how one becomes one. Is this now something that millennials and the next generation aspire to be? But kudos to young women for speaking out. I’m a GenXer. I just don’t understand that kind of celebrity.
On Wednesday, January 13 at 10pm ET/PT on Lifetime will air an exclusive one-hour presentation of The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet featuring Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton. de Cadenet and Clinton discuss her childhood, life as a grandmother and what drives her to run for President of the United States. The two discuss issues facing women and girls, the importance of friendship, the definition of success and the best advice Clinton’s ever received.
For the second part of the special, de Cadenet invites social media influencers – comedian and YouTube personality GloZell Green, fashion expert and stylist Chriselle Lim and creator of the “Be Shameless” movement, Maya Washington to discuss a variety of topics important to women.
The Conversation airs Wednesday, January 15 at 10pm ET/PT on Lifetime.
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About Me
covering mostly music and books. focus on alternative/indie and women in music, literature and the arts. feminist. vegan. mostly alternative, a bit bohemian. Masters in journalism from Boston University. BA from Simmons College.
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