Project Runway winner Gretchen Jones has teamed up with Piperlime for an exclusive jewelry collection, which is available now at Piperlime. Inspired by the Egyptian pyramids, the Season 8 victor designed a beautiful line of jewels, including rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and body chains. Each piece is handmade by artisans in Bogotá, Colombia, and 100 percent of the profits will be donated to Aid to Artisans. The proceeds will help create economic opportunities for craftspeople around the world.

As part of the design project, Jones traveled to Colombia and worked with the artisans on her collection at their workshop. She hopes that others will connect with the collection of jewelry as well. As a designer, she recognizes the value in making clothing and jewelry “that will be interpreted by its wearer and will become a favorite piece in their own wardrobe”. Visit Piperlime to view the entire collection from Jones.

Being a devoted fan of Project Runway, I was delighted to meet with Twin-Cities native Christopher Straub at his guest appearance at the Minnesota Home & Garden Show. The Project Runway: Season Six contestant has always been an artist, making sculptures and drawings before he designed clothing and accessories. In 2008, we were introduced to the self-taught designer’s unique aesthetic. His signature line, the Christopher Straub Collection, includes clothing for women and men, handbags and wallets. His appearances at various Home & Garden shows this Spring will take him to Birmingham, AL and Midwest cities, including Minneapolis this weekend. You can meet the talented designer at the Home & Garden Show on Saturday, March 5. Before his Garden Show Fashion Challenge at the Minneapolis Convention Center, I chatted with him about his work with unique materials and his fashion project with the home improvement retailer, Home Depot.

SF: Congratulations on all of your success and your accomplishments on Project Runway: Season 6.
CS: Thank you very much. I am a huge fan of the show and I enjoy meeting contestants from other seasons and having a little meet and greet just like any other fan. I do keep in touch with some of the contestants from my own season as well.

SF: Tell me a little about the presentation you are doing for the Home & Garden Show this weekend. What was your inspiration for the project?
CS: Home Depot asked me to design a garment created from their items. With a budget of $50 for the supplies, I chose a mop head, a cotton drop cloth, a leather utility belt and some spray paint to make a fashionable look.

SF: The completed look is beautiful and I love that you created a handbag to accompany the dress. What did you enjoy the most about the design challenge?
CS: I love working with unique materials. I enjoy making the materials work for what I want to do. My favorite challenge from Project Runway is the unique materials project. It forces you to think outside of the box, thinking about how to use items like tarp and duck tape. I almost prefer it to working with draping materials such as silk. So this project for Home Depot was right up my alley!

SF: I am impressed that the dress looks like it was on the runway! Was it your intention to create a look perfect for Spring?
CS: I definitely considered the season when I started the project. I also played with the color palettes, such as the ivory and greens I wanted to use, and the silhouette of a look that was fun to wear for Spring.

SF: You have a busy schedule ahead of you with the Home & Garden tour. What type of design projects do you have in the works that we can we look forward to later?
CS: Nothing is set in writing yet, but there are different projects being considered right now. All I can say is that some big projects will be coming up!

Project Runway Winner Irina Shabayeva and Models of the Runway Winner Kalyn Hemphill

If you intently followed the exciting  design challenges like we did on Project Runway Season 6,  you will recall the episode, “The Sky is the Limit,” where the talented designers were given the task to create two fashionable looks in the color of blue for Macy’s INC brand. Designer Irina Shabayeva was the winner of the challenge, and went on to become the winner of Project Runway for the season.

Just in time for the holiday season, Shabayeva designed a dress exclusively for INC at Macy’s. The lovely navy dress is now available at Macy’s.com for $139. While it is a little disappointing that the striped dress she had designed for the challenge was not produced for the general public, the soft draping and butterfly design on the jersey dress are pretty touches. We also love that she used the unexpected hue of navy, which is a welcomed diversion from the sea of black holiday dresses this year!

Product Runway

The runway show will exhibit couture garments constructed from a diverse range of materials, such as linoleum, paper, tile, carpeting, lighting, and upholstery. The contestants will include innovative teams from regional firms competing for prizes and bragging rights. An auction to benefit the Seattle Ronald McDonald House will be held at the event. The bidding will include an original dress from designer Jason Wu, who also created the beautiful inaugural gown for First Lady Michelle Obama.

Tickets are still available at www.productrunway.com. Doors will open at 7 p.m. If you are going to be in the Seattle area, don’t miss Product Runway, where fashion meets design.

Kevin Christiana

It should come to no surprise to anyone in the fashion industry that Kevin Christiana has realized his dreams as a fashion designer. The Project Runway: Season Four contestant has been sewing and designing clothing since he was very young. His creative talent derives from his Sicilian family, many of whom are tailors and seamstresses. Before he earned the attention of Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn as an aspiring member in the fashion design competition, Christiana’s first label had been sold to approximately 200 boutiques nationwide. His latest collection, MYNT 1792, a denim line for men and women, will soon launch and be available in retailers everywhere for Fall. For the “girlfriend” look, the New Jersey native designed menswear pieces, such as jackets made of Italian fine wool, and great-fitting jeans with rocker chic details, and for the guys, he chose super soft fabrics for vintage T-shirts and comfortable jeans.

Recently, I had the pleasure to chat with the very busy designer about his inspirations and how he harmonizes his artistic talents with the habits of consumers today. Read on for our interview:

Q: Who or what inspired you to become a fashion designer? 
A: Susana Monaco, who is a fellow designer and cousin, my Uncle Mario, who owns a large manufacturing facility and my Aunt Ida Lasusa who taught me how to sew, also known as the family’s master seamstress.  I guess you could say It’s in the jeans!

Q: How did being on the show Project Runway change your life? Professionally and personally. Are you recognized more as an accomplished designer? 
A: Project Runway enhanced my life in so many ways.  The press and attention I receive is amazing!  To be recognized after 12 years of hard work, is beyond rewarding.  As a designer, there is an evolution that happens with every designer, will one survive and can it be repeated?  For me?  Project Runway guided me into a survival designer.

Q: How has the state of the economy affected your choices and decisions as a designer? And, how have you adapted to the changes in consumers’ spending?
A: As a company, MYNT 1792, we created a high-end product at an affordable price-point.  We do intense research when picking fabrics, materials and manufacturing costs; always thinking about the consumer.

Q: Who is your idol?
My idol is, really, my environment.  I am so inspired by architecture, people, places, food…basically anything that brings out my creativity.

Q: How do you overcome creativity blocks? And, how do you reward yourself for your accomplishments?
A: Sometimes, I just have to step out of the everyday and go someplace that is inspiring.  This allows me to recharge and keep designing.

Q: I am really looking forward to seeing your denim line in the Fall. What was your inspiration board like for the MYNT 1792 collection?
My partners and I wanted to create an American lifestyle brand.  MYNT 1792, a men’s and women’s line, is based on the U.S. Money Mint that was established in Philadelphia in 1792.  We wanted to make it about the American people.  The inspiration came from a combination of what we all like; a little bit of rock-n-roll, sports and creating comfort while looking stylish.  MYNT 1792′s tag line is: “E PLURIBUS UNUM”  which means “out of many, one” and that’s our goal for each client; make everyone feel like an individual.

Q: What advice do you have to aspiring fashion designers today? 
Always be prepared!  Be ready for failure, success, opinions and road blocks.  No matter what the neigh sayers say, stay connected and true to every vision and learn patience!  Hard work and persistence make a great designer.

Leanne Marshall for Bluefly

Fashion Designer Leanne Marshall debuted her exclusive line for Bluefly, and is now available for you to purchase. The eco-friendly collection is a lovely sampling of her signature organic silhouettes in vibrant hues. Keeping true to her “green” efforts, Marshall chose sustainable materials, such as natural fiber, bamboo and linen. Her limited edition includes dresses, jackets, skirts, pants and tops. Since she took home the big win on Season 5 of Project Runway, the talented artist has been very busy in her design studio. In addition to the capsule collection with Bluefly, which she did especially for her fans, she has been creating her namesake collection, “Leanne Marshall,” for Spring 2010. I can’t wait to see what this haute designer creates next!