Project Runway’s Althea Harper Steps It Up

Project Runway’s Season 6 standout Althea Harper has not faded into the silence as some of the show’s previous designers have done but instead has worked steadily – building a business and a following among celebrities, a-listers, and fashionistas alike.  Adding yet another notch to her belt, both Kourtney and Kim Kardashian have taken a liking to the New York based designer – with Kim donning a dress from Harper’s Fall 2010 Collection for the Season 5 promo shoot of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians”.

The sleek lines and mesh cut outs of the dress worn by Kardashian were inspired by both the Futurism movement that originated in Italy during the early 20th century and the female form.  Harper’s designs seamlessly incorporate both draping and tailoring, and have garnered lots of attention in the fashion industry for so beautifully enhancing the female figure.

I had the opportunity to meet Harper during the run of Project Runway’s 6th season, and I immediately found her kind and generous nature to be incredibly refreshing – especially in an industry that is so often overrun with elitism and entitlement.  Harper continues to design in a very distinct style, as the self-designed dress that she was wearing when I met her also incorporated incredible lines and mesh cutouts, much like the one seen on Kim above.

I’m thrilled to see Harper finding so much success and continuing to follow her passion beyond Project Runway and I’m eager to see the debut of her 2011 S/S collection next month.

Pamella Roland Fall 2010 Collection – Chic. European. Classy.

I’m not ashamed to admit it.  I fell in love last season when I was at the tents.  There was a designer who had barely made it onto my radar, but for some reason I attended her show.  And I fell in love.

Pamella Roland.

If you’re my friend on facebook or you follow me on twitter, this is a song that you know the lyrics to already.  But I don’t care.  Since it’s my favorite song, I’m singing it anyway.  Roland quite literally took the industry by storm when she released her first collection at age 42 – instantly winning over critics and gaining a huge celebrity following.  Her red carpet looks are to. die. for.  Yes my friends, when I die please make sure I’m wearing Pamella Roland.

Her fall 2010 collection was inspired by Venetian Glamour, and I was inspired as well.  Inspired to go out and buy it all.  True story.  Ah, the fashion writer’s dilemma.  The collection was extensive, from chunky, colorful knits, regal purple gowns that were dripping with sophistication, and fresh takes on the wool shift dress.  The evening gowns, always a favorite of mine (I blame the Princess complex), were nothing short of stunning.  Roland sent a final piece down the runway – a bridal gown – which was simply a perfect, airy confection that seemed to float down the runway.

I threw a few photos that I took from my seat during the show into the graphic above, but if you really want a good feel for the show, check out the video below courtesy of IMG.  Some of the best 3:40 of your day, I promise.

Swoon with me in the comments, please.