You may recognize her as the runner-up for Season One’s Project Runway, but this runway show demonstrates that Kara Saun doesn’t need the title of “winner” to continue making huge inroads into the fashion landscape.

Kara Saun’s fall runway designs channeled English Victorian, French baroque and Japanese empire for a universally regal collection. Kara capitalizes on the strengths of the traditional styles while simultaneously modernizing them to create an ultra-feminine appeal.

The various fabrics she uses for her kimono dresses make them light and ethereal rather than conventionally cumbersome (traditional kimonos are constructed from over nine yards of fabric!), transforming the formal costume into an easily wearable dress. Each kimono dress is distinct with varying details that provide similar effects: the lowered waist with a dropdown bustline (left), the leather obi and slit (center), and ballooned sleeves and modern tunic-inspired top (right), enhance the sensuality of the look with subtle sophistication.

The mesh overlay fabric of the dress at left is simply gorgeous, and Kara lets the pattern stand on its own with some creative additions that enhance rather than detract from the look. The translucent sleeves mimic the effect of the fabric’s print—the model’s creamy skin under the gray mesh imitates the satin under the gray overlay. The collar-scarf adds a defining Victorian touch. The monochromatic dress at right flutters at the sleeves and skirt. The grey is an edgier color that is juxtaposed with a feminine cut. The one-tone color and neck-to-floor length (with long sleeves) would be overwhelming if weren’t for the open bust.

For the jacket at left, Kara uses leather to construct a design based on the Victorian-era blouse, which is usually made with silk or other lightweight fabrics. The use of leather demonstrates her intricate garment construction skills, as well as her aesthetic ability to retain the soft femininity of a blouse while simultaneously altering the traditional look for a fashion-forward approach to leather outerwear. The large leather bands around the waist are perhaps more flattering than the cinched waist (on real world people), and creates a bustier look without the rigidly confining corset. A brocade skirt matched with a solid shirt provides balance.

-Ali

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The Duet Larimar in gold from Jewelry by Cari is a great piece for when you’re at a loss as to what to wear in terms of jewelry. I’m a big fan of silver, but every now and then I come across a great piece of jewelry in vermeil on solid, pure silver . This double layered necklace comes with a larimar stone found only in the Dominican Republic and is set in 24k gold. You can be versatile and wear it in several different ways. Although it is a double circle, you can take one off and simply wear it as one, you can wear it with a heavier chain, or, you can get a light chain and keep the focus on the stone. It’s available at Couture Candy, you can ask one of their jewelry stylists for more tips on this piece.

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…another magazine.

I’m hoping he doesn’t go Oprah and use an image of the month for every cover. Did I just say something mildly disparaging about the queen of all things talk? How catty.

According to fashion bible WWD, Mizraahi’s magazine will be lifestyle-based and will be a driver for his upcoming website.