Project Runway - The Complete First Season (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)The 12 designers have stand-out personalities that draw you in immediately, even if you don't have a clue about (or even an interest in) fashion. Each week the designers are given a challenge (such as buying their supplies from ONLY a grocery store with only $50 to make their first piece). They are put to the test both creatively and technically with each new challenge (such as redesigning the US Postal Service uniform or creating the perfect Grammy dress), and it gets really funny and bitchy at times. For each challenge, the designers are allowed to choose a model with whom to work by pulling numbers out of a hat to determine the order in which they get to choose, with the winner of the last challenge getting first choice. Each week, not only is one designer cut, but a model will be sent home as well. The top three designers go on to show their unique lines at New York's Fashion Week. The winner of that competition, as well as his/her model, receives impressive opportunities in the fashion industry!
The designers are judged by such fashion icons as Michael Kors, as well as world-famous supermodel Heidi Klum and occasional celebrity judges. The pieces they create range from funky to formal, simple to elaborate, extravagent to the completely outrageous!
I highly recommend this DVD, along with all the extras. There is no other reality show that can compare to Project Runway. It's really fun to root for your favorite designer, and you'll really feel for each one when they get cut.
"In the fashion world, as in this competition, you're either in or you're out."

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This sexy and addictive hit show will draw you in with its irresistible combination of creativity and intensity inside the glamorous industry of high fashion! Starring beautiful international supermodel Heidi Klum -- you'll go behind the scenes and take an unguarded look at what it takes for some hip young designers to make it in the highly competitive world of fashion! Featuring every entertaining episode of the acclaimed first season, this must-have DVD collection also includes a wealth of never-before-seen outtakes and reams of bonus material!

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Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)Here is how haute couture is made. Valentino employed 100 seamstresses and owned one sewing machine (which no one would use). In the film, you see how each dress was lovingly designed and assembled and how the 45+ year partnership of Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giametti produced runway show after runway show. These partners clearly inspire the love and loyalty of their staff.
You see the sense of style that pervades the life. The entertaining, the travel, the pampered pets.
While the film is a fully positive portrait of this marvelous fashion house and its two leaders, the future looms. The company was sold in 1998 (and then again). The corporate owners don't appreciate the art and want more handbags, shoes and ready to wear. There are glimpses of this pressure as the film leads up to Rome's "45 Years of Valentino", a retrospective with pageantry worthy of its subject.
The film has a genuine quality. Some shots, being candid, won't have the perfect balance and people hesitate in speech. You see the tension in the preparation for big shows.
While others will not appreciate the film, if you are interested in the art of fashion, this is a must see.

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A critically acclaimed look into the life and times of legendary fashion designer Valentino. The film documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of the fashion icons celebrated career, tells the story of his extraordinary life and work, and also explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today. But at the heart of the film is the unique relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti.

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The September Issue (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)...something very important, and that is THE THIRD DISC.
I am not going to review the movie, but the DVD itself. The extra material is superb. It is fantastic actually, and these are for the true admirers of fashion and VOGUE. Could there be even more? Yeah, sure... They could have included the basic bios of the subjects, more pictures, VOGUE through ages, pivotal photos from the magazine archives, even more footage with the fashion designers and models etc. Still, over 90 minutes of extra material is just great.
But you know what is even greater than this version?
The THREE DISC VERSION that Barnes&Noble has to offer.
This elusive third disc in question includes a 25 minutes of footage from the preparation of the legendary Costume Institute Gala. It is just amazing. You get a lot of Anna here, and no Grace actually, however, you get to witness the MET event preparation including the decor, some peacocks, even Naomi Campbell, Cate Blanchett and Michael Bloomberg, and more of Anna being fashion's true 'Eminence Grise'. Her influence is immense, but this third disc truly proves how prominent she is, outside the high walls of VOGUE or the intimidating fashion shows. amazon.com version of the DVD doesn't include this third disc. I suppose the moviemakers and studio did cut a deal with B&N, for an even more special and exclusive release just for them.
I have learned about this edition and got excited. And I went to B&N today, and picked up my copy. It is more expensive than the 2 disc amazon edition -understandably- but so worth it, in my opinion.Disc I:
Movie
Some extra materials
Production photosDisc II:
Extra materials (with Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, Andre Leon Talley, Thakoon etc.)Disc III:
Footage from Costume Institute Gala preparation/red carpet

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An intimate, funny and surprising behind-the-scenes look at VOGUE’S legendary editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team of larger-than- life editors, this is the captivating story of how they create the must-have bible of fashion: THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE. At the eye of this annual fashion hurricane is the two-decade relationship between Anna and Grace Coddington, incomparable creative director and fashion genius. Through them, we see close-up the delicate creative chemistry it takes to remain at the top of the fashion field. Now, with the biggest issue ever hanging in the balance, Anna and Grace confront the runways of Fashion Week, the back rooms of the world’s biggest designers, the high-stakes photo shoots – and each other – as the VOGUE team scrambles to find the perfect look for each page. Director R.J. Cutler delivers this riveting look into the world of fashion that is as fun, fabulous and fast-paced as the world it captures.

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