Runway Looks For Less

This story aired on KHOU Channel 11 News on October 13, 2011.



Designer fashion can be expensive. Often, high-end clothing is worth the big price tag – it’s hand-made, has intricate details, and is made from beautiful materials. However, a wardrobe by high-end designers isn’t accessible to everyone.

Great style, on the other hand, is available at any price point. If designer fashion is beyond your budget, here are some tips for creating looks from ready-to-wear, off-the rack, or even resale garments that are inspired by runway fashion.

I took some looks right off the Fashion Houston runway and used them as inspiration for some looks for less. When you create your own looks here are some You have to modify the looks you see on the runway, so they flatter your body and work for your life.

Keep in mind that runway looks are styled to look spectacular on 6 ft-tall, size 0 model walking on a stage. If you try to wear an outfit exactly like the model does, you’ll get frustrated because it won’t look good on you.

1. Runway looks are theatrical and usually too over-the-top for real life. – Choose one garment or idea to incorporate into your everyday look instead of copying all the ideas in a runway look at once.
2. Only wear clothes that flatter you – change the proportions or shape of a runway look so it works for your body.
3. Translate the elements you like in a way that works for you – create your outfit using runway colors combinations, mix and match styles or fabrics in a way that is similar to the runway look, incorporate details like ruffles, pleats or beading in a scale that is practical and flattering.



Designer Look 1 – Jerri Moore white ruffle blouse $425), black full-length skirt ($850), and red sash ($50)
Look For Less - CMM white lace halter with ruffles (Dillard’s, $30), red scarf (already in Sarah’s closet, got it 3 years ago from H&M, $6), Teri Jon black silk satin and organza evening skirt with ruffle slit (already in Sarah’s closet, got it 10 years ago on major sale at Saks or Bloomingdales, $60) – Total $96



Look 2 – Jerri Moore white blouse ($295), gold full-length skirt ($795), and black sash ($50) (not included in the video)
Look For Less- Plenty cream lace top (Dillard’s, $208), black chiffon scarf (Dillard’s, $20), Teri Jon gold silk satin evening skirt (already in Sarah’s closet, got it 10 years ago on major sale at Neiman Marcus Last Call, $20) – Total $248



Look 3 – Jerri Moore silver sequin top ($595) and shorts ($595)
Look For Less – Laundry blush matte sequin dress (Dillard’s, $260)



Look 4 – Barbara Tfank swing coat and Capri pants
Look For Less – Puli jacket (Dillard’s, on sale $63), Willow & Clay cream metallic tunic (Dillard’s, $69), skinny gray cords (Dillard’s, $29)



Look 5 – Barbara Tfank burgundy lace and gold sheath dress (not included in the video)
Look For Less – Antonio Melani burgundy lace sheath dress (Dillard’s, $189)



Look 6 – Barbara Tfank black lace bustier and satin palazzo pants
Look For Less – Fashion Forms black lace bandeau (Dillard’s, $18) and Natori satin pajama pants (Dillard’s $58)

For more about Jerri Moore, visit www.JerriMoore.com
Thank you www.Dillards.com for the garments to make the Looks For Less!

Runway To Reality

This story aired on KTRK, Channel 13's Stretch Your Dollar on October 11, 2011. Here are the tips and details about the outfits included.



Fashion Houston is 4 nights of New York style runway shows that are open to the public! Runway fashion is theatrical and over-the-top because that’s what looks good on stage. It’s an art show, designed to excite and inspire you. If you copy those looks for real life, they won’t work.

You have to modify the looks you see on the runway, so they flatter your body and work for your life.

1. Copying a runway look literally doesn't work – the look was created to look good on 6 ft-tall, size 0 model walking across a stage. If you try to wear the outfit exactly like the model does, you’ll get frustrated because it won’t look good on you.
2. Only wear silhouettes that flatter you – change the proportions or shape of a runway look so it works for you.
3. Translate the elements you like – incorporate colors, details, or style combinations that you like into your outfit.




Look 1 – Chloe Dao – graphic dress with color blocking ($250-$325)
Inspiration Elements: graphic print, color blocking, contrasting colors
Inspired looks:
(1) Graphic Antonio Melani dress (Dillard’s, on sale $66) with teal shrug (Target, $12)
(2) Teal Antonio Melani dress (Dillard’s, $159) with Anne Klein scarf (Dillard’s, $29);
Model: Elizabeth Saunders



Look 2 – Aries Milan – nautical top and tropical “grass” skirt ($500).
Inspiration Elements: Mix of two styles - classic nautical navy and white with tropical shimmery beige, unusual neckline, pop of color
Inspired looks:
(1) Eyeshadow navy lace racer-back top (Dillard’s, $19) white cami (Dillard’s, $30), orange Ralph Lauran belt (Dillard’s, $13)
(2) Anne Klein burn-out blouse (Dillard’s, $68), Jones of New York navy skirt (Dillard’s, onsale $34), Steve Madden red belt (Dillard’s, $38)
Model: Nida Khurshid



Look 3 – Jerri Moore – Blush chiffon gown
Inspiration Elements: chiffon, ruffles and ruching, vertical slit, plunging neckline
Inspired looks:
(1) Navy Adrianna Papell chiffon gown($200)
(2) Lavender Adrianna Papell chiffon gown ($188)
Model: Lana Dilixiati

Bill Cunningham, great fashion photographer and photo storyteller for the New York Times, says that the real fashion story is seen on the streets in the way real women wear their clothes.

Fashion Houston 2010

This TV segment airs on Great Day Houston on October 8, 2010. Thank you Chloe Dao and Cesar Galindo for your graciousness and kind words. I so appreciate you being part of the segment with me!

Fashion runway events occur in the major fashion cities around the world – New York, Milan, Paris. Houston is the latest addition to that list. Next week, for the first time, Fashion runway shows are coming to Houston in Fashion Houston 2010! On the runway, you’ll see some of our hometown fashion superstars like Chloe Dao, Toni Whittaker and Caesar Galindo.

Until now, runway shows have been private and by invitation only. Fashion Houston 2010 is open to the public! Tickets are $35 for standing room - $250 for VIP seating. For more info about the designers, scheduling and tickets, go to www.FashionHouston.net.

So, if you’re going to the shows, what do you wear?? You may not have the top designer’s fashions in your closet, but you can take inspiration from your favorite designer and create a fantastic outfit from items right in your closet. When you use a look for inspiration, you don’t need to copy the outfit. Instead, incorporate similar elements to make your own look. Here are some example of inspiration looks the Imagine Team created with clothing and accessories from Dillard's for some of Chloe Dao and Cesar Galindo's designs.

Project Runway Season 2 Winner, Chloe Dao is known for her easy, feminine, timeless fashions with interesting details. These two Chloe Dao looks also have a whimsical element. T

Look 1: Chloe’s dress has the following components: asymmetrical neckline, an electric blue horizontal and vertical geometrical element and whimsical pink tulle ruffle. In the inspiration look, the Imagine Team chose an asymmetrical dress in a similar color pallet with a sleeve that mirrors the inspirations pink ruffle. We added a blue man’s tie worn as a belt for a whimsical blue geometric element.

Look 2: Chloe’s outfit has the following components: an easy printed boat-neck blouse and loose, pleated shorts with big pockets. In the inspiration look, we chose a chiffon boat-neck blouse in a similar color pallet. The print seems to flow across the blouse mimicking the feel of the flying birds in Chloe’s outfit. We added loose pleated shorts in a coordinating color.

Fashion Designer Cesar Galindo’s collections are crisp, clean and architectural. His pieces are usually created in solid colors.

Look 1: Cesar’s dress has the following components: a simple silhouette, an architectural skirt, knee-length hem and sparkly neckline. We chose a white cotton dress that has a similar crispness and silhouette. We added a couple crystal necklaces for a sparkly v-neckline.

Look 2: Cesar’s gown has: a strapless neckline, simple silhouette, beautiful flowing fabric, and a full-length hem. We chose a silk strapless gown in a similar color. The inspiration dress is a full-length gown with a similar neckline and flowing fabric. We used a flower hair piece to mimic the tiny hat in Cesar’s look.

Thank you Imagine Interns Bonita Harden and Kiana McFarland for assisting with the inspiration looks.

Audience give-away

4 pairs of VIP tickets to Houston Fashion Week, courtesy of Audi's Fashion Houston 2010.

What's Sarah Wearing?

Eva Varro print dress ($155, Dillard's Post Oak) and Coach platform peep-toe pumps.