The Project Runway winner is still labeled as such. Though, shes working her way to an established designer in her own right. This is her third runway show at Mercedes Benz Fashion week, not counting the reality show one, of course.
When hitting the show venue for her fall 2011 runway, a magazine called "Edge" was on each seat, with a vamped out Irina on the cover. I thought it was one of the most unique run of show programs I'd ever seen, then I realized that it was not a spoof, but a real publication.
Her Fall 2010 show was backed by Tupperware. She created couture creations that really showcased that this reality show designer is not just a flash in the pan. That said, why she would model her own clothes for an unknown magazine (in which the editor of the interview portion actually left his name in as in "well you know, Dan...". We don't care that you are there Dan) doesn't make sense to me. Not only were the pictures odd, but I didn't want to hear about Irina's days on the show. What would've been much more interesting to those who want to take her seriously was reading about the inspiration behind her Fall 2011 collection.
In between all the stuff we already know about what happens behind the scenes on these competitor shows, Dan did manage to let us know that Irina has a bridal line in New York's luxury bridal boutique Kleinfeld.
Colors: red, black, cobalt blue and white
Materials: knits, sequins, satins, cottons
Loved Looks
Irina Shabayeva Fall/ Winter 2011 Photos by © Dan Lecca
While Irina is now selling evening and bridal, it seems to me that her strengths lie in tailored ready to wear. Her flair skirts were cute, high fashion and yet flattered the figure. Her style is cool down town city chick, but the formal dresses didn't seem to fit that persona. Instead, what did were her hooded knits, tailored jackets and leggings
Unloved Looks
Perhaps its that I didn't get a date to my high school prom until last minute. Maybe its that I've never worked on jobs that require me to dress a celeb for black tie or award events. Is it that I don't understand evening wear? In an attempt to revive the elements of the Tupperware collections that worked so well-- it seemed to me, Irina presented several laser cut gowns, which somehow just didn't work for me. They looked too crafty as if she was trying too hard. Too many jewels, too many experimental techniques. Based on what Ive seen from Irina she's a more edgy (even her current dresses on have more of her personal style) and these evening designs weren't what I expected to see.
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