Joe teams up with Lane Bryant and his 'All on the Line' designers to create body-conscious basics for plus-sized women.
The Mission
For each designer to put a distinct signature on a wardrobe of eight essential pieces. The All on the Line team members could customize the clothes any way they saw fit; there were no rules, except to bear in mind the ideas and guidance I’d given them on the show.
The Designer: Julia Alarcon
The Backstory: Julia started her career late in life, finding herself sitting in a Parsons classroom at the age of 39—a feat I came to admire greatly during our time together. Ultimately, I think her maturity proved to be a bonus, as her collection shows.
The Look: In All on the Line, I suggested that Julia devise a new corporate uniform for the working woman—a look that would help a careerist rise to the top in modern style while still demanding respect. Here, she brought this outfit into the twenty-first century by stitching a swath of her trademark computer-printed fabric onto the blouse (paired with an office must, the classic pencil skirt). Would you wear this to work?
Designer: Jedda-Kahn
The Backstory: Jedda-Kahn has prided himself on creating one-of-a kind couture garments for private celebrity clients since 2005. On the show, he’s obsessed with not “selling out” or “losing his aesthetic.”
The Look: I didn’t want to compromise Jedda-Kahn’s style, but I did suggest he broaden his customer base. Here, he’s embellished the basic pencil skirt and cardi—without going overboard. Do you think he’s sold out now?
Designer: Radenroro
The Backstory: This husband-and-wife team had been in business for seven seasons, yet I’d never heard of them. Reasons: No one can pronounce the name. And their clothes, while cute, lacked a certain specialness—without that, they were just another shmatte-maker in a crowded marketplace.
The Look: I love the details and the color-blocking here (hunter green, beige, and black). Is their look memorable enough?
Designer: Gemma Kahng
The Backstory: In the early ’90s, Gemma was a force in fashion, with clothes sold at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. On the show, we worked together to make her recently relaunched label relevant again.
The Look: Gemma takes inspiration from clothing details from the early twentieth century—like the lace she used here, to trim a chic black pantsuit. Does she have what it takes to be a success again?
Designer: Kara Janx
The Backstory: Though it took a moment for this South African and me to figure each other out, she works hard and doesn’t mince words. In short, she’s my kind of girl.
The Look: I encouraged Kara to develop her trademark kimono dress into a recognizable look. Here, she cut the sleeves off of a basic blazer, giving it a cooler vibe and a curvier silhouette with skinny pants and a belt. Does this look bear the Kara signature?
Designer: Dana-Maxx
The Backstory: Dana-Maxx Pomerantz is a vet of Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs who launched her own line in 2007. I loved her the minute we met. But her clothes were too junior for their grown-up price tag. She needed to lower the cost while elevating the style.
The Look: Here, she inserted the classic architectural details that have become her calling card into a basic dress. Did she raise the level of sophistication too?
Designer: Leila Shams
The Backstory: Leila has worked for Bebe and DKNY, but prior to the show, I was unfamiliar with her work. Let’s just say I learned that there’s nothing shy about her—or her collection, which debuted in spring 2010.
The Look: Leila will tell you she loves a sexy girl, but I’d argue that the word is more like slutty. Here, she takes my advice to lengthen her hemlines, turning out a crazily fringed skirt. But has she taken it OTT?
(elle.com)
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