Our thoughts are with those who were injured at the Boston Marathon – and their loved ones. To show your support, click to download and share the Facebook cover photo below.

Hi there, Project Runway fans! Last week, the remaining five contestants created editorial looks for Marie Claire. This week, the designers flew across the globe to find inspiration (and buy $1,000 worth of European fabric) for a high-end runway look.

We were left hanging last week in regard to Michelle’s fate, which was resolved quickly here – she got to stay, but she was on a sort of probation. So, while Layana traveled to Barcelona, Daniel to Berlin, Patricia to Paris, and Stanley to London (each accompanied by an eliminated-designer-turned-assistant to maintain the team aspect), she remained solo in New York so she could focus on fighting for her life.

This actually benefited her, in a way – she got to shop at Mood. The other designers had to find fabric in local shops in their respective cities, and between language barriers, unexpectedly expensive materials, and poor selection (Daniel had to buy white pleather – yuck), they had a difficult time.

In the workroom, Tim had some wise advice for Patricia: If you’re going to make something reminiscent of a multicolored marshmallow, it should be a shirt rather than a jacket. He also supported Michelle’s desire to paint her “fabulous, really beautiful, sophisticated look” and tried to be nice to Layana, whose lace coat looked like it belonged in a mid-90s shopping mall.

On the runway, Patricia would have been better off if she’d made a simple top and left off the massive, puffy sleeves, and Layana’s coat didn’t look any better than it did in the workroom.

Michelle’s cashmere skirt moved wonderfully, and the breast plate and strappy back made this a winner for me. Daniel’s pleather looked edgy and luxurious, which couldn’t have been an easy task, and the wedge/stocking combo was, in Nina’s words, “a showpiece.” Finally – the shape aside, though that in itself had me falling in love – Stanley’s use of paillettes for the lining was pure genius.

I’d be surprised if any of these three didn’t go to Fashion Week at this point – and it helps that they’re the most likeable.

Talk to you next week. For now, auf Wiedersehen.

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer

Were you happy with who went home? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @ruelala. And if you missed an episode, check out our Project Runway recaps to date.

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The Telegraph, on the late Margaret Thatcher’s style legacy:

Which great quotes did we miss? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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We’ll cut right to the chase: we’d be lost without our moms. Not to mention our aunts, sisters, grandmothers, and all the other women out there who have paved the way to great style by making sure we didn’t leave the house sporting a pair of flannel PJ pants.

So this Mother’s Day, we’ve figured out the best way to say thanks: by proving to the world that her style’s unrivaled.

Send us a photo of your mom’s impeccable style or tweet us her best fashion advice to put her name in lights – or at least the chance to appear on our login page or social media channels. You can submit your photos and advice via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #momstyle.

We have a feeling this is one Mother’s Day gift she won’t soon forget.

Continue reading “Your Momma’s Got Style” »

@psimadethis: Feel good. Wear bright colors. Make things. Smile. Repeat.
Our motto for spring. Although the “make things” part might be a little ambitious.

@dkny: So far 1 skirt compliment & 1 shoe compliment, both from complete strangers. Who says NYer’s aren’t nice?
Nice? Maybe. Style-savvy? Definitely.

@alexa_chung: …and yeah I like to nap, I got a nappin’ problem.
If napping is wrong, we don’t want to be right.

@mindykaling: at work looking at bathing suits online #heaven.
Our excuse? We’re just doing “research.”

@LuckyMagazine: Good morning, Spring. Where the hell have you been?
We’ve been thinking this exact thing since, oh… February. (Okay, so maybe we jumped the gun a little.)

By Anna Kuchinsky, Staff Writer

Surely we missed something, so leave your favorite tweets of the week in the comments below, or tweet us, of course: @ruelala.

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1. It’s officially spring, and we couldn’t be happier.

2. Warmer weather means hosting a garden party, stat.

3. In honor of Lilly Pulitzer, we’re taking a look back at her best style moments.

4. We can’t help it – we’re already dreaming of the beach (and planning our new swimwear outfits).

5. These black and white photos are just the calming inspiration we need.

Can’t get enough Pinterest inspiration? Check out past boards that caught our eye.  

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Designer and socialite, Lilly Pulitzer, passed away on Sunday in Palm Beach, FL, at 81 years old. When we think of her, we think preppy, perfectly summery style – style so juice-stand fresh that most of us here at Rue can actually remember that very first whimsical Lilly purchase. Below, we share those first sunny memories:

“My first (and favorite) Lilly was a pink and white seersucker dress. It was my go-to for the season. It made me feel so summery – feminine, bright, and complemented every pair of wedges I own.” – Meredith G., Corporate Customer Care Analyst

“In sixth grade, I spotted a teeny Lilly bikini on a shopping trip with Mom. It was all perfectly pink and speckled with palm trees. I have no idea how I convinced her to buy it for me – probably cried, or some other dramatic tool of persuasion. Nonetheless, I so rocked that middle school pool party.” – Joanna B., Editor

“In 2001, my mom gifted me a pair of super-bright Lilly men’s trousers (they looked girly, I swear). Back then, Lilly was virtually unknown at my suburban Chicago high school – I’d scored these in FL –  though they were very well-received. Even when paired with the platform flip–flops I insisted on wearing with them.” – Sarah S., Junior Copywriter

“One of my favorite childhood outfits was a pink and green floral shift – besides being splashed in my favorite colors, it was most appealing because my mother had one to match.  My love for Lilly has only grown from there… though eventually I did insist that my mom and I opt for different prints.” – Bridget R., Event Production Assistant

“Had my mother known her prints were spill-inspired, I probably would have been granted my first prized Lilly piece at a younger age.” – Jillian H., Feature Writer

“My first Lilly was a monokini – the one-piece ‘bathing suit’ you wear over a diaper. But the piece I remember most was a blue shift dress with pink and yellow flowers. I recall that I chose to ‘accessorize’ it with Band-Aids – applied to both my knees + elbows.” – Rachel S., Associate Creative Director

“My gin-gria chiffon tunic with a classic Lilly Pulitzer print is perfect for breezy summer nights in Cape Cod.” – Carolyn S., Feature Writer

“I actually got my first-ever Lilly piece from our latest Boutique. It’s a navy-and-white octopus print swimsuit – it’s really fun but still sophisticated and fits perfectly. I’m planning on wearing it during my honeymoon.” – Shaina M., Copyeditor

What was your first Lilly Pulitzer purchase? Share it in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Know: Christopher Abbott, who plays Charlie on HBO’s Girls, is leaving the show. We can’t decide who we’re more upset for – ourselves or Marnie.

Get: Your old Tiger Beat issues out from storage (you know, the ones with Hanson on the cover), because the “MMMBop” boys are back. Go here for a sneak peek at their new grown-up single.

Watch: A preview of Marc Jacobs’s acting debut. If it’s half as good as his SS13 Collection, we might just have an Oscar contender (and best-dressed nominee, of course) on our hands.

Check Out: MADONNA – A Transformational Exhibition, featuring never-before-seen images of the Queen of Pop’s 1980s street style. Obsessed? You bet we are.

Tell us what you’re buzzing about this week, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Hey there, Project Runway fans! Last week, the designers took an inspirational trip to the Guggenheim. This week, the challenge belonged to Nina – and not in the form of a dress for her own wardrobe. Instead, the outfit was to be shot on actress Jordana Brewster for an editorial feature in Marie Claire.

First, of course, the teams needed tweaking. “It’s time for each of you to design on your own,” Heidi said. Finally! But the twist (to keep it team-oriented) was that each designer had to work with and manage an assistant. (Three guesses as to who those assistants were.)

The “wretched Button Bag” (thanks, Michelle) helped Tim assign the eliminated contestants/assistants to their designers. Stanley and Tu became a team, as did Michelle and Amanda, Daniel and Samantha, Layana and Kate… and Patricia was once again left to work with Richard. Her thoughts on that? “I don’t have a prayer left.” Very optimistic.

Stanley put far too much pressure on Tu in the workroom, telling him over and over that mistakes were unacceptable. Michelle apparently forgot Nina’s instruction of “no pants and a T-shirt,” because that’s exactly what she showed to Tim. Layana and Kate worked together like a dream, whereas Patricia spent half the time giving Richard sewing lessons.

Patricia’s final product had a nice style to it – the judges liked the one-shoulder look – but ultimately the shape didn’t work in the context Nina needed it for. Daniel’s piece looked like an Easter outfit for Lady Gaga, but it had the benefit of being bold and unique. While Michelle’s green pants and white blouse were very well-done, they were not daring enough for an editorial fashion shoot – and they went against Nina’s instructions.

The judges loved Stanley’s multipiece look, and Nina said that the stylists would be able to do a lot with it. Layana made a beautiful armor-inspired piece with cobalt leather and metal links – but she gave Kate a lot of credit, saying she couldn’t have finished without her help. I’m still not positive Layana is strong enough on her own to show at Fashion Week.

What did you think of that cliffhanger ending?

I’m anxious to see what happens next week. Until then – auf Wiedersehen.

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer

Did the right person win? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @ruelala. And if you missed an episode, check out our Project Runway recaps to date.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.