I'm sure this will come as great news to all of my The City fans and you guys who yearn for a peek inside the fashion world.
The new reality show All On The Line will air on Tuesdays on the Sundance Channel. It debuts on March 29th (set your DVR's). The show follows Elle's creative director, Joe Zee, as he coaches semi-established yet struggling fashion designers.
My first thought was, "Dear Baby Jesus, we don't need yet another semi scripted fashion reality show that clearly plays favorites to the judges pets". I watched the sneak peek on facebook a few weeks ago and I will say I am officially excited. It's no Project Runway - in a good way.
“Sundance viewers are very savvy. This show is no nonsense. This show is not a game. It isn’t about the elimination of contestants. You get to see an inside view of how the design process works and how concept goes to reality.", Joe Zee.
This new series might just set the bars for the next all while showing designers how to make it. Meet the designers of All On The Line. One is a Baltimorean!!
Layla & Josh
"Layla L’obatti became hooked on lingerie while studying at FIT. After working for several fashion companies including intimates for Tommy Hilfiger and Nicole Miller, she decided to make her dreams a reality by creating her own line, Between the Sheets. The line has been featured in Fitness Magazine, Marie Claire, Women's Wear Daily and is sold is several boutiques; however, she and her fiancé Josh have maxed out their credit cards and they still haven't been able to truly break into the intimate apparel world. Layla and Josh have had to put their personal lives on hold until they can make the line a success. Right now everything is at a breaking point and they need Joe to help them find the right path."
Julia Alarcon
"Julia Alarcon knows about second chances, she decided to go back to school and pursue a career in fashion and the age of 39. After graduating Parson's with her sister, the pair launched a line that quickly got recognition from press and sold their line to major boutiques. They were chosen as Women's Wear Daily's "designers to watch" in 2008 and the GenArt "fresh Faces in Fashion" in 2009 and 2010. Now that her sister has left the business, Julia is in severe financial trouble. She fears it's too late for her and if Joe Zee can’t give her line a second chance, it may be."
Jedda-Kahn
"Jedda-Kahn launched his first line in Spring 2005, but now his biggest accounts have dropped him and he is barely holding on by a thread to his fashion dreams. Despite his celebrity followers and couture clientele, Jedda-Kahn is struggling. He can’t borrow any more money and he isn’t making enough to keep going." (Jedda is from Baltimore)
Gemma Kahng
"The former fashion icon was born and raised in Korea. She came to the U.S. at age 14 and graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago with a degree in Fashion Design. She broke into fashion in 1990 and soon had a hit design as part of the 1990's power suit revolution. She was sold at major retailers including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales, and was making millions. However the stress of her incredible success took its toll on Gemma and as she became overwhelmed with the business, she couldn't keep her designs fresh, hired the wrong people and burned through her millions when she was no longer in demand. Gemma is at a crossroads, either she gets back on track or she is going to quit trying."
Kara Janx
"Originally from Johannesburg South Africa, Kara appeared on the second season of “Project Runway,” where many viewers thought she should have been in the final three. The exposure helped her get her designs into hundreds of boutiques across the country, but there was push back from some major retailers who thought of her as a reality star rather than a credible designer. Now with the economic downturn many of the boutiques that embraced her have gone under or cut back on orders. In addition, Kara is now a wife and mother struggling to balance the life of a fashion designer with being the mother of two small kids."
Leila Shams
"A former director at DKNY Jeans, Express and Bebe, Leila launched a Spring 2010 that has made significant strides for a first-time collection, but the cost of the launch has forced to sell her apartment and go into debt." (Leila is also from Baltimore)
Liquica & Andrei
"This real life married couple fell in love at first sight have been in business together for 8 years. Liquica Anggraini, who is originally from Indonesia, designs and Andrei oversees the business aspects of their line Radenroro, which has been featured in InStyle and Daily Candy. He’s invested over $300,000 in their line and if this season doesn’t sell, they have to close their doors."
Dana Maxx
"After graduating from FIT, Dana Maxx worked for Marc Jacobs and Betsey Johnson before launching her own line in 2007 to rave reviews. Her designs have been featured in WWD and Front Row Magazine and her line has grown rapidly, perhaps too quickly. Dana is struggling to keep the company afloat and is in danger of becoming an overnight success with no staying power."
From the promos pictures I am not too excited about the designers (expect for Leila Shams) but Joe Zee is my mentor (in my mind) and I will watch any he's on!
What do you think of the designers? Will you watch!?
I've always been a fan of Taraji P Henson (thinking back to the classic movie Baby Boy). I've watched her grow into one of Hollywood's best actresses. But when I watched the Behind the Scenes video for her recent PETA shoot I was floored.
The capsule collection pictured above features two gorge curvy divas, Lauren McKenzie and Robyn Lawley. In case you're wondering what Euro sizes 32-54 converts to ... it's US sizes 6-24. I'm an 18 - Yippee! 
au·then·tic /ôˈTHentik/