Exquisite gowns and separates seen in last night’s “Michael Costello and the Stars of Project Runway” fashion show were available for perusal and purchase during the Wednesday afternoon trunk show with the designers.
The only star missing? Costello, who perhaps slept in following a successful evening of runway and celebrations surrounding his Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, which he received Monday morning.
On site in the Fashion Week El Paseo reception tent hanging out and chatting with prospective buyers at clothing racks displaying their Spring/Summer 2017 collections — garments worn by models the evening before — were Jesus and Antonio Estrada, Charketa “Char” Glover, Chris March, and Christopher Palu. Beyond showing off pieces in person, the designers were “making a lot of money,” Palu revealed midafternoon, wide-eyed with a big smile.
March was first to arrive for the trunk show opening at 10:30 a.m. and quickly sold half his rack. “Three ladies came and just started going crazy over my stuff and bought over half of what I had here to sell,” March said. “They bought all the crazy stuff — feathers, ruffles, just kind of the fun, unusual pieces. Some stuff that one lady is going to take to Burning Man.”
Chris March holds one of the fun pieces from his collection, like these feathers, were quick to sell at the trunk show.
Palm Desert Realtor Jan Ray of Coldwell Banker was one of March’s lucky, early bird clients who left the tent with a stack of sequined fabric and white feathers billowing from her arms.
“I didn’t realize this was such a big deal here in Palm Springs,” March said. He was rather surprised and impressed with the Fashion Week El Paseo production value and 100-foot catwalk. “I mean, there’s no runway that big in New York! Let me tell you, and [no show] with that many people. The biggest runway is much smaller than that; there’s no space in New York.”
March got his start designing over-the-top costumes at Beach Blanket Babylon in San Francisco, America’s longest-running musical revue. Following his stint on season 4, he began costuming celebrities (for Madonna, Prince, and Cirque du Soleil if we’re name-dropping). He also appeared on Project Runway: All Stars and briefly had his own reality show on Bravo, Mad Fashion.
Yvonne Dougher, owner of Out of Your Closet Designer Consignment in Palm Desert, whose fashions were seen on the runway Monday night during the “From El Paseo to Everywhere” show, scored a fabulous black, furry shrug from Palu’s collection, which she pointed out could be worn backward, buttoned up in the back as a festive crop top that she would pair with black leggings. Dougher comes to the trunk shows every year and looks forward to getting her hands on unique pieces she won’t find anywhere else.
“It’s really neat because you’ll be like, ‘I saw that on the runway last night,’ and then you can come here and touch it, and feel it, and buy it,” she said. “It’s awesome. I always come and look, and I have to find something I can’t live without — and I do, every year.”
Project Runway alumnus Char Glover assists a prospective customer with her shopping choices.
A former Elle magazine assistant, Vera Wang intern, and Sam Edelman shoe designer, Palu competed in Project Runway season 10 as well as Project Runway: All Stars. For Fashion Week El Paseo, his rocker-chic collection did not disappoint. A long, glamorous, furry red trench coat seemed to be the fan favorite for trunk show try-ons, though it had not been purchased as the afternoon began to wind down. Leather was Palu’s big seller.
“A 64-year-old woman bought the leather motorcycle tailcoat jacket, and she looked so good in it,” Palu said. “You cannot tell me that [my collection] is dated to a specific age … We are dressing women of all ages and I’m super excited to be doing that. I just design an aesthetic — an idea — and if you are confident enough and if you are chic [you can rock it].” He was just as excited to chat with his younger fans as they were to enjoy a few moments of his time; many walked away with Palu’s smaller accessories and keychains, which were presented on a long table at his station.
“This is my first trunk show, so it’s very special for me to be doing something so personal for a range of people,” Palu said. “It’s not working on one dress for one person, it’s like, ‘This is my entire collection. Come and check it out. We’ll talk about what you feel like, what looks best on you.’ ”
Jesus Estrada helps News Channel 3 anchor Alexandra Pierce try on an outfit during the trunk show.
A few steps away, Costello’s shapely dresses garnered attention. His work is all over the red carpet and has been worn by a host of celebrities, including Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, and his gowns have graced the pages of Vogue and Vanity Fair. The 34-year-old grew up in Palm Springs and appeared on Project Runway season 8 as well as Project Runway: All Stars. Although he was not in attendance, ladies clamored to slip into the sheer, sexy creations.
“Look at those dresses, how phenomenal those are, with all of those metallic beads!” Palu said, pointing to Costello’s corner of the tent.
Then there are the identical Estrada twins, whose mother Antonia was having a proud mama moment, sipping Champagne and watching customers scurry around Jesus and Antonio’s garment racks. The Estradas fuse contrasting styles to produce a range of formalwear in rich fabrics, from floor-length mermaid gowns for glamazons to perfectly tulled special occasion wear for teens and tweens. Jesus was eliminated in the fourth episode of Project Runway season 7, ironically during a challenge that tasked designers with creating a look fit for a fashion week gala. Antonio has not appeared on the show.
Bright colors and vivid prints dominated Glover’s Fashion Week El Paseo collection. She introduced her eccentric aesthetic to the world on Project Runway season 13, in which she made it to the final runway to showcase her Spring/Summer 2014 collection at New York Fashion Week. Her funky conversation pieces and easy, approachable persona were a hit among the young women at the trunk show, who enjoyed snapping selfies with Glover.
Between browsing designs and playing model in front of the mirrors, guests mingled over lunch and mimosas in the Cambria-sponsored VIP lounge.
The designers created their showcased Spring/Summer 2017 collections specifically for Fashion Week El Paseo. Though he has attended a few Project Runway–related functions since his appearances on the show, the gathering of former contestants still had March experiencing a bit of a flashback moment.
PHOTO BY EMILY CHAVOUS
Christopher Palu: “We are dressing women of all ages and I’m super excited to be doing that. I just design an aesthetic — an idea — and if you are confident enough and if you are chic [you can rock it].”
“It was kind of funny because when we all arrived here with our stuff it kind of felt like that first day [during the finale episode fashion show for Project Runway] when everyone comes with their collections and everyone’s taking it out of the bags, very slowly, looking at what everyone else made,” March said with a laugh.
But he noted that feelings of rivalry are no longer a concern.
“We’re so much older and we’re in completely different places in our lives,” Palu agreed. “We have completely different aesthetics.”
Palu explained that the designers each cheered the others on and enjoyed seeing the artful design work that walked to runway. No longer is there any expectation that Tim Gunn might pop out from behind a corner and tell them to, “Make it work.” They already have.