Field Report from Chloe Dao's Lot 8 Fashion Event

Houston-based Field Reporter, John Chakalis shares this story from Saturday night's event. Thanks again, John C!

Hey BPR!

Season 2 winner Chloe Dao hosted yet another fabulous event at Lot 8 in Houston, but this time shared the spotlight with local designers hand-selected by Chloe and the Lot 8 team. Six clothing and six jewelry designers from the Houston area will have their designs sold at Lot 8 alongside Chloe's signature collections.

Chloe hopes to continue to bring new designers into Lot 8 in the future, and is also working with the fashion design program at Houston Community College to highlight younger talent.

Ms. Dao herself is currently working on designing a signature bathrobe that will be showcased nationwide at Massage Heights. With her Spring 2011 collection currently on sale at Lot 8, Chloe will soon be back in her studio designing away for the fall.

Thanks again to Chloe and Lot 8 making Houston more fashionable by the day!

John C

Chloe Dao on New PBS Show, "Get The Math"

The Project Runway Season 2 Champion teaches kids about "Math in Fashion." Here's a preview:

Watch the full episode. See more THIRTEEN Kids.

Chloe's episode airs on February 20th. Check your local listings for times.

Chloe Dao's Nuo Bags Now Available at Staples

The Classic Satchel in an exclusive print for a charity auction - sorry not available in stores!
Photo: Kris McManus

Project Runway Season Two Champion, Chloe Dao has produced a new collection of carrying cases for Nuo. These include laptop sleeves, bags and clutches.

Click here to see the entire collection.

Click here to shop at Staples.

Chloe Dao's Nuo Bags Now Available at Staples

The Classic Satchel in an exclusive print for a charity auction - sorry not available in stores!
Photo: Kris McManus

Project Runway Season Two Champion, Chloe Dao has produced a new collection of carrying cases for Nuo. These include laptop sleeves, bags and clutches.

Click here to see the entire collection.

Click here to shop at Staples.

BPR Field Report from "Audi Presents Fashion Houston 2010"

Three Project Runway Champions showed collections in Houston last week and BPR's Houston-based field reporter, John Chakalis sends us this fabulous report. Thank you John!

John C, Chloe Dao and friend, Leigh Anne

Hey BPR,

Houston...we have a Fashion Week!

I have to admit I was cautiously optimistic about a Houston Fashion Week, but after seeing the line-up of designers - Christian Siriano, Chloe Dao, Irina Shabayeva - I was sold!

Christian Siriano at Houston Fashion Week
Photo: WireImage

A look from Christian's Spring 2011 line
Photo: WireImage

Christian kicked off the week along with Cesar Galindo, a Houston native who will be a contestant on season two of "The Fashion Show". Chloe and Irina showed on Wednesday night alongside seasoned designer Mark Bouwer. I was surprised to see Kayln Hemphill (winner of "Models of the Runway") walking in all of the shows throughout the week. She's a Houston native as well and she's certainly made us proud!

Kalyn Hemphill models for Christian Siriano
Photo: WireImage

Irina Shabayeva at Houston Fashion Week
Photo: WireImage

Kalyn Hemphill models for Irina Shabayeva
Photo: WireImage

Kalyn models for Irina
Photo: WireImage

The week garnered tons of press, especially with the help of George Bush Sr. and Barbara Bush who showed up on Tuesday night to cheer on granddaughter Lauren Bush as she premiered her own collection!

Chloe Dao at Houston Fashion Week
Photo: WireImage

Kalyn Hemphill models for Chloe
Photo: WireImage

Chloe closed the week with a private viewing of her collection at Lot 8. I got the chance to chat with her about the inspiration behind the collection (birds) and the technical aspects of some of the dresses. She was a fabulous host as always!

I can't wait for Houston Fashion Week 2011...maybe we'll be seeing collections from one of our remaining seasons 8 designers in the Lone Star State!

John C

More photos of Christian Siriano's Houston Fashion Week show here.

More photos from Chloe Dao here, and Irina Shabayeva here.

BPR Field Report from "Audi Presents Fashion Houston 2010"

Three Project Runway Champions showed collections in Houston last week and BPR's Houston-based field reporter, John Chakalis sends us this fabulous report. Thank you John!

John C, Chloe Dao and friend, Leigh Anne

Hey BPR,

Houston...we have a Fashion Week!

I have to admit I was cautiously optimistic about a Houston Fashion Week, but after seeing the line-up of designers - Christian Siriano, Chloe Dao, Irina Shabayeva - I was sold!

Christian Siriano at Houston Fashion Week
Photo: WireImage

A look from Christian's Spring 2011 line
Photo: WireImage

Christian kicked off the week along with Cesar Galindo, a Houston native who will be a contestant on season two of "The Fashion Show". Chloe and Irina showed on Wednesday night alongside seasoned designer Mark Bouwer. I was surprised to see Kayln Hemphill (winner of "Models of the Runway") walking in all of the shows throughout the week. She's a Houston native as well and she's certainly made us proud!

Kalyn Hemphill models for Christian Siriano
Photo: WireImage

Irina Shabayeva at Houston Fashion Week
Photo: WireImage

Kalyn Hemphill models for Irina Shabayeva
Photo: WireImage

Kalyn models for Irina
Photo: WireImage

The week garnered tons of press, especially with the help of George Bush Sr. and Barbara Bush who showed up on Tuesday night to cheer on granddaughter Lauren Bush as she premiered her own collection!

Chloe Dao at Houston Fashion Week
Photo: WireImage

Kalyn Hemphill models for Chloe
Photo: WireImage

Chloe closed the week with a private viewing of her collection at Lot 8. I got the chance to chat with her about the inspiration behind the collection (birds) and the technical aspects of some of the dresses. She was a fabulous host as always!

I can't wait for Houston Fashion Week 2011...maybe we'll be seeing collections from one of our remaining seasons 8 designers in the Lone Star State!

John C

More photos of Christian Siriano's Houston Fashion Week show here.

More photos from Chloe Dao here, and Irina Shabayeva here.

From The Mailbox

Photo: Kristen Eide

Season Two Champion, Chloe Dao kicked off Audi Fashion Houston Week in style.
Click here for more info and for a slideshow of photos from the evening.

James Wolcott quotes our own "Max the Girl" in his Vanity Fair piece about Tim Gunn.

Project Runway season four finalist, Rami Kashou will be at Papyrus in Beverly Center for "Fashion's Night Out." Click here for more information.

The Chloe Dao Bridal Collection

Project Runway Season Two Champion Chloe Dao has created her first bridal collection and of course it is gorgeous!

Click here for more photos.

News From Chloe Dao

Photo: Dave Rossman For the Chronicle

Chloe Dao and Christian Siriano are among the designers showing collections at "Fashion Houston 2010" in October. Click here for more information.

Click here for Chloe's tips for finding the perfect wedding gown.

Chloe Dao's "Lightness" Fashion Show - Field Report from John C

Hey BPR!

I had the pleasure of attending Chloe Dao's "Lightness" show this weekend (it helped that it was held across the street from my house,) and what a show it was! This was by far Chloe's best show in terms of production and design. The cocktail hour before the show featured a string quartet playing the likes of Gnarls Barkley and Britney Spears (I'm hiring them for my future wedding!), with a smooth segue way to a rock opera tone at the start of the show. The show benefited the Fairy Godmother Project, a local organization that provides prom dresses to in-need high school students.

Chloe's collection featured a mix of summer dresses and evening gowns. The first half of the show portrayed the lightness of the season with shorter dresses in light green and blue hues, each featuring unique detailing in the back. The softer fabrics used for some dresses gave the effect of a light wind blowing down the runway with the models. The second half of the show featured evening wear. Going almost exclusively white, the dresses exuded the formal yet relaxed feel of a high-end summer resort, the likes of the Hamptons, South Beach, and the Caribbean.

You can watch the entire show at ustream. Fast forward to about 20:00 to catch the start of the show!

Congrats to Chloe and the entire Lot 8 crew for another amazing show!

John C

Click on this link to see Chloe's Fashion Show Live Online!

Chloe Dao Fashion Show this Saturday

From the Mailbox

Click here for more information about Christopher Straub's show and to purchase tickets.

Click here for a new interview with Project Runway Season Two winner, Chloe Dao. A highlight: What do you think of this season’s “Project Runway?”

Chloe: I was watching up until Ping, the crazy Asian girl, got eliminated. They let 10 designers show at Fashion Week. It’s insulting to past seasons. What’s the point if [almost] every designer gets to show at Fashion Week? They could have waited and let three designers show. I was turned off and disgusted. I feel bad for both seasons [6 and 7], especially [sixth season winner] Irina [Shabayeva]. She didn’t have the experience of walking out with the crowd.

Click here for Christian Siriano on Modelinia.

Click here for a new interview with Project Runway Canada designer, Jessica Biffi.

From The Mailbox

Project Runway Season Two designers reunite! Nick Verreos visits Chloe Dao's Houston Boutique. Click here for the story.



Which designer created the best fabric in episode 10? Click here for the poll.

Click here for JordanBaker's recap of episode 10.

Please check out Kenneth Fron's latest necklace designs. Everything is brand new!

Chloe Dao Update

Chloe is certainly busy. Check out her appearance in this commercial for the Houston Metro System, "iRide." Adorable. Is that her sweetheart, Ken, with her?



Chloe will be in Chicago this Friday at the Verizon Store on Michigan Avenue from 12:00 - 2:00. Verizon Stores nationwide are carrying Chloe's accessories. We would love a Field Reporter!

This cover story about QVC from the USA Today also features Chloe. Thanks John T.

Finally, Chloe is planning a big celebration for the eighth anniversary of Lot 8 on 8/08/08!

Project Runway On QVC

Heads up to all Laura Bennett and Chloe Dao fans - both designers are scheduled to appear on QVC tonight as part of the "Spring Fashion Designer Gallery" beginning at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

This will be Chloe's second season of presenting her Simply. Chloe Dao collection at QVC after three consecutive sellouts last year. Laura Bennett is making her debut with her LBD by Laura Bennett line. Here's a sneak peek at Laura's metallic drape sweater:



Tune in tonight to see more! (Image from QVC)

BPR Podcast - Chloe Dao

BPR's very own Tbone has a conversation with Season Two winner Chloe Dao in our latest podcast. Click here.

Chloe Dao is simply a class act. She is small in stature but huge in both heart and talent. And she loves her fans! In our second podcast installment, Tbone waxes nostalgic with Chloe over Season 2 and they talk about her life post-Runway. Fah-Reeaal!

Does she think Season 4 is the most talented cast ever? Would she dare appear on a potential "Project Runway All-Stars" show? Why can't she find her own blog at BravoTV.com? Tune in and find out.

Chloe Dao podcast links:
Photo of Chloe, Rachel Hunter and Tim Gunn

Chloe's Re-Think Design Blog

Watch Chloe's favorite movie with her at the MFAH

Lot 8 Boutique

BPR at "Style Your Slim"

Daniel and I had some dinner, got changed and then headed for the venue. It is called Boulevard 3 and it is gorgeous.

I had spoken with one of the organizers of the event, Corey Martin, earlier and he was extremely helpful. I was delighted to meet him when I arrived. He was standing with Tim and Chloe at the entrance as we entered. "How nice of them to be here greeting everyone..." I thought. HA! Wrong. (I obviously know nothing about red-carpet events.) They were standing by waiting for their turn on the carpet.



Nikki Blonsky was just ahead of them, having her photo taken by about 30 or 40 cameras.

Tim and Chloe were next. I wanted to show you what it looked like so I took this photo:



Click here for video coverage of the event. See if you recognize anyone in a new Marc coat...

Of course I was there as a journalist and I was working, so I pulled out my notebook to record what was going on.

Click here to continue.

From The Mailbox

Midseasonreplacements has posted their recap of the "What a Girl Wants" episode.

Don't miss Nick Verreos's answer to the question Are you a Fashion Designer or a Reality Star?

BPR friend Julie Wolfson just posted a fabulous interview with the Fug Girls. They describe Laura Bennett as "completely delightful" and "even cooler than we'd imagined."

Our friends at TiFaux wonder who would win in a fight - Rami or the title character from Chuck....Click here to choose.


TV Guide has a great interview with Kevin Christiana.



Chloe Dao will be introducing her favorite movie, "Dead Poets Society" at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts on January 28th at 7PM.

T.G.I.W

Hello designers! Tonight on Project Runway, you will get to face the fearsome prospect of invisible judges. There, there Christian...that's no reason to cry. We're sure your fierceness will still play in the otherworld. (Photo courtesy of Crew Creative)

And a Happy Wednesday to you, Runway fans. Team BPR will be at their usual posts this evening with Tbone's live play-play, the party room and reactions post. Please join us for the fun!

Don't forget to get your picks in for the Fantasy Runway game. If you are looking for assistance with your guesses, make sure to visit our resident handicapper Alan Gratz at Gratz Industries for a detailed breakdown on tonight's challenge. He also provides the answer to each week's trivia question, in case you need it.

Meanwhile, over on the other coast:

Aren't these two adorable? Nick and Chloe were together yesterday in LA for the Slim-Fast "Style Your Slim" fashion show. Our own Laura K was there as well, stay tuned for an exclusive report. TGIW! (Photo from WireImage)