The Challenge: The contestants are woken at 5am and dragged to Parsons in their jammies. Their first challenge: using only what they are wearing and a single white bedsheet to create an outfit (don’t worry, they are given scrubs to wear when they cut up their jammies).

The Drama: Still too early for major drama, but in the opening audition session, Anya reveals that she learned to sew only four months ago, just for this show. The judges have their doubts – they obviously think that someone did a lot of the sewing for her, but she shows them when she lands in the top three.

The Designs:

The Verdict: The bottom three were so, so bad, it was almost hard to decide which was the worst. Ultimately Rafael went home, though I thought the fact that he had the tiered detailing in the back of his blouse that was beautiful would at least put him (slightly) ahead of the other two bottom designers, because theirs had no such redeeming qualities.

Bert won, and rightfully so. His design was just beyond stunning. It may be episode one, but he is already my favorite to make it to Bryant Park. He really, really understands fit and design.

For more info or to purchase, visit Altruette.com

With My Tagalongs Disposable Underwear, your mother need not worry that you aren’t wearing clean undies. Sold in packs of two or five, thong or bikini, these undies are thin, light, and are meant for a single use. They are made from recycled polypropylene, with a cotton gusset, but are soft and breathable. Each pair is individually sealed in sterile plastic and is rolled up to be about the size of a lipstick.

Miss Oops offers a variety great fashion fixes. Our favorites are the Rescue Sponge, a dry sponge that can gently remove deodorant with a few quick rubs, and the Boob Tube. The Boob Tube is a thin, stretchy bandeau that is designed to offer a bit of modesty under low-cut tops without the bulk or bunching of a camisole. It’s perfect to wear to the office, and can tuck away into your purse when it is time to go clubbing. It comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and even lace.

Peek-a-Boob Strips are a pretty standard fashion tape. They come in small, pre-measured sizes that are just right to close the gap caused by button-front shirts. What I like best about Peek-a-Boob is that it comes in a tiny metal tin so they are perfect to tuck into your purse.

I hate having my pants hemmed, but at 5’4″ it is pretty much a necessity.  In the meantime, CityClips hold me over until my next trip to the tailor.  Sold in sets of four, these sturdy cotton wool “clips” attach with strong magnets to hold up your hem.  Wear your hem neatly folded, or scrunch it up.  While plain black is an option, why not dress up otherwise plain pants with an embellished CityClip?  Rhinestones, nautical buttons, mother of pearl, and gold rope are just some of the styles available.  Looking for something a little more subtle?  N*Jeanious is a temporary, adhesive hem tape especially made for denim.  This is great if you like your jeans long for your high-heels, but sometimes want them shorter for flats.

Need a couple inches?  Try Lift Kits for Chicks.  These super-comfy inserts add up to one-and-a-quarter inch to your height.  They work best with boots.  When worn with low-cut shoes, it feels like my foot is going to fall out the top because of the extra height.

Gel shoe inserts are everywhere nowadays.  Sassy Soles are different.  They are just half-inserts with a tiny ridge near the top.  The idea is that you put them in the toe of your open-toe shoes, and the ridge helps keep your foot in place by fitting between the ball of the foot and the toes.

Project Iris is uniquely structured to help people both at home and abroad. All their clothing is responsibly manufactured here in the United States, but a portion of each sale is donated to the World Food Program, one of the largest humanitarian efforts of its kind, to provide nutritious meals to mothers and their children in developing countries.

As an added detail, the hangtag on each shirt is not your standard plastic affair. Instead, it is a simple purple cord bracelet with button closure. Now that is truly style with substance.

ProjectIrisClothing.com

Project Runway not your thing? A little too two-thousand-and-late? NBC is working on their own fashion reality show (currently titled Fashion Star), to be hosted by Elle MacPherson. NBC’s project will allow viewers to purchase collection pieces each week from the NBC website. Bravo (the original broadcaster of Project Runway) tried a similar model with The Fashion Show, but it fizzled badly. To apply for Fashion Star, visit http://kasstinginc.com/FASHION-PROJECT

The big difference between Project Runway and Fashion Star is that, while Runway is geared towards couture and runway fashions (and prices), Star‘s grand prize includes a line in a major American retail store.

A number of Etsy sellers are also donating portions of their profits to Japanese relief.

Of course, you can always donate directly to the Red Cross.

2010 Overall Winner: FOLLIS by Catherine Meyer

Ready to get your bags in front of media, celebrities, and the world? Then apply for the Fifth Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards.

There are eight categories, ranging from socially responsible, evening bag, handmade, and best use of Swarovski elements. Prizes include your bag being featured at an InStyle event, design sponsorship from Swarovski, and the chance to create limited-edition or capsule collections for Isabella Fiore, Timberland, and Saks – just to name a few.

For more info and to apply, visit HandbagDesigner101.com

$34 at ZedenaDesigns.com

Nina Garcia’s Look Book – Some events are easy to dress for. A black tie event requires an evening dress, while a cocktail party allows for something shorter. Your job probably gives you a dress code or a uniform. Other events can be a little trickier. That is where Project Runway‘s Nina Garcia comes in. Her Look Book gives dressing advice for every conceivable event. From job interview to casual Friday; from the first date to a breakup; from errands to shopping, it is all covered in here. New Years, Christmas (both as host or attendee), Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Passover. Baby showers, graduations, funerals. A complete wedding section covers everything from engagement party to honeymoon (except for what to wear as the bride – hopefully you can guess that one). More unusual sections cover jury duty, school dance chaperone, and what to wear when meeting a potential surrogate. Loaded with illustrations, famous quotes, “rule breakers we love,” and more, this is the perfect gift for every girl.

Knitting it Old School by Caro Sheridan – I love vintage, but I hate paying vintage prices, and I am not a fan of pre-worn clothes. This book of vintage-inspired knitting patterns is a perfect way to add to a vintage wardrobe – without the vintage sweat stains. Over 40 patterns cover looks from the 1940s through the 1970s. Favorite patterns include a nautical sweater; unisex sweaters with checkerboard trim; mod 1960s dress; a snug 1940s sweater; and a couple of men’s sweaters that look awfully similar to the original Star Trek tunics. Give it to someone crafty, and make notes of what you would like for next Christmas.

British Fashion Designers by Hywel Davies – This big, beautiful coffee table book is loaded with beautiful photos from, well, British designers. Big names and lesser-known designers fill the pages of this tome: Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson, Stella McCartney, Philip Treacy, Paul Smith, Cassette Playa, Nathan Jenden, Luella, John Galliano, Hussein Chalayan, Emma Cook, and Gareth Pugh are just a few of the designers who have a half-dozen pages of photos and interviews devoted to them.

Bag by Sue Huey and Susie Draffan – Bag Hags rejoice! This immense volume is crammed full of photos and interviews with some of the world’s most amazing designers. Naturally, the focus is on handbags. Purses. Totes. Clutches. Some of the designers featured include Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Chanel, Botkier, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Liberty of London, Halston, Loewe, Versace, Zagliani, Chloe, Isaac Reina, and Hermes – just to name a few. Warning: this book will likely cause indecent thoughts and expensive yearnings.

Rebel Rebel: Anti-Style by Keanan Duffty with Paul Gorman – Neither purely couture or street style, Rebel Rebel focuses on all manner of alternative dressing, from rock n roll style to new twists on old styles, from stylin’ trainers to designer denim. The photos are fun, and the centerpiece of this trade paperback.

Color Me Trendy by Rada, Ljubica, and Jasmina Radmanovic – Coloring books aren’t just for kids any more. This fun-for-all-ages fashion coloring book features page after page of models in “blank” clothes, ready for the magic touch of your crayon or marker. Some drawings have details like ruffles or flowers; others are completely blank, waiting for your own patterns and accessories.