Here are some quick updates on things I don’t want to miss and bits you may want to pencil in!

First off, there’s a bunch of media guests I have GOT to meet. I don’t like having to pay for autographs, that seems excessive to me. So I’m going to try and see James Marsters (Buffy, Angel, Caprica), Tricia Helfer (Caprica Six from Battlestar Galactica), Michelle Forbes (Maryann on True Blood, Admiral Cain from BSG: Razor), and a few anime guests too: Corrine Orr (Grave of the Fireflies, the Snuggle bear from the fabric softener commercials), Veronica Taylor (original Ash in Pokemon), and Crispin Freeman (from Naruto, Hellsing, The Big O, Howl’s Moving Castle, plus he’s really hot too!) obviously. And you better believe I’m going to go to the domestic premiere of Sherlock for BBC and Masterpiece on Friday at 8pm. I mean, what if Benedict Cumberbatch shows up and I’m NOT there?! He may not have met me, his future wife. An utter tragedy to deny him that.

Are you a chic geek or a nice nerd looking for that special someone? Get ready for NYCC & NYAF Speed Dating! I’m actually REALLY excited about this, not because I’m a romantic (read: lonely) and a sucker for a good story (read: jealous of all my galpals with their hot dorky boyfriends), but also because I think it’s a good way for sexy singles to get to know each other. There’s two sessions each on all three days and since pre-registration has closed, you’ll have to register on-site, but the more the merrier, right? And who knows, maybe I’ll meet my own Scott Pilgrim (read: The Eleventh Doctor)!

On Sunday, you can bet your fashionista fannies I’ll be at The Never-Ending Closet Fashion Show. If you thought the other fandom fashion shows I’ve been too were cool, this is apparently a NATIONWIDE talent search and a showcase of samples from the collections of various independent, alternative, and global designers. I’m most looking forward to seeing Steampunk and Victoriana-type pieces (my current obsession), as well as haute couture and cosplay-inspired. As if there was any doubt, this is my unmissable event.

As always, you can stay up to date on where I am, who I’ve met, and what I’ve sen, as well as all of my other ramblings by stalking me on my Twitter at http://twitter.com/jennlevine!

Hair-ro gorgeous. (Courtesy of the star's own website.)

Yes, that’s right. Hair-mioneGate is upon us. The fandom is all in a tizzy over the Emma Watson and the Harry Potter leading lady’s new look. Is she trying to set herself apart? Trying to stake her claim and be free of the frizzy character? Or is she just copying Carey Mulligan?

Carey this past February. (Getty Images)

Whatever the case may be: I would formally like to applaud Rodney, the rest of the team at Cutler, and Emma herself for making this BOLD move towards a distinugishing a new faceframe. It’s a whole new (wizarding) world and she’s just rearranging it, cutting it off, and letting it all hang out; BRAVO.

HOWEVER: a few words of caution for those who may soon emulate Emma and for the pixie princess herself:

A Cry for Help? This Calls For Accessories!

One: it is not necessary to get cut and color at the same salon. In fact, it is almost universally known that the two services are not mutually exclusive. Shop around and get a new dyejob quick, and by someone with a tad more experience. Please.

Two: ditch the bland and boring garb and dress up your new ‘do. The saddest thing is trying to draw attention to your new locks (or lack thereof) by dressing drab; PUNCH IT UP with some colorful sundresses, perhaps a new pair of shades, and some cute earrings AT LEAST. God help us if we have to look at you with the bad dyejob but not in bland clothes as well.

Three: don’t go back, only go forward. Grow into this new style and live with it for a bit. We don’t need you reinventing yourself 100 times a year; that’s trying to hard. Give it a little time. Otherwise before you know it, you’ll end up like this:

GAH! (found via Google Images; uncredited)

AND NOBODY WANTS THAT.

Luckily, we have these little things called Flickr streams and Facebook albums. ARE YOU READY TO LOOK? I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly made from jam, dear readers. Wigthout further ado, your LONG AWAITED post-Infinitus Night of Frivolity Ball Superlatives. Eat it up.

Best Dressed Honorable Mention: Rachael Gross as The Silver Doe

Photo Courtesy of D. Tortorella and HPEF.

If someone can tell me the story of how this outfit was born, like the literal CONCEPTION and INFANCY, I’d love love love to hear it. I mean, the sequins are bold and brassy and the simplicity of it all is just super sexy, BUT THOSE ANTLERS. I walked past Rachael a few times and I don’t think I could help but admire what could only be described as Foil Frivolity. Shiny as this silver doe was, I’d go so far as to say she was BRILLIANT.

Cosplay Honorable Mention: Emma Brice as The Grey Lady

Photo Courtesy of D. Tortorella and HPEF

Oh, my dear Emma. Not only did you basically cosplay as like five GAJILLION characters during the whole con, but you literally STUNNED the masses as The Grey Lady. I DIE. Yet unlike the Lady herself, I cannot yet haunt Hogwarts School because you killed me STONE DEAD with this look. Special props to your lovely Mum for her support of your work and literally, I think we’re all excited to see what you bring in your bag of tricks for LC2011.

Best Couture Cosplay: Sam Ghabra as Hedwig

Photo Courtesy D. Tortorella and HPEF.

Ok, so I don’t know who this girl is, Sam Ghabra basically stopped the flow of OWL POST and despite her choice of footwear I think we need to give her a special shoutout for MAKING THIS PIECE FROM EFFING SCRATCH. (applause) I think we need to make a new addendum to the old adage: Hedwig isn’t dead; SHE’S FABULOUS. I’ve seen a few snowy owl costumes in my day, but this by far takes the taco in the best way possible. KUDOS to you, Sam. I look forward to your next masterpiece.

Best Dressed Couple: Aaron Nordyke & Erinn Lewis

Photo courtesy of SqeekPhoto.

Holy hell in a handbasket, where to START with these two? They’re so fab it hurts my brain. The wayfarers, the dressed-down khakis and the maryjanes; it’s a double rainbow all the way. ACROSS THE SKY. Erinn’s got the La Femme Nikita thing down while Aaron is doing an casual modern garden party sans panama hat, BUT FOR EVENING. Guys, I can’t stress enough how it’s difficult to go as a pair without doing the matchy-matchy and still come off as stunners. Aaron & Erinn (couple name Aarinn?) make it achievable.

Best Dressed Guy: Quinn Rossi

Photo Courtesy of Quinn Rossi. (also pictured at right: Eia Waltzer)

Who else could legit pull of the full dinner jacket (read: tuxedo) AND pleated waist sash (read: cummerbund) and still dance the night away? Neville fucking Longbottom, that’s who. And when he wasn’t spinning, turning and dipping his lovely date Eia Waltzer (also pictured) of girl power duo The Parselmouths, he was leading the crowd in “Don’t Stop Believin’” or answering yes to the question “HEY! Aren’t you that young actor who played James Potter in THE FINAL BATTLE?” Why yes. Yes he is the very same.

Best Dressed Girl: Rhiannon Payne

Photo courtesy of Jackie Klein (also pictured on right)

Not only does Rhiannon dress HIGHKEY and fucking dopeshow most of the time, she basically blew everyone away with her simple glamour at Infinitus. She went from rocking the lowkey pearls and a cardigan by day, but by night she was killing it in this lace party frock. Rhi, you never cease to amaze us. Stay classy, sassafrass.

Sayonara bitches. I’ll see you at LeakyCon 2011. DRESS TO IMPRESS and don’t let me down. ;)

UPDATE: The Hedwig designer/cosplayer is named Sam Ghabra, and she is totally awesome.

The video says it all. I’m most excited for the v-necks and pint glass. Time to start saving my pennies!

Special shout outs to all the creative people behind this video. You guys make me laugh at work and embarrass myself and I hope you’re happy.

Oh, who am I kidding? That was probably your intention. Hahaha.

See you at the show this weekend!

Johnny’s first dress was a mess. I don’t know what he was thinking. It looked worse than that terrible Pepto pink polo he put on for Day Two. His second dress definitely wasn’t an improvement. It was a rushed mess.

Gordana’s was stunning…on the dress form. I’m not sure if I loved it on the runway.

Stars of the runway include Logan, Christopher, and Althea. Logan’s was something I would legitimately buy right now. Gorgeous. Althea just knows how to dress a woman.

Misses were Johnny, Epperson, Shirin, and Carol Hannah. Shirin’s was probably the bottom of the qualifiers. Epperson’s looked like it was about to rip through. And Carol Hannah’s looked like she barely put forth the effort some of the other designers did.

Christopher’s was my favorite (in fact he’s starting to be one of my favorite contestants); his gown was very SJP, very Oscar de la Renta or vintage Dior. I hated Shirin’s the most, but I think Johnny’s was the worst and he deserved to go home.

Disappointed that Irina won, but perhaps I’ll be proven wrong about her in a future challenge. I don’t see it yet. It was a coat. And everything else from her has flown under the radar.

All in all, a definite filler episode of PR. We all knew that Johnny and his tears weren’t going to hack it in the top ten, especially if he realizes on telling stories to stay in the competition. Bye Johnny. We won’t miss you.

I never get fake nails (unless I break one completely off; happened once; I was blessed with long nail beds) so I can’t i would rock these, BUT MAN DO I WANT TO. Check out Nailchick27′s link at top for more awesome nail art. Such chicness for your geekness. Can’t handle it.

The first looks that struck me were the white silk/linen organza combos, including a jacquard dress (far left) and jacquard jacket & pant set (at left). They were so light yet still gave the feeling of effortless flow, perfect for work or a night out. We also saw another green-on-black piece (a surefire Spring trend) in a silk print dress that was simply stunning.

The color palette continued as muted until I spotted something else: the lining of Narciso’s mud cloth coats. I’m a sucker for great lining, especially those that give a pop of color to an otherwise darker, more drab coat. Though you can’t see it pictured at right (I’ll try to find a better shot), the silk mud cloth coat had a deep blood orange lining. It’s details like this that make Narciso one of my favorite designers.

He presented perfect suiting in black silk/cotton poplin & linen canvas and perfect proportions of silver silk and pink silk in a jacquard dress. When the color started to flow, I quickly noticed a bright pink crepe dress that was open on the sides while still providing support up front. If I buy anything from this collection, it will be this crepe dress as it was perfect for us small-chested girls (my friend Devon agrees with me).

Other big hits in this collection were the cone skirts in bone linen, bright violets and fuchsias, and a cut-out white silk crepe chiffon dress. There were some deep V dresses to give that edgy sex appeal, but it was the rain silk print (at left) that made me swoon. A deep midnight blue in an embroidered top, pants, and dress looked like it was covered in rain droplets. Personally i don’t want to wait until Spring to wear that print. It screamed Holiday wardrobe to me and I want it NOW.

The last three looks were evening done Narciso’s way: silk, trains, and VOLUME (while remaining weightless. The mercury/gunmetal dress was a perfect final look and I’m pretty sure some starlet will be wearing it to the Globes come awards season.

All in all, this collection was big on volume, big on flow without tradition, and big on sheer. I should also mention that the models donned non-platform stilettos. Is this Narciso’s way of phasing out the trend? Only time will tell. What we can say is that Narciso always keeps it classy and makes clothes that every woman wants to wear.

Fashion Week coverage will continue with a trend report, backstage report, and a personal post all about the wonderful friends I met throughout the week. Stay tuned!

The first piece I loved was this open drape back blouse (pictured from behind on the left). It reminded me of warm summer days going shopping in the Hamptons; a simple blouse to pair with any white trouser.

The collection continued with slip dresses, a perfect pleated trouser, silk blazers. and miniskirts with a bubble hem (guess those are here to stay).

As the show went on, I really fell in love with the trademark Tibi prints debuting next Spring: the Josephine is a large floral print which can be on white or black shorts & blazers. The Begonia print is simpler, with one bright flower on a black one shoulder dress (at right). The Evangelista and Calily prints are more multicolored and more abstract, lending their decorativeness to structural dresses and mini skirts. The hummingbird chiffon is also a great print i a goddess dress or a plunging back number towards the end of the show.

In the end, Tibi is always very wearable and very beautiful, but this collection didn’t blow me away as much as their F/W 2009 collection. I did love the suede fleurs and other embellishments; it’s nice to know that we can be all dolled up this Spring and that crystal and leather additions are not just for fall anymore.

Stay tuned for more New York Fashion Week.

A Snuggie built for two?

Thanks to the ultra-exclusive runway show for Snuggie, we were spared the untimely death by cuteness that was subject to The Cut from New York Magazine. After the jump, Fandom Fashionista gives you her review of the Snuggie Runway show.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back outside in cooler weather, Snuggie had a fashion show today. Thanks to the wonderful Twitpics at The Cut (follow @cutblog on Twitter!), I can now give you the run-of-show and my thoughts on Snuggie’s first “collection”.

Snuggie’s show began with Ross “the Intern” Matthews as emcee (or maybe just a double, I’m having issues confirming/denying this evidence; see pic) with a small runway: bare and poorly lit.

A somewhat "snug" runway. (Oh like you wouldn't have?)

I can’t tell you how excited I was to NOT be invited to the show. Luckily, Twitter makes dreams come true. An audience of 12 people, with one photographer and a few bloggers armed with camera phones sat to one side, ready for the show to begin.

All photos courtesy of The Cut.

Snuggie tried their best to be fashionable, presenting animal prints such as leopard and zebra print. What I’m curious about is who are the models and who’s styling the show. Pairing Snuggies with sunnies? I thought this was about keeping warm indoors and out. I almost never wear my sunnies indoors or outdoors on a chilly day. And in case they didn’t know, it’s mostly overcast when it’s Snuggie weather. Oh my god, did I just use the phrase “Snuggie weather?” Shoot me.

Now the dog-and-child portion fo the show is a brilliant idea. Get them started on the Snuggie early. But the REAL genius came with collegiate Snuggies. This is where they may actually have a decent marketing strategy. Lord knows we all go to sporting events (or are dragged to them by significant others) and the weather during football season can get chilly. This school spirit Snuggie has a viable market on college campuses, alumni websites, and in stadium gift shops all across the country. Whether or not they’ll be stocking them at every school with a Division One team is anyone’s guess, but I think if Snuggie focused less on the fashion-conscious and more on the sports-fan, they’d be increasing their revenue by a sizeable amount.

A poor decision sending out to red schools back-to-back IMO.

And just so you know, only the hopeless will be the other prints Snuggie will soon provide (some of those hopeless being my friends, but i till love em). Camouflage print will be perfect for hunting Snuggie-lovers (as long as a bright orange vest is a gift with purchase). The Phish fan in all of us will love the tie-dye Snuggie, as long as we can remember if and where we packed it in the car (we’re soooo baked).

In the end, you all know how I feel abut the Snuggie. We’re not stupid. We can tell this was a Fashion Week marketing ploy (technically, most of Fashion Week is one big marketing ploy for something or another), but we just want to know if Snuggie was really trying to take themselves seriously, why the poor haphazard planning? The low attendance? The lack of stars who are firm Snuggie-believers? Clearly the flacks at Snuggie’s team have yet to do serious research.

The defendant.

And by the way, has Snuggle Bear tried to sue for defamation yet? I mean they may as well have been showing Snuggle Bear-skin Snuggies on that runway!