CaliforniaApparelNews.net

Let’s start with the bad news. L.A. designer Andrae Gonzalo has moved to New York. (Hmph, where’s Andrae, indeed.)

The good news is, he’s still sending his scoops out west. (Thank you, Andrae! Sorry for using the image above--but the T-shirt was too perfect to pass up.)

The Otis graduate, “Project Runway” alum and, ahem, former Los Angeles designer is designing for New York–based eveningwear line Mikael Aghal.

Outdoor Retailer named the winner of their Project Runway spin-off competition, Project OR, on Monday. Margaret Mussman, a junior at the University of Cincinnati, was one of six student designers chosen to participate in the competition. In 48 hours, the former snowboarder designed and constructed a women's backcountry ski bib, which earned her first place, a trip to Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2012 and a profile in the publication Textile Insight.

Five of the 13 designers returning to compete in “Project Runway All Stars” in January are from California.

I’d prefer 13 of 13, sure, but it’s a better West Coast showing than we’ve seen in recent seasons of the reality show, youknowwhatI’msaying?

The California competitors are:

Rami Kashou, Mila Hermanovski, Sweet P Vaughn, Michael Costello and Gordana Gehlhausen.

Project Runway Host and Liz Claiborne's chief creative officer Tim Gunn.  Make it work!  (photo provided by HL Group)

Amy Smart, Busy Phillips and Alicia Witt were just some of the celebs that turned out last night to hear Project Runway’s Tim Gunn tout Lucky Brand’s new denim line and support the nonprofit The Art of Elysium at an event at Eveleigh on Sunset.

Tim Gunn,left with Leah Salak

Joking that his loose lips might land him in court, Tim Gunn, Project Runway co-host and Liz Claiborne chief creative officer, gave a rare display of dish on the show that made him famous. Tim’s foray into refreshingly frank talk took place on a hot afternoon April 16 at a runway show at Fashion Island retail center in Newport Beach, Calif.

Fashion designer, “Project Runway” alumn, fashion pundit, FIDM instructor—and ApparelNews guest blogger—Nick Verreos is getting a weekly TV show on the Style Network.

The half-hour show will “tackle anything and everything that’s of interest to Style viewers,” according to a release from E! Entertainment Television’s sister cable network.

The recently concluded season of “Project Runway” had a decidedly western slant. None of the three finalists are from California, per se, but winner Gretchen Jones is from Portland, Ore., Andy South is from Hawaii and fan favorite Mondo Guerra is from Denver…at least, for now.

Project Rungay bloggers Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez recently spoke to Guerra, who said he’s considering a move to L.A.

Photo by Feliz Salzman

“Project Runway” final—four—ist Mondo Guerra was one of a surprising number of reality show designers showing at L.A. Fashion Week this season.

Guerra showed a small collection at the Millinery Guild of Southern California’s presentation on Oct. 15 at The Biltmore hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles designer Aurelio created a video to accompany his pieces, which will be shown at the Discarded to Divine preview on April 9 at San Francisco's de Young Museum.

Now in its fifth year, Discarded to Divine invites designers to create original creations from discarded apparel.

Althea Harper

For the upcoming Los Angeles Fashion Market starting Jan. 15, the organizers of the Focus show at the California Market Center are bringing a bit of the "Project Runway" vibe to the event.