Caribbean Queen Anya Wins Season 9 of Project Runway

Former Miss Trinidad and Tobago Anya Ayoung Chee was crowned the winner of the 9th season of Project Runway. Everything She Wants spotted the stunning designer shopping at a New York City H&M in September during Fashion Week; and the $100,000 prize will buy a lot of trendy looks.

Anya Ayoung Chee's winning collection./Getty Images

From watching the show, I had a sneaky suspicion Anya would win this season's competition. Her underdog story -- she reportedly learned to sew only a few months before her Project Runway audition -- was a great fit for the pro-girl-power stance the show has taken since it moved to the Lifetime network.

Although Anya has great taste in selecting prints and her clothes are well-crafted for someone with basic sewing skills, not every woman lives in a tropical climate year-round. So her flowing caftans seem limited to resort wear for spring break and summer vacation.

But what do you think? Did Anya deserve to win over more seasoned contestants like catty Josh McKinley and uber-tailor Viktor Luna (I love Brooklyn girl Kimberly Goldston but agree with the judges that she needs more time to evolve as a designer)?

Comments

Giveaway: Thank Your Friends with Merci Chocolates!

National Friendship Day was August 4, 2013, but Everything She Wants has decided to continue the celebration with a giveaway from merci fine European chocolates . While some friendships are for a season or a reason, other friendships are built to last a lifetime. I’m fortunate to have two best friends: Cindy, whom I’ve known since junior high school and Deanna, who started out as my amusing intern. Besides my mother and my husband, these girlfriends are my greatest confidants. They’re like the sisters I never had and we’ve supported each other through personal trials and triumphs. So what better way to say ‘thank you’ to your friends than with merci chocolates? One lucky reader will win a ‘Friendship Kit’ that you can either keep to reward yourself for being such a great friend or share with a deserving comrade. The kit includes: $25 Target gift card (yay!) 7 ounce box of merci chocolates A picture frame to display a photo of you a...

Conway Discount Clothing Chain Closing in New York City

(Tracy E. Hopkins) It's the end of a budget shopping era. Conway discount stores are closing in New York City . As of this weekend, a sign on the sole Herald Square location (34th Street btwn 7th and 8th Ave) says the store will close in "7 Days." Before I relocated to the Big Apple, I was introduced to the discount chain while on a bus trip from Baltimore. I recall the first time I saw Conway's signature pink bags carried by hurried shoppers in midtown. And Miss Foster, the trip organizer and a bargain hunter from way back, took me to the store for the first time. Conway store in the Fulton Mall./Tracy E. Hopkins When I moved here in 1994, my love affair with Conway continued. I furnished my first apartment with discount knick-knacks and home goods from the store. And much to my chagrin, in hindsight, I curated most of my wardrobe for my first full-time job from the long-shuttered 42nd Street and Third Avenue store. One regretful ensemble: Lime green and...

DanceAfrica 2024 Returns to Brooklyn Academy of Music

The DanceAfrica Bazaar is one of my favorite annual street fairs. I love to watch folks show up and show out in their flyest Afrocentric garb and to shop for handmade beaded bracelets and earrings from the African vendors. And when I'm fortunate enough to snag a ticket as I did this year courtesy of BAM, I enjoy watching the kinetic African dancers (this time the country featured is Cameroon) during the spirited and spirit-filled DanceAfrica performance at the Howard Gilman Opera House. (Photos courtesy of BAM/Tony Turner) If you want to join in the fun, here's the weekend lineup that's truly for the culture. DanceAfrica 2024: The Origin of Communities / A Calabash of Cultures Artistic Director Abdel R. Salaam DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers, Women Of The Calabash, The Billie's Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble, and Siren – Protectors of The Rainforest Fri, May 24 at 7:30pm; Sat, May 25 at 2pm & 7pm; Sun, May 26 at 3pm BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (Pe...

Everything She Wants

Search This Blog