Jillian Lewis Fall 2008 Collection

Friday, July 25, 2008 by
Let's take a breather from S5 madness and check in with one of our favorites from S4.


Jillian Lewis is unveiling her Fall 2008 collection. Here's what she had to say to us about it:

"Both my runway collection (from the show) and my current ready to wear collection were inspired by the beautiful embellishments and functionality of the combatant costumes of the past... more specifically 15th century armor. I am often inspired by history, though it is important that my designs reflect the culture and the technological advancements of our time."

"The fit and construction are the most important elements. I have never been the type of designer who embellishes with extraneous details. The details exist within the form."

What else is Baby working on? Well, she's also preparing a Spring 2009 ready-to-wear line; she's working on several private client orders and she's designing 6 dance costumes for the Guggenheim museum for a performance in September. We're so pleased that she's so busy. She was somewhat overshadowed by her fellow finalists, Rami and Christian and we felt all along that the girl had the chops to have an incredibly successful career.

As for her collection, we love it. You'll find some of her more memorable looks from her BP show, like her signature ruffled coat and knits, but there are some new pieces in there as well. We think she has a fresh and unique style and we wish her well. We're not bitches ALL the time, y'know.












Jillian Lewis Fall 2008 is expected to hit stores at the end of August. We'll keep you posted as to where you can find it.


[Photos: Courtesy of Jillian Lewis/WireImage]

122 comments:

Sewing Siren said...

I think Jillian has a huge hit on her hands. These clothes are beautiful I would love to own any or all of them.
I think being on the show was pretty hard on her. She deserves all the success that comes from it.

Anonymous said...

White knit dress with buttons on the back of the skirt - adorable!
I seem to remember that she wore some thing like this at the BP show?

-TLo Addict -

Anonymous said...

Her knitwear is gorgeous! Best of luck, Jillian!

Anonymous said...

Some of her sweater looks are just magnificent! Girl knows her knits.

FashionFanatic said...

I want that last coat...NOW! It's GORGE!! I love her work and I know she'll do well.

Anonymous said...

i can see jillian wearing every single piece. i think we know who she designs for.

Anonymous said...

Her clothes are gorgeous. Can't wait to find out where I'll be shopping!

Anonymous said...

I think these are gorgeous. Very wearable and pretty.

Anonymous said...

I want the first coat! it's gorgeous!!!
and also her sweaters!
congrats Jillian on a fabulous fall collection! I hope it is somehow affordable (not like PPS prices on Bluefly).

Sewing Siren said...

Anonymous said...
i can see jillian wearing every single piece. i think we know who she designs for.


All the female readers of this blog.

Anonymous said...

LOVE that red plaid number in a way I can barely explain. The whole collection is beautiful, but that piece stopped me in my tracks.

Anonymous said...

Be still, my heart!! I love all the pieces, but I truly covet the gray sweater in the second frame, and the LBD in the next to last frame. Jillian is so talented and her clothes are so wearable. Thanks so much for posting this, TLo, every day with you all is like a gift!!
----StkrShock

Miz Shoes said...

I want all the knits. ALL of them. And I want the patterns so I can knit them myself. They are phenomenal. Gorgeous.

Brooklyn Bomber said...

Wow, very impressive. I think she's really onto something with the knits.

Sewing Siren, I love the green sash. What do the little notes to the right of the sketch say?

Anonymous said...

When I see these, which show both thought, workmanship, style and wearability - in other words I can IMAGINE people wearing them - I remember why I can't take Christian's pure-style-as-embellishment ...

Anonymous said...

I'll take one of each in a size 4 please!!

Gorgeous Things said...

Oh, I ADORE the gray sweater! I want one!!!!

Anonymous said...

Those knit sweaters are to DIE for. I WILL have one, likely the blue. Everything else is darling, but not for my body type, although I'd try on the coats just to say I did. :-)

I wish Jillian nothing but the greatest success. If she keeps creating wonderful pieces like these, she'll be around for a long, long time.

Anonymous said...

Baby's done a marvelous job with those coats! I covet them! And her knits are a refreshing sight.

She may have been overshadowed by Rami and PPS, but I think she's got the work ethic and aesthetic to make it in the long run. I look forward to her future collections.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't a big fan of hers during Season 4 but these all look amazing. Congrats to Jillian.

DolceLorenzo said...

"We think she has a fresh and unique style and we wish her well. We're not bitches ALL the time, y'know."

And that's why we love you bitches!
Great collection. I can actually see those pieces hanging in a store. Knitwear is really her forte.

Anonymous said...

Lovely, lovely...just like Baby herself. Hope she does big business.

GothamTomato said...

Hello Gorgeous!! I love, love, LOVE these clothes!!!!

I want the sweaters. I want the coat.

I don't care what those fercockta judges said: Jillian is the winner of S4!

She didn't have the catchphrases or the over-the-top reality show personality - but she knows what women want to wear, and look good in.

Jillian is the one who is going to go the distance.

--GothamTomato

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! Thank you so much for this post, boys! I want one of each, please.

Anonymous said...

LOVE it!!! I wish she had won PR 4. Her clothing is fashion-forward, but WEARABLE! I want every single piece, and that's saying something:)

aimee said...

Wow... I seriously love this collection! Gorgeous stuff, especially the knits. I especially covet that last coat, and the gray sweater with the ruffle. WANT.

jen in philly said...

I want all of these, too! Like someone else said, I hope these are priced more reasonably than PPS's stuff.

If I had oodles of money, I would pay Jillian to come make all my clothes for me.

Gidget Bananas said...

Jillian is an artist when it comes to coats. Live long and prosper, Jillian!

Anonymous said...

Red Plaid Flannel: Lipstick lesbian dream top!

Anonymous said...

Yes these are excellent looking pieces and very commercial. While I wasn't a huge fan of her bryant park collection, it was always clear she was the most commerical of the final four.

And Tlo: WE all know you guys aren't bitches all the time. BUt you are deinitely alpha bitches and should wear the title proudly :)

Frank

Cedar said...

Good God, she's so f'ing pretty. I'm glad you guys call her Baby, because I am constantly told I look like Baby as well, so maybe I'm half as pretty as she is.

Her collection is gorgeous--I love those knits. I'm not a fan of the puffy sleeve plaid, but everything else is beautiful. I covet that belted knit dress/coat at the end.

Anonymous said...

I WANT IT. Particularly two of the sweaters.

Jillian actually makes stuff I could wear. And any time Vogue Knitting wants to publish one of her sweater patterns, I will get out my needles and surround myself with yarn.

Joanie said...

The white knit with buttons...okay, here's the thing: you can't easily sit or move with buttons on your ass without them ripping off or pulling terribly on the rest of the garment. Otherwise, it's very cute. Not my favorite, but cute.

Her coat, well, I'm not sure how many times she can put that one on the runway and have folks ooh and aah. It's beautiful, but we've seen it several times already.

Where Jillian really shines is with her short jackets and knit tops. The way she mixes pattern and form is really pleasing to the eye. And her use of curves with straight lines, she definitely gives you a point of interest and that's not boring at all.

TheNYCourier said...

I love it! I really hope she keeps her promise and gets it into some stores here on Long Island; I know I won't be able to buy anything, but it would be nice to see.

St. Louis Martial Arts Directory said...

Oh my god, those knits! ~<3

Please tell us when you find out where we can buy them. (Although I do hope they have them in larger sizes. Curse my genetics.)

Another Suburban Mom said...

I want everything except for the red plaid thing, it just screams Lumberjack Drag Queen to me.

But everything else, especially the first coat is GOREGOUS!

cakeordeath said...

Love the coats and the fabulous knits.

The only look that didn't work for me was the buffalo plaid, but I freely admit that it is because of my own issues (1980's + Wisconsin=bad lumberjack juju).

Anonymous said...

This is the first time I'm tempted to put down serious money for one of the PR designers.

At least one of those sweaters shall be mine.

So what if I stand out among the Walmart/Patagonia/hippie citizens of my community.

-- desertwind

Laura said...

Jillian will always the S4 winner to me.

Unknown said...

Please do let us know. They are so beautiful! I love her clothes, and still have no idea how Rami was second place and she was third!
Plus, I think she seems like a cool girl.
Thanks for keeping us posted!

Lilithcat said...

Beautiful. All of it. But I'm completely nuts about the high-collared, grey jacket, and the black dress.

Anonymous said...

amazing. any info on when and where these pieces will be available?

mjude said...

LOVE IT! absolutely adorable.

woo hoo for jullian.

SUS said...

Wow! I love the fisherman's knit sweater dress (but I wonder how well it stays up).

Her POV is very unique. She never bores me.

Anonymous said...

GORGEOUS!

Marian S. said...

I've said it before, I'll say it again... She should've won.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful stuff. Most of this isn't my personal aesthetic, but they are beautifully made, and I can see them appealing to a wide range of women, from younger to older.

I would wear the LBD and the white strapless dress, though. And that first coat is still a stunner.

Bill said...

Excellent stuff. She was the winner for me in S4.

She should be doing costume design for film and theater as well.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely adore the parallel between her knits and 15th century doublets, particularly the flared backs. It's wonderful to see a designer look back further than last week, and pick up influences found in both historical costuming and painting. That MMA challenge really inspired her!

I can't wait to find out where these pieces will be available! It's so nice to see a talent like her continue with her dreams and not be overshadowed by the results of a TV reality program. You go girl!!!

Sincerely,
Mistress Mary ... Quite Contrary

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I love nearly all of these. I want that first jacket SO MUCH but I am afraid the ruffles will give me more butt than I want. :(

Anonymous said...

That last piece (jacket? sweater?) is GORGEOUS.

KP said...

Oh it's cute! I remember always looking a Jillian and saying, "I wouldn't wear it, but it's stylish." But I would totally wear one of her jackets!!

Anonymous said...

It all looks nice, pretty and wearable and perhaps just a tiny bit boring.

Anonymous said...

That first coat is gorgeous. If I could find it in my price range/size, I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous collection! Her clothes were my favorite from Season 4 - they're actually one of my favorites of all seasons. That black dress and at least one of the sweaters will be mine. Maybe one of the coats too. I love the way her designs are sort of classic but with a really interesting twist. I think she's got the chops to be the Donna Karan of her generation. Since she seems more interested in and better suited to being a serious designer than a reality tv star it may be a blessing in disguise that she didn't win. Too many of the PR finalists and winners seem to be languishing in B- or C-list celebrity hell without producing much serious work. I don't know if she's found an investor (hope so!) but I think she's going to go the distance. And kudos for looking so incrediby beautiful too.

Anonymous said...

How is it she didn't win again?

I'd wear every piece. Ditto Uli's. Why do they always praise designing for "real women" and then give the prize to some guy who designs stuff that would only look good on a size two model, who's into feathers?

merseydotes said...

That black cardigan is fecking fabulous. Please do keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

You know what it reminds me of? In the 80s Issey Miyake took traditional Japanese clothes and modernized them and brought them forward. This is the same idea but with European styles. I think its brilliant and I wish her well!

Anonymous said...

Love the knitwear! Makes me wanna get out my needles and knit something awesome!

Mom said...

Add me to the list of those who were not wowed by Jillian on the show, but are wowed by this mini-collection. I cannot wait to hear prices and store locations.

Anonymous said...

They are all nicely designed but they would make anyone look 10 years older. The fabric choices are odd.

Anonymous said...

Those clothes are hot as hell.

S.J. Donovan said...

That last coat is GORGEOUS. Sometimes I just wish I were a woman...

Anonymous said...

The word that immediately came to my mind also came, it seems, to everyone else: GORGEOUS. Luxuriant, richly detailed, interesting and yet wearable. Gotham Tomato is exactly right -- Jillian is the real winner of S4.

Unknown said...

My goodness. Why isn't she doing menswear? I'd be all over it. I'm almost tempted to buy the womenswear, it's so good.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! Way to go, Jillian! I'm proud of you, girl!

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...

You know what it reminds me of? In the 80s Issey Miyake took traditional Japanese clothes and modernized them and brought them forward."

I read somewhere that Asians (particularly Japanese fashionistas) love her designs. I'm not surprised at all.

Anonymous said...

I've decided I want the black sweater more than the blue.

I'll have to win the lottery to afford it, but I WILL be wearing that next fall.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love Jillian's fit-and-flare shapes. So flattering!
Best of luck to her! I'm sure she's going to be successful.

Megan said...

I want.

CroqueMonsieur said...

"The fit and construction are the most important elements. I have never been the type of designer who embellishes with extraneous details. The details exist within the form."

My kind of girl. I wish you the best of luck in all future endeavors, Jillian.

Anonymous said...

Simply gorgeous; I would know these were Jillilan's just by looking at the tailoring. Maybe if I start riding a bike TODAY and saving all the money I would have spent on gas...

Ann said...

I wasn't in love with her finale collection, but there isn't a piece here that I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE.

You Go Jillian!!

Anonymous said...

where can i buy that second knit sweater jacket thing???

LOVE it.

aj said...

I would wear nearly every single piece here. Beautiful work!

Daxx said...

She was my first round pick for winner in S4. Looks like she'll be one of the ones that makes it regardless of the win.

I would die to see menswear versions of the 3rd and 5th jackets. HOT! HOT! HOT!

Daxx said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sewing Siren said...

Brooklyn Bomber said...

Sewing Siren, I love the green sash. What do the little notes to the right of the sketch say?,


It says: Square neck
Empire (waist)
with
Peg skirt

I was trying to think what "I" would have done with Weslie's fabric. Someone on the Wes thread said he had some green (colored) jersey. This dress would probably take about 3 yards, I think Wes had less than that, like 2 maybe.

B. Jean said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that red plaid coat!!! I cannot wait to find out where I can buy it! Also, all the knit sweaters are adorable and I would buy any of those as well. Hopefully they won't cost an arm and a leg... just one maybe?

I look forward to seeing Jillian's Spring collection!

Kelly Marie said...

The great thing about Jillian's clothing is that it would look flattering on most women. I love that she plans for curves. We need more designers like her!

Anonymous said...

I. want. that. coat!!!! (the first one).... gorgeous - every piece. very feminine without being frilly. i really wanted her to win, but in the long run i really think she IS the winner. i wish her all the success that she has so rightfully earned!

thanks, tlo for keeping us updated on her!

Anonymous said...

I WANT THAT FIRST SWEATER! AHHHH! Love it!

Anonymous said...

uhm. ew.

Anonymous said...

Wow, leave the blog for a few hours, come back, and Jillian has a new, fabulous and amazing line of womenswear for fall!

I was never a Jillian fan, but I sure am now. Again, wow! Every piece, every stitch, every silhouette - perfection! Kudos, to Jillian for designing a fresh, sexy and wearable line for the modern, everyday woman.

- edina -

Ms Sangrail said...

I think Jillian is going to be around for quite a long time....
She seems to have more range than the other two PR4 finalists.
Love the knits!!

Anonymous said...

Call me crazy, but the red plaid jacket reminds me a little bit of Christian's jacket from the first episode of Season 4. Did anyone else think this?

-Kat

Anonymous said...

Loving it! I would buy every single one of these pieces. Go Jillian!

Kanani said...

I liked her collection a lot. Nice pieces, but I think they'd look dated quickly. Already I'm having flashbacks to the 80's and I'm expecting her to to zip in wearing tight jeans and a pair of Candie's anytime.

Anonymous said...

I would totally wear everything! Jillian is fabulous. I'll be sure to keep a look out for her line.

Anonymous said...

as a knitter, all i can say is GODDAMN! those knit pieces are spectacular!

Anonymous said...

I love this collection. I'd wear every single one of these looks.

Anonymous said...

"Ms Sangrail said...

I think Jillian is going to be around for quite a long time....
She seems to have more range than the other two PR4 finalists.
Love the knits!!"

Yup. Yup.

Unknown said...

I want everything except the short-sleeved lumberjack number. No chance any of it will ever be found where I live. So sad.

Anonymous said...

I love her work. She was my fav last season.
I want want want that gray sweater.... Actually, gimme one of every piece.

Baby is such a great name for her.

Anonymous said...

I really like the knit jacket, like she said, it has the right amount of details without being overdone.

Anonymous said...

her work is amazing. i find it to be better than rami's work (i'll just call it that) and christian's fierce model fantasy wear.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous collection. I would wear any of those pieces in a heartbeat! I always felt the judges dismissed her Bryant Park Collection way too quickly, she was the winner in my eyes.

The Amazon Princess said...

I hope and I pray that at least some of her stuff will be available in plus sizes! That's one of the things I like about the PR designers that are showing on QVC, I can actually wear their work.
*crosses fingers*

Anonymous said...

love the knits. Never want to see buffalo plaid outside of a Maine lodge again.

sienamystic said...

God, her stuff is so gorgeous. I don't know if I could actually look good in any of those pieces (being, ahem, of larger carriage) but I love just looking at them.

kittens not kids said...

i was never a HUGE Jillian fan, but i want - want so much it hurts! - that black sweater (4th one from top). it's GORGEOUS, and just my kind of thing. somehow, though, i suspect Jillian Lewis's Fall 2008 collection will be right out of my lil grad student budget.

sigh.

and good for her!

Anonymous said...

Go Jillian!

You know, after the snark and the designer by designer analysis every episode, one of the things I most like about this blog is how you try to keep up with what the contestants are doing now. I love how you check in with old friends, thank you for that.

Jillian was dry as tv, but her designs were almost always wonderful, and her talent and passion and work ethic are phenomenal. I hope she achieves the level of success and recognition that she so richly deserves.

I loved that first sweater when it was in black and gold in the finale, and I love it even more now that I can see the details. And those knit dresses are just lovely.

She should hook up with Emmett. Does EMC2 sell other designers?

LelĂȘ. said...

Those coats and knits are TO. DIE. FOR. I think it's the second time (first was Jay) that I'm truly impressed by an ex-PRer collection. Wow.

*drool* *drool*

Suzanne said...

I can say that I would buy EVERY SINGLE thing she made! Even if its like a thousand degrees here and I would only be able to wear them to heavily air conditioned places!

Anonymous said...

Oh. My. Goodness. Love the whole thing.

She really understands fit in a way most designers never will. Go Jillian!

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see the clothes on real models. but it's a gorgeous collection. good luck J!

Brandenburg3rd said...

LOVE #3 (sweater with the peplum). Granted, there are only 2 days in the year I could wear something that warm, but it would be worth it.

Anonymous said...

My favorite thing about Jillian's collection is that it appears to be wearable for real women. I'm not exactly a skinny minnie, but I feel that I could pull off most of her garments and feel beautiful in them! I really love all of the pieces!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic collection. I'm so pleased to see Jillian doing so well!

Anonymous said...

I love these looks. What a great mini-collection! Thanks for the post, Tlo!

Anonymous said...

Love it. For the first time, I wish I could stand the feeling of heavy knits, because that gray ruffled sweater? To die for.

Anonymous said...

My credit card is practically jumping out of my wallet!!

~ Alisons

Anonymous said...

Oh, Jillian. You were always my favorite. How depressed I was when you did not win last season!

Anonymous said...

*sigh* i love love love her. she was my pick. i will be thrilled if her clothes are accessible to me!!

scarabee said...

I love her clothes, but I don't like that website. :(
Thanks for posting updates on all the designers, especially the ones that didn't win. It's great to see that they are doing well, and that perhaps the publicity from the show helped them go further even if they don't win. And thank you, boys, for just being wonderfully funny!

Anonymous said...

The white dress is simple adorable!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous collection! Jillian is so talented!

Anonymous said...

OH. MY. GAWD. I loved her jacket-dress(es) in S4, and I am so happy they'll actually be available! I really need to hit the gym to fit into these suckers! I am such a fan!

Anonymous said...

Please keep us posted boys! I want to buy at least one of these.

Anonymous said...

i love her signature militar coat :)

Anonymous said...

go jillian!!<3

Anonymous said...

There are some great looks here! I thought she unfairly got the bronze; I think her collection deserved a lot more love than Rami's, and was a serious contender against Christian.