‘Project Runway' alum favors sleek silhouettes

DALLAS — His stint on "Project Runway” was short, but Malan Breton doesn't discount the exposure.

"It gave me a name around America,” he said, especially to people who wouldn't have seen his fashion designs for many more years.

Breton, who presented his spring 2008 collection at Fashion Center Dallas, was a competitor on "Project Runway's” third season, along with Norman's Kayne Gillaspie.

Like Gillaspie, who now has his own line of prom, pageant and special occasion clothing, Breton took his moment in the spotlight and stretched it to his advantage. Though he showed at Fashion Week in New York for four seasons before he appeared on the show, nothing packs a runway show like a little name recognition — or curiosity.

In September, Breton presented his spring collection to a standing-room-only crowd at Fashion Week in New York.

He described his spring collection as a combination of shapes, including sheaths, shorts, wide-leg pants and cocktail dresses with fitted bodices and flowing or bias-cut skirts.

Breton, 34, was born in Taiwan and grew up in Hong Kong. His careers have been varied, from dancing and acting to reality television star and fashion designer. His background in dance — his mother was a ballet dancer, too — inspired him to cut a couple of dresses with dangerously low backs.

"The cleavage thing is so overdone,” he said in that accent so recognizable to fans of "Project Runway.”

Inspiration for his spring collection came from a 1940s photograph of his grandparents on holiday in Indochina. Silks and silk blends are layered for structure. Architectural shapes fall in line with the season's evolution to a sleeker, angular silhouette.

Shades of golden pearl, ginger, raw sugar, azure, cloud, conch, red lacquer and onyx are feminine but not overpowering, he said.

He said one of his best sellers for spring is a brocade reverse dress with jacket. His dresses retail for $675 to $900 and are available in sizes 0 to 24.

The collection also includes plenty of separates that women can take from daytime to evening.

"I love that sensibility,” he said.

After six years in the making, The MakeUp Bar is ready to reveal its newest product line: T.A.L.K. Beauty.

This line is personal. It's the concept of owner Alex Mendez-Kelley, her sister and store manager Tina Rogers; Linda Vutran, aesthetician and spa manager; and Katie O'Brien, business director and floor manager. T.A.L.K. is an acronym for their names.

"The four of us bring a different thing to the table, which is what I think is so interesting,” Mendez-Kelley said. "Most artist lines are singular.”

Mendez-Kelley is all about color. Her sister is into packaging and whether it's a product women will use. Vutran focuses on formulation, and O'Brien pulls it all together with aesthetics.

The first product in the line, launching Thursday, is Sha-liner, a multi-use product that doubles as eye shadow base, eye shadow and gel eyeliner.

"It's a little bit of everything, all in one product,” Mendez-Kelley said. "It goes on creamy, but when it's on, it's on. I'm behind a steam machine, and I don't want to put on color that's going to crease in an hour.”

Sha-liner, priced at $22, is available in six colors, with four more shades due next year. Future products include eye shadows and lip glosses with essential oils.

T.A.L.K. Beauty is American-made with packaging that says Oklahoma City. "We're really proud of that,” Mendez-Kelley said.