The fashion industry isn’t quite working for Tim Gunn.

The “Project Runway” mentor, fashion consultant and television personality is beloved, among other things, for his unabashed willingness to speak his mind. He penned a revealing piece for The Washington Post on Thursday on the bleak state of affairs when it comes to women over a certain size in the fashion industry.

“There are 100 million plus-size women in America, and, for the past three years, they have increased their spending on clothes faster than their straight-size counterparts. There is money to be made here ($20.4 billion, up 17 percent from 2013). But many designers — dripping with disdain, lacking imagination or simply too cowardly to take a risk — still refuse to make clothes for them,” he wrote.

This ultimately creates a less than desirable shopping experience for those 100 million women. “It’s a horribly insulting and demoralizing experience,” he wrote. Gunn has long advocated for change in this regard, once telling The Huffington Post he would throw himself “right out the window” if he were a size 18 woman and saw the department store offerings available in said size. 

Gunn even calls to task his own show, “Project Runway,” for something that was widely praised among many outlets (including ours).

Ashley Nell Tipton is a plus-size fashion designer who was “Runway’s” Season 14 winner. Her victory was seen by many as a step forward for the franchise. To Gunn though, it completely missed the point. Calling her designs “hideous,” he lamented that “her victory reeked of tokenism,” even revealing that one of the judges said she was “voting for the symbol” of having a plus-size woman take the title.

To Gunn’s point, picking a plus-size designer as winner to prove one’s open-mindedness ― rather than basing the decision on the quality of the designs themselves ― isn’t what we’re aiming for in a move toward inclusivity. It should be about people ― regardless of size ― making quality, fashionable clothing for women of all shapes.

“I wouldn’t dream of letting any woman, whether she’s a size 6 or a 16, wear them. Simply making a nod toward inclusiveness is not enough,” he said. 

The cutting piece debuted fittingly on the first day of New York Fashion Week, arguably the biggest offender of all when it comes to lack of inclusivity. Gunn points out that the high fashion designers who show at Fashion Week “say the plus-size woman is complicated, different and difficult,” recalling a time in 2009 when Karl Lagerfeld flat out said “no one wants to see curvy women” on the runway. 

On the other hand, he calls out the usual suspects in praise: Eloquii for actually getting trendy clothing above a size 12 right, Christian Siriano for stepping in to dress Leslie Jones when she revealed that no designer would dress her for the Ghostbusters premiere, and Lane Bryant as his go-to spot for women above a 14  (although he admits “the items aren’t fashion with a capital F”).

One basic idea is woven into the heart of Gunn’s message: That women ― all women ― deserve to look and feel good in clothing that fits and flatters them. “I profoundly believe that women of every size can look good. But they must be given choices,” he said.

Preach, Tim. 

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Acid attack survivor and activist Reshma Qureshi says she feels more beautiful now than she ever has before.

The 19-year-old from Mumbai, India, walked the runway at New York Fashion Week on Thursday, opening the FTL Moda show wearing a gown by Mumbai-based designer Archana Kocchar.

Qureshi hopes her appearance inspires confidence and hope in other acid attack survivors, she told Reuters, adding that she “felt extremely happy” up on the catwalk.

“Make your heart beautiful,” she told the Hindustan Times. “Beauty is not just about how you look.”

India’s Supreme Court stated in 2013 that attackers douse more than 1,000 women a year with acid. 

Qureshi was visiting a town in northern India in 2014 with her sister and two friends, when her sister’s estranged husband and two other men attacked them, holding Qureshi down and pouring sulfuric acid on her face, she told People last year. 

The attack destroyed her left eye and severely disfigured her face, and Qureshi received no financial assistance from the government for reconstructive surgery. She did, however, receive aid from Make Love Not Scars, a group devoted to supporting acid attack survivors. Since then, she’s become a spokeswoman for the group’s #EndAcidSale campaign, a movement to restrict the sale of acid in India.

Last year, Qureshi appeared in a series of Make Love Not Scars awareness videos framed as makeup tutorials. The series is titled “Beauty Tips by Reshma.”

At the end of the day, Qureshi does not consider herself a “victim.”

“I survived the attack, didn’t I?” she told the Hindustan Times. “How can I ever be a victim?”

More photos:

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The pumpkin spice lattes are already being poured and the sweaters are coming out of storage ― fall is coming.

So, what better way to bring on the new season than with tools to switch up your look?

We’ve rounded up the best new and to-come palettes for your eyes, lips, cheeks and face. Whether you’re down with neutral and earthy tones, vivid brights or shiny metallics, there’s something here for you. 

Oh, and we can’t forget the packaging. Some of these are seriously works of art. Enjoy!

Happy fall! 

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Was it an illusion?

Spoiler: no. Lady Gaga surprised a room full of East London clubgoers with a live performance in a shiny crop top early Saturday, just hours after dropping her upcoming album’s first single, “Perfect Illusion.”

Guests of the Moth Club heard Gaga perform the new song and some old favorites including 2009’s “Bad Romance,” along with other pop hits.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Gaga’s producer, Mark Ronson, warmed up for her performance with a DJ set before the singer took the stage around 1:30 a.m.

The upcoming, unnamed album ― a more “analog” production that will feature Florence Welch on one track ― is Gaga’s first solo endeavor since her 2013 album “Artpop.” In the meantime, she worked on a collaboration with jazz singer Tony Bennett and released the Oscar-nominated song “’Till It Happens to You.” 

Gaga has also been keeping busy with acting gigs.

In January, she took home a Golden Globe for her work in FX’s anthology series “American Horror Story,” having played the Countess in Season 5, “Hotel,” and is set to appear in Season 6 of the horror show, premiering Wednesday. (Details of the upcoming season are frustratingly scarce.) Gaga’s role alongside Bradley Cooper in the upcoming “reimagining” of the oft-remade film “A Star Is Born” was announced in August; she’s been spotted hanging out with the actor in Malibu, California. The singer ended her engagement with fiancé Taylor Kinney in July.

A release date for Gaga’s new album has not yet been announced.

CORRECTION: Gaga’s song “Bad Romance” was released in 2009, not 2008. 

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(Reuters) - Savvy Shields, a college student from Arkansas, won the annual Miss America pageant on Sunday after impressing judges with a jazz dance routine and her answer to a question about her take on presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Shields, a native of Fayetteville and student at the University of Arkansas, was one of seven finalists given 20 seconds to answer highly topical questions on some controversial issues, such as immigration and Clinton rival, Donald Trump.

Asked what her take was on Clinton, Shields offered that “if you’re trying to be leader of the free world, everything you say and do matters.”

She noted that the media has sensationalized the campaign so that it was “hard to tell what is truth and scandal,” then added that “both these candidates have done a great job, but they also need to watch what they’re doing.”

Shields, who adopted “eat better, live better” as her platform for the competition, earlier performed a jazz dance to “They Just Keep Moving the Line” from the TV show “Smash.”

The first runner-up was Rachel Wyatt, Miss South Carolina, who fielded a question about immigration in the United States. She was followed by contestants from New York, Washington and Mississippi.

Missouri’s Erin O’Flaherty, who in June became the first openly lesbian contestant in the history of the nearly century-old pageant, failed to make the first cut of 15 selected from 52 entrants from the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Shields went into Sunday’s live two-hour ABC broadcast from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. with the advantage of having prevailed earlier in the week during preliminary judging in the talent competition.

Wearing a black strapless gown, she was crowned by the outgoing title holder, Betty Cantrell.

The pageant returned to the seaside gambling resort a few years ago after nearly a decade in Las Vegas. It was dropped by ABC in 2004 following a steep ratings decline, but returned after years on cable.

Judges, including singer Ciara, scored contestants who ranged in age from 18 to the cut-off of 24 based on talent, the live question segment, a personal interview and appearances in gowns and swimsuits.

Most of the finalists drew on music or dance for the talent portion, but some opted for pageant staples such as baton-twirling.

The winner receives a six-figure salary, expenses for the year and a $50,000 scholarship.

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As part of HuffPost’s “Reclaim” project, HuffPost Style will focus the month of September on simple ways to educate yourself on becoming a better consumer.

Here at HuffPost Style, we are believers in wearing clothes that make you feel good, regardless of whether or not they happen to be “in” at the moment. Still, whether it’s crop tops, statement necklaces or cargo pants, we are all guilty of succumbing to a trend now and again. 

Here’s the thing, thought ― even if you’re someone who does follow trends, history has proven that it’s only a matter of time before those fads come back in style. What’s old is constantly new again. Taylor Swift proved that notion to be true this summer with a parade of crushed velvet, chokers and grungy T-shirts that screamed ‘90s so loud it brought the “Full House” down. 

Having said that, we’re here to make the case to you to stop and think carefully the next time you clean out your closet. Are there some things that, if taken care of properly, can last you all the way until the next time it’s back in style? Will you perhaps someday have a grandchild who will see that fabulous leather jacket in photos and smite you for ever getting rid of it? (Just us?)

Behold, 10 closet staples that, pending condition and room in your closet, you should probably just consider keeping. It will be worth it once the “Vintage? So cute!” compliments start rolling in. Trust.   

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Tired of having your body and choice of clothing constantly policed? Of being told that your outfit is distracting? That you’re a threat to public safety? Too provocative? Too covered-up? 

Look no further ― with “Transparen-she” women can now avoid all of society’s conflicting expectations by making themselves entirely invisible!

A new (hilarious) Vox video, shows what life would be like if women’s outfits were simply transparent, and therefore impossible to critique. That’s right ― no more bosses giving their unsolicited opinions about your outfit, and no more being sent home from school because your collar bone is showing. 

And since no part of a woman’s body can go commentary-free, Vox’s faux promo also includes the face-covering Transparen-she Mini (because you’re almost certainly wearing too much, or not enough, make-up)!

Watch the full video above, and head over to Vox to read more about ways for women to disappear so their clothes won’t upset anybody! 

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Tennis players at the U.S. Open don’t mess around ― on or off the court.

When each competitor is preparing for a match, they have a series of rituals they go through and one of our favorites is when they visit the Julien Farel Style Suite.

As the official hairstylist and only beauty partner of the tournament, Farel’s small salon is tucked away in the President’s Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York and has been pumping out sweet ‘dos, manicures/pedicures, facials, and makeup touchups for 10 years now.

The salon is teensy and extremely unassuming, despite the plethora of services offered to the biggest names in the sport.

They offer dope gel manicures with YSL Nail Lacquer ($23) because there’s nothing like a chipped nail to throw off your game. (You won’t see Serena getting her nails done there, though. Fun fact: She’s a certified nail tech and does her own nails. As if we didn’t already think she’s a boss...)

There’s also a YSL lip bar where pros come in for a quick swipe of color pre-match.

As we looked around the salon, tennis pros were waltzing in and out like it ain’t no thang. While getting our hair done, we even spotted Stan Wawrinka, apparently a salon regular ― just hours before he beat Novak Djokovic in the finals.

Popular hairstyles for the women include double dutch braids or a single French one, whereas the men get fresh trims or shaves just before they get going. 

Outside of virtually the whole Julien Farel haircare line and YSL, the salon is teeming with Natura Bisse products, primarily because there’s an aesthetician on site to provide express facials.

Talk about a fabulous way to wait for your nails to dry.

Perhaps the coolest thing about the salon is that all services are gratis to the players, which is insane because a typical haircut session with Julien runs $1,000.

Win or lose, being a tennis player at the U.S. Open is seriously ace.

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Haters gonna hate, but Ariel Winter just keeps shaking it off. 

The actress, who’s dealt with online bullies for years now, called out her haters yet again in a lengthy Instagram post over the weekend. (Side note: Internet trolls have way too much time on their hands.) 

Instead of just shaming the trolls for spewing negativity, the 18-year-old admitted she was thankful to them. 

“Every time someone bullies me online, it gives me a chance to re-emphasize to my fans, and even myself, how important self-acceptance is,” she wrote. 

She continued, noting, “If this is how you talk to a stranger online, I can only imagine how cruelly you speak to yourself.” 

Still, Winter has nothing but love. 

“I love my fans and I love my bullies for what they truly NEED is love,” she wrote. “Take the high road, there is less traffic.” 

The “Modern Family” actress has long been an advocate for body acceptance and self-love. 

Back in February, after some criticized Winter’s choice to show her breast reduction scars at The Emmys, the star hit back, writing in a tweet, “Guys there is a reason I didn’t make an effort to cover up my scars! They are part of me and I’m not ashamed of them at all.” 

Then, in June, the actress hit back at trolls who didn’t like the cleavage-baring dress she wore for her high school graduation, advising haters to “get a hobby.” 

Please, haters, take Ariel’s advice. 

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Trolls who think criticizing Kim K’s parenting is the right idea have another thing coming. 

Little North West might only be a toddler, but she is already following in her stylish parents’ footsteps. 

“She loves to match mom,” Kim Kardashian told People in July. “She loves to pick out her clothes. She put out this slip dress with these shoes, a choker and a tiara. And she said, ‘I’m wearing this to Daddy’s next concert.’ And I said, ‘Okay. Let her do it.’”

Kardashian recently tweeted that North’s love of clothes is blossoming and the 3-year-old is already designing her own dresses alongside her fashion-forward father. 

Of course, someone on Twitter had to come back with a snarky reply: “These are the kind of things why people hate you.” But Kim K had a response to that. 

And then Chrissy Teigen came to her friend’s defense armed with humor. 

Don’t mess with North West ... or Kim’s parenting. 

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Miley Cyrus is about as real as one can get. 

The 23-year-old singer, “Voice” coach and actress gets candid in a new interview with Elle as the magazine’s October 2016 cover star. In a teaser for the full interview, Cyrus opens up about why she hates red carpets and what she’s looking forward to telling her contestants on “The Voice.” 

“[A year ago] I had to do the [’A Very Murray Christmas’] premiere, and I will never do a red carpet again,” Cyrus said. “Why, when people are starving, am I on a carpet that’s red? Because I’m ‘important’? Because I’m ‘famous’? That’s not how I roll. It’s like a skit—it’s like ‘Zoolander.’”

Instead, the singer (who doesn’t have a publicist anymore) says she keeps fans up to date with her Instagram feed. There, she publishes photos about her work with her Happy Hippie Foundation, cute pics of boyfriend Liam Hemsworth and stuff about her new coaching gig on “The Voice.” 

As far as advice-giving goes on the NBC show, Cyrus says she wants her contestants to stand out, much like a famous senator from Vermont. 

“I don’t want this to come off the wrong way, but I’m going to tell my contestants: Be Bernie Sanders,” the singer told Elle. “Be the person people want and love. Don’t worry about the masses. That’s how you make a memorable moment. Let people talk about it.”

To read more from Cyrus’ interview with Elle, head here, or look for the full interview when the issue hits newsstands Sept. 14. 

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• a brocade evening coat with 3/4 sleeves (feminine and timeless)


• a ruffled white blouse


• a classic tuxedo pantsuit (you can wear the jacket and pants separately)


• a perfectly tailored blazer


• an ivory wool/cashmere bathrobe coat (love the drama of a white coat over black underpinnings)


• a classic leather satchel (with minimal hardware, so it goes with everything)


• a strappy black pump with a princess heel (that can be worn for day or evening)


• a fur vest (I wear it instead of a jacket in the Fall months, and as a layering piece under various coats in the winter)

• a wide-leg black trouser (the side-zipper creates the slimmest silhouette)


• a cigarette pant in heavy silk taffeta (to wear for day with flats, for evening with a heel)


• a leather pencil skirt


• a silk shirtdress (my out-the-door in five minutes uniform)


• a blue chambray work shirt


• a chunky wool turtleneck


• a mid-heel leopard pump (a touch of leopard always adds interest)


• suede knee-high boots.

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When it comes to motherhood, Kate Hudson isn’t here to tell you it’s easy. 

The actress, who stars on the October cover of Marie Claire, opened up to the magazine about the difficulty that comes with balancing motherhood and work, and why she sometimes settles for being “the OK mom.” 

“I don’t try to sugarcoat things,” she told the magazine. “I’ll say, ‘I’m doing the best I can.’ I like cooking, I like presenting. I like it to be an experience and [my kids] help me with it, but if they want something after that, I’ll be like, ‘Look, I’m placing a meal out for you like a king. I can’t do everything. I’m going to have to be the OK mom.’”

The actress, who will appear in the upcoming BP oil spill film “Deepwater Horizon,” also noted that her kids are the reason she keeps her love life out of the press as much as possible. 

“People ask that question as if, ‘Oh yeah, it’s really healthy to publicly talk about who I am or am not dating when I’ve got a tween,’” she said. “[Ryder] can read, and he can hear. I’m not going to indulge in that kind of thing until there’s someone in my life who I am introducing to my kids.”

Despite her thoughts about being an “OK mom,” it seems like she’s got this whole thing figured out. 

To read more from Kate’s interview with Marie Claire, head over to their website or pick up a copy of the issue when it hits newsstands on Sept. 20. 

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