Posts Tagged: Project Runway

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7
Mar 08

Project Runway: Season 4 Finale Part 2

Here, you can see the designers go through casting drama.

Needless to say, Christian worked his Harry Potter magic, created some “fierce” ruffles, and had a winning collection. When Tim Gunn checked in on him a month before, he had some feathered leggings. For good or bad, he ditched the Big Bird pants, but he had some amazing garments that incorporated feathers on the runway. The hat on the first look and the feathers on the final gown added to the fantasy, couture aspect of his collection. Christian also retained the giant collar Tim Gunn had some concerns about. He had some bitchy model drama before the show (one complained about the shoes). Somehow, flats wouldn’t look right in the Spanish Renaissance inspired look.

Jillian had so many shapes and so much variety in her collection. On a creative level, this is great. She can conceive and execute many different looks. The one thing that was missing was cohesiveness, or what they like to call a “point of view.” Great work, though. I don’t doubt her phone will be ringing for days from potential clients.

While she wasn’t hemming things at the last minute (an 11th hour garment challenge would have killed her), Jillian tried to recast the models at the last minute as she didn’t pay attention to their heights. A short model in a long dress can be a nightmare.

Rami retained his signature of draping; however, he branched out with some very eclectic results. Some of his dresses were reminiscent of Chloe Dao‘s, including some extremely bold color choices (blue-green, magenta, blood red). He used draping techniques in newer ways, as to create blouses and dresses that didn’t look like they were made for Greek goddesses. The gold gown looked like it could be fantasy Grecian, but it also was reminiscent of a something a 1930′s starlet would wear. Weaving the fabric was an interesting touch, especially in the bodice of one gown. He was holding back in the walk-off between him and Chris March, as some of what he presented on Fashion Week was much more interesting.

The judge’s roller coaster of praise and criticism is a fun feature of this finale. This time, at least they’re not accusing someone of having the boobs in the wrong place. Victoria Beckham, the guest judge is wowed by Christian’s collection. Will we see her in one his creations in the future?

See the final collections.
Christian speaks!

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6
Mar 08

Totaled

Earlier this week, someone wrecked my car in front of my house. It’s a goner and I have to drive around in a rental. I can’t give any more details than that until this whole issue is settled. I’ve resisted the temptation to post in detail about it because it is one juicy story.

I did watch the Project Runway Finale last night and I’ll post on it later. Chris has a fun election parody of the last few minutes.

This Tuesday, Bauhaus released a reunion album – the first one of original material in 23 years. Peter Murphy returns to some spookiness with the Love and Rockets guys and they all claim it’s a “Final Solution”* for them. Who knows. They’ll probably milk a whole new generation of goth kids and record a few more albums. It’s a fun listen, though.

Back to commuting back and forth in the rental.

*Peter Murphy’s cover version of the Pere Ubu classic.

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1
Mar 08

Project Runway: Season 4 Final Collections (website)

Warning: This entry contains some spoilers.

I went on Project Runway‘s website, and found that they have posted a gallery of the final collections. Like a little kid before Christmas, I just couldn’t resist taking a peek. Unlike the coming episode, they show all five finalists’ collections go down the Bryant Park runway.

Last year, Tim Gunn declared the decoy practice was over. This time they returned to it with some byzantine twists.

Sweet P was one decoy. Since she didn’t make the cut to compete in the Fashion Week finale, she was perfect for throwing off the press during Fashion Week. However, a decision had to be made about which one would be another decoy and which one would actually compete regarding Chris March and Rami. Even though I still think decoying like this is a mindfuck, perhaps worse than the previous seasons, I am very happy for Sweet P and Chris March for getting to show at Bryant Park.

Sweet P’s palette is perhaps the most eclectic of the group. Gold, lavender, chartreuse, fuschia, and even some doses of black and white help shape her collection. She’s a lot more adventurous than her previous challenges, which I’m glad to see.

It is a shame that Chris March doesn’t get to compete in the finale. He makes some very odd, but great fabric choices in his gothic collection, and I’m not talking about the human hair weaves. That part is interesting, but he did think about patterns, prints, and textures in building these creations. The collection, as a whole, was cohesive and informed by a point of view. Adding to it, Chris March’s own ensemble was definitely something from earlier Tim Burton films, making him fit in with his own collection. Perhaps in the long run, he’ll get more opportunities for not winning.

I’ll reserve comment on the other three after the finale. I will say that Christian’s collection kicks ass.

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29
Feb 08

Project Runway: Season 4 Finale Part I

Here is a teaser vid:

Next week is the Fashion Week episode. This episode gives the expected preview of the finalists’ collections with drop-in visits from Tim Gunn, who gives his ever so thoughtful editing eye to garments the designers spent months working on. Also, we find see this limbo scenario unravel – will Chris March or Rami get to show in Fashion Week?

After Tim visits Rami in LA and Chris March in NYC, we see both their collections have promise. Rami does something not so drapey, but at the same time, his work is more constructed. Chris March’s collection is very gothic with a shocking twist – he sewed human hair extensions into some of his dresses. It strikes some of the judges as a bit creepy; however, it reminds me of some of those odd hairstyles that hair dressers, only it extends to the garment. There’s also a scene in Hedwig and the Angry Inch where Hedwig has a Cher/Tina Turner moment in blond dress to go with his very straight, long blond wig.

After they have the showdown at the end of the episodes, the judges still have a hard time deciding, but they ultimately decide on Rami. He is very talented, but his collection didn’t interest me as much as Chris March’s.

Now for the other finalists:
If anyone can make Big Bird pants work, it’s Christian with his Harry Potter magic. Tim Gunn, overall, is wowed, but he’s baffled by some items such as a gigantic, face-concealing ruffled collar (Late Renaissance), and a pair of feathered leggings. Somehow, it’ll all click.

Jillian, too, has a Renaissance inspired collection, with quite a dark palette. Will she put a little color into her revised collection?

I think Christian’s going to win this one, though the judges may have a hard time between him and Jillian.

Stay tuned for next week the Fashion Week finale.

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22
Feb 08

Project Runway: Reunion Episode

This is probably one of the most civilized reunion episodes on Project Runway. No bitchfights and no super incoherent rants to answer fan questions. The producers must have kept the contestants away from the alcohol.

There is, however, some never seen before footage. Heidi Klum questions if Kevin is gay and pulls out some of his odd gay humor moments. Ricky has some incredibly emotional out takes, and Heidi Klum also says some of the darndest things that doesn’t make it to the final cut of any episode.

Poor Victorya – she gets tagged as uptight by Heidi and Tim. However, she manages to have a Fashion Week show independent of Project Runway.

As for Sweet P, it’s nice that she’s getting some celebrity recognition.

Christian, the most likely winner in the Fashion Week Challenge, gets the viewer’s choice pick. Hopefully, he’ll put that $10G to good use.

The reunion went through some interesting questions, but no major spoilers for next week. We know for sure that Jillian‘s in, but whether Rami or Chris is to be in Fashion week is still to be decided. Tune in next week as Tim visits them and looks at their collection.

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15
Feb 08

Project Runway: The Art Of The Show


Getting inspiration for art from art. This is not as pretentious as it might sound. Fashion students really do study art history in school and also clothing of the past, and this episode certainly brought me back to classes I took a lifetime ago.

For this challenge, the five hopefuls for fashion week go to the Met to get ideas for creations to propel them into fashion week. As Tim Gunn points out, there were thousands of artifacts in this museum, so the field trip was only limited to three galleries: Greek and Roman, European art, and the Temple of Dendur.

We all know that Rami is the queen of the drapes. In all fairness, a lot of his style has yielded some successful results. However, it has gotten to the point where we all (not just Chris March and the judges) can predict he’ll look to the Grecian statues for inspiration. He creates a lovely, wearable dress, but it’s no match for what Christian, Jillian, and Chris March create.

Speaking of Chris March, I like that he guffawed in the Temple of Dendor. Everyone was so quiet and proper in the museum, and it was nice to see someone break that up. He goes for the 18th century, a drag queeny era if there ever was one. Big dresses, big hair, and lots of make-up – definitely his speed. While he repeats the gigantic shoulder in this one, it’s not the same. The other one looks like a gigantic Mickey Mouse ear, while this one had a very strange elegance as it was crumpled around the model’s shoulder. However, Nina Garcia and Michael Kors have to jump on it after Roberto Cavalli expresses how much he likes the dress.

While Jillian has made bad time management her signature, she makes an elegant and understated black coat hiding a splashy gold dress. She looks to a Renaissance painting depicting Jason and the Argonauts, but hers looks very modern.

Christian goes for ruffles and tons of them in his Spanish Renaissance inspired ensemble. While it’s also easy to point out this feature of his is predictable, he often creates some very complex items. Well, having the lightening bolt on his head doesn’t hurt.* I have to admit that I find his statement about the play on masculine and feminine very intriguing.

Sweet P creates a chemise that takes the colors of a peacock painting. It’s very mod and Twiggy. Too bad it doesn’t do much for the judges. I like her and her outfit, so I’m really sad to see her not go on to Fashion Week.

The final “in” is a total mindfuck. After selecting Christian as the winner and Jillian as in, the judges can’t bring themselves to send Chris March or Rami home. However, there isn’t a definite in as they put Chris March and Rami in a competition. Both will have to make collections for Fashion Week, and from there the judges will decide if one of them will get to have their showing in Bryant Park.

Next week, we’ll see them all in the same room again. Hopefully, the producers have thought about their alcohol policy and limiting how many martinis the former contestants are allowed to drink. I just can’t get out of my head one Season 2 contestant’s incoherent response to a viewer letter. It was some comic relief for sure. Stay tuned.

*I’ve referred to Christian as Harry Potter in earlier posts.

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8
Feb 08

Project Runway: Raw Talent

Here is this week’s episode, scientifically reduced to pill form.

This episode is indeed where no designer has gone before.

Has Project Runway ever gone camp, high or low? The personalities of some designers, past and present, have been campy, but Chris March is definitely an industrial strength dose. We all know about his drag queen portfolio and his penchant for outrageous, costumey things. He also, in a sweet way, has complimented the Bjork Lady in her oddness until her unfortunate, Hershey paved departure. We get a low dose of low camp with “the divas of the WWE,” and the guest appearance of Heatherette is the frighteningly kitschy fashion camp element in the judging.

Needless to say, Chris March embraces the challenge and wins. He discovers he and his model have a mutual love of leopard print and he creates a costume reminiscent of one worn by Shania Twain seven or so years ago in one her music videos.

Harry Potter, the runner up, obviously expected to win this week’s challenge. He makes a concerted effort to hide his disappointment to no avail.

There is a weird Tao of Steve in this episode, as some designers don’t embrace the challenge. Sweet P, who has managed to make some fabulous dresses in the past few episodes, tanks with her wrestling diva, whose thing is to wear a dress or coat that covers her body and she opens it to do “the reveal.” Sweet P picks a white iridescent fabric that could be easily in a Star Trek: TNG sickbay. The outer garment doesn’t effectively conceal the sexpot body, which makes it fall flat. If only Sweet P had access to the wedding dress Steven barely used for that fatal challenge, she probably wouldn’t have been on the chopping block this week.

Color choice is alway a tricky thing. Jillian creates something wrestling ring appropriate and sporty with blue, while Rami picks a bright bubblegum pink and Ricky goes for a bright orange. Richie Rich of Heatherette makes the comment that Rami’s outfit comes across as Paris Hilton wannabe was interesting, as everyone’s favorite heiress is one of their famous clients. While I’d love to take exception with Nina Garcia‘s aversion to orange, I have to agree with her. It’s a color I hate as well (I don’t own a single orange garment).

Every once in a while, the judges love to hone in on Rami and how he’s so un-American. Jee-zus, is that really a bad thing?

Some of the exit interviews, especially in the past few seasons, feel like they’re from the end of Waiting For Guffman or Best in Show. Victorya‘s declaration of having a long career in fashion and Ricky’s beaten down statement of uncertainty definitely strike me that way. Am I the only person having this reaction?

Now it’s down to five, which means the final fashion week episode isn’t too far away.

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1
Feb 08

No PR This Week

Project Runway takes a break this week. Next week, they will go where no designer has gone before. At least the promos make it out to be making clothes for professional wrestlers.

While everyone’s favorite fashionista program is grasping at straws these days, another one seems to be growing on people, including yours truly. The best way I can describe “Make Me A Supermodel” is that it’s like America’s Next Top Model, but more equal opportunity. While Tyra and company will point to that they audition people of all colors, the only people they offer the opportunity are women. Tyson Beckford and company, however, level the playing field and give men the chance to compete along side the female contestants.

Tyson, a supermodel in his own right, doesn’t have Tyra’s campy charisma. Sometimes, he’s downright intimidating, especially during panel. He has a deep voice with the hint of a growl, so when he tells the models they’re in or if they’re up to the public’s vote, he comes across as the voice of God.

While Project Runway only offers glimpses of male flesh, there’s no shortage of it on “Make Me A Supermodel.” For the straight viewers, there’s also women in various stages of undress. In this week’s episode, the models take it off at Parson’s and later at a performance art piece.

Which model do I like the most? Ronnie – he’s adorable!

Every episode, the public gets to vote on which of the bottom three gets to stay. This feature of the show is very time sensitive and it’s amazing that they put the show together so quickly. I voted for Casey – he has that Joe Dallesandro vibe.

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25
Jan 08

Project Runway: Even Designers Get The Blues

Here is this week’s episode, scientifically reduced to pill form.

Little did the designers know in this week’s episode is that they would be jazzing for blue jeans. Last season, when Tim Gunn took those designers on a field trip to a warehouse, they had to create a garment made of recyclable materials. These designers get to recycle, but it’s not as green as the last challenge. They have to reinvent however many pairs of Levi’s they can grab from clotheslines suspended over a very dirty floor.

Jillian is obviously running on a creative high from last week’s trench coat. She decides to recreate the magic with a more futuristic design, only to find Victorya also attempting to make a coat. It’s hard to tell if Victorya has a similar inspired buzz as Jillian’s or if this is a case of plagiarism. The big problem with Victorya’s is that she adds on elements to an existing jacket torso, and it’s there for everyone to see.

Sweet P initially sets out to create a wedding dress, but heeds Tim Gunn’s advice and makes something more wearable. It’s a sheath, but at least she saved herself to do something more ambitious in the weeks to come.

Rami doesn’t quite identify with the iconic value of denim, but he works with it as a material and creates something that wows the judges, who have gotten sick of his draping. He creates an elegant cocktail dress, and he does something very similar to what Jeffrey Sebelia did on his Fashion Week show – zippers along the seams.

That lightning bolt has definitely protected Harry Potter many times, culminating in immunity this week. He reinvents the jacket in his usual ruffly manner, but he also creates a pair of jeans and uses jacket cuffs for the legs. It’s the most original and both are sellable as separates, but doesn’t stand out.

Chris March has definitely succeed Bjork Lady as the resident wacko. While she had a variety of things at her disposal (handsewing, spit-marking, a surprising dose of sexual puritanism, using grass stains on her fabrics), Chris March speaks to and listens to his garments. While there is a metaphoric approach about how projects speak to you and how it tells you its finished, he has taken it to a literal level. He must have also had the phone line to Kevin, as he had a few frayed seams that he didn’t want to change.

Ricky has a breakdown this week. While Jillian is the queen of the workroom meltdown, Ricky has chosen the runway as his platform. This time, he responds to positive criticism this way, as he has been through the roller coaster this whole season with the judges often hating his work. Micheal Kors can’t resist talking about Amy Winehouse in reference to the dress and the model’s hair. His attempt at a cocktail dress succeeds and he wins the challenge, vindicating himself from Harry Potter’s earlier bitchy stares.

Between someone with a not so fabulous coat and someone who slapped one together with a literal jacket, the latter goes home. Alas, Victorya goes home.

Rate the runway! Check out the looks for yourself.

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22
Jan 08

Project Runway: En Garde!

Here is a recap of the episode, scientifically reduced to pill form:

This has now become Project Burnout. As each new challenge is revealed and as Tim Gunn reveals more details and even more last minute details, no one is excited. In fact, some are pissed. I can’t quite blame them after being sleep deprived, facing break-neck studio schedules, and constant verbal abuse from the judges. Episode 8‘s challenge met with much enthusiasm? Create an avant-garde dress based on a model’s hairstyle.

Given that, all seems to be going well when they start working on their dresses. Chris March and Harry Potter team up to create a layered, ruffled dress with a Mickey Mouse ear on top of one shoulder, while Kit Pistol and Ricky seem to thrive on creative energy from the collaboration (“the girl in me and the bitch in you” in Ricky’s words). Victorya and Jillian both are initially uneasy about assuming team leadership, but the role ultimately goes to Jillian. Unlike Victorya’s previous team (with Ricky), this one is more productive with them creating a fabulous trench coat (while falling desperately behind on other pieces). While Rami and Sweet P are initially happy to be working together, this doesn’t last too long as Rami’s not willing to listen Sweet P’s ideas.

In the midst of working on this couture-like assignment, the designers receive a visit from Tim Gunn, who surprisingly drops a bomb: they must create a second dress, a ready to wear version of the first. And it must be done the next day. None of them are happy, especially Harry Potter, whose “How dare you” expression clearly replaces his usual affected indifference. However, no one bitches for too long, as they have deadlines to meet. However, Jillian has a brief meltdown at the sewing machine.

With Bjork Lady gone, Chris is now the official resident eccentric. When he builds the epaulet for the dress, he jokes about it being a cell phone tower. He also says he has instructions from Elisa. Next week’s trailer hints that he has more silliness for us.

Rami fills a shirt quite nicely, and we’ve seen in a past episode that he unfills it just as well.

Jillian is able to pull it together and barely stitch things up in time.

Despite Harry Potter’s initial reaction to the second challenge, he creates a definitely wearable version of the big, poofy dress. His counting on Chris March to help him create simply utterly wacky pays off, as Michael Kors and Nina Garcia love it. The guys also win the challenge, though Michael Kors can’t resist pointing out that the pencil skirt on the ready to wear outfit is throwaway. However, that the blouse can be worn with anything, including the run of the mill skirt, shows that it is succeeding.

Jillian and Victorya’s punk rock/equestrian look is the best one. The ready to wear version doesn’t have as much hanger appeal, but it would still spark conversations at a cocktail party.

Kit Pistol and Ricky had a great hairstyle to work with, the model with the birdnesty hair. They could have created something more sensuous than a hoop dress (which was too quilty, and not in an interesting Jay way). The ready to wear version is an undersized baby doll/chemise hybrid that looks like it could be picked up in some very cheap store in LA’s Garment District. Alas, punk rock girl Kit goes home, while Ricky is guaranteed to eventually break out singing Celine Dion’s “My Heart Goes On…” and beating his chest at the same time. Well, he is good to go on having another teary moment in the work room or the runway.

Rami’s drapey number was, well, interesting. He creates a corset (an unusual move) framed by flowing fabric. Sweet P created the pants underneath and she also created the ready to wear version, which has incredible hanger appeal and any woman would want to wear it. Rami’s avant-garde version is very reminiscent of Jean-Paul Gaultier, as it looks like it wouldn’t be out of place on Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour or The Fifth Element. Perhaps the derivative nature is more the reason why Rami’s dress doesn’t succeed instead of the judges trying to say he’s a one note with the draping. Thankfully, he and Sweet P are still in the running (I didn’t want to see either of them go).

Sorry for the late post, but I hope this whets your appetite for tomorrow’s episode, where Chris March is confirmed to carry the torch of Bjork Lady’s silliness. Also, check out Episode 8′s runway and rate the outfits.

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