Project Runway will be moving from Bravo to Lifetime after this summer's season, and apparently they'll also be moving from New York to LA. Ugh. I'm out.
Our Three worked so hard
Posh Spice says it's MAY-Jah
Christian's feathers WIN!
Once again, in my exhaustion, I forgot Project Runway was on. I was also accidentally spoiled as to the Final Three. D'oh.
Who makes Final Three?
Chris with his couture costumes?
Or Rami's tired drapes?
Inspired by the Met
Four going to Fashion Week
Sweet Pea will stay home
Hot wrestling divas
So much spandex, so much boob
Our long nightmare ends
Deconstructing jeans
Don't try making a jacket
Ricky's redemption
See the looks here. Oh, and shut up, Christian.
I watched Project Runway last night through a purple haze of percocet, which caused me to keep falling asleep and then rewinding and watching again. So my haiku may not make much sense.
Avante garde and hair
Chris & Christian make real art
Rami is in rut
New Jersey prom time.
Christian meets his match, o snap.
WHY WON'T RICKY GO?
A Project Runway haiku, as I am too busy stuffing my mouth full of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to do a proper post.
Clothes out of candy.
Twizzlers? Wrappers? Pillows, too.
Silver swimmies? Ugh.
See the looks here. Let's discuss how much Christian is annoying me.
Project Runway continues with the creative challenges. Loving them! This week, the designers were given unusual models - regular-sized women wearing clothes that were much too big. Turns out all the women had lost a lot of weight and were sporting their old favorite outfits. The designers were tasked with taking the old clothes and making them into a new favorite.
When the showed the women, I couldn't believe one woman was wearing a wedding dress. And an out-of-style one at that. The designers were all praying that they wouldn't get paired with that model, knowing they would be toast. Steven was the unlucky guy for that day, and let's just say that he did NOT make it work.
As everyone planned their designs, we found out that Jack was suffering from a bacterial infection that was causing swelling on his face. He spoke to a doctor and, with many tears, decided he needed to leave the show. It appeared his exit was voluntary, although that's not the gossip from a few months back. Anyway, here's an interview with Jack.
So, Jack's gone and I turned to the geekboy and said, "This is great news for Steven. I bet nobody will be eliminated tonight." And then!!! To even out the numbers, they brought back Chris!!! Hooray, the big man is back!
He quickly squanders my goodwill by dressing his model like a French prostitute from 1962.
The challenge is won by Christian. His jacket was gorgeous, but (IMO) didn't hold a candle to Kevin's. Kevin's model was practically floating down the runway with bliss. Her top fit perfectly and looked fantastic.
Most of the designers did great on this challenge, although I take offense to Jillian not getting reamed for ignoring the rules completely. And her dress was not that flattering. As for Steven, poor, poor, Steven, he made ALL the wrong decisions and ended up booted. Ah well. He got stuck with a bad dress, but he could have done much better.
This week's Project Runway challenge was really creative - choose three trends that are now out of fashion, and create modern looks incorporating said trends. Color me impressed, Bravo. Even though it still resulted in a lot of fug, it was a neat idea and fun to watch the teams attempt to make a cohesive collection this early in the game.
The designers are broken up into four teams of three, and each team has to work with three out-of-fashion trends. Jillian, Kevin and Rami get overalls, flare pants, and poodle skirts. Sweet P, Chris and Steven get baggy sweaters, shoulder pads, and dancewear. Jack, Kit and Christian get fringe, pleather, and zoot suits. Zoot suits? Elisa, Ricky and Victorya get neon, cut-outs, and underwear as outerwear.
I hate to break it to you, Nina, but people are still wearing a lot of these. Even on the runway.
Anyhoo, Victorya and Ricky immediately have issues with each other and pretty much bicker and snipe for the entire task. Jillian, on the other hand, spends the entire episode telling us how badly Kevin is blowing it. Spoiler Alert! Kevin does not blow it. (Although, can someone explain to me how his look incorporated flares, poodle skirts or overalls?) Chris makes an over-the-top jacket and Ricky makes a really ugly dress. Oh, and Michael Kors, you can stop making that "mother of the bride" joke now. It was funny the first time.
At the end of the day, Jillian and her team win, and they deserved it. Their stuff was great. I would never in a million years go anywhere near the overalls she designed, but you know that Fergie would snap that shit up in a millisecond.
It comes to down to the bottom two - Chris versus Ricky. Even though Ricky failed completely as a team leader and let Victorya steamroll through the entire task, even though he chose SATIN to work with, and even though his dress looked like a Star Trek uniform, Ricky gets to stay and Chris has to go home because he made big shoulder pads and Donna Karan didn't like them.
Goddammit.
The designers are taken to the set of the Today show, where they're greeted by Tiki Barber, "legendary running back for the NY Giants." Ricky admits that none of them really know who he is. Way to keep up with those gay stereotypes. Their task is to design an outfit for Tiki to wear on the show. Everyone is terrified, as menswear is intricate to make, plus Tiki has a freakish oversized neck. Hey, he said it, I didn't.
The rest of my thoughts on this episode after the jump.
Did you know that Christian is tiny enough to be carried in a tote bag? Jack would like you to know this.
Is it really proper for Tim to reference his own catchphrase? "This is a classic 'make it work' moment, people!"
Chris wonders if Tiki would like hot pants. Oh, I DARE YOU.
Sweet P. chooses to do a suit, even though she's never even tried anything like that before. Christian brags about how quick he is and how great his outfit will be.
Jack uses his shorts as a pattern and lets Carmen and Victoria use the pattern as well. Other designers are pissed. He's not breaking any rules; as I always say, it's a freaking competition. Play hard and play fair. Don't take things personally just because you didn't think of it first.
Is it just me or does Steven over. enunciate. every. thing. he. says.
"Pants are just two big sleeves sewn together." Oh, Chris.
Half! Nude! Male! Models!
Christian loves Asians. They're fierce.
Ricky and Carmen start bitchfighting. The two people who seem to making the worst outfits, actually. Panic on the Titanic!
Carmen has been reduced to wrapping a swath of material around her model and calling it a shirt. Sweet P's shirt looks like it was made by a blind man in the throes of a seizure. This is not good, people.
I would like Heidi Klum to record my answering machine message, saying only, "Tiki Barber!"
The runway show begins, and all I can say is it is a veritable Festival of Fug. Also? Carmen: FAIL.
Sweet P would have been better off sending her model down the runway wearing that crazy tie and nothing else.
I like Kevin's ensemble a lot. Although I can't see Mr. Barber wearing it, and the judges agree. Heidi says "David Beckham" with so much malice, one might wonder what the hell he did to her.
And now...the judging. Jack wins! Good for him. Although I thought it might go to Kit. I wasn't kidding about Carmen: FAIL, and she's aufed. Ricky weeps with relief.
This challenge was just evil.
See the looks here. Carmen's is particularly hilarious. And Sweet P's model is trying so hard, the poor bastard.
This week on Project Runway, we all learned that the sight of Sarah Jessica Parker can send fashion designers into a frenzy of emotion ranging from tears to shrieking. Also, apparently, spitting.
The designers were tasked to come up with a two-piece design for Sarah's "Bitten" line, and the rub was that they could only spend $15 for a $40 retail. Sarah was also careful to point out that she was looking for pieces that can look good on any woman. As much as I feel bleh about Sarah Jessica Parker, I've got to give her props for creating an affordable line that also comes in plus sizes. Although I don't really like the old "let's put a belt around a poncho and say it's for every woman" stuff. Rami's dress was lovely, though, and I could see wearing that without the belt and not feeling like I was wearing a tent.
And Sarah is so obviously a fan of the show; it was very cute to see.
The episode focused partly on Marion's disastrous failure in executing his design from paper to fabric. He chose a horrible fabric that, in the judges' words, "looked dirty," "showed bra," and actually "grew on the runway." Poor Marion. He never had a chance. Steven tried very hard to be supportive without getting any stank on him. Mission accomplished. I felt bad for Marion, as it appeared he knew he was on a sinking ship and couldn't really do much about it.
The rest of the episode dealt with Elise and the fact that she resides on a different planet than the rest of us. Oh man, when she spit on that dress and Sweet P was all, "THE FUCK?" I was on the floor. Elise is the best. I was expecting to hate her this episode, but I'm noticing that she's very comfortable with her weirdness and seems okay with who she is. She doesn't try to prove how odd she is; she just IS. And her clothes are really interesting.
Anyway, it's no surprise that Marion gets aufed this week. Victorya (and Kevin) win with their dress and racerback vest. I couldn't get a real feel for the dress with that big old bow on the model, but the vest was a cute idea. See all the designs here.
Season 4 of Project Runway debuted last night, and we already have our resident whackjob in Elisa. A quick look at her bio tells me that she's dressed Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex & The City, and that tells me everything I need to know. Seriously, though, I love a kook, and I'm sure she'll give us some fun this season, if she's not auf'd early.
Random thoughts: I really miss Heidi screeching, "SixTEEN deesigners!" and her adorably repetitive, "Models, this is also a competition for you as well." I feel like Rami is being set up to be this season's star, meaning he'll come in second. Jack looks disturbingly like a Ken doll. I am watching him with interest, as it seems there will be some drama around him later in the season (spoilers). I think Christian is precious, but he may become tiresome with his overconfidence. And yay, with Chris, we finally have a designer who knows how design outside the "form."
See all the designs from this week here.
Here's a little preview of Project Runway to whet your appetite for the Nov. 14th premiere.
Last night was the finale of Project Runway. Just in case you haven't watched it yet, I won't name the winner here, but we'll discuss in the comments. I will say this - I was disappointed in Michael Knight's collection. It just seemed drab. Uli's was really fun, Laura's was stunning but predictable, and Jeffrey had some interesting stuff. I can't STAND him and his long neck, but I thought he created some great runway clothes. I'm glad they didn't bring back the auf'd contestants to "help" the designers this season. The four certainly brought enough drama on their own. Here's Tim Gunn's blog of the finale. I wuv him.
Who watched the Project Runway finale last night? Just in case you haven't seen it yet, I won't post the winner here. But we'll discuss it in the comments. I never watched the show until my friend Lisa recommended it, then the TiVo started taping it like mad, so I figured, "Why not?" And now I am a shell of the woman I used to be, walking around singing, "Daniel Franco, where did you go?" and making Lisa t-shirts that say, "Lighten up...it's just fashion!"
I sort of wish all three of them could have won. Santino has the balls, Chloe has the business sense, and Daniel has the passion. Tim Gunn's blog is a fun read, by the way. (again, don't click through if you don't want to know who won)
All I'm saying is, what is up with all the satin?
Let's not forget that a new season of Project Runway kicks off this week--and with a double-header of episodes, no less (though I am sure that the first one is a "meet the contestants" deal and not an elimination round).
Project Runway ended its exceptional run with a truly magnificent finale. Seriously. And, my beloved Jay won, and deservedly so, since he showed a true vision.
Here’s what I found delicious:
1. The segments with the designers in their homes were sweet. I didn’t hate Wendy as much, and I fell in love with Jay even more. His connection to his family made him seem even more sincere and grounded.
2. Parker Posey was so high.
3. Jay’s collection had such power and presence. I couldn’t turn away.
4. I even liked Wendy’s collection, more than Kara’s, who seemed to be almost robotic in her perfection. Does she have a soul? She could have used it in her collection.
5. The editors so made Kara move from perfect to bitch in 10 seconds. The chick made Wendy seem ALMOST sane. Don’t get me wrong; I still hate Wendy Fucking Pepper.
6. I love that we got to see the actual runway show, and not some super strong edit of it. And, I loved Jay’s music. I wonder if he used it in the show, or if the producers just dubbed it in?
7. Parker Posey looked like a white Macy Gray.
8. Tim earned his title of HOT BITCH by taking on Kara’s shoe issue. It did seem unfair to me. I’m glad they called her on it.
9. Why does Wendy Pepper have so many clothes with her name on it?
10. Martinique is so the hottest model ever.
11. I am amazed by the power of models. The presence. They have so tapped into the power of the walk. Us mere mortals are so weak.
12. I am so giddy that Jay won. And, that Nina from Elle actually seemed human and sweet at the end.
So, what did I miss? What else was spectacular? I want to learn to sew and go on this show!
Sorry for the delay in posting this, and thanks to those who passed along emails asking for a discussion of the Project Runway reunion and recap show. For the most part, PR presented one of the better reunion shows for a reality series. I say this because MTV's attempts to gather the troops usually fall horribly short.
Thank god Austin dressed for President’s Day in his ode to Washington (though I thought Lincoln was the gay one).
Jay (who I find oddly charming) and Kara Saun are all about the soul. They took the high road, but it seemed a bit too lecturing to me. Though, that could be the 1,445 previews I caught during the marathon. Jay says Vanessa doesn't have one and Kara thinks others (namely Wendy) spent theirs and it won't be available to withdraw later. The editors made it seem like Vanessa just lost her soul in a bath of wine and sour grapes, possibly temporary conditions.
On to the evil mofo! I hate Wendy Pepper, and shaving off pounds and getting some makeup doesn’t change who you are. I’d love to see this chick on Survivor, because she’s way too intense and manipulative for a show about making dresses. Hate her.
I barely remembered you, but I adored Mario, simply for stating the obvious. Tim is a hot bitch. The man is cool, calm and collected.
So, tomorrow is the big finale. My money is on Jay. Wendy must go down in a flame of humiliation for me to be happy. Who's gonna take home the prize?
Nancy O'Dell at the Grammys. [via tv tattle]
I love Jay. I love that he just put it out there: “I hate Wendy.” Yeah, I’m so right there. Can you believe that horrid middle-aged bitch? “I just love to see people squirm,” she says with her nasty-ass hair. “I could just sit in that minute forever. These people have made my life hell.” YOU DELUSIONAL FASHION ASSWIPE! Wendy is the schemer. She’s the one who plays people and has strategy. She’s the one who manipulates and lacks a soul. I am so sick of her victim act. Hey, Wendy, here’s a news flash: it’s all your fault and you’re a bad person! Do you see how she stares straight ahead during the runway shows, like she’s been programmed by the military to handle POW and reality show situations.
Okay. Back to last night’s Project Runway. I feel horrid for Austin, but, again, Jay says things perfectly. I want to marry Jay. Anyway, Austin is young and he’ll break out of his controlled world once he gets knocked around a bit. I thought Jay and Kara continued to do well, but neither rocked the fashions, though I thought both were better than Wendy’s outfit. Ugh.
If you caught the Fashion Week gossip, you know that Austin also showed his collection, just to keep spoilers away from last night’s episode. So, at least he had that opportunity.
I am filled with rage right now. After last night’s episode of Project Runway, Bravo ran the promo for next week’s installment, claiming an “elimination that no one expected.” Clearly, Wendy is making it to the top three, and one of our beloveds (Jay, Kara and Austin) will not be part of the perfect Fashion Week trifecta. If this occurs, I will cry and boycott Michael Korrs.
Okay, so back to last night’s catwalk. My big love continues to grow for Jay. He kept it calm when his model went AWOL, his design was okay and he compared Wendy to a cockroach. Also, I admit, Kara’s design was rather spectacular. Even Miss Postal Service 2005 adored it. I’m glad that the judges called Austin on his costume-like design. Though, he earned points last night for trashing Wendy as she “strategized” outside and modeling for Jay, looking more like a man in women’s clothes than he ever did in his regular attire. Personally, I think Austin is brilliant, and he just needs this smack down to expand his vision and style a bit. He's only 23. Personally, I was an ass through my entire 20s.
Wendy or Rob? Honestly, Wendy’s designs are inconsistent, but she’s had some winners, while Robert’s only had his charm. I hate Wendy, but I don’t disagree that Rob had to leave the show. My big problem will be if Wendy makes the top three. This woman is pure evil. As Beau and I discussed last night, she’s just not a nice person, and all the bad makeup in the world can’t hide it.
My beloved friends; promise me two things. First, read Tim’s take on last night’s episode. I swear that this catty queen is my new hero, and I find him kinda handsome. I died laughing when he compared Austin to Helen Lawson in Valley of the Dolls in a previous "Take." J’adore! Second, tell everyone you know to watch the marathon on Sunday!
Sorry for the delay in the Project Runway posts, but I can't watch it until Thursday. Wendy is so horrid. Her designs are weak. She seems to have no talent, and is relying on strategy/scheming to get her through. Surprisingly, it's working for her. At least the cool kids hate her. Oh, and she can't apply makeup to save her life. Such a mess, that pathetic woman is desperate to escape her dreary life. Kevin got tossed. He didn't stick with the theme, so I can see it, but, well, Wendy had cat vomit on the runway. J'adore that the judges are aware that Austin's a bit intense with his vision, which makes Jay and Kara stand out a bit more. I love Jay, but the future thing wasn't working for me. Robert continues to charm the judges. They just fall over themselves applauding his intellectualism. Whatever! Morganza is gone. Yippy skippy. Kara continues to show talent, grace, leadership and maturity. This show pumps my nads. I'll be sad when it's over.
I know. It aired forever ago, but I still want to talk about Project Runway, the best damn reality show competition ever (well, after the Real World/Road Rules eye candy challenges). The recent episode was fantastic, however, I’m disappointed that Wendy didn’t get cut. It might be the first time in the show that someone’s entertainment value came before their value as a designer. The producers just like Wendy because she’s a mom from Virginia trying to live her dream. Honestly, her dream should be a makeover at the Clinique counter, because this girl’s make up is atrocious. Back to the show! I agreed with the judges that Alexandra’s bathing suit was unoriginal, but, at least it was a bathing suit. Wendy’s suit was crotchless! Once again, I just really like Jay, for qualities I simply can’t articulate or identify. Though, I thought his model this week was on the ugly side. Austin continues to be a caricature of a real person. The dude is so gay; he walks around with a purse! I felt bad for Richard Johnson, however, because no one wants to be seduced/molested by a 16-year-old Russian model on national television. Sex trade, much?
So, in the end, I’m guessing we’ll have Jay, Austin and Kara. We’ll have to say goodbye to Wendy, Robert and Kevin (in that order, I predict).
Thanks to Max and Beau for turning me onto Project Runway, which might be one of my favorite competition-based reality shows in a long time. Why? Well, it’s not about alliances, degradation or humiliation. It actually seems to focus on the talent of the contestants, which I find very refreshing. This week’s installment brought the first bought of bad behavior from our wannabees, when Nora lost it. Clearly, she’s a control freak and started acting out to get more attention, which then spiraled into more ranting, alienating the other designers. Her “I’m too good for this” attitude pissed me off, and I so wanted her to get cut. And, speaking of irritating, can we just beat Wendy down. First off, she looks like a clown on the Bravo website. Secondly, she keeps “plotting” and “strategizing” rather than focusing on her work and the process. This week, when the group was instructed to work in teams, she wouldn’t speak as a strategy, so her leader would go down in flames. I’m sorry, but shouldn’t you try to win with talent, and not scheming? Hate her. Also, Austin, stop crying.
Let’s discuss those I love really quickly. Jay totally rocks. I’m not sure I love his style, but his attitude seems great, and he’s taking it seriously. Plus, he reminds me of a close friend, though he’s more punkish than eccentric than Jay in his style. Kara is simply cool, but she better stop the name dropping. She’s better than that. I liked Austin at first for his talent, but he can’t seem to adapt his designs beyond his own personal style, which can easily be described as swishy. So, he’s dropping.
And, while we’re not on the subject, I hate Bravo’s new branding campaign from the graphics to the tagline.
Beau reminded me that Project Runway premiered this past week, and I managed to TiVo a repeat of it over the weekend. This show is goooood, y'all. I mean it--it's some pretty fascinating stuff to watch. Maybe I'm a little more into it because I like fashion so much, but the contestants are interesting and the challenges look like they're going to be demanding and fun to watch. And when the final creations are judged, the judges are people we actually know! Well, in the first episode, anyway--and it looks like Michael Kors is going to be on the show every week. None of this unknown "celebrity stylist/photographer" crap.
The best part about the show's first episode was that the judges made exactly the right decision, booting off the boring design of pompous camera-hog Daniel, meaning we're spared his ridiculous "follow your bliss" nonsense for the rest of the season. Right now (based on personality) I'm liking Nora, Wendy, and oh-so-needy Austin. I'm hating Mario and Jay, who both look like they'd smell pretty gross up close. Since we're only one show into the season, I can't really pick a contestant I like, design-wise, though I thought Alexandra's pantyhose-and-sock dress was pretty major. Anyway, I recommend the show--give it a shot if you can, if only to hear Heidi Klum struggling through her super-scripted lines.