Project Runway
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Laura Bennett Blog
Chance of a Lifetime
For better or worse, "Project Runway" has come a long way. Back in my day we didn't have cash prizes for winning individual challenges, fancy electronic drawing pads, or big budgets to shop with; we didn't even have reasonable amounts of money for fabric. When one contestant in my season asked for a cup of coffee from Starbucks, we were told name-brand coffee wasn't in the budget. Despite all of these changes, I have enjoyed watching every season and I have never been angry or jealous. Until now.
This season's finalists have been given an advantage that no other season of contestants have seen the likes of — a serious game-changing advantage. They were able to show a portion of their collections to the judges, get feedback, and then were given the chance to actually do something about it! Getting to go to Mood with $500 and given two days to make changes is enormous.
In past seasons, contestants showed portions of their collection when one designer was up for elimination, and feedback was given by the judges, but the non-eliminated designers went straight to the runway with no time, shopping trips or additional money to implement any changes based on the feedback.
When you prepare to present your work to the judges, you have no idea how they will react. You can absolutely love something and feel confident, but find yourself slammed and in the bottom. And vice versa — you can be extremely nervous about work you feel is inferior, and then find yourself winning the challenge. Even Tim doesn't know. For example, his advice to Viktor was the polar opposite of what the judges told him. Tim advised Viktor to pump things up, and the judges told him to tone it down. Getting a clue from the judges about how they feel is huge, especially if you can act on it. Adding or deleting just two garments can fix a problem the judges have with your work and be the difference between $100K and nada.
Keep your HP EliteBook 2760p Tablet PC and your name-brand coffee. This makes me jealous.
As for the final collections, first up was Kimberly. She claims to be filling a void and offering the urban girl a glamorous upgrade, but I don't see where there is no one out there upgrading the urbanite. Isn't that exactly what J.Lo and P Diddy do? And do well? I did love her ivory pants and blouse and her long black sparkling finale gown, but otherwise I find her color palette unwearable and those earrings, whether Tim likes them or not, cheap.
I haven't been a great fan of Joshua, but his collection was better than I expected. I have decided that it isn't his clothes that I dislike; it's his color palette (and his personality). When he designs in more sophisticated colors than lime green and purple, his clothes are fine. I especially liked his pieces of plastic and neoprene. Those pieces did look forward, and part of their success was the muted colors. As for those lime-green laced-up bike shorts with the hip-widening graphic details, I want to see Nina feature those in Marie Claire and then get fired.
I still believe that when it comes to creative silhouette, construction, quality of fabrics, taste and variety, Viktor is my winner. I didn't see his black pieces as missed opportunities, and despite what Heidi thinks, nothing in his collection looked cheap. His prints were beyond fabulous, creatively used and tasteful — and they were created by him, not purchased pre-designed off the shelf. They actually reminded me of Ralph Rucci, my personal fashion god. His tailored pieces were innovative and flawlessly made. I didn't hear Nina say she wanted to wear any of Joshua's or Anya's pieces. Just sayin'.
Last up was our winner, Anya, who, by the way, took the best advantage of the two-day turnaround opportunity. Her collection was a point of view we've seen before on "Project Runway." It was a total repeat of the work that Uli did in Season 3, just not as well made. Even Uli had the sense to only send two flowing dresses out of 12 down the final runway. She surprised the judges with a series of chic, urban leather and suede pieces that had her easy vibe but were wearable after vacation. Yes, Anya's show was pleasant to watch, and "easy" was the first word that came to my mind, but it was expected, one-note and not well crafted — all reasons to be one of the losing collections in past seasons.
The effects of my Viktor Kool-Aid haven't worn off, but I'm fine with Anya's win. I do think she is smart and talented, and she does have a clientele. It is heartwarming the way her entire country was rooting for her, and I can only imagine how much fun it is for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to be getting some attention on the international fashion scene. The only problem with Anya's win is that now I feel obligated to view her "tape." Link, anyone?
I am excited to watch the newest "Project Runway" baby, "Project Accessory." So excited, in fact, that I plan to convert the winning accessory each week into a do-it-yourself project. Visit the Project Accessory Blog for directions, suggestions and resources so you can replicate the look of each week's winner.
Dead Relatives
It’s the home visit episode. My second favorite episode of the year, topped only by the unconventional challenge. I love to see not only the direction the designers are taking, but I love seeing where they live and I especially love seeing how they react to Tim Gunn on their turf. Babies, boyfriends, trampolines and turtle poop, it is always a blast. You can learn so much about a person when you visit them at home.
On Kimberly’s home visit, we learn that her collection is about transforming the urban Brooklyn girl. She didn’t say what she is transforming this girl into, but I can only guess the transformation is from urban Brooklyn to suburban Maryland, because her collection is full of way suburban bright colors and large gold earrings from the eighties. Kimberly says she lives in Brooklyn, but it looks like Maryland to me.
Next we go to Anya’s, where we learn that her collection, or lack thereof, is inspired by the islands and not a single viewer from New York to Uzbekistan is surprised. She has photos of the ocean, lagoons, the sky, and palm fronds. And that’s about it — some fabric, but no clothes. We also learn that losing her brother has ignited her love of fashion.
At Viktor’s home visit we learn that he was inspired by the death anniversary of his brother at Guadalajara, Mexico. Photographs from the trip became the fabrics for his collection. The fabrics are so awesome that I don’t really care where the inspiration came from. The garments themselves look awesome, too. Viktor doesn’t really need Tim’s critique.
Joshua, on the other hand, needs Tim’s critique like a suburban Maryland girl needs big gold earrings. He is working with a horrid color palette, and some of the most frightening fabrics I have ever seen hanging on one garment rack. One by one, Tim convinces him to drop them, and props to Josh, he responds.
We knew about Kimberly losing her mother, and god knows we know of Josh’s loss, so basically what we have learned from all of these home visits is that you can’t become a contestant on "Project Runway" and possibly expect to make it to the final four unless you have a dead relative.
The designers return to New York and move into their swank hotel penthouse. In a "Long Island Medium" moment, Joshua mistakes a breeze on the terrace for his mother. The designers pack up their garment bags and their assorted spirits and go to the Piperlime workroom to unveil their collections. Tim comes in to announce that they will be showing three pieces to the judges from which they will decide who will move forward, and he begins his final critiques wit the designers.
Viktor is fine; he doesn’t need Tim’s help. Kimberly is bouncing off the walls and can’t be helped. Anya’s critique doesn’t go well. She is broken because she designed what she designs and won’t surprise the judges. Joshua wins most improved. Seriously, those black and gray neoprene pieces are amazing — so cool and modern. That jacket is amazing. Joshua, please, dump the purple, hot pink, lime green, and that awful vintage fabric that Tim told you to lose that I see hanging on your garment rack, and do an entire collection of these black and gray pieces. Please.
It’s on to the runway, where Joshua is moved on to Fashion Week. I’m telling you, it was the black and gray jacket, once the judges see the other stuff their eyeballs may start to bleed. That jacket was so good, it made the judges forgive the schizophrenic ass-baring gown/catsuit. Viktor is in a bit of trouble because he followed Tim’s advice and put wow-pieces under wow-pieces but the judges want simple pieces under wow-pieces. These are luxury problems and he, too, is moved forward to Fashion Week.
Kimberly and Anya are left on the runway. The judges weren’t happy with either of their collections, but what the hell, let's all go forward. The queen is not amused.
So whether you are drinking the Viktor Kool-Aid or the Anya rum punch (I stole that from a commenter!) or what ever they drink in Queens and Brooklyn/Maryland, everyone’s happy. It’s on to Fashion Week.
Comments
One Slam-Dunk
Finally! A challenge that allows the designers to design! Three garments, two days, 500 dollars and an assistant! It’s so reasonable. No birds, no stilts and no sheepdogs, just a three-piece mini collection based on the inspiration of their choice; a completely appropriate challenge to choose the designers who will “return to New York with collections.” Notice that Heidi didn’t say “return with collections for Fashion Week,” which means we can look forward to an elimination upon their return, but in a season where jacking the designers around has been the name of the game, this challenge seems refreshingly straightforward.
Another big change in this episode is the queen of mean himself, Joshua. Instead of the straight-out aggressive Joshua, we are treated to the passive-aggressive Joshua, who instead of confronting designers to their faces, chooses to talk about them behind their backs — and by “them” I mean Anya. He still has a problem with her sewing skills and the fact that jackets are not in her repertoire, and he’s not afraid to let Viktor know it. Oddly enough, when asked who should join him at Fashion Week, Joshua chose Viktor and Anya. (?!?) The one thing we have learned this season is that Anya has laser focus and she has her eye on the prize. She may be a bit unaccustomed to not being loved by all, but she didn’t let Joshua trip her up, and girlfriend brought her A-game.
I would venture to say that Anya’s mini collection was the only slam-dunk on the runway. All three pieces were modern and effortlessly chic — nothing fussy or overworked. Asymmetry was the thread that held them all together — undoubtedly with some of Bert’s construction skills. There was a lot of talk about how complicated the ivory dress was, and how it needed instructions, but it didn’t come off that way at all. Yes, you had to have beautiful coloring, be six feet tall and be thin as a rail for the dress to work, but her model was all of those and looked fabulous in the dress. The short black dress was flawless, and the rust-colored wrap pants were a clever twist on the two dresses. I haven’t been drinking the Anya Kool-Aid all season, and I have questioned many of her wins, but this week she definitely deserved the first slot in the finals.
Next to move on up was Viktor. (It’s the Viktor Kool-Aid I’ve been drinking this season.) I find his designs to be modern and classic and elegant and sexy, all at the same time — not to mention his superb construction and craftsmanship. I also think his designs appeal to women of varying ages; I can see his pieces being worn by both mothers and daughters. All that said, while there was nothing inherently wrong with his mini collection, there was no wow factor either. It was all certainly done in great taste, and the fabric choice that represented the city skyline was brilliant, but there was no there there. Luckily for Viktor, the other designer didn’t bring it, so his second slot in the finals was secured.
This is where I’m glad I wasn’t sitting in one of those judge’s chairs. The last three designers were completely equal, in my opinion. If I had to choose which two would stay and which one to send home, based solely on the garments on the runway for this challenge only, I would be hard pressed. They each had exactly two duds and one decent piece.
Joshua’s winner was his white dress with the net top. I wasn’t crazy about the plastic netting he chose; the edges didn’t finish well, and on a garment this simple, flawless construction is mandatory. It was nice enough and it was clean-lined, but things went south from there. I’m not sure why Joshua keeps dragging out that circle skirt, because it always comes off as costumey. It could only be worse if black felt poodles were appliquéd on. This week’s version was especially horrendous. The length, the layered netting, and topping it off with the studded striped tank just added insult to injury. Even he admitted that the pieces didn’t work together. Only slightly better was his one-shoulder Lurex gown. I liked the idea of a gown layered over a tank, but not that gown in that fabric with that plastic belt, and not that tank. Despite the fact that he needs to edit (translation: he has bad taste), the judges like the idea that he has ideas, and he moves forward.
Kimberly’s silver cocktail dress was her success. It was a bit heavy-looking, probably due to the fabric, but the diagonal draping was interesting and, I would imagine, flattering on women who are not model-sized, and the proportions were spot-on. Her other two pieces, not so much. The coat didn’t immediately remind me of a Dutch exchange student like it did Heidi, but it did come off as very pedestrian-looking, and the color was unfortunate. The sculpted silver skirt was a valid attempt at a unique silhouette, but it just didn’t get there. For her dress Kimberly earns 1 point, enough for her to make it to the next round.
Laura Kathleen had only her graphic circle gown between her and the auf. I thought the design was strong, and as guest judge Zoe Saldana pointed out, the circles were gracefully placed. I think that this gown was potentially the best piece in all three of the remaining designers’ mini collections. If it had been executed with better craftsmanship, Laura would be in the finals and Kimberly would be packing up her puffy metallic brocade, but the poor fit and the weak construction (the overlay circle fabric didn’t lay properly on the lining) were just too distracting. Laura is sent packing after getting so close. (She may have the last laugh. I hear her decoy collection at Lincoln Center was one of the strongest.)
Next episode, home visits! Who doesn’t love seeing where everyone lives?
How Do I Torture Thee? Let Me Count the Ways
1. I torture thee with $20,000.
We never had cash prizes for individual challenges back in my day, so I can't say for sure, but I would venture to bet that the added incentive of instant money would add some stress to an already stressful, exhausting competition. At this point in the game Lincoln Center, $100,000, and an HP technology suite are still far enough off to feel a bit intangible, while cash on the table is a whole different story. Joshua was definitely tortured, and seemed to feel that the prize was based on financial need.
2. I torture thee by placing the designers in pairs.
In this episode's first appearance of the dreaded button bag, Tim announces that the designers will be placed in pairs and randomly draws buttons to form the teams. For these designers, this defines torture. This season has had more team challenges than any I can remember, and the inability for said teams to work together harmoniously has been the source of much distasteful drama. This late in the competition, the thought of being eliminated due to a bad team dynamic is a frustrating and frightening prospect.
3. I torture thee by assigning your teammate.
Not only is participating in another team challenge a major source of stress, but the fact that the designers were not able to choose their teammate just adds insult to injury. In most challenges designers get to choose who they work with. It's true that the all-powerful button determines the order that they get to choose, and some get stuck with the last Bert standing, but there is some degree of hope that your destiny is not completely in the hands of fate. When it comes to the button bag, all hope is lost.
4. I torture thee by pairing Joshua with Bert.
Teaming Joshua together with Bert is nothing short of sending the both of them to Dante's special place in hell. Bad button karma or producer intervention? We viewers will never know. What we do know is that when Tim announced the two names together, it was like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard.
5. I torture thee by assigning inspiration.
The damn button bag makes yet another appearance (by now it must have a cringe-inducing Pavlovian effect on the designers) and the designer pairs are in turn paired with a bird. Designing a garment based on a non-fashion inspiration is not always easy. Normally on "Project Runway," designers get to choose their own inspiration by driving around in a golf cart or traversing the city with a camera. You see something that grabs you and ideas for a translation start flowing. But having an inspiration assigned is doubly difficult, because you didn't choose the starting point and those ideas just may not start flowing. Bert has the clearest problem with his assigned avian, clearly an inspiration he would not have gravitated toward on his own.
6. I torture thee by pitting you against each other.
Oh. Did you think you were working together? No, actually you will be competing against each other. Happy with your partner? Sorry. He/she has just become your worst enemy. Even if the two of you have the best garments on the runway, one of you will be in the bottom and at risk of being sent home.
7. I torture thee by doubling your workload.
Tim enters the workroom (the designers must be wary of the sight of him by now) and announces to the designers that they now are responsible for a second look. Imagine having a certain amount of time to do a designated amount of work. You plan and budget your time accordingly. Suddenly you find out that you are expected to do double the amount of work in the same allotted amount of time. You may be forced to scale back on an ambitious design, or scrap it altogether in order to have time to make two.
8. I torture thee by making you choose which design to scrap.
Tim enters the workroom again to make a special announcement. I'm not sure why the designers don't start hurling scissors at him. I suspect that the only reason they don't is because they think he couldn't possibly be there to deliver yet another twist. They are wrong. With just two hours to go until the runway, he informs the designers that they will only be showing one look, and they now have to decide which to finish and which to scrap. At first thought this may seem like a gift, but it's not. The original designs were potentially compromised to make time for a second one. Which one should they choose? Like children, all designs have positive and negative features. Just because you like one better than the other, it doesn't mean the judges will. It's a difficult decision to make when you are already at the end of your rope.
I get the feeling that the producers worked extra hard to jack around the designers in this episode. A twist here and there is expected, but this amount struck me as just plain mean.
In one case their plan backfired. Every twist seemed to work in Joshua's favor. He was released from working on a team with Bert, he definitely did his best look all season when he was forced to make the orange dress, and God help him, being able to scrap the green and yellow craft project was a gift.
I am going to go completely out on a limb here and say that I think Joshua deserved the win. I was not impressed with Anya's black structured dress. "Not what you usually do" is not good enough for me. The dress appeared puckered and not well made, I hated the bird-beak shoulders, and it was merely a bad version of the dress Viktor made in the Nina Garcia challenge.
Hang in there, "PR" fans! I was in L.A. filming the After Show and I heard from several sources that the fashions in the upcoming "Project Runway All Stars" are fantastic! God knows we could all use a fashion boost right now.
Unless We Like You
As I was watching the runway portion of this episode, I was thinking, "I don't even want to hear about anyone but Viktor winning this episode." He had it in the bag. Everything was right: the inspiration, the execution and the elusive modernization.
Viktor's inspiration was clearly from the work of Yves Saint Laurent, who in the late sixties marked a revolution in fashion that introduced the androgynous fashions of the seventies. First in 1966 when he showed the tuxedo for women, Le Smoking, then in 1968 with his African-inspired Safari Collection. No other single designer had more influence on the next 10 years in fashion, and Viktor wisely went right to the source. (Bert's reference to Studio 54 was a close second.)
Viktor's execution was, simply stated, impressive. I have a knack for putting a garment together, but even I would have trouble pulling off the construction of a jacket like that in such a short time frame. I loved the authentic safari details of the vented back and pockets. These are time-consuming fine points that were pulled off flawlessly. The fit and cut of both the jacket and the pants were skillful.
Not only were Viktor's references and construction enough to earn him the win, but also the most difficult element of all, the modernization, was spot-on. Emulating the past is easy; taking it to the present requires creativity. From the rough edges on the hem and lapel to the updated color palette (even YSL did his safari jackets in the traditional khaki), nothing about this outfit felt retro. The snakeskin separates were the icing on the cake. They were fresh and modern; I loved the detail of adding the black sleeve to the T-shirt. These small decisions make the difference between "clothes" and "fashion."
True, Viktor may have offended some viewers when he didn't want to help Anya with fabric donations because "this is a competition," but unlike some contestants, who create drama and then don't deliver (can you say J O S H U A?), the delivery of Viktor's garments absolved him of all sins in my mind, an example of good fashion overcoming drama. As I've said before, on "Project Runway" the drama is tolerable when we get our fabulous fashion.
Of course, none of the judges picked up the red phone to the Laura Hotline to get my opinion, and without me they decided to give the win to Anya, apparently impressed by her $11.50 pants and yet another print jumpsuit, which were both too full to be flattering on anyone but a model. Maybe all the Piperlime shoppers are models. Whatever.
Trust me when I tell you that the Anya-over-Viktor win isn't the thing that pissed me off the most about this episode. In what universe — really, IN WHAT UNIVERSE — were Joshua's optical-illusion ass-widening plaid pants and built-in lobster-bib blouse better than Anthony Ryan's maxi dress? A maxi dress that looked damn similar to Anya's winning maxi dress. Of all the designers ever to be on "PR," only Mondo has successfully been able to pull off pants in such a bold plaid, and you, my friend, are no Mondo. How did Anthony Ryan get sent home when Joshua showed what was nothing more than a clown costume?
This season the judges have been guilty numerous times of making runway decisions based on a designer's entire body of work instead of the garment in front of them at the moment, and this was clearly a glaring example of the practice — a practice that is against the premise of "Project Runway." How many times have we heard Heidi utter the now iconic phrase, "In Fashion, one day you're in, and the next day you're out." I understand the tendency to let a talented kid slide for one mistake. When my son, generally a hardworking student, brought home a science quiz with a less than stellar grade, I let it slide and saw it as a bump in the road, but if this is the way "Project Runway" is going to work, Heidi's catch phrase has got to change.
In Fashion, one day you're in, and the next day you're out — unless we like you.
Which Do You Want First?
The Good News: The Challenge, the Music and the Band Members
I really liked this challenge. I thought it was original, but not in a cheesy for-the-first-time-in-“Project-Runway”-history kind of way. I also thought it was appropriate. Designers, usually working together with stylists, often help create and convey the image of the client they are working with.
The team aspect of this challenge made sense and incurred none of the usual drama. It wasn't really a team challenge; it only required enough cooperation for each team to assign musicians to designers, but it was necessary. They could not have four outfits for one band member and none for another.
The band was great. They seemed to go along with the entire design process willingly and without the tiniest hint of divadom. I even liked their music. I could see them developing into an Allman Brothers kind of band, with their down-home, beer-drinking Southern rock. Most of all, they couldn't have been kinder or more tolerant about wearing bad, bad clothes.
The Bad News: The Designs
Here we go again. I am running out of ways to say these designers are less than impressive. Week after week I sound like a broken record. I get that menswear is not most of these designers' usual thing, but come on, costume design isn't their usual thing either, and they seemed to carry that off quite well.
Across the board the '70s hippie-rock thing was taken literally. No nuance, subtlety or modernization of the theme, with the possible exception of Joshua's tacky exposed crotch zipper, a design move right up there with bubble hems — both recent trends that are overdue to be ushered out.
Even Viktor's faux-leather jacket and jeans, clearly the best outfit on the runway, featured no updated elements. Braided fringe and distressed jeans? Color me not surprised. Don't get me wrong — he totally deserved the win, but again only because it was acceptable work on a runway filled with crap, and fringed crap at that. I never heard a single one of the musicians utter the word “fringe.” How did we end up with so much? This is actually the third week in a row Viktor deserved to win
And speaking of crap, Laura's tie-dye technique made her musician look like he had been shot by a concertgoer gone postal because the beer line was too long. I can't even believe it was in the top.
I liked Bert's pants, but again, they were completely retro, nothing modern about them at all, and the draped sweater he made to go with them was too feminine. I did like the tie-dye effect on the back, but something similar on the front might have made more sense. Just an idea.
Fan favorite Anya's Hiawatha tunic was hideous. It wasn't even fit for a high school performance of “Hair”; it was suited for a grade school performance. She gets a pass because it is the first all-out hideous thing she has sent out all season. Even worse was Kimberly's version of the tunic. Girlfriend is lucky the judges don't make decisions based on the outfit in front of them this season, but take the designer's entire body of work into account, because though I wasn't crazy about Olivier's foray into print and his WTF choice of toile, Kimberly's buttoned bowling shirt was hideous. It looked like a rejected Dunkin Donuts uniform.
At this point in the competition I am ready to declare that Viktor is my choice for the win, but he still needs to clarify his point of view. Skill and taste can get you far, but without a clear point of view, anyone can sneak up on you and snag the win.
Notable Quotables (because sometimes my commenters say it better than I)
“Who the heck is Malin Akerman…?”
“I'm sure [Laura] will have a long and happy career designing for the Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
You've Come a Long Way, Baby
It’s the dreaded “everyday woman” challenge. I cringe every season when this one comes up. It’s always a difficult one for the designers. Designing under the time constraints of “PR” are hard enough; now let’s pile on the demands of a client, a less-than-perfect figure to camouflage, and the emotional baggage of a person who isn’t paid to keep her opinions to herself. And no matter how hard a designer works to make a fabulous dress for his larger client, the thinnest girl in a just-average dress will win. That being said, my sympathy is limited. At some point in every designer’s career, they are going to have to learn to deal with clients — real women wearing real sizes. The world isn’t full of six-foot tall girls with 35-inch hips.
My real sympathy lies with the women. Their traumatic experience usually begins with the playground pick. Just like the best athletes, the thin women get chosen first, as the heavy ones stand there in an ever-thinning crowd. Everyone knows exactly what is going down — Heidi, the designers, the producers, the women — but no one acknowledges how wrong the whole thing is. These poor women didn’t sign up for this. Every season when this challenge comes around, I cringe.
Thankfully, there were some improvements to this year’s version of the challenge. The usual painful playground pick was modified. Because men were standing up on the runway being chosen and their wives or girlfriends came sight unseen, the thin-to-fat picking order was avoided. Maybe the hottest guys were chosen first, but I didn’t see anything offensive. The men certainly didn’t seem uncomfortable; they were just too excited to be standing within five feet of Heidi.
Another great improvement was the relatively homogeneous group of women. Some were a bit older than others, but no one looked bigger than a size 6, or 8 at the most; they were all attractive and stylish, and everyone seemed equally comfortable with their bodies. No one stood out as being painfully self-conscious. All in all, the designers couldn’t have hoped for a lovelier group of women to work with. The only designer who had any trouble with his client at all was Olivier, and that was his fault, not hers. His fear of breasts, and panic at the thought of having to veer away from his color palette or jacket-with-skinny-pant silhouette, are what gave him problems, not his client.
I’m not sure how much the addition of the men added to the design process, but it was cute to see them interact with the designers on behalf of their other half, and I guess the producers couldn’t just ask them to leave after the runway pick. It was interesting to see which ones seemed involved and which ones just wanted to talk about boobs. My favorite was Anthony Ryan’s guy, who wisely used this opportunity to make things right in the universe and replace a lost dress. Anthony kindly complied, and the results were less than stellar, but his client was thrilled. Bert’s client was also clearly happy with her dress. She was practically glowing, and her pure joy surely kept him safe on the runway. Viktor’s guy was all over it. The similarities between Victor’s outfit and the one his client arrived in were uncanny. That couple would win “The Newlywed Game.”
Despite the improvements to the humiliation factor, the thinnest girl still wins in a just-OK dress. Joshua’s dress for his client won not because it was a great dress, but because it wasn’t tacky. Just as Laura pointed out, it was a circle skirt with a bodice. No different than Bert’s dress, really; it could be found in any department store. I found the lace trim to be inexpensive-looking, but overall it was fine, and it was definitely the least tacky of Joshua’s entries this season. That dress in any other season would have won only if it were made of seaweed and licorice during the unconventional challenge. I have a feeling a lot of Anya fans are going to be angry about this outcome.
It was time for Bryce to go. Even he knew it. The boy has produced nothing good all season. His client was happy, but she was an adorable girl and there was no reason he couldn’t have made her look great. He vows to go back home and sketch until he comes up with a great collection, but I’m not sure there is enough paper in the world.
Notable Quotables: (things my commenters said last week that made me spit coffee on my keyboard)
“I am so tired of watching that tacky DayGlo narcissist ...”
“If his designs were as arch as his eyebrows ...”
“... Please stop having these ‘I may not know fashion but I know what I like’ actresses as judges.”
I will be on Derek and Romaine of Sirius XM Satellite Radio OutQ 108 on Friday, September 16 at 7 pm EST talking about this season of “Project Runway.” You are welcome to call in and participate by calling 866-305-6887. A free online trial of Sirius is available at www.siriusxm.com
"Project Joshua"
Coming this fall to Lifetime, it's "Project Joshua"! Joshua struggles personally and professionally to make his dream of becoming a fashion designer come true! Watch as he develops a pattern of behaving badly toward others, and then insincerely apologizing! Be amazed as he simultaneously plays the bully and the victim! Talks tough and then cries! Curses and then admonishes others for cursing! And most astounding of all, watch as this designer uses the death of his mother to explain away all of his antics! It's tasteless fashion! It's blatant insecurity! It's "Project Joshua"! Viewer discretion is advised.
I can't think of a more annoying character from "Project Runway" to be the focus of an episode, much less an entire season. This week, right out of the gate he irritates me by declaring how angry he is that his burning bush didn't win the last challenge. His exact quote was "The fact that I came in second in the avant-garde challenge is still pissing the shit out of me." In a season where every week's winner is merely the least crappy garment on the runway, just hanging in there should be your goal. Trust me, in any previous season, a faux-bois neoprene circle skirt in flames, complete with smoke netting headdress, would have been in the bottom.
Joshua seamlessly segues into trying to appoint himself leader of a team challenge with no leaders, continuing his irksome behavior. He then gives good reason for a Tacky Hall of Fame nomination by suggesting that the team's inspiration be the Village People. I can already hear Michael Kors with that one — "It looks like a bunch of drunk transvestites threw up on the Village People!" I'm not sure, but I think he may have also failed Gay 101 by not knowing what costumes the Village People wear. I'll have to consult my gays.
Keeping in character, Joshua attacks Bert for — of all things — using a "swear word." He feels that people who use "swear words" are unintelligent. Note his exact quote above. I didn't go back through any previous episodes, but I bet I could find more than a few additional examples. Joshua, frustrated by Bert's existence, threatens to forfeit the whole thing. I am hopeful, but alas, his buddy Laura talks him down. Damn, so close. For a moment there I thought we could just get back to bad fashion.
Next Joshua treats us to his 27th insincere apology of the season. No one is buying it, but Bert graciously accepts it anyway. Joshua claims this ugly person is not who he is, but this is who we keep seeing.
The climax of "Project Joshua" comes when he has an emotional breakdown during a call to his father. On our normal show the climax might happen on the runway, but not this season. Joshua misses his mother. He wasn't able to travel home as often as he would have liked. Pursuing his dream in New York prevented him from being with his mom when she died. I believe his emotions are real. I believe he regrets not spending more time with his mother. I believe he is in pain. I do not believe any of this is an excuse for his bad behavior.
Joshua's emotional catharsis is helpful, and the team pulls together for a moment, but not soon enough to save the fashion. Not surprisingly, Team Joshua's Nuts is in the bottom. Good Joshua disappears, and Evil Joshua rears his ugly head again as he explains to Becky that she doesn't deserve to be there because, unlike him, she doesn't have a clear vision. We are to assume that tacky circle skirts are now visionary. Kimberly, Bert and Laura are safe. In the smackdown of the season, Joshua is standing there on the runway with Becky, waiting to see who gets aufed. Becky is sent to the workroom to turn off the light switch (that doesn't exist) underneath the table.
You might think I would be disappointed with the outcome and scream "producer interference," but jacket for jacket, I admit that Joshua's jacket was more interesting than Becky's. I am actually more confounded as to why Anya won for Team Chaos. Her dress wasn't as good as Olivier's jacket or Viktor's gown. The inspiration idea was Anthony's. Why didn't they get the win? Tune in next week, same time, same place, to "Project Joshua" and find out.
A Note to Commenters: I do read your comments! Every single one! Just like you, I am a fan of the show and I love to read your opinions, even when you disagree with me. I am constantly amazed by how funny your comments are, and by the great observations you make that I totally missed.
Season 9 Parallel Universe
Those of you who hate the drama and watch "Project Runway" for the fashion got your wish this week. There was absolutely no drama. The designers seemed so intent on being nice to each other that they went out of their way to compliment contestants they have spent the last four episodes smack-talking. Viktor likes Bert's outfit? Joshua thinks Becky's design is nice? It's a "Project Runway" parallel universe.
In lieu of any athletic races, playground dodgeball-team-picking drama, rule breaking or general badmouthing to speak of, I am going to go straight to the runway.
Kimberly
First on the runway was Kimberly's Phoenix rising from the ashes — or angry parrot. Either way, the outfit was successful. The asymmetry didn't look forced and seemed to flow from the feather embellishment, which looked well integrated — not tacked on. The styling was sleek and minimal and was the perfect backdrop for the feathered pleather.
Becky
Next up was Becky. I liked the painting much more than the garment it inspired. For some reason she chose to use just one of the colors zooming through the painting's solar system, and I think the scattered idea would have benefited from more color. The embellishments, which looked totally tacked on, went from over-constructed cubes to under-constructed squares of fabric to holes. Unlike on Kimberly's garment, Becky's asymmetrical hem just kind of hung there and didn't seem to have a resolution or stem from the design idea. Conceptually, Becky and Kimberly's entries were very similar, with Kimberly's being the clear front-runner.
Olivier
Olivier has a very clear aesthetic and a strong point of view. In order to please the judges or meet the criteria of the challenge, he tried to expand his horizons and got really lost. The painting he was working from was vibrant and colorful, and I'm not sure how he would have interpreted its use of color into his palette, but the result was dismal. It was as if he thought that a lack of structure equaled vibrant color, and the result was not nearly as successful as the painting.
Joshua M.
I liked the overall silhouette of Joshua's burning/dying tree, and I definitely think he improved on the rather dismal inspiration painting. The proportions were perfection. I wasn't as crazy as the judges were for his hand-painted neoprene tree bark fabric or the cutesy carved initials. I found them both to be too literal and too crafty, and would have preferred he found a fabric to convey the tree bark vibe. I think Joshua has serious taste issues, but he does seem to be able to walk the line between interesting and tacky just enough to keep himself out of trouble with the judges.
Bert
This outfit was my least favorite. His sketch was so much better than his final garment. The pants needed to be soft to work, not that I am ever going to admit that MC Hammer pants "work." The embellishment was a nightmare, completely tacked-on and just ugly. The colors were ugly, the fabrics were ugly, and even the construction of the pieces with the contrasting serged edges was just ugly. He wasn't able to achieve the proportions of his sketch and instead came up with some strange maternity jumpsuit covered in puffy pillows. Oh Bert, you have let us down.
Viktor
Viktor seems to be a bit all over the place. I don't question that he has taste, it's just that after six episodes I don't know where he's coming from. His dress this week was fine, but haven't we seen it before? Like, many times? And what does this flowing woven ruched number have to do with the strictly tailored top and skirt he made for Nina (which, by the way, I have also seen before)? At the moment, what we have in Viktor are sewing and interpretive skills, not a clear design voice. He needs to pick a direction and stick with it.
Laura
The judges were crazy about Laura's floral interpretation in organza, but I wasn't buying it. How many seasons ago was Christian Siriano on? Or Leanne Marshall? How can that loose wavy ruffle technique still be considered avant-garde when it's been around "Project Runway" for five seasons? Heidi fell hook, line and sinker for the "hard and soft exposed structure" bit, but again, it was nothing new to me. Laura's color choice has been unsophisticated from the very first challenge, and this dress in this fabric and color, cut short, belongs in a mall.
Bryce
I have yet to see anything Bryce does that doesn't belong firmly in the middle or in the flat-out bottom. I think he was on to a good idea with the straight jacket to convey the haunted feeling in his inspiration painting, but his execution had none of the tortured qualities. The color seemed a choice out of left field, and I will never get my head around why he chose to make the bottom of a flamenco dress. Boy needs to head to the workroom and pack his things.
Josh C.
It didn't really matter what Josh C sent down the runway, he was going to be sent home. It's the unwritten rule of "Project Runway": He who gets eliminated and then returns is eliminated at the very next aufing. I did like the way he had the hairstylist do his model's hair.
Anthony
Anthony's dress was my favorite of the episode, but it wasn't without its problems. The concept was simple and elegant — always the most successful kind. I had a bit of a problem with the execution. I felt the applied "brushstrokes" looked like felt pieces cut out for a Halloween costume. They didn't have the handmade, high-end feel that they could have. I understand that in two days you can't do a week's worth of hand work, and based on the concept and color choice alone, I agree that he deserved the win.
Anya
Last out on the runway was Anya. I did like her outfit. I found the skirt volume to be interesting, and her choice of varied fabrics all worked well together. The use of the feather trim was a bit expected, but overall I think she did a great job constructing a garment that is trickier to make than it looks, and it was a great interpretation of the painting.
It’s Painful to Watch
I have always been realistic about "Project Runway." When fans tell me, "I hate all the drama, I just watch it for the fashion," I remind them that as great as "Project Runway" is, the show is not really about finding the next great fashion designer. If it were, there would be a lot of new famous and successful designers out there, and I doubt that even three of the previous eight season winners are still in the business. The goal of the producers is to create great television, and the show works because season after season it is a mix of interesting characters interacting with each other and managing to remain creative despite a lack of time, materials, money, sleep and whatever else the producers can think of to throw at them. The fighting, backbiting, jealousy and smack-talking are all normal reactions to the stressful environment of the designers, and it's tolerable, as long as we get our fashion. Take the fashion away and we might as well be watching "Temptation Island."
With very few exceptions, I find the fashions of this season to be very, in the words of the Great Orange One, underwhelming, so it's the bickering and drama that stand out. Perhaps great design is there, and when a few more of the less talented contestants get eliminated I will be able to focus on the good work — but not this week. This week's episode featured drab greige fabrics in bunched, shredded and wrinkled pedestrian gym-to-grocery-store designs. Viktor and Kimberly's entries were exceptions. I found them to be polished and professional-looking, perhaps because of the well-made jackets. I also liked Bert's asymmetrical top — or I think I did. Anything would have looked good next to this week's craptastic work of Anthony Ryan and Laura. Again, what's bad is so bad that I have trouble focusing on what's good.
Making the designers run for team leadership positions didn't help. Whose idea was that, anyway? "Project Runway" is a design competition, not a physical competition. Did anyone really think the four youngest males were not going to win? And the paramedic scene with poor Olivier was just embarrassing — truly a low moment in "PR" history.
I don't want to be completely negative. There were some redeeming personality moments in this episode. Cecelia stepped aside because she felt she was taking an opportunity away from a more passionate designer, and Heidi handled the situation well. Viktor and Olivier were given the opportunity to bring back an eliminated designer; they chose Josh C. because they felt he would appreciate the opportunity to learn more, and not for some calculating competitive reason like they didn't see him as a personal threat. Josh M., sincere or not, apologized to Becky for the way he treated her, and jumped in to take responsibility for the design of her garment when it looked like she was in trouble on the runway. And lastly, Anya and Becky didn't bitch when Josh M. won because of a garment he neither designed nor sewed.
It isn't much, but it does give me hope for the human race, and it's enough to keep me watching the rest of the season.
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