Jane110

Are you SURE that's to whom you spoke?;):)

 

Anyway, that must have been FIERCE! :D Is he doing anything notable and surviving the "15 minutes", or is he falling into oblivion?

 

 

 

Oops, Siriano!

Hey, after all those Bellini's they were forcing me to drink, I'm allowed one typo! :D

I agree with you all. I'm thrilled the show is back in NY where it belongs. :)

I agree with the losing outfit. It looked so cheap and was so poorly designed. The brown "cocodile" dress was such a snore. Ugh!

The winner was a hard choice. But I'm not unhappy with the final decision.

Ping is talented and her clothes have a strong specific audience. I think she's talented, however, she really only knows how to do one look, and that will be her downfall. I liked her outfit, but it's not universal enough. If she can last a couple of more shows, she'll end up with clients and a business.

Now where's OUR Mr Project Runway to post the pix????

Curt....yoohoo....Curt...Where art thou????

BTW, I went to a Victoria's Secret Press party last night for their beauty division and Christian Sirianni was there and we chatted for a few minutes. He's tiny. I'm 5'6 and towered over him!

I just got off Freedom Of The Seas, and I was hooked into buying a Parazul bag! The shopping "director" (or whatever she is called!) was able to find me the one I wanted, and went out of her way to find the color and style I wanted.

 

It was a splurge for our 10th anniversary, and I love it! I know I should pack it up for the Spring (it's a Lime Green Slim Bag) because it's not very "Fall" but I love it too much! I only regret I didn't get another scarf, because looking at the website - the scarves and charms were cheaper in Jamaica than what they list on the site. Oh well, another scarf (or another bag) for another trip!

How wonderful that you got a bag you love and will hold special memories of your anniversary and your cruise. Enjoy it, whether anyone else likes it or not.

Happy Anniversary!

Time to plan your next cruise, and next bag accessory! ;)

BTW, you can always buy another scarf to use. Doesn't have to be the parazul brand.

I"d wear Carol Hannah's in a NY minute!

Style and color are just perfect!

CruiseMom,

I agree with you. Michael Kors and Nina Garcia are fashion insiders and understand what makes clothing, and what design is about.

Having celebrity's as judges is so unfair to the designers. All they can think about is ME.....how do *I* like that, and would it look good on ME ME ME? I wanted to slap Eva Longeria for her selfishness, but then realized, it wasn't her fault, it was the producers who asked her to be the judge. She, like many others, just don't ever have to think about anyone else. And being a pretty actress with a bevy of stylists dressing you, simply doesn't give you an credibility to judge a designers work. Keep them off the show!

[/url]

 

Althea - a great formal pregnancy gown. Yes, the cups are a bit too small, but the idea and execution is there. That can be fixed easily. Very nice, enough originality.

Irina - I really liked this, and don't think they showed it enough. Not the most original, but I thought the color and style were the most Rebecca Romijn.

 

Top Three are:

Shirin, Althea, and Louise - with Shirin the deserved winner.

I could have seen some others up there in the Top Three, but I still think that they are "hiding" some people in the middle of the pack right now.

 

Bottom Three are:

Ra'Mon, Malvin, and Mitchell - and Malvin gets auffed!

Which, is totally wrong and undeserving. Yes the concept was avant garde - but they didn't say he couldn't do that. Yes, it would have worked better in a single color, but the idea was original, and the workmanship and execution were great.

Mitchell in the meantime did another mess - both a totally boring unoriginal concept, and the worst execution of the entire runway.

Yet, they keep him.

I think that they are just keeping him around longer now, so people can get mad that he keeps staying in over better people.

But, they know Malvin's not going to win, so they sacrifice him - same as ari last week.

 

So far the designs are of a high caliber all around, so we shall see as it goes forward.

 

I SO agree with your comments about the winner and the loser. Mathew should have learned from his first big mistake that his biggest challange is time and he messed up twice. And those shorts were just awful looking! Yes, the "egg" concept was "out there", but had it been done in different fabric and in one color, it could have been a winner.

This show has inspired me to regain my sewing skills and start creating my own hot tranny messes!

Are you a good sewer? A friend of mine is a master sewing technician and teaches techniques. He's published a couple of books on techniques, and he sells CD's for advanced sewers. If you're interested, I'll get you a link to his CD's.

Nasty Jennifer Lopez pulling a no-show was the talk of fashion week here in NY. She hurt her foot...so what! Put on your big girl pants, and have your bevvy of servants help you into the tents.What's the dif? Oh right, I forgot, it's all about her! :mad:

They should have just made Fern Mallis the official other judge. She was telling Nina Garcia her opinion during the whole show anyway. :D

Leanne's collection, though magnificent, was too much of the same. Nina Garcia commented on that too. I thought it would have cost her the win.

Korto disappointed me. She's so talented and some of the dresses were so below her level, especially the green ones. The halter one was great, but the others were very mediocre. Some of the dresses were great, but a few were clunkers for me.

Kenley is very talented, but I knew she wouldn't win. The judges don't like her. The dress that Tim wanted her eliminate - with the rope - looked incredible. And the black slinky one was amazingly chic.

And apropos to our discussion last week about not having support, she did have her Mom, Dad and sister at the show.

CJW,

Thanks so much for posting Jerrell's show.

His styles are definitely not couture and lack the elegance that designer cloths should have. He didn't deserve to be a finalist. That said, he's great with the glitz and I could see him creating a thriving biz with the hollywood/LA set. I'm sure he'll be very successful.

Jane I just meant I should have realized who she was .. so I was crawling under a rock from embarassment... and you are right this city gets more sophisticated by the year ..

Oh, ok. I thought that perhaps there was something I said in my post that you objected to.

Years ago, I worked for Pendleton and visited Portland a few times a year and always loved it. It's a terrific city. I still miss Jakes seafood!

 

As to Kenley being alone... we only saw what was edited in, for all we know maybe there was a huge party but it just didn't add to the narrative.

 

The "story" is supposed to be that Kenley doesn't play well with others. Why would the producers show something that goes against that?

All good points. Every show they like to make one of the contestants the evil one.

 

She has been featured in Portland Magazine and on Ultra which is the local fashion scene publication. Sigh .. back to my cave I guess .. LOL

I'm missing the point of your post. I did say that Portland was a sophisticated city.

While understand your position, if all these Talent shows were based on the story behind the person, no one would ever win that was the most Talented -- just the one with the saddest story. This is a fashion competition and the decision should be based on the talent and designs alone, IMHO.

I didn't say that it was the reason Korto SHOULD win, I said it was the reason I WANTED her to win. It's simply based on my personal feelings about a lovely woman. I never suggested that the judges make a decision based on the needs of the particpant. I totally agree that judges shouldn't make a decision based on needs, but on talent. This was purely a post about my own feelings on why I would like her to win, as well as why she needs it more than the others.

You think Korto's life is sad?

I also don't agree that she can't uproot her family if provided an opportunity elsewhere in the Country. People do that every day.

Not a chance of that happening. I know other people do it all the time. I don't see Korto doing that at all, (just my opinion, I didn't ask her :) ) where as I could see the others doing it in a heartbeat.

All these designers are exceptionally talented....Jerrell included.

I've been in the fashion industry for 15 years, so I know well how it works.

Korto needs this win more than any of them.....

Kenley lives in NYC. Whether she wins Project Runway or not, she's set. She's either going to get offered a fantastic job by a major clothing company such as Ralph Lauren or Oscar de la Renta, or a small company who will give her her own label (like Liz Claiborne did for Dana Buchman), or as an in-house designer for a company that creates private label clothing for Bergdorf's, Saks, Neimans, etc. Or, she'll get a backer right away who will finance her in her own company......though this is not as likely right now in this economy. But that's probably in her future as she has a very strong design identity.

She also now has the visability to create designs for movies and Broadway shows.

Similar situation with Jerrell in LA. Also, Jerrell now has the opportunity to hook up with actresses looking for special evening looks for red carpet walks, or creating designs for Hollywood movies.

Leanne in Portland, Or is not as easily connected to a fashion hub, however, Portland is a pretty sophisticated city, and she's near enough to Seattle, San Francisco, and LA, so that even if she doesn't win, she can start a small business and get some clients/visability in the west coast, and as her business grows, retailers in other parts of the country will see her things. Additionally, she's single and could get a job in LA or NY if she wants.

Korto, on the other hand needs this win big time. She lives in Podunk, Nowhere, fashionwise. There are no companies she can work for in her home town, and she can't accept a job in NY or LA to follow her dream and uproot her family. She's got to somehow start her business in Arkansas and get national distrubution and she needs that $100,000. to make it happen.

That's my $.02 on the $100,000. prize. :D

I definitely noticed that Kenley had no friends or family to meet Tim Gunn...I would think that if you were in the top 4 of a show like Project Runway and someone famous--at least in your field--was visiting you and filming your visit for an episode of the show, that you would at least have one friend or family member--even if they didn't live real close--show up for the visit

See my other post. But I have to say, that in my wildest dreams I'd never even consider for a second inviting anyone over to meet Tim, if I was a finalist in that position.

If he was coming to critique me and give me direction for the biggest challenge of my life, why would I want to concern myself with an invitee list and cooking? I'd want all the face time I could get with him and to get as much feedback as possible.

Please, don't think I'm making you wrong, I'm not. It's just a difference of style. But if Tim was coming to help me, and my friends asked to come over and meet him, I'd say, "no way!"

(unless of course, the producers of the show encouraged and suggested this party-like atmosphere for the visit)

friends? surely even Kenley has friends :p

 

I understood what you meant about people in urban areas not routinely having people entertained in their homes....however, this was not just a routine, day-to-day thing (at least I don't think so)...this was part of a contest that could have life-changing implications...there is celebrity and national exposure involved, and it seems like a big deal to me

 

of course, I can respect Kenley's desire, if that is the case, to experience this solo--as an individual...I respect that choice, but I just find it unusual and not typical of other contestants from this season or past seasons

I'm sure she has friends. LOL!!;)

If it were me as a finalist and Tim paying a visit to critique my work so far, it would never occur to me to have Tim meet anyone in my life, other than my husband who lives with me.

So, while many here were surprised that Kenly was alone for the visit, my reaction was totally the opposite. Kenley's visit seemed normal to me, I would never invite a bunch of people over if my mentor was coming to pay me a visit. With Korto, I was thinking, "what the heck are all those people doing there? This isn't a party."

No right or wrong here, just interesting to note our different perceptions.

That confuses me. The opposite is so often portrayed in movies, television and in magazines. You so often see fabulous parties being thrown in people's homes. You learn something new everday. There goes that glamourous notion. :rolleyes:

I'm not suggesting that people don't throw parties in their home here in NYC. Of course we do. It's just that on a day-to-day basis, I don't think we invite people into our homes as much as in other places. We're more of a "meet you at the bar/cafe/restaurant" society.

I think Kenley's mother is dead, and her Dad could be away on a boat. She doesn't have a boyfriend, so who else would be there? Leanne only had her boyfriend meet Tim.

I enjoyed watching the show this week but found it rather sad that out of the 4 designers Tim visited, Kenley was the only one who did not have any "people" in her life that she wanted to introduce him to.

 

Interesting observation, and it didn't strike me that way. I think it's because it's just not so much of a NYC thing to invite people to your home. We're generally more private about that and usually socialize outside our homes. I'm not saying that people don't have friends over, and I've been to dinner in plenty of friends apts, but it's just as natural not to.

Kenley lives in a small apartment in Brooklyn. Good chance that her friends and family don't live close by.

I truly doubt that Kenley copied the dress. It is so her, from the small waist to the feathers (she has them in her hair a lot).

 

If the judges really thought it was a copy they would have tossed her on her ear. I bet the McQueen comment was more a "cover your a$$" thing in case the accusation came up later.

 

These things happen.

You took the words right out of mouth you little thief! :D

It's actually quite a classic shape, just the crinoline makes it so special looking. And the feathers are pure Kenley.

CJW, again, thanks so much for posting the pics.

I'm so disappointed w/ Korto's wedding dress. I thought her bridesmaid dress was pretty, it just wasn't bridal-like. Had this been a first challenge, she would have been auf'ed. And I was with you in the beginning that Leanne was almost auf'ed and I knew she was great designer.

Oh my goodness. Leann's dresses (bride and bridesmaid) just blew me away. Beautiful. Perfect. And she had such a strong idea for her collection (the waves); I think it will be very cohesive.

 

To Jerell: Miss you honey, but next time remember that Tim said "Make it work" NOT "Make it over-worked."

 

I can't argue with Kenley staying, based on the designs she showed today. Hey Curt, can you dig up a picture of the dress the judges kept comparing it to? Would love to see that...

 

I wasn't a big fan of Korto's wedding dress(es). I wonder if the judges get feedback from Tim on what he saw on his "visits" -- otherwise I'm not so sure that Korto would've made the cut.

I was hoping that all four would have collections that would blow the judges away and they'd all compete on the runway. They're all so talented. But Korto's bridal dress was the biggest disappointment. That thing was a mess with all those silly things on the shoulder, and stupid seams at the knees. And the color??? Sheesh, what a drab depressing bride! I thought the bridesmaid dress was a pretty dress, but not bridal-like.

Jerrell - Oy! Another disappointment with too much "stuff"....and Tim warned him. Why don't they listen to Tim, he's always right.....and more drab color. But, he lives in LA, he'll get a job or be personal gown maker creating his over the top looks. Many people will love his stuff, especially the LA crowd. This show gave him great exposure, he'll do well.

Leeanne and Kenley both blew me away. Totally awesome brides and just as incredible bidesmaids. Kenley's dress did channel McQueen, but she made it her own.

I agree with you CruiseMom that Tim must have reported back to the judges that the rest of Korto's collection was better than that awful bridal gown. She used such pretty colors of yellows and greens and then showed drab taupe. Poor decision making on her part, she barely made it in over Jerrell.

good idea...but with the current societal attitudes, I doubt that will happen

 

They've done that in past seasons.

Once, where women had lost a lot of weight, but many were still plus sizes; and another challenge where they designed for their mothers, many of whom were plus sized; then they had a challenge with young women new in their careers needing job hunting clothes and some of them were plus sized.

I liked the judges decision to have all four make a collection, and then one of them will be "aufed". This way they have a real chance to show what they can do.

Jerell's dress was gorgeous, but he doesn't manage his time well and often his things are never quite finished, and so they lack the final polish that makes couture, couture. He design concept is great, but can he follow through? This unexpected challange will tell.

Leanne's dress was gorgeous from the waist up, but she went over the top with the sew-on pieces that she cheapened it. And the blue in the back - to quote Heidi on a previous design - looked like the dress was "pooping fabric". After some sleep and with having more time, her finished pieces will be thought through better. As Curt said, by this time, they're all beyond exhusted and just totally burnt.

Same with Korto's dress. Gorgeous from the waist up, absolute couture sewing, magnificently fitted bodice;

but then cheap, JC Penney level quality on the bottom with the lace trim.

Kenley - Yes, I hated the petals. They were ridiculous looking. And while I didn't love the fabric choice, that's just a matter of personal opinion, it did reflect the flower. I'm glad she wasn't aufed as her dress was the most finished and polished. It was divine in fit and construction. A real couture piece in terms of the quality of her workmanship.

And so for that, I agreed with the judges not to eliminate one last night. Give them all a breather, and some time to come up with a real collection and then vote one off.

As far as Kenley not playing nicely with others, and therefore should be auf'ed, I have to disagree with everyone here who feels that way. This show is about being a designer, not about being a manager, a salesperson, a customer service representative, or a teacher. I do see a problem with her listening skills, and I do think she's the kind of designer that needs her own label. She can't design for anyone else. As opposed to Joe, who is a very good designer, but doesn't have a strong personal point of view. He could be a lead designer in any company. (but that's utlimately why he was voted off) Kenley could not. She needs her own platform and I'm sure she could quickly get a following. Look at Betsey Johnson, who's been around for over 30 years selling her distinct point-of-view. She could never design for anyone else. and she's no picnic to work with. I've done it.

So, I don't agree that Kenley should have been auf'ed because she made silly fish petals; and she's whiny and annoying......which I agree she it, I can't stand her. But at the end of the day, she's the only one that sent down a dress that was totally finshed and beautifully made.

If we're talking about who nice and who's not....I'm not wild about Nina Garcia or Heidi Klum. Nina's nasty, but does make excellent points and does really give constructive criticism. Heidi smiles and tries to be cute when she's nasty and condescending. Her "let them eat cake" attitude puts me on edge, and I don't think her presence adds anything to the show. Wouldn't bother me if Heidi was "aufed". :)

My point being, that while "nice" is nice, it doesn't make for a winner; and while I love dissing the stupidity of some of the contestants (mr licious, and suede) and the nastiness of others (Kenley), I think that the merits of the clothes are what makes someone win.

And lastly, a BIG BEAR HUG for Mr. CJW, who tirelessy get's the pix up and gives us some inside info. What a sweeeeeeeeetie for doing that. THANKS!

LOL! I love these!

 

And to get back to you and some of the other posters before...

 

See, with a lot of these challenges, I think that they are good ideas - but the producers don't follow through with the final details to make them great.

Exactly! And it seems that the audience at home hears one set of rules, and the judges a different set. It creates a Lose-Lose situation.

I liked the idea of this challenge, because of the musical inspiration challenge.

Their only problem with it, is that they needed to go further like you are suggesting.

Musical inspiration for what type of outfit? Formal wear? Stage outfit? Costume? Streetwear?

The looks were more "toned down" because the judges have been hitting the contestants over the head all season with not being "cliche".

That's a cliche business outfit. That's a cliche cocktail dress, etc.

Exactly! The designers were given a mish-mosh of instructions.

Suede specifically did a fantastic everyday streetwear Rock look. Very saleable. And, really and truly think about it...

Isn't that the best, more flattering, non-what-was-Jerell-thinking, that Jerell has looked the entire season!?!?

Suede dressed Jerell better than Jerell dresses himself!

You got that right! That was Suede's best outfit and Jerell really rocked it!

I see it as the fact that if you become a super successful designer, you will end up expanding and having to design other things.

Menswear. Sportswear. Purses. Shoes. Belts. Tshirts.

Nope. Designers license these things out to other companies who know how to do them best. No clothing designer can make a pair of shoes, a handbag or a swimsuit. They can inspire and give design direction at best, but they can't design.

Joe's is really great and wearable in comparison!

He's extremely talented and verstaile. Look how great he did for the Elvis tranny in the pink jumpsuit. He messed up the the makeover because he put the girl in a suit. But then we learn that he wasn't given enough information about her to design the right thing. :(

I do think that this season has been "boring", because they're not having crazy drama situations (although the one week that they did - the team up week) they completely edited all the craziness out!:confused:

So I think it's a producer choice/fault more than anything.

You got that right! There was plenty of good stuff here. But honestly the challanges weren't that great, and with the mis-information, it was frustrating to watch the interactions.

Suede's Runway pieces are awful, in my opinion.

The pink striped dress with the white ruffle looks like old fashioned Ribbon Candy. And the white dress, short in front, long in back looks like it should cost $29.99 ...yuck.

As those of us who work on 7th Ave say, "I can visualize them on the mark down rack now!". :D

Curt, I think your photoshop of winners is spot on and the producers are definitely into showing themselves "policially correct and diversified". <barf> The three finalists all neatly fit into a "never had one of these before" possible winners. Leanne - the first caucasian woman, Korto - the first black woman, and Jerell - the first black man.

Joe's runway show was fabulous. I always thought he had a lot of talent.

Really? So what does Tim mean when he says you have a budget of....? Is it just a guideline for the designers?

 

Just curious :D

Yes. It's a guideline so they don't go overboard with the buying and learn how to work within a budget.

LOL. I do the same thing! (Do listen to NPR, tho.) We only stop for a commercial if it catches our eye in FF. The only exception is the Super Bowl, when we FF the game and watch the commercials (we're not sports fans).

Same here. Superbowl commericals are more interesing to me than the superbowl.

Saturn has been giving winners cars for ages on PR and using that in their commercials. I'm surprised it took this long to come up with an in-show tie in.

I agree. But I thought they could have some up with a better challange for the Saturn tie-in plug.