Jane110

Hmmm..it appears somes posts are being removed. That is unfortunate, a well composed and thought provoking post by Jane is now missing. Perhaps she chose to edit it instead, I'm not sure. My reply will be referencing comments removed, sorry for the confusion.

Nope, wasn't I that removed it.

Jane;

 

You have some valid points. Upon review, my comments do convey a closed mind.

 

Your restaurant analogy was very good, and stirred a memory of one of my first cruises. Among our tablemates was a lovely couple, who apparently had a very narrow taste in food. While my husband and I were delighted at the opportunity to try a variety of new dishes, it quickly became apparent that this couple ate only "steak and potatoes" type of fare. As the week wore on, I even found myself able to predict exactly what they would order at each meal (as did the waiters). I recall wondering why anyone would not avail themselves of the chance to expand their horizons. It is one of the many reasons I love cruising. While the food is far from gourmet, I don't understand trying to recreate a meal from the local Golden Corral.

Thanks, I appreciate your response and I'm really glad that my cruiseship dinner analogy helped create a reference that made my POV understandable.

With regard to the experts, I learned over the years to never just accept their advice at face value (in general, not just the fashion industry). I feel it is always wise to question them, at least until I gain a modicum of respect for their abilities. From your comments, these individuals have gained that respect within the fashion industry. Gaining the respect of the average television viewer is another task entirely. Unfortunately, several of them appear to often contradict themselves. The fact that the show allows the producers a say in the results also muddies the waters somewhat. I hope the judges opinions truly are their opinions, and not those of the money behind the show. Perhaps gaining the confidence of the average viewer is not part of the point at all. My respect for Tim is growing, as his opinions seem consistent, even when I disagree.

I'm not privy to how Project Runway works in the back offices. Curt here is our forum expert in that regard. However, it's my belief that while some of the designers who did not lose or win might be asked to stay because of the "good television" they create, I really don't think that fashion icons like Michael Kors, Richard Tyler, Nina Garcia, etc would sell themselves out to such an extent that a person who came up with a horrible losing creation could be named the winner. High fashion is not for everyone just like gourmet food isn't either.

Admittedly, the entire concept of haute couture is a tough one for me. I do understand that this is an entirely different area than, for example, ready-to-wear. I can certainly appreciate custom fitting and detailed handiwork.

Yes, but it's a whole lot more than that. You can probably go to a local seamstress/tailor that does alot of handwork and have a lovely outfit made for not too much money. My Mother has some custom silk pieces made by a wonderful seamstress in Florida. They're gorgeous, but certainly not haute couture. Haute couture is the trend seeting styles that everyone else takes their cue from in terms of trendsetting color, silhouette and detail.

However, fashion is a business, and like any other, needs to be profitable. It is my understanding that many haute couture creations are never sold, or sold at low profit. Is this incorrect? If the idea is to display the skill set of the designer or house, and indirectly boost the sales of a ready-to-wear line, that is understandable.

That's always been the case. Coco Chanel made more from the sales of her perfume than from her dresses, though she did sell thousands of dresses. Same with Yves St. Laurent, Worth, Balenciaga, Pierre Cardin, Givenchy, etc.

But when you consider that 25% of Neiman Marcus' clients *each* spend over one million dollars in their store, there IS a market for clothing that sells for many thousands of dollars per outfit. I'm currently working on getting a new client who's clothing will retail for anywhere from about $6000. - $15,000 per outfit. However, most of her sales will come from her handmade scarves and blouses which retail between $400 - $600. each. Down the road I hope to get her into home fabrics because she's a graphic artist and that could make her really famous.

The fact that it is stressed to be a very, very different area does not seem in line with one skill set benefitting the other. It does appear that it is more important that the garment be "out-there" and generally too extreme for the masses. The scorn that Kayne's gown received seems to underscore this theory.

I don't understand that first sentence. However, the scorn of Kayne's gown was that he can't cross the line from pageant dress to haute couture and a pageant dress is much more for the masses taste than couture is. Who's the pageant audience? Mass America and they sure don't want to look at couture! The won't "get it". They want to look at what they wish they could buy if they had the money and/or the figure so they can live in a fairy tale. That's the impetus behind prom dresses, bridal gowns and for some, formal night on a cruise ship.....create a fantasy that takes them away from their everyday life.

Thanks for your thought provoking post!!

 

Cindi

Thanks for your feedback. I'm glad you saw it before it was edited off and wanted to reply. I appreciate that!

Jane

Opinion from the great unwashed, who obviously doesn't "get" high fashion:

 

I think I prefer to stay "uneducated" in fashion. ;)

 

Cindi

Yes, that comes though loud and clear. ;)

Really quickly...

Thought you all might be interested in this "Where are they now?" link:

http://people.aol.com/people/gallery/0,26335,1210099,00.html

CJW

Fun, thanks Curt.

BTW, did you see my other message w/ my email address for you?

Hi Jane,:) first I have a question about "couture"....is it what

they stated? Totally hand made? Does the

fabric and pattern have anything to do with it being "couture"?

 

Now, someone said Jeffrey could just "go for it" because

he had immumity from this challenge. Well maybe so,

but the minute I saw him pick the plaid:eek:....well,

I didn't like it..but I am just one little peon....and I know

Jeffrey would tell me to stick it where the sun don't shine:rolleyes:.

 

As for the others....I LOVED Uli's dress too.

 

And Vincent was weird (to me).

 

I still love Michael and hope he wins.

Lois,

Happy K's link really said it well so I won't go into technical explaination.

Worth is considered the first couture designer and even back then, couture designers had to really make their money by licensing their name and creating perfumes. Je Revien perfume is by Worth, I believe.

YSL (Yves St. Laurent) is considered the biggest modern couture designer.

A friend of mine considers himself a couture designer, although the french wouldn't because he's not "licensed" by the french council. But he makes everything by hand, including his fabrics and has created some sewing techniques. He teaches couture sewing at FIT (Fash. Inst. Technology, which is the #1 school, Parsons is #2).

He said I could borrow anything from him for a special event and I have a black tie event in a couple of months, so I'll be showing up in a one-of-a kind dress that retails for over $6000. ! Lucky me!

It's definitely Kayne or Laura who is going next week, IMO.

Jeffrey's win was a slam-dunk because he had immunity and nothing to lose. He could afford to take wild chances. Using an everyday plaid in a big couture gown is a typical formula and the design, sewing and model runway attitude was what going to make it work. He was in, no matter what, so why not take a bold chance?

I don't like the way the show plays loosey-goosey with the immunity status. Some winners get it and some don't. Having immunity gives a designer a real shot to pull a wild card and test their fantasies without the possibility of getting thrown off. I think it's so unfair that the immunity rule changes on a whim.

I thought Ulli's dress was gorgeous. True couture. I'm sure many women would want that dress. I thought she would have been the winner.

Watching Laura make her dress in Paris, I just kept thinking that Yves St Laurent was being channeled. It looked "ok" on the blonde model, but Laura knows her NY model is a black woman. That's simply not the kind of dress a black woman with short hair can wear. It's definitely a dress for a blonde, IMHO. Then with the collar collapsing from the trip, only made it look like a clown collar. Whichever judge said she could hem it short and give the model a feather duster was, unfortunately, right on the money. This was a very difficult challange - doing couture in 2 days with jet lag on smaller models while being pregnant is an incredible strain.

Michael was dumb to even undertake what he did. He's never done couture before so he chooses to do something that would take a pro a week to do? Duh!!! Very poor decision! Had he not recently won two challanges he would have been auf'ed, IMO, because he made a really stupid decision from the start.

Kayne's dress had a gorgeous silhouette and the colors he chose were wonderful. The back was brilliant. I loved the asymetrical lace up - very chic and different - and I loved the two color chiffons cascading down the back. The way the top of the gown molded asymmetrically across the models chest was brilliant. His big mistake was "too much stuff" going on in the torso. Tim told him that, but he went with it anyway. Nina Garcia is right - he truly knows a woman's body and how to design things for it - but he needs to learn that "Less is More" sometimes and get away from the pageant look. But then, as I've said before, he'll never win Project Runway because he's not a clothing designer. But his gown business is going to soar after this show. He's got it made. I'm guessing his client list is already a mile long and he's going to be a very, very, very successful designer. I think he should expand into ice skating competition costumes. Don't be surprised if he designs for some of our competitors in the next Olympics. (that's how Vera Wang made her name)

So....what say the rest of you?

 

 

It was hurtful to me that no one responded to me earlier in this thread. It should not have been, but it was. For some reason, I felt that way right now. I have been around long enough to know better than to take things personally, but I just had to let all of you who know me know how I feel.

Gee sorry your feelings wee hurt. Honestly I didn't respond because I simply agreed with everything you wrote and had nothing to add. I know, hard to believe that big mouth moi couldn't add, but that's the truth. :)

You know I also love Gucci, Leiber and YSL.....and an olive green YSL? Okay, I'm really jealous of that!

I like the Fiori, but don't have any because I think I would tire of one quickly, though I do have a pair of her summer sandals, which are adorable. I got them in the middle of last summer on sale and the shape is a classic mid heeled slide with her silly colors and designs on them. They'll probably last me though this Thanksgiving in Florida and then it's bye-bye for them.

I know I have been busy. But I try to check in when I can. Sorry if that has not been often enough.

 

Yes, come back more often. I miss ya' round here!

Jane

 

 

But I will tell you I have had people call me crazy too...

for the opposite reason of yours.....how can I sail inside?

 

 

Sheesh! That's pretty insensitive. :mad:

Jane,

I always stay in a suite/balcony on a cruise and YES, people tell me that I am crazy that I pay all that extra $$ for it. Of course I don't think twice about it, it 's just what I do!! I would stay home before I would cruise in an inside cabin.

 

But I sware I had no idea that some designer handbags cost that much!!! I'm still in shock....I just can't imagine leather, linings, etc being that magnificent to warrant the price. I'd be afraid to put anything in the bag!!

 

Thankfully, I'm not into handbags!!

 

Shoes are another story....I would pay the price of a cruise for a warranty on a good, comfortable pair of timeless black dress shoes...medium heel, open or closed toe...size 9 1/2...that don't hurt after 2 hours!

See, we're in total agreement. I also wouldn't cruise in an inside cabin, I probably wouldn't cruise without a veranda. But would I pay the money for a full suite? Probably not.

Well to "warrant the price" is a tough thing to compare. Okay, so we agree that the leather and the quality of a $1500 bag is alot higher than the quality of a $100. bag, right? But it also has to do with marketing and not just pure cost to make the item.

Think of it this way:

You've booked a balcony cabin for a 10 day cruise on your favorite ship going to the carribbean and let's say, it cost you $3500. PP. Now, that same ship is going to Australia for 10 days and the cost of that same cabin is now $5500. PP. WHY??? Same ship, same costs for crew and food. So they spent some money on gas....certainly not enough to warrant a $3000. PP price increase, right? Why is the cost of a cruise for the same amount of days on the same ship so much more? Well, "Because", that's why? <g>

One cruiseline charges a $10. corkage fee and the next one charges $20.00. Or one charges $6. for a glass of wine from a $20. bottle while another charges $10. for a glass of the same wine.

Cosmetics: Face creme costs $XXX for a 1 ounce jar. Eye creme costs $XXX for a 1/4 ounce jar. Doesn't matter if it's drugstore or dept store brand - same thing happens.

Answer: There is no answer! ;)

I could never imagine spending $1500 or more on a handbag..OMG!!!

 

I can only ask why???

 

What is the difference between a bag that is similiar in style but might be $100. Is it just for the designer name??

 

Does everyone change handbags every day?

Well, that's kind of like saying, "why would anyone spend $5000. pp for a suite on a cruise when they can stay in a nice, inside cabin, eat at the same restaurants and enjoy the same activities and spend $600. pp?

There's no wrong or right, it's just preferences.

No, designer bags are not just about a label inside a bag. The quality of the leather, the metals, the linings, the design, the finesse and the company behind the product are all differences.

A few months ago I saw some handbags from a company who's name I didn't recognize. (still can't remember - Vlaaxo or something). I was drawn to the quality of these bags - the quality of the leather and construction and attention to detail in terms of design and balance got me crazy. I thought, I *have* to have one of these bags. It was timeless elegance and you could see it was a very expensive bag, but one that would last for over 30 years and the style was classic. I asked the price and thought I'd fall over when the salesman calmly told me $3500. Well, I didn't buy it, but Wow! , it was easy to see that this bag just screamed "quality, style, elegance". But hey, it's less than the Hermes Birkin Bag! :)

Truth is, if you can't see the difference you're lucky. I wish I couldn't! :D

Ya know, Jane110, if his tatoos were anywhere else, they probably wouldn't bother me so much. I'm not a big fan of tatoos on anyone, but I suppose they're here to stay as a statement. To put them on ones neck, face (as I have seen), or to completely cover their arms just looks stupid to me.

 

It's just one of those things that is hard to get past, especially for those of us who are older and tatoos were once considered only something that the bad guys did. I'm really trying to get over it, but it's hard to not judge when it is so "in your face". I think since Jeffrey is so "in your face" with his attitude, too, it can be hard to seperate his appearance from his behavior.

 

I do wonder how big the tatoo removal business will become in the future. Maybe not within the next 10 years, but 20 years from now, when some of the 20-30 year olds get into their 50's and 60's. Only time will tell :rolleyes: .

I agree, I hate hig, obvious tattoo's. But he's an ex-junkie and that was typical of that. He's cleaned himself up and created a profession for himself. He's come very far.

I also agree that the tatoo removal business will be a big on in the next 10-20 years! ;)

I don't care for logos, so the designer bags are not my style.

I think you're mixing up the apples from the oranges.

A "designer bag" is simply a bag designed by a particular designer - Prada, Dior, etc. EVERY bag, whether it's a designer bag or a $5.00 handbag has the brand name inside of it.

When you say you don't care for logo's, I think you're referring to when the fabric the bag is made from has the company initials woven into the fabric (like coach, Gucci, etc) or printed on it. (like LV).

One thing has nothing to do with the other. MOST designer bags are not made from logo'd fabric or have their logo printed on them. Most designer bags are, like most, made from leather or fabric and have the designer's name inside and some *might* have a small symbol (like the Prada triangle) somewhere on the outside.

I think that Jeffry has the most talent on the show and will be in the final three unless he screws up.

 

I may be the only Jeffry fan!

Well.........

I don't hate Jeffrey like many others on this board do. People here have mentioned his "pin head" and his tatoo's, but then in other threads I see people write that others should not be judged by their looks. Funny how people like to make that work when it suits their POV! :D :D

I think he's a good designer, but I can't agree he has the most talent of all of them.

I know that his vitrolic ways are to get him air time - a la Amarossa - as Curt pointed out. When he worked w/ Angela's mother, he did try to please her with the color choices, but truly, his design was just ugly.

But the way he baited Angela in this week's episode was really awful and mean. Yes, she took the bait when she should have ignored him, but sometimes it's impossible for a person to do that.

I think he'd do well as a designer with his own company and a small clientele. He could never run a medium to large company - he would alienate his staff.

I think the editing has been done with alot of purposeful deception and that the illusion of Ulli as one of the finalists has taken a sharp downturn this week.

Michael is a definite finalist, we all know that.

I think Laura will be a finalist too.

The third finalist will be a wildcard.

That's my $.02 ;)

While I absolutely love handbags, if I purchased what I would love to own, I'd never have a dime to put in them!

 

 

 

I cannot believe the prices of handbags now, I'm seeing so many in the $1200-$1700 price range. I understand there are plenty of people who can afford them, but the gap is widening, there is becoming not much in the mid range. Will we eventually be left with only the cheap junk and high end?

 

.

I said this in another post. I'm just not believing my eyes and I'm in total sticker shock on the price of handbags and shoes. I just can't go with the cheap stuff. I see it in the stores and it turns me off....and cheap shoes are uncomfortable. (besides, I'm in the industry. I'm attending 3 fashion shows next week, my credibility would suffer if I showed up wearing the cheap stuff) But the designer brand prices are just using getting absurd. Only a couple of years ago, you could get a Gucci or Prada in the $400 - $900 range. Okay, not cheap but not outrageous. Right now I have a need for a mid-size black leather "go to dinner" bag and everything I see that I like is exactly what you say - between $1200 - $1700. The Prada one that I'm really drooling over is $1500. Because it's not very trendy, I would be able to use it for years, but still.....sheesh! Frankly, I may end up doing without. I haven't seen Furla's fall collection yet, so perhaps they'll have something I want.

I haven't figured out what I'll do about shoes. The styles have taken a pretty sharp change this season with all the new toes, platforms and style changes.

I think I need a trip to Paris where I can some reasonably priced, good quality, high styled brands unknown in the US. :) Too bad I don't have friends in Italy too - now that would be a score! ;)

HAL - Maasdam

Lunch buffet inedible.

Sauerkraut saturated in russian dressing is considered a salad.

Melons (cantalope/watermelon) was old, soft mushy and had that rotting smell.

Carving board roast beef - couldn't be chewed. Saw everyone thowing it away after trying one bite.

Dinner

King crab legs - the meat was dried up and shrivelled in the shell. It was probably cooked, thawed and re-cooked too many times. Leftovers were served cold on the lunch buffet the next day and looked even worse.

First off I think it was time for Angela to go. She just got carried away with the rosettes. I thought Tim hit it right on the head with his "Holly Hobby" comment. Unfortunately Angela thought that was good. I think she should consider designing children's clothing. My DDs (3 & 5) would love the rosettes and would look really cute in them. I thought it was cruel to fly her to Paris and then turn around and put her back on a plane home. Hopefully the return ticket was first class too!

Agree! It was time for her to go. Whether you love or hate the rosettes, anyone that would use linen as a travel fabric, clearly shows they're not thinking. I agree she might be a good childrenswear designer, good thought. Someone commented her work was "crafty" and they were right. She might do well as craftfairs. I also wondered if her return plane ticket back would still be in First! LOL!! ACtually, if I were her, I would have said, "hey, I'm already here, might as well get a hotel room and stay for a few nights and see Paris". First class tickets are exchangable, so why not?

The reason that I like Michael, for the winner is that he is open to Tim's suggestions. He does not seem to have that ego that prevents him from seeing an alternate view of things. I think that Tim is really good at what he does and if they would listen to him, they would do very well. Of course, it helped that he did not need hair and makeup for the show!

Agree again. Michael designs to please and is easy to work with. His looks are always polished. He's definitely a potential winner.

Jeffry is the conflict for the show, I do not think he will win because no one will want to work with him. He will stay around for a while to stir things up. What I do not know is who his next target will be. Laura seems the obvious choice because she will bite back but if the producers want tears he will probably target Kayne. Kayne is wounded by CM's comment that he looked ridiculous, so he is easy prey.

Again, you're spot on in my opinion.

I think that if Uli does not try something new this next time, she is in trouble and may not make the final 3.

I think Ulli got a raw deal last night and was criticized unfairly.

She's been complimented on her prints and soft feminine looks all season, THEN, when the competition is to design for HERSELF, of course she's going to design something that's her signature style! If they're going to comment negatively on her signature look, that was not the right competition to do it in.

Then they criticized her by saying her dress would only work well in Miami, the Carribbean, St. Tropez,.....well that's exactly the kinds of places she travels to. So again, since the task was to design for oneself, she did it beautifully.

It would be like criticizing Jeffrey's and Vincent's outfit because they would look silly in St. Tropez or the Carribbean. Both those guys are big city guys and that's what their designs reflected.

So in that regard, the criticism for Uli was ridiculous, stupid and illogicial.

Vincent can last one more round if he stays safe and then I think he is gone.

As soon as I learned that one of the judges was from Calvin Klein, I knew Vincent would get compliments from him. Yes, his outfit was very simple - it looked just like a typical Calvin Klein. Vincent never created a man's outfit before, so it's unrealistic to expect his tailoring to be perfect, so I think he did a terrific job. If his fabric budget were larger and he could buy cashmere and gorgeous gabardine, it would be a knock out.

KAYNE - I think his gown business will thrive and I think he can now add a new dimension to his business - designing for Ice Skaters! He'll loose, but he's going on to do well in his niche.

LAURA - Her clothes are non-stop gorgeous. Flawless. She won't win because I don't think they'll give start-up money to a pregnant woman. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets offered a position as a head designer for Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren.

desperatehousewife,

I agree with you, I don't like Dooney & Bourke - too preppy for me.

For everyday I need a large bag because as a New Yorker, all those things you have in the back seat of your car, (umbrella, etc) I have to keep in my bag, though I don't like the really huge oversized ones that are in style this season. And since I walk alot and have alot of things in my bag, I won't buy a bag that's too heavy while it's empty. The Michael Kors and Louella bags are sooo heavy even before anything is put into them, I'd never buy one.

For very casual I like Henry Beguelin and Carlos Falchi bags - I like the lightweight casually elegant deerskin they use for their bags.

The high end designer brands I like are Celine, Prada, Dior, Botega Veneta, Chanel, Lambertson Truex, Chloe, Sonia Rykiel and Tanner Krolle.

Moderate priced brands I like are Furla, Cole Haan, B and D and a brand called Groom, which is only sold in France.

Happy shopping. Let us know what you buy!

I also like what Heidi wears. Of course, she could look good in a hefty bag with a cinched waist! :D

Now that we're down to only a handful, I can finally remember their names! LOL!

Here's my take........

Vincent - I've never found him creepy or threatening. I like alot of his things, he just gets carried away sometimes with silly details. The green dress he did a few weeks ago was stunning - only the extended bit of fabric on the shoulders was weird. If shown to buyers, most would tell him that and they'd be gone. If Vincent paired himself with a good business manager to run day-to-day operations and a good merchandiser, he could hit a home run with his own dress label.

Robert - I was sorry to see him go. Because he was a Barbie Doll clothing designer, I expected his designs to be more cutting edge and his tailoring to be under par, but it's just the opposite. The poor design he did for this challange shows his not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings. The "client" wanted black and red, so that's what he gave her. It's a big leap from designing for Barbie to designing for a Plus sized woman. Robert is not innovative enough to own a company that bears his name on the label, but my guess is that he'll get lots of offers from companies to be their head designer.

Kayne - He's best at glamour gowns for pretty women. His store is already successful and his appearance on this show is only going to bring him alot more success. He doesn't do other things, like daywear, well. He's extremely talented for a limited customer base. He'll never be the next Carmen Marc Valvo or Badgley Mischka but his store is going to explode with more business, IMO.

That outfit he made for Michael's mom was awful. The top too close to her neck and the pants only go to prove what I keep saying over and over on this board.....cropped pants look awful on anyone not super tall and super skinny!

Jeffrey - That outfit for Angela's mom made Robert's look good! It was so hideous! What was that extra triangle of fabric near the neck? Why was she wearing a menswear shirt underneath? I agree that though he was rude to Angela's mom, she didn't help matters any and seemed to be a downer from the get-go. And the time she spent crying to Angela only took away time from Angela to create her garment.

Angela - The dress didn't fit Laura's Mother style and it wasn't inspired by Audrey Hepburn as requested. However, I think I"m the only one that liked it! I thought it was a nice dress and I totally disagee with Kors mom that it was age inappropriate. It was long, covered up and not tight fitting, yet still waist defining. Black fringe on a black dress shouldn't be worn by a 60 year old? Why not?

Ulli - As usual, just fantastic. Though I hated the big neckace on a short, plus sized woman wearing a busy print. The vertical stripes on the print were enough. A big bangle bracelet would have been a better accessory IMO. Ulli's going far whether she wins or Project Runway or not. If she doesn't win, a backer will find her and finance a company with her label. Prints are the hardest thing to sell and she's got a true eye for them as well as wonderful tailoring. She's at ease designing for 25 year olds or 60 year olds. A rare gift for a designer and her charming, easy-going personality is the icing on the cake. She's already a winner.

Michael - I loved his reversible dress and I disagree with Kors that the belt was matronly. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. He shines.

Laura - I love her style, but this blouse and skirt was her worst creation, though it was still nice. I loved the high waist of the skirt, but the Blouse was too bunchy and so it looked sloppy instread of crisp. I hated the long scarf. I think her pregnancy has taken her out of the running. I don't think they're going to give seed money for a start-up company to a pregnant woman.

So, I think the final three with be Ulli, Michael and Laura, but Laura will not win.

Heidi Klum's laugh on the Bravo Emmy promo fits her perfectly - it seems mocking, hard and as if she wanted to draw attention to herself. It reminds me of the stereotypical popular girl attitude in high school. Yuch! No doubt Heidi is a physically lovely woman, but in her role on PR she does not seem genuine or kind, better yet, compassionate. Maybe it's all an act, but I wouldn't mind closing the curtain on some of it.

Every show, I like her less and less and I'm starting to find her grating on my nerves.

Part of it is not her fault. The scriptwriters force her to say "Vun of you vill be the vinner und vun ov you vill be auf". Must we hear that stupid line before and after each and every commercial break and then once in between??? Do the writers of the show think the audience is SO dumb that anyone tuning in for the first time, might not be able to comprehend the concept of a winner and a loser?? Or perhaps the scriptwriters are just a bunch of no-talents who can't come up with anything better? Instead of wasting our time on Heidi's "in and out" banality's a few more seconds on each runway outfit would be nice, since that IS the theme and the point of the show!

Also, just before the recycled project was announced to the group Klum annnounced how easy this has all been for them. I really hate when someone who lives on Easy Street tells others who are stressed, sleep deprived and in some cases, broke, how easy this is for them. It's condescending, arrogant, cold and her "let them eat cake" attitude ticks me off. I used to like her.

#4 Olympus Fashion week is coming up...

Here's how they handle it...

The show is already filmed ("in the can") up until the reunion episode and the final episode, there will be four designers that will actually show their collections at Fashion week.

The thing is that on the show (which is already filmed, in the can), they have already decided on the final 3. They have now had months to put their collection together to show at Fashion Week.

They will show the top 4 there, because we won't see the final 3 decision until AFTER fashion week (and this is why all of the 4th place designers are working now anyway, because they got shown, and got work).

So, there are technically the top 4 right now, preparing to show at Fashion Week, they have been working for months.

They (top 4) will show.

Then after that, we will see on the show, who was actually the top 3, then they'll film it and show it soon after.

 

Thanks for 'splainin that pal!;)

Jane

TiVo forgot to capture last night's show, while we were out so it'll get it tonight or tomorrow during a middle-of-the-night showing somewhere.

(DH claims innocence at the thought that maybe it was his fault and not Mr TiVo's! :rolleyes: )

Can't wait to see it. DH and I are addicted and we generally hate reality TV shows.

CMHF,

Yes, thanks. I'm aware of his new show, however, I don't get the Travel Channel. :(

So I'm hoping that the series is put on DVD's so I can order them from NetFlix or pick it up at my local Blockbuster.

I also read that one of the networks was going to do a TV show based on his life in the kitchen at Les Halles, but don't know if that ever came to fruition or not.

I'm a foodie. It runs the gamut from someone like Anthony Bordane who will eat anything, but tofu to someone who just really loves good food. Does not have to be expensive food, just really good food. Something I have and have not had on a cruise ship.

I adore Anthony Bourdain! His show, "Cooks Tour" is my favorite even though it's out of production and I'm watching reruns. I loved the episode in Carcasonne where he dumped his dinner in a baggie he had in his jacket when the chef wasn't looking! LOL! I've read his book, "Kitchen Condifential" and I eat in his restaurant Les Halles every so often. He's not in the kitchen anymore, but I think he's still executive chef. I walk by there all the time (it's near my house) and I sometimes see him sitting at a table in the front window and I've chatted with him a few times at the bar.

FadedTouch,

I think you've gotten some good descriptions so far. I'll also add....

I consider myself a "foodie" because I enjoy really well prepared food and love to learn about ingredients and preparation styles. Though I don't try to replicate very complex dishes at home, I do try to incorporate unusual ingredients and combinations when I cook. A foodie generally doesn't have too many "I don't eat that" prejudices and usually will try anything once.

I travel around the world and do alot of restaurant research before I get to my destination. From Vietnam to Sydney to Barcelona, I generally know where I want to eat before getting there and I don't often like to simply wander til I find something that looks decent. (of course, I do that too, especially for lunch. I'm not obsessed) Too many bad meals that way - the exception being Italy, where you have to work hard to find bad food.

A good foodie website is chowhound.com I've gotten a few great recommendations from that site though some of those people are a little "hardcore" for me. They'll travel two hours for a bowl of pho while I wouldn't go that far. Also, while I enjoy both very casual and as well as very elegant dining, I won't go so "down and dirty" that I'm sitting on a cardboard box in a dingy basement to eat what some deem "the worlds best _______ (dumpling, pizza, etc.....fill in the blank).

Some confuse being a foodie with overeating. Not so. People that order 3 entree's on a cruiseship because they don't have to pay extra for it are piggies, not foodies. ;)

Jane110, you have to try to catch the reruns of the first two seasons...

You will go insane in the BEST way! You'll love it!

My TiVo is capturing them all and I do watch them randomly, but in no particular order. I just don't have time to watch them all.

Such a fashionista! All about the outfits!:p

I can't say I'm a fashionista, but more a visual person. (years and years of art training. I'm trained to "see"). So for example, if I go to a party and afterwards someone says to me, remember "Mary...or Tom, or Linda, etc", I'll not remember the name, but tell me "the person who had the orange shoe laces" or the "the one wearing the blue skirt and purple boots" and I'll remember exactly.

I think that they should have dumped Catherine that week, but it was not her design, and she kept telling Milan, "it's too big, too much rousching (sp?)", so they couldn't dump her on both of those points.

And it comes down to very talented designers can be "Auf'd" if in that timing they have one bad week.

Was Catherine his assistant on that project? If so, then it can't be blamed on her. He was the team leader and she followed direction. The rouching destroyed that particular dress.

Yep, but I think a MAJOR reason that she won last week, is because Michael and Laura "reigned her in", as far as she wanted to put those florests ALL over the outfit, and they talked her into just using them for buttons and on the back of the neck. I think that entire win for her last week, was based on Michael and Laura's influence....

Yes, and that's the purpose of teamwork. ALL designers work in a team. They work with assistant designers and then they also work with merchandisers and then they work with the salespeople, who get feedback from the retailers. Even the big-star independant designers who seem to "answer to no one" like Zac Posen, can't have a "my way or the highway" attitude unless they're 100% self funding, which almost no one is.

I totally agree, and I think (which is smart for her) that Angela, took in the influence from Michael and Laura from last week. She could have gone back to her "wickety-wack" (quote from Nick from Season Two, who I think you would have probably loved) from before, but she didn't. Which I think is a good sign for her, that she is open to learn and change, but at the same token, she learned and changed from working with Michael and Laura.

Exactly! Angela has now learned she cannot do "Betsy Johnson" like creations and succeed on this show. (though Betsey Johnson has lasted more than 30 years and has built a multi-million dollar empire on her whackiness). Angela has shown she has great design ideas, understands fabric,is detail oriented, is a genius at fabric manipulation and can take direction. Her INC garment is exactly what Macy's wanted and her Ode to Audrey Hepburn was right on the mark with a feeling for today's look. All this from a designer that really can't sketch. That's quite a talent.

Bradley, at 32 years old, doesn't know Cher?!?! She would never wear that outfit in a million years, and I can't even think of who would.

He lucked through putting a few "unintentional" strong outfits before, where other people were "boring"...

I agree. He should have been gone weeks ago. I wish he and Milan were exchanged. I miss Milan.

People get to see their work and personality regardless...

The good ones get jobs and get hired.

The top 4 from the first season are all working and "hired" and doing well.

The top 5 from the second season are all working and "hired" and doing well.

I actually expect from this season that the top 6 to 7 will be working and/or hired after this.

One of the reasons that I like this show so much, is that the contestants actually get the "highest rate of return" from being on the show, and it's actually leading to positive movement and benefits for their life and work.:D

I totally agree. Honestly, the winnings on this show aren't great. $100,000. to start their own company? That's a drop in the bucket. And as a designer for a line, they'll get a starting salary worth more than that.

And a car??? Who needs/wants a car in NYC? My guess is that the winner will sell the car and keep the cash!

They're all winners because everyone on 7th Ave is watching and they'll get calls for jobs.

super[/i] respect from Tim Gunn?!?!

Okay, an air kiss is better than a "get lost!" But it's still a comprmising position to be in. Yes, Tim is the glue that holds that show together. He's fantastic. Michael Kors isn't having as much imput as I had hoped.

Is it 3 north to south blocks?

Or 3 east to west blocks?

It's 3 blocks to the west, and if you know NYC, one avenue block is equal to 3 street blocks. So it's 3 avenue blocks from me, which is far if you need to go out for a quart of milk. It's right near 5th Ave in the 30's which is a terrible place for a residential building. There are no services around - no grocery stores, dry cleaners, shoe-makers, etc. The restaurants cater to a business crowd and so are closed at night. I wouldn't live there.

But it's perfect for this show because they're only 2 blocks from Parsons which is on 40th Street and 7th Ave and near all the fabric and trim/ribbon/button shops on 36/37/38th Streets between 5th and 6th Ave's.