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PR4 Episodes 12 & 13, Reunion
and Runway Off
After watching the reunion show I have to say that
I had little reaction to it so an entire blog on it seemed forced when I read it back to myself. Let’s just say that
the reunion show didn’t really offer any new insights as to what went on behind the scenes at Runway this season because
I’m quite sure the editors had a difficult enough time as it was trying to find interesting footage to keep us interested
each week let alone for a “bloopers” reel.
I will say that
Victorya’s sort of quiet simmer on the back burner seemed odd and even stranger was that it was never really delved
into or explained. Carmen’s sad attempt to get more attention on herself about the fact no one tried to jump out a window
when she was eliminated made me even happier she was eliminated early on. And of course, Ricky defended his crying jags but
who the hell knew that he really went on and on much more than we saw? And don’t you feel the saddest for the production
people who tried to get interviews with him and each week had to wait for Niagara Falls to stop before getting something on
film?
Onto the final four to three episode…Christian
was visited first by Tim and no real surprises to be had there. A strong collection that was well and quickly made but what
the hell was going on with the feather pants and ruffle shirt that covers you up to your nose? The good news – no tissues
needed – the perfect blouse for cold and flu season.
Jillian
provided even less surprises as she continued on with her variations on a theme – coats. Although it’s all constructed
very well, she tends to well, let’s just say…bore me.
Rami got
the best coverage when it comes to his beginnings. Once again we get the image of a boy of six in Lebanon with his hidden
sketches in his room. You can’t help but have an Extreme Home Makeover Edition emotional reaction to his story, his
mother dying at a young age, the desire for fashion, etc. Let’s face it, he has talent but even more important, he had
a great story so before they told him he was in, I knew he was in.
Chris
goes once again out on a limb that is as large as him. I think we once again got a glimpse of the fashionistas looking down
their nose at the world of costumers. What they don’t realize was that the designers who created fashions for women
in movies of the 1930’s and 1940’s were the original American designers. Think of Adrian or Edith Head. I get
that the human hair thing may have been too far out but come on, Chris’ collection was interesting and brought something
different as opposed to Jillian’s coats of armor, Rami’s Joan of Arc inspired armor and Christian’s goth
birdcage of clothes. And for those of us who have been around or watched old movies we know all about the monkey fur they
used to use to trim clothing. All in all, I felt that Chris should have been in for something different but alas, ‘twas
not to be.
Next week is the finale and praise Donna Karan this season is almost
over. I would hope that if the show has any more seasons that they’ll go back and revisit the first couple of seasons
to better understand how to cast the show and to realize that they don’t have to have such ridiculous challenges to
make us interested in the show. Some of us watch because we couldn’t hem a dishtowel so watching them tear up an apartment
and use a rug to make a fur trimmed coat is great television!
Sometimes, just sometimes, the Gods of fashion listen
to a mere mortal (a Jewish gay one in this case). Was I not just talking about the “inspiration” challenge from
a season gone by last week in my blog? Okay enough but damn I’m good.
The designers
go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where they choose inspiration from three different installations. No surprise for anyone
that Rami goes for the Greek draping again. Christian is off on a gender bender, Sweet P goes for a peacock, Jillian’s
making another coat and Chris is making something that looks way similar to the dress he made with Christian. As quick as
that was to read, it only took about that long to determine who was in trouble this week.
While Rami gets a rolled eye from most of the other designers at his draped, Grecian creation he gets
my quote of the week with his, “I’m not here to make noise, I’m here to work.” Really? I’m just
the opposite – here to make noise and do as little work as possible. However, if we’re looking for slackers this
go round it would have to be Chris who finished early and went to take a nap. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen
that in a previous challenge and Tim was more than surprised to have to play alarm clock to Chris in order to do his usual
walk through. Christian is boastful as ever but I have to say that it may be warranted this time considering all the pieces
(and their quality) that he’s creating. Sweet P is in trouble with her peacock look. I don’t know but it felt
a little patchworky to me so late in the season. And while Jillian’s coat is cool, that underneath piece looked so flimsy
and poorly made that I didn’t understand the oohs and ahhhs from the judges on this one.
Roberto Cavalli was the best guest judge of the season. He adored Christian’s outfit, saw the
art in Chris’ and also was as bored by Rami as the judges have been. I know that Chris did something similar to what
he had done before but I agree with Mr. Cavalli that Chris’ was the most like art.
No surprises here with the Christian win and Jillian in right away. Next up the squashing of Sweet P.
So with Rami and Chris left on the runway, who would go to Bryant Park? Both of course…well, kind of. They’ll
both have an opportunity to create collections then they’ll show their top three outfits to the judges who will ultimately
decide which one of the two of them will get to show their collection in the tents. “Show” I believe is the operative
word here as we all know Chris gives better show but we’ll see perhaps they’ll both get to show, it’s happened
before.
Next week you can tune in to see the once a season sit down to see all the drama that was going on behind
the scenes. Was there any? Do we care about any of the people eliminated early on? Hmmmm…kind of not.
“We can’t let Fashion Week be all boys” says
Jillian at the start of the episode and if there was ever an episode about Girl Power, this one would be it.
After an auf’ing of a model we didn’t really know or care about,
the designers are told by Heidi (in a fabulous sparkly gown) that Tim will be giving them their next challenge on a field
trip the next day. The designers wonder what it could be and the next day Tim takes them to the studio where they shoot the
runway scenes and there are odd rumblings coming from behind the doors. As the door opens, the designers (and we) see a wrestling
ring set up with female wrestlers going at it. (A scene sure to titillate some men but is lost on this crowd) The challenge
is to create an outfit for one of the WWE Divas to wear in the ring.
Immediately
you see the cringing behind the plastered smiles of the designers. And here’s where I’m going to give it to them.
I know that I often write about previous seasons being better and I oft times blame the designers but this go round it seems
as if the production team on the show has been trying to create wacky challenges to (I’m sure in their mind) keep the
show interesting when really all a lot of us crave is to watch some designers at work. A wacky challenge is good every once
in awhile but this season it would seem as if that’s all there has been. I think of the challenge a couple of seasons
ago when they gave them all cameras and had them walk around the city taking photos for inspiration and then creating a look
that represented it. I’m thinking about the Banana Republic day to evening challenge with them also creating a window
at the store’s location in the city. The same can not be said of this season’s challenges and on this one even
Nina Garcia and Michael Kors seemed stumped and a bit uncomfortable to be sitting there with the glittery faces of the designers
from Heatherette – you can tell this bunch doesn’t run in Nina nor Michael’s circles.
Back to our story, so the designers go to Spandex House (who knew such a thing existed) and they begin
their creations. And while Rami states, “I don’t think this is the most fashionable challenge” the designers
seem to start to have a little fun with it, with the exception of Sweet P who seems more than a bit lost. Christian gets my
quote of the week with his, “Tackiest fabric in the room is Sweet P’s…it looks like a tranny Ice Queen!”
Christian begins to love the challenge on day two (but never so
much as he adores himself). I have to say that he gets on my nerves for the most part and his rude, mean comments when finally
giving Ricky a few snaps for his outfit makes me give Christian two snaps down for just being a bitchy queen of a boy. Chris
is in heaven although that laugh of his is from hell. Rami is in a usual draping fantasy of his own design. Jillian is droning
in her usual tones but creating something adorable and Sweet P struggles with that classic battle (not of good and evil) but
rhinestones and feathers!
Runway day and while Jillian with her Sporty Spice
outfit is called first, it’s Chris’ leopard, caged animal outfit that wins the day. (He’s not surprised
and neither is anyone else) Christian’s Prince inspired outfit takes the third place finish. And on the bottom we have
Rami (who just got lucky that the other two were so bad) with Sweet P’s less than great outfit and Ricky finally getting
out of the bottom two by being auf’d for his orange bathing suit. On Ricky leaving I have to say that it has been a
long time coming and I’m sure the producers loved that he won last week and was out this week (making Heidi’s
signature line of “one day you’re in the next you’re out” true of the show too) but you couldn’t
help but feel sorry for Ricky a bit as he was never respected by the other designers and was always kept at arms length. A
true dichotomy there to explore – so often gays are left out by society, laws, etc. so you’d think they’d
do a better job of being nicer to their own instead of ostracizing them (so to speak) but the boys were more than a bit vicious
at times with Ricky. I get not liking his outfits (I certainly didn’t like any of them) but being mean? Is that really
needed? At any rate, they’ve put Ricky out of our misery and it’s a good thing.
Kit’s departure has left Victorya with Kit
on the brain as the episode begins with “V” calling Sweet P “Kit” more than once. No surprise that
Ricky is feeling down and on the verge of tears (again) but it’s off to the runway to meet Heidi.
Another model gets auf’d but does anyone really care? They really haven’t let us see too
much of the models this season so this could happen off camera and I don’t know that anyone would mind except the auf’d
model and her mother.
Field trip with Tim to a pier where the designers
receive their challenge – Create an iconic denim look using Levi’s 501s and cotton. As the designers run to choose
their denim who can’t love watching Chris take off like a shot and then falling to the back of the pack? (God love him
for trying so hard). As the designers race to get their denim, most play nice with the exception of Victorya who when asked
by Chris about some jeans laying on the floor tells him, “those are mine” and then in a voiceover she explains
that she’s a “pretty competitive person” – yeah, we get it.
Back to the workroom and while Ricky decides to go back to his lingerie roots in his design (maybe he’ll finally
do something good), Christian and Chris fight over advice for Sweet P on how to get the dirt from her denim. During the boys’
exchange, Chris gets my quote of the week talking about Christian, “It’s so cute to see youth” <eye roll>!
While the non-stop talking of Christian gets a line in that comes as a close second to my quote of the week with his, “Oh
my God. I’m gonna die of barfness!” Sweet P is making an earth mother denim wedding gown. Rami’s off on
a usual Rami toot, explaining that he isn’t an American designer per se and we get some background on baby Rami. Both
Jillian and Victorya are making coats…hmmm…didn’t you ladies just do that…um…just last week?
Come on girls, surely there must be at least one other idea in your head? Okay, maybe not. And is it just me or do I not see
anyone using the white fabric?
I don’t know about these designers. They didn’t
know what “avant-garde” meant and now I don’t think that they get what iconic denim and cotton is either.
When I think of Levi’s 501s and white cotton I go right to James Dean. Is there no one going to update the whole jeans
and t-shirt look? Obviously they all think it’s enough just to be working with denim to make an iconic look…they’re
wrong.
Tim’s sage advice is as always dead on with the judges. He
convinces Sweet P to abandon her “Happy Homemaker” looking wedding dress, can’t convince Chris to take a
second look at his side pocket with fraying (which the judges admonish him for later) and cautions Victorya and Jillian. Meanwhile,
he goes crazy for Rami’s “fabulous” zipper seaming idea. Is it just me? Did no one watch the season three
finale when Jeffrey did this with what I thought was a God awful green cabana stripe dress? (Apparently the “cheese
stands alone” on this one as the judges go on and on about how inventive it is too – and three of them saw the
cabana thing last season!)
Runway time and the looks are mostly good. While
I thought that Christian’s jacket had the worst sleeves imaginable with that weird puffiness at the shoulder, the pants
were cool and Nina loved the whole thing. Chris’ dress got knocked for the pocket as well as a “dated” look.
The judges loved Rami and Ricky as well as Sweet P and no surprise that Jillian’s re-do of last week’s coat didn’t
get rave reviews nor did Victorya’s jacket with some fabric attached trench. Ricky wins (and cries again) and Victorya’s
out. There’s a real part of me that wanted Jillian to go too as her annoying monotone voice and her break down in the
sewing room this week annoyed and bored me all at the same time.
Is it
wrong of me to long for the drama of seasons past? The Wendy hatred, the Santino face offs with Nina or even some good old
fashion Laura glamour? These kids need to kick it up a notch or Project Runway is going to lose what little cache it has at
this point to carry on to season 5. So to Heidi, Tim and the rest of the gang, I say, “Make it work…better!”
This episode starts with Ricky talking about being a bottom boy (not that kind
of bottom boy but if one were to conjecture…okay, enough of this…moving on) he’s continually in the bottom
and for good reason. As the designers arrive at the runway they get a hair-raising surprise when Heidi introduces the models
who are sporting specialty hairdos. The challenge is to create an avant-garde look to match the models hair. Two models are
eliminated as the designers go for the best hair first.
Back in
the workroom, Tim announces they will be working in teams and need to choose a leader. With the two gayest gays getting linked
you know we’re in for a wild ride. Ricky and Kit are partnered, Victorya and Jillian get the most boring teaming award
while Rami and Sweet P seem at odds from the get go.
Rami seems to
be the type that simply does not play well with others. This is okay in a designer I suppose but not one on Project Runway
where there are always team challenges. As he asserts himself, it’s obviously his way or no way and that’s the
problem with his dresses on the whole. Everything is the same, his way - diaphanous Grecian draping looks which get old fast
and don’t meet every challenge’s needs.
Victorya
and Jillian are self-deemed, “Team Last Minute” as they both have time management issues. As they fight over leadership
of the team (Victorya wins a toss) they’re both very opinionated and dare I say it, boring? They don’t make good
television but they make good clothes!
Kit and Ricky seem to have the wrong idea from the
beginning to me. Anytime you start talking about hair looking like a “nest” and the dress echoing it, I think
you’re going to be in trouble. And so (although they didn’t know it, they got into trouble fast with their patchwork
Scarlett Oh No She Didn’t look).
Leave it to the fun loving gays. C+C Design Factory
(yes, meant to be an homage to C+C Music Factory – who created every big dance hit in the 80’s and 90’s
– “Gonna Make You Sweat”) ask, “Ya’ll ready for this?” You take two gays who are happy
and the energy could fill every gas tank in America. Chris gets my quote of the week with his, “What I hope happens
tomorrow at the runway show is that our model Marcia comes out and people’s jaws drop to the floor and they never forget
it as long as they live.” No doubt Christian and Chris seem delighted, delightful and the team to beat.
Tim brings the news that the teams will also need to make a Ready To Wear look
that goes with their avant-garde look and while most teams grimace about this (and Rami makes Sweet P cry), from Tim’s
walk through you absolutely see who gets the term “avant-garde” and who needs a fashion dictionary as a gift for
their next birthday.
Runway day proves the above is true. With C+C coming
out (again) as the leaders with their 45 yard idea of “heaven” (according to Mr. Kors), winning the challenge
and Victorya and Jillian coming in a close second with their avant-garde resistance fighter outfit of trench, jodhpurs and
simple black dress. The other designs seem so far off from the avant-garde challenge idea that they’re in New Jersey
or somewhere other than where they need to be from an avant-garde fashion idea. And although I worried about Rami getting
auf’d, it was eventually Gone With The Kit as she was auf’d for her poor girl’s hooped misadventure in Holly
Hobbie land. That said, I really felt it should have been Ricky that was auf’d. I’m tired of this bottom feeder
always being saved without one good look to show for it. How he always squeaks by is beyond me but there’s always next
week. I’ll be watching, will you?
This week brings another glimpse into design world’s
disdain for the people that it would seem they’ll end up designing for…actual women! I don’t understand
it. I get that they’re used to working with size zero models but honestly, don’t they at some point realize that
they’re going to have to work in the reality that is the world and that most women aren’t a size zero?
As Heidi introduces the models for this challenge and we see the first silhouette
behind the scrim, we can see that it’s definitely not the regular models and Kevin delivers the line, “I thought
they were midgets or Oompah Loomps.” As the models come onto the runway the designers shriek like little girls seeing
mice or something and cringe even more when they learn they’ll be designing a prom dress! While I get designing for
teenage girls may be challenging, again I have to say that I just don’t get the whole disgust at working for clients
and not just for themselves. Seems to me if you’re the only one getting anything out of it designers, it’s just
artistic masturbation.
We get to the workroom and to any true Runway fan
you can’t help but notice the music sounding very reminiscent of a previous Runway finalist’s music from the final
challenge. Do you know who it is? As the designers meet with their clients most of the designers seem to be warming up to
them a bit and embracing the challenge. Kevin thinks he gets it as he’s from Jersey and we see his prom picture (along
with some of the other designers’ photos – now that’s fun). Christian immediately butts heads with his girl
who makes the statement that she has been designing for two years. Christian also delivers the news that he was voted “Best
Dressed” at his prom. When asked if it was just him that decided this, he claims that it was his peers that voted on
it and we see a picture of him from prom (hair changed only slightly and I’m not sure I believe he was voted best dressed
by his classmates and isn’t just a legend in his own mind).
Day two
and Christian knows he’s in trouble without the help of his model and her mother telling him (which they do) who arrive
for fittings. He gets my quote of the week for being voted by me “Most Out Of Touch Designer” when he tells his
client and her mother, “I’m not a dressmaker, I’m a designer.” Well honey, this week you’re
both so get over it and yourself. As Tim takes the workroom he seems to almost have prophetic qualities once more as he warns
Kevin about the hem, Rami about the look being too much for the mother instead of the daughter and tries to encourage Christian
to “make it work.”
Runway day and I have to say that for once in a
long while I didn’t agree with the judges this week. While they put Sweet P and Victorya in the lead, I felt that Sweet
P’s bodice did not fit well. Meanwhile, Victorya choosing to use that hemline that was shown two years ago with everything
turning under that to me makes everyone look as if they’re wearing a bad pumpkin costume for Halloween or have the worst
static cling in their life, I don’t mind telling you that I know this is “fashionable” but I never got this
look on models or anyone else. Apparently the cheese stands alone on this one because Victorya gets the win. Only two in the
top and Rami, Christian, Ricky and Kevin in the bottom lets you know a boy is going home. I would have sent Ricky (who has
yet to deliver anything all that great and cried again this episode) or Christian (hideous disaster dress – old joke,
“My girl backed into an airplane propeller. Disaster) but it’s Kevin that gets auf’d (maybe cause Heidi
liked Christian’s dress and what was she thinking?). Well that’s it for this week and as they say, “I’m
off like a prom dress!” (Or is that only me that says this?)
All I could think of as this
episode unfolded was the old Jackie Gleason line, “How sweet it is!’ Sweet that Runway is back on after a two
week hiatus and back being some fun to watch!
After aufing two models early on, it’s an early morning field trip with Tim Gunn to Times Square
that will provide the next challenge’s details. Would it be designing for a musical? No, the challenge was to design
a look using items from the Hershey’s store. Christian (always jaded beyond his years) was the one immediately over
it with his, “I was like, great, we get to make shit out of candy!” But his negativity didn’t seem to affect
any of the other designers or me watching. With no budget and five minutes to pick out whatever they could get their hands
on, who wouldn’t love that opportunity, I ask you? While Chris grabs pillows, Jillian goes for the real deal grabbing
as many Twizzlers as she can get her hands on.
Back at the workroom, Rami worries about Jillian’s choice to use edible materials while Chris
(a drag queen costume designer from way back) knows what she’s going through as he’s used food before (you just
know that would have been a juicy story if he’d gone into the details). Critical Christian seems to have criticism for
everyone but himself to the point where you have to wonder if he really has that much confidence or if the product he uses
to create that ridiculous hairstyle has begun to seep into his brain a bit too much. Early on in this challenge it’s
easy to see the good, bad and ugly or is that inedible?
Runway day and Jillian is scared that her red flapper outfit may leave more Twizzlers on the runway than
it should. As the designers leave for the runway, she gets my quote of the week with her last minute advice to her model as
they’re leaving the workroom, “Just work it. That’s all I can tell you at this point.” So true Jillian,
of this challenge and life!
The runway pans out exactly like a good pan of brownies (some gooey good and others burnt around the edges). While
Ricky’s was adorable, it was a bit to literal. Chris was subtle for him and it paid off. Kit was perfectly her and it
would be easy to see hers and Rami’s in a collection. (I liked Rami from challenge one and this week only helps continue
my love of Rami – and his work of course) Kevin’s is classy and Christian’s is fun but too Michael from
last season with the coffee filters for me (and apparently for the Bravo people as one of the scrolls at the bottom was a
question asking who designed the coffee filter dress last season). Jillian’s dress makes it down the runway not only
in tact but makes a WOW statement good enough to eat! And although Victorya had a vision of not Sugar Plums by an Ice Princess
walking oddly in her head it just didn’t translate. Elisa’s was sad and Sweet P’s was dull so it was no
surprise they were in the bottom two.
The judges were right on track with my thoughts and Nina came out with a classic “sad”
about Elisa’s dress but also a page two quote to Jillian after Jillian explained how hard it was to get her dress made,
“Hard work shows.” Indeed it does, Ms. Garcia. There was no denying that Rami was the winner this week and although
it was definitely time for Elisa to go, who couldn’t feel something for her as she talked about her time on the show
and her sew mates being the real judges who changed her life? She was sweet, the challenge was sweet and all we can hope is
that someone sprinkles some powdered sugar on Christian’s panty shield so that he gets a bit sweeter!
Finally we get a little drama in Season 4! The episode started benign enough with Sweet P missing Chris and
Jack talking about a pimple in his nose but soon so much would change.
On the runway the designers discover their models for the next challenge
will be everyday women who have lost a significant amount of weight. As Heidi introduces them in their favorite clothes pre-weight
loss she delivers the challenge. The challenge is for the designers to take these clothes and create a new look for everyday
women using their old clothes. You can see the designers all praying they don’t get the woman in the wedding dress.
Steven comes up the designer with the short straw (or button) on this one and gets the wedding dress.
Kevin is delighted about designing
for “real women” but most of the designers seem to be afraid of the not size 0 models they have been dealt. Let
me take a moment to get on my soapbox here, this is the exact problem with designers and stores that stock clothes for everyday
women, they don’t get how to design for the curves or size of a real woman. Look at Lane Bryant or one of those stores
and you’ll get what I mean immediately. Everything looks like it’s made for a woman in her late seventies or it’s
trying to look like what the young girls are wearing but they just made the pattern huge and didn’t think about it really
having to actually fit anyone, it’s just large.
Back to the workroom where a note left from Chris chokes everyone up. Victorya makes the startling
statement (yes, I’m being sarcastic and my eyes are rolled to the back of my head), “These are kind of normal
women.” The designers are all talking the right talk about making these women feel great but we’ll see what ends
up on the runway.
Steven’s struggling with the wedding dress continues but it’s Jack’s struggle with a swollen face from
what is now most likely a staph infection that has him and everyone coming to the realization that he needs medical attention.
And with a classic “Gather round” Tim allows Jack to deliver the news that he’s leaving the show. While
Sweet P is visibly moved it seems to me Christian’s insincerity is showing. Soon after Jack’s departure comes
another “Gather round” and voila, Chris is back on the show and gets to work all night due to his late reentrance
into the game. In talking to him about his plan of attack, Tim delivers my quote of the week with, “Cause I’ve
made more bad decisions at 3 o’clock in the morning than I can list.” When the designers start giggling over the
comment, Steven asks Tim for names and then the gay repartee ensues and you get why gays make such fabulous television!
Elimination day seems less than frantic
for some but Steven is desperately trying to finish with the aid of almost every other designer and some glue. Ricky cries
at making his model feel good about herself. (Has there been an episode yet where he hasn’t cried?) While Christian
critiques everyone else’s outfits with most being “God awful” according to him.
Let me say that some of these
designs I didn’t understand at all, I also didn’t understand how Jillian got a pass on using practically nothing
from the original clothes and managed to be at the top of the pack. While the win goes to Christian, no one can deny that
Kevin’s was a very close second.
While Michael Kors’ chastises Chris for his more costume looking piece akin to a Shirley MacLaine, “hooker with
a heart of gold” from Paris in the 1950’s he gets a pass too. Elisa’s layered look looks as if she’ll
be out but no one can argue when the judges auf Steven for the as Nina Garcia puts it, “wedding to funeral” look
resembling a French maid. Sorry to see Steven go, I think he was much better than what he turned out this week and was just
blinded by the white and sequins of the original wedding dress.
There seem to be a lot of designers playing it safe in the middle of the pack each week but at least
the show seemed to pick up a bit of momentum. While the show didn’t rely solely on the drama of Jack’s departure
it did seem to help to make some of these designers more everyday people, more real, like their models this week. And that’s
when reality television gets good!
Well kids, after tonight’s episode I definitely feel as though I’m okay with not having the blog
published on Bravotv.com this year because I don’t think they’d like what I have to say nor do I think they would
publish it. This is without a doubt the dullest season of Project Runway ever. I mean these designers don’t even know
how to fight interestingly. What’s more everyone on the show seems to need a B12 shot. You know it’s bad when
the only time I got excited was when I watched the coming attractions of next week and saw that the Jack breakdown is going
to be on next week. Be that as it may, to the episode…
The challenge was to create a collection of 3 looks that incorporate 3 outdated trends. And to keep the number
3 going, the designers broke up into teams of 3. Now normally this is where we get to hear the fabulous catty voiceovers from
the designers like, “Ugh there’s no chance in hell I’m going to be on his team, he couldn’t create
something if they gave him the Butterick pattern!” But no, this doesn’t happen. The designers all go to the middle
it seems and then easily choose their teammates. I particularly loved the whole, “we were standing next to each other”
as a way to pick your teammates, great strategy.
Chris’ team hits a dull note by choosing a color that may look camel on the runway but for those of
us at home, just looks like butcher paper. Steven is quick to distance himself from his teammates and his look shows it. His
imitation of Tim just leaves me longing for Santino and his fabulous impersonation, “Andre, Andre!” (And I never
really cared for Santino or his creations so what does that tell you?)
Christian is his usual cocky self for no apparent reason, naming his team, “Team Star” and while
the team’s looks are interesting, Kit’s is the only one worth mentioning. I have no idea what Jack was thinking
but I know what I’m thinking, “Hang in there Scott, he has the breakdown next week.”
Ricky’s team gets aboard The
Partridge Family bus with color blocks and some of the most puckering sewing I’ve seen in a long time. The execution
of their garments is awful, even with Ricky speaking Martha Graham to Elisa. Victorya is as Ricky calls her, “passive
aggressive” trying to lead without being the leader. So of course, Ricky and Vera Wrong disagree but it’s more
like that whole nineties thing when they told us not to fight but to have “discussions” – discuss how boring
the discussions are and let’s move on.
As
if we’re not all sleepy enough, enter Jillian who is so monotone in her delivery of everything she says that you can’t
tell if she’s on drugs or just the dullest person ever. She wines continually to Rami but there’s never any confrontation
with Kevin. Although as hard pressed as it was to find it, Kevin gets my quote of the week with his, “I have to pull
like a magic rabbit out of my ass right now to make it work.”
There’s definitely frustration in the workroom (and on my sofa as I stare at the television hoping
for a seam to rip or something to happen) but the frustration doesn’t make for interesting television or fashion.
Jillian’s team wins it but the
creations look like a collection of denim Barbie clothes. While I get that hers was the most cohesive I’m not sure about
it being the most modern. No surprise that Ricky and Chris are in the bottom (and probably are bottoms) this week. Although
I was surprised that Ricky didn’t cry and didn’t get auf’d considering I’ve yet to see him construct
anything of any quality. So Chris gets auf’d and while I had high hopes for the drag costume designer, he wasn’t
even all that “fun” in the workroom as he supposedly aspired to be.
I’m trying, honestly I am, to like this bunch and be excited
about the show but without an Austin Scarlett, Chloe, Uli, Michael or any of the other interesting characters we’ve
seen in previous seasons, I just feel like Peggy Lee, “Is that all there is?”
In fashion, one day you're in and the next day you're
out! - Heidi Klum
Well kids, I'm sorry to say that in this case I'm the one that
is out.
Out of blogging for Project Runway Season 4 as the official bravotv.com Ultimate Fan Blogger. The entertainment
industry is full of more ups and downs than the zippers of some people I know and today Bravo sent me an email regretfully informing
me that they changed their minds and decided not to use my blogs this year as originally planned on the bravotv website. These
things happen and there are no harsh feelings.
(Afterall, I still have my personally signed Tim Gunn bobble head they sent me last year where he wrote,
"Scott, Carry On! Tim")
And so I shall "Carry On" - you can still read my blogs for season
4 right here on Some Like It Scott!
Episode Three
We Do Know Jack!
This seems like a fitting title
to this episode as from the first shot with Jack and Keith in the bathroom, his voiceover telling of his seventeen years with
HIV positive status and the rest of the episode chock full o’ Jack you would think his mother was the editor this week.
The challenge
to dress ex-NFL and now Today correspondent star, Tiki Barber has them nervous. I’m not sure if it’s because as
Ricky says, “None of us really know who he is but wow, he’s gorgeous” or that none of them have really done
that much designing of men’s clothes. Whatever the reason you could feel the tension and this was the first ten minutes!
Cut to yet another
shot of Jack asking, “Tim, if we are men can we use items of clothes we have as reference that we’re wearing?”
Tim, “Of course.” But even as this came out of Tim’s mouth I have to say that I would have thrown a flag
on this play (look at me knowing a football term and catch that I didn’t remove the “L” in the word “flag”
though there was an evil part of me that was dying to do it!) As Jack takes apart the shorts that he is wearing to use as
a pattern, Victorya and Carmen use them as well. Rami and Sweet P openly discuss it not being fair but the topic amazingly
ends there.
Kit gets my quote of the episode on day two with, “We get so stressed out that it’s hard to remember that this
is like such a fantasy experience.” And as the male “fantasy” models enter it’s all about girls looking
at boys who are looking at other boys while Kevin reiterates his straightitude.
Jinny Barber comes to critique the designs
and is helpful until stopped dead in her tracks over Carmen’s Member’s Only jacket. (Carmen and the 80’s
what a not so much of a surprise!)
The designers head off to the runway with the most sewn on or pinned clothes I’ve ever seen in all four seasons. As
the designs came down the runway I had to wonder if anyone had taken into consideration who they were designing for…he’s
an ex-football player and a correspondent on Today, no ascots please or all black. Kevin’s design
got my vote as it was business casual but had a sense of more than your typical business stuff (too bad Tiki and Heidi hated
the color purple <don’t tell Oprah>, I thought it looked great), Kit created a semi-dull design that was crisp
and finished. Jack’s pants and striped shirt won the challenge and I couldn’t help but think if anyone was still
thinking about when he used his shorts for his pattern or the fact that the two pieces (while executed well) could be found
in any store anywhere USA.
On the losing team were Sweet P’s sweeping collar that was trying to distract your eye with a poorly tied tie in front
of it which didn’t work, Ricky’s fully pinned three piece dark suit and finally Carmen’s “representation
of a shirt” with blue fabric draped inside the coat and a jacket that looked as close to the Members Only jacket she
was warned about by Tiki’s wife. Carmen was auf’d and Ricky cried some more (let’s see if he can make one
episode dry eyed)
And as the show closed we discovered that Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack made a pattern from his pants. Does anyone
think that’s fair?? Remember the auf’ing of a designer for pattern books last season and yet you can take your
clothes apart and use them as a pattern. Boys, we all need to go into the locker room and read the rule book on this one.
Models first…
A friend described his feelings about the
new season this way, “I cannot tell you the state of bliss it put me in to have the new season up and running.”
Don’t we all feel the same way? I know I do!
Heidi had the designers choose models from the button bag and all (including me) were wild with anticipation about the challenge
to design an outfit for a pop culture and fashion icon. Who could it be now? Madonna? Britney? When Sarah Jessica Parker entered
(introduced by a blushing Tim Gunn) I was not surprised by the applause or the gasping with mouth covered gays but the crying?
And speaking of crying…is Ricky going to turn out to be the new Andre (from season two) with all his crying?
The challenge is to design a two-piece look for SJP’s new fall/winter Bitten collection
with only $15 to retail for under $40. The designers pitch and seven are chosen. Kevin forgets to shake her hand on his exit,
Chris gushes, Christian asks for a hug while Rami’s design that can go from a size two to someone who’s eating
for two catches SJP’s eye. “She likey!” SJP almost gets my quotes of the week with her “Fashion shouldn’t
be a luxury” and “Quality shouldn’t be a privilege.”
As the teams form for the challenge the designers had to be thanking the stars above that they were
not with fabric spit imbibing Elisa. Sweet P did a sweet job of reining her in and gets my quote of the week, “Basically,
I’m on planet earth and Elisa is on some happy planet. I’m not sure of the name.” Brilliant! Although Elisa
gets defensive on the Tim walk-through (and him telling her that her methods are “cuckoo”) she compromises and
her design impresses the judges. Victorya and Kevin’s vested interest is an interesting look with racer back vest and
bowed dress beneath which wins the runway.
Christian and Carmen are confident and cocky but their look ends up being almost as 80’s as their hair. Christian’s
almost dismissal of Nina and Michael then asking for SJP’s opinion gets an eye brow raise from me and I’m sure
many of you. Lenny and Squiggy…I’m sorry, I mean Steven and Marion seem to be in trouble from the start –
“hello” and their Pocahontas meets Thunderdome knit creation takes on a droopy life of its own on the runway causing
Steven to become the “lone wolf” when Squiggy/Marion gets auf’d.
As much as we all love the designers and Tim Gunn I have to say my favorite part of every
episode is when the judges kibbitz about the looks. Is there anything better than hearing Heidi say she doesn’t understand
an outfit, Nina saying she hates something or Michael Kors talking about “sad” looks that make him sad? “You
take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the Facts of Life” right Mr. Kors?
Episode
One – “Sew What You Get”
Well kids, Project Runway is back and so am I. Welcome back for another season of Mishigas with
Scott. I’m delighted to be back as the Ultimate Fan Blogger this season and can’t wait to dish on all that is
Runway. For those of you devotees, what did we do for so long without our PR? And for those who declared they wouldn’t
watch this season after the Jeffrey win last year, welcome back.
As the fifteen designers were introduced all I kept thinking was that someone had made a musical of the Breakfast Club.
Honestly, come on Heidi (Not Eileen), these designers are so 80’s I thought I was back in high school. I guess it’s
true about what the say, “everything old is new again” but for those of us who lived through the 1980’s
it’s comforting and scary all at the same time.
Christian and Carmen came on the scene and I immediately thought I was watching Thompson Twins lite but who couldn’t
love Christian when he said, “I’d rather buy clothes than a bed.” ? The thing you really get is that most
of these designers have been designing (no rookies like the love of Runway last year, Michael) no these cutters know how to
cut to the chase and most have all ready designed something for someone before.
From their posh digs the designers go to meet Heidi and Tim at Bryant Park where inside
three tents are all the fabrics from Mood that they’ll use to create their first runway look. As the designers run across
the grass to the tents, Chris lags behind, pulling up his skirts as he run/walks his way across the lawn while “Earth
Mother” Elisa, rolls her fabric on the grass to “infuse it with nature” in layman’s language this
means grass stains worthy of a detergent commercial.
As the designers arrive back at Parsons with their cloth you can’t help but wish Laura, Michael or Uli would come
around the corner and yet as these designers are creating their fashions there are all ready some great standouts. Elisa sews
her fashion on herself and while Carmen sports the classic ripped t-shirt of Jennifer Beals in Flashdance, it’s Jillian
who looks like an 80’s love child of Beals and another 80’s Jennifer, Grey, “She’s like the wind.”
The designers work until 1am then back to their pad
for sleep and a morning shot of Jack (the hot gay) doing his best 80’s Rob Lowe in only boxer briefs. As the designers
drape, Christian get’s my quote of the week with, “I think there’s some hand-sewn crap in here.” Tim
Gunn does his walk through and gives his usual sage advice until it’s time for the designers to have their first fashions
walk the runway.
As the judges Klum is gorgeous, Michael
Kors is his usual classy self, Nina Garcia makes the best faces and the guest judge was as pretty as any of the models. As
the looks came down the runway, the 80’s were felt again and you could definitely tell the geeks, jocks and valedictorians
in an instant. Rami’s gown was gorgeous (even with the Lilly Rubin mother of the bride flower on it) while Elisa’s
beautiful from the front but Joseph’s amazing Technicolor coat threw up on the back gown tripped the model and Nina’s
face.
In the bottom of the class, Elisa
“the whole-wheater”, Ricky “the conductor of the boring express” (complete with hat) and auf’d
designer Simone, “the duller Mariel Hemingway from Manhattan.” Honor society members were Victorya, Christian
and winner, Rami.
Runway is back kids and now we have
a reason to get to Wednesdays. As the highlights showed, it looks as if we’re in for another season of tears, fears
and queers! My Tivo is set…see you next week.
Project Runway Season 4: Even gayer than we'd thought
In Friday's Best.Gay.Week.Ever. column, Michael spilled the baubles, bangles and beads on the gay men in the upcoming season of
Bravo's hit reality competition Project Runway. It looked at the time that there were four out
