In This Section
|
« Project Runway
Episode Recap: "The Art of Fashion"
This week on the Project Runway episode recap: Mickey O'Connor (the new guy) is in filling in, that is for the lovely Casey Marsella, who, this week at least, is out
of commission. I'll try to keep things up to the haute standards you expect around here.
The Challenge: To create a design inspired by a work of art from one of three wings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art: the Greek and Roman sculpture courtyard; the European painting wing; or the very ominous sounding Temple of Dendur, an honest-to-blog in situ Egyptian temple (and not the basement room of an S&M club that it sounds like).
The Designers:
Chris: Nobody was rooting for Second-Chance Chris to succeed more than I was before tonight, but step off the Gunn! Sassing Papa Tim is just NOT ALLOWED, even if you have been napping because you inexplicably finished early. Are you with me, people? It was understandable that guest judge Roberto Cavalli was impressed by his precipitously high-collared pewter and tan gown. But that's because he wasn't there when he and Christian made a dangerously similar neckline for the avant-garde challenge just a few weeks prior. Still, his interpretation of the portrait of an 18th-century noblewoman was competent, and resulted in a dramatic statement on the runway that eked out a place for him at Fashion Week, sort of (see: The Decision, below).
Christian: The show's resident wunderkind intriguingly chose a Goya-esque Spanish portrait of a man (puffy sleeves, knickers) to underscore his affinity for androgyny. I admired the resulting ensemble if only because Christian's robotic sewing skills always seem to allow him to produce, like, eight more pieces than his competitors, and they're all impossibly professional. I was half-expecting him to unfurl a complementary tapestry and sword cozy. It's a credit to his talent that you didn't look at all that poof and circumstance and think that he overdid it. His taste, in my opinion, is unassailable. And does anyone giggle as much as I do during his weekly vignettes where he tries on scraps of his own outfit and catwalks the hell out of it? That kid can work a runway better than any of the anonymous, increasingly irrelevant mannequins enlisted for the show. I know Heidi always says, as she is contractually required to do so, that it's also a competition for the models, but more than any other season, their eliminations have become increasingly anticlimactic. Really, who the heck are any of them anyway? Remember that crazy hottie who wore her Runway outfit out to a nightclub in Miami or something? Those were the heady, more model-centric days of PR yore.
Jillian: I like Jillian, and I like the consistency of her work, but she's really pushing the boundaries of the "genius-madness" continuum, no? I want to send her a gift certificate for a hot-stone massage at Bliss, cradle her fuzzy head, and hum Carole King songs to her. Out of all the contestants, though, I liked the subtle degree to which she interpreted her inspirational artwork the most. It was smart to start from a place that dovetailed nicely with her aesthetic black and gold detailed fitted jacket but she, unlike Rami, took that source material in an impeccably finished, modern direction that didn't necessarily mimic anything else she'd done this season. I suppose it could be argued that the hem of that short skirt was nothing more than a ruffle of gold Twizzlers, but the bold fabric choice made it separate enough in my memory that her passage to Fashion Week was unequivocably deserved. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next; I just hope in the interim that she can keep that expressive face sufficiently uncrinkled to make it through the finals with her sanity intact.
Rami: OK, so is there anyone out there who wasn't thinking: Back away slowly from the Greek and Roman sculpture courtyard, Rami? I mean, the guy's addiction to Grecian draping is such a PR punchline at this point that even the Bravo marketing staff has caught on enough to include it in their corny phone-in poll this week. I know reality TV is severely edited and all, but it always amazes me when contestants just don't seem to listen to the judges. For sure, when you're under the pressures of the competition's restrictions, it's probably easier to crank out something you know you can do well, but, to be honest, with the exception of perhaps his Hershey's-challenge outfit, nothing Rami has done this season has wowed me, including tonight's flowy lavender number. Remember two years ago when even the third lead on One Tree Hill knew enough about fashion to hire a stylist who'd put her in a Grecian draped gown for the Golden Globes or whatever? I only hope that Rami looks back at past PR contestants who suffered from similar "same ol' same ol" critiques (say, Uli, who ultimately stretched in her Fashion Week collection) and realizes that he won't get to Fashion Week by beating that same ancient, dead-language-neighing horse with a runway chock-full of fabric statuary. The judges sent him a message by notifying him last that he was sorta in (see: The Decision, below): Make something else work!
Sweet P: Oh, sweet, sweet, Sweet P! The judges were correct in their assessment that nothing could be a better inspiration for this final challenge that a painting of a peacock though Cavalli's pervy Italian pronunciation of a phrase containing the syllables "pee," "c---," and "tail" will haunt my nightmares forever. (Shudder.) Dude is the Vincent Price of the fashion world. That aside, I thought Sweet P's dress was heinous, utilizing what could only be called the Ipecac of the fabric world to shape a perfectly ordinary shift. Frankly, I thought the judges were kind to her. Nonetheless, I am sad to see her go, as I appreciate her name-appropriate presence and her ability to craft a simple silhouette, but I'm not sure that I would be stoked to see what her Fashion Week collection would yield, so it's probably all for the best. Adieu, my sweet, sweet, Sweet P! I am tattooing my knuckles in tribute as we speak.
The Decision: Jillian and Christian are in. Sweet P is (sniff) auf'd. In a dazzling display of her inner Teutonic power bitch, Heidi informed the remaining two, Rami and Chris, that they were both in. But! They will, in the next episode, be required to show three representative looks from their collection, and the judges will then choose either Rami or Chris to show at Fashion Week. The other will then, rather harshly, be auf'd. (Insiders know, of course, that Fashion Week ended just a few days ago, and that Project Runway always shows a decoy collection, so as not to spoil the results of the telecast timeline, so it's a safe bet that both Rami and Chris and possibly even Sweet P got their Bryant Park spotlight, if not for competitive purposes.)
Best Quotes:
"Look, Joan Rivers carved her initials in here when she was a little girl." Chris, inspecting the crumbling faηade of the Temple of Dendur
"That's creepy." Chris, watching Christian model a Goth-severe collar of feathers(?)
"I know!" Christian, with the mordant glee that allows us to forgive his pissant haughtiness
Also:
1. Collier Strong, the L'Oreal Paris makeup genius, would be an old-timey circus strongman if he only slapped on a handlebar mustache and a striped singlet.
2. Steve Jobs has implanted a mind-control chip in my brain, since iPhone ads are running at such a feverish pace that he obviously knows I'm an Apple whore and that my Verizon contract is on the verge of expiring.
3. The (admittedly not new) Levi's ad that aired during the show is genius. That is all.
What do you think? Did the right three (four?) make it through? Is it reasonable of the judges to ask Rami or Chris to complete a whole collection and then deny them entry to Fashion Week? Do you never want to hear the words "Grecian" and "draping" again? Do you feel as protective of Jillian as I do? Do you think I could hire Chris and Christian to come sit outside my cubicle and keep me entertained?
Check out more Runway in our Online Video Guide.
|
|
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 1:57 AM
|
I'm sorry Casey's not here but Mickey, you're fantastic! hope you'll be blogging more for us in the future.
so sorry to see lovely Sweet Pea go, but that dress was blah. not an inspired look.
I really really want to see Chris get that 3rd spot at Bryant Park!
yes, Gillian needs Calgon to take her away. she's so tense she makes my teeth hurt but I love her.
my fave moment was when Christian called Tim Gunn "lady"!
next week's reunion ep looks good. Heidi's comment in the preview about Victorya had me rolling on the floor.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 3:54 AM
|
Wow, I wrote a whole big post and it just disappeared when I submitted it.
It's late tonight......I'll just say I enjoyed your blogging, New Guy Mickey. Lots of info, lots of description and opinion and it made me laugh. Welcome here anytime!
I liked the outcome tonight. Sorry to see Sweet Pea go, but it was necessary.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone...and Happy Birthday to my blog buddy, Wheezy!!
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 3:55 AM
|
I'm also sad to see Sweet P go. But her dress was hideous.
I knew "one note" Rami was going to do something in draping. Even though I didn't like his dress, I liked the color. Yeah he is good at it, but give us something new. When they told him to give them something new....it went in one ear and out the other. Last weeks challenge he started to drape the top of his design. He has an issue with his designs being off the right shoulder. If he does make it to Bryan Park and he has anything in his collection that's draped, I'm going to hurl.
I didn't like Christians design at all. But I absolutely loved Jillian's...especially the jacket. If I could fit and afford I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Remember that crazy hottie who wore her Runway outfit out to a nightclub in Miami or something Mickey I remember that episode. That happened in s1, and I think she wore Jays or Kevin's outfit out. And she was completly psycho.
Chris's comment about "Look, Joan Rivers carved her initials in here when she was a little girl." was a riot. You just know know that he is going to win Viewers favorite. It will be either him, Sweet P or Jack.
By the way we should of done a count on how many times Christian said "fierce". But they might give the count on the reunion show.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 4:59 AM
|
I LOVED the Joan Rivers comment. But I love most of what comes out of Chris' mouth - especially that laugh!
I was so hoping my top 3 (Chris, Christian and Jillian) would make it to BP, but then they had to throw in the "deadlock" and let one note Rami try to weasel his way in!
Yes, Mickey - Roberto Cavalli is kinda creepy, but come on - he's an icon and if he says you should be showing in Paris - then darn it - you should be! Who cares what the judges think, right?
Christian - wayyyyy over the top as usual, but so darn fun to watch. I loved his "extra fierce" hair for the runway. He will probably win at Bryant Park and be the fan favorite (although I really would like to see it go to Jack),
Can't wait for the reunion show - the clip shows the judges ripping on Victorya.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 5:43 AM
|
I really want Chris in at Bryant Park...I'm a costume designer, too, and it's nice to have someone self-taught like me on the show, and would be even better to have him win it all! If he doesn't win fan favorite I'll be amazed, too.
I love Rami, and if I were a gay man I'd have him...rofl...but enough with the draping already! Yes, you do absolutely gorgeous work, but show me something different.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 7:42 AM
|
Hey, New Guy Mickey, you are fantastic! Looking forward to reading more of your work! This one is a classic!
Let's give it up for Chris, who came back from an early elimination and made it all the way to Bryant Park! (Man, I'm using a lot of exclamation points!) Although his taste level has been rightly questioned on occasion, he is a doll and I'll be shocked if he doesn't win Fan Favorite ("by a landslide," as Heidi teased in the preview). Having said that, I'll also be shocked if Chris makes it to the Final Three over Rami. I loved Chris's dress last night way more than Rami's - in fact, Chris's was my favorite. You knew both Chris and Rami would be accused of repetition. Unfortunately neither one of them seems very capable of taking constructive criticism, and that's what kept them both out of the Final Three for now. Chris's sin of napping during worktime was probably the more egregious. On Bravo's website Rami blogs that he felt he was in a Catch-22 - he would get criticized if he used a Greek-Roman influence or if he did not, so he decided to go with what he loved. Chris owes a huge debt to Roberto Cavalli who liked his dress the best and would not allow him to be Auf'd. How could you disregard Roberto Cavalli's opinion? Loved the subtitles. When it gets down to it, Rami's taste level has never been questioned all season, and I think that will be the deciding factor.
Christian is just the little Energizer Bunny of dressmaking. His look was insane, not to everyone's taste certainly, but impeccably constructed, and man how does he do it?
Jillian too created a look that deserved to put her in the final. This week we were not treated to any whining about time constraints, thank God. I am anxious to hear how her collection progressed.
Sweet Pea, love you, but it was your time to go. Getting to show at Bryant Park anyway was the nicest of consolation prizes. Hopefully the exposure will attract some investors so you can stay in business.
I sure wish one of the designers had been inspired by the Temple of Dendur. It would've been awesome to see what they came up with.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 8:00 AM
|
|
I knew Christian and Jillian would be a shoo-in, and apparently the judges were feeling the exact same way about the Rami/Chris situation as me. I guess I am conflicted about the last minute contest part, yes they have to spend three or so odd months working on a collection, but a) they get like five thousand dollars to work on it, b) wouldn't conceivably they have been at least sketching what would have been their show, and c)well I don't have a c, but I started with the a and b and couldn't stop
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 9:32 AM
|
I echo everyone's sentiments about Mickey's blog. GREAT JOB!!!
Is it Jillian or Gillian???
I am also conflicted about Rami and Chris. I agree that Jillian and Christian deserve their place (and that win is Christian's to lose, unless an age/maturity issue gets in his way). I loved Rami, but he never got the message about his draping addiction. Last nights' drape dress was not even his best of the season. He would have won the challenge if he showed the judges something different, that was done well. I think the judges recognize the fact that he is a meticulous seamstress and if he ever showed he listened to their criticism, they would have rewarded him.
I have been impressed with Chris's ability on some of the later challenges. I couldn't sleep last night thinking of ways he could have made the same dress, but easily changed it up to distinguish it from the "avant-garde" dress. Ultimately, I think his earlier lapses in taste will hurt him and Rami will be in the finals.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 9:58 AM
|
I have to agree with everyone about this blog. Mickey you are rockstar!!! Excellent recap! Now with that said back to the show....
I am so happy Chris made it in (for now) but I was completely shocked by the nap and the talking back to Tim Gunn. What a no-no. Every time a contestant goes against Tim's advice they end up going home. Have they not learned?
Christian is amazing. Isn't he only like 21 or something? What the heck will he be like in 10 years?
I really liked Sweet Pea but it was time to go. I haven't got to post in a while but I've been wanting to ask one thing. For someone who was once in a biker gang she comes across as somewhat sheltered. Every challange that was out of the ordinary just threw her for a loop. Plus, I really hated her dress last night.
Rami- once again- listen to Tim. Tim can always predicts what Nina is going to say and he is right on.
Jillian bores me but she does make creative clothes that fit the tasks at hand. She totally deserves her spot.
This season has been nice because the designers have really seemed to like each other. The backstabbing and cattiness hasn't really been as present as it has been in past seasons. I really enjoyed almost all of them and look forward to the reunion.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 9:59 AM
|
So aparently all 5 final collections are available for viewing on www.bravotv.com....I mean D'oh!
And yes Sweet P's was awful.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 11:03 AM
|
Hysterical post Mickey. You had me at "sassing Papa Tim is not allowed."
Christian annoys me, but I can't deny his talent. Like Heidi said, Jillian is quiet, but every one of her designs is "POW". I too was at a deadlock when trying to decide between Rami & Chris so I am glad they are both getting a chance. I knew Sweet P was out not only for her lackluster design, but because I saw her sitting in the back row at previews for next week's reunion show. Hope she gets the fan favorite. Thanks again Mickey, still chuckling.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 11:07 AM
|
I was pretty mad at the result last night! I was so glad that the guest judge was of such high caliber that the others listened to him with the utmost respect. Otherwise, I fear Chris might have been "out" due to the judges overt favoritism of Rami. To me, it seemed like the judges were a bit shocked by how favorable a review Chris's artistic eye received!
RAMI: Rami was too safe, especially in THIS - the final - challenge! Chris did a slight "repeat" of his other outfit, but if the judges really hate repetition then Rami should definitely be out! He's repeated MUCH more than Chris! Plus, Rami's simple draping was inappropriately "easy" for this challenge.
CHRIS: Chris repeated something that was dramatic and appropriate for this challenge. I am so insulted for Chris! There is no comparison to the quality and variety of work Chris has done, in comparison to the simple Rami stuff. I think the judges voted Chris off in error once, and can't reconcile the fact that they were mistaken to do so. The judges seem extra hard on Chris. The judges are insulting Chris by pretending the choice between Chris and Rami is a "tough decision." Eliminating Rami is the obvious thing to do. I feel bad for Chris that he has to endure this lack of respect for his talent.
CHRISTIAN: Christian was brilliant, as usual! For me, the hard choice has been between Christian and Chris. Both have great energy and personality. Christian can sew, hold his own and be creative...all at the same time. He's the whole package. I think he's gonna win. If he does, he sure deserves it.
JILLIAN: Nice outfit. She's consistently done good work. But, if if the judges are gonna hold repeat-Rami accountable, then they must question "how many jackets can Jillian make" before she's accused of repeating too!
SWEET PEA: What a nice lady! She was awestruck by the whole experience and really seemed humbled by the fact that she made it as far as she did.
I hope Chris wins fan favorite! I love his laugh and sense of humor.
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 12:17 PM
|
I must have missed something. How did Chris "sass" Tim Gunn?
I'm amazed at how much Christian can produce, so well and so quickly. They don't seem to show him actually working on his garments much. He's usually finished while the others are getting started. Sheesh!
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 12:58 PM
|
Chris- I missed the first 30 minutes of the episode so when I finally tuned in and saw his design on the runway, I thought it was a repeat episode. I thought maybe I had missed the new episode. But no, I was deceived as his gown was sooooo similar to one he had already done (where's the creativity in that?). Anyway, I like Chris and am glad he's getting a shot at Bryant Park.
Christian- Nailed this challenge. It was runway without being over the top, and captured his inspiration perfectly. I think he may be the most talented designer left on the show.
Jillian- Does she ever really smile? Anyway, loved her outfit, especially the jacket. All of her fretting over the skirt was unwarranted as it looked fabulous. She is quiet and understated, but she's able to produce some fabulous garments. She definitely deserves her shot at Bryant Park.
Rami- I actually liked his dress and the color, however, it wasn't runway spectacular, but I'd definitely rock it. The color was beautiful and I liked the revealing back of the dress. He is a master at draping, but he needs to broaden his horizons a bit. Not sure I agree that he deserved a shot at Bryant Park.
Sweet P- As much as I like her, she deserved to be 'out'. I was really disappointed that that was the best she could do. It was a very uninspired dress. However, as most know by now, she did get to preview a collection at Bryant Park, and I'm happy for her.
I think the final competition will come down to Jillian and Christian. Can't wait for the finale.
Just started watching this show this season and I have become addicted...love this show (I'm such a slave for fashion)
|
|
Feb 14, 2008 2:12 PM
|
|
|
