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Episode Recap: Season Finale Part 1
Reasons why we love Tim Gunn: He’s charismatic, intelligent, charming, genuine, has impeccable taste and he’s always right. Tim’s advice and constructive criticism are crucial in this competition. He’s the designers’ personal guide through each challenge, but they’ve rarely listened to him. Ignoring Tim's advice leaves Heidi, Michael and Nina with easy targets.
Tim was entertained by the friends and families of the designers. I wish we met some of Christian’s friends. He literally lives in a shoebox! This may have surprised many viewers, but that’s New York. It’s not cheap and space is limited, but believe me - it’s worth it.
This was the first part of the Project Runway finale. Our final four designers decided to go dark, goth-glam this year. Keep in mind this is the winter Bryant Park show. I think someone like Uli (a finalist last season) would have had an immensely difficult time designing for this show. It’s not spring dresses, gowns and bathing suits. Instead, it’s strong, fierce, layered clothing. I sound cliché saying “fierce”, but that really is the perfect descriptive word. The collections are daring and bold for a powerful, confident woman.
The Designers:
Chris: Tim literally compared Chris’ collection to the “monkey house” at a zoo. Perfect analogy! A five-year-old or an adult designer could figure it out!
Human hair. What are my thoughts? It’s better than animal hair. Our society is trying to be “green” and animal friendly. I applaud Chris for taking a chance and thinking out of the box, but the only hair I want to brush grows out of my scalp. The black, chrome safety pin detail, which took eight hours per row! - was impeccable. I would have liked the hair toned down and the chrome pins spread throughout the collection. The pins are an innovative detail. I think the safety pin detail could have pulled the entire look together.
I agreed with the judges though. Chris went a bit over the top. My favorite piece was the nude halter with sequins detail. It’s been done before, but it will always be beautiful.
Rami: Tim told Rami he had gone a bit over board with the coats. I know Joan of Arc wore armor, but the women of Bryant Park shouldn’t have to feel the weight of ancient war fashion.
Of course, everyone’s favorite piece was the draped dress. Week after week Rami was scolded for his draping efforts. I said this last week and I’ll say it again: This is the time for draping! It’s Rami’s specialty. Draping is a universal style that can be worn by any woman and flatters almost every figure. Michael Kors said, “I can name 25 woman who would want that dress.” I’m one of them! That dress was simply beautiful.
I had been wondering why the model wearing the glistening, black gown looked boxy in the hips. The dress looked like a black river. It’s one of those breath-taking creations where you can’t stop staring. You’re eyes fixate on the dress until your vision blends together and you feel like diving in. It was beautiful, but the circles on the hip were unnecessary.
Nina was very taken back by the darkness of both designers. I was surprised too, because Christian is the only designer I’d expect the gothic, glamorous European style from. Jillian, who did very well with the last challenge, went back to the 17th century Spanish armor-inspired look. I don’t think we were given enough insight to comment on either collection yet, but I hope they listen to Tim’s advice.
I’m glad it’s Rami, Jillian and Christian. I adored Chris, but the judges made the right decision.
Next week, I promise to be extremely critical with all three collections. I have yet to peek, but I did visit the Bravo TV website to see the other twelve designers three-piece collections (but no Sweet P for some reason). I voted for Kevin! Go check it out and have fun!
Did you agree with the judges? Was everyone feeling the dark, goth-glam vibe? Who was your favorite? Would you wear human hair? Would PETA approve?
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Feb 28, 2008 12:40 AM
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So love Tim Gunn.
If Rami hadn't won that, I would be shouting "foul".
I found Chris' collection horrendous and that hair bordering on offensive. I don't really want to get into why it's offensive, but to me it is. Yuck, I hated it. And while that safety pin dress was interesting, how would a person sit down? I'm fairly sure it wouldn't be comfortable, and I think the dress would look ridiculous in that position. Like sitting in a hoop skirt.
The dress is only made for an upright positioned woman.
Can't wait for next week.
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Feb 28, 2008 1:11 AM
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Oh, and thanks for the speedy and well-written write-up, Casey.
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Feb 28, 2008 1:13 AM
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hey Pinkie!!
they did make the right decision but I'm still upset that Chris didn't make it. love him! and I loved his friend's rococo apartment. wow.
but human hair does = ick. I can't explain it, because Casey is right- it is better than using real animal skin. and yet it's kinda gross. it looked great on the runway but it does creep me out.
I have looked at the pics from Bryant Park but I can't wait to see the actual runway show. it makes a real difference to see the clothes in motion.
**POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT**and as much as Posh Spice bugs the crap out of me, I think she'll make a good judge.
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Feb 28, 2008 2:09 AM
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quote of the night:
"I know every designer thinks they're going to be the next great thing, but I really, really will be."
-humble Jillian
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Feb 28, 2008 2:13 AM
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Chris blogs on the Project Runway site that it is against the rules to use animal fur, so his solution was human hair. It is gross to think about, but it looked nice and shiny up there on the runway. Chris is extraordinarily gracious, and I'm glad we had one more week with him before he said good-bye.
I thought Rami's draped dress was really beautiful, maybe my favorite look of the entire season. I am so looking forward to watching the runway show next week. I have peeked at pictures from the final collections, but I agree with wheezy that watching them in motion will be a revelation.
Based on Tim's reaction only, I pick Christian for the win.
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Feb 28, 2008 7:46 AM
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Final Collections
If you go to bravotv.com - you can view the complete collections of Sweet P, Chris, Rami, Jillian and Christian.
Semi-Spoiler: Both Sweet P and Chris showed at Fashion Week so that the pesky media would not leak the actual Top 3. I believe PR does this every season so not to give away the Final 3.
I'm glad Rami is in the Final 3.
S
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Feb 28, 2008 8:12 AM
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I'm disappointed that the judges didn't pick Chris. His pieces were rather creative but I do agree about the hair. I couldn't wear anything with fake hair all over it. I thought the safety pin skirt was stunning. You couldn't even tell they were safety pins!
I didn't care for Rami's pieces at all. I don't know what it was, perhaps the material he selected. The black formal dress reminded me of the challenge where the designers has to use recycled materials. That green jacket was horrendous. It looked like she was wrapped in an old Russian building.
I am really excited to see Jillian's collection. I would love to have one of her jackets, the tailoring is impeccible.
Can't wait for the finale!
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Feb 28, 2008 8:18 AM
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I also agree that Rami was the right choice. But I don't get it on why he didn't show us this during the season. And who else was shocked that he was inspired by something that was not grecian?
As for Chris, I have a feeling that we will see him in the near future. And you know that human hair coat or whatever that was....some big name celebrity will wear that. Even though I knew in advance who was going to be the final 3, I was still pulling for Chris. Im going to miss him.
I also loved his friends apartment.
I think the reason why we didn't met some of Christian's friends, is because he doesn't have any. He is a little stand-offish. But thats the feeling that I got from it.
I wasn't feeling the dark, goth-glam vibe. My fav...I think its Jillian. But leaning towards Christian. I might wear human hair, like on a belt or something else and isn't too tacky. And of course PETA would approve.
**POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT**and as much as Posh Spice bugs the crap out of me, I think she'll make a good judge. Wheezy She also bugs the crap out of me. But a couple of weeks ago, Today's News: Your Take, talked about it...and said something like one of the designers collections made her smile. I want to see a picture of that.
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Feb 28, 2008 8:23 AM
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I'm sorry, I really wanted Chris in there over Rami-I think he is more interesting overall. Oh well. I'm pulling for Christian now. Rami-bot and Jillian-bot are too boring for me.
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Feb 28, 2008 9:05 AM
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I think that we can all take solace in the fact that both Chris and Sweet Pea at least got to SHOW at Bryant Park. They might not be in the final running, but their work WAS shown to the world of fashion! =)
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Feb 28, 2008 9:33 AM
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I am really upset that they didn't put Chris through...Rami is obviously immensely talented, but he already has his name above his studio space, for frak's sake. The black column dress Chris did with the hairpin crochet was amazing, if hard to walk in, and the safety pins were way too cool. I'd wear anything he wanted to make me.
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Feb 28, 2008 9:38 AM
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Honestly, I was extremely dissappointed that Rami made it through to compete. Having seen all of the collections before seeing this episode I think the judges made a huge massive utterly reprehensible mistake in picking Rami. Chris' designs were creative and unique, if a bit unconventional. And to top it all off they were beautiful. I didn't think any one of them were "costume". Rami is a conventional traditional designer who already has had success in the industry. While he's good I don't think he's anything special and I thought his collection was just plain ugly. The judges made the predictable boring choice and picked the more "traditional" designer. Which is really sad.
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Feb 28, 2008 9:50 AM
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I was happy to see Rami get picked - even though I thought Chris' dresses were beautiful (as long as I blocked out the fact that it was human hair). I prefer it when designers make clothes that not only make a statement on the runway, but that women might actually wear in real life. I think that's what gave Rami the advantage over Chris - other than the big coat (which I didn't love, but didn't hate), you could actually wear his dresses. I'm most excited to see Jillian's collection next week - I love, love the coats she makes! Especially the one they showed last night - so beautiful. Who knew she could be so cocky? I guess you have to be a bit cocky to make it in fashion.
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Feb 28, 2008 10:05 AM
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I definitely think Chris was robbed last night. Rami's creations were okay, but that coat looked so bulky! Chris has been an original force throughout the competition and would have brought something new to Bryant Park. I loved the use of human hair, especially from an ethical point of view. Plus, even though it seemed a little creepy at first, it was aesthetically beautiful when you saw those models walk down the runway--shiny, bouncy, and mysterious. I'd wear it. Chris, we love you!
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Feb 28, 2008 10:15 AM
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