In This Section
|
« Project Runway
Fantasy Fashion!
Episode 3
I apologize for the delay. I originally created this blog for fun and then was asked to make it the official PR blog. Although, there are "rules" for blogging, this is voluntary, so please forgive me, but it will not always make it up in a timely manner. I promise to do my best, but I was very busy last week.
The guest: Tiki Barber. There were two wonderfully, diverse reactions to Mr. Barber. First we had Kevin’s eyes pop out of their sockets and his jaw hit the floor; then we had Steven say, “…I don’t really know much about football, except that it’s probably the only time on television when spandex is acceptable.” There was also my reaction: WTF?
Menswear is an extremely difficult challenge, especially for our “budding” designers who primarily work with women’s fashion. I applaud the challenge, because although females are stereotyped as the fashion guru gender; it’s stubborn to think men lack an opinion when it comes to what they wear. However, I wasn’t impressed. Tiki is a beautiful man with immense talent on and off the field, but a guest on Project Runway? I really hope the show doesn't turn into last year's American Idol with guest stars each week. I assume Mrs. Ginny Barber is a huge PR fan and Mr. Barber a Today Show correspondent for NBC. Bravo, PR’s home, is owned by NBC Universal.
Connections! Connections!
The designers: First, let me climb up on my hand-made pedestal of books and Steve Madden shoe boxes to tell you how I would have arranged this challenge. In fact, we’ll give episode two and three a "Marvelous Marsella Makeover". The Sarah Jessica Parker episode should have been a one person challenge. Each designer would have had a fair advantage to sketch, sew and show their Bitten envision. This Tiki challenge would have been episode four when 12 designers remain. Tiki and his wife would have met with each designer and picked four team captains; those captains would choose their best “sewingbacks” and let the game begin! What do you all think? I would never rule out this challenge, because I like my men clothed (for the most part) and Tiki is nice to look at. However, even the final judges’ decision proved that a three-piece Today Show outfit was too complicated and time consuming for one person.
The bottom three were obvious from the beginning. Carmen and Sweet P fell apart, and Ricky was too ambitious. There was drama between Carmen and Ricky at the sewing machines, but I didn’t really understand it. It seemed so pointless and small – however, it did get me extra points in my Fantasy Project Runway “League”! Whaaaaaat?!?! I’ll explain later, because I know you are all freaking out to join now!
The decision: Maybe Carmen's serenade to Ricky resulted in a bad case of karma; then again, her model was half naked. She's out.
I thought Jillian did a fantastic job. She made a four-piece, well sewn and executed outfit! When she was simply announced as “safe” with the rest, I did a double take. I really like Kevin, Kit and Jack, but the judges nit-picked at Kevin and Jack’s. If anything, I thought Kit would win. Her outfit wasn’t my favorite, but she was right about colors and textures on camera. The girl knows her stuff. It was very casual, but no one made any negative remarks about it. Jack, who won, did a great job, but it was only two pieces – which proved the challenge hypocritical (it was supposed to be a three-piece product). Kevin’s entire look was awesome. He defined the objective: Project Runway is about designing clothes.
So although, I disagree with the judges’ decision, its common knowledge that female runway models do not hold a high percentage of the world’s population - or body mass – so a challenge that doesn’t involve dresses and skirts is a nice change. I think Jillian should have won and Jack, although he did well, should not have been in the top three at all. Ultimately, I think it was Tiki’s choice and rightfully so.
Okay, okay, Fantasy Project Runway. I’ll admit I’ve always wanted to do the football version, even though my knowledge of sports is right up there with Steven’s football and spandex, but it always intrigued me to hear my football-fan friends and brothers talk about it. Now, we can pick our favorites, watch them play and win a Tim Gunn bobble head!!! Hahaha, so click here and sign up. It’s easy and fun!
Also, when people leave comments, if you like any of the clothes/designs and have been searching the web for similar looks, please let me know. I’d be happy to help. In fact, I’d enjoy it. That’s how sick in the head I am when it comes to clothes and shopping… and why I’m poor.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Dec 3, 2007 5:32 PM
|
I'm sure the only reason Tiki Barber was on is to cross-promote his new gig on Today. Ironic that it was one of the most challenging to the designers and certainly entertaining to watch challenges I've seen on PR.
Tiki also was the one to choose the winner, at least according to Nina's blog. The challenge was about creating a look for a client not to create the next high-fashion-runway look. Jack's look was fashionable but conservative and obviously Tiki liked it.
|
|
Dec 3, 2007 6:04 PM
|
In addition to Casey's problem with Jack's win, I have another one. It's one thing to take inspiration from one's own garment; it's a whole other thing to take it apart and trace the pattern! How is that not cheating (a la the guy who got kicked off last season for having pattern-making books under his bed)? How could it even be considered Jack's design if he didn't even use his own pattern? Because he chose nice fabric? Please. Although, I did really like his stripe combination with the shirt and pants.
That said, I do think that Jack has talent. Too bad my image of him is now sullied.
|
|
Dec 3, 2007 7:05 PM
|
I have a PR Fantasy Team, too, Casey. And after 3 episodes, I now have all of 4 points...and I think I got those only because Sweetpea says "Make it work" all the time.
I kind of resent the hype surrounding this episode, because even though menswear has never been a contestant-wide challenge, it certainly has been done before. Season II had contestants designing for each other (who can forget the plaid golf pants on Santino?), and Season III had contestants designing for themselves (yes, Jeffrey, we know you're a rock star). And if I recall correctly, Vincent fashioned black pants from the very pair he was wearing, a la Jack.
So, yeah, PR, we get it. Menswear is hard.
I'd rather see them make clothes out of groceries.
I did dig Eliza's outfit, but I guess it was too fashion-forward for the Today Show.
|
|
Dec 3, 2007 9:30 PM
|
Tiny Dancer - I have 10 points, which I'm pretty sure is because Ricky cries every week!
I agree with you completely. That's why I really didn't enjoy this episode. Menswear is tough - we get it, but want something new and challenging!
|
|
Dec 3, 2007 10:08 PM
|
Thanks Casey for blogging 
I liked this challege bcuz of Tiki..and the male models...hubba hubba
I've read on several blogs that sum ppl have a prob with jack winning...but I luuuv me sum Jack and I liked his the best. Ultimately the challenge was to create sumthin that Tiki felt comfortable in wearing, that was his style, and that wuld look good on the today show. Jack was the only one that achieved all 3 goals. And I agree with Heidi that it is best to make 2 really great pieces...then 3 not so great. I like Kit's and Kev's but Jacks was the best to me. And ultimately it was Tiki's choice.
My fav designers thus far are Jack, Kit, Victorya, and Rami.
I was sad to see Carm go bcuz I wanted to see what she could do...gone too soon but rightfully so unfortunately.
|
|
Dec 4, 2007 11:49 AM
|
This was one of the funniest episodes of PR for me. I was laughing so hard at that collar on Sweet P's shirt. OMG that was hysterical. And why did she fold it down and pin it? And the tie with it just looked so funny! I was also laughing my *ss off at Carmen's model as he was walking down ~ It was so messed up in every area I couldn't even take it all in. I have to say that I could never in a million years sew anything that even resembled clothing ~ So I 'm not trying to say that they are bad designers. But it was pretty obvious that they don't do men's clothing!
I think they go a bit too far when trying to make the challenges challenging. That was not even close to being enough time to make anything worthwhile. If I was Tiki ~ I would not have been expecting to actually wear any of the designs. And last week's where they only had $15 for the entire thing? That is ridiculous. Who would want anything from that clothing line?
Actually I have no idea how SJP is a fashion icon anyway. 90% of the time on Sex In the City I thought she was dressed really bad. (Keeping in mind that I fully admit I am not a fashion person anyway ~ I prefer plainer classic type clothes ~ I also did not watch that show very often.) But she would put two or three different prints together in the same outfits that in my opinion did not go together at all. I just don't get it. To me it seems that in the fashion industry it doesn't have to actually look good. Someone famous (or a famous designer) just has to say that it is in style and ~ poof ~ It is the next big thing. No matter if it is ugly or extremely unflattering.
|
|
Dec 4, 2007 1:00 PM
|
|
Count me among the clueless who had no idea who Tiki Barber was and didn't really care once I found out. His wife was so dull, I wondered why she was even there. I liked your version of the challenge much better, Casey. I think this should have been the doubles challenge. Shirt or no, Carmen's jacket and pants were horrendous. Outdated and definitely not fitting someone built like Tiki. Kit's was my fave and I was bummed that she lost because I loved her suit and thought she did a great job. But yeah, snore, this was so season 2. Please, more interesting challenges. Rami has moved into my top 3 though. How does the Fantasy Fashion Challenge work? I want to play!
|
|
Dec 4, 2007 1:31 PM
|
olomaya, Casey posted the PR Fashion Fantasy link in her blog above.
Question: does anyone know if the V.'s winning design for Bitten ever got manufactured?
And any ideas on tomorrow night's challenge?
|
|
Dec 4, 2007 6:00 PM
|
Victorya's design for the Bitten line is supposedly for sell at Steve and Barry stores. Ew.com had a post about it on their PopWatch blog.
I haven't had any luck getting to the PR fantasy page yet on the website Casey links to. Oh well..
|
|
Dec 5, 2007 3:23 PM
|
Hey everyone!
If the Fantasy game link doesn't work in the blog, try going to:
www.fafarazzi.com
I hope that works! (thats the site that runs the game) So far, I've picked Jillian and Kit. I need a third... what do you all think?
Apparently, it's teams again tonight. I'm not sure if there will be a star guest, but I hope it works out well.
|
|
Dec 5, 2007 4:00 PM
|
Ah, thanks for the link, Casey.
I picked Victorya, Kit and Ricky for this week. Can't wait to watch tonight!
|
|
Dec 5, 2007 5:03 PM
|
|
I'm gonna stick with my original team: Elisa, Rami, Sweetpea. Hence the reason I have all of 4 points.
|
|
Dec 5, 2007 6:03 PM
|
|
The challenge wasn't to create a 3 peice outfit. it was just to create an outfit for him it didnt have matter how many peices. Tiki and his wife though both said he liked layering so thats why everyone went for the 3 piece but it wasnt a requirement
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 2:20 PM
|
|
|
