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Lace, Sequins and Beads. Oh My!
Episode 5
“She doesn’t like prints, she doesn’t like color, she only wears black, black every day, never a dress, never a skirt…”
I felt like Ricky while watching this episode. Tears galore.
The challenge: I miss the challenges that required each contestant to make a garment out of materials other than fabric. I still dream about Michael’s shawl made out of recyclable bubble wrap last year! However, this challenge made me smile more than cry.
Each designer was given a new model. The models were women who have recently lost a significant amount of weight. They were each wearing their former favorite outfit. The outfits were all very different. There were shawls, over sized blazers and even a wedding dress. The challenge was to take the old and make new. Because each designer already had plenty of fabric to work with, they were only given a $10 budget for extra materials. Steven chose black material, Jillian found the exact same colored fabric as the shirt her model wore and Kit picked a soft salmon tone to mix with the printed blouse she had.
The designers: Jack’s departure pricked my heart. It’s awful that he had to leave so soon when he had been doing so well. A staph infection can spiral into a death trap without the proper treatment. It is a very serious condition and Jack made the right decision. He explains it, better than I can, in his TVG interview here. No one wanted to see him go, but as my grandmother always says, “You don’t have anything without your health!” I’ll miss Jack, but I am happy to report that he has found love with Dale from Top Chef, will appear in the new Sex in the City movie and is currently writing a memoir. Not too shabby!
Just because I work for TV Guide, doesn’t mean I am an all mighty know-it-all. I hear what you hear. I knew Jack would be departing early. I had no idea Chris March would return. As I dried my eyes and waited for commercials, I heard Tim Gunn’s magic words, “I have another surprise for you…” And that’s when I knew. I was thrilled. As many of you know, Chris has been my favorite from the beginning. I am so happy to have him back! However, I was disappointed with his outfit. I know he was thrown into the challenge with limited time, but I wanted him to wow the judges. I wanted Chris to prove that he deserved his second chance.
I was also disappointed with Steven. His wit and charm have made him a favorite as well. I agree, a wedding dress of white polyester/acetate fabric would be daunting for anyone. However, his lack of creativity threw me. He had an entire gown to work with; a major faux pas of sleeves, beads, lace and sequins to spare. I don’t think black was a horrible choice. It was how he used his materials that made his outfit look drab. He could have used the black material for a simple strapless gown and added white beading in the center to offset the color. When a person wants to draw attention to a particular area of their body they should highlight that area with accessories or color. The models wanted to show off their new figures. A touch of beading in the upper waist would have done so; especially if the beads were more opal and iridescent rather than white.
Kevin turned his model, Elyse, into a MILF (I apologize. I am part of the American Pie generation). Christian made his bored-black model, Kerry, into a rock star.
The decision: The judges turned hypocritical. Surprise, surprise. The challenge was to use the provided fabric (with an extra $10 lift) to make an everyday outfit. Jillian made a beautiful dress and Steven made a Sister Act costume. Both designers barely used the materials they had originally started with. Jillian should not have been up there in the end. She should have rated safe and that’s that. Yes, her dress was great, but she did not follow the challenge.
Elisa followed the challenge and no matter how unique she may be, I like her. Her model, Tracy, repeatedly said she loved her new outfit. Even if she lied, Elisa’s only concern was Tracy’s happiness. I don’t think the final outfit was Elisa's style at all. The draping and layering is nothing like her attire, but it was ugly. Even on someone my height (I’m 5’10”) would look choppy, layered and stout. Sadly, Steven had to go. The minute he saw the wedding dress he lost. He buckled. His lack of creativity and confidence was his downfall. I don’t think he really tried until it was too late. At that point he had Kevin and Victorya (The designers are so helpful and nice this season!) helping him.
I would have been happy with Kevin or Christian as a win. Both did a wonderful job. I know Kevin was disappointed, but of all the challenges this was Christian’s to take. Tim Gunn’s first response, “So Christian, how fierce is it?” Hahaha. That outfit could have been hanging in anyone’s closet. He made an over-sized, boring black shirt and jeans into a polished, pleated look that could have been sold at Saks. Bravo!
My final thought: Did you all notice Jack’s outfit before he left? If it had fit his model well, he would have made the top three. And if you haven’t read his interview yet, here is a little tease: "Memoirs of a Gaysha”. It’s a classic!
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TVGuide Links:
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Dec 13, 2007 12:34 PM
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How could you not mention the funniest part... (I'm paraphrasing the following based on memory)
[p]
Tim Gunn (to Chris): Be sure to get rest, I've made some of my worst mistakes at 3am
[p]
Steve: I'd like to see that list (everyone chuckles)
[p]
Tim: I'm such an old fart. My brain didn't even GO there
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Dec 13, 2007 1:16 PM
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Because I have to leave something for you guys to mention 
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Dec 13, 2007 1:23 PM
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That 3am comment cracked me up! Just when I think I can't love Tim any more. And I love how he's co-opting "fierce" now.
I don't think I've ever been so annoyed as when Ricky started blubbering with his formerly fat client. Now you cry?! Where was this last weeek, you ponce!
I'm glad I decided to stick with Christian for my Fantasy team. Way to go and that jacket was so hot. I'd pick it up right now if I could. I was slightly hoping that Kevin would win though as Christian is getting too cocky.
I think Stephen should have been kicked off solely for lack of ingenuity. He had the most interesting (though yes, challenging) piece and totally wasted it. He could have at least made a suit and use the wedding dress material for a blouse or the suit jacket. He deserved to be booted off. He wrote off the dress, the second Heidi called out his name and never looked back.
And poor Jack. I teared up a little as he struggled with his decision of whether or not to leave. I feel for him and hope he is healthy and happy.
I found the judge's comments about Elisa's model's outfit a bit ageist. The client/model said she loved the outfit and unless she was blatantly lying, shouldn't that be the main issue? They were basically saying "this outfit is too young" for a woman that age. "It's not her". She just lost a 5-year old off her body! Maybe she wants something that isn't the old her. The only constructive comment was Michael's re: the layering which I agreed with.
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Dec 13, 2007 1:56 PM
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Yeah karenb716, that was funny. I had to rewind that several times cause I wasnt paying attention the first couple of times I rewind it.
But anyway, I also knew that Steve was a gonner. He said it himself that he didn't want the wedding dress. That was a sure clue right there that he was going to be a gonner.
I was so sad that Jack had to leave. But his health is more important.
Im also glad that Chris is back. His laughter was contagious. I think Im the minority that I liked his outfit. Mostly his skirt. I liked the way it was in the back.
I wasnt to crazy about Christians. But I gotta give it to him that he did made it work with what he had to work with. But my favorite was Kevin's, that just blew me away.
Im getting so tired of Ricky. His constant crying is really getting on my nerves. Ill give him a pass for crying over Jack leaving. But this...I don't think so. I mean he is raking up there with Amber from Big Brother.
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Dec 13, 2007 1:58 PM
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By the way, who did you guys vote for your favorite to return? I didnt vote, but if I did it would of been Santino, not Daniel. I liked Daniel, but he doesnt compare to Santino's "Where's Andre?"
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Dec 13, 2007 2:01 PM
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I knew Jack was leaving, but based on the teaser I saw before the season even started, I thought he was Auf'd and felt discriminated against. Although the reality was heartbreaking, at least it was his decision to leave. I love the support the designers give each other this season. I cried like a baby when they said good-bye to Jack, and cried some more when they greeted Chris so joyously. I am thrilled to have Chris back, more for his personality than his design skills. I can't wait till next week, when he doesn't have the excuse of pulling an all-nighter. Hopefully we get a few more weeks of his delightful take on things.
I was way disappointed in Steven, even more so because he represented Chicago, my home town. You could see the writing on the wall as soon as his name got picked for the wedding dress. Beyond the debate of what he could have done with all that material and trim, the woman got married in that dress, and all he could talk about was the cheap polyester fabric. The he turned around and bought a ton of black fabric for $10.00 - how elegant could that have been? He never once focused on his client. I hope the poor woman at least got the scraps back. I think with all Steven's talk of his ethics and standards as a designer, he ultimately just didn't get it. PR is about flexibility, improvisation and making it work. He dissed the audience as well as his client with his refusal to even try. The only bright spot was all the help he got from his fellow designers. Steven, I will miss your snarky comments delivered in that silky droll manner, but I agree 100% with the judges' decision.
Regarding the winner - Christian lucked out with his model and his source material, both were perfect for his vision. He deserved to win. Kevin's outfit was great, and his model was absolutely radiant walking the runway, but I had a feeling the leggings wouldn't make the cut.
Elisa maybe didn't come up with the best-looking outfit, but she seemed the most intent on finding something that would work for her client. She has toned down the Space Princess vibe, and I'm liking her more every week.
Ricky stayed under the radar this week, but his outfit seemed like something you would pick up at Kohl's. On my TV the pants seemed almost peacock blue. I was distracted during part of the show, but was Ricky trying on the pants with heels in front of a mirror? Gotta watch it again!
Victorya's, Rami's and Kit's dresses were misses for me, mostly because of the material. I thought Sweet P's dress was fantastic. She is coming on strong since the menswear shirt debacle.
I didn't think Jillian's dress was all that great, but the reaction was as expected. She seems to be a favorite of the judges. I remember the dog challenge (last season?) when Keith didn't follow the rules, or barely followed them. Then there was Kayne who interpreted the rules his own way and got whacked. The judges are creative in deciding how badly to ding the designer for flaunting the rules. It seems to depend mostly on how much they want him/her to stay.
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Dec 13, 2007 2:10 PM
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I love the designers this season. I agree with Bruce Fretts Cheer. There are so many great designers this year that I don't want anyone to go. Yes, Ricky is annoying, but I think his tears are genuine. Some people are emotional and just can't help it. He cries when he talks about fashion and clothes. It's passion painted in fabric and tears. Elisa's the girl from school who always marched to her own drummer, but you never said anything because you just don't talk bad about the nice-daydreamer girl. You can't, it's unethical!
Don't get me wrong, I'd rather them go then others, but even Victorya tried to help Steven last night. Her bitch-o-meter went down for that! How can you not like these people?
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Dec 13, 2007 2:46 PM
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I posted this over on the Cheer comment, but it probably belongs here more:
Steven always reminded me of French Stewart (the squinty eyed guy from 3rd Rock). I liked him a lot. I thought Elisa deserved to go. Her model lost all that weight and Elisa's outfit made it look like she put at least 40 of it back on!
And Christian... He's obviously talented and the first to tell you so, but please, how many times do we get to see the puffy shoulder 3/4 lenght sleeve jacket! How many challenges have we had 4? And he's made at least 3 (Challenge 1, SJP challenge, and this one.) Design something different for goodness sake! For that reason I thought Keven should have won.
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Dec 13, 2007 3:43 PM
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Not my JackyPoo!! I really liked Jack..sad to see him go in the way that he did but in agreeance to the rest of you guys, his health is waaayy more important. And also I kno he didnt want to put the other designers etc at risk also. But the good thing is that he's healthy now & I'm sure he'll do wonderful things in life. The best is yet to come for him!!
When Tim said he had a surprise I was hopin by sum miracle Jack was back..wishful thinkin I know. Chris dissapointed me w/ his sailor outfit lol.
I wanted Kev to win. I like his better than Christian and his model was so confident & comfortable in it. I'm also tired of Christian's jackets..please do sumthin else ok...thx.
Stephen was so sweet and funny..sad to see him go too.
My fav rite now are Kev, Rami, Sweet P, and Jillian. I like Sweet P more as a person than a designer but she has done sum nice stuff.
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Dec 13, 2007 3:51 PM
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To answer the question about what designer I'd bring back - Daniel V all the way. I loved his stuff and his personality. Yes, Santino is hilarious, but Daniel V is just great!
Such a great season. I really do love how everyone seems to really like each other and how they are pitching in - how sweet. I like seeing them work together.
I do have to agree with Casey though - I sure do miss the crazy challenges where they have to make the outfits out of non-fabric materials. I mean, come on, Austin's corn husk dress is why I became addicted to this show!! Those have always been my favorite challenges because they always show just how creative the designers can get.
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Dec 13, 2007 8:08 PM
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Obviously this is just me thinking this way, but I did not think it was fair to bring Chris back, apparently because he is likable. All of the "auf'd" contestants should be treated the same. To me, Chris has never made anything that I liked or found interesting. I'd be more interested in seeing more of the first auf'd contestant, if I had to pick just one to return.
In the past, when PR brought back contestants, they had to win that project or remain auf'd. That's what I think should have happened last night.
Other than that, I was very disappointed with Steven. I don't know how he could have made an every day outfit using much of the wedding dress, but I think he would have gotten away with making an evening or party outfit, something dressy, given what he had to start with.
I didn't like Elisa's outfit, but she did follow the instructions and design for her model. I was reminded of last year when the models were family members. Wasn't it Jeffrey who just refused to design for Angela's mother?
I agree with the decision. Christian's outfit fit his model much better than Kevin's fit his.
Love, love, love Tim.
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Dec 13, 2007 8:41 PM
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It was a sad moment when Jack had to remove himself from the competition. He was definately a contender and fan favorite.
I am just happy that Christian won. His outfit was the only one that I could actually see people wearing. Kevin did a fabulous job as well.
And I totally agree with divetrash regarding Steven. He acts exactly like French Stewart! I didn't actually pinpoint it til last week's episode, but so true...
Feel free to read more of my thoughts on my Project Runway recaps on Beauty Chat Blog  http://www.beautychatblog.com/category/project-runway/
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Dec 18, 2007 11:42 AM
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