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« Project Runway
Sketch, Spit and Sew
The guest: Sarah Jessica Parker as a guest on anything is an amazing feat. The designers were speechless, but it was my favorite costume designer, Chris Martin, who described just how amazing it was when he nervously met with the lovely actress and teared-up during a “confession” that she was the reason he moved to New York City to pursue his dream. Carrie Bradshaw will do that to ya!
SJP recently launched her own clothing line: Bitten. The challenge was to design a two-piece outfit for SJP’s fall-winter collection. Bitten is noted as affordable and defined by its’ every type of woman appeal. The designers sketched and met with the fashion-famed Sex and the City star. She then chose seven designers she felt captures the true essence and design of her line and those seven picked partners. The real challenge: the entire outfit had to retail at just $40! The paired teams were given fifteen dollars for fabric and materials.
The designers: Everyone sketched beautifully. Even with quick camera glances the details were visible. I like that all the designers are experienced. It’s the fourth season of the show and each designer needs to be on top of their game if they want to impress the judges, viewers and Sarah Jessica Parker.
I noticed SJP didn’t choose any of the high-waisted skirt sketches. All of those outfits looked fabulous on paper, but they would never fit the “everyday woman”. Not everyone can go to a store and slip into a ruffled blouse and pencil skirt. Instead she chose the sketches that could flatter any figure. She was so polite and assertive with each designer and recovered nicely when Kevin didn’t notice her attempt at a handshake. I was happy with the designers she chose, but I did want Chris Martin over Elisa.
This has always been the perfect second challenge. Everyone gets along in the beginning, but sometimes the designers don’t want to play nice and the claws come out. I thought all the teams worked well together and even Sweet P kept her best composure during Elisa’s natural-hippie-sew ways. Kindergarteners are scolding for spitting, so of course, Sweet P freaked when Elisa “marked” her fabric with saliva. Ew.
I could tell Christian’s design wasn’t going to go over as well as he knew – not thought or hoped – knew. Tim Gunn tried to point out that the jacket was a little over the top, but it wasn’t even the jacket that gave me doubts. The dress was too slim and the combined look with the jacket wasn’t pretty. I didn’t even think it looked good on the model. I thought Marion and Steven did a good job, but once the model walked down the runway it began to fall apart. The shawl-like top looked very hippie-retro, which I love, but the fabric didn’t hold. My favorite was Ricky and Jack’s dress with the belt, but it seemed to spring-summer, rather than fall-winter. I was shocked that Elisa’s design turned out so well, but it was not something I would buy. In fact, I’m not a huge fan of the Bitten line.
The judges: In the past season, Nina has always been the brutal, honest judge and rightfully so. This season the judges aren't holding back. They chose established designers this season and their expectations are high. Kit, Chris, Rami, Jillian, Ricky and Kevin were safe. All of their designs looked great. Kit and Ricky’s designs were very chic and well-made. I would have bought Ricky and Kevin’s dress in a second and I actually liked the black/brown combination for Kit and Chris’ French-influenced outfit. I’m sure Rami and Jillian missed making the top two designs by a stitch. Their two-piece outfit is not something I would buy, but it was what SJP was looking for.
The decision: The judges’ reaction when Sweet Pea discussed Elisa’s “spitting” ways was hilarious. All the judges were in shock, but Heidi was utterly disgusted. I think it definitely hurt their chances of winning the challenge once the judges deliberated. I thought Victorya’s design came out beautifully. The vest was adorable and the entire outfit looked like it was already in the fall-winter Bitten collection. I thought Marion’s could have been a front runner if the fabric wasn’t so drab. I hated to see him go, especially after Christian’s diva moment. I think he’s funny and knows what he is doing, but he needs to take a few steps down from his sewing pedestal. Three of the most highly respected people in fashion sit in front of you with criticism and instead of taking the negative and turning it into positive he snaps with, “I just want to hear want Sara Jessica has to say.” I wanted to slap him. Thankfully, SJP did her best to bring Christian to reality by telling him the design was “more severe in person”. She didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but she wasn’t going to lie to make Queen Christian feel better. The jacket was awful. It looked like something Paula Abdul would wear in her “Straight Up” video. Some clothes need to be left in their decade and only brought out at Halloween. If I decide to have an 80’s party and dress like Prince, I’ll call diva-wannabe Christian.
On another note... Why ask Carmen and Steven to choose who should be out? Of course the designer goes. I felt so bad for Carmen. She obviously enjoyed working with Christian and they both believed they did a great job. It broke my heart to watch her breakdown. It’s pointless to put each designer in that position. If it were me, I’d be glad not to have my design chosen. All of the picked partners knew they would be “in” no matter what. For example, last season there was a challenge to design for Macy’s clothing line Inc. Only four leaders, out of 12, were chosen. This brought the competition down to just those chosen four. The other eight were safe no matter what they did.
However, I agreed with the judges again. I liked Marion, but someone had to go.
Check out TVG's interview with last week's "out" designer Simone, here.
Also, for Sarah Jessica Parker's clothing line Bitten please visit the Steve and Barry's website.
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Nov 26, 2007 12:13 PM
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I haven't read the blog yet, and I don't have any comments to make. But had to say, Thank you, thank you, thank you for starting a Project Runway blog. Seriously. Thank you.
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Nov 27, 2007 7:50 PM
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PR blog! Thank you, Casey!
Cheers/Jeers gave PR flack for kicking off boring what's her name and keeping crazy Elisa so I'm glad that Elisa, though a whackjob, was vindicated this week! Even though her peacock dress ended up being a mess on the runway, she made the dress with only one cut/one seam! That's pretty friggin impressive and the dress (minus the garment vomit/poo at the back) looked hot (the entire thing looked great on the dress form imho)! I thought she did a great job and I'm glad they came in second. I only wish they would have chosen more pieces to add to the Bitten line because frankly, the stuff there isn't great. I get that SJP wants to make fashion accessible to all women of different incomes, shapes and sizes but Bitten is 90% cheaply made and unimaginative jeans and tees. That's not fashion, that's just clothing. But FINALLY, I was waiting for SJP to be the guest judge on this show and the contestants' reactions were no different than my own. I almost jumped out of my seat, I was so excited to see her.
I love the double-up episode because you can always find out who the designers think the best and worst designers are among them through their choice selection. Poor Sweet Pea, gets chosen last but she and Crazy Crazy showed them all in the end. I love Christian even though he is a diva and I'd love to see him and Victoria (name? Asian woman, won the challenge) in the finals. Not sure about Rami yet. And the lingerie designer who cries every episode has got to go!
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Nov 27, 2007 8:45 PM
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I don't have anything to say about the show because I didn't see the first episode, and just saw this one, so I haven't gotten to know the designers yet.
I've been a fan of past seasons though, and I, too, want to thank you, Casey, for writing the blog. I always like how you really participate in the blog, answering posters' questions and commenting on other blogs.
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Nov 28, 2007 3:31 AM
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I'm so happy you are all happy 
I adore this show. My mother, my friends and I plan our Wednesday nights around it - even though it airs a million times a week!
Pinkie - If you go to Bravo's website here they have a great PR page. There are videos, photos of each garment from the first two episodes, bios of each designer and more. It's a great site. Sadly, there are no full episodes, but the clips are always good!
olomaya - I couldn't agree with you more about SJP's line. Bitten is not my taste at all. I'm not a high-fashion name brand girl (my favorite store is Forever 21, cheap and has everything), but the Bitten line seems dull and too casual. Did you notice SJP's word choice? "We may use the winning design..." and later in an interview, "Our version of Victorya's dress will be sold..." She was a wonderful guest, but they need to "vamp" up Bitten!
Obviously, my favorite is Chris Martin, but there are still so many great competitors! Christian has immense talent, but I'm afraid he's been told that one too many times. I also love Carmen and I think Kevin is going to wow us in due time.
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Nov 28, 2007 9:14 AM
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Right now I think it's too soon to tell. I was not impressed with any of the designs from the first challenge; I would have much rather seen clothes made out of groceries than some of the things that were sent down the runway. Remember Austin Scarlet's cornhusk dress? Good times, good times.
That having been said, I've been impressed by Jack's work so far. But I have a sinking feeling that producers are going to allow his AIDS situation to overshadow his talent.
I'm also still wondering how the designers found material at Mood that was inexpensive enough for that challenge and what exactly was used. I loved that jacket that Elisa and Sweet Pea made, but what was it made of? (Note to SJP: there's a big difference between "affordable" and cheap.)
Okay, and what is with the 80s hair this season? It's like Flock of Seagulls meets Right Said Fred. Throw in Jillian's spiral perm and you got yourself a theme party. (See? I've needed to rant since the first episode! THANK YOU FOR THIS BLOG!)
And although I was tickled pink to see "fashion icon" SJP walk through the door (I squealed like a girl...and I AM a girl), maybe PR should recruit Patricia Fields as guest judge for some real street cred.
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Nov 28, 2007 10:47 AM
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I swear Christian's hair isn't real. And either way - why??? There's a difference bewteen being creative and looking ridiculous to stand out.
The episode description for tonight in our database reads: The contestants try to measure up while working for a very different client.
It could mean anything, but hitting on the words "measure" and "different": it may be time for the thin models to sit this one out. I am probably wrong, but tonight might be a challenge for plus size (or just average non-model sizes, haha, ya know, not a size double ZERO) clothes. Or maybe even clothes for children? Hmmm... any thoughts?
Also... going back to the partner/group challenges - half the models didn't get to work last week! How is that fair? Oh well. It's not about them anyway.
Carry on!
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Nov 28, 2007 11:24 AM
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I'm thinking dog clothing.
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Nov 28, 2007 12:48 PM
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They did dog clothing last year. They had to design a matching doggie oufit to their owner's (models). But we'll see... good guess!
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Nov 28, 2007 2:38 PM
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Well, they've never done drag queens...
In the previews, the contestants looked like they were ripping fabric in a frenzy, and I wondered if they were being deprived of conventional sewing implements. In that case, they would have to "eye ball" the measurements. (Yeah, I know...unlikely, but that's all I got.)
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Nov 28, 2007 6:11 PM
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I vote for the 'very different clients' being kids, which I think would be really interesting to see. And now that I've put this in writing, I'll probably be 100% wrong, but we'll see 
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Nov 28, 2007 6:53 PM
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Casey - They did dog clothing last year. They had to design a matching doggie oufit to their owner's (models). But we'll see... good guess!
This is the first time I've ever watched it. I figured that with the writers' strike threatening my scripted shows, I might as well give it a chance. I'm glad I did. I'm liking it. I like some of these kinds of shows. I've watched The Next Food Network Star (even though I rarely watch Food Network) and The Next Design Star. I don't like shows with a lot of backstabbing and game playing. I want to see talent! These shows have given me that and it looks like PR will too.
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Nov 28, 2007 7:27 PM
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Well, they've never done drag queens...
That would be so great to watch, Tiny Dancer! It'd be hard to balance the line between daring and outrageously tacky.
@Cindy: If you want shows that focus on the talent and are light on drama, then PR is definitely for you! Yes, there are queens and crybabies but more than any other reality show, PR never has me scratching my head wondering why some of their contestants made it on the show. These people may snipe at each other, but they are serious about what they do and good at it too!
Now that SJP has guested, I can't think of anyone else I really want to see on the show. Narciso Rodriguez would make my day! Ashley or Mary Kate Olsen, maybe? Sienna Miller?
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Nov 28, 2007 8:50 PM
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Just one nitpick - I'm glad Chris is your favorite designer, 'cause he's AWESOME and mine too, but - his last name is March, not Martin.
Just to set it straight, 'cause he deserves it.
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Nov 29, 2007 6:27 PM
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Where's the blog for this past Wednesday's show, episode 3? It was two days ago, what happened?
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Nov 30, 2007 10:26 AM
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