Project Runway is addictive!

Filed under: Project Runway
09-10-2006

Project Runway is addictive! by Roxanne McDonald

I was already taken in the most unlikeliest of ways by America’s Next Top Model, and having supposedly no interest whatsoever in a bunch of clothing worn by a group of beauties I would have nothing in common with save a heartbeat, I was determined to avoid watching Project Runway.

I mean, knowing my penchant for reality TV, combined with my tendency to get hooked, I had to keep yet another show from taking all my attention. But one day when the other 500 channels had nothing I was too thrilled about, I tossed caution to the sky and tuned in to what appeared to be the third episode of Project Runway.

Now I am looking for ways to let go of the time slot shows originally on my schedule, which I work out daily, and insist on fitting this show in to my watching repertoire. The show has the cliché gender-bender designers, the typical panel of judges (with the atypical guest judges like Ms. Trump and Ms. USA contestant), and the standard line-up of challenges to exempt one from elimination and to cut one from the running. Each episode also has its requisite amounts of melodrama, instigated by “characters” such as Angela, the recalcitrant and nay-saying contestant who not only unconsciously sabotages but transparently scurries around to greedily gain alliances (and avoid doing any real work or generating any quality herself).

Tim Gunn is the master of ceremonies, if you will, the head fashion expert who conducts the challenges, mentors the contestants, and offers guidance and guidelines that, thus far this season is largely ignored. Keith, Bradley, and Jeffrey, for example, create or anti-create (offer up minimalist approaches to challenges), are observed for a minute by Master Gunn (who advises change or re-dos), and then keep with their original projects. This works for them, though, as they sometimes impress the judges…or at least get away with not being told, “You’re out.”

The website does not do the show justice, either, with its far-too busy incorporation of adverts and animation (and a photo of the contestants all dressed and posed like a remake of the Six Feet Under promotional shot that in the case of the latter WORKS to convey stoicism, morbidity, and the bordering on the macabre). But the redeeming characteristics of the show are those which showcase the talent, the unbelievable gifts of a number of the competing designers. This fact is apparent in each of the episodes, but is most obvious in the audition show (which BRAVO re-runs often): therein, experienced and already successful individuals from past seasons express their appreciation for how Project Runway gave them the optimum exposure—that which they needed on a budget that disallows decent ad packaging or that which they would not have gotten had they continued working in their caves in small Podunk towns….

Check out the lovely Kayne, for example, or the Woody Allen knock-off, Vincent, who is bright, serious, and who worries his materials as much as his brow. Or consider the genius and class of the one who keeps to herself and does what she is there to do—Laura, who brings the haute couture to the task, even when the available creation materials are mere bangles and baskets and bed sheets from the competitors lofts.

I gotta go now, so I can catch the next episode, which the trailers and teasers hint at as being a hot eviction of a player who has broken the general rules of the game and is going to be booted without even being in the project of the day! Hmmmmmm.

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Project Runway, Wednesday August 16, episode 306, was bittersweet. It may be that one of the redeeming characteristics of the show is that it is NOT interactive (no audiences are asked or allowed to call in or text in votes for anything or anyone), but in the case of tonight’s episode, it should have been an exception that voters chose the winning challenge design/designer.

The challenge was for the contestants to go to the recycling and other centers and collect recycled/recyclable materials, re-invent the materials as fashion wear, and create an “innovative” but wearable piece.

Laura Bennett, ever the glam girl, made a stylish white peanut sack frock, which was adorned with one large but elegant black mum/rose in front and which in the back made use of the “FOR PEANUTS ONLY” stamp by Laura folding/pleating the text so it read “FOR NUTS ONLY.”

Robert Best did a lovely party dress [for a prostitute, he says] in metals; and Uli Herzner also implemented recycled silver by braiding it into a skirted design. Angela Keslar created a kind of jumper/apron/ smock thing that was over a tube top thing. Vincent Libretti, the true misunderstood genius of the group, made a piece of walking art, an avante garde black and white paper and confetti creation that he said turns him on (regardless of what the clueless thought of it). Go, Vince.

Kayne Gillespie, admittedly, crafted the party dress from hell, which in its many reincarnations made it to the runway in the wrong version—I think, as the shorty skirt would have caught him less flack and critical lambasting. (That’s okay, when Mz. Laura blasted him with the unsolicited comment that she was concerned about his tastes, he not only retorted that he was in turn concerned with her character, which he said was worse [HA], and then stated he refused to be debased on national television. You go, too, Kayne.)

Alison made what could be considered a haute couture art piece of fashion, a voluminous skirt over a very novel bustier, but really didn’t heed the admonishing advice of Master Tim, who had come to the shop an hour and a half before show prep time and told her exactly what the judges would later tell her and boot her out for: that the dress was far too unflattering (enlarging) for an already larger model.

But the controversy comes in the judges selection of winner for this particular challenge. I thought I might have been gifted with quirkier or more unusual tastes this week, for I fell in LOVE with Jeffrey Sebelia’s magazine and periodical reclamation dress, which he painted deep nuvo-urban greens and yellows and blues and to which he added a trompe l’oiell belt (he painted the belt on in 3-D, making it look like a real belt). The top was a strapless bustier, while the bottom was a flowing skirt of varying lengths—longer in the back. The judges gushed over it, finding it the most unique, the most thoughtful, and the only piece that actually moved on the runway. And yet he didn’t win.

No offense or disrespect of any degree to Michael Knight, who won (second time and back-to-back) for a lovely and thoughtful white peanut sack cocktail dress of sorts which was embellished most uniquely with a plastic shawl. But it was NOT as much in keeping with the challenge criteria as Jeffrey’s was! The judges got tendentious (or Ms. Klum did, at least) about “innovation”, a word Heidi dropped so often that I was sure it was the best and biggest fashion/creativity word she knew. In the same respect, and to be fair, they also acknowledged—during their private deliberation time—how Michael, when he discusses his particular design, shows extensive design knowledge by the way he talks about his invention process, his rationale, his preference, and his technique. Jeffrey, who designs for rockers like Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Gwen Stefani, and celebs such as Billy Bob Thornton and many others, is maybe too stoic (cool) for the judges, as he doesn’t get all gushy or chatty when addressed or questioned. His work speaks for itself, really, but maybe that is not “enough” for TV and/or for the judges, who may be less accepting of the out there or the over the top.

Still bugged, especially after seeing the episode again, I went online and found a blog dedicated to Project Runway (Bravo’s site does not count, as it does little in the way of recap and info one might NEED, or does its share but has such an ugly, busy-looking site that it is a pain to find what you want). On the blog they honor Michael, say goodbye to Alison, but also bring up the issue of the judges oversight of Jeffrey. In addition, the blog features a voters’ poll, asking who SHOULD have won. Once you vote, you can see the up-to-date stats. Here is what I found after voting myself:

136 for Laura; 40 for Robert; 4 for Kayne; 123 for Uli; 7 for Allison; 6 for Angela; 271 for Michael; 10 for Vincent…and 761 for Jeffrey! That’s 56 percent of the 1358 who have voted thus far! And that’s confirmation that I aint as off in the aesthetics as I feared. Re-do!!!!

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Project Runway this week (episode 7, August 23) continues the drama instigated by a very special artistic personality and perpetuates the genius of numerous designing contestants.

The next challenged is announced with the call, “Bring out the models.” The models are the mothers and one sister of each of the design competitors. The gasps and cheers subside, and it is explained that the challenge is to design for the everyday woman. The catch is, however, they cannot design for their own relatives. Using the blind selection bag of names, Heidi calls out each designer’s name as she draws it.

Jeffrey is last and so ends up with the one woman he dreads having anything to do with, Angela’s mom, Darlene. He tells the camera afterward, “I ended up with Angela’s mom because I think God got drunk today; that’s what I think.”

The moms have brought kid pics. Kayne’s mom brought fat, funny kid pics and Jeffrey’s mom shows a blond, crew-cutted grammar school pic, and then, while all enjoy a young Laura, Michael Kors, guest designer/judge, comments how this is a woman with six children; and Laura says, “… and working on the seventh.” Whoops. She hasn’t told her mom, never mind her HUSBAND, yet.

Kayne and Robert are discussing how they don’t understand proportion [for normal women]; and acknowledge as Vincent does that “you have to be able compensate and deliver to real women.” The designers chat with the women, asking them their preferences of style and color and finding out what their lifestyles are in general.

Jeffrey has chosen some dark blues, black, and a powder blue, to make Darlene a long and fluid polyester number, but Darlene – who has told him she wants purple and dark green, ugh – is complaining to Tim Gunn how she hates the colors and how she has “never worn blue.” Back at Jeffrey’s table, he tells Darlene, “I’m gonna make the dress I’m gonna make,” and if she doesn’t like it too bad so sad. Darlene is all whiney and asking him why she is being “treated” in such an abusive way, she implies, while he just out and out tells her, “I don’t even appreciate you standing here.”

Jeffrey later tells the camera that that “crazy bitch is in there talking to Tim …,” and that he doesn’t get along with her daughter, so why should he get along with her?

Angela tries to console her Mom; then Jeff’s mom tries to console Angela’s mom, and it’s an all-around good old scene of histrionics (and history? Does Angela’s mom know in advance about Angela’s animosity toward Jeffrey?).

After Jeffrey’s mom does a brief and teary check-in with her son, Jeffrey tells us how it is so hard on her, how it “breaks her heart,” for she has a hard time with him having been a dope fiend, homeless and broken on the streets just prior to making a name for himself in the design world.

Jeffrey says he thinks he has done pretty well with the outfit for Darlene, and comments that his objective is “not to just get a big piece of chiffon and cut a hole in it” and make a poncho, like most people did.

The runway show is on:

Laura has done a design for Jeffrey’s mom, who hasn’t eaten for four days.
Angela has designed for Laura’s mom, Lorraine.
Kayne had chosen Michael’s mom, Pamela.
Robert created an outfit for Vince’s sister, Patricia.
Uli made a darling and hip paisley number for Kayne’s mom, Judy.
Vincent created a chic dress for Uli’s mother, Heidi.

The comments to Vincent are great for a change. Poor Robert is getting the usual flack for being too stale (despite the bright orange – red top that is actually quite attractive on Patricia). Angela gets the comment she has gotten before – that the outfit is not “age-appropriate.” While Lorraine had wanted something along the lines of an Audrey Hepburn, Michael Kors says it is “more Stevie Nicks than Audrey Hepburn.” Michael Kors always has unique commentary, using analogies and metaphors that are usually dead-on and even elicit a chuckle. For instance, about Jeffrey’s outfit for Darlene he says, “I’m sorry. That looked like Comme de Garcon goes to the Amish country.”

And Laura’s outfit gets blah reviews as well, as the judges note how the piece she has created for Pam is an aging outfit that is not flattering. And of course they must know about the tiff and snit between Jeff and Darlene, for Heidi directly asks her how she likes it, and she does this martyr – like commentary how they have very different interpretations, etc., and how she is uncomfortable, etc., etc.

Vincent wins!!!!!! Nice to see how persistence and faith in one’s vision and work does finally pay off. But Robert is OUT, and it breaks the hearts of his fellow designers, for he is most likeable, cheers them up, as Kayne says, and will, as Tim Gunn says, be missed terribly. Robert, you will continue to grow and will fit into the niche where women do like simple, straight lines and solid, comfortable clothes!

Project Runway episode #308, which aired on Wednesday, August 30, was “shocking” for Uli, redemptive for Jeffrey, and a double bummer for the one who was told she was “out”.

With seven designers and nine models, this week’s Project Runway started out sadly. Everyone chose their models, staying with the women they had been working with and leaving Robert and Alison’s models “out”. The “in” models were also sent away temporarily, for they would not be needed again this week. The new challenge was partially announced: Heidi said they would be designing for a hip international jet-setter. Back in the workroom, Tim Gunn finished the details, telling them they would be designing for a hip international jet-setter in the room … themselves!

They had a 75-dollar budget and fifteen minutes to sketch. Michael created a seersucker motorcycle jacket and cargo pants, making, after Tim’s prompting, the sleeves short.

Uli used a montage of colors for a bright, long, and flowing dress with spaghetti straps – a piece that was true Uli in style and fabric. Angela stuck with her signature look[s] as well, making pedal pushers in brown (with her rosettes adorning the ass) and a tank top with some adornments as well.

Laura made a cream or very light peach-colored cocktail dress, which was part upper echelon, part Marilyn Monroe, part sheer comfort. While Kayne used a Versace burn-off silk pattern on black shirt and matching solid black pants, Vincent made a cotton pants and vee-neck top – very straight, plain, and comfy-looking.

And Jeffrey did a three-piece rock outfit, the blazer in dark purple and black, the top in black with a fish-hole neck, and the pants traditional rocker boot-cut and tight but breathing and moving.

Jeff could be heard in front of the cameras a few times mocking and jesting about Kayne’s outfit, which he said would be “very Liberace,” and commenting on Vince’s outfit, which he believed looked like it belonged on Tool Time.

After a long night for some – for Angela who was still working on her pieces, for Kayne and Michael, who were casually practicing runway walks (Michael has some previous experience, so he was giving Kayne tips on stance, back-up, and turns). Kayne was his usual original self, telling Michael he would pose coming from the ghetto while he himself would have to do so coming from white trash.

After clever, thoughtful, confident, and occasionally stilted runway walks, all seven were asked to stand and take the questions and comments from the week’s judges.

They wanted more than Uli product from Uli; and found Laura’s cosmopolitan look very well done. Laura’s was a dress that Nina said “translates all over the world,” and was “very now,” which Nina said she loved.

Of Angela’s outfit Michael Kors said it made her a mess just standing there; and guest judge Francisco Costa said her choice of materials was not good as these fabrics (linens) are impractical for the jet-setter.

Jeffrey’s collected pieces were a hit – finally! – eliciting such comments as how, according to Heidi, it did “not LOOK like $75.00” but looked very expensive and worked great as an international outfit for a popular rock star. There were mixed reviews of Vince’s pants and top outfit (though I thought it was ultra-sexy), with Kors commenting it looked like the set of pajamas they give you in first class but with Costa refuting and saying he thought it looked great.

Kayne suffered Nina Garcia’s discussion of his design as an Elvis throwback, as suspended in time, Elvis time; and took the mixed reviews of Master Kors, who noted it was made well and fit beautifully, but, in response to Kayne’s introduction of it as an outfit he would wow the paparazzi with, said that Kayne would be the lead in a [b picture].

Conversely, Michael impresses the judges again, with Master Costa saying the suit looked “quite smart,” Nina saying, “I like it,” and the brilliant Michael Kors adding that seersucker is the greatest travel material as it does not wrinkle but is already wrinkled.

But no one wins exemption and no one gets put out. Instead, the seven designers are sent to their apts where tickets for an international flight are waiting, where they will have one hour to pack and from where they will depart for the airport – so the judges can learn how well the designs travel.

At the airport they go to a kiosk and an attendant keys in some info, revealing their destination for them: PARIS!

Sixteen hours later, with almost every outfit faring quite well, they are driven past the T’our d’Eiffel, with L’arc de Triomphe in sight and the Seine along their path, to arrive at ParsonsParis.

There they are greeted by Tim, who introduces surprise guest judge, Catherine Malandrino – whom Angela is in awe of and Jeffrey is star-struck by. She rates each of the outfits as they are paraded in front of her, then with Tim tells Laura she is in, Vincent he is in, and all of them that the winner is either Michael or Jeffrey. Those of us who have been following Project Runway know Jeff can be an arrogant bastard, but we also know he seems to get slighted despite his designer brilliance. So when he WINS! we feel he is finally redeemed, at least on the show. And as he confirms it, he feels validated by the win.

So Michael is also in, as is Uli. The losing is between Kayne and Angela, Catherine says. To Kayne, she says, “I’m sorry. You look ridiculous. You look like a fake pop star.” To Angela, Catherine remarks, “You are coming from another world” (or, “anozayr vuold,” making it sound beautiful in French accents though it is brutal by all other accounts].

Angela, Catherine finishes, “You are out.” And we are mixed in our responses, witnessing as we do Jeffrey’s grin and jubilatory after-comments and missing as we might Heidi’s classic international double-kiss salutation and “Auf wiedersehen.”

Auf wiedersehen, Angela, and au revoir. You will do well back home, where many are likely appreciating your skills and clambering to get your designs. Try more of the winning designs like the one you did with Laura and Michael! Save the rosettes for pillows.

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