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Project Runway Recaps: Last night's "Finale Part 1" Episode--Sugar Daddies, Rachel Zoe, Clunky Shoes and Bad Wigs

Final Four...Still

We're almost at the end, kiddies. This week's Project Runway Season 10 episode, entitled "Finale, Part 1", dealt with the top four finalists of this season--Dmitry Sholokhov, Fabio Costa, Melissa Fleis and Christopher Palu--getting their so-called "Final Challenge" (so-called because you never know if next week will bring a "Twist" and maybe yet another final-final challenge)--which is to design their Mercedes-Benz NY Spring 2013 Fashion Week mini-collection with $9,000 and five weeks. In case you guys wonder what happens to those collections, the designer's don't even own them; the show does. And then they go up for auction. So, you could buy your collection back, I guess (if you are one of the designers). Anyhow, several things stood out from this episode, and I wish I could say that the outstanding clothes was one of those things, but sadly, they were not. As always, I will finish this blog with my Recap...

Let's Begin With:

Who Are Dmitry and Fabio's Sugar Daddy? Seriously. The designers went "home" , yet for two of the designers--Dmitry and Fabio--they admitted to Tim (when he visited) that they were "using" their "friend's places" while designing their collections (and I'm assuming to live there as well). Needless to say, these places were FAB-u-LOUS! From the looks of it, Dmitry and Fabio do not need the $100,000 prize money and should just ask these friends for "loans"--or make them their "Business Associates".

First, Tim checks in on Fabio--who is in a MASSIVE (for New York City standards) Manhattan loft/apartment where he is working on his pastel colored "Cosmic Tribalism" collection. Even Tim notes on the size and niceness of the place.

Then, he's off to Jersey City, New Jersey where again, another designer--Dmitry--says a "friend" lent him this fabulously appointed place to make his collection.

Tim also goes to Massapequa, NY--this time to check in on Christopher Paul where he lives (I think) with his mom and dad. I've dubbed Palu the "Golden Boy" of the season and he's also the "Taylor Swift" of the season, in that EVERY SINGLE TIME he wins, he does this "Awe shucks, really? Me??" By the third time, it got a little schticky. He's still cute though.

To finish his Season 10 Home Visits Tour, Tim Gunn heads West, to San Francisco to see Melissa. He checks on her collection, meets the family and takes a boat ride. If it was me, I would've taken him to a Leather Bar in the Castro. Just sayin'.

Three Looks, Zero Styling...

After five weeks, the designers return to NYC to face the judges and show three of their "best" looks, to see who really will continue on to Lincoln Center. No guest judges this time (like in Season 9), just Nina, Michael and Heidi:

They all have positives and negatives to say but in general, they all feel that some styling help is very much needed. Dmitry, Fabio, Christopher AND Melissa all had styling issues--whether it was a too-clunky shoe, bad wigs, hoochie ensembles...it was a big letdown.

I'm really wondering if next week, Rachel Zoe is coming in for a quick "intervention" prior to the Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week. But then, I realized "wait, she's on another network...that ain't happening!". So, let's go through the TOP FOUR Finalists' designs:

Christopher Palu:

I really like Christopher (I don't know him personally but I mean his designs)--and I think what he showed was SO Junior Department. I mean Forever 21 ALREADY has this in their stores. It's not a bad thing unless you're trying to show innovative, break-through, heart-pumping FASHION (with a Capital "F").

Christopher Palu or Forever 21?

A chiffon v-neck tank and leather shorts. Seriously? No wonder the judges were frustrated. I was too.

Dmitry Sholokhov:

Dmitry showed very elegant, chic pieces. The ivory sheath dress with sheer panels was superb and I liked the jacket on the right but...

This ensemble was a mess. Those pants are SWIMMING on the model. About two sizes too big. If you are going to do loose/slouchy, do it. But this is a bad fit. And together with the sheer top and bra...Ayyy Dios Mio! Rachel Zoe: Dmitry needs you.

Fabio Costa:

A) I liked the color splashes here and there (you know I LOVE me some color!).

B) I liked this uniquely draped dress and the necklace was sooo Italian Gallery Owner Diva, but...yeah, those wigs. At first, they were pretty cool, kinda Haider Ackermann-meets-Tilda Swinton but I can understand why Michael Kors felt that they were a bit distracting. Speaking of distracting:

Those shoes!! Grey lace-up booties for Spring 2013. Not sure. And with a loosely draped easy-breezy Summer side-cowl dress? Not so muchey.

Melissa Fleis:

Melissa's three looks were a big disappointment. Hot shorts again (like Christopher). This time, shown with a scoop-cut-out knit sweater top. And a BAD wig. Then, there was this cropped jacket with an oversized collar and cuffs. CUT those cuffs off. Please. And the slouchy drop-crotch pants. Cute on skinny gay boys. Not so much on the model.

Oh, yes, she also did a dress. That a girl can already find at your local Macy's. I am sure. Now, about those wigs: PLEASE Melissa, I really hope you rethink this...

Oh Wait! She did!! (Yeayyy!!) Above is a photo from Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week and one of the looks from Melissa's finale collection. And it looks like she also got rid of them "Fashion School Student 101" oversized cuffs...and re-did the pants as well. Thank Goodness.

And now---here's my Recap---Enjoy!! And don't forget to leave me YOUR comments on the MyLifetime.com site--right after my blog:

Calling All Stylists!

Well kids, we're heading to the end of Season 10 of "Project Runway"
and I learned several things from this penultimate "Finale Part 1"
episode. For one, most of these kids (save Melissa) do not have a place
to call home or their own place to work. Secondly, I learned that a
stylist is a very important job and someone ALL these designers needed. I
also think that this pre-finale episode is in serious need of a reboot.
Wondering what I mean about that? Keep reading...

Don't Be Safe

Last week we saw the end of Sonjia, with her table-napkin-meets-bad-figure-skating-costume design. As I argued in my last recap,
there was nothing avant-garde about her design, nor the designs of most
of the other four. (Note to producers: Maybe it's time to re-name that
particular challenge). I also discussed my annoyance at seeing very safe
looks from all these designers. I think I am echoing what Tim, Nina,
Heidi and Michael feel EVERY episode. It goes without saying that I
think "safe" just doesn't cut it, especially at this stage. Need I
remind you? DO NOT BORE NINA. So now we are down to the top four.

Congrats! You're The Top Four

Our dear Heidi congratulates the designers for making it this far and
tells them that they will each be given $9,000 and five weeks to create a
mini-collection for Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week. That's the good
news. The not-so-good news is that NOT everyone is guaranteed a spot in
Fashion Week. Or so she says. As an avid viewer/fan/former
contestant/perpetual recapper of the show, I've heard this song from
Heidi before. Can anyone say "Season 9"? But oh well, we'll stick to the
script, Miss Heidi.

Massapequa X-ray

Four weeks later and Tim Gunn is off to visit the designers. No trips to Trinidad and Tobago (Anya) or Hawaii (Andy South) this time around. So...

Click HERE to continue reading my entire recap.

Olivia Palermo

Q&A

Describe what you’re wearing:

My jacket is from Reiss in New York – it’s the perfect transition piece for spring. The shirt is Belstaff, the black skinny jeans are from Cos in Germany and the scarf is Christian Dior. I always have a great pair of ballet flats – these in maroon velvet are from French Sole – it’s a better colour than black, I think, particularly in photographs. This is what I’d wear travelling.

And the jewellery?
I picked up this gold bracelet from an antique dealer in New York, and the watch, ring and earrings are vintage pieces from my mother. I like wearing my mother’s jewellery – she has an amazing sense of style.

What’s the key piece in your wardrobe?
A good blazer is very important and I always think there is something very sexy about a tailored jacket. I have a tailor in Hamburg who makes great jackets for me. I love colour and have jackets in different colours. I also have vintage Christian Dior and a Givenchy dinner jacket with velvet lapels to which I pin art deco clips.

How do you describe your style?
It is relatively classic and, although I am fashion-forward, I like to be covered up – a little uptight and buttoned up.

What are your style influences?
I look at old movies from the ’40s for inspiration. I dress for myself and think it is important to look polished. Italian men are always impeccably dressed. It is not acceptable to walk out of the house in sweatpants.

Is there anything you wouldn’t wear?
I don’t like wearing tank tops without a cardigan unless I’m on a beach. I won’t wear Crocs, Birkenstocks (especially with socks), jumpsuits or chokers.

What is your favourite look?
An oversize man’s cashmere sweater over little ballet pumps. Fashion is so accessible to everybody now and people are more interested - I hope a more covered-up look catches on. More designers and buyers are coming back to a ladylike look.

What are your favourite shops?
I try to shop on my travels, but also balance that with seeing museums and galleries. I might be in Tokyo checking out street fashion and just to have a little something is a reminder of where I have been. I love 10 Corso Como in Milan and the Corner store in Berlin because the buyer has an incredible eye. I spend a lot of time in Berlin and Hamburg – Berlin is cool, but Hamburg is beautiful.

Are you a collector?
I collect vintage jewellery and that love came from my mother and aunt from an early age – they have an amazing archive of ’40s vintage pieces. You can find incredible pieces in antiques road shows in the US and in Miami.

What magazines do you read?
I come from a magazine background, so I look at everything and anything because different markets have different looks all over the world and their magazines have very different layouts and approaches. I am a big supporter of British fashion and British Vogue is one of my favourite magazines. People are looking for fewer investment pieces now so you don’t need so much variety any more.

Are you developing your blog?
My blog is a lifestyle blog with magazine features and can’t just be all fashion – I’d love to see it evolve into its own brand over the next five years.

LFW, Day 2

Last season's London Fashion Week definitely was a trigger moment in the evolution of my personal style. Oh, how much fun I had playing dress up with these gorgeous by Malene Birger beige high-waisted skinny trousers from Wilshire Fashions ! Fashion Week season always gets me so super excited to dare and be bold; it definitely makes me want to step out of my comfort zone and experiment with trends and new genres. Take these slim trousers for instance, never in a million years I would have thought about wearing it, along with a turtleneck embossed sweater and a simple pair of all-white sneakers. Leave it to Danish designer Malene Birger, who's hands made this superb pair of pants, to bring out your best Fashion sense with her mind-blowing creativity and incredible talent ;)

And yes, I did mention some white-on-white sneakers, a big trend of the moment and of course, one of my go-to footwear lately. Last Winter, I was really into my K-Swiss Lozan III kicks. I literally wore them with everything ! Of course, they followed me to New York, all the way to Europe and were definitely part of my essentials for the entire Fashion month. They also happened to compliment this outfit to perfection, keeping it cool and casual, dressing it down a bit compared to the more elegant ensemble I wore on the previous day. My Zara wool cape and beloved vintage Dooney & Bourke leather handbag completed this laid-back, countryside-chic look.

Oh, and I decided to wear my hair tucked into my sweater's collar for a change. It's always good to experiment with you hair and beauty looks too ;) What do you guys think ? Should I go for a permanent bob ?