Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 2 "Candy Couture"

Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 2 "Candy Couture"

Sweet...or Not So Sweet, Fashion:

Cotton Candy Delicious: Guess What the Project Runway designers are working with this week?

Project Runway is BACK and we are now onto Season 10. It premiered two weeks ago and last week was "Episode 2", it was the iconic UNCONVENTIONAL CHALLENGE that all the fans LOVE. I, often wonder if these are the types of challenges that help discover "Next Great American Fashion Designer". But as we all know...it's all about what makes for fun and great TV.

Tim Gunn and Dylan Lauren, Project Runway Season 10

The contestants/designers meet Tim Gunn and Dylan Lauren (yes, Ralph's lovely daughter), CEO and owner of Dylan's Candy Bar. Soon, it is revealed they must create a look out of candy.

Project Runway has done this before in Season 4, where it was held at the Times Square Hershey's Store and Rami Kashou won , in case you're keeping tabs (Photo of Kashou's winning look above).

After some krazeee candy shopping at Dylan's Candy Bar NYC, some candy Parsons workroom draping, molding and more importantly, GLUEING...it was time for the Runway Show with Judges:

(Right to left) Heidi Klum (in a off-the-shoulder snakeskin printed ensemble), Michael Kors (in his black "uniform"), Nina Garcia (in a FAB black and gold jacket and skinny pants and FIERCE heels!), and Dylan Lauren in purple. Now, the whole point of this challenge was to somehow make a garment from candy BUT...make it look as if it wasn't made out of CANDY. Some succeed beautifully and well, some not so mucheey...



Le Good:

Beaded Candy Ball Superb: LOVED Belarus-born fashion wunderkid Dmitry Sholokhov's twisted halter dress with fitted midriff. He used black, red, and yellow candy balls and WOW!!! This should have been in the Top Three FOR SURE, some would even argue that it should have won. The candy looked like oversized beads. One could NEVER EVER tell that it was candy. Simply Superb. With all that, he just "made it through" to the next round--and somehow only landed "in the middle".

Mini Mermaid Cocktail: The first of the Top Two positions was Sonjia Williams (who is quickly looking like a contender to be in the Finals, if only from these two first challenges). She created a peplum-shaped mini dress using ivory and aqua candy balls, white chocolate covered almonds and shark gummies.

I LOVED how she created the princess seams with the candy, injected the color-blocking trend seamlessly and then finished it off with a "neck-piece" of shark gummies. She was part Sexy Mermaid, part cocktail dress, part "Mini Shark". The hat was a miss, as some of the judges said, but other than that, it was an excellent and very creative creation.

The Winner, however, was Ven Budhu. Just from the "hints" shown by the cameras in the Parsons workroom, I could just see that his design was going to be a STUNNER. And it was. The way he created this vision of serious Haute Couture using crushed colored candy, it was magical.

The perfectly geometric inlaid pieces, the stained glass effect he created with candy--it all added to a beautiful strapless cocktail dress that was reminiscent of something from an Atelier Versace Collection:

Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Now, Le Bad:

Oh Buffi Jashanmal: Her Project Runway fifteen minutes are a ticking. This is so tasteless that Miss Nina is looking as if she's going to get ILL every time one of Buffi's designs come down the runway. She looks like Paris Hilton's REALLY REALLY tacky--and that's a feat!--daughter (OUCH!). I know it's only the second challenge but I am beginning to wonder how the heck she even made it onto the show.

Noodle Twizzler Dress: Also in the bottom was Elena Slivnyak's "Warrior Princess" structured dress made from a muslin base with piña colada twizzlers. The twizzlers began falling off the dress the minute the model came sauntering down the runway.

And then from not-so-far, the twizzlers began looking like a pasta noodle arts and crafts project from a 12 year old. I totally get what Irena was going for and it could have been great but...alas, it just didn't work. Poor thang.



But the Worst Was:

Oh Huney You Didn't Even Try: Just take a look at the model. She was like "Oh Dear! First, I cannot believe I have to wear this tacky creation and, second of all, I just KNOW my designer is going home". Fashion designer Lantie Foster's design was a MESS. She really did not even try. Umbrella fabric and little candy. And she tried to use the excuses of a first year fashion school student. Hashtag FAIL.



Wanna know what I really thought of this past week's Episode 2? Then read on kids....

"Sweet Tooth Couture"

Last
week, Season 10 of "Project Runway" premiered with the "Biggest Fashion
Show" in "Runway" history. This week, our little ol’ show loses not an
ounce of couture steam and keeps the strong momentum going with one of
the most iconic — and beloved by fans — "Project Runway" challenges, the
"Make a dress out of crap you would NEVER use to make a garment
challenge" … in other words, yes kids, it’s the Unconventional
Challenge. I’ve always said that this is a fun challenge to watch by the
fans and TV viewers alike, but in terms of it being a guide rule in
finding the "Next Best American Fashion Designer"… not so much.



 

Candy Re-Run


As "Plaid Heidi" saunters onto the runway congratulating last week’s
winner — cutie Christopher — she tells the designers that this is "no
time for child’s play." Instantly I think, "Oh Dear, they’re making
clothes for bratty Upper East Side kids!" But oh no, I was wrong. Soon,
the designers meet with Monsieur Gunn in front of Dylan’s Candy Store
where he is flanked by it’s owner and CEO, Dylan Lauren (Yes, of Ralph
Lauren fashion blue blood), announcing that their second challenge will
be to create a look out of candy using materials bought from Dylan’s
Candy Store naturally. Now, I remember back in Season 4, the challenge
was done at the Hershey’s Times Square store (Rami won it), so it seemed
like a slight re-run challenge idea to me, but one figures that it’s
difficult to come up with new "Unconventional Challenges" year after
year.




 

Gunnar and Christopher: Please Get a Room


After a mad "Candy Dash," the designers get their sugar tooth couture
fix, buy out half the store and then head to Parsons to #makeitwork!
The workroom quickly begins to resemble a 5-year-old’s birthday party
after a piñata has exploded. Several designers are spending their early
hours doing muslin dresses to build the foundation for their candy
creations. Others are crushing candy, gluing candy … or just eating it!
And then there’s Gunnar Siriano 2.0 and cutie Christopher who spend a
lot of their time being Bitchy Queens (more so Gunnar than Christopher)
talking smack and "throwing shade." It’s only the second week (In real
time, it’s only been like TWO DAYS since they’ve met each other!), but
there’s already this weird tension between them. I have a feeling that
either A) Gunnar feels threatened because he thought he was going to be
the only "twinky gay" or B) They just need to GET A ROOM! But I digress,
let’s move on…






Click HERE to read the rest of my Recap...

Project Runway Recaps: NY Fashion Week Finale Episode --Waiting for the WOW!

Project Runway Recaps: NY Fashion Week Finale Episode --Waiting for the WOW!

Did Anyone "Wow" Me, Finale Runway Show DISH from the Bleachers, Side Boobs and Wonky Center Backs...Oh, and The Winner Is...

NY Fashion Week Stars: (left to right) Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Jennifer Hudson and Nina Garcia--the judges for the Finale Episode of Season 10 Project Runway

Last night was the Finale Episode of Lifetime Network's Project Runway Season 10. This is the episode when the four top designers get to show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week. Because of when the season was filmed (they shot the season over this past Summer),the collections they showed were for Spring/Summer 2013. The actual runway show occurred in early September, and I was there.

NIKOLAKI Duo: Nick Verreos and David Paul--Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 Season 10 Project Runway Finale Runway Collections

I happened to be in NYC with my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul for meetings in my NYC showroom with various big department stores for a new line of mine, NV by Nick Verreos, so it was nice that I could also attend this Project Runway Finale fashion show at Lincoln Center.

So, the big question is Did Any of The Designers "WOW us"?. All season long, Tim, Nina, Heidi, Michael...and ME (on my Lifetime.com Blog) PLEADED that someone...anyone "Wow Us". And nothing (except for Christopher Palu's FABULOUS "Rockettes" creation). So, then it was down to the final four, and even Miss Heidi (in last week's episode) suggested for them to "Wow" her (and the rest of the judges) with their Finale NY Fashion Week 10-look collections. So...did they? Well, out of 4 designers one did bring the Wow!

The Best Seatmates: Season 1 Winner Jay McCarroll, Nick Verreos and Season 2 Winner Chloe Dao--Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 Season 10 Project Runway Finale Runway Collections

I sat next to Jay McCarroll and Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season 1 and Season 2 Winners, respectively. And let me tell you, we had a BLAST. Not just because we like each other (a lot!) but because of the running commentary we had going through the runway show. Lifetime Network really missed an opportunity to have us mic'd and be doing a LIVE video feed that would later be on their website--"The Chloe, Jay, and Nick Show". If only you heard what we were saying (very quietly and discreetly but still...). Now, before I get to my RECAP of the episode and my "Two Cents" on the Finale Collections, I wanted to reiterate that sitting there in the Lincoln Center bleachers and then watching it on TV, edited and on HD, is a whole different thang. With that said...



Christopher Palu:

Christopher was the cutest--and funniest this season--when it came to his queeny/bitchy commentary. And he also won four challenges so I called him the Season 10 "Golden Boy". When it came time for his Finale Collection, it was a bit of a potpourri. I was a little disappointed. It was too much black and too much leather--for a Spring/Summer Collection (yes, there's always some black in every season's collection, but especially this coming Spring/Summer 2013, it's ALL ABOUT COLOR!).

I Liked: If I had to pick an item I really liked from his collection, it would be this cropped leather jacket. This was chic, young and fresh albeit very Fall.

Not So Mucheey: This was his first "exit"/look and judge Michael Kors really liked it. I liked the top but it was the skirt that was a bit off-putting. It was mainly the "OH HUNEY" thigh showing in that slit. It made an impact as she began the show, and well, at least in my row, it wasn't a good impact.

The Gown: I liked Christopher's "finale" gown. It was very him; the raw edge bias-cut ombré organza panels...this gown had his "signature". But then when the model turned around, the Fashion Instructor-For-The-Last-9-Years set in, and...

Wonky Back: I noticed all thee "ooopsies". The back silver/gray panels should have matched. Period. Unforgivable. And then, the "lifting up" of the center back and the finishing of the invisible zipper was sloppy. This is something I saw from many of my fashion school students when making bustiers and strapless dresses/gowns. The center back should have been "tru'ed"/shaved off, so it would not "lift up" like you see in the photo. It also shows that the zipper was sewn incorrectly--it was stretched out. Call me a "Sewing Negative Ninny" but sorry. this is a sign of someone who needs a little more time in, as Tim Gunn says "the Fashion Incubator". That back should not look like that in the NY Fashion Week "stage". Never.



Melissa Fleis:

Melissa was one of the designers in the LA Castings that we let through to the "next round" when I judged. I loved her Chic Goth Girl aesthetic and designs, especially since she looked like the complete opposite with her nice bubbly personality and blond hair (usually those girls look like Rooney Mara!).

I Liked: The new "blood orange" leather asymmetrical dress she made. The draping, pleating, high cowl-neck...so FAB! Paired with the hair and those booties: Go Girl!

I also liked the look above. Thank goodness she took out those Johnny Depp "Pirates of the Caribbean" turn-up oversized cuffs. This model looked sleek and in control.

Not So Mucheey: This blue and black leather "swimsuit" was a big "Oh No She Didn't"--as an attendee, sitting there LIVE in the Finale runway show. Why? Well, as she walked, you could see her underwear. It was a bit disconcerting, to say the least as well as HOOCHIE. I was surprised to see that from Melissa. But on TV, this looked so SUPER Fab! So, there you go...what matters? TV or sitting there in the audience watching it?

Uh Oh: THE White Tank Dress. It took the model--what felt like TEN MINUTES--to make it to the end of the runway and back--as I sat there in my seat and watched this. She could not walk in that dress. Not because of her heels, but because of the lack of sweep in the hem. She need a slit. ASAP. And then, I noticed the side-boob. Again, the Fashion School Instructor in me screamed "Add 3 inches to the side seam and fill in the side, PLEASE!". 

More Side Boobage: And yeah, the white dress wasn't the only garment with a peek-a-boo breast sighting. This LBD above also needed my "Nick V. Pattern Making 101" help. Notice the double-stick tape. Major No No. 



Fabio Costa:

Fabio--Freegan, Dumpster Diving, UBER skirt-wearing bearded hipster...I LOVE his own sense of style. He reminds me of Malcolm McLaren's "Buffalo Gals" from the early 80's. Or a really hip Amish from Brazil! His collection WOWED. Not in a "OMG That's some COUTURE fabulousness!" but more of "That's a breath of fresh air" wow. The pastel colors, the askew draping...the directional styling. It was modern, fresh and "The Next Thing".



I Liked All These:

Layered Buffalo Gal 2013: Fabio Costa Season 10 Project Runway Finale Collection

Charmeuse Chic: Fabio Costa Season 10 Project Runway Finale Collection

 1930's Dinner Party: Fabio Costa Season 10 Project Runway Finale Collection

When I walked out of the show, back in September, Jay, Chloe and I all said "It's Fabio!" in terms of whose was the the "Winning" collection. But as seen from last night's episode, we were WRONG. Shows you how much we know.



The Winner: Dmitry Sholokhov

It was Belarus-born former professional ballroom dancer Dmitry, who took home the prize.  He was in my Top Two for sure. I liked a lot of his looks because they were elegant, very NY fashion editorial but, I felt there was a bit of a disjointed quality to the ten-look collection as a whole...



I Liked:

Houndstooth Cocktail: Dmitry Sholokhov Season 10 Project Runway Finale Collection

Jacket and Cowl-pant Love: Dmitry Sholokhov Season 10 Project Runway Finale Collection

 One Shoulder Sleek: Dmitry Sholokhov Season 10 Project Runway Finale Collection

But then, he brought out a "fringed" and sequined gown:

Ballroom Dancer Fashion Week: I am sure his intentions were right--finishing his collection with a impact of a supposed "red carpet"-looking gown. But it's just the effect it had when shown with the rest of his looks. It was like "WHU..WHU...WHUUUT???" The silhouette is actually quite nice, perfect for the next Miss Universe. But, it just did not go with the rest of his polished looks. It was a very expensive-looking version of an actual Ballroom Dancing Dress...

Ballroom Dress Muses

I just did not think he needed it. In the end, it did not matter. He won the Grand Prize! And now, Dmitry Sholokhov goes down in Wikipedia and IMDB history. Good luck Dmitry!

Віншуем і жадаем поспеху (according to "Google Translate" this means "Congrats and Good Luck" so I hope it means that! LOL!)

OK, so A) What did you think? And B) Here's my Final Recap of this season's Project Runway...Enjoy and PLEASE, don't forget to let me know what you REALLY thought after my Recap on the MyLifetime.com BLOG site

Waiting for the WOW

Le FINALE. Yes, kids, last night was the
Finale of “Project Runway.” Four designers showed on the biggest fashion
stage—Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. All season long, the judges,
Tim (and I) have made a plea for the designers to “WOW US.” So did they
succeed on the most important stage? Well, before I answer that, I
have lots of other things to say, so if you will indulge me...



Middle-of-the-Road Four

When we last left our four designers—Christopher, Dmitry, Fabio and
Melissa—they had gone home (or to somebody else’s home) to create their
collections. Five weeks passed, and they returned to NYC and showed
three looks to Heidi, Michael and Nina. It was hinted that one designer
may be eliminated, but our esteemed judges could not make up their
minds, and so all four designers stayed to show at NY Fashion Week.



No Wigs Allowed

As we begin this Finale episode, there are quick recaps of what the
judges told each of the designers that their collections needed. Fabio’s
garments lacked sophistication and required polish; Dmitry’s needed to
look younger; Christopher’s leather items were praised, but the judges
wanted more “wow”; and Melissa’s clothes were deemed “limited.” In
addition, we can’t forget all the questionable styling issues from last
week, including those wigs (Fabio, Melissa), HOOCHIE leather shorts
(Melissa, Christopher) and Dmitry’s dowdy girls. They now had two days
to somehow correct their styling mishaps and improve on what they
already had.



Producer Nick

If I had produced what would be next in the episode, I would have begun
with Tim walking into the workroom and announcing to the four designers
that he recruited a Hollywood A-List stylist to come in and guide these
kids through the 101’s of Runway Show Styling, followed by a shopping
excursion to Lord & Taylor with an unlimited budget for accessories.
A second scenario would have involved Tim dragging out some of the
auf’ed cast members (like they’ve done in the past—with their
downtrodden attitudes) to help the finalists in their last 48 hours.



Mood Shopping Gift Card

In reality, Tim eventually does walk in—not to introduce a stylist or say that Kooky Kooan
will be everyone’s intern for the next two days, but, among other
things, to give the designers an extra $300 to shop at Mood. This is a
not-so-subtle way of telling the designers that their collections need
help. At Mood, Fabio looks for more luxe fabrics to add sophistication...



 To read the rest, CLICK HERE !!!

Project Runway Season 10 Recap: "Where's Joan Rivers When You Need Her?"

Project Runway Season 10 Recap: "Where's Joan Rivers When You Need Her?"

Where's Joan Rivers?

Oh Joan, I Wish You Were The Judge: Joan Rivers E! Fashion Police

This week's Project Runway Season 10 Challenge was to Create a Red Carpet Look to be worn at the Emmy Awards. The official name of the challenge was the LEXUS Team Challenge--hello, the show has to pay the bills!

Car Style: Mentor Tim Gunn tries to keep a straight face (no pun intended) as he announces the "LEXUS" involvement in this challenge

Somehow they created an addendum to the challenge that would somehow make it justifiable for LEXUS to be involved--yes, kids, the designers were "inspired" by the colors of these fab LEXUS GS automobiles...yeah, right. This season's designers were given their Red Carpet clients and no, it was't Sofia Vergara or Claire Danes.

Not so muchey as I like to say. Remember the mustard-mess of a dress Season 1's Wendy Pepper made for Nancy O'Dell (photo above). Yeah, bless O'Dell's heart--she smiled through it and was a good sport but you know she was like "NEVER AGAIN!".

Instead, it was former Project Runway contestants and/or winners--such as Laura Bennett from Season 3, Kenley I-threw-a-cat-at-my-boyfriend Collins from Season 5 (above), Irina (Season 6 Winner), Anya (Season 9 Winner) and several others. Let's just get to the Runway darlings, shall we:

Nina, Michael Heidi, and guest judge, actress Krysten Ritter were there and really--nothing against the lovely Miss Ritter--but I was hoping it was going to be Joan Rivers. She would have let these Season 10 contestants HAVE IT. Especially those who were all "I HATE designing 'Red Carpet'..." Yes, I am talking to you Alicia and Raul!

Anyhow, Miss Klum walked out in a strapless sequin LBD with a wink-and-a-smile secretly saying "THIS is a Red Carpet dress kids! Now, go home!" Speaking of Red Carpet dressing and the Emmys--here are the Best Dressed of 2011 as a refreshner:

2011 Emmy Awards Best Dressed

My favorite was the silver silk charmeuse gown that Dmitry and Melissa created for "Kelly Osborne 2.0" April Johnston (above). Somehow, this ended up in the "middle" and not as one of the top two. What gives? Maybe Heidi, Nina, Michael and Krysten were too tired and "over it" (some of those judging sessions go on 'till the wee hours darlings!)

Four Inches Too Short Wedding Dress: Bitchy McBitchy Gunnar and Kooan created this white gown for Irina and somehow this ended up in the Top Two.  You can read my Recap at the end of this post to really know what I think of this dress...

This was the Winner (above left photo)--a short navy blue silk gazar cocktail dress from Ven and Fabio--for "I Want ALL the Attention" Kenley Collins. It was very pretty and expensive looking but Emmys worthy? Go back to that collage of Emmys 2011 Best Dressed...

Is That Your Pageant Britney? Season 9 Winner Anya and Miss District of Columbia USA 2012 Monique LaShone Thompkins

The Bottom Two were cutie (I am renaming him "Drama Queen Christopher" after this episode) Christopher and Andrea BA MA MFA Katz and the design they created for Anya. I do LOVE a pageant gown and a slit--as long as it's not DANGEROUSLY close to her nether-regions--and this dress was. Poor Anya would have been SLAMMED by the "Fashion Police" --or at least moi on TV Guide's Emmys Fashion Wrap!

But the worst was the dowdy dirndl halter dress that pointy-haired Raul and dreadlock'ed Alicia created. Bad with a Capital "B". Poor Mila. This look really aged her and made her look like a Mother-of-the-Bride as opposed to a Red Carpet Diva.




If you want to know what I REALLY thought of this last episode? Read below:

"Where's Joan Rivers When You Need Her?"



 Team I-Don't-Want-To-Be-On-A-Team


We knew it was going to be a KRAZEE episode the minute Tim Gunn said
that this was a "Team Challenge." No One. I reiterate, NO ONE, likes the
Team Challenges on "Project Runway" (except the viewers). The challenge
this week? To create a red carpet look that is to be worn at the Emmys
in September. Lest you forget, our little ol' show is nominated this
year! This challenge was also dubbed the "LEXUS Team Challenge" because
the designers also had to incorporate the colors of the new LEXUS GS
cars (the automobile sponsor) into their red carpet creations. I almost
wished they had to make these looks out of actual LEXUS car parts! But
oh wait, I think that's already been done...



 

Red Carpet Sacrificial Lambs


Seven Teams of two were created — Christopher/Andrea, Sonjia/Nathan,
Elena/Buffi, Ven/Fabio, Gunnar/Kooan, Alicia/Raul and Dmitry/Melissa.
Now, who would these teams be designing Emmys red carpet creations for?
Heidi? Nina? Sofia Vergara?! Nope, darlings. Remember the debacle years
ago when Season 1 Winner Jay McCarroll created La Klum a gown for the
Emmys and she ended up not wearing it? (Oops). And the mess Wendy Pepper
made for Nancy O'Dell to wear to the Grammy's as a result of a
challenge she won? Yeah, in other words, not such a good history of
these collaborations. So, instead, the show brought back seven past
Runway contestants and winners — Season 9 Winner Anya, Season 6 Winner
Irina, Laura Bennett, Kenley, Mila, April Johnston and Valerie Mayen
(who?) — to be the Red Carpet Sacrificial Lambs ... I mean clients.




 

Time Complainer, Hissy Fits, Ironing Assistants


Team Elena/Buffi got Laura Bennett as their red carpet client which
immediately scared me. If Laura and those two were the last people stuck
on an island, she still wouldn't choose them to make her a dress (But,
alas, she has no choice). Laura is elegant Manhattan chic, while Elena
is Lady Gaga futurama and Buffi is just tacky-licious. Strong-headed
Elena is delegating Buffi to steaming/pressing assistant status while
she's just running around stressed and panicked. She's also complaining
about the lack of time they are given to make an evening dress. Really
Elena? What part of "Project Runway" did you NOT understand? These kids,
they slay me.



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