NY Fashion Week Minute: Attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Collections--My Recap!

NY Fashion Week Minute: Attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Collections--My Recap!

Finale Fab:

Instamatic 2012: Nick Verreos at NY Fashion Week Project Runway Finale Fashion Show--photo courtesy of SHOEDAZZLE

I know I'm (almost) 2 weeks late but I wanted to do this post and recap the fun time I had attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week on Friday September 7th. As you may know, I flew to NYC to attend various events and parties celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Project Runway. Also, because I was one of the designers chosen to design a dress for the exclusive Project Runway Dress Collection at Lord & Taylor I was invited to the VIP "Unveiling" and to take part in Lord &Taylor's Fashion's Night Out event on Thursday September 6th.

Finale Glam: Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Guest Celeb Judge Jennifer Hudson and Nina Garcia--Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion week Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show

It was a whirlwind of a week that ended with the Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Lincoln Center. If you're watching and are a fan of Project Runway, you know that we are halfway through the season--on TV that is. The actual Finale of the season (which always involves only the Top 3 or 4 designers left in the show) won't happen for maybe another couple of months. "TV Timing" doesn't coincide with "Real Timing" and NY Fashion Week was happening right now, so ALL the current contestants/designers still on TV were able to show at NY Fashion Week so, you the TV viewer wouldn't know who the actual Top 3 or 4 were---only the designers, judges producers, editors...Tim Gunn, Heidi, Nina and Michael know--and yes, they are all SWORN to secrecy.

Strike a Pose: Heidi Klum poses for the cameras at the Season 10 Finale Project Runway Fashion Show Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

I was so excited to attend the show and happy to be invited, naturally. The fashion show took place in the largest runway show stage--called the "Theater"--at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week at Lincoln Center.

Fab Back: Heidi Klum showing her perfectly toned back--at the Season 10 Finale Project Runway Fashion Show Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

It was PHOTO MADNESS when Miss Heidi came out (in a slinky sequined Alexandre Vaultier dress)--with fellow Project Runway judges Michael Kors, Nina Garcia (in Lanvin) and Celeb Guest Judge--the beautiful Jennifer Hudson--who was wearing a very fitted Emerald Green suit by Michael Kors.

JHud: The photographers all kept asking Jennifer Hudson (OK, maybe yelling at her!) to take off her jacket and she was like, "Oh No Huuuuuney!!!". She remained a perfect Diva throughout. 

I got to seat in the 8th row behind some of the most recent seasons' designer (the seating criteria  seems to depend on what season you were on, current seasons in the front, older seasons in the back). The really fun part of my row, was that I was with other "old timers":

  

Season 1 Winner Jay McCarroll and Season 2 Winner Chloe Dao (above photo). I felt so privileged. I absolutely LOVE those two so we had a BALL of a time watching the entire show together.



**SPOILER ALERT!:



Now--Like I stated before, at the time of the Finale Fashion Show there were still 8 designers left on the show, all of these eight showed their "mini-collections" (lucky them!!)--Here are images from each of their collections and which ones were my Top Faves for making it into the Final:

 


Gunnar Deatharage:

As we know now little Gunnar got the "auf" in this past week's episode. The NY Fashion Week Finale show occurred before this but to be perfectly honest, it was the weakest of all the eight collections. There was an obvious tribal/African-inspired theme. The clothes lacked directionality, drama and maturity. Let's look at the bright side: he got to show at NEW YORK FASHION WEEK!



Sonjia Williams:

Sonjia was one of my favorites so far in the season but her Finale Collection was all over the place. She began with a look that had her "Sonjia Turban Bow" which was cute...

But then she did some looks that well, were a bit odd--including this skirt over stretch lace leggings. I think Nina would call this "a miss".

Ven  Budhu:

Season 10 contestant/designer Ven Budhu of the pleated flower/rose fame--and "I Don't Like Plus Size Ladies" infamy--showed a collection of (almost) ALL Pleated Flower looks. It was a definite "F You" to EVERYONE--including the judges, I think (especially after watching last week's episode). My instinct tells me that he's not in the Finals.

He was one of my favorites from the Castings and a frontrunner at the beginning of the show and I know many of the other casting judges thought that he could have won--after seeing his designs and obvious impeccable talent and taste level but...

That episode with his client Terri and the fact that he kept doing those pleated flower treatments...well, that will haunt him forever. Nevertheless, his Finale Collection had some beautifully crafted Ladies-who-Lunch-and-impeccably-made-Red-Carpet clothes. Polished, elegant and gorgeously constructed. He needs to get a job as Oscar de la Renta's Design Assistant. Like NOW!



Elena Slivnyak:

I really liked Elena's Finale Collection. Mainly because she sent out very colorful--Spring 2013 ON TREND--clothes. I was surprised that she didn't do "Lady Gaga" structured multi-seamed coats with UBER shoulder pads. Instead, she opted for very now dresses.

Her very fitted color-blocked dresses were SO Heidi Klum; I can see Miss Heidi worshiping them. Her mini-collection was very Narciso Rodriguez as well. She either needs to send her resume to him--or to Max Axria of BCBG/Herve Leger Empire.



Christopher Palu:

Christopher--whom I think is one of the Top Four Finalist after seeing the Finale Fashion Show--did an outstanding job. However, there were some missteps. Some of the looks were disjointed, in terms of a collection. It's like he needed someone to get up in there to tell him "Yes, and Yes...and Oh No!". The first transparent sheer look with high slit skirt was very Video Vixen. And then there was A LOT of leather and Fall-like looks for a Spring/Summer Collection. This was his final gown on his Project Runway model:

A pretty dress but not cohesive with the rest of the collection and in my estimation way too referential of Christian Siriano.




Melissa Fleis:

Melissa was one of my top favorites from the NY Fashion Week show. I loved her high boat neck burnt orange leather asymmetrical dress. It was so chic, it was BEYOND Chic. I would not want to mess with that girl. I would just want to be her "Best Gay". She also did some sleek jacket and super-skinny pants looks that seemed very NOW. But she had TWO particular "Oh NO's":

First, a navy blue-and-black leather leotard/swimsuit(?) that was HOOCHIE-COOCHIE short! While the model walked, we (the audience) could see her white underwear., Not good. Whether or not this shows up on the show, will be very interesting. The other look that was an issue:

This white tank dress. It was very fitted and there was NO SLIT. The model could barely walk down the runway. I even noticed the judges--Heidi, Michael, Nina, Jennifer--turning to each other to comment. I just do not understand why Melissa did not put a slit--or two in this dress. The photo looks great. The runway LIVE version. Not so muchey.



Dmitry Sholokhov:

Wow. Dmitry sent out a very sleek, modern, polished collection. To me, he is one of the top for sure. Not only did I LOVE this cowl bias-cut dress above but his separates were so ON TREND.

The color story was dark for a Spring/Summer Collection but it still felt light. He also sent some looks that referenced his cut-out "HP Challenge" winning look, including this creme dress:

I wonder if one of those Final Challenges involves designing a look based on one of their Season 10 Winning creations. I really liked this dress. He is one of my Top Three for sure. Go Dmitry.





Fabio Costa:

Fabio's collection was probably my favorite. It was light, airy, very Spring 2013, and I LOVED, LOVED, his bias-cut, silk charmeuse, asymmetrical cowl draping. And I wasn't the only one who was gushing. EVERYONE I spoke to, also thought his was the best. But who knows who will be in the Top 3 or 4 or be in the Finals. We will soon find out...



Here are some fun After-Show Snapshots:

Season 2 Boys: Andrae Gonzalo and Nick Verreos--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Fro Fab: Nick Verreos and Season 10 designer Kooan Kosuke--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Mustache Fashion Week: Nick Verreos with Valerie Mayen (Season 8) and Mondo Guerra (Season 1 All Stars Winner and Season 8 Finalist)--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

(Left to right): Gorgana Gehlhauisen (Season 6 and Season 1 All Stars), Nick Verreos, Uli Herzner (Season ) and Nathan Paul (Season 10)--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Nick Verreos and Terri Herlihy--Ven's client on that infamous Season 10 episode--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

NIKOLAKI Boys: Nick Verreos and David Paul--Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center

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

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.