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....Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale Episode Blog Photo Recap + Finale Thoughts and Who Should Have Really Won!

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale Episode Blog Photo Recap + Finale Thoughts and Who Should Have Really Won!

Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale--My top looks from each of the four finalists--Season 14 Finale Episode "Project Runway"

Last Thursday was the Season Finale of Lifetime's Season 14 "Project Runway". Unfortunately I'm a little late with my BLOG PHOTO RECAP here because I have been out of the country, in Europe, for work..and a little bit of play. But, now I'm back and well, better a week late than never: Here are my thoughts on the final episode of the season, the final collections and WHO really should have won --according to the final collections shown by non-finalists (HINT: Swapnil Shinde).

To be very honest, I was a bit disappointed with the final collection designs--especially when compared to previous seasons. This was NOT a stellar season--and I said so in my Lifetime "Project Runway" Recap HERE (and at the end of this blog). I'll have much more to say if you keep reading so...here we go, one last BLOG RECAP for this season's "Project Runway":

Tim Talk: The episode began with Tim Gunn talking to the final four designers about the critiques they received from the judges during their 3-look preview runway session. Tim thought that the session went OK and proceeded to sum up to the designers what they needed to do to make their final collections better (in the two days they had!). Tim has recently been saying a lot of not-so-nice things about this season's designers and their design talent. So, now looking back, I would LOVE to know what he really wanted to say to these final four.

Nick Verreos judging at "Project Runway" Season 10 L.A. Castings--with Mondo Guerra and Abby Gardner (No Tim Gunn)

He also said that his lack of involvement with the castings might have been a problem, saying that this was "the first time he wasn't at the castings". I might have to call Tim Gunn on that one because I've been part of the auditions/castings for many, many seasons (to be precise: Seasons 3 through 13) and for SEVERAL years Tim was NOT at the castings. So on the Tim "Truth Meter", I call "Pants of Fire". 

During the Workroom Check-in's...

Designer Candice Cuoco realized she should take out this overblown "Scarlett O'Hara"-looking gown from her ten-look collection. This was supposed to be her "Finale Wow". And...

Instead it looked like an old Bob Mackie costume for Carol Burnett. 

Neckpiece Not: Candice also took out this neck/shoulder contraption that was somehow going to be part of a look she designed. But thank goodness she came to her senses (via the judges and Tim Gunn's advice) and put this thing back in the closet (or garment bag).

Glitter Gal: Kelly asked for glitter and Tim brought her 20 pounds of the stuff, so she could glue and bedazzle the heck out of the shoes, lips, headphones...for her final collection. Up to the final day of work before showing at NY Fashion Week, it seemed pretty obvious which designers were on the right track (Ashley and Kelly) and who was not (Edmond and Candice).

NY Fashion Week is Here:

September 11th: The Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale show at NY Fashion Week occurred on September 11th and therefore--as you can see on Edmond Newton above--Newton wore an American flag scarf in honor of the day. The judges also wore variations on the red, white and blue theme:

Americana Finale: (L to R) Judges Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and guest judge Carrie Underwood--Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale Show at NY Fashion Week

Here are my "Nick Two Cents" on the final collections, beginning with Edmond Newton: 

Edmond's collection was a mish-mash of not cohesive designs, somehow being tied together with the black and white colors (didn't work). He had sleek column sheaths, big pouffy hi-lo tent dresses and "Big Bird" ruffle cray-cray gowns that looked like they went through a not so stylish "fashion tornado". He was the first OUT when it came to the judging.

The Good:

Simple Good: The first look out, this black halter column gown. Simple, sleek, elegant, clean. Stick to that my dear Edmond. Seriously. It's not innovative and certainly not the work of the next WUNDERKIND of Fashion but it was the best look from his collection.



The Not-So-Good:

Toga Newton: This draped toga-like gown was loved by Heidi (Oh Heidi, you're funny!). There was no reason AT ALL for this to be in his collection and it just came out of nowhere (along with many of his other looks) and it also reminded me of the design created by the first designer of this season to be Auf'ed--New Zealand-born Duncan Chambers-Watson (R).

Bebe 2013: These two were Las Vegas-club dresses from 2 years ago. Why would Edmond waste his design time--and money--on making garments that can be purchased in a mall RIGHT NOW (or two years ago!) is beyond me. These are great when he does the "Edward Newton for Macy's line" but not for NY Fashion Week.

Ruffle Cray-Cray: I don't even know where to begin with these two. Obviously, Edward thought these were going to be "The Stars". In the end, they were probably his worst looks. The one on the left looked like she was trailing toilet paper and the one on the right was cascade ruffle overkill.



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Candice Cuoco: Candice said she was inspired by the recent Met Exhibition "China: Through The Looking Glass". This could have gone well but she ended up getting TOO caught up in the exhibition and making way too costume-y creations. She was forced to take out all those extra "bells and whistles" and in the end, what was left was rather lackluster and certainly not material for "America's Next Top Fashion Designer".



The Good:

I loved the first look out, which in fact she created in her last two days in the workroom. This cherry blossom printed dress was chic, elegant, sexy. The funny thing is that her obvious "thing" is leather but this dress had none of it. And it was her BEST look. Second Runner-up was the strapless red leather gown. It fit nicely and looked great. It was too short in the front, however. Beyond these two, I wasn't a fan of most of the rest of her looks. They were very Elvira-Meets-North Beach Leather circa 1994.



The Not-So-Good:

The first one (far left) fit awkwardly (what is with the gaping sides?), the middle one looked Halloween-Witchy (she's missing a big pointy black hat) and the far right one was too Rapper hanger-on at the MTV Awards. Also, if you're going to make a leather bustier for NY Fashion Week, make one that is NOT straight out of a Patternmaking 101 Bustier book. Drape the leather huney! Do something different/new.



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Kelly Dempsey: I wanted to like Kelly's collection so bad. Mainly because I really liked KELLY; she was so wonderfully self-deprecating, so funny, so honest and I loved her own quirky late 80's/early 90's style. I think that Kelly's collection would have looked better within the setting of a "done-up" runway: the runway should have been a mock deli, the models should have been chomping gum and carrying big ol' boom boxes and well, you get the picture. Otherwise, it kind of looked like costumes for "Mamma Mia: The Musical" with a little of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert".



The Good:

Disco Good: Kelly's best look was the one on the left: wood printed Lycra knit with mesh dress, with matching fanny pack. Second Runner-up was this emerald beaded and knit dress. But after that, it was "Mamma Mia" zone...



The Not-So-Good:

Donna Summer Here We Come and Jerry Hall at Studio 54. The one on the left was too costume-y and the one on the right, looked cheap and the top fit oddly. They just didn't look expensive or refined.

Cameltoe Alert and Space Odyssey New Wave. I was not a fan of these two looks. I can't imagine a single girl--no matter how fun and quirky she is--wearing these...unless it was to The Burning Man Festival.

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Ashley Nell Tipton: Ashley created a plus size collection, the first one in "Project Runway" history. I applaud her for doing it. I just wish it was made better. I also thought the fit was off on several of her designs. I did like her flower headpieces. I'm sure lots of "Project Runway" fans want those. She better get to Michael's ASAP and start glueing!



The Good:

Lace Fab: Plum colored lace crop top and mermaid-shaped skirt. This was Ashley's best look, hands down. She made a variation on those Elie Saab/Zuhair Murad gowns but for a Fab plus size gal. And it worked! To me, this was the only true "Wow" of her winning finale collection.



The Not-So Good:

Frida Kahlo Flower Child and Romper Not: The one on the left was her finale look and it was a mess. She looked as if she should have been on a float--at NY Gay Pride or Rio's Carnival. And I almost wanted to strangle her when I heard she GLUED those flowers. Ayyy Dios Mio! Cheap, cheap, cheap. And the one on the right, while I liked the romper idea, it fit really badly; too tight and too much gaping. The crotch was too long and the top needed the sides to be taken out (notice the gaping). I also had issues with her poor construction...

Broken Zipper...

Hem coming off (photos above)--Did she just use "stitch witchery" tape as opposed to actually SEWING the hem??

In the end, none of that mattered. Ashley's collection was deemed the most "cohesive" and therefore she took the crown as the winner of Season 14 "Project Runway". Now, like I said: get to making them flower headpieces! 

Finally, I want to take a moment to discuss a collection from one of the designers who was eliminated before the Final Four--Designer Swapnil Shinde. Even though he wasn't a Finalist, he still got to show at NY Fashion Week (six total designers from the season showed, two being decoys). Well kiddies, after seeing all the final collections, I have to say that Swapnil's was BY FAR, the BEST of all of them. It was cohesive, chic, elegant, new, romantic, of-the-moment and made impeccably. it also fit well. He interjected his Indian heritage but not in a costume-y, heavy-handed way. I don't know what it says about the actual four finalists that Swapnil's was better but I guess, you can easily take a hunch. Such a shame that he was eliminated and didn't make it but in the end, he got the last laugh by showing a much better collection than even the actual winner.



The Collection That Should've WON--Swapnil Shinde--A HUGE Thank You to Blogging Project Runway for these photos!

Wow. Give him the unofficial Winner of Season 14 "Project Runway" title. Now, if you think that I'm the only one who feels this way, take a look at this photo of the judges' reaction when his collection came down the runway (remember, they knew he wasn't even a finalist)...

"Oh Dear God! His collection is better than the actual Top Four! What do we do now??!!"--Carrie Underwood, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum trying (badly) to keep a poker face--NY Fashion Week Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale Show

Photo courtesy of Caitlin Carpenter via Blogging Project Runway Facebook

Well, kiddies, here's my final Season 14 "Project Runway" Recap from the myLifetime.com Blog:

Season 14, Episode 14: Now
You Can Cry!

After thirteen episodes,
we’ve now arrived at the Season 14 Finale of “Project Runway." During this
season, we witnessed lots of crying, one too many smoke breaks, a trip to Los
Angeles, Tim donning an apron to make tortillas plus much, much more. It was
now time to see if the finalists rose to the challenge of showing an
outstanding NY Fashion Week collection and more importantly, which one did it
the best, or as it turned out, most cohesively. Time for one final recap.

The episode begins
with the designers feeling bruised, battered and bewildered by the blunt
critiques the judges gave them—except for Ashley. Even with just a three-look
runway preview, it was pretty obvious whose collection was looking the best.
The only issues Ashley had were fit and construction. Similarly, Kelly’s 
critique wasn’t too negative. They just said, "Amp it up!”

Edmond and Candice
suffered the most debilitating critique blows. Edmond somehow needed to bring
the sexy back (slash a slit or two, perhaps?), and Candice was told to tone it
down and rein back the bells and whistles…and the witchy hat. The designers had
two days to remedy what was deemed not-so-good. From the outside, it looked as
if they had a lot of work to do with no assistance from eliminated designers
this season...

Click HERE to keep reading my RECAP on the
mylifetime.com "Project Runway" Blog!

OSCARS 2016: THE RED CARPET

OSCARS 2016: THE RED CARPET

The 88th Academy Awards mark the last stop of our fashion recap for this Awards Season: Who is sad? I am.

Aside the usual lack of diversity among the nominations, the 2016 Oscars will make history for two reasons: firstly as the most important moment in Leonardo DiCaprio's life (as #TEB's cinema-lover Beatrice previously told you), and secondly for delivering a colorful selection of modern red carpet looks.

But did I fall in love with all of them? Nope.

Let's have a look:

FLORAL MASTERPIECE

Cate Blanchett (Carol) in Armani Privé / John Legend & wife Chrissy Teigen in Marchesa

I was expecting Cate Blanchett to wear a couture piece, however I was suprised to see her wearing something this romantic: showstopping tailoring and 3-D flowers' applications make this Armani Privé gown, one of the best looks of the night.

Moving to the lovely couple on the right, I have to repeat myself: Chrissy Teigen has the best maternity style ever. The design is nothing new, but Marchesa managed to adapt it to her new body: the expected sensuality of the design is casted away, to favor a look that oozes feminine beauty at its fines. I am in love witn this.

BOLD COLORS

Brie Larson (Room) in Gucci / Charlize Theron in Dior / Olivia Munn in Stella McCartney

A better title should have been "Saved by the color".

Brie Larson had an impressive awards season, thanks to her performance in Room, but also to her stylist. However I can not say that this Gucci is the best look she came up with or even Oscars-worthy material...but at the end of the day isn't she beautiful in that shade of blue?

Charlize Theron wore of course a design by Dior: from the waist down I am a fan, but the upper part is questionable. It feels like a bathing suit turned into a evening gown...but isn't she beautiful in that shade of red?

Olivia Munn is not really an A-list celebrity, however this Stella McCartney's orange gown makes her look the part.

INTERESTING SHAPES

Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell / Olivia Wilde in Valentino Haute Couture

Lady Gaga and Brandon Maxwell are a match made in heaven. This jumpsuit is everything: elegant, modern and luxurious; definitely the most unforgettable look of the night. 

Olivia Wilde played the couture card in a revealing Valentino dress: I like it, maybe too much for the Oscars, but that chocker is throwing me off. #Unnecessary. 

LUXURY by CHANEL

Julianne Moore in Chanel Couture / Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) in Chanel Couture

Two Chanel Couture designs in my best dressed list: am I dreaming? 

Julianne Moore and new comer Daisy Ridley left me speachless at first sight: minimal styling, chic and luxurious embellishments...what else to say?

DAZZLING BLONDES

Margot Robbie in Tom Ford / Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn) in Calvin Klein / Naomi Watts in Armani Privè

Get your sunglasses on, it's getting shiny right here! 

Margot Robbie took the Oscars theme kind of literally, by wearing a golden Tom Ford piece: I like the outfit, but I am not sure about the hair, maybe too casual for the occasion. 

Brooklyn star Saoirse Ronan chose a sexy Calvin Klein dress for her debut on the Academy Awards' red carpet, however the styling makes her look older than her 20s. 

Naomi Watts managed to over-accessorize her look one more time: if you have to wear Bulgari jewels by contract, why choosing such a dress?  

YOU LOVE IT, I HATE IT #1

Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl /Ex-Machina) in Louis Vuitton

I like Alicia Vikander as an actress and her beauty is undeniable, but I can not get on board with this mess. Being Louis Vuitton ambassador she might had no voice in the selection of her outfits, so I forgive her, but it hurts me anyway to hate this look so much: she has been on #TEB's best dressed list for the entire awards season. #Pity.

YOU LOVE IT, I HATE IT #2

Kerry Washington (Scandal) in Atelier Versace / Jennifer Lawrence (Joy) in Dior

If you can see Kerry Washington's Versace look as a one-piece, then you will feel the boldness of the design. If you can not, than you would agree with me: what the hell is she wearing?

Jennifer Lawrence finally found the perfect hair color to enhance her natural beauty; I wish I could say the same about that lace-fest Dior gown.

PLAYING SAFE

Sophie Turner (Game of Thones) in Galvan for Opening Ceremony x Swarovski / Rooney Mara (Carol) in Givenchy / Emily Blunt (Sicario) in Prada

Sophie Turner looked divine: the ginger Game of Thrones star finally nailed the look I have always dreamed for her, although a darker color would have turned this look into a showstopper.

Rooney Mara in Givenchy is getting boring, especially if you keep wearing little variations of the same design over and over again.

Emily Blunt looked just like the lovely mum she will become: however the dress by itself is nothing special.

ELEGANT EMEBELLISHMENTS

Amy Poehler in Andrew Gn/ Jennifer Garner in Atelier Versace/ Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) in Marchesa

Nature-inspired embroidery on Amy Poehler gown, definitely an original choice for the Oscars, while both Jennifer Garner and Sofia Vergara went for something more classic but sparkling. Jennifer proved that Versace can still deliver good and classy gowns, and Sophia surpised me stepping out of her comfort zone, by wearing something different from her usual mermaid dresses.

LAME CHOICE #1

Priyanka Chopra (Quantico) in Zuhair Murad / Isla Fisher in Marchesa / Rachel McAdams (Spotlight) in August Getty Atelier

I love this section: how is it possible to go wrong having a styling team and the star-power to wear beautiful designer clothes? Watch and learn.

-Priyanka Chopra in a beautiful white gown...do you get the bridal vibe once again?

-Isla Fisher's gown is so plain that I do not want to wast time commenting.

- and Rachel McAdams is such a let down: this gown has no life or style. Why wearing it to the Oscars??

LAME CHOICE #2

Heidi Klum in Marchesa / Reese Witherspoon in Oscar de la Renta / Kate Winslet in Ralph Lauren

Everyone has his own tradition...mine is to find Heidi Klum among the least convincing looks on the red carpet: this time she has to blame a costumy and fluffy Marchesa design. Next.

Would you wear a dress that does nothing for your boobs? According to Reese Witherspoon, yes.

Last but not least Kate Winslet in what I call "Futuristic Garbage".

That's the Oscars everybody.

written by: Stella