London 2012 Olympics Fashion Minute: Synchronized Swimming Costumes--All the Bezazzled Haute Couture!

London 2012 Olympics Fashion Minute: Synchronized Swimming Costumes--All the Bezazzled Haute Couture!

Campy Costumes, Shellacked Hair, Over-the-Top Makeup...it's not RuPaul's Drag Race, it's Olympics Synchronized Swimming!

The London 2012 Olympics are coming to an end (insert sad face) and while there are a lot of things I will miss--fashion and non-fashion-wise: those low-slung men's swim trunks (OMG Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Tom Daley!), the ball-tossing Rhythmic Gymnastics and the bravado of those men's track-and-field DIVOS (Yes, Usain Bolt, I am talking to you!). There's also things I won't miss, particularly those DRAB-as-DRAB-can-be gray Nike hooded parkas that the Gold-winning US Gymnastics Team wore on the Medal Podium. But back to the positive: somehow I missed discussing those AMAZING swimsuits/costumes from the Olympics Synchronized Swimming competitions.

Synchronized Swimming occurred all last week and yes, I was watching. How could I not be: I was entranced by all the campy, bedazzled over-the-top looks from all the international teams. I don't remember them always being so Swarovski crystal KRAZEE but I am happy that they are! Let's take a look at my favorite looks:

Russia's Ishchenko and Romashina--who clinched the Gold as expected in the Duets Competition--did a fabulous routine wearing Michael Jackson-bedazzled silver and black leotards. These were simply INCREDIBLE! I want a Swimsuit company to put these out and sell them! Imagine the next time at your Princess Cruises vacation and coming out to the pool and seeing a girl in one of these! I would run to her and give her a Fashion Medal! 

Fashion Grade: A

Argentina: The South American duet wore halter-necklined gold, white and black swimsuits that gave a trompe l'oeil effect of a vest on top of a leotard. And yes, the vest was bedazzled, of course.

Fashion Grade: B

Austria: The Austrian Synchronized Swimming Pair wore dirdnl-inspired swimsuits (naturally, it's AUSTRIA for goodness sakes!) but there was a bit of España as well. The bold red and black colors plus the faux lacing on the sides all added for an imaginitive way to inject a little bit (or a LOT!) of national costume/folklore into their performance.

Fashion Grade: A-

Canada: I call these the "Harlequin Romance Girls" ---These one-shoulder looking swimsuits were a TEN in terms of use of bold color, campy effect and great costume execution. One word: LOVE! Next Olympics, though, I would DIE to see them somehow wear Canadian Mountie bedazzled costumes/swimsuits. Please?

Fashion Grade: A

France: The French duet team went with more of a swirly-patterned costume/swimsuit for this portion of the competition. I do like the colors--rose, bubblegum pink, lemon yellow and black--and the (somewhat) delicate beading at the edges of the swirl applique. They're not Michael Jackson Fab but a good "costume effort" for France.

Fashion Grade: B+

Greece: My Greek "sisters" were not letting the sad economic depression occurring back in their country impede their choice of costume and use of fun bold colors. I enjoy the whole "SHAZAMM!!" effect of the swimsuits and rather large crystals. 

Fashion Grade: A-

Italy: Wow. Favoloso Italia!! These neon green and purple beaded swimsuits/costumes were BY FAR one of my favorites of the entire Olympics Synchronized Swimming Competition. They looked like Sea Creatures in a Gay Pride/Cirque du Soleil parade!!

Fashion Grade: A

Kazakhstan: This pair gave you tuxedos for their swimsuits/costumes. I like how the creators/designers incorporated the eyeglasses and the chain attached to them as if they are coming out of the tuxedo vest. There are SO many ingenious details in these swimsuits--notice the "braces"/suspenders and "cropped" pinstripe bottoms. Excellently designed costumes.

Fashion Grade: A

USA: The US finished 11th in the Final Duet Results but these costumes were one of the Top ones for me. They were subtle and rather "discreet" on the Synchronized Swimming Swimsuit Campy Meter. I really liked the bold Olympic Torch design and how it was "front-and-center" standing out against a white and light blue backdrop of the swimsuit.

Fashion Grade: A-

South Korea: These costumes were very colorful and almost had hints of Boho Hippie Chick Tye Dye in them. Were there better costumes worn by the other athletes? Yes. But this was a "good costume show" for them.

Fashion Grade: B-

Mexico: The Mexican Synchronized Swimming Duet team was feeling very "Animal"-inspired with these set of swimsuits/costumes. Both featured animals of some kind. The first (top) photo had a fish and a tiger--in a neon bubblegum pink and neon green trimmed background while the second suits (bottom) had wolves; bedazzled ones at that! Theses were my favorite ones of the two. But for both, they get a...

Fashion Grade: A

Spain: These Spanish ladies wore two of my favorite swimsuits/costumes of the entire Synchronized Swimming Duet Competition. I could barely choose a BEST between the Flamenco polka-dotted suits and then, the red Sevillana one shoulder "Carmen" numbers directly above. They were both elegant, chic, striking and muy, pero muy fabuloso. Olé!

Fashion Grade: A

Switzerland: When I took a look at these sequined swimsuits, all I kept thinking about was ABBA's "Money, Money, Money" song! In case you're wondering, yes kids, those ARE dollar bills imprinted on their costumes,in light green and neon yellow and done to look like the top of a side-exposing dress. I absolutely LOVE these!

Fashion Grade: A

Russia: Finally, the Gold-medal winning duet from Russia and their cherry-cheeked clown costumes. They were Campy, Sequin-Fab and I do like that they embraced the theme right down to the painted-on oversized eyelashes and hair accessories. They looked EXACTLY like the pretty clown in their swimsuits/costumes.

Fashion Grade: A

Congratulations Ladies and Thank you for Bedazzling my TV screen this past week! 

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.