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...

Remembering André Courrèges, The Master of Space-Age Couture: A Look Back

Remembering André Courrèges, The Master of Space-Age Couture: A Look Back

Couture Astranaut: Fashion designer André Courrèges (1923-2015)

Fashion designer André Courrèges passed away yesterday at the age of 92
after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Courrèges worked under
Cristobal Balenciaga until 1961, when he launched his Maison de la Haute
Couture. He met his wife, Coqueline, while at Balenciaga. Together with his
contemporaries, Pierre Cardin and Paco Rabanne, he became famous for his
Futurist designs that revolutionized fashion during the 1960's.

Boxy, A-Line...Ankle Boots! 60's Modernistic Couture from André Courrèges

Spage-Age 1960's: Fashion designer André Courrèges with his designs

Courrèges was most know for his Modernist "Space-Age" styles.
He redefined the silhouettes and styles from what was then, rather
strict lady-like shapes. He was known for peek-a-boo dresses, miniskirts (André Courrèges is widely credited as inventing the mini, even though some would dispute
this and give credit to British designer Mary Quant), jumpsuits, and what
would become iconic accessories such as flat ankle boots and bug-eye
"Space" sunglasses. He loved using unusual materials such as PVC
and plastic as well as favored the A-line shape, saying that he wanted clothes
to "float". 

Onesie Gals: Colorful ribbed Knit with white fur onsesie looks from André Courrèges

He celebrated the moon landing by designing a onesie. Oh,
and it was mirrored! Courrèges could often be seen wearing get-ups
like Mylar jumpsuits and shiny white go-go boots (naturally!). NASA even
brought him in to visit mission control at Cape Canavaral, probably a first for
a fashion designer.

My Space-Age Homme Muse: Designer André Courrèges

Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Betsy Bloomingdale, Jacqueline Kennedy as well as her sister Lee Radziwill, among others were devotees of his fashion-forward designs:

 Audrey Hepburn (above)--from a shot of the 1966 film "How to Steal a Million"

Socialite Lee Radziwill in André Courrèges Haute Couture--Dress and jacket made of plastic and fur, which she gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City

 Yellow coat from André Courrèges 1968 Collection--worn by Mrs. Alfred Bloomingdale (Betsy Bloomingdale)--The suit is entirely made by hand, exclusively using french seams throughout the coat and features varnished leather buttons. It was gifted to the FIDM Museum & Galleries

Photos courtesy of FIDM Museum

In the ’90s,
he left his label to become a painter and sculptor, and his wife and longtime
collaborator Coqueline took over design duties at the house. Since then, the
House of Courrèges has changed
owners and designers; the latest of which seem to be inclined to follow the
designer's original Futuristic directive.

Here are more of André Courrèges' fabulous designs that shook the fashion world:

Onesies, Minis, Flat Boots, Scalloped Details

Looks from André Courrèges

A-Line Couture--André Courrèges

The Courrèges fashion brigade--models in André Courrèges designs

Adieu. RIP André Courrèges.

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 National Costumes Highlights from Dances of the World Auditions

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 National Costumes Highlights from Dances of the World Auditions

Costume Couture: National Costumes from the 2015 Miss World "Dances of the World" auditions (Clockwise, top to bottom) Miss Bahamas, Miss Myanmar, Miss Venezuela, Miss Turkey

All Photos here and below courtesy of MissWorld.com

The 65th Annual Miss World Beauty Pageant kicked off last week in Sanya Hainan Island, People's Republic of China. The finals of the 2015 Miss World will be on December 19th. Coincidentally, the other International beauty pageant "biggie", the Miss Universe 2015 pageant finals will occur the following day, December 20th--in Las Vegas Nevada USA. So, in terms of beauty pageants and beauty pageant followers, that will be a big weekend! For this year's Miss World, over 100 contestants from all over the world are vying for the coveted title (minus Miss Canada World who was not allowed to enter China).

Costumed Auditions: Events leading up to the Miss World 2015 Finals on December 19th began last week with one of the first ones being the Auditions for the "Dances of the World" where many of the contestants donned their National Costumes---it's become a fun version of the traditional National Parade of Nations. Some of the contestants might change their costumes for the Final night but here is a sneak peak at their national costumes via these "Dances of the World" auditions...



South America, Central America:

Miss Brazil World Catharina Choi: Festive, very Rio Carnival-like costume with bright Igor Stravinsky "The Firebird"-like styling. She said it is inspired by the birds in her country. Of course it is. I could definitely see Catharina in a Carnival float in this costume.

Colombia Maria Alejandra Lopez: I love this bright, fun costume worn by Miss Colombia World. It was designed by Edgar Perez and represents a "fantasy" creation of the Queens of the Barranquilla Carnival. It shows images of different representations of the Colombian people, the bright carnival-like colors and the shape of the oversized skirt hints at the iconic Colombian Sombrero Vueltiao (Vueltiao Hat). Very impressive.

Ecuador Camila Maranon: Camila's costume is very traditional in terms of its folkloric styling, featuring the yellow, blue and red of her country's flag.

Venezuela Anyela Galante: Anyela's costume--also folkloric in its design--was inspired by Teresa Carreño, Venezuelan pianist, singer, composer who was a very influential figure in her country. The gown is very intricate with hundreds of sequins, pearls and layers upon layers of gathered trim--in fact 500 meters of "bobbin lace" (encajes de bolillo). The costume was designed by Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed.

El Salvador Marcela Santamaria: Marcela looks quite chic and serene in her national costume featuring an emerald green tiered skirt, lace edge trim, a lace mantilla headpiece, golden midriff, ivory lace top section and lovely depictions of native women in the bottom tier of her skirt. I especially love her very model pose.

Chile Fernanda Sobarzo: Fernanda wears a Chilean costume worn at traditional Cueca dances. The dress has a full skirt with petticoat underneath; a wire satin ruffle hem; waist sash and bow plus her handkerchief as the finishing accessory. Oh, and lots of flower details. Somehow, I am not sure if those suede platform pumps are normally utilized in this dance, but I give her a pass: she's a beauty queen. She needs heels!

Panama Diana Jaen: Miss Panama World's costume represents the popular Pre-Columbian style seen in lots of Latin American beauty queens national costumes. This particular one has to do with a story of a local woman who would kill any of the Spaniards who came to her native land looking for gold, the tale is entitled "El Salto de la niña de Puerto Pilón". Diana says that the costume weighs A LOT (understandably); the headdress alone weighs a supposed eight pounds. 

Nicaragua Stefania Aleman: This Pre-Columbian Nicaragua National Costume was designed by Jeff Manzanares,  The mask on her hand represents the Güegüense which was declared a cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 2005. With this outfit, Stefania presented the dance of the 'inditas', representing the mixture of Spanish culture and native Nicaraguan culture. Also represented on the outfit is El Toro Huaco which is a dance and a legend from the province of Carazo, Nicaragua.

Guatemala Maria Jose Larrana: Maria Jose also wears a Pre-Columbian type costume with feathers, sequins and a very impressive headdress. I especially like her accompanying makeup and not too distracting gold heels.

Belize Jasmin Jael Rhamdas: Miss Belize World's costume features the colors of her country's flag as well as a sequined half-moon and depictions of ocean "flora and fauna" and corals from her country. I like it for the most part; if only she would have not worn black hot pants...and instead a blue sparkle pair of shorts that matched the rest of the costume. I also think the gold heels were a little distracting. I suggest that she should have done silver, to match the half-moon.



Europe-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Belgium Leylah Alliet: The colors of the Belgium flag are incorporated into this mermaid-shaped design with sequins and feathers for Miss Belgium World 2015.

Slovakia Luzja Strakova: Luzja's traditional Slovak costume represents the celebration and pride of the Slovakian people. The main focus of her outfit is that hat, which is a playful interpretation of a traditional Slovakian wedding hat. She says that her costume took over 1 year to make and every detail was handmade!

Czech Republic Andrea Kalousova: Andrea also dons a traditional costume with the flowered headpiece.

England Natasha Hemmings: Natasha's costume has color hints of the England flag but at the same time, gives nods to English Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

Gibraltar Hannah Bado: Very traditional. Very Gibraltar.

Italy Greta Galassi: Greta's national costume looks a bit more "Sound of Music" Austria, Swiss Alps as opposed to Italy but she might be vibing the Northern part of Italy, I guess. She's more schnitzel and less pizza.

Hungary Daniella Kiss: Daniella's costume is very representative of the Hungarian national dress with the national colors. She says that she performs a typical Hungarian gypsy dance in this.

Ireland Sacha Livingstone: Sacha's costume is iconic Irish Celtic dance-inspired. I think its quite cute, down to the correct lace-up "Ghillie" slippers.

Caribbean------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bahamas Chantel O'Brien: Chantel is dressed as the straw doll. Together with straw, her outfit is also made with flowers, which can be found all over the Bahamas. There are details such as shells and a burlap finish which gives it a very wavy look. 

Curacao Alexandra Krijger: Miss Curacao World's costume blends colors of her island's flag as well as historical reference to the Dutch ships and the Curacao fruit of laraha

Haiti Seydina Allen: The colors of Haiti are exemplified in this costume of Miss Haiti World. The design features a knot-tied top and multicolored godet skirt and lace sleeves.

Jamaica Sanneta Myrie: Jamaica, Usain Bolt and his iconic "pose" are well represented in this costume worn by Miss Jamaica World Sanneta Myrie.

Africa------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gabon Reine Ngotala: Reine's costume is like a high-fashion version of a traditional Gabon national ensemble. Great colors, lovely leaf prints and I love the asymmetry of the top section--as well as headdress and fan. I just wished she wouldn't have worn those black heels; they distracted from her costume.



Asia and Oceania----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turkey Ecem Cirpan: Ecem is six feet tall, and if that isn't enough, she wore this gorgeous costume showing the artistic tile work. This "costume" is EVERYTHING!

Vietnam Tran Ngoc Lan Khue: Miss Vietnam World's costume is a traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai traditional ensemble of long tunic with side slits and accompanying wide-leg palazzo-like pants.

Thailand Thunchanok Moonnilta: Thunchanok's national costume is inspired by the Northern region of Thailand. All of the materials to make the dress as well as the elaborate headpiece were crafted by the people of Northern Thailand, and represents the fusion of Lanna and Thai cultures. 

India Aditi Arya: Aditi's costume is an Indian costume with crop top and pleated skirt. She definitely looks like a Bollywood actress...during a dance number.

Kazakhstan Regina Vandysheva: Regina went a bit traditional with her a-line shaped costume and coat.

Korea Jun Eun-ju: Miss Korea World's dress is a combination of the old traditional Korean Hanbok but the addition of cutouts on the sleeve represents the modern Korea. On the skirt, there is a quilt, which represents the Joseon Dynasty. 

Myanmar Khin Thein Myint: One of my favorite "Miss World 2015" costumes; the colors, the design; the mixing of traditional and fantasy. Super Fabulous.

Australia Tess Alexander: Tess' look is the same costume worn by last year's "Miss Australia World" Courtney Thorpe. The outfit was designed by Julie Sulfi of Belluccio and was inspired by the Women's Land Army, paying homage to the women who worked in agriculture during World War II.

Guam Aria Perez Thiesen: Aria's straw skirt, flower head crown and shell accessories pays tribute to the Chamorro Dance of Guam. I think this is both fun and very traditional. She's very pretty by the way!

Finally...

Fiji Brittany Hazelman: Brittany's costume represents Fiji’s diversity and elegance and the traditional values of Fijian people, according to her. The patterns featured in her costume represent the people of Fiji and their unique rituals, as well as the diversity of the population.



Can't wait to see the "Dances of the World" segment during the "Miss World 2015" Live Finals on December 19th. The show will be aired in the US on E! the morning of December 20th--the same day as "Miss Universe 2015".