PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....."Project Runway" Season 14 Recaps: Episode 13 Pre-Finale Episode Photo Blog Recap!

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....."Project Runway" Season 14 Recaps: Episode 13 Pre-Finale Episode Photo Blog Recap!

In this week's Part 1 Finale Episode of Lifetime Network's "Season 14 "Project Runway" , the episode began with the "Will Tim Use His 'Tim Save'" on Edmond, who was eliminated...And naturally, just as I (along with most of the viewers and fans) predicted...

And The Best Acting Award Goes To: Tim used his "Tim Save"...but before he did, Tim did his best to get an Emmy for Outstanding Acting in a Reality Show, dragging it out as long as possible and looking quite emotional and perturbed...until he announced that he would indeed use his Save.



Heidi announced to the Final Four that they would have 7 weeks and be given $9,000 to create a ten look collection. So, up first were the Tim Visits. First up, Tim flew to San Diego to visit Ashley where he ended up...

Donning an apron and making tortillas--Tim Gunn with designer Ashley Nell Tipton's family, in the kitchen, making tortillas--Episode 13 Season 14 "Project Runway"

Then, he went to San Francisco to check in on Candice:

A Cold, Fogged-in Beach: Not sure why Candice--or the producers--chose a cold fogged-in beach as the backdrop for the meeting with Candice and her children and mom--especially with so many other gorgeous sights in San Francisco. Who knows??



Next, he visited Kelly in Massachusetts and naturally she took him to the DELI!!!

Kelly From the Deli: The owner of "Bob's Italian food" Deli, where Kelly worked--presents Tim with his very own Big "Gunn" Milanese Sandwich--Episode 13 Season 14 "Project Runway"



Finally, Tim heads to Atlanta to visit Edmond:

The Smallest Restaurant Booth EVER: Tim Gunn with Edmond and his family--Episode 13 Season 14 "Project Runway"

Welcome Back Designers: After they returned from making their collections, Tim gave them one final "twist": They had to present a 3-Look preview to Nina, Heidi and Zac and one of those looks had to be new (as opposed to one of the ones they made back at home)...



The results were mixed...

Edmond Newton: Not cohesive, one too many ruffles and not enough SEX! I just wanted to rip that gathered ruffle off that black gown! Oh and that bow on the other one as well

Candice Cuoco: Witchy Asiana. The judges hated the hat (me too!) and that printed red outfit. The latter one looked dated and what was up with those Fashion School 101 Basic Bustiers? I did like that lace and leather coat though.

Kelly Dempsey: Her "Studio 54 Meets new Age" grouping was fun but the judges thought it wasn't luxurious enough. They were right. One could find these things at H & M...or a "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" revival!

Ashley Nell Tipton: Ashley's "Mexico City in the 1950's"-inspired Plus Size looks were universally liked. The judges just complained about her construction and fit. Just from looking at their 3-Look Previews, Ashley's was the strongest.



We will see who prevails next week and wins Season 14 "Project Runway"...Until then, here's my complete RECAP for this Part 1 Finale Episode:

Season 14, Episode 13: And Then There Were Four...Again

Last week's episode ended with a "to save or not to
save Edmond" silence. I, along with anyone else watching it with a
pulse, guessed correctly what was going to happen. This episode had the
designers going home to create their collections, the much anticipated
Tim visits, a freezing beach (in San Francisco?!), a tortilla making
party, and the most cramped restaurant booth known to man. And then
there was the collection preview judging that didn’t go so well. Lots to
discuss.

We begin with Edmond waiting for his
goodbye hug from Tim. We all knew what was going to happen, but Mr. Gunn
did some of his best acting to date in an attempt to heighten the
emotional drama in the room and drag out the moment as long as he could.
Tim saves Edmond and all four are going to NY Fashion Week. They all
meet up back at the runway stage where Heidi tells them that they have
seven weeks and are getting $9,000 to create a 10-piece collection back
at home. Heidi also makes a point to advise Ashley to consider creating a
plus size collection, something she’s wanted to do all along. 

Five
weeks later and Tim visits the designers in their homes, otherwise
known as "time for Tim to rack up his frequent flyer mileage points." He
begins in San Diego with Ashley...

To Continue Reading, Click HERE on the myLifetime.com "Project Runway" Blog

Project Runway Recaps: Avant Garde Avant NOT!!--My Recap of the "Avant-garde" Challenge/Episode

Project Runway Recaps: Avant Garde Avant NOT!!--My Recap of the "Avant-garde" Challenge/Episode

A Lesson in Avant-Garde:



Let's get this out of the way...



THIS IS AVANT-GARDE:

Gareth Pugh

Comme des Garcons

John Galliano for Dior Haute Couture

Alexander McQueen

 Viktor & Rolf

 THIS is NOT:

Avant-garde design by Dmitry Sholokov from last night's "Project Runway" Season 10 L'Oreal Paris Makeup "Avant-garde" Challenge--his design won--and was generously praised by the judges. It was made impeccably, yes. But was it avant-garde?

 Five remaining designers on Season 10 Project Runway, traveled to...

 Oheka Castle in Huntington N.Y. known as the second largest private home in the USA--owned by financier Otto Kahn

The five remaining designers traveled to the expansive Oheka Castle in Long Island to get their challenge. At first when Heidi said that they were going 'far, far away", I got excited at the prospect of them getting on a plane and going to Florence, Milan or Paris...but not so mucheey...For the past four years, I've had the pleasure of going to Florence Italy to do Fashion Lectures and presentations of my NIKOLAKI Collection so if the producers ever want to have a challenge in Florence Italy...Call me!



Let's get back to last night's so-called avant-garde designs inspired by L'Oreal Paris "Electric Fantasie" Makeup Line:

 Judges Nina Garcia, Michael Kors, Heidi Klum and Zoe Saldana

Fabio Costa: I thought of all the five creations, Fabio's "Enchanted Queen" design was the most avant-garde with his upside-down coat and sheer palazzos and top, but Miss Heidi was NOT a fan.

Christopher Palu: For his "Enchanted Queen", Christopher did an all black satin, sequin and feathered gown that was very elegant but certainly NOT avant-garde...

It was a cross between a "Black Swan"-inspired dress and "Madame X" from artist John Singer Sargent-I wish he would have done something more like the photo below--for his "Enchanted Queen":

Model Adriana Karembeu in Thierry Mugler Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1997--Now THAT'S an Enchanted Queen---and avant-garde!!!

Melissa Fleis: Her "Artsy Muse" creation was kind of fierce in a 90's sort of way--the popped collar leather vest and top, the arm cuffs, the neo-punk hair...the print on the skirt--as well as its shape is grand. Overall, a good showing from Melissa and I would say "Avant-garde Lite".



And then, there was poor Sonjia:

Green moiré is never good--unless it's a Nolan Miller 1988 "Dynasty" suit worn by Joan Collins. Not only did she chose that fabric but then she also added nude illusion--that didn't even match her olive-skinned model. It was SOOOO Bad Figure Skating Costume. It kind of reminded me of this:

Russian Ice Dancers Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin and their offensive "Aboriginal"-inspired costumes from 2010

Well--enough of all that, let's get to my real Recap for last night's Project Runway Episode and what I really thought of all this--Here's my Recap:

Safe Garde

This tenth season of "Project Runway" can
pretty much be defined by one word: safe. Most of the designers have
"played it safe" when it comes to their designs and creations. They've
been harmless in terms of their "characters" as well; there's been some
bitching and hate-talking during their confessionals but the season is
so safe that we don't even have a "villain" making the Final Four —
which for almost every season, has seemed to be de rigueur. It could
also be argued that a couple of the contestants played it so safe, they
just got up and left the show altogether because they just didn't want
to "Go For It!" So, it comes as no surprise that for this last
Avant-Garde Challenge, the designers played it safe. And in my feeling,
it was a let down. Let's recap...



Tim, Is That Your New Home?



Five designers left and this is the challenge that decides who gets
to go to NY Fashion Week. If you REALLY follow the show and its
designers, we know now that the last eight designers actually showed at
Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week last month when in "TV Time" there were
still eight on the show (five were "decoys" and the other 3, actual
finalists). But let's just stick to the "script" shall we? Sexy "Spartan
Supermodel" Heidi walks in to tell the designers that she is sending
them "far, far away" where Tim and a guest will be waiting. I'm
thinking, "Yeaay! They get to board a plane and fly to Florence, Italy!"
Nope. Not so much. After crossing a bridge and driving for over an
hour, they arrive at Oheka Castle, a historic mansion in the Gold Coast
of Long Island. This estate was the home of financier and philanthropist
Otto Kahn and in fact, the second largest private home in the entire
US. Waiting for the designers is Tim Gunn (who looks perfectly at home
outside this castle, I might add) and Billy B. Consulting Makeup Artist
for L'Oreal Paris.



Electric Avant-Garde

Billy is there to introduce the new L'Oreal Paris makeup line called
"Electric Fantasie" based on four "muses/color themes": Enchanting
Queen, Seductive Temptress, Wise Mystic and Artsy Muse. Tim announces
that this is the "L'Oreal Makeup Challenge" and the designers will have
to create an avant-garde Look inspired by this new L'Oreal Paris makeup
line. Tim then takes out the dreaded "Button Bag" and...



Click HERE to continue reading my Recap on MyLifetime.com  

Project Runway Recaps--My Epsiode 9 Recap: "If I See Another Flower I'll SCREAM!"

Project Runway Recaps--My Epsiode 9 Recap: "If I See Another Flower I'll SCREAM!"

Boob Jobs for Mommies, Genitalia Prints, Maxi Pads...and Ven Flower Power!



Let's Recap the Bullet Points of Last Night's Episode...



Maxi Pad Dresses:

Mommy Boob Jobs:

Male and Female Genitalia:

And...Ven Flower Auto Pilot:

Last night's 9th episode of Season 10 Project Runway was like attending a Women's Gynecological Seminar and a Flower Show...all at once! There were Maxi-pads, women's genitalia references, as well as mentions of boob jobs. And then there were those "Ven flowers" and Miss Heidi Klum's "If you do that again, I will SCREAM!" warning. The challenge for the episode was to create a print using the HP/Intel Touchsmart desktop and technology and design a runway look all while being inspired by their "cultural heritage". In a touching moment, the designers' loved ones--mommies, a sister, a best friend and a partner--were brought in to help them with their print designs. There's lots to highlight before I go into my Recap:




First, Gunnar...oh little Gunnar...

Season 10 contestant/designer Gunnar Deatherage was reunited with his GORGEOUS mommy--whom I actually met back at the Chicago Castings when I was there to film some fun behind-the-scenes segments for LookTV and YouTube. I remember her waiting outside the "Judge's Anti-chamber" all nervous as her son was in there. Anyhow, in the beginning of the episode, Gunnar said that he wanted to win the show so he could  

A) Buy himself a new pair of boots, and 

B) Buy his mommy a boob job.

If you want to know what my response was to that...you're going to have to keep reading at the end of this blog...



Now, let's get to the Runway:

It was nice to see Season 9 Winner Anya Ayoung Chee and Season 8 Designer and Season 1 All Stars Winner Mondo Guerra as the Guest Judges for last night's episode. I was a guest judge back in the 6th Season of Project Runway and I was very honored, but I do remember how the designers who were standing in front of us as we were judging, were rolling their eyes and sort of thinking "Who are YOU to judge me?" and I saw THE SAME thing in last night's episode. It was nice to see that it wasn't just me. Oh, and I thought both Anya and Mondo did a fantastic job by the way (and OMG! I LOVE Anya's ring! So fab!).



My Fave Design Was:

Melissa Fleis: Melissa was inspired by blood lines and a family tree which helped her create a red and white print which was very Resort and chic. The sheath dress was perfect! It fit perfectly, the length was just right, the print was great...I thought she should have won, being that IT WAS A PRINT CHALLENGE! Hello! I do understand that perhaps this dress was something one could see at a better department store right now. But, so what? Great job Melissa.



I also loved...

Fabio Costa: his design was very modern, very Tilda Swinton...the styling was SPOT ON. Fabio has a very European/NYC design sensibility and you can tell that design-wise, he is YEARS beyond someone like little Gunnar, (bless his heart). He just hid his print unfortunately with the black organza (same thing Christopher did) and only used it as a "secondary fabric". Oh and about that print: he said it was based on male and female genitalia. It's like "abstract Adam and Eve", I guess. Oh Fabio, you naaaastyyyyy! But, that's OK with me. I also liked...

Sonjia Williams: LOVED those pants. Perfectly mitered at the crotch and center back (the prints match, darlings), tailored and a fun print. Oh and that black cowl-back top: super. But the actual winner was...

Dmitry Sholokhov: The judges loved his jacket and were very effusive over its design and construction. But I was with Mondo on this one: It's NOT A JACKET Challenge. It's a PRINT Challenge. And to be honest, the top underneath--in the print--was not so revolutionary. Also, when you see the look above, it screams 2002, doesn't it? At least to me. But Congrats Dmitry for your first win. Finally!



Ven, Dear Flower Power-and-Maxi-Pad Ven...

Ven Budhu: I liked his one-shoulder dress. It was muy elegante and very Uptown Doyenne. But yes, that darn pleated rose thing! AGAIN. After seeing his NY Fashion Week Collection last Friday at Lincoln Center (he was one of the eight Season 10 Designers who showed and it was ALL about his pleated rose!), now I'm beginning to think he's just stubborn and wants to keep giving an "F You" to the judges. Who knows...

 Season 10 designer Ven Budhu, a Maxi-Pad Dress and Tim Gunn

This was his second dress after Tim Gunn called his fan-pleated detail on the first dress (above on form) something that reminded him of a Maxi pad. Oh Lordy. 



Now the Lowest Vote Getter...

Gunnar Deatherage: Gunnar designed a print--with hands outstretched trying to grab a bird--based on the bullying he has endured throughout his childhood and high school years. The minute the episode focused so much on all of this, I knew he was GONE. He said his design was "Equestrian" but the judges were not so complimentary when it came to his design.



PS: This is Chic Equestrian...

Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco for Gucci--unfortunately his design was closer to...

An ad for Chico's. Enough said.

Here's my Recap for this week's Project Runway Episode:

If It's Another Flower I Will Scream!

It's the halfway mark of Season 10 of
"Project Runway." We began with 16 designers and now, we're down to 8.
Last week's Team Challenge was "The Boris and Natasha Show"
as I called it in my last blog recap. It was all about Dmitry and Elena
and their bickering and hate-talking which dominated the entire
episode. The fashions were mostly a yawn except for Sonjia's winning
Armani Prive-esque jacket and Christopher's asymmetrical camel coat, so
of course, the episode concentrated on the bitchy drama. What should the
next challenge bring? Well, let's find out...



Pay Your Bills. .. Before Getting Mommie a Boob Job

As the episode begins, there's a little confessional scene from
Gunnar saying that he wishes he'll win so he can buy himself a pair of
boots and his mom, a boob job. OK huney, that's cute for TV and will
guarantee you get some camera time (Gunnar, you just made the producers
and editors have an editorial orgasm!), but it's not so cute in real
life. Here's some advice: those two things might not be your top
priorities when someone hands you a $100,000. Maybe paying your college
loans, bills, setting up a design studio ... those might be your
priorities. Oh these kids, they slay me ... AGAIN!



Addicted to Heidi

Heidi in a very mini, strapless black dress (a la Robert Palmer Girl)
—l; walks in, warning the remaining designers that they all need to
step it up and "wow" her. Umm, HELLO! Amen Sister. This is not the first
time she's said this to this group. I wonder why? I’ve been saying
throughout this season that the fashions have been rather unmemorable.
It looks as if the theme is "Make it Safe". But when it comes to
"characters," Season 10 has it in spades. Which is better? Well, talk
amongst yourselves on that one because I would rather discuss this
week's challenge and fashions.



HP Haute

Tim Gunn is in the Parsons Workroom with Season 8 Finalist and All
Stars Season 1 Winner Mondo Guerra. They are there to introduce the HP
Print Challenge (Yeayyy, one of my favorites!): Create a textile design
and a modern runway look inspired by your cultural heritage...



To read the rest...CLICK HERE--and as always, PLEASE leave me YOUR "Two Cents" and comments!!!