PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....."Project Runway" Season 14 Recaps--Episode 9 "JustFab" Challenge: Photo Blog Recap!

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....."Project Runway" Season 14 Recaps--Episode 9 "JustFab" Challenge: Photo Blog Recap!

Classroom to Contentious to Retail: Lifetime Network's Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 9 "JustFab" Challenge

The JustFab Challenge: This week on Lifetime's Season 14 "Project Runway" the designers had to create a so-called "High Fashion" look that would be mass-produced and sold on the JustFab site. JustFab is one of the show's sponsors, providing the accessories for the contestant's looks. Their creations were to be "inspired" by JustFab Style Personas including "Bombshell", "Trendsetter", "Girl Next Door", "Modern Classic", and "Femme Nouveau". It all made for a rather confusing directive, challenge and especially, runway judging. The episode began harmlessly enough...

Tim Tablet: Tim says "Good Morning Designers! Get up and Get Ready. Class starts in One Hour" via a Tablet--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 9

Class Is In Session: Tim Gunn, along with JustFab Fashion Director, Yuchin Mao, introduce the challenge at the mini-classroom/workroom--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 9

During the Workroom and Pre-Runway:

Not Sure of That Print: Designer/contestant Edmond Newton originally wanted to use this printed fabric to make a one shoulder/one sleeved dress he thought would be very "Bombshell"--his JustFab design Style Persona. Tim was a bit perplexed by the design and how un-Bombshell it might look. He fittingly questioned Edmond's love of the print. During the model fitting...

Now That's Better: Edmond finally realizes it's time to ditch his original printed design and use a red Lycra knit to make it truly Bombshell--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 9

And then, there was Miss "I Forgot" Laurie:

Ummm, Are You OK with Your Model's Bra Straps Showing? One of the other models asks Laurie Underwood, if this is how she intended her design to look going down the runway...with her model's bra straps showing with the see-through organza top she made for her look. Underwood's excuse: "Oh, I Forgot!". Well, we knew that this was not going to be a good sign. You may remember, last week, she got bitten by the Nipple Pasties Virus.

Judging Time: (L to R) Yuchin Mao, JustFab Fashion Director; Singer/songwriter/fashion diva Ciara; Marie Claire's Nina Gracia; Designer Zac Posen; Heidi Klum--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 9

My Two Cents:

The judging turned out to be ALL OVER THE PLACE, so much so that no one was on Top or Bottom. The reason, I feel the judging was CRAY-CRAY was because of the confusion of the Challenge. You'll have to read my RECAP beginning at the end of this post and then on the MyLifetime.com "Project Runway" Blog HERE to find out what I thought the directive of the Challenge should have been.



Just one look at the site, you know that "High Fashion" (as in a look straight out of the Alexander McQueen runway for example) isn't a necessary criteria; and neither is "Innovation" as in a forward/modern/Viktor & Rolf type design. One just needs to make something cute, chic enough for a Millennial, 20-something gal, and easy enough to be mass-produced and retail for under $40. And BTW: if something retails for $40, this means that it should cost about $10 TO MAKE (including fabric, label, EVERYTHING!).

Un-Fashionable Judging: Queen Nina and Prince Zac were two of the most vocal when it came to not liking any of the designs that would have actually been PERFECT for JustFab. Which tells me two things:

A) they didn't even LOOK at the JustFab website to see what they sell

or

B) They were too stuck in their "High Fashion" criteria.



Runway:

Kelly Depsey: I liked this printed cropped top and leggings look. It is very JustFab and made of not-expensive knit fabrication (although it might have been difficult to mass produce these specific prints that Kelly got from Mood). Oh, and yeah, that faux fur chubby was verging on "Muppets Hooker", so there was that.

Top Two: Ashley Nell Tipton (left) and Edmon Newton (R). Loved Ashley's super cute look and especially the cropped gold faux leather Moto jacket. Nina hated the top and skirt, naturally. And Edmond--well, thank goodness he changed his original design (with a little guidance from Tim Gunn) and created this "Bombshell" sexy red dress. It was simple with one unique detail (the spaghetti bias), can be worn by many sizes, cheap fabric, done and done. It rightfully won.



And here's the actual style and how it ended up for production and retail at JustFab.com:

Bombshell Red--Edmond Newton's design at JustFab. I doubt if he's making anything from the sales (99.99 % sure he's not), but congrats for winning!

Too High Fashion: (L to R) Candice Cuoco and Merline Labissiere. These two designs were so off-the-JustFab mark, it was as if they forgot the "This Must be Mass-Produced for $39.95 for a 22 Year Old Millenial to Buy it!" part. I don't fault them so much for it since again, the challenge directives were so convoluted.

No Gowns on JustFab: Not sure why anyone--Tim, the producers...SOMEONE!--did not inform Swapnil Shinde (his cheetah printed gown design is above with organza cocoon coat) that JustFab doesn't sell gowns ANYWHERE On their site. And trust me, if it ever did, it wouldn't be one like this. This gown doesn't scream Hipster Millenial, but rather the BET Awards in 2003.

Laurie Underwood: Oh Laurie. While from a distance, I would say this look is sophisticated and quite va-va-voom chic. But, it's SOOOO NOT JustFab and then, there's the see-through organza halter top. It really wasn't even a top but more like a front bib of sorts. And yes, it ended up that indeed, we saw her model's...

Nipple Pasties!!!--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 9

Laurie should have...

...probably stuck to her original design of a v-neck sheath dress. Maybe she might have been on top along with Edmond and Ashley and not OUT--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 9

And now, time for my RECAP of this week's "Project Runway":

Season 14, Episode 9: Runway Retail

This week’s challenge was to design a look for
JustFab, the online fast-fashion retailer and one of the sponsors of
this season’s “Project Runway.” Easy, right? Nope, not so much as it
turned out. I think the actual challenge suffered from an unnecessary
"high fashion" directive which then lead to contradictory expectations
and critiques from the judges and somewhat perplexing creations.
Eventually, there were some super-cute JustFab designs among all that,
but it felt like we had to go through tooth surgery to get there. Let's
delve deeper...

The episode begins with the
remaining designers in their apartments finding a tablet on their
kitchen tables with Tim Gunn making an announcement, “Good morning
designer. Get up and get ready. Class starts in one hour and you don’t
want to be tardy. Today is going to be JUST FABULOUS!” While the contestants mulled over a possible “school” inspiration, I knew better.

Tim
and Yuchin Mao, fashion director for JustFab are in the workroom, which
has been redecorated to resemble a mini classroom. Mao tells the
designers that JustFab had recently expanded their business beyond
accessories and is now selling apparel. There is a blackboard with five
JustFab member style personas: Bombshell (sexy, not shying from the
spotlight), Trendsetter (risk-taker, edgy), Girl Next Door (casual, easy
spirit), Modern Classic (tailored look), and Femme Nouveau (a romantic
at heart).

Candice, who won last week’s
challenge...



Click HERE on the MyLifetime.com "Project Runway" Blog to read the rest of my RECAP!

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....."Project Runway" Season 14 Recaps--Episode 8 "Finding Neverland" Challenge: Photo Blog Recap!

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....."Project Runway" Season 14 Recaps--Episode 8 "Finding Neverland" Challenge: Photo Blog Recap!

Finding Fashionland: "Project Runway" goes to Broadway...for inspiration--Season 14 "Project Runway" Episode 8 Lifetime Network

The magic and glamour of Broadway served as the inspiration of this week's Lifetime Season 14 "Project Runway" challenge: to create a fashionable look inspired by the Broadway musical "Finding Neverland" (which just happens to be produced by The Weinstein Company). The designers were off to Broadway to meet up with Tim Gunn and "Finding Neverland" star, actor Matthew Morrison--who were waiting for remaining designers at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater who announced the challenge...

Tim Gunn and Matthew Morrison--Episode 8 Season 14 "Project Runway" Lifetime Network

"Finding Neverland" The Musical--The designers got a chance to see the musical the night before they began working on their challenge. This must have been a nice respite from the madness of being on the show.

Trip to Mood!--The day after seeing "Finding Neverland", the contestants got to go fabric-and-notions shopping at Mood! If anyone is counting, this is only the second time in EIGHT episodes this season. You'll have to read my RECAP at the end of this post to know my thoughts on why that is...



During the workroom time/model fittings/right before Runway...

PASTIES & HOOCHIE MINI: Designer Laurie Underwood got attacked by this season's virus: PASTIES and TOO-SHORT Mini's. I have no idea why we have seen so many models with pasties and waaaay too HOOCHIE short designs. I chalk it up to tacky taste level and amateur hour sickness with not thinking of creating a lining/base for the tops. For a simple top like Laurie's, this should have taken maybe ten minutes to make--in a hurry and not so well...but at least, her model would have been covered Thank You Very Much!



Runway Time:

Guest judge model Coco Rocha (far left) , and judges Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum--Episode 8 Season 14 "Project Runway" Lifetime Network

My Favorites were:

Swapnil Shinde: In my eyes, his Glen plaid and light peach chiffon design should have been the winner. It was romantic, so editorial, and most of all, it Fashion-moved me! But what do I know? He was safe, to the judges...not even on top!

Merline Labissiere: Speaking of also being safe, Merline's WONDERFUL "Game of Thrones" Couture-like design was also safe. It was my second favorite. By now, I am wondering what the judges are DRINKING!!!???

Candice Cuoco: Lover of the Dark Side, designer Candice Cuoco, ended up being the eventual winner of this challenge with her "Captain Hook-ina" leather-and-taffeta look with stretch capri pants. I liked this look but, Swapnil and Merline's designs were better. Also, her design was a little referential (on a very dumbed-down way) to John Galliano's fabulous...

Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1998/1999 collection

Not a Fan:

(L to R) Edmond Newton and Kelly Dempsey: Edmond's top and pants were great but that purple puffy clouds vest was a Loofah Mess. And Kelly's look was a bit PBS Masterpiece Theater--the low-budget costume version--for me

The Oh Dear:

Ashley Nell Tipton: I've been a fan of Ashley's since the first episode, but...this gathered "Bride of Frankenstein" ombre look was something a first semester fashion student would have done. I get what she was going for but she went above-and-beyond what she can actually do. I think that her look was probably the worst of the bunch but because she has had some good weeks and I have a feeling the judges like her and would like to  keep her to the finals (I took a peek at the Finale Collections on Blogging Project Runway and this looks like it's Ashley!), she was in.

Laurie Underwood: Laurie's "Captain Hook Pasties & Too-Short" ensemble got the bottom two votes from the judges. This wasn't cute. But most of all, it was poorly executed.

Lindsey Creel: Lindsey, who had been on the bottom THREE times already, found this fourth time the one that finally made the judges decide to give her the "Bye-Bye". It was crooked and not flattering (high-waisted/smooshed boobies). But I still feel that if the judges were really voting for the worst, Ashley (as much as I hate saying it) should have gone home.



And now...here's my RECAP of this week's "Project Runway" Episode:

Season 14, Episode 8: Finding Fashionland

With Season 14 of “Project Runway” at its halfway mark and only eight designers left, it’s time for them to take center stage and shine. Quite appropriately, this week’s challenge involved Broadway. That analogy of stepping into the limelight was repeated over and over in this week’s episode culminating in some wonderful “leading designs,” and some recurrent “fashion understudies.” But enough of the theatrical metaphors, time for my recap.

The episode begins with an announcement from Heidi Klum. According to Heidi, she recently took her children to see the Broadway musical “Finding Neverland” and lo and behold, she LOVED IT…and thought it would be a good source of inspiration for a challenge. Cut to Tim Gunn with actor Matthew Morrison, star of “Finding Neverland” (and "Glee" of course), at the historic Lunt-Fontanne Theater. After explaining to the designers that the musical is about “what happens when you believe in yourself and you make your dreams come true,” Morrison introduces the challenge: to create a look inspired by the musical.

Tim explains to the designers that they can do ANYTHING. Yes, anything. As long as it’s still fashion and not costumes for the musical. Oh, and they get a $250 budget and (wait for it) get to go to Mood! But before all that, they get to see the musical.  I love Broadway shows so I know that if I was one of those designers, I would have been very pleased by the two and a half hour “brain cleansing” time spent seeing the musical. It makes for a nice relaxing break from the surreal and very stress-filled atmosphere of being on “Project Runway.”

The following morning they are at Mood...

Click HERE to continue reading my RECAP on myLifetime.com "Project Runway" Blog

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.