Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 1 "A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"

Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 1 "A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"

Happy 10th Anniversary Project Runway!



What do the Teletubbies:

Dumpster Diving:



And Mosquito Netting:





 Have In Common with Project Runway?  Well, read on kids...

This past Thursday night was the PREMIERE of Season 10 of Project Runway on Lifetime. Yes, kids, it's the Tenth Anniversary. The show began in 2004 so it's actually been only 8 years but TEN SEASONS. I was part of Season 2, which we shot in the Summer of 2005 and debuted in December of that year. So, in case you're countin', I am part of "Vintage Project Runway". Now, back to the new season, the show has a new set of sixteen designers; lots of talent and LOTS of "characters" and a BIG Flashy First Challenge Runway Show (The BIGGEST in Project Runway history!!) that took place in Times Square. For many, many seasons now, I've had the honor of being asked to Recap the Episodes of my "little ol' show" and once again, I'm back at it!! Hope you guys enjoy Season 10 and yes, also enjoy my Recaps with a "Nick twist".



So...let's get to the Haute and Not-So-Haute of Episode One of Season 10:

 

The Judges: (left to right) Costume Designer/Stylist Patricia Field, actress Lauren Graham, Marie Clair Fashion Director Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and Heidi Klum--For the first Challenge, the producers brought in actress Lauren Graham and the first ever Project Runway "Guest Judge", Patricia Field. She was a hoot with her throaty I-smoke-two-packs-of-Marlboro-Reds-a-day voice, great insight and at 71 years old (yes, SEVENTY ONE kids, Thanks Wikipedia!), dresses like a woman who's 29--and looks good! (No Oscar de la Renta Barbara Walters suits for her, thank you very much!).



The Teletubbies Connection:

Domo arigato: For the first episode challenge, the designers had to bring one look from home that best exemplified their design aesthetic. Once at Parsons--on the show--they then had to create a "companion look" with only $100 and one day. One of the designers--and more "Kooky" characters of the season, Kooan Kosuke (above) from Japan, made these two looks above.

Kooky: His first look from home, included this jumper with oversized teal blue polka dot applique, laminated shoulder strap detail and printed long sleeve top. I thought it was kinda fun and quirky. He definitely had a point of view and his style--even in just one look, reminded me a lot of Spanish fashion designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada (her fried egg dress with baguette hat design on the right photo above).

Tubbie: However, for his second made-at-Parsons look, judge Michael Kors criticized it as being a little too Teletubbies-esque in its shape. He's right. Kooan was also criticized by Nina Garcia and Kors as well for possibly being too much of a "Character" and less of a Designer per se. We'll see how serious he is and if he'll annoy Miss Nina more throughout the season with his "Harajuku JapFro" antics. I have a feeling, however that the fans--and viewers of the show--will just LOOOOVE him!



The Freegan Hipster:

What's for Breakfast: A First for Project Runway is the fact that one of the designers, a 29-year-old bearded chap, originally from Brazil, named Fabio Costa, is a FREEGAN. I didn't even know what that even meant until A) he described it and B) I looked it up (Thanks Wiki again!). In case you don't know, a Freegan is someone who "reclaims and eats food that has been discarded". Yep, you go "Dumpster Diving' for your daily meals. I wonder how difficult it was for him to eat from what the P.A.'s got for the designers every day during their filming from nearby restaurants. Or did he specifically instruct the producers that they had to send someone out Dumpster Diving for his breakfast, lunch and dinner? I wanna know.




So now, let's get to who ended up on the Top and the Bottom of the first challenge:



The Top:

South American Pleating and Folding: Project Runway Season 10 contestant Ven Budhu (left) with his designs and a design by Angel Sanchez on Miss World 1995 Jacqueline Aquilera of Venezuela

The designers on top in the first episode were Guyana-born Ven Budhu (left) who showed two stunning looks included an ivory crepe palazzo pant and jacket ensemble with a folded-and-draped "Flower" bustier and a bubblegum pink high neck sleeveless dress with diagonal pleats.His designs remind me of another South American designer, famous for designing for Miss Venezuelas, Miss Worlds and Miss Universes--as well as beautiful wedding gowns--Angel Sanchez. To me, Ven should have won this first challenge. However...

Pretty Gown, Wonky LBD: The winner was Christopher Palu. The judges "Oohed" and "Ahhed" at his first look--a gown constructed in strips of satin. And basically they gave him the win because of it. It was very pretty, but I'm not sure how fair this was since this was the look he brought from home and did not make at Parsons with a limited budget and time. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the LBD he did for his second companion look. The fit was wonky and the back zipper was buckling (see right photo above). It was a little amateur hour for me. But he won, nonetheless.



The Bottom:

Mosquito Netting Prom Girl Goes Shopping: The bottom two included the looks from designer Lantie Foster. She "re-worked" vintage-like fabrics but achieving results that the judges did not like. In fact, Miss Nina (never one to hold back) said that the one dress above was "Horrible". Ouch. Miss Lantie likes to do these center front bib things that well, she shouldn't be doing. And then on top of it she makes this dress in a muddy-colored tulle that looked like mosquito netting as Kors pointed out. It was all wrong, poor thing (and I didn't even begin to talk about WHY OH WHY did she style it with a big ol' I'm-going-shopping-on-a-Sunday-at-2pm bag!!??). Hashtag Styling Fail.

Knit Girl Bye-Bye: But deemed the worst were the knit designs from oh-so-pretty Beatrice Guapo (she should be an anchor--or at least the weather girl for Good Day LA Fox Morning Show--if the designing thing fails). She had trouble throughout this challenge with her sewing which I just didn't understand being that she grew up in the industry. And then her final designs were called sad (they were). That maroon/terracotta-colored top on the left photo looked as if she just got some fabric remnant and slopped it on the model and tied it with a belt. It had little design quality or originality. During the show, Guapo said that she loves designing/making scarves. She should probably stick to that.




Anyhow, without further ado, here's my Recap of the 1st Episode for MyLifetime.com:

"A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"

Eight Years, Ten Seasons

Happy 10th Anniversary "Project Runway"! As a member of the "Runway
Club" (it's like the Mickey Mouse Club, but more fashionable), it's not
surprising that the show has survived this long. Back in 2005, when I
did Season 2, I knew that I was going to be part of something that was
iconic in TV History. The show premiered almost 8 years ago and well, as
we now know, it has become the "Grand-Daddy" of all Fashion Reality
Competition Shows. In fact, last week, while on a trip to Mykonos,
Greece, I was switching channels and stumbled on Greek TV and guess what
was on my hotel TV? Season 6 of "Project Runway"! In Greece! Say no
more. 2012 marks the Tenth Season of the show and last night's premiere
was a doozy so let's get to the Recap'ing shall we.



Center of the Universe Fashion Bang

It is quickly revealed that the first challenge and runway show is
taking place in the HEART of NYC, "Center of the Universe": Times
Square, for the first time EVAH! Models are under a tent squeezing into
their clothes; designers are putting the last minute touches on their
garments and the Stars of the show — Heidi, Tim, Nina and Michael — are
greeting the crowd with a Champagne toast. Cut to the previous day...



The Who, What and Where Are You From

Since Season 3, I have had the privilege to judge the castings and
this past Spring, I took part in the LA Castings for Season 10. I,
obviously, had no idea who would make the Final 16, so it was with great
delight to see several of the designers I saw during those castings,
actually make it onto the show. This included Elena (Miss Futuristic
Thierry Mugler-meets-Claude Montana-meets Lady Gaga), the lovely
Beatrice "jersey knit" and blonde-haired Melissa, who loves black and
edgy.



Click HERE to read the rest...



And make sure to let me know YOUR thoughts!! I always LOVE reading them!!! 

SASHES AND TIARAS.....My Ten LEAST FAVORITE Gowns, Gown Disappointments of Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries + a "Special Gown" Mention

SASHES AND TIARAS.....My Ten LEAST FAVORITE Gowns, Gown Disappointments of Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries + a "Special Gown" Mention

The Sale Rack: Some of Least Favorite Gowns seen at the Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries

In my last post HERE, I discussed the Top 15 Best Gowns (in my humble opinion) from this past Thursday's Miss Universe 2015 Preliminary Competition. I have to say that for the most part, there were a lot of Good gowns--out of the 80 on display, worn by the beauties from all over the world, there weren't too many cray-cray ones. But...there were some. So, I've compiled a list of my TEN LEAST FAVORITE gowns from the Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries. Either for the lack of "gown funds" in each national pageant's organization, or lack of taste level, or just lacking anything resembling what a top Hollywood actress and/or model would wear to an important red carpet event, these were among some of the reasons why these ended up here... 

At the end, I also included a couple gowns which disappointed me, especially because the candidates wearing them are A) considered favorites and B) I expected more; plus a "Special Gown Mention"...



The Oh Dear! Gowns:

Miss Guatemala Jeimmy Aburto: Cha-cha Queen Meets Quinciniera. If the rather garish fuchsia-pink sequins weren't enough, somehow the designer decided that it needed more as in clown-like bias hemmed ruffles at the bottom plus nude netting and then let's just do silver diamantes to fill in the space....This would be fun if it was a Gay pride Float for Drag Queen Mermaids. But it isn't.

Score: 5.00

Miss Japan Ariana Miyamoto: Star Trek Meets a Trashy AVN Awards. I just don't know why such a pretty girl would do this to herself; or make such a lack of taste level judgement. I just do not get it, the real point of the Evening Gown Competition--besides having the judge see their "poise" and "elegance", it is also to see if they have a level of taste. After all, if you are the new Miss Universe, you'll be walking many Red Carpets, and you don't want to end up on the WORST List. Here, with this gold high side-slit pleather concoction with black and white printed chiffon back details, Miss Universe Japan failed. I am soooo confused.

Score: 6.00

Miss Bulgaria Radostina Todorova: Ah, as they say in the South: "Bless Her Heart". Which really translates to "GURL! You are a Mess!". This is sweet and cute, if she was 18 and it was a New Year's Eve Dance in Missouri. But it ain't, it's THE MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT! The dress looks off-the-rack, cheap, it's too short...well, I'll just stop there. I, at least, give her points for wearing strappy heels and not those clunky platform heels.

Score: 6.00

Miss Montenegro Maja Cukic: I'll give Miss Universe Montenegro the benefit of the doubt and say that she was going for a more "Artsy" look--or at least the designer was. Here's a suggestion: DON'T. The top looks as if a nasty cat got to it while she was away and the skirt is "meh" and then she wore RED SHOES with this? Oh Dear!

Score: 6.00

Miss Albania Megi Luka: Megi looks very pretty. She's got an angelic, gorgeous face so part of me understands her choosing such a "sweet" gown but at the same time, I would have loved to have seen her in something more red carpet sexy fab. This velvet dress is more appropriate as a costume for Rome & Juliet.

Score: 6.25

Miss Hungary Nikoletta Nagy: I love canary yellow but the combination of the bright satin, with the gold lace and then gold sequins and the (yeah, there's more!), crystal straps in the front torso...it's all a bit cheap-looking and Tacky-licious. It's also very Quincieniera "Ayyy Mija!".

Score: 6.00

Miss Norway Martine Rodseth: This silver sequined and red crepe halter gown is not bad, it's just dated and not exciting. This is a gown one could find at an "After Five" section of a local department store and perfect for a Mother-of-the-Bride, or guest at the wedding. But not Fashion Fab or Couture enough for the Miss Universe pageant.

Score: 6.00

Miss Slovak Republic Denisa Vysnovska: Interestingly enough, this blue strapless ball gown was also her "national costume" (photo above from the Miss Universe 2015 National Costume Presentation); she just added some extra trim and a flowered headdress. This gown looks sweet but sweet is not enough. It also looks very polyester-y and that lace trim is better for grandma's tablecloth.

Score: 6.25

Miss Serbia Dasa Radosavljevic: This gold sequin dress is fine if you are a background dancer at a Cruise Ship's Dinner Theater show, but it looks cheap and tacky for Miss Universe. I could find this fabric for $2.99/yard in Downtown LA. That's not a good thing.

Score: 5.00

Miss Bolivia Romina Rocamonje: On a good note, this red satin with sequin side applique looks expensive and well made. But it's just Too-Mucheey for Romina. The back pouf overskirt was distracting as she walked onstage and frankly unnecessary in terms of design.. And then, there are those UBER platform pumps!!! Those SCARE me and bring memories of Naomi Campbell falling down on the Vivienne Westwood runway show back in 1993.

Score: 6.75

Could Have Been Better Gowns---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've selected the following two ladies--and their gowns--because these two--Miss Italy and Miss Venezuela--are two favorites for the Miss Universe 2015 crown (according to beauty pageant followers/fans) and I was just a bit surprised that their choice of gowns weren't impacting or couture-strong enough. I just expected more "Wow!".

Miss Italy Giada Pezzaioli: This wasn't a bad gown, it was just a bit too busy and confusing and instead of highlighting Giada and how stunning and model-like she is, she got lost in the gown and it almost aged her as well. I also just didn't understand the back olive-and-black "capes" and how that went with the black and nude sequin applique gown; it didn't make sense and also looked like an afterthought and an addition that shouldn't have been added.

Miss Venezuela Mariana Jimenez: I loved the color of this gown and the gorgeous ombre-like sequined degrade. The gown also fit well and was the perfect length. But...I just expected more "Wow!". This gown just didn't get my "Couture Heart" beating as some of the usual Miss Venezuela gowns do. I also wasn't a fan of her styling--the hair looked a little too "Pageant Pretty" and slightly late 90's dated.



Special Gown Mention for Originality-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Sweden Paulina Brodd: Now, I know what you may be thinking: "Has Nick lost his gown mind??" No, I haven't. I kinda like this gown, I admit, mainly for the fact that the sequin applique/print/colors were very striking and it was one of the most original gown styles from the Miss Universe 2015 Evening Gown Preliminary Competition. I get that this could be considered a tad Cray-Cray but it's Good Cray-cray, at least in my eyes!

Another Evening, Another Show. All the Eats.

Another Evening, Another Show. All the Eats.

Monday 19th June

There's a french cafe I've always wanted to stop by, though never have. And now I recall why: I don't feel comfortable shopping at places where you'll find out how much it is at the checkout.

The macaron was bad. Crunchy top, hard and hollow. I've had better ones from the supermarket. Fortunately the Eclair was perfect! So are the potato cakes near the crossing when it's peak hour.




To the lake we went, for lunch. Bad idea. For we were attacked! By a swooping magpie!

Tuesday

Brunching at Poacher & Hound. Dunkka eggs on toast. It was good though a bit much and repetitive for one, perhaps get it to share if you must. Slightly above average though I felt that it was missing something. 

Dinner on the go from Sauced but on Chapel St, beside the new meatballs restaurant.

There's that familiar but strange blue lighting which doesn't seem very inviting.
We had the spicy lentil with penne, for a pasta bar it seems very odd to me that they only have three types of pasta.

It was indeed spicy! As in the apple juice wasn't enough and I ordered a shot of milk at the bar. Too hot for me! And to me that also seems like a good way to have a basic flavour dominate rather than multiple layers and lots of herbs.

Hello Dolly! Another week another arts festival. This week it's the cabaret festival! A preview of some of the headliners we can't wait to see them in full! Tbh I haven't really heard about most of these characters or know to much. But that duck show does look hilarious. Opening Night at the Cabaret Festival.  

Wednesday

Lunch at Rococo towards the end if Glenferrie, the furthest we've been on this road.

Over to the red house good will. Prices have gone up on clothing, we found a cheap looking wear twice evening dress for $100! Normally only wedding dresses are at that price.

$2 books were what we were here for and we found a snail mail book on my list. I love books about the old world, how things used to be. From making preserves to the almost lost art of letter writing.

Funny thing someone asked me to write him a letter about our adventures/journey together as he's moving to b..ham . I think he might have seen the book. I have no idea what to write... for I have very little recollection of him, since we had a big fight a while ago.

Some people are relentless. No. 4 spotted me at the station and latched on. She has asked me over and over again if she can come with me. Uhh where to? Just out of the house she says. But don't you have your own life? Apparently not.
How to get rid of someone fast? Get freaky! 

Meetings over matcha latte $4.50, it wasn't very strong but fine. It's matcha flavoured milk. But good matcha is $$. I like them but reckon they're overrated unlike cronuts! $7.50. Coffee, quite strong, with cocopops on top. This serves at least two. I ate it layer by layer and was slipping away into a food coma towards the end.

We barely had time for a nap before heading to the theatre for a show or two.

Thursday

Pizza at Double Zero on the main street at 2.15pm they were about to close, lunch starts at 11.30am. We had some huge slices of pizza $5 each served very hot, steaming. Thin base as almost all pizzas are, they were very good, not too dry or hard. Saucy toppings the mushroom one was the one I preferred. 

When the lighting and mood of a restaurant reminds you of juvie XD

This place is huge! And empty at 6pm, the location seems to be a secret...

P.S. I was a prefect. I have never been to juvie.

A quick dinner on the way to the theatre.

Friday

We rarely go to Chadstone as we're based in the city, till we were told we're converting to the iPhone which is harder to use and prefers a lighter palette rather than being customized easily. It's a typical girl who likes to wear white and have white airy minimalist flatlays. I'm not that girl. 

The upside was that Scroll lives at Chadstone! At $9 a cup this is a once in a while thing, the cost of living is high... as desserts these days are closer to $10 rather than  $5. I think everything was cheaper back home...

Mother had the matcha which wasn't as sweet as my cookies and cream. No complaints from her which is rare.

Taco Bill - Quesadilla Delgada $12

Beef with [minimal] mushroom, melted cheese and [watery] salsa

What a joke! Taco Bill has really bad reviews, how are they still open? Lured by Liven we had a beef, cheese and mushroom qusadilla a $12 snack. It was average and lacked spices, tastes like something I made and that ain't a compliment when it comes to savory food. The salsa was more like soup, so watered down.

Service was fine, he was disappointed I bought an entree rather than $22+ overpriced main.

Saturday

An hour wait between buses and more time spent lost either due to my lack of an ability to read a map, I couldn't find where I was, or the gps failed. We spent all the time traveling 10.30 till 12.15 wow it took me 2hrs almost to get here.

Ashy's Afghanistan Food. The chicken was delicious! The lamb chewy...

The chicken was amazing and we can't wait to return! We haven't had chicken this awesome since bio guy made that chicken pasta that's still in the freezer.

Service was very friendly and quick.

I wanted to go to a brooch party but no I had to go to a life skills workshop. It took me almost 2hrs to get here, because weekends and buses suck! I spent more time getting to lunch then having lunch (could be me, could be the gps) and then the workshop gets canceled!! .
.
An email was sent out this morning but I'd already left by then. This is not my day. What am I meant to do for the rest of the afternoon?! Spend another 2hrs going home?

I guess since we're here we'll explore the three goodwills, 

not go to the park (magpies), stop by a bakery then continue on with our day.

NRQ stale cookies. Drinks were fine. I'm going to say don't shop here. A real reject shop.

Chicago, all the sequins, black lingerie, razzle dazzle was fabulous!

We saw this show not once but twice! Loved it.

Sunday

Lindt with Freud, we overdosed and even at two hours later I do not feel good. A mouse slice with a sponge layer and a caramel one with a crunchy nut wafer. The macaron was perfect! $3 these days. The hot chocolates were just as I remember, though we had the large size!

A trip to the recital center for solos, surprisingly only one piano act. When it comes to choosing a classic it may seem like an easy note though it's a trap in that everyone knows every note.

Down to the chapel for Motown, which I really liked, including some songs I actually know. I definitely know why people, young people like pop more, it's exciting and flashy. But will it stand the test of time?

Dinner at Laksa King, wonton'ish dumpling noodle soup. A basic classic, could be interpreted as bland without the sambal. But I like it and it's exactly what I needed after a week or rather almost month of dining out daily.

Damn 1.5% card fee, $14.21