Terrible Television » Project Runway

Project Runway: A Poly Blend Of Its Former Crêpe De Chine

misslinda — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 16:49:22 +0000

I don’t even recognize the Project Runway product placements anymore. Did Tim Gunn just tell the designers to use the Waldo wall carefully? Who is Philip B and why won’t he use his last name? Is Phil in the witness protection program? And seriously? Mary Kay? Like, the door-to-door pyramid scheme that culminates with a pink car? Oh, Lifetime Network for Ladies Who Lunch On Mashed Carrots And Applesauce, you have hit an all new low and I’m not even sure if a Tim Gunn Save can Make It Work.

Project Runway Season A Million, Episode One

misslinda — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 13:04:28 +0000

“If there’s one thing holding me back, it’s nothing right now.”

I can’t remember which designer spoke those garbles, but does it matter? It’s the perfect reality television competition Statement Of Self. It says, “I have no idea what I’m talking about, but words are important, too.” That overconfident and undereducated delusion is why I keep tuning into Project Runway season after season, crappy design after crappy design.

So I’m not sure what happened but there’s a runway show, and the judges look nonplused. I’m disappointed to see Zac Posen since, as usual, we were all hoping for Michael Kors. And where’s Nina? I don’t think I’ll make it through an entire season without Nina Garcia’s snip and a Michael Kors snap. Oh thank goodness, there’s Nina. Her hair looks beautiful, as would my own if I had a team of stylists and unlimited forever and ever funds but no I’m not bitter, why do you ask?

I don’t even need to know the challenge because it’s always the same—design something that repreents you as a designer. Should we talk about the designs? Amanda, Jefferson, Mitchell, Sandia, Sharksomething, and Angela are the best and the worst. He other nameless faces are safe. Wait—we’ve seen this Amanda chick before, right? She looks like a Project Runway Repeat. Or Threepeat, actually.

Sharksomething made a cotton jersey draped top with a flirty print skirt (with pockets! Everyone loves pockets….) and Nina adores the outfit. Mitchell made shorts and a t-shirt that I bought in the junior’s department of Macy’s sometime in 1985. The judges hate it, of course. Sandhya designed the most gorgeous floral dress that is ripped at some oddball places, but it works as fashion even though it doesn’t work as clothing. Jefferson designed a shirt and skort, and that’s the nicest thing I can say about it, though Nina manages to sputter out a “doubleyoo tee eff.” The judges are horrified by the oddly proportioned outfit. Amanda Threepeat’s patterned jeans are kind of cool, but the black top is blah and overall it’s a meh outfit. The judges are bored. Angela’s royal blue top and bizarre strappy pants are designated “sluts” by Ms. Garcia because the model’s arse is on display, and not in a good way.

Oh ha! Tim Gunn wants to know if Angela’s pants come with a gift certificate for a Brazilian. On closer inspection, Jefferson’s designs are even worse that anyone could have imagined. Sharksomething’s cute little top and skirt bring smiles, and Sandhya’s surprising dress impresses to the point where Nina calls it a “showpiece.” For some reason the judges gush over Amanda Threepeat’s construction. Big deal. The least people can do is sew. Heidi’s got my back by pointing out that this isn’t Top Seamstress.

Sandhya wins the challenge, and with Amanda and Sharksomething close behind. The judges spare Angela, so it’s between Jefferson and Mitchell. Who bored the judges more? Jefferson. So Mitchell is in, and Jefferson is the first one to be auf wiedersehened. That’s unfortunate because Mitchell’s shorts and t-shirt are tragic.

So. Do we have a season here or what? And does it matter? I mean, it’s Project Runway.

Photo: LifetimeTV.com

Project Runway All Stars Season 3, Episode 10: Are U.N. Or Are You Out?

misslinda — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 04:49:43 +0000

Elena, Seth Aaron, and Korto are the final three designers. They are tasked with designing a six piece collection in four days. That’s…sixteen hours per look, if they don’t sleep a wink. And, the designers must somehow be inspired by their heritage, whether they like it or not. Elena is Ukrainian, Seth Aaron sounds remotely related to Spain, and Korto descends from Liberia. So, it’s off to the United Nations to learn a little something.

Fast forward, a trip to Mood, and back to the workroom. Korto starts with a killer yellow maxi dress, Elena is creating texture with leather and wool, and Seth Aaron is cutting up a diamond embossed patent leather lambskin.

On day two, Seth Aaron switches to a striking red felt fabric. What a gorgeous color, and a gorgeous coat. Elena is cutting giant holes in everything and it looks sort of silly and unwearable — also, time consuming. Korto is being very practical. She’s working her prints in flowing, wearable dresses. And, surprise! The losers are here to help! Korto gets Christopher, Elena gets Viktor, and Seth Aaron has Jeffrey. Super surprise! The designers must use these weird print scarves to make a seventh look for their collection. This brings Elena to tears since the prints have not much to do with what she does, but whatever. Viktor’s mom always says “Don’t drown in a cup of water,” so she stops crying and he sews her a dress out of the scarf.

Models, fittings, hair, accessories, and to the runway! At the U.N.! The judges are Georgina Chapman, Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen, Gayle King, and Alyssa Milano. First up is Elena. Grey and yellow dots — it’s cute, I guess.

Grey-on-grey dots, more yellow, leathers and wools — I kind of get it. But all of the shapes are the same, with straight mini skirts and rounded sleeves, kind of boring. That last bright yellow and green tent dress was very necessary, taking the silhouette just a little bit farther.

Seth Aaron is next. A harsh black dress that’s strangling the model, a gorgeous and dramatic banana yellow jumpsuit with crazy shoulders, and I kind of want that white dress.

The shirt made from a scarf looks frumpy.

Wow, a lace jumpsuit…kid of ugly, no?

A print mini dress we’ve all seen before until she turns around and the leather detail in the back is intriguing.

And there’s that red coat that I want so bad it hurts.

Korto and her print pageant is the last up, and is that maxi dress gorgeous or what?

A little white dress that I hate because I want to rip those ruffles right off of the front. Oh no, I also hate the next look, and the next…what happened here?

Those white fabric flaps are terrible!

The silk jumpsuit is stunning, but not enough to steal the show. I give the win to Seth Aaron, handily.

Isaac buys into Elena’s concept, but he doesn’t love the fit. Georgina is mild on the skirts which are not structured very well, and Alyssa notes that Elena spent so much time on the upper parts of the collection that the bottom parts suffered. This was a craft project, in my very humble opinion.

Georgina genuinely enjoyed Seth Aaron’s collection. Do not take my red coat, Georgina! We are so on the same page — she does not like the fishnet jumpsuit either. Zac Posen was blown away by the draping, and Alyssa loved the back of that scarf dress.

Korto’s dresses flow onto the runway, but her structured pieces are criticized when compared to the softer fabrics. Isaac says that Korto is the most inventive of the designers, and it made him feel like crying. You made Isaac feel the feelings, Korto!

When the judges deliberate, Elena is sort of chucked out of the running real quick. It’s all the same stuff over and over and over again. So who is the winner? Seth Aaron. Aww. I feel badly for Korto. She’s pretty awesome. And Seth Aaron is really crying.

Project Runway All Stars Season 3, Episode 9: Fashion Cents

misslinda — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 18:35:46 +0000

There are only four designers left on Project Runway All Stars – Christopher, Korto, Elena, and Seth Aaron. It’s time for ready-to-wear, and the challenge is to design an outfit for Milly’s collection that retails for under $400 using Milly designer Michelle Smith’s custom fabrics which are often gorgeous in a bizarre modern-vintage kind of way. She manufactures all of her clothes in the New York garment district, so good on her.

The theme for the collection is “urban tribal,” which I don’t get because my urban tribe wears black, and maybe dark denim. Elena keeps purring over neon fabrics and Seth Aaron is designing a very cute dress with a giant red stripe down the front. Korto is working on a racer back maxi dress and Christopher is sketching an asymmetrical outfit that has the potential to be fugly or fabulous. But Korto’s maxi turns into a mini when she realizes her fabric is too expensive to go floor length within the $400 budget.Elena made an odd fabric choice—white leather and mesh. With all of those beautiful prints, she has a blank white canvas. Huh. Then, tragedy strikes. The leather rips. Oops? Luckily she has extra white leather, so she’s making a similar dress that isn’t ripped. Christopher also has an oopsie. He designed a dress that was approved for the budget, and then switched to separates and it costs more on the production end so he has to switch gears back to a dress mid-way through the challenge. He is confounded by the zipper, which may be his downfall.

To the runway! The judges are Georgina Chapman, Isaac Mizrahi, Kristin Chenoweth, Nick Cannon, Michelle Smith, and Alyssa Milano.

Christopher’s asymmetrical black-and-white fabric and leather dress is…too much. It just doesn’t work together.

Seth Aaron’s black-and-white stripes with a hint of neon pink is pretty and flirty and just that tiny bit of edgy.

Korto’s print fiesta stripe-o-rama is surprisingly boring.

Elena’s white dress is badass, slick, and unique but will end up on the sale rack at Century 21 unless it is produced in another color.

The judges love Elena’s white dress but are not sold on the front zipper. They also like Christopher’s mishmash, but Isaac is a little confused and Michelle isn’t feeling the bodice. Korto’s dress is hit-and-miss. The judges praise the back, but not the front. Seth Aaron’s dress is called “spectacular,” and Kristin Chenoweth wants it in a size teeny tiny.

It seems to be between sending home Korto or sending home Christopher. But the winner is clear, with Seth Aaron taking a guaranteed place in next week’s finale. Elena is safe and also has a spot in the finals.

For Korto and Christopher, it’s one more challenge. Select three looks from your previous challenges and in one hour, remix them on the runway into one new look. Oh, this is stupid. Sewing machines are wheeled out onto the runway and the designers slice and rip their old garments and paste them together into something not good but also not awful.

Korto created a boring grey skirt out of pants, and a black jacket vest out of a skirt. Christopher designed a sexy one-armed dress from a bunch of different dresses. The judges give nothing away, heaping praise on both designers. The third spot in the finals goes to Korto, which means Christopher is out.

Next week, it’s the finale where one designer will be crowned Ruler of the Runway.

Reprinted from HauteTalk.com

Project Runway All Stars Season 3, Episode 8: Nina’s Trending

misslinda — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:55:45 +0000

So last week on Project Runway All Stars, we got rid of Irina, or Elena — I can never tell the two apart. And what kind of spectacular challenge will the remaining six designers face this week? Make an outfit for a fashion blogger in the next big trend for 2014. Hey! How come nobody is making me an outfit? Grumble, grumble, grumble.

To toss a twisteroo into the mix, the designers must use Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2014, Radiant Orchid. Also known as “A Shade Of Lavender.” And joy of all joys, it’s Nina Garcia, CreativeDirectorOfMarieClaireMagazine! She is a guest judge this week, and also the instiller of fear in the designers.After bloggers are picked, everyone seems mildly annoyed that these bloggers aren’t super tall and skinny models, but newsflash! Humans come in all shapes and sizes. And is everyone designing a jumpsuit? I feel like I’m hearing that word tossed around the workroom a lot lately, which means I get to tell my favorite joke:

Q: What do frogs wear to go out on the town?

A: Jumpsuits.

Viktor is so getting the Elimination Cut today, with a whole big to-do over switching from a jumpsuit to a dress and jacket the night before the runway show. Seth Aaron is playing it way too safe with some kind of color-blocked dress we’ve all seen a million times on the sales racks, and Korto is going big and bold with a white pantsuit that guest judge Nina Garcia is going to adore. I have no idea what Elena is doing, it’s almost like she’s building stripes out of foam. Whatever it is, it’s not good.

To the runway!

Seth Aaron’s striped cocktail dress is a total snore, though those stripes are pleasantly slimming.

Christopher’s olive green lace trench coat and/or dress is just so sloppy, and he totally ignored the Radiant Orchid color.

Viktor’s black dress and bomber jacket are nothing special.

Elena’s striped monstrosity makes her blogger look like she is in blogger jail, possibly in solitary confinement, and definitely wrapped in a straight jacket and ribbons.

Korto’s white pantsuit is lovely, and the purple is smartly applied on the interior…petals? What are those flaps? Whatever they are, this is pretty.

Ooh! Another guest judge, Christian Siriano! There’s also Isaac Mizrahi, Nina Garcia, and Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein. Also, Alyssa Milano of the NFL.

They have some likes and dislikes. Seth Aaron and Elena get sent to the back as safe, which translates to, “Your designs are so boring that we don’t even want to deal with you today.” Korto is the only true winner in the group, with the judges loving the ruffles and the bold white color and soft structure. So the win goes to Korto, who skips off stage.

That leaves Viktor and Christopher on the bottom. Nina says that Christopher’s dress looks like “seaweed coming from the swamp,” which it does, but still, that’s a little harsh. I would’ve called it “moss growing on a rock.” Viktor’s outfit was just way too ordinary for the judges, and it made his model look shlumpy. Also, the jacket has absolutely no relation to the dress, except they are both considered to be garments.

And with that, the judges eliminate Viktor.

Reprinted from HauteTalk.com

Project Runway All Stars Season 3, Episode 7: As Sewn on TV

misslinda — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 01:43:58 +0000

We’re down to six designers for “As Sewn on TV”—Christopher, Viktor, Seth Aaron, Irina, Korto, and Elena—and they’re headed to QVC by helicopter. Which is a weird way to travel to Pennsylvania, but hey. Why not? Once there, the designers learn that QVC puts on some sort of gala-red-carpet-something-or-other, and they must design a gown for Lisa Robertson (one of the QVC program hosts) to wear at the big event. Her only requirements are that she needs to sit, stand, and move in the dress. Which is not much to ask for, but I guess it needs to be spelled out or else who knows what she would get.

The designers pile into the QVC studio and begin sketching. Then, it’s back to New York for a trip to Mood. Irina is going for white because that never looks like a wedding dress. Elena is talking about slashing fabric to look like scales, and Korto is working with a vibrant orange fabric that will stand out in the crowd.

Slicing, sewing, draping, and Elena is freaking out because the slashed fabric technique, which she has never done before, looks like a feral cat with a bad attitude got into her fabric bag. She claims to not know anything about eveningwear, but what? That makes no sense. That’s like saying, “I only design skorts.”

Viktor is having a moment and needs to talk to Elena and Seth Aaron. He reveals that he has been HIV positive for seven years. Aww. Why such a secret? Getting that off of his chest seems to have helped, and they all get back to the sewing room to stitch the heck out of their gowns.

Zanna rolls into the workroom and is all, “I’m going to be pissed if I see even one jewel-toned strapless gown,” which is exactly what Christopher designed. There’s also Viktor’s shiny green bustier, and Zanna explains that green dresses are never, ever on magazine covers because they do not sell. Seth Aaron has a black dress that needs to be shorter than floor-length. Elena’s slasher dress is not as bad as she thinks it is, but it still ain’t good. Irina’s wedding dress is gorgeous, for a wedding dress. Korto’s orange dress is disturbingly bright, but she swears that it will look “expensive and rich” once it is finished.

With thirty minutes left, there’s a bit of a mess on most of the dresses. It’s really anyone’s game, except or Seth Aaron because his dress is simply not flattering. And maybe Korto, who redesigned her orange gown into a beige and orange summer fun and flirty maxi dress. Also, Irina made a wedding dress that is so tight her model can’t even walk.

To the runway! The judges this week are Mondo Guerra (OMG! Mondo!), Isaac Mizrahi, Lisa Robertson, Elizabeth Moss, for some reason, and Alyssa Milano.

Christopher’s navy blue gown is gorgeous, with a black leather halter and a train of tulle.

Viktor’s green gown is kind of sloppy, and it’s hard to walk in with a tight mermaid bottom.

Seth Aaron’s metallic dress looks like…cheap fabric in an unfortunate cut.

Korto’s orange and beige dress is very, very pretty, but it might be too casual for the red carpet.

Elena’s slice-and-dice actually works well, though the color looks a tad vamp with maybe a splash of tramp.

Then, Irina’s wedding dress wanders out onto the runway, and the judges look confused. I mean, it’s beautiful, and perfectly constructed (except for the fact that her model couldn’t even get up the stairs without flapping her arms and tearing a massive gash in the front of the dress), but it is not in any way red carpet ready.

Isaac Mizrahi finds Seth Aaron’s dress “really difficult to wear,” and Lisa Robertson is worried about showing the goods in the front with that massive slit. I can’t believe the judges are taking Irina’s dress seriously. But they are. And they like it. Huh. Elena’s dress is called “dowdy” instead of “edgy.” Korto’s dress is a hit for its comfort level, and that also makes it perfect for QVC. Isaac calls Christopher’s dress “perfectly divine,” but it loses the leather in the photographs. Viktor’s dress gets high and low marks, and overall it’s more of an acquired taste that I have not yet acquired.

The judges really don’t know where to go with the best and the worst dresses, because they are all a little bit off. Except for Christopher’s gown, which is a tad boring but an overall success. Seth Aaron, Christopher, and Viktor are safe, and Korto is the winning designer. Wow, so Elena and Irina are up for elimination. That’s great, because I can never remember which one is which. Irina is sent home for giving them a wedding dress when they asked for a red-carpet gown.

Next week, it’s NinaGarciaFashionDirectorofMarieClaireMagazine!

Project Runway All Stars Season 3, Episode 6: In Marge We Trust

misslinda — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:46:26 +0000

So what do you do when Marge Simpson tells you that she needs a special dress for a special date with her special man? And that it needs to be sexy and *shudder* easy to remove? And she doesn’t like the color green, so no green. Basically, you freak the heck out because that’s Marge Simpson! To make it even more squee, the winning design will be animated so that Marge can wear it in a future episode of The Simpsons.

Sketching sketching sketching, everyone goes to Mood, Christopher picks a floral print and it’s universally decided that floral is a very bad idea. There’s a kerfuffle between Viktor and Christopher over last week’s challenge because Viktor was a bottom and Christopher was a top, or something like that, and it luckily died down before anyone had to hold my earrings.Korto goes elegant with navy blue sequins, Jeffrey is doing some futuristic nonsense and I wonder if he’s ever watched The Simpsons, Elena is designing Marge a Rubik’s Cube, Christopher and Irina are boring Zanna Roberts Rassi, and Seth Aaron is going full red carpet gown extravaganza because it’s not like Homer is going to take Marge to the Rusty Clam or anything.

I’ve lost count, but it looks like Seth Aaron made, like, four or five dresses, none of which ever go on his model during the fitting. Good luck with that, Seth Aaron.

To the runway! The judges this week are Alyssa Milano, Isaac Mizrahi, Anthony Ryan Auld, Abigail Breslin, and Stacey Bendet.

Christopher’s floral number is not as bad as I had expected, but it’s kind of a snore and not very “Marge.”

Elena’s red dress is striking and elegant, but the jacket is too harsh.

Irina’s purple flowing cocktail dress is gorgeous and flattering and has just enough drama.

Jeffrey’s dress is the worst.

Korto’s one-sleeved dress is modern and edgy, which is not what I think of when I think of Marge Simpson.

Seth Aaron’s magenta gown is kind of gorgeous, but I feel like I’ve seen it a million times already.

Viktor’s metallic cocktail dress is cute but ordinary.

Isaac likes Irina’s purple dress a lot, and Abigail wants to wear it, so that’s good. Alyssa agrees with me that Seth Aaron’s dress is one of those that you’ve seen a million times on the red carpet, and it’s too formal for the cartoon character. Korto’s is all wrong for Marge, too, and there’s not much good to say about Jeffrey’s dress. In the end, Irina gets the win with her killer purple dress. Korto, Elena, and Christopher are safe, so it’s between Jeffrey and Seth Aaron. The judges finally eliminate Jeffrey, which we all saw coming from twelve miles away.

Reprinted from HauteTalk.com

Project Runway All Stars, Season 3, Episode 4: Keepin’ It Classy

misslinda — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 01:08:15 +0000

Everyone hop on the big yellow school bus because you’re going on a field trip to everybody’s least favorite challenges on Project Runway All Stars — unconventional clothing. The designers must create runway worthy fashion from junk they find in a classroom. But the fun part is, they only have four minutes to grab their supplies. Um, this is the best stocked New York City public school I’ve ever seen. It’s more like a gourmet art store. Crayons, balls, noodly things, construction paper, foam blocks, notebooks, brightly colored crappola….trust me, none of this has ever seen the inside of that classroom before the Project Runway bus pulled up. Which is sad.

Anyhoo, the designers are sketching and head back to the workroom with their bag o’ junk. While the designers play jump rope, Elena glares disapprovingly. Christopher is designing black and rainbow anti-bullywear, Jeffrey is making a Lego dress, Elena is sad and crying because this challenge is so hard, Viktor is using feathers like a bird and it’s the only pretty thing in the room. Elena is pissed because he totally changed his design after seeing hers, which looks nothing like his, so…what? Seth Aaron (who is apparently a totally different person than Jeffery), is making a foam suit, and Michael is ironing crayons onto fabric which he has never done before and I suspect it won’t stick the way he thinks it should, and Korto is making a gorgeous pattern out of rubber bands.

Of course there’s a twist. You have to do makeup consultations. What kind of twist is that? Oh, ha, it’s Mary Kay makeup, so good luck making that slop look good.

Mychael’s crayon idea doesn’t really work so he’s going to have to figure something else out, and fast. Korto is also a tad on the frantic side. With one hour left, Elena is loving her own dress and everyone else is loving Viktor’s dress. Thirty minutes to runway and Mychael has nothing for the bottom of his dress. Christopher dives in to help and Irina does not because this is a competition and blah blah blah. Speaking of Irina, she made a giant flower dress. Boring, boring, boring.

The judges this week are Alyssa Milano, Georgina Chapman, Isaac Mizrahi, Academy Award Nominee Gabourey Sidibe and actor Michael Urie.

Irina’s dress is a flowery snore.

Christopher’s dark dress is structurally interesting.

Korto’s dress is so short that I worry about that model’s undercarriage.

Elena’s dress is a cartoon character of a dress.

Jefffrey’s dress fell out of the 80s and hit the ugly stick on the way down.

Viktor’s dress is so pretty and clever.

Mychael’s dress is falling apart on the runway.

Seth Aaron’s dress is kind of cool, and kind of awful, and there’ a kickball on her head so that is pretty much awesome.

Seth Aaron and Irina are safe and sent backstage. Christopher’s black binder dress is a favorite of the judges, and they didn’t even notice the scissors scattered about. Korto’s rubber balls and rubber bad dress is out of proportion, and the binder clips she attached to the dress to hold it together are unfortunate. Otherwise, it’s a nice looking dress. Elena’s plastic binder and pencil case dress receives praise for the pointy boobs. Mychael’s dress is called an “arts and crafts project,” but Isaac loves the colors so who knows. Jeffrey isn’t going to get away with yet another klunker of a dress, especially since the poor model’s bits and pieces are showing. When Viktor starts talking about his inspiration for his very cool dress, Elena is ready to kill him because she invented plastic rulers.

The top looks are from Christopher and Viktor, and Christopher gets the win with his shiny swirly black dress. Jeffrey, Mychael, and Korto have the lowest scores. But they’re all safe because…why? I don’t know. Each dress was bad in its own special way.

Project Runway All Stars Season 3, Episode 3

misslinda — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 21:16:00 +0000

The Project Runway All Stars designers meet at Jay-Z’s club which, despite Alyssa Milano’s statements to the contrary, is not New York City’s hottest night spot. They’re supposed to watch the bartender mix drinks and somehow that will inspire cocktail dress sketching. This is stupid because the designers are drunk-sketching things that are possibly in an alternate universe loosely related to their chosen liquids. Can we go to Mood, please?

Passion fruit, tequila, ginger, grapefruit, drink! Christopher has some ugly, ugly fabric that’s going nowhere fast but we are assured that his model’s hooha will be covered. I’m seeing too much leopard print, Viktor’s gorgeous print of a church printed on silk, and Korto’s kickass green and yellow sketchy print.

Some bottle blonde British chick walks into the workroom like a low rent Tim Gunn and critiques the designs with gems like, “I could tell you were drunk when you sketched this,” “That outfit last week was definitely not considering the woman who was wearing it,” and “Black is whack.” But there’s a twist! You must make an accessory that is like garnish.

The models strut into the workroom, and did someone just ay, “Let me get this cup ad put it on your meow meow”? Melissa is complaining because she’s sewing suede which is unforgiving. But…she chose the fabric herself, so…no pity. Korto’s model is larger than expected, so she’s a size two instead of a size zero, and it’s time to go to sleep.

We have our usual judges Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman. They are joined by moderately priced handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff and uber handsome interior designer Nate Berkus.

Irina’s dress is gold and leather and sheer and it’s but together so cheaply that I wonder what the heck she was thinking.

Christopher’s dress is pretty and understated, and very 1920s elegance.

Mychael’s purple plunging neckline is striking and something every woman would want to wear.

Jeffrey’s velvet burnout dress is dated and frumptastic, despite all of the skin shown.

Elena’s cut-out dress is tacky in the way that an Eastern European call girl would pick it off of the rack.

Seth Aaron’s dress is striking and stunning and short and red and slinky.

Melissa’s one-shoulder purple dress is predictable, which is funny because she says, “I think it was bold for me to do.”

Korto’s cocktail dress is fun and flirty,” yet still totally badass.

Viktor’s dress is modern and sculptural and so very delicate.

Seth Aaron, Mychael, and Irina are safe from elimination. The rest are the best and the worst. The top of Viktor’s dress earns “congratulations, darling!” from Isaac. Korto’s dress has this patent leather belt that the judges are torn over, with half love and half hate. Nate flat out says that Christopher should win the challenge. Melissa’s lopsided dress is lopsided. Big shocker. For some reason everyone loves Elana’s hooker outfit. Seth Aaron’s dress falls way flat, and he tosses out excuses about his model being way smaller than his mannequin. Well did you try feeding her sandwiches?

The winner is Viktor, and Elena Christopher, and Korto are safe. So it’s between Jeffrey (who I thought was Seth Aaron?) and Melissa. And Melissa is going home, but Jeffrey Seth Aaron gets a very stern warning.

Project Runway All Stars Season 3, Episode 2: Bitten by the Fashion Bug

misslinda — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 16:22:41 +0000

Last week we met eleven Project Runway All Stars who created punk creations entirely at Mood. Ari was sent home, and the season is just a little less fabulous.

The designers arrive at the Museum of Natural History and dinosaurs! OMG OMG OMG I want to go see the dinosaurs can we please go see them please please please?! No. Insects and arachnid. Eew, they’re alive!

It’s an avante garde challenge, so I guess these creepy crawlers make sense? I don’t know. They’re just so icky. I got the hornworm! I got the Madagascar cockroach! I choose the Sri Lankan ornamental spider! Mychael is making a caplet cocoon, Daniel is inspired by bug armor, and it’s a trip to mood followed by a work space filled with sewing machines, tables, and…bugs.

Jeffrey put a bag over his model’s head and wrapped her neck in a lamp. And she’s supposed to walk the runway like that, somehow. Viktor hates seeing people cry, and Elena is a major cryer, and do not drip on the fabric, Elena!

The judges this week are host Alyssa Milano, designers Georgina Chapman and Isaac Mizrahi, and guest judges jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer and former winner Anya.

First up is Seth Aaron with a red and black stiff plastic armor.

Mychael made a slinky green and beige dress and cape, with bound arms that mimic his bug.

Daniel created a brown something-or-other with a long train that’s way too literal.

Korto busted out a badass black suit with wiry slits all over the place.

Jeffrey made a walking lampshade with a red leg, like a sick version of A Christmas Story.

Melissa made a little black dress that is not avante garde, except maybe for the fuzzy doily on the back.

Viktor created a stunning silver and off-white gown and cap ae and what is it? I don’t know.

Irina constructed a gigantic black dress with feelers.

Christopher made the buggiest look in gold and black.

Elena constructed a bright and bizarre geometric dress.

Seth Aaron, Viktor, Christopher, and Korto are safe. Irina’s dress is impressive, but the monochromatic black is a bit of a thud. Daniel did what Daniel always does—the dress is the wrong length, the fabric is not flattering, and the neck is unflattering. Isaac is offended by Seth Aaron’s creation. “Avante garde should not be mistaken for unwearable clothes.” He is so upset that he can’t even critique the look. Elena’s dress is exactly what the judges were looking for—reminiscent of the insect, a unique technique, and flattering on the model. Mychael also hit the mark with just enough of the worminess, but still fashionable. Melissa’s little black dress just is not avante garde, despite the spidery straps.

Irina and Jeffrey are safe. Between Elena and Mychael, the win goes to Mychael. And now, the losers. Melissa or Daniel. Which is the bigger fashion crime—boring the judges, or a questionable taste level? Daniel is eliminated, which was inevitable. He seems like a wonderful person, but his design oozes mediocrity.