Wearability >.> or not...

Project Runway S08E14 Finale Part II

For Gretchen, I hate the shiny weirdly colored orange to green material, as well as the brown spotted print that's almost, not quite leopard, and the brown stripey print. I like the green pants w/ the sheen in the third look. The green leathery jacket is also very cool. I like the low back and high pants that she keeps throughout her looks.

courtesy of mylifetime.com

Andy used good materials and prints. I loved his opening piece. I think the hem on the shirts were weird and led to odd sorts of ruffling. I really liked the bathing suit and cover-up he had that Tim didn't respond to. The top that used a bit of weaving to hold it together was really nice.

courtesy of mylifetime.com

Mondo used some crazy prints that I didn't necessarily respond to, but overall he matched them together very well. I absolutely love the plaid dress he came out with paired with the yellow hints. The one piece I really disliked was the pink dress/top thing.

courtesy of mylifetime.com

The funniest part of the show was watching the judges fight over the winner. Andy was barely even considered because his designs were so Asian-inspired. However, I liked the hints of Oriental that came through in his collection. The judges were split between Gretchen and Mondo, with Heidi and Jessica Simpson rooting for Mondo.

Oddly, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia were pushing for Gretchen because her designs were very 'in' and 'now', however, I cannot see people really buying her clothes.

The Home Stretch

Project Runway S08E13 Finale Part 1

Unfortunately, even though they have made it to the 'Final Four', the designers still need to compete in order to actually show at Fashion Week. They each received $9000 and 6 weeks to create a 10-piece collection. The producers were a lot smarter this season; they didn't choose a bottom two to choose between...all the designers could potentially not show their collection.

Andy's checkup wasn't that great, considering he had 2 weeks to go and not one of his looks started. However, what I saw of his headpieces were very cool. Michael went a little crazy and made 18 looks - and was considering making more. Some of his looks were nice, but some were just weird.

pic courtesy of mylifetime.com

Mondo's inspiration was a marriage between the Day of the Dead and clowns. Most of his pieces were awesome, except for a pink shirt thing. Gretchen had a bad time, and with the challenge of creating a collection on top of it...I felt a bit sorry for her. I like what she's created so far, but not all together.

In order to choose the three final collections, the designers are required to present 2 current looks, and a final look that they need to create in 2 days.

Andy's silver pleated outfit is nice up top, but the bottom had weird wrinkles going on. I couldn't see the coherence of the 2nd piece (the flowy gray), but the green look was amazing.

pic courtesy of mylifetime.com

Michael's flowy brown look was really pretty, I liked the movement. The 2nd piece kind of reminded me of Laura Bennet's cocktail dress, but without the nice silhouette and fit. I like the pants and the idea of the fringe top, but hated the weird brown back thing going on. Unfortunately, all his pieces look like a glamour piece in copper.

Gretchen's grey-green dress was nice in front, but I hated the movement of the back. I didn't like the 2nd leopard look because it was so plain. I loved the 3rd green look with the half-open front. Her three looks seem as though they're going on safari vacation.

pic courtesy of mylifetime.com

Mondo's first look seemed a little too many fabrics going on. I love his 2nd look with the turquoise. His dress was very VERY cool and his looks definitely said Mondo to me.

Michael was eliminated, because his body of work wasn't as strong as the other three designers. He broke down after being eliminated, especially since his parents only supported him once he got on the show. His worry that they would expect him to give up his dream, now that they were proven 'right' is a worry that many other gay designers have. Hopefully things won't turn out that way.

pic courtesy of mylifetime.com

New York, New York

Project Runway S08E12 We're in a New York State of Mind

The designers got a little chance to rest, relax, talk to each other, and drink champagne. The next day they receive their challenge - to use any New York landmark as inspiration. Michael C. immediately headed for the Statue of Liberty, which was...really a normal choice. Although the idea of the Statue of Liberty is inspiring, it seemed like a really safe choice to me because it was something that could have been chosen by anyone and everyone.

April and Mondo went for the Brooklyn Bridge, but different portions of it. April was inspired by the architecture of the bridge itself, while Mondo liked the optical illusion of the bridge. Andy headed to Central Park for the curviness of the paths of the park and the tree branches. Gretchen went to the Lower East Side, but didn't seem that inspired by the theme in general.

I was a little worried for Mondo during this design challenge because he took a 90 minute nap and ended up stressed up until the runway. It was the final challenge before fashion week and the designers definitely were exhausted.

pic courtesy of mylifetime.com

Michael C's dress was very plain and boring. It doesn't seem as though he really did much. Gretchen's look was nice, but the jacket doesn't have the wow. Somehow it didn't all go together, but each piece was nice by itself.  Andy's look was very cool with the mix of shiny and matte fabrics. However, it was very reminiscent of his earlier designs - the warrior woman look.

Mondo's look had awesome pattern mixing and is very cute. April's look was nice on the bottom, but I didn't like the top so much; it also reminded me of her earlier work, just a dress version instead of top with sheer pouf and shorts.

pic courtesy of mylifetime.com

After their critique, the designers had to give a reason why they should go to Fashion Week and name two other designers that should go with them. I was a little worried about Andy and April because they both love the black. Andy loves the warrior woman, while April really loves the black tulle idea. Gretchen and April ended up in the bottom two, but April was out with Gretchen's earlier wins probably keeping her in.

I don't think Michael C deserved the comment of it being a stand-out dress. It seemed as though he was a universal choice for the best dress this challenge, but I really didn't think so, it was wayyy too boring.

Get Heidi's Clothes

Project Runway S8E11 A Look in the Line

This week's challenge was to design a head-to-toe look for Heidi's line. Surprisingly, she brought out six looks for the designers to see. Though Heidi wanted something 'runway wow' (as Chris put it), it was very plain, basic, not colorful clothes. It was also active-wear...the designers seem to have done three active wear challenges already, is this sportswear season?

Uh oh Mondo and Gretchen both had a bit of trouble and attitude with Heidi. It's not good because they've been doing so well, but you just can't have an attitude with your boss. And now they need to do two more looks, O.o but they get 'help'/ Unfortunately for Michael C, it's the people who have been eliminated - and all hate him.

Drama got crazy this episode with accusations of cheating from Ivy. It got to the point where Tim had to enter the room and intervene, but since it was a case of 'he said, she said' it was passed over as a non-issue.

The Final Looks

Gretchen's white dress was okay, until the jacket/coat came off. The top portion was hung oddly on the model. The purple-gray top was very distracting with the way it hung in the front near the stomach. Also the brown pants had a odd apron/skirt thing going on. Her third look with the dress was very cool.

Andy's black striped pants were very cool, but I don't like his top for it. The jacket had very good design. The dress was pretty, but hemmed oddly and to an angle.

pic from mylifetime.com

April's grey black dress with the jacket seemed dreary, but cool. Her shirt + shorts reminded me too much of her resort baby-doll thing for the hat challenge. The super long dress was just weird, it kind of reminded me of a cape, but was much more squarish to actually be a cape.

Chris's pants were very cool with the ruching, but I didn't like the grey top. The grey pants were very cool with the slit, but the white jacket was a little short, shouldn't have had the elastic around the middle, and had really weird sleeve thingies. His dress was very nice, but plain.

Michael C's color combination was so weird - orange >.< The length of the poncho/cape was a little long to have a zip and the relation to the pants was long. I didn't like the way the pants were ruched. I love the purpley cape and the shirt for it. The dress looked as though it's made out of a dull brown knit fabric that's going to fall down. Why the elastic on the sleeves?

Mondo's shirt seemed to have super puffy sleeves that I didn't like. His black pants and jacket were so cool. I like the skinny pants but the top to it has kind of a weird wrinkle pattern going on that I don't think was supposed to be there.

pic from mylifetime.com

Mondo, April, and Andy were the top 3. Andy won...and I agree. Surprisingly, Gretchen stayed safe even though she couldn't take constructive criticism. Christopher got sent home. O.o How is Michael C always safe? Probably so he can stir up more drama next week. In any case, they're very close to the finish line, and I can't wait to see what else they have in their bags.

Personal Prints

Project Runway S08E10 There's a Pattern Here

The challenge this week is to create their own print and create a garment, which immediately reminds me of Emilio Sosa's 'branding' from last season. Although I didn't like what he created, it was memorable, which a fabric should be. However, there was one limitation, their inspiration for their fabric had to be a moment from their past, so when they entered the workroom the computers were set up with several photos of when they were younger.

Some of the designer's stories are very touching, like April's parent's divorce and Mondo's HIV positive status. After going to Mood, the designers received visitors - their loved ones, and also got to spend the rest of the day with them. Seeing April's mother reminds me of how young April is because her mother looks like she's in her 40's. It was really heartwarming to see and hear all their little stories.

Unfortunately the designers had to go back to work the next day and take their minds off the visit. Andy  was one who definitely couldn't put his head back where he needed it to be and no one thought it looked like his style. Funny enough, Michael C. made a turnaround in the other designers' minds.

The Final Looks

 I love the fabric April created. Her design was pretty edgy and very April. The way the fabric hides and pops out makes it stand out even more. The bottom was great because as the model walked, it let the other fabric peek through. However, I wish she hadn't put that little ballerina frou frou on the dress.

pic courtesy of mylifetime.com

Andy's fabric is very bland. I don't like the long top with the short shorts, although I think the top was well created. The piping around the bust area seems odd.

Mondo's fabric is very coloful, and again he mixed fabrics well. I absolutely love the shape he created, though the pants seem really high-waisted.

pic courtesy of mylifetime.com

Valerie's fabric is really bold and colorful as well. I like that she muted the color a bit by placing a sheer black overlay. However, the top portion reminds me of the dress she created out of the wedding dress, and the bottom portion reminds me of the dress she made from the party supplies.

I don't like Gretchen's fabric because it is really plain and boring. Her design is nice, but I wish she hadn't put the two sunbursts on where the model's breasts were. Also, I've noticed that several of her designs use a razorback, and I can't remember a time where she didn't use one. >.>

Michael C's print is pretty cool and definitely very fabric-like. I don't really like his design, but it seems to have been constructed well.

Chris's fabric is very boring and I absolutely hate it. However, he did make some nice clothes - very wearable, but off the rack looking.

The judges thought Gretchen needed help with the fabric and was 'almost' there in the entire process. They were reminded of menswear with Michael's dress, and once they mentioned it I saw immediately saw it; styling was also wrong. My comments were spot-on with Chris, Andy, April, Valerie and Mondo.

Mondo won for the third time in a row, and I'm really happy for him. I have the feeling that he's definitely going to make it to the final three. The bottom two this time around were Andy and Valerie. I thought Andy should have gone home because it was very noticeable that he basically gave up on this challenge. Unfortunately, Valerie got sent home instead, which I don't like because she had some great designs before.

Avant-Garde and a $20k reward

Project Runway S08E09 Race to the Finish

The boys have all been moved together, and Andy, who lives with Michael C, said 'It's nice to have people you can trust.' O.o Bitchiness is starting early.

Their challenge this week is to design a high-fashion look for a L'oreal Paris ad, i.e. avant-garde. The designers need to incorporate an eyeshadow combination. The winner gets to go home with $20,000 just for this challenge. OMG. They've never had a cash reward for winning a challenge before.

Mondo and Ivy chose 'Bright', Andy and Michael C chose 'Metallic', Valerie and Chris chose 'Crystal', April chose 'Matte', and Gretchen chose 'Velvet'. They're given $300 and 2 days to complete the challenge.

Drama between Gretchen and Michael C. - again. They chose the same color, a purple-pink. Michael C's dress is looking pretty pagenty in the workroom. Poor Mondo needs to restart after spending 12 hours on his bodice because his model is smaller than his form.

Uh oh - twist again. They need to make a second ready-to-wear look, and they don't get any extra time. Valerie is stressed out; she doesn't even like what she's made and had a mini breakdown.

The Final Looks

April used black - again. I like the avant garde look, especially the fur thing. The ready to wear look doesn't work for me, the jacket is just weird.

Mondo made something pretty awesome, I love the back and the hair. I like the ready to wear look, but it doesn't follow the color scheme of bright >.<

pic from mylifetime.com

Ivy's avant-garde look is pretty hideous, the weird strips of organza reminds me of another look of hers that she got in trouble for (think way back to the beginning of the show when they needed to make clothes out of someone else's). Her ready to wear look is really pretty.

Michael C's avant-garde look is very pagenty, just with a super long train. His ready to wear look is pretty nice...but I don't like those weird side-hip things.

Chris's avant-garde look is good, except for the bottom half of the white, which makes her kind of look like a cake. His ready to wear is quite nice, except it's in white polyester looking fabric.

Gretchen's avant-garde look is way too hippie looking, which isn't avant garde at all. Her ready to wear isn't bad, but I hate that front panel which is doing weird things.

Valerie's avant-garde look reminds me of a wedding dress and is pretty nice. Her ready to wear look is weird because it's in black.

Andy's avant-garde look is definitely over the top, and very him - a warrior princess in metallic cloths, but I didn't like it. His ready to wear is awesome though. I love that the metallic sheen shows a hint of a jacket, without there actually being one.

pic from mylifetime.com

The judges liked Gretchen's avant-garde >.> of course. Heidi agreed with me on Andy's looks, but the other judges loved the avant-garde as well. The judges think Mondo's avant-garde look is a bit short and the fabric a bit cheap-looking >.< which means he probably hasn't won.

Lol, the judges thought that Ivy, Valerie, and Michael C. all had problems with the bridesmaid/pagenty feel. They pretty much agreed with me on my comments. Heidi didn't hate Ivy's ready-to-wear as much as everyone else.

OMG MONDO WON?!? That's amazing, considering that I thought the judges were leaning towards Andy. After having won $20k and a spread in Elle, he's walking away a winner no matter what happens now. YAY Ivy's out, I didn't think she deserved to be here anymore - she's a good seamstress, but not that good of a designer.

Jackie O and Camel-toe

Yes, yes...if only I started this blog several weeks ago when the season started...and trust me...this season had a LOT to talk about. 

A quick overview: there's been drama galore, and the judges are CRAZY - who they've been choosing and winner and loser I don't agree with. I thought Andy should have won the 1st challenge, Valerie the 2nd, Michael D. the 4th, and Andy the 7th. *sighh*

There are so far two crazy/evil/manipulative people - Gretchen and Ivy. Gretchen tries to be Tim Gunn when he's away (and actually managed to get someone out *poor Sarah*), while Ivy just has insanity emanating from her eyes *shudder*.

Casanova and his fears of dressing up his grandmother in the judges' eyes seem to have come exhaaactly true, but I loved his design! In the past, yes, he has made some old designs, but the one he got kicked off on was gorgeous. Perhaps he could have chosen different colors to make it more youthful, but witchy Ivy's still on (probably for the drama she can bring).

Project Runway S08E08 A Rough Day on the Runway

The challenge this week is their take on classic american sportswear. Hmm, they said to use as inspiration Jackie Kennedy...this reminds me of Robert from Season 2, who was called 'boring'. The judges always saw him designing for Jackie O, LOL.

Uh oh Valerie's asking for advice? Oh no no no...you should never ever ask for advice from someone NOT your mentor when you're on one of these competition reality shows...someone could try to mess with you. I'm worried about Mondo, I absolutely LOVE his fabric, the purple plaidy looking thing, but it's not very Jackie O.

A twist. There's ALWAYS a twist >.< Mondo in the Mood store seemed a little Golilocks XD Chris grabbed leather with fur, when he's NEVER worked with it? Not such a good idea.

                                  pic from lifetime.com

Christopher's dress is gorgeous, I love the low slung shoulder...but that shrug is so eww. April did a pretty good job, I just wish it wasn't all in black because the fabric is reminding me of funeral. Ivy's is nice, but I don't like the flimsy outerwear jacket thing. Michael C. made a pretty dress (I like the draping in the back). Gretchen made a nice blouse and skirt, but the outerwear is so long that it looks not proportional.

Michael D. made everything nice except the skirt. Valerie made a pretty look, the colors are sooo gorgeous. Andy made okay upperwear but the pant/short things are horrible!! Mondo made something so nice, why did he choose black and white stripes for the top? It didn't fit with the other two items.

The judges hated Valerie's look and the colors 'dragged it down.' >.< The thing I liked most about her look is the thing they hated most. Chris got awesome comments but not for the shrug, which I agree with. They thought Michael D's was too schizophrenic, which I can see. They liked Mondo's...YAY! But they loved the t-shirt >.> ummm...I didn't like that part O.o The judges totally called it with Ivy and Andy; it was EXACTLY what I was thinking.

YAYYYY MONDO WONNN!!! Finally. I've been rooting for Mondo all along. Michael D went home >.< Unfortunately, I liked all the bottom 3 designers, so I'd be sad with any of them leaving.