Episode 1
For the premiere of Project Runway All Stars there were some major let-downs right from the get go as we saw that there would be no Heidi Klum, and instead this season will be hosted by model Angela Lindvall. Also, instead of Tim Gunn, we have Marie Claire editor Joanna Coles, and instead of Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and a guest judge, we have Georgina Chapman, designer Issac Mizrahi and a guest judge.
At the beginning of the episode, the cast was asked to show 3 looks from their own
collections, but only one look from each collection was shown on TV. The first challenge was an unconventional challenge, as the designers were asked to create a look inspired by a look from their own collection using items from a 99 cent store. Lets take a look at their designs:
Safe
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| Anthony |
Anthony used purple streamers and gold safety pins to make a dress that was totally Anthony. I would have liked to see a more Southern, "bell of the ball" touch, but it was a good effort by Anthony.
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| Austin |
I had high expectations for Austin, as he came in second in season 1 and had a show with Santino a year ago. I expected to see a more elegant and sophisticated look from him, and thought his outfit was a bit mermaid-y.
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| Michael |
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| April |
April and Michael both went with the mop heads to make dresses worthy of Lea Michele (see
here). I preferred the patterning on April's mop dress to Michael's, but the patterning and draping was hard to see on either look with the black/white mop head patterning.
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| Kenley |
I didn't get the relation of Kenley's dress to her original collection piece, and I thought her model looked like a princess...of someones shower.
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| Kara |
Kara's outfit didn't make an impression on me, but after giving it a second glance, I think it's a hip and cool look. The top and skirt are fashionable, but not fashion forward, but I'm not thrilled with the belt.
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| Mila |
Mila managed to find a bold graphic pattern in the 99 cent store. I thought her look was very futuristic, but I'm worried about the shortness of the dress/tunic thingie and potential crotch/bum exposure.
Top
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| Jerell |
Jerell created a pretty dress with scarves from the 99 cent store. But, although it was pretty and wearable his materials weren't really all that unconventional, so ultimately he was just safe.
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| Mondo |
I loved Mondo's look as he completely transformed the garbage bags, electrical tape and cowboy hats into a stylish, fashionable look. I thought Mondo should have been the winner, but he was only safe.
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| Rami |
Rami created a voluminous look out of gift bags and took home the win for this challenge.
Bottom
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| Sweet Pea |
Sweat Pea declared that she is all about color, and created this Latino inspired dress with brightly colored rags and belts. I wasn't in love with this outfit, but I didn't hate it either, but I also didn't notice some of the unfinished ends like the judges did.
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| Gordana |
I remembered that Gordana was a quick sewer and she stated that she wanted to make something flowing, but about halfway through the episode I wanted to yank the sequins out of Gordana's head and tell her that her outfit looked like a pom-pom. Well, the judges agreed and Gordana was in the bottom, but she was saved in the end.
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| Elisa |
This week, the crazy, fabric spitting, hippie Elisa was out. Frankly, I was surprised that Project Runway All Star's brought her back at all and was not surprised to see her go. I think maybe Elisa would do better as a performance artist or metaphysical interpreter in Sedona, rather than a fashion designer.
After episode 1, I was pretty happy with the top 3 and bottom 3 picks (although I thought Mondo got robbed for the win). My top picks to watch after season 1 were:
Episode 2
This week on Project Runway, the designers were challenged by Bagdley and Mischka to create a couture-esq look worthy of attending the opera for $350 in just 24-hours. Let's take a look at the looks:
Safe
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| Jerell |
Jerell actually made my least favorite look. In fact, I thought it was bottom worthy. On TV, the dress looked like a moo-moo and his model looked like she had pubic hair on her chest.
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| Kenley |
Kenley's dressed looked more suited for a Barbie doll, rather than the opera (unless Barbie is going to the opera).
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| Mila |
Bagdley and Mischka told the designers that they weren't really into black, so if the designers wanted to use black they would have to really wow the judges and sell them on the color. Well, Mila chose black anyway, and while her dress was nice, it was not a show stopper.
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| Mondo |
Mondo's dress took on a space aged theme which would work if you're attending an opera set in a 1950s B-movie.
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| Gordana |
I thought Gordana's dress was new, fashion forward, and different and I could totally picture it on the likes of Charlize Theron. I think with more time to work on the finishing, Gordana could have made top 3.
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| Rami |
I liked Rami's bright pink color choice, but I wasn't a fan of his seams and points on the outside of his dress, which to me made the dress look unfinished.
Top
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| Anthony |
I thought each of the top 3 designers did a wonderful job this week. I loved Anthony's dress with the leather gloves and thought it was pretty and sexy and red carpet worthy. I could defiantly picture it on the likes of Angelina Jolie and I love the pairing with that belt. Perhaps the judges didn't see this dress as opera appropriate, and Anthony was just safe.
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| Michael |
I thought Michael's look was pure perfection and appeared to be the clear winner. When picking out fabric, Michael was pissed at April because he had wanted to make a gown in red, but opted for black when he saw that April had grabbed some red fabric first. I think Michael should be kissing April's butt, because this dress would not have been as stunning and Kim Kardashian worthy if it had been done in red. I believe the only strike the judges could have had against this dress is that the silhouette is reminiscent of other gowns you can find at a fancy dress store, so this week Michael was just safe.
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| Austin |
At the beginning of this challenge, Joanna and the challengers all said that they expected great things from Austin this week. No pressure, Austin! Well, Austin delivered a pretty and modest old Hollywood gown which wowed the judges enough to give him the win.
Bottom
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| Kara |
I thought Kara's gown was pretty and I liked the print, but I agreed with the judges when they said that the silhouette was too simple and the dress was a bit "junior prom". I'd even venture out to say that this dress could appear maternity. But, I was glad that Kara was safe this week.
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| April |
April wanted to create a look that was inspired by Tim Burton's red queen from Alice in Wonderland. Now, when I think opera, I do not think of the red queen, and when I saw April attempting to ombre dye her dress during this 24-hour challenge, I knew she was headed for the bottom. The judges appreciated her interesting collar design, but commented that her dress looked tortured and was filled with amateurish mistakes. After this week's challenge, I'm worried about how long April will stick around, but this week she is safe.
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| Sweet Pea |
Sweet Pea's dress could have been chopped off at the knee in order to make a cute and fun summery dress, but as an opera gown it looked like a long floral skirt attached to a bathing suit. Although I appreciate Sweet Pea's attitude and style, her opera gown did not meet the challenge expectations and she was sent home.
What do you think of Project Runway All Star thus far? Do you agree with the judges top and bottom picks? Are you excited for next week's episode with Miss Piggy? Let me know in the comments below.
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