Hello everyone! Did you miss me? If you didn't already know, there's a new season of Project Runway on. This season, there have been a few changes to the structure of the show. Namely, Michael Kors is out and Zac Posen is in again as judge; The judges get to spend time "up close and personal" with the designs before making their decision; And Tim Gunn gets to sit on the runway panel and he has the power to veto the judges decision on who is out 1 time during the season. Oh, and Kate's back (from Season 11).
Episode 1
Aka The Sky is Falling
Previously on Project Runway, the new designers got to experience perhaps the most elaborately set up task to date as they witnessed skydivers jump out of an airplane. After the skydivers touched down, Heidi and Tim explained that the designers would be creating their looks out of the skydiver's parachutes. Let's take a look at the designs.
Safe
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| Dom |
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| Alexander Pope |
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| Alexandria von Bromssen |
I was not feeling
Helen's parachute dress. I think it looks a bit tortured.
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| Helen Castillo |
Jeremy made some pretty awesome parachute pants. I wouldn't mind having a pair of those in my closet.
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| Jerermy Brandrick |
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| Justin LeBlanc |
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| Kahindo |
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| Karen Batts |
Of course
Kate would manage to create a bouncy cocktail dress. Totally expected.
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| Kate Pankoke |
I'm not really feeling the ruffles on
Ken's dress. They kind of look like they're swallowing up his model's head. But, I guess it's constructed well.
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| Ken Laurence |
Top
The judges thought
Sue was able to use ruching in an interesting and flattering way.
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| Sue Waller |
The judges loved former army girl,
Miranda's, look and thought it was very fashion forward, but they were a little peeved that she used more of the black supplemental fabric than the parachute fabric.
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| Miranda Kay Levy |
The judges loved how former dancer-turned-designer,
Bradon's, dress flowed and moved down the runway. Out of all the designers, he was the only one to take advantage of the lightness of the fabric. This week Bradon was the winner and I expect to see great things from him in the future.
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| Bradon McDonald |
Bottom
Vagina alert! It was obvious that
Sandro was going to end up in the bottom with his vagina exposing playsuit and weird shawl thingie. I thought Sandro was going to be sent home for sure, but I guess the judges (ahem producers) probably wanted to keep him around to stir up some drama and tackiness for few more episodes.
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| Sandro Masmanidi |
Well, I thought that if the judges wouldn't sent Sandro home, then
Timothy is surely out! Timothy's fashion philosophy is to make clothing from sustainable, eco friendly and innovative means. But for some reason he decided to torch his parachute fabric to create added texture which also releases toxic fumes into the environment. I felt so sorry for his model during the hair and make-up session because he refused to let the hair and makeup team put any product or makeup on his model. I'm just glad that Tim convinced Timothy not to have his model do a weird performance on stage with her arms bound in rope. But, Timothy did steal the heal from his model and wore them himself.
I keep wondering if Timothy had any idea what he was getting himself into before he came on the show. I mean, I can totally respect his philosophy of creating eco friendly, sustainable fashion, but did he not consider that the show has sponsor's to please? I just feel like his designs may be better suited for a student fashion show than for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Anyway, for some reason the judges kept Timothy safe.
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| Timothy Westbrook |
Out of the bottom 3 looks, I thought Angela's was the best of the worst. Out of all of the pre-released home video/closet tours, hers were my favorite. So it was unfortunate that the judges thought her design looked like a child's smock and her bust darts were not in the right place, but at least it was wearable. In the end, the judges made Angela out, but I think that she was gone all too soon :-(
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| Angela Bacskocky |
Episode 2
Aka Diamonds are Forever
This week on Project Runway, the models were draped with millions of dollars in diamonds on loan from the Diamond District and the designers had to design a look to showcase the jewels on their models. In this episode the designers got to shop for fabric at Mood where they used a new electronic system which allows them to spend as much as they want per challenge, but they only have $3000 to spend all season. Let's take a look at the designs.
Safe
Alexander's look was very dramatic, but what's up with those sleeves!?
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| Alexander Pope |
Just a basic, pretty blue gown.
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| Alexandria von Bromssen |
A basic, pretty gold gown
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| Bradon McDonald |
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| Jeremy Brandrick |
A basic, strapless black gown
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| Justin LeBlanc |
The top on
Karen's dress looks to be gaping at the armpit. Not good.
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| Karen Batts |
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| Ken Laurence |
Surprise! Surprise!
Miranda gave us another midriff baring dress, but the top on this looks ill fitting. I hope she's not a one-trick-pony.
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| Miranda Kay Levy |
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| Sue Waller |
Top
I was surprised that
Sandro ended up on top this week. His emotions were all over the place during this episode: he got angry when another designer used his machine and later he was desperate when he couldn't get his steamer to work and was nearly in tears over it. His design is interesting and manages to stand out amongst the sea of solid color gowns, but I think the shear panels on each side of his skirt make his outfit rather tacky.
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| Sandro |
I liked that
Dom went for a print rather than a solid color. The judges applauded her for making her printed gown seem young rather than dated. I thought maybe Dom would score the win this week, but instead she came in 2nd.
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| Dom |
Kate's dress was rather stunning on the runway, but it does resemble a Vivienne Westwood gown. Perhaps the judges were just amazed that she could recreate a Vivienne Westwood look in such a short amount of time because the judges awarded her with the win.
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| Kate Pankoke |
Bottom
This week
Helen was the girl who cried wolf. All throughout this episode Helen proclaimed that she's a gown maker, but as it got closer to runway time it became apparent that Helen bit off more than she could chew as her first attempt at bust cups was not good. When her model walked down the runway, Helen burst into tears and had to be consoled by Tim Gunn. Apparently she forgot that there's not crying in fashion! During her critique Helen proclaimed that she wanted to be a couture dress designer. I guess the judges took pity on her and she was safe for another week.
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| Helen Castillo |
This week
Timothy raided the scraps and trash bin at Mood and allowed his model to have some hair, make up and SHOES. The judges were divided about Timothy's racerback front (I didn't think his look was so bad) and the judges decided to keep him in.
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| Timothy Westbrook |
Kahindo made the fatal errors of attempting to use a fabric that she wasn't familiar with and using a boring pattern. She took Tim's advice in the workroom and layered some black organza over the loud patterned fabric to let the jewels shine, but there was no saving this dress from the poorly constructed circle back opening. Unfortunately Kahindo was out.
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| Kahindo |
So after the first 2 episodes, my favorites are Bradon, Alexandria and Dom but I'd also like to see more from Jeremy and Miranda. I predict that Helen and Karen may be the next to get the boot (there first 2 designs haven't been great) and Timothy and Sandro will be off as soon as they've thoroughly stirred the pot and the producers tire of them. What did you think of these two episodes? Who are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below.
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