The End is the Beginning

Well, this is the end, my friends. My blog idea certainly had a limited shelf life. Now I have a mess of downtime until the next season of PR starts up. I have decided at the moment to only discuss the broad strokes of the finale. Perhaps later, when I yearn to blog once again, I will discuss the individual pieces in finer detail.

I know many that would heartily disagree with me, but for me, this was the best season of Project Runway. Not necessarily for entertainment value, mind you. But as a design competition television show, these designers were the highest level of talent the show has seen thus far. Think about previous seasons. I always had one favorite. One of the designers was head and shoulders above the others in season 1 and 2 (Kara Saun, Chloe Dao). Really, Wendy Pepper was terrible. I love Daniel V so much, but he was far too meek design-wise to be one of the finalists. His collection was so bland. Honestly, I feel that Season 3 was the talent low point of the show. I was not very excited by any of the final collections. Michael's collection was abysmal. They were all very uneven.

This was the first ever season where I truly would've been happy with any of the three finalists winning from a collection standpoint. I feel that Christian was the most meritorious (would benefit the most from the money) and the most likable of the final three designers, and so I was happy to see him come out on top.

I am by no means, a fashion expert. But let me offer my perspective and my little bit of Vogue-reading expertise to those who feel that Christian's collection was too costume-y and not wearable. There are basically two major kinds of shows in the fashion world. There are prêt-à-porter or ready-to-wear shows (these terms are interchangable) and there are couture shows. What it comes down to is this. Every single Bryant Park runway show that has ever been shown on project runway contained at least some ready-to-wear pieces, and I would go so far as to qualify them all as ready-to-wear. All of the past winners have been ready-to-wear designers. I would put forth that Chrisitan's show was the first couture show ever to be featured in a Project Runway finale. Every single thing he put on the runway was designed for a gay man/for a model/as a piece of art. He had nothing "wearable" by anything less than Posh Spice's standards. He is a forward-thinking, edgy, couture designer. Will he succeed in the fashion industry without commercial appeal? Only time will tell if he will take his place among the Alexander McQueens and Vivienne Westwoods that are his idols. He needs to learn or work with people that can make his vision marketable. He is no doubt talented. I don't love his aesthetic, but I can recognize and respect his talent.

Did Jillian and Rami make pieces I liked much better and could see myself wearing? Absolutely. Did I think they had a more cohesive collection? No. Rami deserved his place in the top two. He made a lot of beautifully designed pieces. Jillian made some great things. I hated her hats and felt the knitwear to be out of place. It was all very skilled, but felt that just like her model choices, her pieces were too eclectic to represent a strong point of view. Rami should have made a twelve piece collection of Oscar dresses. That is his calling. Jillian should find her place in the ready to wear world. Her collection was definitely the most wearable and had the most commercial appeal. So endeth the lesson.

Jillian








Rami







Christian

Dance Wars: Chris vs Rami

First off, let me qualify all of the following opinion. I have seen the entire Bryant Park runway collections for the final five designers. I believe that I cannot make a judgment on this episode without some bias, since I have a larger perspective from which to judge then those who came into this episode blind.
This was the penultimate episode, and probably more exciting than the finale because of the unique collection face off. I was one of the many pulling for Chris, but I believe the judges made the right decision. Having seen his entire collection and based on his showing last night, I don't think he earned his spot in the final three. He's so inventive, but I feel like he felt the novelty of the materials made the clothes more interesting then they really were.
Those that know me know that I actually have a phobia of disembodied hair touching me. Fur, wigs, drain clogs; all of these things make me freak out and become physically ill. I was already off-put by the photos of Chris' collection without any knowledge of his human hair trim and skirt, but after hearing that...*shudder*. Tim was right on. Chris couldn't smell the monkey house...
I really love his personality, but I think it was evident that Rami believed he deserved to be and would be in the final three and Chris was already resigned to his fate. He got to showcase his amazing costuming talents and larger-than-life personality for all of us, but he's no Jean Paul Gaultier. He seems to have a great zest for life, so why did I feel like I was watching a fashion funeral procession? I really feel like he just couldn't be a high fashion designer without a team up with someone of a much higher taste level (if you don't win, Christian...think about it).

*Disclaimer: These photos are all from the Bryant park runway with the exception of Rami's blue coat.*

Chris:

I love the top of this dress. It reminds me of the Great Gatsby or some other roaring 20s vintage/costuming. But a hair skirt? *shivering*


I like the vintage styling on this. It's like a 20s/30s cover of Vogue ladie's suiting. But there's so much hair! *sobs*


I actually hate this. It must look great in person or something, since Tim liked it, but maybe he just gravitated to the one without the hair...

Rami:

Beautiful. A red carpet dress if not for the thigh-doubling panels.


I loved this dress the best. So sexy.

SPOILER ALERT...

They were right. Tim tried to talk you out of this ridiculously fussy and over-structured coat. Thankfully, all the criticism stopped you from using it in the finale as far as I can make out.

I say Christian for the win...See you next week. I'm excited to see the designs in motion!

Everything is (dimly) Illuminated

This week was the reunion episode. Always boring and the low point of the season, every reunion "special" redeems itself with at least one tiny wonderful moment of levity in the form of outtakes.
This reunion special was memorable for the absolute breakdown of Michael Kors during the wrestling challenge. I think they shouldn't have edited that out when the episode aired. I enjoyed the rare lapse in formality for judges. Frankly, I'm sure a lot of us felt that the whole conceit of the episode was laughable. I loved to see him do something unexpected. He seems so straight-laced on the show (even more so than Tim, which is funny, because Tim dresses more conservatively).
My thoughts:
-Tim is a golden god.
-Carmen was sniveling and pathetic.
-Victorya was a bitch as usual.
-Steven and Tim obviously have a rapport.
-Kevin is still gay.
-Henceforth, Ricky will be known as the Mexican Jumping Bean.
-The Mexican Jumping Bean is also sniveling and pathetic.
I hate Jillian slightly less after this reunion because it almost represented her as having a sense of humor...She seemed like half a real person.
We're all waiting nervously to see who will be in the final 3. Here's to you, Chris. I'm worried Rami may unseat you, but frankly I think the competition will end up being Christian vs. Jillian anyways.

A Night at the Museum (without Ben Stiller)

Conceptually, I think this may have been the strongest challenge on Project Runway in the past four seasons. I love museums and I love the Met. I will say without a doubt, it is one of the greatest museums of the western world. I first saw it in my early teens and it made a lasting impression on me. Just to be given the opportunity to roam around such a beautiful museum alone...Chris definitely exhibited proper appreciation for such an opportunity. I'm sure Christian was saying, "This scene is dead. Whatev, I'm gonna get my drink on across the street."
Anywho, the 5 remaining designers were given cameras (without ceremonious product placement!?!) and set loose in the Greek/Roman sculpture courtyard, the European painting wing, and the Temple of Dendur.

Here's the Greek/Roman wing:


and the Temple of Dendur:

Seeing this one in person is almost a religious experience (definitely Catholic though, very somber and wondrous).

They were to photograph and then ultimately choose one piece of art that inspires them to create a look of their choice. I love the creative freedom and broadness of this challenge. I wish some people had been more bold.



Sweet P
Peacocks, 1683
Melchior d' Hondecoeter (Dutch, 1636–1695)
Oil on canvas; 74 7/8 x 53 in.
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Awesome painting. Beautiful off the rack dress. Too commercial to be in a fashion show. I knew with absolute certainty, that your lack of both cajones and clarity of vision would put you out eventually. I'm surprised it took so long. You should be grateful for the opportunity and parlay your fame into work for a very commercial line. Your vision is not strong enough to carry your career.



Jillian
Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts, ca. 1465
Master of the Argonauts (Italian, Florentine, fourth quarter 15th century)
Tempera on wood, gilt ornaments; Overall 24 1/8 x 60 1/8 in.
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Very interesting choice. Beautiful jacket. Hilariously dull attitude in the face of compliments.
Nina "You surprise me" (this is praise)
Jillian "Really. Ok." (flat, with a blank stare)<----on drugs
I think she may be able to win the whole competition because of her range. She has made some very interesting pieces over the course of the competition, even if she has the personality of a wet rag.



Chris
Marie Francoise de La Cropte de St. Abre, Marquise d'Argence
Jean Marc Nattier (French, 1685-1766)
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You picked something perfect for a man who loves drag...a French noblewoman. I know we all saw that this design was reminiscent of the previous challenge gown that you and Christian designed together. I think this dress was better. I also believe that the presence of Roberto Cavalli may have saved your ass. He was obviously quite enamored of your design; "He has drama in his blood". I just love you and I think the Bryant Park runway could use an injection of your kind of drama. I was glad to see you through...though I was quite frustrated with the outcome because of...

Well speak of the devil:


Rami
Some Grecian Aphrodite sculpture that I couldn't find online...but really, isn't one draped Statue as good as another?
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I personally believe that Rami's choice of a Grecian draped figure was a direct affront to the judges. He is a smart man. He knew how limited his design presentation has been. Chris called it just like I did at home. Rami immediately picked a piece of art that represented his incredibly narrow draping aesthetic so he could make yet ANOTHER draped gown. To quote 74% of the American text voting public, "Enough draping already!" I am appalled that they would not choose to eliminate him. He is obviously talented, but I believe that limiting yourself to only one kind of garment and never allowing for a different style merits ejection from a competition about creativity! I desperately hope that he makes a truly awesome collection that justifies this stay of execution, because I feel terrible that Chris had to wait in agony pouring his soul into a collection that may never see PR's broadcast of Bryant Park because they chose to give Rami yet another free pass.



Christian
Don Andrés de Andrade y la Cal, probably ca. 1665–72
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1617–1682)
Oil on canvas; 79 x 47 in
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"I sew fast, get over it"
"Don't get bitchy" <----IRONY
Chris cackles

I completely agree with Tim that the top layer of this garment was out of place. I found it horrific when your model first appeared on the runway. As a lover of Alexander McQueen, I somewhat appreciated the rest of your garments. I love your sense of high-end couture drama, but the beauty and femininity just isn't there. I admire McQueen because he can make something so dramatic but still so sexy and feminine, and I'm not sure that's a skill you have. I think you are still too young to make it, and I'm not strictly talking numerical age. I guess my problem is that to me, clothes are art, but I believe that Christian is not embracing the full potential of his medium (feminine form). Maybe he should be designing menswear? He seems to be making all the clothes for himself.

I wait with bated breath to see whether the final 3 will include Chris or Rami...
Chris ought to be the fan favorite though. They should have a most hated PR contestant as well and make them run a gauntlet at the end of the reunion episode. Five across the eyes, Ricky!