Monthly Archives: September 2017

PR Takes on Good v. Evil

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First it was Leap!, now the designers were set to draw a little inspiration from Descendants 2. The designers met Tim, and actresses Dove Cameron & China Anne McClain at the Lyndhurst Castle. This too would provide some inspiration for this week’s challenge. Each designer was tasked to create an eveningwear look, some would be creating a look of good, others a look of evil. They would have a $300 Mood budget and 2 days for this challenge.

Michael, as the winner from last week, assigned each designer with good or evil. He chose evil, and joining him were Kenya, Samantha, Shawn, Margarita & Batani. The designers working on “good” were Amy, Brandon, Kentaro, Aaron, Ayana, & Claire. Dove & China Anne, joined as guest judges for the week!

I had so many fave sleepwear looks just last week, but was not a super fan of this runway. I really only liked 2 designers! Before moving onto the judges’ top 3, I will give a quick shoutout to one designer — I loved, Batani! This was majorly gorgeous! The bodice was freakin’ amazing!

As for the many other safe designers of the week, I found some elements or aspects in given looks that I liked, but overall, I was not fully impressed. I am hoping this next episode, the designers perform a lot better!

The judges’ top 3 included Michael, Brandon, & Kenya, with Brandon, surprisingly being named the winner again. My winner would have been Michael! He already had immunity this week, but was not resting on his laurels. He really pushed the bounds. Tim had warned the designers to not go the costume route, and Michael’s look was all about show, but not over the top!

But again, Brandon was the winner of the week. I am sure the 2 more youthful judges pushed for this, but I guess I am not a super fan of Brandon’s design aesthetic. I didn’t read this as “evening.” The judges see this as modern, but I was happy the judges urged Brandon to push harder. This urging statement I thought would keep him out of the running for the win, but I guess not!

With Kenya’s look, this was definitely a bounce-back from the previous week, but this was not a fave of mine. The fit was spot on, but I felt as if I was left wanting more. The judges noted at the onset that there was a lot going on, yet it worked. I disagreed.

This left Claire, Samantha, and Aaron in the bottom 3. This was such a surprise to see Samantha in this spot, so I figured she would not fall in the bottom 2. I actually didn’t mind her fabric, but all in all, this look was quite sloppy. And as the judges noted, the bottom was a let-down.

Seeing then Claire & Aaron in the bottom 2, I felt fairly confident in saying Aaron was going. I thought Claire could have wound up safe because a couple of other looks were not too impressive this week. But the judges were right it noting the lack of a unique quality. Very literal, but I did like the soft colors.

AVON SHOUTOUT BECAUSE I DID LOVE THE HAIR & MAKEUP HERE!

Aaron was the one leaving this week. It was not too big of a surprise having just been in the bottom the week before. I also haven’t found myself too impressed with his work in previous challenges. He is a nice guy, but not sure he is in his element with this competition. I don’t know if I can firmly say this was the worst look I have ever seen on PR, but it would be somewhere in that realm. This look was just not great and I think Aaron knew it. Sad, but true. It really did look like an arts & crafts project. The strips looked like streamers, not fabric. Certainly not worthy of a $300 budget spent.

Until next week…..

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PR Designers Get Intimate!

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This week, on Project Runway, the designers were tasked to create a sleepwear look for Heidi Klum’s Intimates line. It could be any type of look, but had to be fashionable! Additionally, the designers were to create their own textile, by hand. The winning look would be reproduced and sold as a part of Heidi’s line.

But first, to provide a little inspiration, the designers had a slumber party atop one of NYC’s most iconic locations, the Empire State Building. Each designer would have a backpack, packed with PJs & their sketching materials. The next morning, Tim arrived early, but at least with breakfast sandwiches in hand! It was then back to the workroom for this 1-day challenge.

For all of the materials needed this week, the designers rushed the tables & bins, getting a little grabby!! We got to see an adorable segment of Brandon & Kentaro’s friendship, better yet bro-ship! Heidi joined Tim for the critiques, which was a mix of good & bad. But probably the funniest part of the critiques was explaining “being anal” to Kentaro! And joining the judges this week was actress/singer Demi Lovato.

This legit was probably one of my most fave runways, maybe not ever, but definitely this season, and likely even stemming back a few seasons! There were so many looks I loved. The ones I didn’t care for so much, those looks were far too safe. So certain designers should push the envelope much more! I’m not sure if I could narrow down my faves to a top 3. If I could, it would not be the same as the judges, but definitely must dole out some SHOUT-OUTS!

Amy, loved this textile creation, gorgeous color, little fancy, but very cool, great silhouette! AVON HAIR & MAKE-UP SHOUTOUT AS WELL!

Batani had one sexy look, an amazing textile creation, and again, another great color selection!

Moving onto the judges’ top 3 selection, my winner would have been Kentaro. This look was just so pretty!! The bodice design was spot on, such a fantastic textile created. The judges were right in stating consumers would want this. And it was this reason I thought Kentaro would win.

I thought his look would reach more consumers. But many other correct judges’ comments included — charming, feminine, such an ease, & happy! Another one I am glad to be mentioned was regarding it being playful. I agreed with this wholeheartedly because Kentaro struck the perfect balance, playful, but not junior!

The judges named Michael as the winner, which was not totally a shock. I was happy to see Michael stepping it up. This was just not one of my faves, but it was very nice. I did agree with the judges about it’s practicality, the luxe vibe, “Deco Cleopatra”!

Shawn too did a phenomenal job. The only reason I might have selected another designer for my top 3 was because I was picking looks that did put off more of a sleepwear vibe. Of course, wearing fashionable PJs out is a thing now! This was super nice though and the hand-painted print textile was gorgeous!

The bottom was fairly accurate. I knew Aaron was making the bottom 2, but wasn’t sure if it was Deyonte or Kenya joining. I was sad for Kenya. This look was just so sloppy. So many of the designers were super creative with their textiles, but Kenya lacked in this department as well. Practicality was severely lacking also, a hook & eye to deal with in the middle of the night — NO NO! It was nice for Zac to offer some positives!

Coming down to Deyonte & Aaron, I was torn. I haven’t been impressed at all by Aaron, but he had managed to land in the bottom only once. Whereas this was Deyonte’s 2nd trip. Why should Aaron then go? I wondered if really either could go the distance?? But the judges decided to save Aaron, over Deyonte, which despite Deyonte’s bottom 3 placements, it was still a shocker! Aaron did have this amazing textile idea, but the full concept just never came to life.

I was sad to see Deyonte go. I expected a much longer run. I wondered if Tim would contemplate using the save, but he had been in the bottom more than once. This look, was very much a bore. I actually liked the darker teal color, but the mix with silver, didn’t do this any justice. There was no shape, nothing flattering, just a very sad piece.

Sad to see Deyonte go, …….until next week…….

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Best Dressed — 2017 Emmy’s

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My top looks for the 2017 Emmy Awards red carpet!!

JAIMIE ALEXANDER

JULIANNE HOUGH

VANESSA KIRBY

MANDY MOORE

RUBY MODINE

NASTIA LIUKIN

JENNIFER NETTLES

MADELINE BREWER

FELICITY HUFFMAN

GINA RODRIGUEZ

THANDIE NEWTON

SOFIA VERGARA

AMANDA CREW

ANNA FARIS

GUGU MBATHA-RAW

ZOE KRAVITZ

ANNA CHLUMSKY

ALEXIS BLEDEL

LEA MICHELE

LAURA DERN

MILLIE BOBBY BROWN

MICHELLE PFEIFFER

EMMY ROSSUM

TESSA THOMPSON

SAMIRA WILEY & LAUREN MORELLI

HILARIA & ALEC BALDWIN

JUSTIN HARTLEY

CALEB MCLAUGHLIN

JESSIE TYLER FERGUSON

JEREMY MAGUIRE

 

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Which PR Designer took the Winning Leap!

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I have not yet seen the film Leap!, but it is on my list! And mentioning that because it of course served as the inspiration for this week’s Project Runway challenge. After watching an extended trailer for the movie and a performance by fusion hip-hop pointe group Hiplet, Heidi & Tim provided the full challenge details!

Each designer would have 1 day and a $200 Mood budget to create a fashionable, innovative look in the spirit of dance/movement. It was a chance to get creative and inventive. While creative juices flowed, Deyonte had a painful sewing mishap, and Shawn/Claire were frantically running about the workroom. Tim was very pleased during his check-ins and it showed because this was one amazing runway! Dancer Maddie Ziegler picked a great week to guest judge!

Heidi announced how fantastic this runway was, which I agreed with wholeheartedly, but my top 3 was very different! From my own top 3 and the judges’, my winner of the week was Batani!

The judges, minus Zac, really got this look and I loved that they appreciated her amazing vision. This look really captured the spirit of dance/movement, and did so without being literal, and truly encapsulated movement!

I was hopeful the judges’ lackluster top 3 meant a clear path for Batani to win, but sadly, that was not the case. Happy she made the top 3, but a few other shout-outs for me —

I loved Ayana’s look! She is really impressing me each week and I’m happy to see such versatility with her work. This sparkly, tiered look very much dazzled me!

This dress is hottttt! Samantha killed it with this look and I would wear this 100%!

SHOUTOUTS — Avon hair & makeup

This was also a top look for me, from Kenya. Love the bold jacket, and the underneath part, being a jumpsuit, STUNNING!

SHOUTOUTS — Avon More glam from the team on hair & makeup

The judges top 3 included Brandon and Margarita, which I really didn’t get. And I was even more flabber-ghasted as to how Brandon won! He notes his lack of ability to speak is due to nerves, but I believe it is because he too is shocked by the judges’ decision!

I didn’t see this as a winning look, really fitting the challenge description. And then with Margarita, her look was way too literal. I didn’t care for the stark white fabric, kind of reminded me of the muslin. I did appreciate the pop of color as the judges did and there was movement, but it straight up looked like every other salsa ensemble I’ve seen — nothing too original here! But I do like Margarita so looking forward to more from her in the coming weeks.

The judges’ bottom 3 was Kudzanai, Kentaro, and Deyonte, and this did make sense. I was so worried the bottom 2 would be the case of the designer who did too much (Kudzanai) versus the designer who did too little (Kentaro), with the designer not doing enough going home. I love Kentaro and would have been so sad had he been axed this week. Given his background in dance/music, I did expect more from him. His work does fall under the minimalist umbrella, but he should have pushed it more this week, as Nina said, it needed a punch! Glad he was safe though and that we get to see more!

And then of course Deyonte being in the bottom 2, that was nerve-wrecking. But I kind of felt given his strong previous weeks, with a win week 1, that he would not be going home this soon! Of course his injury was going to be brought up, but as the judges noted, this unfortunate look was not all stemming from his injury. He chose an unflattering color. The silhouette was a yawn. And really, the look was not finished well, bit of a messy quality.

This left Kudzanai going home this week. I had not seen much from him yet that was truly impressive. He had been so safe and wanted to get the judges’ attention with this challenge, but he did way too much. The look was bright, it had many colors, feathers, other embellishments, very much all over the place. The judges too noted the messiness of the piece and sadly, this was not the best way to capture the judges’ attention.

Until next week…..

 

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