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Project Runway Recap — Part 2

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So excited Project Runway is back and that I am back blogging! My first recap was for the first 3 challenges. Now my part 2 recap is up for the past 3 — the 90s, Underwear as Outerwear & All Denim. These next 3 challenges have also brought us to the halfway point for the season. Wow! It’s flying by! And in my last post, I mentioned how each elimination would get tougher and I was right. Each week its hard to predict who might be in the bottom, who might be eliminated? But it’s even harder to watch it unfold as everyone left is good. So its tough to watch the eliminations. But there are only a few spots for the finale and of course only one winner. Certainly going to be a hard call!

I’m excited to see the final few challenges because this mix of tasks were not my favorites. I am not a fan of denim, so 0 interest in seeing those looks. Underwear as outerwear looks, I get the trend, but I don’t view that as showcasing a lot of innovation, its not so much of a strength from the designers. But I did love the 90s challenge and seeing all of the throwback inspirations in the looks! And Jennie Garth as the guest judge, I mean how can you make a perfect week even better! I am such a fan!

So for this particular week there would be two teams of 5 competing, Red team vs Blue team, each tasked with creating a look, so creating a mini collection, with the inspiration being the 90s. I loved that they had the runway in an actual high school, with the hallways as the runway — Obsessed! When I think of 90s TV, I think of so many great shows then in a school setting, Saved by the Bell, 90210 (hence Jennie Garth as guest judge), Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more.

The blue team consisted of Prajje, Bishme, Korto, Rami and Laurence. They were the winning team. I loved the vibe of this collection, very hip hop, music video. There were a lot of strong looks! I thought the use of colors like orange and green could have been risky, but worked so well in the collection. For me, Korto’s look was the weakest here. And I thought with other looks, there were aspects I loved, but then parts I didn’t care as much for. Laurence was the deserving winner here! I thought it was such a cool look. I really loved these leather suspenders. Its a look you would see people wearing now!

I also thought Prajje and Rami did great work. With Rami, he thought of Aaliyah and I could have totally seen her in this and slaying! With the blue team winning, that of course meant the red team was the losing team and someone here would be eliminated. The red team was Kayne, Brittany, Fabio, Kara Saun, and Anna. I thought these looks at least tried to make 90s modern, so not just looks you would see in the 90s, but looks that were inspired by the 90s and wearable today. It was plaid, fun and very Clueless! But there were some messy/sloppy looks and it made sense this was the bottom team. I mentioned tough cuts and this was tough for me. I love Kayne! But this was not his forte in creating 90s RTW, more of a streetwear vibe. At least I know for him he has created true success for himself as a designer. He has built an amazing business, with many stunning creations, strong clientele and dresses celebrities. I don’t know that all of the designers from this cast can say the same!

The next week was following the trend of underwear type pieces being worn as outerwear. This was not an exciting runway for me, but there were a few good looks at least created. Prajje did fairly decent with his look. But I agreed with Brandon, the jacket was his strength here and we barely got to see it. Brittany did better than I expected. I loved the bit of color in lime green. It felt more sporty than underwear, but still a good look. Kara Saun was the named winner, but for me, it would have been Rami. I actually have a skirt in this similar coloring, the black lace overlaying a nude fabric. It was just gorgeous, super sexy, but not distasteful.

It was between Korto and Fabio as to who would go. I felt Fabio has been judged and criticized more harshly than others this season. IMO, his previous looks were not just safe. But it seems like those critiques, then this not so amazing look meant he was the one to go. The judges didn’t seem to care for the direction of the look and it was Christian who pushed this direction, creating the disharmonious final result. Fabio should have just ignored the advice. And for all the discussion about Anna in the next challenge and how her timing issue was her fault, and that her last minute look should have sent her home. That was my opinion for Korto this week. Her look made no sense to me, felt super safe, but was also poorly constructed. The slight interest in this piece for her was a good fabric selection and it would have been doing all the work in this look, not the design itself. I guess there could have been no Siriano save this week for poor Fabio because Christian wasn’t even there!

Nina was also absent for this challenge and the next one. But she should be back it seems for the rest of the season. The next task was a challenge used before. It was actually from Rami and Christian’s OG season, creating a head to toe denim look. I am not a denim fan. I don’t wear jeans hardly ever! So again, not the biggest fan of these looks, but a few did stand out. Also, not sure if we needed Julia Fox as a judge offering any suggestions/thoughts I would consider, but oh well, that’s where we were!

Part of the challenge would be each designer would be a duo, one vs the other, whose look would come out on top! And from the bottom looks, one designer would be eliminated. It was interesting seeing the selection process. As the winner from the previous week, Kara got to pick her battling partner first. As she stated, not the most amazing prize, but it would give her the advantage. And despite her not actually wanting to say it, she picked Anna because she thought she would easily beat her. As it interestingly enough turned out, it was not the slam dunk she thought it would be.

In terms of fan criticism, I have seen a lot about Anna. But we got to see a snippet of some past looks in this episode and I actually think she is a good designer. Her looks are very conceptual, much more editorial, so it’s not looks that are going to be for the masses. But I don’t think she lacks talent or deserves to go the most amongst the remaining designers. There was a lot of criticism about her bleach mistake this week, leading to timing issues and sending down the runway a less then perfect look. But is that the only time this has happened in PR history, or even this season? I recall a few scrambling, like Korto and Brittany, but neither were sent home.

I’ve seen talk that maybe the judges favor her? But are we going to pretend the judges and even Christian don’t have other faves? I know with Chrisitan its very obvious, especially when it comes to the advice he offers and how much. And I see that with Brittany. And as it came to the Siriano Save for the season, he saved someone he has known for years, the person from his own season, Rami. When the season first started I called if he used it, it would absolutely be on Rami, given the connection, or Brittany because I knew he had favored her too. In fact she received the Siriano Save during her original season.

I thought Bishme vs Prajje would be the hardest battle. Nobody picked them. They were paired together because they were the last 2. But the judges didn’t love Prajje’s look, putting him in the bottom 2. I didn’t agree with that. Bishme’s look was clean, very chic, but certainly a basic denim dress. His fringed coat was the winner here. But Prajje’s look was not that bad IMO. I love a good jumpsuit. I thought the patchwork denim pattern looked like mixed media. I got some of what the judges were saying. I didn’t love the back either. But I don’t know if I would have judged it as harshly.

Brittany vs Laurence was the toughest call. I loved both looks! Laurence was the winner, which I thought worked. And I am glad for this win she actually got a prize, 5k! Laurence did something very different with a denim gown. But Brittany also did well, creating a solid jacket here. I felt with Rami’s look, it was a similar situation to Kayne and his elimination. I don’t think this is a strength for Rami. Not his aesthetic at all. But we did see the memory of the challenge he did on this before and his look was actually very good. So with having done this challenge before and doing it well, I think it was more disappointing his look this time was bad. The look was not flattering. I am not sure where he was trying to go with this. I don’t feel like I saw him in this piece at all.

So Rami was eliminated but saved, so ultimately nothing changed in terms of the number left. It’s only going to get tougher so the designers have to bring it each week. Hopefully they focus and don’t rely on excuses or sad stories to escape elimination. And hopefully the fans can’t keep enjoying and not complaining if there fave goes home. We have to remember, there is only going to be one winner. So chances are you might be disappointed. And if you like more than one designer, prepare for that disappointment since only one can win. And there are a good amount of designers left so a couple of more good ones will be eliminated. Just the name of the game! But I am ready to hopefully see some exciting new challenges and some even more amazing creations from the designers!

Project Runway Recap — Part 1

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I started this current season of Project Runway late, trying to watch/catch up and just can’t help but want to blog! So taking a stab with the first few challenges here in my Recap Part 1. Looking at the first challenge, the unconventional challenge, dressing for royalty and all from the same bolt of “Red Rage”.

The various runways have been very up and down for me, some peaks of brilliance to some very lows that I wouldn’t expect from the supposed “best of the best.” I also feel like we keep hearing a lot of excuses and sad stories to distract from bad design. I’ve seen a lot of fan commentary on what the show should be about, fashion or the back stories. From just the very few first episodes it’s quite evident they all have had something bad happen to them, a rough childhood/upbringing, a tragic loss, etc. But no individual designer’s sad story should overtake the week’s given challenge, the work they actually put down the runway. So I don’t mind learning more, hearing about a journey, but it shouldn’t overtake your work or be an excuse to keep you from going home.

Thus far, I have agreed with all who have went home. I do appreciate Viktor. I have even met him; he is a great guy and designer. But that royalty look was a hot mess and that was mostly because of him. He was more focused on putting his POV on a look that it wasn’t working with. And then on the “Red is all the Rage” runway, it was abundantly clear Hester was going. And the excuse of oh, I am not familiar with this fabric doesn’t fly. You chose to create something ambitious, so if you don’t know how to work with the fabric, then create something in your wheelhouse, not something you really haven’t done on a fabric you supposedly don’t know. Sounded like a big excuse, which I think would bother the other designers, but somehow most were unnecessarily focused on Anna.

Certainly the big topic of debate from that runway was Anna repeating work? This was beyond blown out of proportion. I could maybe understand if she had won, but the judges were in no way giving her the win. And there was no way that look was sending her home. So I don’t get the outrage when it was clear that the look that was going home was the one poorly made, sloppy, and just all over the place. I don’t get all the drama there. Kind of laughable for example hearing Korto discussing it when in that same week her look was repeating a weaving design she had also done before. A few were saying Anna has done nothing but repeat the ruffle, yet I can only recall the one look.

Let’s also not pretend in the real world on a runway you don’t see some repetition of a signature design detail or that even on the show we don’t see designers re-use fashion details or design aspects. Leanne Marshall, Dmitry Sholokhov, Sean Kelly, just to name a few! I feel the designers were more upset with the bottom 3 maybe because they liked them better than actually thinking of the looks. They also seemed more upset with Anna as if she put herself in the top, when it was the judges who did this. I guess time will tell if they actually have the audacity to say something to them vs jumping on Anna. But again, the bottom 3 made sense even if you like the designer. We know Christian convinced Rami to change his design a good bit after the start. It clearly led to not the best Rami look and something that didn’t seem fully visualized. Christian also told Fabio he was playing it safe, which is exactly what the judges told him. And again, finally with Hester, it was quite clear she was the one going home.

I mentioned the runways being full of highs and lows for me. Of course episode 1, I thought it was great to see everyone back and such dramatic changes from their worst looks revisualized. The unconventional runway really blew me away – was probably my top runway thus far. Nina thought the royalty runway was complete with no bad looks, but I very much disagreed. She actually then didn’t care for the Alls Red runway, which I thought was pretty good. Going back to the royalty challenge, I really didn’t love many of the looks. And I think the problem was most were just doing whatever they wanted to and not actually thinking of the task at hand. It was either a design for future royalty or a nonexistent land of royalty, but the challenge was create a look fit for royalty, not for royalty that doesn’t exist or whatever you are just making up in your mind.

The runway was again surprisingly lackluster for me, but of course not very surprising was a teamwork challenge and that at least providing a little drama. A typical dramatic group, that of Anna/Brittany, it did land them in the bottom. It was not surprising they clashed somewhat, both with very strong personalities. I know with Brittany, I want to like her. And she is not a horrible designer. Her next winning look with the red sportswear piece was actually pretty great. But I just feel like every episode she has to try so hard to get attention. It doesn’t feel like a natural for reality TV. I think if she wasn’t so focused on trying to make what she thinks is good TV her design work would be far better.

I am looking forward to continuing to catch up on the latest episodes and putting together my Recap Part 2. It’s only going to get more tough from here on out as I am sure most of us have more than one fave!

Best Dressed 2019 — the Oscars of Fashion aka The Met Ball & Some Oscars Looks

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A look back at my favorite looks from the 2019 Oscars, some of the afterparties, and the Met Gala. Looking at the Met Ball, the 2019 Met Gala theme was inspired by Susan Sontag’s legendary 1964 essay, “Notes on Camp,” in which she describes camp as the “love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration…style at the expense of content.”

NINA DOBREV

Met Gala — wearing Zac Posen & Christian Louboutin heels

LAUREN SANTO DOMINGO

Met Bala 2019 –– Proenza Schouler

JOURDAN DUNN

Met Ball 2019 — Zac Posen

CORAL CHUNG

Met 2019 — Sebastian Gunawan

MADELAINE PETSCH

Met 2019 — Jean paul Gauliter

SARA SAMPAIO

Met — August Getty

ALEXIS REN

2019 Oscars Elton John afterparty

KATIE HOLMES

Met 2019 — Zac Posen; Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

SOFIA SANCHEZ DE BETAK

Met 2019

WENDI MURDOCH

Met Ball 2019

EMMA STONE

Oscars 2019 — Louis Vuitton

PR — When Art & Fashion Collide!

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And this week, this is exactly what would happen when the worlds of fashion and art merged together! The designers were off to Bergdorf Goodman to get all of the challenge details. Once there they met with Christian and painter Ashley Longshore. Also joining them was fashion director of Bergdorfs Linda Fargo. They met in the Bergdorf café, which is actually filled with Ashley Longshore works of art. For the challenge, the designers would have to work in a collaboration between designer and artist. The end result would be a high fashion look, the designers’ voice in the look, but with the use of an original Ashley Longshore print.

Ashley was thrilled to do these collaborations as it would be her first time seeing her work on apparel. As Chelsey was the winning designer last week, she would select her print first. Each next chosen designer would then choose another designer to select after them. I guess certain designers might have wanted certain prints, but really, all of the prints were amazing. I don’t see anyone being at a loss here based on print selection! This would be a 2-day challenge. The designers would have a $175 Mood budget, so they would be able to use other fabrics, but the Longshore print needed to be the focal point of each look.

During sketch time, Ashley checked in on each designer. It was then off to Mood, where we saw Victoria hiding from Christian and Geoffrey was all about the nipple focus since his print contained nips. As shop time was done, the designers were back to the workroom for the start of Day 1. Chelsey asked Delvin for some help, and Sergio tried to offer his assistance as well. Delvin was clearly not feeling Sergio’s advice. Ashley rejoined the designers to continue the collaboration. She expressed concern for Geoffrey in that his focus was too much and too literal about the nipple. Her artwork had an err of mystery on that aspect. She also expressed concern for Victoria that she was not using enough of the print. In case anyone missed it during the episode, I believe Victoria only said it about 50 times, but she is not a fan of prints!

Ashely would also be providing accessories/trims for the designers to utilize within their looks — feathers, beads, jewels, etc. After her sessions with each designer it was a race to grab some items! As the rest of the day winded down, you could see Delvin felt like he was back to his normal self, that he would finish his work early. Before the designers went home, they were treated with some apps and drinks to enjoy! Celebrating a little bit of down time, the designers decided to put on a runway walk competition!

As day 2 began, Dayoung felt sick, again. Throughout most of the day, you could see she was struggling, no energy and couldn’t eat. Seeing her not feeling well a few times now, one has to wonder if this competition environment is too much for her? But for now, Dayoung decided to push thru. During Siriano sessions, he mentioned being excited about seeing all of the color; I was excited too. Christian was worried about Nancy’s oversize coat, however she wasn’t. Christian expressed concern for Victoria too, still not using her print as much. Victoria hasn’t followed the challenge guidelines in my opinion 2 times before, so it’s not a surprise she was doing that again here because her past rule-breaking has been rewarded with her being given a top spot.

Later in the day were model fittings. For Delvin, his look began as a bit pj-like has Christian expressed, later some shortening edits were made. Christian felt Geoffrey’s look was too oversized, looking a bit like an oven mitt. For the rest of the day, of course it was clear Dayoung was behind. The morning of the runway was filled with normal craziness. Victoria did help Dayoung finish her look, which was nice, but as we later saw, perhaps she should have been more concerned with her own look. Marquise had some construction issues with his look and was hoping to hide them with his jacket. I have to give a product shout-out on the Maybelline matte lipstick being used for a few of the models, this product is amazing, works so well!

I was very excited to see this runway! Ashley, being this week’s guest judge, was excited as well! The safe designers were Chelsey, Sergio, and Geoffrey. Chelsey’s medley of words and artwork print was not my favorite, just felt a bit sloppy. Sergio did much better than he has the past couple of weeks with this look of a butterfly focused print, very chic. I actually didn’t care for Geoffrey’s very junior-like look. As for the top 3, Brittany, Dayoung, and Delvin, I was mostly in agreement. It was great seeing Delvin so happy, but his portraits and lips printed power suit was all print and too much for me. I know the print was to be the focal point, but the entire look in this print was just a lot!

My winner would have been Dayoung. I know she had some help finishing her lips centric look, but it was still her voice and I have loved so much of what I have seen from her. I loved she matched her print with this stunning purple fabric. The look felt very fun! And it was very kind of Dayoung to actually credit Victoria for the help she was given. I don’t know if all designers would have given this credit.

But it was basically known from the jump Brittany was winning this one. Her look was great, so still deserving of the win. We heard all episode how much she was a fan of Ashley’s work, and that passion/enthusiasm, you could see in her floral/butterfly look. The 3d butterfly embellishments were great. I thought it was a very hip and chic look.

This left the bottom designers as Marquise, Victoria, and Nancy. I was very annoyed Nancy was in the bottom, let alone the bottom 2. This was not a bottom 2 worthy look! Yes, her jacket was oversized, but I feel plenty of woman would like that oversize feel. And, even if they didn’t, this jacket could have been taken in some. The rest of her look was beyond amazing, especially the pants! I feel as if the judges had a hard time sending Marquise home over her, but I just view these 2 bottom looks as vastly different and it should have been no question or hesitation who to send home!

Even though Victoria wasn’t in the bottom 2, at least she finally wasn’t undeservedly rewarded by being in the top. I don’t think Victoria is a bad designer, I just think she has been overpraised all season. And because of that overpraising, she now feels she doesn’t have to follow the challenge guidelines, and can do almost anything she wants and not be in the bottom. Her look this week lacked her normal great technical quality, but the design itself was not great, very derivative of she has done in the past with asymmetrical silhouette work. But it also didn’t meet the challenge requirements. I don’t think her entire look should have been the print, but she could have utilized the print more cleverly on both the pants and the top. But she seems unwilling to compromise at all and clearly doesn’t like criticism.

This left Marquise going home. I like the guy, but the judges did seem really sad about this decision. And I get that, they are human. But Marquise has not performed consistently well. Yes he had 1 win, but most of the time was safe or in the bottom. I think it is great how far he came being a self taught designer, but his skillset is nowhere near some of the top designers in this pack. I think he has a voice and over time, his skills, the added value of real time, it will all work itself out.