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The Designers go 80s Crazy!

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We did prints, we did the holidays, now it’s time for the Project Runway designers to take on the 80s! Cyndi Lauper was the iconic 80s person this week, serving as inspiration and this week’s guest judge. This was going to be a team challenge, so 2 teams going head to head. Each team would create a cohesive mini collection representing 80s fashion, but with a modern take. Each designer would be responsible for their own looks, but did need to work as a cohesive unit. To create each team, the infamous button bag returned.

Team 1, later dubbed Team Chaos, consisted of Geoffrey, Dayoung, Nancy, Brittany, and Delvin. Team 2, aka Team Stripes, was Melanie, Marquise, Sergio, Chelsey, and Shavi. Since Victoria won last week, she was able to choose her team. She chose Team Chaos, which was comprised of the stronger designers, but also, everyone having strong personalities!

This would be a 2 day challenge, with a $300 per member team budget, so basically $1500 for Team Stripes, $1800 for Team Chaos with the extra designer. During sketch time, Team Stripes was working well, really formulating with a solid plan, was very organized. Team Chaos was the exact opposite, clearly demonstrating those stronger personalities. And while shopping at Mood, Team Chaos continued with well….Chaos! They were trying to focus on a print for their color story, and couldn’t decide. Delvin was feeling unheard. And the print they did settle on, Christian was unimpressed.

Everyone was back to work for the rest of day 1. Team Chaos was still all over the place, not sure who was using what fabrics, what their exact designs would be, etc. But team Stripes was steamrolling ahead. It was then time for Siriano Sessions. In finally seeing what Team Stripes had going on, I was with Delvin on this one, this looked like straight up Beetlejuice costumes. It was a lot of black and white. And I wasn’t sure this black and white stripe trend was actually 80s? Christian was right to bring up the difference between cohesion and just repetition in looks. As it got to Team Chaos’ turn, you could tell there was some tensions in the group. Delvin and Brittany were rudely laying into Nancy. They did have good ideas finally, the focus on leather, the details, the embellishment work. The question was could they pull it altogether?

Christian announced then he wouldn’t be around for model fittings the next day. But he left the designers with a little twist — that they had to create all of their accessories, except for shoes. So the jewelry, handbags, belts, etc, it all had to be handmade. He happily went around collecting the accessory pieces some of the designers had already selected. They would be going to and trim and notions store the next day, Trim & Feathers, with a $200 additional budget. Day 1 ended and the designers continued planning at home. Team Chaos was still filled with tensions and there was a lot of focus being unfairly put on Nancy.

Day 2 began with the trip to Trim & Feathers. As the designers got back to the workroom, Nancy & Melanie were still unsure of exactly what their looks were going to be. During model fittings, we saw Victoria would be doing a repeat silhouette, but really she has done a lot of that already and the judges don’t seem to mind. The designers were still in strategy mode once back at home, but no surprise, Team Chaos was making some hair and makeup plans, and I guess forgot to include Nancy in that discussion.

The morning of the runway, Christian gathered Team Chaos around, to really make sure they saw what all was going on with each designer, make sure there was a cohesive story. Dayoung actually needed some help here. Her look was the worst of the bunch and Christian even pointed that out. But Brittany, with her annoying focus on Nancy all episode, she was overly concerned with her. I am glad Nancy stood her ground and didn’t let other designers change her look. I am also glad Nancy stood up for herself later in the episode and said her peace about how she was treated during this challenge. Go Nancy!

So onto the runway — the whole episode was geared towards the notion that Team Stripes had it altogether, thus they would win. While Team Chaos, being literal chaos, would be in the bottom. But as you saw even the bits and pieces from each team, it was vastly clear that Team Chaos had the stronger looks. Yes, Team Stripes had more cohesion, but the looks were not well made and were not that exciting. Seeing the looks come down the runway, this was all the more clear. Team Chaos just had so many strong looks, it would have been crazy if they were the bottom team. The cohesion was not spot on, but it was better than what I originally thought it was going to be.

The top 3 could have been anyone except for Dayoung. I thought everyone else really did a fantastic job. Delvin’s look was great, but was probably the least cohesive of the group. So the top 3 was Geoffrey, Brittany and Victoria. Very happy Geoffrey won, very well deserved. This look was the epitome of modern 80s fashion.

So Team Stripes was the bottom group, although there were some decent looks here. Chelsey and Sha’Vi were rightfully saved. I don’t get the decision of Melanie going home though! Sergio clearly can’t take criticism, and while he has good technical skills, he has a dated tastes and no willingness to ever change.

Marquise had one win and has done nothing memorable or great since. The judges claim Melanie wasn’t memorable, but I guess the judges were overlooking Marquise having just been in the bottom, and now again with some pretty horrible looking shorts.

His jacket was good, but Melanie’s look was not the worst here! And I would think keeping someone around who is open minded and willing to learn and self improve would make more sense here!

Project Runway Early Round-Up

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As we all know, Project Runway is back on Bravo, and has been for a few weeks. I actually began recaps on the first 2 episodes and then the holidays hit, and needless to say, I fell behind! I am of course going to still watch, but after over 5 years of blogging about the show, I just can’t go this season without my recaps — IT’S TOO HARD! So I have decided to do a bundle recap of the 1st four episodes, my thoughts up until now, and then will be back on track to fully recap each episode here on out! NANCY’S LOOK BELOW

So first up, let’s go all the way back to the premiere episode, where we met this season’s designers, and they were hit with the challenge right from the gate. Almost the literal gate as they were still at JFK airport. This was going to be hard right from the jump, as the designers had to work in pairs, but did fortunately have 2 days to complete, with a $400 Mood budget. The task at hand for each duo, to create an innovative look inspired by space. The 2 looks had to be complimentary, but representative of each designer’s individual point of view. The setting would be a trip to space, one look needed to be a jumpsuit for daytime excursions and the 2nd look, a chic happy hour look for the space hotel bar. BRITTANY’S LOOK — Winner

In this episode, we saw Alan struggle as he forgot his fabric at Mood and Sergio showing a little ego. There was of course a little drama, lots of tears, but overall, a fairly decent runway. I really thought Nancy & Marquise were robbed for a top spot. Well, mainly Nancy. I just loved her chiffon wrap, the reveal was phenomenal, such a sexy LBD! DAYOUNG BELOW, BOTTOM DESIGN

For the top, the judges went with Geoffrey/Melanie & Brittany/Sergio. Of this group, I am pleased Brittany nabbed the win. Her jumpsuit felt very fashion forward, such great attention to detail. ASMA BELOW, ELIMINATED

The bottom consisted of Alan/Dayoung & Asma/Jenn, although it was quite obvious Asma & Jenn were the bottom 2. Dayoung’s look had some fit issues, but the concept was great, and with more time, I think it would have been amazing. But Jenn and Asma were on 2 different pages, not creating cohesion at all. One look was basic & boring, while the other was loud and crazy. The judges decided to send both home, which I think was the right call. Both really just didn’t hit the mark. JENN’S LOOK, ELIMINATED

Next up, with episode 2, the designers got crazy with prints! This week, the designers would take inspiration from the new film Cats! This would be a 2-day challenge, $250 budget, for each designer to create stylish, chic street style looks with a print. Everyone was ready to work, except Dayoung. She unfortunately fell ill and spent the entire first day on bedrest, unclear if she would make it back at all! She did decide to stay, but would be doing so with a full day behind everyone else. Sergio continued to throw some Christian shade, and Delvin completed his work early, yet again, actually hiding from Christian. Dayoung being behind was in an obvious struggle mode, but it was nice of her fellow designers to help out. NANCY’S LOOK

Celebrity stylist Marni Senofonte was back for this season, and was this week’s guest judge. Pictured above is Nancy’s look, once again, I say she was robbed for a top spot! These pilazzo style pants were very hip and I loved this shredded looking top. You could feel the texture in this look, and it was so chic and bold, a real bad ass girl!

But of the judges’ actual top 3, my winner would have been Delvin. This was such a great pop of color on this more overall muted runway. It felt really fresh, and very luxe. Victoria was also in the top, which I didn’t get at all, especially based on the feedback. This was supposed to be street style, but the judges even said “the club.” It was not a unanimous decision! One of the judges even referenced this look as a tennis uniform, which again, I ask how is that street?? Seeing later episodes, I think Victoria is a judges’ favorite for some reason, and I don’t get it or agree.

Marquise was named the winner, which I didn’t totally disagree with, but I still liked Delvin’s look better. Marquise’s look did well in mixing prints, and did feel like a fun, cool streetwear look.

Just like episode 1, the bottom was a little more obvious, but it was clear the eliminated designer was going to be Veronica. You could barely see her animal print. The look just fell flat.

Moving onto the next episode, all about really getting into the holiday spirit! The designers’ penthouse living room was transformed into a winter wonderland, full of holiday decorations, ornaments, ribbons and more. This was of course not a coincidence, as these items would be the materials for this challenge — so yes, unconventional materials challenge time! The task at hand, create a holiday look, the perfect party dress in this 2-day challenge. As the designers got to work, Nancy was not being the quietest in the workroom. If you ask me, big deal, I would take her actually working over someone just running around, being loud, and not working! Some Sergio on Siriano shade continued, Alan wanted to see boobs on the runway, and Shavi was dealing with shrunken berries. The clear drama of this episode was that while a few designers were really flourishing, many were floundering — such as Delvin not feeling unconventional materials aka Arts & Crafts as he calls it, Tyler being left with a short freakum’ dress, and Brittany who seemed to be in a constant state of tears.

Seeing all of the wintry sparkle in the workroom, I was ready for the runway. This week’s guest judge was actress Kiernan Shipka. From the safe group, I have to say Geoffrey had to have just missed being in the top. His dress was also made with wrapping paper, and I thought what he did was just as good, if not better than top named designer Sergio. But Dayoung was straight up robbed! Her look was so magical, very festive and such a stunning holiday look.

I definitely feel Marquise and Delvin were lucky to be safe. I felt there looks were not super innovative with the use of unconventional materials. In comparison, say Melanie using the corn husks, much more inventive and eye-catching. The judges named Sergio, Victoria and Shavi for the top, with Sergio as the winner. This was definitely not my top 3, but I guess of this top 3, Sergio’s look deserved the win. It had literal bells and whistles, and not in a bad way!

Victoria’s look had flare, but it wasn’t my personal fave. It only read holiday to me because of the cranberries. I just felt there were better looks. Same sentiment I felt with Sha’Vi. His look actually read super festive, but it just didn’t stand out to me. I think his model really sold the look though and that probably helped him in landing a top spot.

The bottom 3 was much more obvious, and wasn’t hard to guess, Tyler, Brittany, and Alan. Brittany didn’t do great, but has done better and I think the judges knew this was likely a random fluke. She can’t make excuses, but at least she had some form of concept in the top. I think you could tell in contrast, the judges were over Alan. He just hasn’t done anything super great in 3 episodes. I really think that was the only reason he went home over Tyler. I would have been good with either going, but Alan just maybe wasn’t ready for this competition. Too many ideas and he didn’t know what to do with them or how to execute them.

So going into episode 4, knowing Alan was constantly in the bottom, he went home, would that same fate happen to Tyler next? For this next challenge, it was all about the ultimate upcycle. Karlie’s fashion stylist, Karla Welch, would be a mentor for this task. Karlie needed a look for a CFDA event in Paris. The look needed to be original, wearable, and cool — An American in Paris. The twist this week, the fabric would be recycling materials of used clothes from Goodwill ($150 budget). Most of the designers were thrilled with this, well except Delvin & Victoria. And in comparison to all of the other challenges thus far, this would be a 1 day challenge! Also, no surprise as this was a challenge for Karlie, there were brand new models, Karlie lookalikes! DELVIN’S LOOK

There was a lot of focus on Tyler for this episode. Sergio was trying to give him some “training” or “help.” But was it really that? Tyler and Christian were butting heads a bit on his original sailor concept. It was interesting hearing the later Tyler commentary on everyone else’s looks as not being great, when his wasn’t great at all! Tyler aside, Victoria finished her look before Delvin and was elated. And Sha’Vi had a huge hole mishap at the last minute and not much time to correct it. BRITTANY’S LOOK

Actress Laverne Cox was this week’s guest judge. So who created transformative looks, giving new life to old clothing for this runway? I was very underwhelmed with this runway. There were too many suit type looks and then denim, which I am not a huge fan of, at least on this show. Delvin should have been in the top. This sequin lace top was stunning. I was also intrigued with Brittany’s look, maybe because it was a pop of color, maybe because it was very different than the rest, but for me, it certainly stood out.

The top 3 were Nancy, Chelsey, and Victoria (pictured above). I was okay of this top 3 with Victoria winning. It was chic, great details and was one of the better jacket looks. I just feel with Victoria, she is showing a lot of the same elements and silhouettes, and I don’t personally get the judges’ infatuation. Nancy’s look was also not my favorite of hers. But for the fact I feel she has been robbed in other challenges, I am glad she made the top.

As with every episode thus far, the bottom was abundantly obvious, Marquise, Sha’Vi , and Tyler. Sha’Vi had an unfortunate mistake and it hurt his look. He hit a snag and couldn’t recover. I felt he was deserving of a 2nd chance. Marquise has been flailing, but with Tyler being a repeat bottom contender, and not doing anything overly exciting here, he was eliminated. His look was tight, it didn’t feel innovative, there was no WOW factor. This was RTW, straight off the rack.