Project Runway Recap — Part 2

Posted on August 3, 2023 by SMM

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

Posted on July 29, 2023 by SMM

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

Posted on March 21, 2021 by SMM

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!

Posted on January 30, 2020 by SMM

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.

The Designers go 80s Crazy!

Posted on January 20, 2020 by SMM

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

Posted on January 20, 2020 by SMM

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.

So I Produced a Fashion Show….

Posted on December 14, 2015 by SMM

Photography by — Adam Lein & Shanise Gibson — So thankful to both of these talented photographers for all of these wonderful images captured from the show!

As a fashion blogger, I am always ecstatic about the many firsts I get to encounter. And here is another one — producing my very first fashion show! I thought it would be such a fun idea to put on a show for my birthday. Now it was a little belated, but I finally made it happen, just a short while after my actual birthday. And right from the very start of making plans for this show, I knew immediately one designer that had to be involved — Kasia Roginska of KARO Swimwear.

Model & Aspiring Actress, Alexis

Stunning model Jessica!!

Writer, Actress & Fashion Enthusiast Sade

KARO Swimwear was a brand I was introduced to very early on in my blogging days. I instantly fell in love with the various swimwear pieces as they were all super sexy, unique, and creative. Kasia has always been great to work with in the past and so I knew this would be such a fun collaboration in coordinating this show.

Amazingly talented Model, Erin

Model & Marketing Phenom Megan

There was quite a bit of preparation to pull the show off, but mostly, it was all enjoyable. And one aspect I loved was coordinating with these lovely ladies who modeled the various KARO pieces. Throughout the piece will be some information on these gorgeous ladies. But I truly have to extend a huge thanks to each of these women — it was such a pleasure to have them in the show and they really worked this runway!

Model — Tara

Such a great venue for the show, the immaculate Empire Hotel, very infamously featured on one of my all-time fave shows, Gossip Girl!

Model — Diana

Once again, Photography by — Adam Lein & Shanise Gibson

All in all, this was an amazing experience taking part in fashion show production. I’m not sure I hit every aspect on this first go-round, but I feel as if it was an accomplished start. KARO was the perfect brand to feature and so many pieces came down the runway, I as well as the rest of the audience, were astonished. The models all looked beautiful and sexy. It was such a fulfilling and pleasing experience, and I can’t wait for show #2!!

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