Project Runway: Runaway Designer

WARNING: ATTENTION SPOILERS AHEAD

This weeks guest judges Rachel Roy and Hayden Panettiere

All I have to say is "WHAT?!" These designers are all given an amazing opportunity to come on this show, and to just buckle under pressure and quit is simply rude. Andrea left the show in the middle of the night, post eliminations for the Lexus challenge, without making contact in anyway with the Project Runway staff. When Tim Gunn returns to tell the remaining designers that Andrea is safely home, Kooan announces he will be leaving the show as well.  His "reason" being, he wants to make it as a designer his own way. Again, just RUDE. With contestants Andrea and Kooan now out of the competition voluntarily, Tim Gunn returns from seeing Kooan out, breaking the ice by mentioning he is scared to make any more announcements, which is met with laughs from the designers. To better lighten the moon he announces that Raul will be rejoining them. I think this is completely fair for Raul given that Andrea left the show the night he was eliminated.

(left) Kooan Tells the other designers he has decided to leave also (right) Tim Gunn walking Kooan out

This week the designers were challenged by Michael Kors himself to create a look for "a woman on the go" stressing the importance of the transition from work to liesure, and fabric that does not easily wrinkle or damage.

Nathan shortly after Kooan leaves the workroom for the last time

In the work room, it was hard for everyone to keep focused. With all of the drama over the last few days, the distraction some contestants in particular faced showed both physically and mentally. Nathan could not hold in his tears after his fellow designers decided to leave the show, and poor Buffi was so out of it she ended up going home! I understand that this is a television show and the show must go on, but I think everyone as a whole would have benefitted from a day off after such a rough day.

(left) Heidi welcoming the designers (right) Heidi during judging

Heidi slightly resembled Flintstone's character Bamm-Bamm, but only because I watched the show when I was young. The dress is adorable, and I think she looks fantastic! This look could have gone SO wrong with the wrong accessories. She kept it simple, which translated into elegance. Elegance and leopard?? Only Heidi Klum!

(left) Chris' Look (right) Open back of Dmitry's look

Sonija's look

Now to my favorite part. The models hit the runway. Once again I was torn between so many of the designs. I loved the exposed zipper on Ven's dress and the layers upon layers Melissa draped her model in, although neither of these looks made it into the top three.

(left) Elena's look (right) Elena smiling proudly as her look walks the runway

Despite my dislike of Elena as a person, her designs are starting to grow on me. Ok, THIS design grew on me. I was transfixed on her model from the moment she walked around the corner. I do not know how she kept this under $150, it looks so expensive, and isn't that what the judges always love. I'm surprised that she was not in the top three, for once I think she deserved to be there.

(left and right) Dmitry's one seam dress

Sonija's Critics

The top three this week were Chris, Dmitry, and Sonija. I loved Chris' look, but I think I looks a little too high fashion to go to the grocery store with the kids. Dmitry's one seam dress was beautiful, but I agree with Michael Kors when he said a bright color would have made all the difference with this design. I have to sympathize with Dmitry though because he struggled quite a bit trying to find a fabric that he thought would work well at Mood.

Buffi and Raul with their models during elimination

Buffi desperately trying to defend her look, and I don't think her model is buying it

The bottom looks were easily identifiable in this challenge. Fabio also landed in the bottom three, but only because he strayed from his design aesthetic. I think next week, if his designs are true to himself, we may see a complete transformation (or so I hope). I do not think Buffi even really had a chance of making it to the finale, but I was sad to see her go in such a negative light. I know her sewing was awful this week, but she was very distant mentally. Yes, she deserved to go home BUT I can't wait to see more from her in the future! I'm going to give Raul a pass this week only because he started late, was off pace with the others, and had to reacclimate himself with the show. If he really needs to be sent home next week I'm sure the judges won't hesitate.

I just had to share this little gem. Enjoy :)

Oh Michael

August High Fashion Hits: Olympic Spirit

Photo made on Polyvore

With the olympics flashing by, keep the spirit alive by sporting pieces that flaunt your country's national colors! August will be full of red, white, and blue for me, how about you? My must have accessories this month are pyramid studs. Wether they are an accent on your shorts or simple earrings, the sharp edges present a modern flare.  My challenge to you all, step outside your comfort zone and try on an outfit that boasts sharp, bold lines.

Karen Millen knee length dress

karenmillen.com

Juicy Couture block top

juicycouture.com

Karen Millen double breasted coat

karenmillen.com

Burberry rubber-boot

couture.zappos.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs shoulder handbag

marcjacobs.com

Eddie Borgo rose gold earrings

kirnazabete.com

Project Runway: Red Carpet Showdown

WARNING: ATTENTION SPOILERS AHEAD!

Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

This was probably one of the most rediculous episodes of project runway I have ever seen. The contestants were divided into pairs and assigned to a "special client", which ended up being winners from previous Project Runway seasons. Teams included: Melissa and Dmitry, Kooan and Gunnar, Fabio and Ven, Christopher and Andrea, Sonjia and Nathan, Raul and Alicia, Elena and Buffi. Of course Elena and Gunnar had something to say, both bashing their partners aesthetics and skills. This mad me upset because their partners, Kooan and Buffi, were both excited to work with them.

  Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

In the work room, some teams worked better together than others. Elena had a melt down because she did not think they would have time to complete their formal gowns, maybe if she had trusted Buffi with more than pleating she would not have been as worried. In the end the team pulled through, not as a top contender, but at least they were safe.

Photo: buddyTV

Christopher held it together as best he could as problem after problem hindered them as a result of Andrea's time consuming work habits. Despite Alicia and Raul's unsuccessful creation, they worked well together as a team, as did team Sonjia/Nathan and team Melissa/Dmitry.

Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

Heidi dressed to kill this week, rocking a sparkling black dress, a necessary upgrade from last weeks "snake-suit". 

Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

Once again, I did not agree with the judges decisions when the designers' concepts hit the runway.  The top spots were awarded to team Gunnar/Kooan and team Ven/Fabio.  I honestly believe that both Melissa/Dmitry and Sonjia/Nathan's gowns displayed more of the qualities I would look for in a red carpet gown, over Gunnar and Kooan. 

Photos: buddyTV

It's not that I did not like Gunnar and Kooan's dress, I simply think they used the wrong fabric, and the judges seem to agree. 

Photo: buddyTV

Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

Ven and Fabio's dress was perfect! The design was fresh and fun, while maintaining "Emmy" chic.  They should be very proud of the design they created. How much better can it get than seeing your own gown grace the red carpet personally at the Emmys!?

Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

Photo: buddyTV

The judges definitely got the bottom two pairs correct.  Andrea and Chris made a pathetic team, and Alicia and Raul made a pathetic dress. 

Photos: buddyTV

Alicia and Raul took the judges critics with their heads held high, understanding the critical mistake they had made by straying from their design aesthetic and not tailoring the perfect suit.  By the time the judges got to Andrea and Chris you could see the pain in the designers faces.  Chris can barely hold back his tears as he recalls the disasters of the work Andrea and himself have presented.

Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

So who went home this week? Raul. Raul specialized in men's wear and was weak when designing for women. The Project Runway winner needs to be versatile, and able to adapt to all types of situations, so I understand the judges process when making this elimination. What makes me sad is that if Andrea really did leave the night after elimination, she denied Raul the opportunity to redeem his mistakes and win this.  Let's hope next week is not as bad as they made it out to be in the preview! It almost never is.

Project Runway: Candy Challenge

ATTENTION: Spoilers Ahead!

These designers are not making picking a favorite easy for me this season! I love that most of them are staying true to their own design aesthetics, even if they do not think it is the best decision for judging.

Heidi Klum, dressed in a plaid dress with an accent leopard print belt that I think looks a lot like one of the dresses I used in my "sneaker wedges" post, greeted the designers at the runway. Post introduction, the designers met up with Tim Gunn at Dylan's Candy Bar. By now the designers have put two-and-two together that this is the materials challenge, during which designers are required to make pieces out of not so ordinary materials such as candy.

"Evil" twin Gunnar
Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

As always the designers are given a time restraint and left in the work room to let their imaginations run wild. The rivalry between the "good" and "evil" twins, as referred to by contestant Christopher Palu, continues to fest as Gunnar Deatherage continues to believe Chris feels "threatened" by him.  After winning the first challenge, I honestly think Gunnar is the last thing on his mind.  This is such a difficult  contest to win, and you cannot get distracted by the pettiness of others.

Heidi says "Auf wiedersehen" to Lantie
Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when Heidi's debuted her second outfit on the runway.  A snakeskin sweatsuit.  While this outfit would have been great for movie night with your family, and we all dig a little snakeskin, let's stick to one accent piece that doesn't make us look sloppy, yes?

Melissa's Look
Photo: buddyTV
Photo: Huffington Post Video Shot

Do I think the right person went home this week? No, not necessarily.  I guess I was kind of expecting Elena to go home. I think her designs are old and used.  We already have designers who create pieces with sharp, bold edges.  Don't get me wrong black is my favorite color, there is no reason why you cannot create something that stays within the rules of the challenge and holds to your design aesthetic.  Melissa created an all black look out of licorice that looked almost identical to real leather as her model graced the runway.

Elena's Noodle Suit
Photo: Huffington Post Video Shot
Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

I wanted to give Lantie one more try. Although her outfit did not embrace the candy element to it's fullest potential, she did use candy and her design was wearable. She was one of the older contestants this season, and I really wish I could have gotten a chance to see more of what she could do with real materials.  Part of it could also be my vendetta against Elena. Elena seems rather bothered by the judges heavy critics, all of which excluding the fact that pina colada licorice keeps shedding from the dress. Michael Kors was right in saying that she presented herself in an arrogant way for being in the bottom three.  

Ven's Look

Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

Photo: buddyTV

Sonjia's Look

Photo: buddyTV

Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

I almost agreed with the top three contestants, Sonjia and Ven definitely deserved to be there.  Did you have to put Gunnar in the top three? I know he made his own accessories out of candy, but now we have to listen to even more ranting on his behalf. Instead of Gunnar being the third finalist, Alicia's candy take on over-alls or Dimitri's candy-beaded flapper dress could have easily snagged top spots. 

Alicia's Look

Photo: Huffington Post Video Shot

Photo: buddyTV

Dmitry's Look

Photo: buddyTV

Photo: Huffington Post Video Shot