Project Runway All-Stars: The Finale Part 2 - The Recap

Last night's finale was CRAZY!  I felt like it was Heidi and guest judge Jessica Simpson fighting with Michael Kors and Nina Garcia over Mondo and Gretchen - only replace Gretchen with Michael C and you have the fight between Georgina Chapman, Isaac Mizrahi and Mr. Giggles Ken Downing vs Not-Heidi host and Tommy Hillfiger.  Tommy and Not-Heidi were really stating Michael C's case but Georgina, Heidi and Ken had a point about Mondo: he's ahead of the trends, he's more youthful and he has really great ideas.  But we already knew that, didn't we?
On to the runway show!  I'll start with Austin.

I think when he came out and gave his inspiration and description of his collection by saying it was "Hasidic Jew meets Victorian vampire meets Williamsburg hipster dandy friend", I could see how Ken Downing was laughing.  All I kept thinking was that that sounded like what the costumes would be if Interview with a Vampire had been filmed now instead of the 90's.  That shit cray and you know it, Austin.  Either way, he stepped out a fairly nice collection. 


I wasn't too crazy about his model choice for the 4th look because she didn't carry the dress well and I think that ruined the look for me.  As far as the styling goes, that hybrid pageant Victorian curls thing is killing the first look.  Like, murdering it.  It's not doing that look any favours and neither are those pants.  Eww.  Tommy Hilfiger wanted to have babies with look 5.  I think he was more crazy about the "rock 'n' roll" catsuit than Austin was!  And I thought it was smart for Austin to have done the wedding dress (with Anthony's touches of black accessories from the Opera challenge) but I expected a little more.  The petals were nice and the black accents were pretty with the different white textiles but I wanted a little more of the vampire element brought in to this particular look.  But, unfortunately, Austin's aesthetic is older and he caters to the suburban moms with money and it shows big time.  I think his 1st and 5th looks were his attempt to be more youthful but they didn't work with the rest of his pieces.

Michael C took us on a Gretchen-styled adventure.  Yeah, I said it.  Watching his stuff come down the runway AND hearing all the critiques about it made it feel like the Mondo / Gretchen showdown of season 8.  I was a little scared for a minute there.  Thankfully Michael spared us the granny panties and he showed some out-of-his-comfort (draping)-zone pieces.


Not gonna lie - the models in looks 1, 5 and 6 look FIERCE.  I'll even go as far as saying the model in look 5 looks like she could be a tan version of Diane von Furstenberg.  Lovely.  I will also admit that I LOVE the dress in look 6 without that damn vest.  And Lauren and I decided that Michael's best piece was look 2 because of the structure and angles and guess what - that's the one April helped him out on.  No surprise there.  The rest of the collection was too commercial-y I think.  Like he wanted to show them what he could do for the Neiman Marcus collection but that's not exactly what they wanted.  Well, maybe that's what not-Heidi and Tommy H were expecting but I think they forgot how the show actually worked.  Not a terrible collection, though.

On to the night's winner Mondo!  First of all, I love that he finally won and I'm kind of glad that he didn't win season 8 because these prizes are better.  I think Neiman Marcus and Marie Claire will both benefit from having him because his point of view is so young and fresh and modern.  He's a great choice not only because of his playful youthfulness but he's thoughtful about each piece and he really knows how to manipulate patterns to make his own.  Very clever.


While I always love everything Mondo does, I wasn't crazy about look 3 because it very distinctly has Mila's influence.  Ugh.  BUT it didn't hurt the collection, thankfully.  The inkblots were gorgeous and I was so happy to finally see them!  We just kept getting glimpses of them and I think the only full one we saw was the one in look 4 but the dress in look 5 is stunning and I would love to have that.  Ken Downing called the first piece a "wow piece" and then Tommy (I think) kept saying the buttons on look 2 were comically large - which I thought was wrong because I thought the proportions worked with the polka dots, the large buttons and the circular pockets.  It wouldn't have hurt to have made the pockets a little smaller though but at that point, they'd be purely for decoration and they'd have to question his motives on that one.  The rest of the pieces (save for look 3) was very Mondo though.  His point of view came across very well and I think the fact that he made the textiles for looks 4 and 5 with the inkblots might have sealed the deal for him. 

And can I just point out that last night, Lauren pointed it out to me that Angela was giving Georgina bitch face about her wanting Mondo over Michael C and ultimately, it was Angela's forced smile and "eat shit" bitch face look that gave it away before they even started talking to Michael that it was clear that Mondo won.  Re-watch it and you'll see it too.  There was no cutting around that Stinky McStinkface.

I want to congratulate all the contestants on Project Runway All-Stars this season because they were all great sports for coming back and they all did a great job with their newfound points of view.  This season of All-Stars kind of made up for the shitty seasons of Project Runway, I think.  But I feel like maybe season 10 will end up like season 8 and 9 where you get bitches like Anya and Gretchen taking the wins away from more deserving contestants.  We'll see how that goes.

I hope to see you again on the runway for season 10 and I hope it doesn't disappoint!

Tonight's the night!

Sorry for the lack of updates!  I've been busy reading The Hunger Games Trilogy and I'm HOOKED.  But I can put my books down for the Project Runway All-Stars finale, of course!
The Three Amigos are head to head TONIGHT and I'm so excited I can't stand it!


Photo credit: The super awesome Lauren

After last week, I'm just ready for Mondo to take it on home this time!  If he doesn't I might have to write off PR forever.  I know, I know - I've been saying that every season since Mondo lost buuuuuuutttt...THIS IS IT (maybe).  And secretly, I kinda want to see the wedding dress Austin was working on.  Will it end up being a wedding dress with all the time constraints or will he transform it to something else?  Hmmmm.  We'll know in just a few hours!

Join us for all the live-blogging fun!

Project Runway All-Stars: Finale Part 1 - A Look Back at the Top 3

Since there was really nothing to recap from last night's episode, I think I'm going to reflect on the top three designer's favourite three looks from this season of All-Stars.
I'll start with Austin.

Austin has been all over the place for me.  I love him.  I can't stand him.  And sometimes, he's just okay.  Personally, none of his looks really wowed me this season but then again, I'm not that much of an Austin fan to begin with.  Sorry folks!  Anyways - here are my top 3 Austin looks


Although it wasn't my absolute favourite, I did like the way the black tulle worked with the gold in the Opera challenge.
For the street wear challenge, Austin picked the best muse out of all the kids and turned out this really fierce look that his muse would kill for.
And even though the flag challenge wasn't the best, I really enjoy the movement of the fabrics.  The front could've been executed better at the bust but the dress is still pretty.

Michael C is another one I'm all manic about.  I love him.  I can't stand his drama and sometimes, he really turns it out

I couldn't do this entry without talking about my most favourite dress all season: Michael C's Opera dress. Holy Mother! It's gorgeous! You can't sit there and say you hate it because YOU DON'T. You know you secretly want this dress. I know I do. DAMN!
The skirt for the Godspell challenge was gorgeous.  I wasn't a big fan of the overall look BUT I do love the shoe / skirt combo.  Lovely.
The gelato challenge wasn't the greatest either but I think this is a good example of his drapery.  He's so skilled and it moves beautifully with his model.  If I could, I'd try to commission him for a draped piece.  It's like liquid.

On to my most favourite designer is the entire Universe: Mondo!
Mondo has really turned out some amazing stuff this season and I'm really proud!  What I'm kind of afraid of is his moodiness.  Those Geminis have that split personality thing going on and sometimes it's good but Mondo kinda scared me last night with his extreme self loathing.  But you know what?  All that self loathing just means his collection will be tight and right.

For the Godspell challenge, Mondo used his greatest skill to his advantage: successfully mixing prints.  I was a little worried because alone, each print was a bit much but together, they were just the right amount of eccentric and that led him to a win!
The Opera dress was GORGEOUS.  I mean, the cape, the collar cutout, the silver flecks...everything about this look was glam-o-rama and so totally Mondo.  Beautiful!
Even though the judges gave Mondo such shit for his Summer challenge, I loved it.  I love the polka dots on the shirt with the weave pattern on the shorts.  I love the neon pops of colour and I love the Barbie look of his model's hair.  Everything about it was great and fun and Summery but the judges didn't think so.  Oh well. 

This I just had to share - while I was taking a look back at the past looks of this season, I was looking at Mondo's street style challenge and I realized something: his model kinda looks like Willam from Drag Race season 4.  Ha!!

LOL  Frizzy hair and all!  Wowzers!

Aaaaanyways - I hope Mondo finds himself in his therapy-themed collection and wins the whole thing (like he should).  The inkblots he made were awesome and I can't wait to see his final looks!

Who are you rooting for?

Project Runway: Let's Get Down To Business - The Recap

I'm not going to lie - last night's episode was a bit of a dud for me.  Yes, they had to be budget friendly but who in the WORLD buys "budget friendly" clothing for the retail value of $350+?  I get it.  It's locally made.  I get that.  But DAMMIT that's just way too expensive.  I mean, last night's winning design (by Mondo of course!) is for sale for $298.  $298!!

Notice some changes to the original design?  Yep, it has some darts and some shaping in the waist.  Thank goodness because Mondo's original design was quite boxy, unfortunately.

Boxiness aside, I LOVED the fabric choices.  They went so well together and it was a very updated work-worthy outfit.

Michael C's was pretty but I felt like it was a little boxy too.

The pattern was cute, the dress was average and that poor girls' boobies were itching to pop out.  I thought that tiny bit of gathering at the front wasn't quite enough to shape it at the hips for me and even though Nanette and Joanna asked for a hook and eye closure for the front and back, he didn't give it to them.  I think Michael C is obsessed with boobies.  Yeah.  I said it.

Austin's felt very matronly AS USUAL.  The judges also beat him up a little about the fabric choice but I agree - not every fabric works well on the runway.


While the idea was there, the more I looked at it, the more I felt like this dress / swing jacket thing reminded me of a night gown on I Love Lucy.  And it wasn't helping that this ad played during the broadcast because it only heightened my feelings about how old it felt.

Maybe Austin likes to make his model look older than she actually is?

Kenley picked a pretty pattern.  She also sketched up a big bowl of Kenley Stew.  Why did she think it was going to work?  Why?  She removed the keyhole from the original sketch - which ended up being a very smart move because if you think about it, the keyhole would've had to line up with her pattern perfectly and either it would've gone south or it would've been a HUGE keyhole.

Those peacock feathers are too big to not be cut out for keyholes and if she had only cut out the center part of the design, it would've looked like a purple hairy hole.  HEEEEYYYYOOOO.  It's Project Runway All-Stars, not Drag Race!  Anyways - I think there was no winning with this pattern anyway because she didn't line up her seams and it was the same Kenley silhouette as always.  And Nanette sounded like she got her feelings hurt because Kenley didn't take her advice.  Well Nanette, that's one thing you ought to know about Street Bosses like Kenley: she does what she wants!  And with that we say BYE GURL BYE to Kenley*. 

*No cats were thrown in a fit of rage

Project Runway All-Stars: When I Get My Dress In Lights - The Recap

I am confident in saying that this might possibly be the weirdest challenge in Project Runway history.  Lights?!  Really?  Wowzers.  While it was crazy cool, it was mostly CRAZY.  Of course Pharrell would have the craziest challenge!  And that's why I love him.

Jerell made the tackiest thing yet with this weird-ass raver dress.  **Just so you know, they're ALL raver outfits to me**

The glasses are FUG. The fiber optics in the hair is totally FUG. The Grandma skirt is super FUG and the peplum thing is...well, FUG.  I don't think any self-respecting raver would actually wear this!  The sunglasses mayyybe but this is terrible.  And I'm glad to see you go Jerell.  GURL BYE

Mondo made this cute little traffic cone bra thing although he was struggling a bit this week - which is a little unfortunate because this could've been a Mondo challenge. Either way, it was cute.

I like the face cage he has over the eyes and I'm glad the judges recognized the fact that his look was a completed look from head to toe.  It seems like Mondo is the only one to think these things all the way through.  Hearts for Mondo!

Not gonna lie - I liked Kenley's neon tape plaid she made.  That's right - I'm enjoying a Kenley Collins design but let me clarify: I like the plaid pattern.  The silhouette is still very Kenley (tisk tisk) but with kimono sleeves.  Clever, Kenley, very clever.

Pharrell was showering her with compliments and I thought I was going to have to jump through the TV and snatch her face off. I'm the only one for Pharrell!! I kid, I kid...

Austin's looked like he took some lights and threw them on his shell of a dress.  While the dress was pretty, I think it would've worked better if he had really thought about it a bit more.

It was a pretty dress, really.  I got the whole stars and heavens thing but it didn't have to look like he made a dress and then stuck lights on it.  And I should've known he was going to win when they showed him on the phone with his too-young-to-be-his-mom Mom.  She told him her house went into foreclosure and there is the possibility that she might be losing it.  Very sad :(  I'm sure everything is worked out by now and I hope she's doing better.

If you want to see Michael C's dress, imagine TMNT's Shredder, Mortal Kombat's Scorpion and the Bumble Bee girl from the Blind Melon video.


This was like the ULTIMATE raver outfit and honestly, I could see that at the club.  He was dangerously close to getting auf'd but I don't think they were really going to auf him when you compare this to Jerell's.  I mean come on.

I liked Pharrell as a judge!

He had some great comments to give.  Speaking of comments, Kors would've been proud to hear what these kiddos were saying.  You know he popped over to check it out!  He had to with this challenge!  I would've LOVED to see what Joshua and Christian would've done with this challenge!  Holy mother!  That would've been hilarious!

The preview for next week didn't really give us much but I'm hoping it's another silly challenge.  They've all been pretty silly since the U.N. challenge...And can I just say that they were being a little too nice to Jerell on After The Runway?  Like, they were tip-toeing around the fact that his designs are tacky - except for when Joanna did the "Hideous or Fabulous" thing.  She told that bitch his shit was ALL hideous!  That's right, girl!  Stick it to him!

ANYWAYS - I hope to see you all next week for the live-blog!  I'm going to find my pacifier, get a Vicks massage and RAVE OUT

Project Runway All-Stars: When I Get My Dress in Lights - The Live-Blog

Project Runway All-Stars: O Say, Can You Sew - The Recap

Last night, the designers visited the U.N. for their challenge - an outfit inspired by a flag.  Okay, random.  It sounds kind of half-assed but the results were hilarious.

Austin picked the Seychelles.  I would've loved it if he had gone literal with the flag.  He could have and been totally safe!


Maybe a little too safe but still - it wouldn't have been this

There's nothing really wrong with this dress but Isaac did call the front V-neck "tortured" and upclose, it's very tortured.  The colours don't really match the flag colours either.  Not a big deal to me but I would've preferred something like Michael's - one-shouldered and drapey with all the flag's colours meeting at the shoulder.  Much better.

Speaking of Michael, here's his Greek flag dress

I agree with not-Heidi about the bow: it would look better on a Christmas present.  I was hoping he'd use the shoes from last week as a pop of colour but he didn't understand subtlety this week with that bow.  I do like the dress though.  It's very Michael.

Jerell thought we were still stuck in last week's challenge: a stage costume.  I mean, what the eff is this mess?

Yes, Jerell, you picked India.  And yes, I totally called it by saying, "Jerell has India which means a lot of gold and a lot of tacky".  I might've been wrong about the gold but, girl, this is tacky.  And so costumey!  How did he take this outfit seriously?!  He should've taken the Kenley route and done the "anti" version of this.
What am I talking about?  I'm talking about the State of Kenley Collins where the national colour is polka dots and the uniform has a Peter Pan collar and white gloves.


I have no idea how she thinks long sleeves are a good thing in Chile but whatever.  And she somehow got her polka dots in there as well, so...whatever.  Isaac, who I love more and more each week, told her to STOP making the same silhouette over and over.  THANK YOU ISAAC.  I'm glad you said something because it seems as though everyone else is afraid to say it.  Back to the "anti" thing - one of the judges (I think it was Georgina) said that when she thinks of Chile, she sees ponchos but this girl that Kenley designed for is the opposite of what you would think - and that works.  Okay.  It does but how on earth do you get heart-shaped polka dots and candy stripes from the Chilean flag?!

MOVING ON

Mila took us on a split personality Russian adventure.  So you'd think she has the Russian flag, yes?  NO.  She has New Guinea.

I get it.  The hint of yellow, the construction on the short dress, the construction on the long dress...but why?  Why the split personalities?  Why not put a bird on it?  Hiiiyoooo.  But seriously - why?  This outfit looks like all she's missing in the bear in a fez and the rest of her traveling Russian circus.  And although I'm not a Mila fan, I would've preferred her staying over Jerell.  Yes, Jerell stays.  BARF.
 
Now, can I just say - Mondo's mitering is lovely. Just so lovely. He could've had a boring black dress but no. Not on his watch.
 
LOVE IT.  Subtle.  Sweet.  Mondo.  I'm not too crazy about the headwrap thing but that pop of colour on the back is gorgeous.  Not too literal with the flag and it works.  Another Mondo win!  YES!!  How am I celebrating this Mondo win?  By successfully executing a Mondo pouf!

WHAT WHAT!
It's not as neat as Mondo's since I didn't gel it and I don't have a trusty barrel roller.  Also it's super humid outside.  Eww.  I basically started teasing my hair and when I got all frustrated, I started twisting my hair and it magically fell into place.  I'm not kidding.  I'm so proud of this.  I can't wait for my next attempt since I'll be ready for it.

You know what else I'm ready for?

PHARRELL WILLIAMS NEXT WEEK!
 


Finally! In fact, I had *almost* forgotten he was a judge on PRAS until I saw the preview - which came on AFTER After The Runway - which was a little boring since Mila talked shit via pre-recorded message and they recapped every single thing we had JUST seen. Yawn.  But I liked how pretty much everyone said that Mila should've stayed over Jerell.  And they all said it IN FRONT of Jerell.  Get over yourself, Boo.  Your designs are barf-o-rama.

BACK TO PHARRELL.



He's going to make the designers do some crazy-ass light show next week and I can't wait!!!  Kenley will probably find little lights to make her own light up polka dot pattern and Isaac will take her over his knee and spank her.  Austin will probably come up with some weirdo rich-lady-fell-into-a-glow-in-the-dark-paint-pit evening gown.  Jerell will make something tacky AS USUAL.  Michael will drape some lights on it.  Mondo will make technicolour magic.  At least, that's what I'm hoping for next week!