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'Project Runway' Once Bitten, twice shy
Last week on Project Runway we met all our designers and saw them start with a low ball challenge, giving them luxury fabrics, no budget and free design reign. But even all that freedom wasn't enough to save poor construction and questionable vision, and so we said good-bye to Simone. We hardly knew ye. Speaking of Simone, our show tonight started with some of the boys bemoaning her departure and gossiping about how they felt she knew how to dress a woman better than Elisa. In case anyone could forget, Elisa was the kook whose dress was described by Heidi Klum as making the model look like she was pooping fabric. And we're off!
Last week, the designers had their models assigned to them, but this week they got to pick who they wanted to work with. Most of them decided to stick with the model they were assigned, though Ricky swiped Elisa's girl and Wendy was shown the exit. After the model-pick, the designers were told this weeks challenge was to create a look for a pop culture icon. They speculated they would be designing for Madonna (I don't think her fake British accent allows her to do American reality television), Britney Spears (to which there were shrieks of "she needs it!", but I would be more concerned about the fact that she has a reputation for wiping chicken grease and puppy poop on couture) and - inexplicably - Snow White. I have no idea where that one came from. I have to admit that I figured they were going back to Nicky Hilton, so when Tim Gunn came into the work room with Sarah Jessica Parker, I shrieked. The designers went nuts. Including Chris, who immediately teared up and later camera talked that he moved to New York city after watching Sex and the City.
Sarah Jessica looked adorable and I can't wait for the Sex and the City Movie. I had to get that off my chest, sorry. She revealed to the designers that they would be creating a 2 piece look for her Bitten fashion line, which she described as high end American sportswear at affordable prices, because fashion is not a luxury and quality is not a privilege. The punch line to this was that the design would have to meet the retail price point of $40.00 total, giving the designers a budget of a whopping $15.00. They were then given 30 minutes to sketch before pitching their ideas to Sarah Jessica, who would choose 7 designs which would be worked on by teams of 2.
The pitching went mostly well, though Ricky cried during a confessional in which he admitted he wanted Sarah Jessica to like his outfit. He's 2 for 2 in the tears department. The worst error was committed by Kevin, he of the boy band look, who thanked Sarah Jessica and walked away, leaving her hanging with her hand in mid air, waiting for a handshake from him that never came. Guess who isn't getting picked? On the other hand, Elisa was picked first. Also chosen was Kit, Victorya, Marion, Ricky - who cried because Sarah Jessica picked him. When the teams were chosen, we ended up with Elisa and Sweet P, Kit and Chris, Victorya and Kevin, Marion and Steven, Ricky and Jack, Christian and Carmen, and Rami and Jillian. To add the final tweak, they were told the winning design would be sold as part of the Bitten line in Steve & Barry's stores, nationwide.
As the designers got to work, we saw mostly the contrast between Sweet P and Elisa. From the moment they got to Mood, Sweet P was lecturing Elisa on the need to finish the seams so she didn't get pigeon holed. After 2 designs, is that possible? When Elisa spit on the fabric to mark it, I think Sweet P might have had a tiny aneurysm. Further, when Tim Gunn came around and noticed how Elisa was hand sewing everything again (including 19th century styled hand rolled edging - now that is retro!), he told her she couldn't possibly sustain that type of work. Sweet P clutched him like a starving man to a Twinkie and Elisa visibly shrank under their matched scrutiny, camera talking that she decided to do what they said. Which was kind of sad. Also getting a frown from Tim was Christian, whose design had morphed into something from a Robert Palmer video. He was warned about getting too retro, but he sniffed and sniped "I think it's perfect". I think it's in bad taste to snub Tim Gunn. Tim Gunn always knows what's best and Christian and his horrifying haircut should realize that.
The next morning starts with the girls gossiping about Elisa, much as the boys were the morning before. They admit they understand the intrigue of her wackiness, but don't think she will last without knowing how to use a sewing machine, and they predict that she will be the elimination of the day. I think they should be careful or she may attempt to imbibe them with a more natural spirit by spitting on them. Back in the work room, the designers all hurry to finish up their outfits. Sweet P finally must admit that Elisa's design has come together well and thinks they may have a chance at winning. On the other side of the room is Marion, whose design looked very sophisticated, but whose reality has become a poorly fit brown mess.
On to Runway!
Kit and Chris: It's cute and kicky. The sweater is incredibly well fit, the button accent on the stretch capri's is darling, and they chose perfect accessories. I was not a fan of the color choices, though. Black over brown just seemed off and I think a nice light heather on the capri's would have been more visually appealing.
Elisa and Sweet P: I am not normally a fan of capes, but this one is adorable. Even better is the dress beneath, which looks like it's a great fabric - one that wouldn't wrinkle and would be comfortable. The sleeves are sublime, really, and even the tie around the neck is a dazzling touch. I don't know if it's "polymorphic", but I like it.
Rami and Jillian: I am bewildered. It looks like a cross between a trench and bib shirt with kimono sleeves, none of which should work together, but it totally does. Even further, it manages to look classic somehow.
Marion and Steve: Oh, it's a mess. There's cut fringe, the sweater is too big and formless and completely overwhelms the skirt, which is sad because it looked like it may have had some interesting design elements before it was swallowed. I can't imagine this team will not lose.
Victorya and Kevin: It's interesting, basically a smock dress and a tiny vest with a racer back - but the plaid accent on the vest makes the outfit seem fashion forward. That said, I would not wear it for fear of looking like a tent or it seeming too short on my tall frame. It seems perfect for petite women only.
Christian and Carmen: Where are my Huey Lewis and the News albums? Holy geez, this couldn't be more 80s if it came from a John Hughes film. There is no editing here, and it needed it, badly. Everything from the color choice to the fit screams Aqua-net and jelly shoes.
Ricky and Jack: Adorable. I would buy this dress tomorrow. I love the color, the styling, the flow of the skirt and the gathering at the neckline. A big improvement over his baby doll of last week. However, it still doesn't show a particular point of view.
Right away the judges let Kit and Chris, Rami and Jillian, and Ricky and Jack know that they are safe and can leave the runway. Then they start right in on the remaining designers, and within seconds Sweet P is telling them that she was surprised Elisa's design worked out so well and tosses in that she spit on the fabric. Which seemed catty and apropos of nothing. Elisa took it all with grace, however, being far more sweet than Sweet P - who I want to re-name Old P. When Heidi asked Elisa what planet she came from, she replied with good humor by saying it was a planet that maybe didn't understand the language used down here, but understand how fabric worked, and she came bearing gifts. Well done. I don't think she will win the season, but she will be one of the most interesting to watch. The judges and Sarah Jessica all agree that the outcome is great.
The judges all fawned over Victory and Kevin's outfit - and I agree it's darling. I just don't think it would be appropriate for a wide audience. Marion and Steve's hot mess was compared to Pocahontas, though Heidi thought it looked more like a dirty rag. Christian and Carmen captured the best description when Michael Kors said all it needed was over sized button earrings and it would be ready for The Facts of Life. The judges ask the two lowest teams who they think should be eliminated out of their twosomes, and Carmen immediately cries, and votes for Chris. But it's OK, because he votes for himself too, and Marion and Steven follow suit by both of them voting for Marion. In the end, the winner is Victorya and Kevin, whose design was described as versatile, simple and beautiful, and the losing team is Marion and Steve, with Marion going home. Which is a shame, because his outfit last week was a stunner, while Steve's was a snoozer. I really think it was his fabric choice that worked against him.
What did you think? Is anyone ready to run out to a Steve & Barry's and pick up the winning outfit? If you do, it would look killer with a pair of black riding boots. I'm just saying!
Did I miss something - I thought on last weeks preview Tim made some announcement - "Designers - Steve has something to say" ?? But I didn't see that moment in the show?
Elisa is from another planet, but it just may be Planet Fashion. The toss off was a no brainer this week.
barb - I think that was a "this season on PR" not a "next week on" preview.
I thought Elisa handled everything with a lot of grace. Made me like her much better.
Kevin leaving SJP just cracked me up for some reason.
Good episode. Those designs looked pretty darn good for $15!
wendy | Nov 22, 2007 6:31:56 AM | #Why call Sweet Pea, Old Pea? She sis not bring up the fact that Elisa spit marked, Elisa did.
Gio | Nov 22, 2007 9:14:32 AM | #*She did nt
Gio | Nov 22, 2007 9:15:17 AM | #Gio two words...spell check
poppy | Nov 22, 2007 10:32:28 AM | #i definitely liked elisa more about this episode. she remained calm and professional, and so sweet. they can make fun of her methods or her as a person, but they can't attack her creativity! i know she won't win, but i do hope she lasts a few more episodes.
Weezer | Nov 28, 2007 12:23:10 AM | #I agree with you sweet p IS an OLD PEE....catty and constantly whinning about Elisa...of course lets not forget Carmen saying "unacceptable" when old pee is over there degrading Elisa's work...of course the following episode..mens wear..left both of them in the dust...with Carmen being given the boot. Way to go Elisa....yes, I agree, she has handled the cattiness with grace.
alex | Dec 3, 2007 4:21:31 PM | #
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