'Project Runway' Gradual gradients
Tonight was not the first time Project Runway has invited mothers and daughters onto its stage (Prom challenge, anyone?), but it was the first time this season that the winner and the auf'd were so clearly delineated.
This time around, the mothers were in support of their daughters who just graduated from college. In addition to getting a new outfit, these girls are getting a whole new look - as in a make-over. Honestly, I kept waiting for Bravo to tie in Tim Gunn's Guide to Style make-over show, but they never did. I was rather shocked, since they rarely miss an opportunity to cross promote! Which lackey dropped the ball?
After coming so close to elimination, Suede wants to prove he deserves to stay. On the other side of the delusion coin in Kenley, who remains shocked that she was in the bottom, yet she is determined to not listen to what the judges say in favor of following her own aesthetic. Someone needs to inform Bettie-Wanna-Be that while confidence is sexy, arrogance is its polar opposite. This goes triple for when she sneers that Tim Gunn doesn't get her and she won't ever change a design based on what he says to her.
She gets off incredibly easy with her client for this challenge, Anna, who is a an accessories buyer who loves Kenley's look. She adds narcissism to her bag of tricks by admitting she likes Anna because she reminds her of herself. Jerell also seems to get a model who he meshes perfectly with in Katelyn, who works in fine art. Less smooth is Leanne's client, Holly. actually, it's more Holly's mom, who is domineering and overly critical. As Jerell says, she's the Hedda Lettuce of the challenge.
There is precious little drama to the episode though. There is Joe's estimation that the challenge is impossible because anything that makes the mothers happy, the daughters won't like. I think he's just upset over the fact that his client hates the navy pinstripe material he's chosen for his dreadfully cliche power suit. The best moment is courtesy of Jerell, who nails Joe's look on the head when the leave by telling him "You can work on Nancy Reagan tomorrow". Additionally, Leanne's client's mom dislikes the first incarnation of her dress, saying that it flattens her chest out. Because the one thing you look for in an elementary school teacher is a great rack. Lastly, the girls all think Suede is going home, but when Kenley declares him a "poser", I nearly give my television a spit take. Pot? Have you met kettle?
The girls all seem happy with their make-overs (including new hair), but the pressure mounts when the designers find out that the top design will be photographed for a Tresemme add in Elle magazine. The usual judges are joined by the delightful and gorgeous Cynthia Rowley.
Joe - I feel sorry for Laura, who doesn't look like a graphic designer, so much as an uncomfortable and frumpy junior assistant of some sort. Definite middle management. It's poorly fit, looks cheaply constructed, and I don't understand the accessories at all. There is nothing about this outfit that works, even a little. I feel even worse for Laura when part way through the judge's critique, Kenley starts snickering again. It's then that I realize Kenley was one of those girls in school.
Leanne - The jacket is too heavy and it swallows up Holly's neck entirely in an awkward looking box. That aside, the dress underneath it is cute, well cut and fit and good for Holly's skin tone. But there's nothing really interesting or even current about it.
Jerell - Meet the winner. It's perfect and seems to really match Katelyn in an organic way. It reads sophisticated yet unique and creative, is perfectly constructed, the color palette is sublime and there is just enough dichotomy to clearly be Jerell without looking unedited. I become more and more charmed by Jerell as time goes on, and I really would love to see a full collection by him. (Yes, I know the spoilers are out there. I remain spoiler free!).
Korto - I am struck by how well she mixes textures and patterns in this one. Megan is undecided about whether she wants to go to med school or grad school, so the look isn't tied to a profession. However, it is young and just edgy enough while maintaining a sense of burgeoning maturity within its youthfulness. I love the jacket immediately, and out of all the jackets we saw tonight, it's clearly the best, making a sporty motorcycle style seem sleekly classic.
Suede - Avita's hair is in a much better state, but it's not enough to detract from how horrid the jacket is. I don't understand the ruffled cuff, the double fake-pockets, the purple ribbon trim or the logic of matching a structured jacket silhouette with an asymmetrical print dress in what looks like some dreadful poly blend. Nina doesn't even want to discuss it, which is kind of tragic.
Kenley - After her make-over, Anna has become Kenley- the sequel. It's a very 1950's style dress, so not even remotely new for fashion or for Kenley - the original. It's still charming, matched with a vest and well accessorized, but I think I am so over the designer's snotty attitude that it just looks bland. Kenley certainly doesn't think so, of course, and when she doesn't win she pouts and tears up at the injustice of it all.
I, on the other hand, am delighted with Jerell's win, as well as with Joe's loss. Joe tells a story about one of his daughters thinking Heidi's 'auf weidersehen' was actually 'outsie daisy'. He takes his "outsie daisy" with perfect grace.
Actually, I liked Joe's and Suede's outfits. Kenley's, on the other hand, was horrible with the exception of the vest. I think it made the wearer look fatter than she was, to be honest. She should have gone.
I agree that the clear winner was Jerrell. No one else even came close. I was very disappointed in Leanne's design - that jacket was absurd, as was Korto's, in my opinion. It simply didn't seem to be connected to the dress at all. That being said those are my top three picks to go all the way, and if Kenley somehow manages to push her way into the finals, I will be very disappointed.
This show is always entertaining and the egos are really out there, but I'm sure that's a criteria for a designer, just not so in your face arrogant as Kenley, please.
Poor Leanne didn't have a chance! I adore her, and I understood what went wrong. She wanted to keep that starburst design thing, so she had to take it off the dress and stick it elsewhere with very little time. Kenley is becoming the reality show villain. She's been snickering all along... Remember that guy who made everything a ballgown? She snickered at him, too. I hate her. Recapper nailed it on the head. She's one of those mean girls from school that you'd rather die than ever so much as see you trip holding a lunch tray or accidentally drop your pencil or something. Yeah, designers need confidence and a big sense of self, but they also need a little charm for shmoozing, working with others. I think she's just immature when it comes down to it. Also she revealed that she came to NY with no money. That's a brutal experience to go through. I've noticed it can bring out a nastiness and a hardness (defensiveness) in people, especially if they're not from here and think that's what it takes to survive... I love Jerrell, Leanne, and Korto. Fingers crossed for them!
The final 3 should be Jerrell, Leanne and Korto. And to be honest, Korto should win with Leanne right behind her. They have been the most consistent, especially Korto who has only been in the bottom once.
Kenley sucks and she needs to leave asap shes becoming the Wendy or Ricky of this season and she doesnt take criticism. grow up.
It occurs to me that the winner of this little makeover went to the woman who was the thinnest and tallest of the rather short and stout group of women. She was easier to dress in a fashionista way and when we looked at her, she was the best appearing model. So what's the deal here? I think Kenley had a great look for her little gal and she is clearly driven with a distinct style flavor. I think she is underated. Joe was a mess regardless of the model he was dressing.
I thought suedes was far worst than Joe but once they started showing Joe talking to his wife and kids on the phone I knew he was a goner. Problem overall with this season - somehow the loser gets telegraphed way too early - didnt pick the winner all the time this season but on the loser I am 100%. Also why was this a mother and daughter challenge - I see it for a prom dress - maybe a wedding gown not this.
Soooo much to discus on this show, but i'll edit myself.
First, Joe was the absolute obvious choice to go home. His tailoring skills were horrendous again! Great guy, but not a top three designer.
Second, Kenley is soo treading into *****-slap territory.(pardon my vulgarity) Her attitude has really gone downhill. I only wish her bad designs and clients!!
Third, Leanne fell back into her old boring design pattern. Even 1980's Russian olympians were going "man that is bland and ugly" Leanne can be a fabulous designer, she just needs a lot of prodding to get her to stretch herself.
Power Rankings: 1.Jerell,2.Korto,3.Leanne,4.Suede,5.Kenley(BOO!)
Even Kenley's "model" snickered along with her! I hated that belt ... it was so light, I thought she had a bare midriff when she first walked down the runway.
Jerrell and Korto's were definitely the best. Leanne had REALLY bad luck with her client's mom. If she hadn't been there, I think the final product might have been better.
If Kenley makes the final three I'm going to scream. When she started s******ing with her mini-me I was disgusted. I was fine with her before but now I'm just totally irritated.
I guess we're not suppose to talk about the Bryant Park show, so I won't, but anyone who thinks Kenley should have left before Joe or (god help us) Suede has serious taste issues. Remember, people, this is not a popularity contest. I don't really care if Kenley reminds you of the "mean girls" who taunted you in high school. Etc. It would be nice if people were a little more analytical about how the show is edited. If you read his post-aufing interview you'd know that Kenley did not laugh at Daniel, her closest friend, in the way it was edited to make it look like she was. I'm not saying girl doesn't have some problems, but I also think the show is milking it for all its worth. For me, Leanne and Korto are the clear front runners, and Jerell and Kenley will battle it out for the final spot. As for Suede, he is a nice guy but ridiculously out of his depth.