CONCRETE RUNWAY

Project Runway All-Star Episode 6

So finally, a decent challenge! This week’s challenge had a lot of different elements. Firstly, the designers have to design American sportswear (which I guess in fashion doesn’t actually mean playing a sport). Then the challenge called for 2 designers to design for one of the seasons. Finally just when the designers thought it was a team challenge, turns out they have to have a Fashion Face Off. This means that one person from each season will be in the top 4 and one will be in the bottom 4.

Kara + Austin- Spring

Kenley + Mondo- Summer

Mila + Rami- Fall

Michael + Jerell- Winter

So the major drama for this episode was that Jerell accused Michael of copying his design and really it looks like her did. It started at Mood when Jerell was choosing his fabrics and Michael was hovering and I thought to myself, he’s going to buy a similar fabric, just watch…and he did. Then he started off making a little Bolero vest that was actually really cute. Suddenly he scraped the idea and decided to do a slouchy coat, after Jerell had basically finished constructing his slouchy coat. The side drama was the fact both Mondo and Kenley are using polka-dots.

So this time around, I’m showing all the designers garments for comparison. (The seasons/ competitors are vertical)

Kara + Austin- Kara was in the top and Austin was in the bottom. I agree but not by much. I hated both of their designs. Kara’s was plain and Austin’s was dated…like everything he does. The judges loved his high-waisted khakis….I did not.

Kenley + Mondo- Kenley was in the top, Mondo was in the bottom. I love both of their outfits (which is surprising cuz I don’t like Kenley or her stuff) but I don’t agree that Kenley’s was better. We’ve seen this from Kenley over and over again. She doesn’t change or grow! Mondo’s outfit on the other hand is something I could see and have seen real (hipster) girls wearing. They also said Mondo’s girl look couldn’t be placed in one time period but who dresses entirely in one time period?!

Mila + Rami- Mila was in the top, Rami was in the bottom. Did not agree with this ONE bit! Mila’s outfit was lackluster and been there, seen that at the Gap. Rami made a PERFECT coat that I know thousands of women would wear. Now, I agree with the judges when they were judging Rami’s top. I was absolutely terrible. The worse. I feel he would’ve won if he had never opened up the coat. And I disagree with everyone about the colors, I liked them together.

Jerell + Michael- Jerell was in the top, Michael was in the bottom. Another one I didn’t agree with. I loved both of their looks but I was dying over Michael’s. It was a lot more polished and sophisticated and Isaac said the perfect truth about Jerell’s which is that it looked like Anthropologie. I disagree with Isaac about Micheal’s legging/pump choice because I love when girls expose a little bit of the top of their feet. I hated Jerell’s obnoxious, kitschy buttons but I LOVE when girls with huge curly hair wear knit caps and it all spills out of the bottom.

In the end, Jerell was the winner of the whole challenge (which isn’t saying much considering the competition) and Rami was sent home (which killed me cuz he was one of my favs). I wanted the final 5 to be Anthony, Rami, Austin, Michael, and April but 3 of them are gone. I think Mila, Kenley, and Jerell should have went home a while ago (especially Mila).

Project Runway All-Stars Episode 5

So the challenge this week had the designers in Central Park. While there, they had to find someone in the part and use them as a muse, making an outfit inspired by them. But wait, there’s more. The designers had to convince (and usually pay) these people to give them their clothes. This resulted in a hot guy getting shirtless and subsequently flirting with Kara and an even hotter guy named Diego (who was already shirtless) give Anthony his jean short and Austin his number. So after that nonsense fiasco, what money they didn’t throw in the air and let the people of Central Park con them out of was used to buy fabric. The rule was, they had to use at least 50% of the clothes they took from other people. Yada yada, Kara bummed money off of the others, Kenley basically made Kara’s pants (which is kinda unfair), and I’m constantly distracted by Rami’s great ass. The episode’s main “drama” was that Anthony had all of these clothes, and no design to present. Also, he realized Kenley is annoying…..what’s new?!

Winner: Mondo Guerra

It was down to Mondo and Austin which was a hard choice. I agree with the judges though for the simple fact, the detail and craftsmanship that Mondo put into making the jacket was amazing! Finally, the Mondo I love is rearing his head.

Loser: Anthony Williams

His was actually one of my favorite designs this episode but it wasn’t the design that got him eliminated, it was the fact he didn’t use half of his fabrics and his garment didn’t look inspired by his muse. Sad to see him go.

Favorites:
Aside from Mondo and Anthony, I also loved-

Austin Scarlett. The runner up. Love this. The left shoulder, I agree with the judges, is a little overworked but I still love this outfit. His is the most inspired by his muse.

Rami Kashou. Loved this look. Judges loved this look. Some of them hated the top’s fabric choice though and they hated the hat. I love the addition of the hat. It’s a cute hat and it added a needed pop of color to the outfit.

Michael Costello. This was actually in the bottom 3 (along with Jerell’s absolutely atrocious hodge podge acid trip tribal African safari disaster) but I like this outfit. On the technical side, the top is ill fitting and the masquerade that these are shorts, not a bathing suit is ridiculous. On the design side, the challenge called for something wearable….which this isn’t. But I like the direction he was going in. It reminds me of an outfit Michael Kors showed last spring. Side note, who else is getting really fed up with Michael’s lack of confidence?

Well, I don’t know if the show will be entertaining since Anthony (the only person giving this show life) is axed. Only time will tell and I’ll keep you updated.

Project Runway All-Stars Episode 4

This week each all-star chose a gelato flavor and they had to design a tasteful dress based on that flavor. The twist? They had to do it in 6 hours. Diane Von Furstenberg was the guest judge, along with Miranda Kerr (who would wear the winners dress).

Winner: Michael Costello

I like the dress but I thought it was just OK, nothing new or innovative. I felt like I’ve seen this dress before. Not a huge fan of the color as well. I’m also not a huge fan of a front slit.

Loser: April Johnston

This one saddened me because April has always been one of my favorites and I felt she was unfairly sent home seeing as her dress wasn’t as bad as some of the others. This is actually one of my favorites. I agree the bodice isn’t constructed the best and the back was too short but otherwise, it’s a good dress.

Favorites: Aside from April’s, here’s some more of my favorite looks.

Anthony Williams. I never saw his season but from what he’s done thus far, I really like his stuff. The judges didn’t like the top half of the dress or the back but I liked this dress. I agree that the first ruffle does make it look messy but otherwise, I like the design.

Austin Scarlett. The dress is pretty, safe, expected, but still on the better half of the dresses.

Jerell Scott. I love this look! She looks like a gorgeous Rodarte/ Ke$ha warrior. Even Diane liked this look. This is the first time EVER I’ve liked something he’s done.

Rami Kashou. Initially I thought it looked messy and thrown together but when you really look at it, the placement of the fabrics are very deliberate and chic and very Rodarte.

Mondo Guerra. I liked the look and the unexpected use of fabrics but I agree with Anthony when he said “Mondo’s making a caftan. It’s cute but I made one in college!” I keep expecting the amazing things he did on his season and keep coming back disappointed.

Project Runway All-Stars Episode 2

   The challenge for this episode was a Night at the Opera, guest judged by the designers of Badgley Mischka. Nothing super interesting happened. Kara was a panicking mess, Austin was in his classic couture chiffon element, April is doing edgy, and Sweet P and Gordana made ugly dresses. The usual.

Winner: Austin Scarlett

I liked Austin’s dress. I like the gold sheath and the black tulle but I don’t know if it was the best look. For me, it looked a bit dated, like an original Balenciaga dress worn by Marlene Dietrich.

Loser: Sweet P

I agree this was the worst dress. It looked more like a tacky picnic summer dress or a vintage bathing suit with a floral print sarong. Did not like this one bit!

Favorites: Aside, from Austin’s, I also liked-

Anthony Williams. I feel like he should have won. His design was clean, sophisticated, and sexy. They said his styling was off, but I really like the way he styled it.

Michael Costello. I REALLY loved this dress! it mixed my 3 favorite things- black, feathers, and draping. The back is exquisite as well.

I also enjoyed Mondo’s (it was just a little been there seen that on Grace Kelly), Rami’s (hated the bottom though), and Mila’s (wasn’t the right dress for the opera)

Stay Tuned for Episode 3…..