Every season on Project Runway there are decoy collections that show at Bryant Park so that results of the remaining shows will not be spoiled by revealing the final three. In the past there have been one, last year there were two, and this year there were three.
Jerell, Suede, and Joe all showed at fashion week to a packed house and gave it their all. Watch the videos, which will NOT be aired on television here on the site.
Stay tuned as the talented trio Leanne, Korto, and Kenley duke it out next week in the second part of the finale for the title of America’s Next Top Designer.
So this episode started out like last week’s episode with the winning designer given the option to switch models. We were shocked last week when Leanne decided to choose Tia over Karalyn so we were pleasantly surprised when Korto kept Katarina. Once that was out of the way it was off to meet Tim for a field trip.
The final destination of this field trip was the New York Botanical Garden where Collier Strong met them to discuss how he gets inspiration from the colors and textures in nature. The designers’ were asked to grab a camera and start shooting inspiration for an evening gown inspired by nature. This seemed easy enough. Right? WRONG.
The designers’ ran around Mood looking for fabric, agonized over their designs, and stressed about having enough time to finish their designs. Just when we thought Kenley was completely doomed because she left her tulle at Mood Tim saved the day by allowing her to return to Mood to retrieve it. We aren’t surprised at Jerell’s amusement at Kenley’s misfortune saying,” I am dying to see how this will all pan out. I’m staying tuned!”
In the workroom it was clear that Leanne, Jerell, and Korto were supportive of eachother and that there was definite divide between the trio and Kenley. Kenley appeared to be disappointed by this however explained that she was used to it. The sulking and stressing didn’t last for long as it was on to the runway. Here Heidi announced that Georgina Chapman Co-Founder and Designer of Marchesa was the guest judge. This was the perfect challenge for her to judge considering her elegant whimsical gowns grace many a red carpets. Who can forget the beautiful looks she did for Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba at last years Oscars.
As far as the runway show we would like to first point out that we disagree with the judges. We actually thought the designers did a great job and we were torn between several designs as to who we thought should win. Again, we obviously did not agree with the judges. Here is their take:
Heidi and Michael criticized Korto’s gown calling it a “Pageant dress” and Nina told her that she did not think that the gown was elegant. In Nina’s opinion Korto’s attempt to impress the judges left her gown looking overworked. Leanne was given praise by Georgina for mixing soft and structured elements in her gown, however all the judges disliked the back of the gown and felt that she should have omitted the blue fabric at the bustle. Jerell was applauded for making the most modern and youthful gown, but lost points because his piece seemed unfinished. Finally, there was Kenley’s mock neck sleeveless gown which received no praise from anyone. Georgina felt it wasn’t organic, Nina called it “creepy”, Michael thought it was cliched, and Heidi did not find her detailing “elegant.”
Next it was time for the designers to give their two cents. Heidi asked each of them to tell the judges why they should go to fashion week and which two of the other designers should go to fashion week with them. Leanne, Korto, and Jerell all talked about their point of view as a designer as evidence of why they belonged at Bryant Park and picked eachother to join them on the runway. Kenley, the odd woman out, said she deserved to be there because she could put on a show and without flinching announced that Leanne and Jerell should join her on the runway. Oh the drama!
Ultimately, the judges picked Jerell as the winner but were deadlocked as to who lost the challenge. Essentially all four were passed on to the next level of competition and asked to create a collection for fashion week with an elimination upon their return to New York. This did nothing to quell the tension behind the scenes as Korto lashed out at Kenley for making a personal attack, and Kenley moved even farther apart from the other designers even refusing a group hug invitation from Tim.
We can’t wait for the collections–and we certainly can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. Bid in our auction and take home a piece of the runway!
Every week on Project Runway there is a twist and turn and last night’s episode was no exception! Similar to Episode 509:What’s Your Sign? The designer’s had to depend on each other to get through the challenge. This time by designing for each other and not together in a group challenge.
Can we just say were relieved when Tim picked the names and genres out of the hat as we didn’t want to see what would have happened had they been left to their own devices. As the names were called we had no doubt that Suede would be successful since he seems to have great rock sensibility just in his personal style. We were also pretty confident in Jerell’s ability to create a pop look. We were concerned however about Korto, Leanne, and Kenley all of whom seemed to be asked to step way outside of their box.
Once the sketching process began and ideas were being bounced around, our skepticism started to ease as far as Korto and Leanne were concerned ….as for Kenley that was another story.
While the other designers embraced the idea of their genre Kenley was stuck on her point of view as a designer. Any attribute of hip-hop that she didn’t like she didn’t incorporate in her design. This was not the point of the challenge. The challenge was for the designer to make an outfit that represented a particular genre and not necessarily create an outfit they would wear or a culture they are a part of. This is precisely what Tim was trying to tell Kenley when he came to give her a critique on her piece. Unlike the other designers Kenley vehemently disagreed with Tim to the point where he gave her swift tongue lashing ( well, ….a tongue lashing for Tim).
The judges including guest Judge Hip-Hop artist LL Cool J thought felt that Kenley’s look was not Hip-Hop and also commented that the pants to the outfit were badly made. Additionally, they liked the vest to Suede’s Rock look for Jerell but like Tim thought he could have taken it farther and really pushed the envelope. Leanne ’s look was not the worst but they did feel like she could have done something more polished for Korto’s Country look she created.
Although, we know some fans disagreed we think this challenge was fun, fun, fun and we can’t wait to see what all the tears on next week’s episode are all about!!!
We admitted last week that we sometimes relished in the designers’ anguish, but this week we must admit we also relish in the “real” challenges where they work with people like you and me.
After the designers discovered they would not be working with the first women Heidi brought out on the stage but rather their younger daughters all recent college grads, we knew it was about to get interesting. Would the young women take to a more professional look? Would they like what the designers sketched for them?
Turns out due to the grad’s mothers being around on the first day in the workroom, none of our questions above applied. Some like Jerell, Korto, and Kenley had a great working relationship with the mother daughter duo, while people like Suede and Leanne struggled with their duos. We’ll be the first to admit we were not sure if Leanne or Suede would be able to withstand the pressure, however all our worries melted when the young women returned the next day sans their mothers.
Knowing that the designers knew Cynthia Rowley would be the guest judge we figured they would take more risks and have more fun. After all, Cynthia is known for her funky style as well as her irreverent design aesthetic. It is for this reason that both Leanne and Joe’s designs were criticized.
The judges, especially Cynthia, found Leanne’s design for Holly too buttoned up. Michael and Nina felt like it should have showcased her youthful figure while Cynthia argued that the design should reflect the fact that Holly will more than likely be working hands-on with the children. They all found Joe’s design for Laura too cliched and felt like he should have done a younger look that was more modern. We can’t say we were surprised. Laura expressed that she was apprehensive about the pinstripes while Joe insisted that they would be good. Just another example of what happens when you don’t listen to your client.
Given Suede’s point of view as a designer coupled with Avital and her mother’s design requests we knew Suede’s design might be a bit of a disaster. While we like the dress, we aren’t sure if it was appropriate for the office and we don’t even know where to begin with the jacket.
We agree with the Judges top picks this week. We found Kenley, Jerell, and Korto’s designs both professional and modern. Kenley’s design was young and flattering and perfect for Anna who is a buyer. We do however agree with Heidi that she looked a bit like a “mini-me” of Kenley. Jerell’s look impressed the fab four on the judging panel and achieved the chic and put together look Caitlin and her mother wanted . We love that she said that Jerell made her feel beautiful. Lastly there was Korto’s design, a modern dress and jacket look, which would be perfect for any young grad entering the workplace and equally as appropriate for Medical school interviews. If she had any doubt about whether her look would be cohesive the expression on the judges faces should have put her at ease.
Ultimately, Joe was elminated and Jerell won both the challenge and a TRESemmé ad in Elle Magazine. Come back next week as we get closer and closer to the final three- and bid nowto take home a piece of runway inspiration with a sketch from your favorite designer!
We shouldn’t relish in the designers’ anguish but we we can’t help ourselves! As soon as Heidi told them there were special guests, we saw each and every one of their hearts drop down in their stomach. Lucky, or unlucky for some, the guests for the challenge were the eliminated designers from the season. Naturally the first question we had, and are sure you the fans did as well was: ‘How are they are going to pair them up?’. Would they let the designers pick? Of course not! That would be too easy.
It was interesting to see designers confess who they wanted and who they didn’t want. We found it a sorted twist of faith that Blayne would get Stella after he teased and teased her about her “leatha”. Terri hoped one minute she did not get Keith only to have Tim announce a mere second later that they would be paired together. Korto was pleased with Kelli and was confident with her design capabilities, as was Leanne with Emily whom she hoped she would get.
If having to choose whose astrological sign would serve as muse for their designs wasn’t quirky enough the designers were thrown a curveball when they received a note inviting them and their models to the Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space . Naturally stress ensued and the designers arrived at the Planetarium both anxious and fearful at what would happen next. Surprise! The Planetarium was filled with old designers from various seasons of Project Runway including season 1 winner Jay McCaroll, and Season 4’s winner Christian Siriano and designer Carmen Webber, as well as Daniel Vosovic and Kara Janx of Season 2. At the end of the night the PR alumni voted on their favorite piece and gave the designers some input on their pieces that could help them on the runway.
We were not surprised that Kenley, Terri, Blayne or Suede ended up in the bottom. Kenley and Wesley’s piece was not avant-garde but rather over-the-top and just as “costumey” as Tim warned. Which is precisely why Leanne and Emily were skeptical about her confidence. Of course, Kenley got defensive again on the runway and swore her design was inspired by Aquarius regardless of the judges comments. Terri disregarded all input by Keith and ended up making a piece that was totally “her” but looked cheap to both her partner and Nina. Blayne and Stella’s piece was whimsical as expected but failed to wow the judges; especially Micheal who delivered one of our favorite lines of the show when he said: “She’s pooping fabric!” Finally, rounding out the bottom four was Suede and Jerry who delivered a bland ensemble which left the judges wanting more.
The top four designs were simply brilliant. Leanne and Emily’s Scorpio design was strong and innovative and perfectly embodied the sign. Korto and Kelli made a beautiful flowing chiffon gown for Aquarius that actually looked like water floating down the runway. Joe and Daniel made a ruched gown that represented fiery Aries, and Jerell and Jennifer made a long gown of mixed sequin and plaid fabric with a jacket to match to represent Sagittarius.
Alas, Blayne and Terri were eliminated and Jerell snagged his first win by impressing both the PR alum and the judges with his design.
