I can honestly say that I am not really a huge fan of this season of Project Runway. I have said before that I really miss the excitement of the first few seasons, where the designers were challenged to create dresses out of flowers, merchandise from Hershey Park, things found in a supermarket, design looks for Banana Republic, give one of the designers a makeover where you showcase their style and your design ascetic. THESE are the Project Runway days that I miss. Now it is filled with lame challenges, backstabbing, and whiny b1tches who cry because Tim tells them to rethink their directions. I have a few words for the current designers: GROW A SET! Do you think that Anna Wintor is going to hold your hand or pat your back while you cry because they don't like your dress? Fashion is a competitive business and it changes all the time. Yes, you have to be true to yourself but you also have to go with the trends. While you CAN be a trend setter, you have to be willing to go out on a limb and risk being ridiculed for that. I'm sure things weren't always easy for Michael Kors, Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Chanel, or Alexander McQueen and yet they all have managed to make lasting impressions on us all. Even small town girls from southern Virginia.
Now, on to the actual episode. I was really excited when the episode started. This week was a team challenge, and those usually have all kinds of drama, more challenging challenges, and usually really show us what the designers are made of. Unfortunately, this team challenge left me wanting. Since Michael C was the winner last night he was allowed to first choice in a team member. Then April's name was drawn from a bag as the first member of the second team. At this point each person chosen picked the next member of their team. Team 1 aka Team Luxe consisted of Micheal C., Gretchen, A.J., Andy, Christopher, and Ivy. Team 2 aka Team Military/Lace was April, Peach, Michael D., Casanova, Valerie, and Mondo. The most interesting thing is that all of the challenge winners were on Team Luxe, while Team Military/Lace was made up of designers who have been consistently in the bottom three. Now, here is my problem with this. I don't believe in allowing the contestants to choose their own teams. I think things are MUCH more interesting when all names are drawn from a bag and assigned randomly. But that's just me.
THE CHALLENGE
The week's challenge was for each team to design a six-piece collection which would showcase an upcoming trend. Each team got to choose their look and also a fabric inspiration. Which brings me to my second problem. By allowing teams to choose the look/fabric inspiration they are allowed to pick items that they are comfortable with. Or at least flat out reject themes that are not part of their normal routine. I don't personally think that's challenging. That would be like one of you to challenge me to wear eyeshadow every day or to read a book over the weekend. It isn't a problem! Now, if you were to ask me to incorporate maroon eyeshadow into my daily make-up routine, that would be a little different. I digress, Team Luxe chooses to design a "Menswear for Women" collection with "camel" as their fabric inspiration. Team Military/Lace (obviously) decided to create a military inspired collection with lace accents.
INSIDE THE WORKROOM
The action inside the workroom wasn't really blog-worthy. The most exciting thing that happened was that Casanova had a complete breakdown where he wanted to quit because Tim said that his outfit looked "Old Lady." This isn't something Casanova hasn't heard before, but apparently he decided that with five other people depending on him he would not finish his garment. After multiple pep talks and a phone call to his auntie, his team mates and model were able to coax him back to finish his dress. During the coaxing Valerie had a particularly great zinger with "Casanova needs to put his panties back on and finish his dress." Casanova returned to the studio and promised his team mates he was back. He also had some words of comfort for himself, saying "I guess I design for sluts and old ladies." Sadly, these were the only two great lines in this episode. Usually there are many more *gigglesnort* moments for me when I watch this show. With little to no other drama in the workroom, I was a little bored and spent much of the episode looking longingly at "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins and wishing I was lost in Panem instead of watching this show.
THE RUNWAY
I wasn't really overtly impressed with either team's collection. Team Luxe's collection was more cohesive, but many of the pieces looked like the model had overslept and just grabbed something off of their boyfriend's bedroom floor and rushed to Parsons. I know that a lot of times menswear inspired collections are composed of slightly over-sized pieces, but I felt like Team Luxe went a little too far. Also, I missed the cute details that menswear inspired collections have. There were no neckties, no mens watches, I don't recall seeing boots on the models. A.J. put an ascot on his model, but it was completely lost in the horror that was his "men's size 3X button down with the sleeves rolled up and a belt around it" dress. There were some really nice pants and one blazer that could have been good if it were a little smaller. Actually that's how most of the collection was, if it hadn't been SO over the top it may have worked.
Team Military/Lace was ALL lace and very little military. Personally I don't think that tassel=military. They certainly help get the point across, but I don't think that it is possible to make a super cute v-necked top and add tassels to the shoulders and call it military (Mondo.) I was really disappointed in the lack of military inspired jackets. The lace tops were COMPLETELY SEE THROUGH! I was horrified. I understand that lace is not opaque, but you need to put a nude liner underneath it. One nude bra does NOT make an outfit acceptable, Michael D! Modesty really is a virtue. I really did love Peach's outfit. I thought she absolutely shined in this challenge. Her high waisted skirt with brass buttons paired with her LINED lace top was spot on. Casanova's outfit was decent. White skinny pants with brass button detailing down the side and another mostly sheer lace top was what he managed to produce.
JUDGING
Team Military/Lace were declared the winner of this challenge and were praised for their accents and attention to detail. The judges were also impressed that they managed to showcase their individuality in the collection. Some of the team members were asked who they thought the challenge winner should be and Valerie and Mondo both said CASANOVA! I was completely and utterly disgusted. First, he tried to quit the competition and go home. Second, you had to take time away from your own work (both of which received some questionable comments from the judges) to talk him out of his funk. Third, his outfit wasn't really stellar. The judges did ask Casanova who he thought should win, and he had the decency to say Peach. The judges dismissed Team Military/Lace so that they could deliberate.
Before facing the judges Gretchen rallies her troops and has them pinky promise that they won't turn on each other and that they will support the vision of their team. I guess afterwards whoever was left would meet up to braid each others hair and whatnot. Team Luxe grimly filed out to face the firing squad and at first, they really did stick to their promise and didn't throw anyone under the bus. Gretchen gave a rousing speech to the judges about how they had decided as a team not to sell each other out, that they had formulated their designs together, and worked together 100% to complete the collection. She then asked the judges to base their decision on who the designers are and what they have seen so far. The team remained united as the judges criticized the fabric choices and discussed how the collection had no individuality. The judges also talked about how GIGANTIC everything in the collection was. Eventually the judges forced the team members to name their weakest link. Everyone but Michael C. (who wasn't asked) and A.J. (who said all he could say was that he did not stay true to himself as a designer) named Michael C. as the weakest team member. The judges weren't happy that everyone picked the Michael C. as the worst player, even prompting Heidi to say "It's always easy to blame the one person who can't go home." Eventually the disgusted judges sent Team Luxe away so they could decide who to send packing.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
Winner: Casanova. I was NOT happy with this choice. I thought that Pearl's outfit was more military inspired and her lace was MUCH less tacky. I realize that the judges aren't necessarily aware of what goes on during the design process, but I think that it is terrible that someone who was willing to walk out on their team is deserving of a win and possible immunity in the next challenge.
Loser: A.J. Poor A.J. I really didn't expect him to get far in this competition, and his outfit was atrocious, but I think it's awful that he was the only person who admitted he didn't represent himself and he was also the only person who didn't point the finger of blame at a team member. I think that his integrity alone should have earned him a chance next week. Gretchen stated she loved their collection, then stated that it was a hot mess, she convinced everyone to be united, then turned on another team member. I don't like Gretchen, I don't particularly like her designs, and I certainly don't like the way she played A.J. in this week's episode.
BITS AND PIECES
I felt really bad for Michael C. after the judging session. His team mates slaughtered him in front of the judges. Not once during the creation process did any of them offer him help or tips on how to improve his work, yet they were willing to toss him to the wolves. He was genuinely upset that they other designers were so mean to him. I was really glad that the judges stood up for him on the runway, something that doesn't happen often. I think this episode will make Michael C. because he will have to prove himself next week.
Rarely does Tim comment on the judges decisions; however, this week he had PLENTY to say to the members of Team Luxe. Tim told the team that he was ashamed that they let Gretchen steam roll them all, and was disgusted that A.J. paid the price for that poor decision. I don't remember seeing Tim that angry before and I have watched almost every episode of Project Runway that has ever aired. I was really glad that he called Gretchen out and I was in no way fooled by her teary vlog afterwards about how she was trying to do her best.
I was also REALLY unimpressed with Ivy. I liked her when the show started, and I thought she had potential. However, as the show goes on her snarky attitude has grated on my nerves. This week took the cake though, when she did a vlog about how Tim was right and Gretchen did screw their team over. Ivy was one of Gretchen's biggest supporters. Actually, Team Luxe was behind Gretchen one hundred and seventy percent. They were so Team Gretchen that it wasn't funny. None of them bothered to contradict her and even when other team members tried to add ideas (Michael C.) they were ignored in favor of Gretchen. I don't really feel bad for Team Luxe for losing, I think they needed that wake up call. I do feel bad that A.J. was led like pig to slaughter and was forced to take the fall for his team's bad choices.
I'm really sorry this is so long! If you made it this far THANK YOU! Also, have some virtual cookies! A lot of things about this episode bothered me and I just felt like I had to get them out.
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