Showing posts with label Project Runway Season 9. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Project Runway Season 9. Show all posts

Friday, September 16, 2011

Project Runway Season 9 Recaps: My myLifetime.com Recap for Episode 8-- "Double D Drama"!!!


No Fatties and No Big Breastssss...and little original talent!


First Things First, Project Runway Season 9 Designer Olivier "Madonna Accent" Green Doesn't Like Big Boobies or...

Men who are not Man-o-Rexic (like the one seen above--"thicker" Vivienne Westwood model (and bodyguard) Sergio Lo Re)

Oh poor skinny Olivier. Last night on Project Runway Season 9, the kids (and Bert!) had to work with CLIENTS. At first, they thought it would be MEN--as the episode began with Heidi bringing in nine men of varying sizes, onto the runway stage. This is were the GASPS of "Oh No Child, I ain't working with the 'Fatties' " came out of Olivier's lips. Soon, though, it turned out that the designers were creating looks for the men's girlfriends/wives. And here again, Miss Olivier was having issues not knowing what a Double D meant, because that was his client's bra size. Oh Bless His Heart! As I say in my Recap (beginning at the end of this POST), he has BPB, Body Prejudicial Behavior , and it needs to stop.

Malin Akerman, actress...NIKOLAKI runway Model???

Actress and Project Runway Judge Malin Akerman (above center) and Model Malin Akerman (left and right images) at NIKOLAKI Fall 2003 Runway Show

Yes, kids, last night's "Guest Judge" was the beautiful actress Malin Akerman, who back when David and I debuted our NIKOLAKI Fall 2003 Collection 8 years ago at Los Angeles Smashbox Fashion Week, was one of our runway models!! And did a fantastic job, I may add!


Now, Let's Get To The Fashions:

This simple black dress--straight out of Ann Taylor or Nordstrom--WON. It was "Mean Girls" Joshua McKinley's design. It was made well and fit his client to a "T".

Again, it was a very simple design--consisting of a CIRCLE SKIRT and a Princess-seamed bodice--but he was praised for. Whereas his fellow designer Bert Keeder--who also did a simple sellable design--was not, and in fact ended in the bottom. I don't get it.OK, so he added the wide Horsehair trim at the hem--but...that's not so original, take a look:

John Galliano for Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall 2008

My Favorite was:

Viktor Luna's colorful, quirky, stylish look. I still do not know how he did not win. It was fashion-forward, extremely well made, and styled so right that it looked as if it BELONGED to her!!!

Another design that ended in the Top was Anya Ayoung Chee's one shoulder printed high-low gown/dress with a modified "kimono" sleeve. The judges LOOOVED it! It was as if it was the "Next Coming of Fashion Christ!". Not so much in my eyes. I know the client liked it but I was surprised it garnered such praise from the judges. Now, what I could imagine is...

If she was a Miss Universe contestant touring the nightclubs in São Paulo, then yes, totally, this is HER DRESS! It was very Beauty Pageant "Evening Gown Competition, the What Not To Wear" edition (see gowns above).

Kimberly Goldson's design for her client was um, TIGHT. As in fit. Kimberly seems to love doing those too-tight mini's. It's "her thang" I guess. I just don't know if a mini was the right choice for her client. But I did like the top's draping. Interestingly enough, she seemed to have been doing a completely DIFFERENT dress when she first began working in the Parsons Workroom:

I kinda like the one above better.

Now, back to Body Prejudicial Behavior Olivier: His outfit was a MESS! Somehow he ended up safe and in the "Middle". He should have been in the bottom with this badly-fitting pants ensemble. That too-tight one-shoulder top is SO NOT for a 40-something year-old woman who has Double D breasteses. She looks like one of those "Real Housewives of Orange County" sans the tan. Plus, Bert created that was well constructed and flattered his client but was penalized for basically doing the same thing week after week. In my eyes Olivier mad a poorly constructed garment and does the SAME THING week after week!

But the Worst Was:

Pepto Bismol Cocktail: Contestant Bryce Black created this pink sheath dress with too-low stylized outside pocket, straight out of my Helen Joseph-Armstrong "Patternmaking for Fashion Design" textbook from FIDM. The seams were all puckering and it looked very amateur. Another casualty of a person whom I feel was too young and not ready to be on Project Runway. Bryce was barely out of school for goodness sakes! Get some training, some years under your design belt and then do the show...He gives new meaning to the phrase "Not ready for Primetime"!!

And now...Here's My "Nick V" myLifetime.com blog for this week's Episode:


"DOUBLE D DRAMA"

Last night was the 8th episode of "Project Runway" Season 9. And Bryce was OUT …Yes, I just told you how it ends. Why? Because the editors ruined it for me too: The episode was barely 30 seconds in when Bryce laments that he’s never won a challenge — and in fact, has been at the bottom several times —and is wondering if he's the “Weakest Link.” Um, Ya Think So??? I immediately exclaimed (in my loud voice), “He's GONE!!” (Thanks, Editors). Oh, and did I mention Joshua won? Yep. Sorry to ruin that for you, but right as the nails were being pounded into Bryce’s "Project Runway" coffin, “Orange-ua Joshua” was stating how he was in a “Much better place today” ... Seriously, RIGHT AFTER Bryce. Thanks, Editors, Part Deux.

Body Prejudicial
Now that I got that out of the way, let’s talk about the rest of the episode. The nine remaining designers (can we just get to the Top 5 PLEASE???) are sitting there as Miss Heidi Klum brings in what they think involves their next Challenge: nine men. Immediately, the Gay Claws start coming out as several of the designers don't want to pick “the Fatties” (Yes, I am talking to you, Madonna British Accent Olivier!). Jeeeesus! Now even the men have to deal with what women have been dealing with for AGES from these “kooky” Fashion Designers; it’s a syndrome I call BPB, short for Body Prejudicial Behavior, and this group has it in spades...

Click HERE to read the rest of my Recap--and be sure to leave me your Comments!! I read ALL of them!!!! (of course!!!)

Link

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Project Runway Season 9 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Finale Runway Show in NYC!


DEEEEEESIGNERS...

Prom Photo: Heidi Klum and Nick Verreos, Project Runway Season 9 Finale Runway Show, Mercedes-Benz NYC Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Last Friday, the day after I had to host a FUN Fashion's Night Out and Project Style Event in Charleston West Virginia, I flew to NYC--on a 6AM flight, arriving at 8:00AM--for a very important business meeting I had to attend in Manhattan at noon. Now, I cannot divulge the details of that "very important" meeting but let's just say that the meeting went well, thank you very much! In addition (by coincidence), I had been invited to attend the Project Runway Season 9 Finale Runway Show at Lincoln Center as part of the Mercedes-Benz NYC Spring 2012 Fashion Week. The show was at 9:30 AM that same morning. I am "Fashion Superman" so time to "Make It Work".

Le Judges: Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors, and L'Wren Scott

Like I said, my plane arrived at 8:00AM, then I took a car to NYC where I hit upon trouble: As in TRAFFIC! Not just any traffic, but Manhattan Traffic. It took ALMOST TWO HOURS from the time I arrived in Manhattan to get to Lincoln Center to the Fashion Show! Crazy. Eventually, I got there at 9:45AM. The show had not started yet and so I took my seat--and padded down my I'm-not-going-to-make-it sweaty brow!

Prized Ticket: My Seat Assignment, Project Runway Season 9 Finale Runway Fashion Show Lincoln Center

I won't divulge any DIRT (you can go check the web-o-sphere for photos of the designer's final collections and/or wait until the Finale Episode airs) other than Heidi Klum looked AMAZING in a Michael Kors black sequined jumpsuit and that the Guest Judge was none other than L'Wren Scott--Mick Jagger's statuesque partner and Go-To Designer for Fabulously Tight red carpet cocktail dress and gowns. Nina Garcia looked FLAWLESS (also in Michael Kors), I may add. Besides saying a quick "Hello" to my favorite blond, Miss Heidi, I also ran into several past Project Runway Alumni, including:

Bag Ladies: Nick Verreos and Project Runway Season 8 Finalist Mondo Guerra--and their respective Man Bags, Mercedes-Benz NYC Fashion Week Lincoln Center

Nick Verreos and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper

The Designers Showing at NYC Fashion Week (Clockwise from top to bottom): Laura Kathleen, Bryce Black, Bert Keeder, Anthony Ryan Auld, Kimberly Goldson, Olivier Green, Anya Ayoung Chee, Joshua McKinley, Viktor Luna

The Project Runway Season 9 Finale Runway Show consisted of the NINE Designers still on the show--still on TV, that is, even though they have filmed the entire season up to the Top 3, I believe. In other words, if there are THREE Finalists (like usual), we had to see six "Decoy" runway shows. Hope that all makes sense, if not, sorry...you'll figure it out in due time. I have to say that my FAVORITES were (sit down!): Laura Kathleen (she didn't do "Kentucky Derby" Rich Women Doing Lunch!), Anya Ayoung Chee (Very "Korto-meets-Uli" Resortwear for Kim Kardashian!) and Anthony Ryan Auld (liked his deigns, not so sure of those wigs and that one hat!). I have no idea who the Top 3 are, but those are my "Nick Pick's".

Nightcap Reunion: Season 7 Designer Ben Chmura, Season 8 Designer Peach Carr, Nick Verreos, Barracuda NYC nightclub, Chelsea NYC

Later that night--after the show--and my business meetings, I had a delicious dinner with friends and then went to Barracuda NYC for a "nightcap" where (wouldn't you know it!), I ran into a couple Project Runway kids: Season 7 Designer Ben Chmura and Season 8 Designer Peach Carr. We had lots of fun DISHING on the morning's show and who were our faves. But soon, it was time to go: I had to leave to get a little bit of sleep before I caught my 7AM flight back to Los Angeles to host a Project Style event in Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California the following day. I heard there was a fun "Project Reunion HP Party" on Saturday night which I missed (because of the event I was hosting back in CA) and that all the designers in attendance received an HP Computer. Oh well...

PS: Hey HP: Uncle Nick LOVES HP!! :)

Monday, September 5, 2011

Project Runway Minute: TEN Designers left on TV...but the Project Runway Finale Fashion Show is THIS Friday in NYC!!!


WHO. Is. Not. Going. To Show. In. NY Fashion Week...this Friday????


NY Fashion Week is upon us! And so isthe Project Runway Finale Fashion Show

Hope everyone had a relaxing Labor Day Weekend!
Now, it's back to Fashion...and of course, discussing my Favorite Show Project Runway!

*As you may also know--if you're a "Super Fan!"-- Mercedes-Benz NY Spring 2012 Fashion Week begins this Thursday September 8th (on "Fashion's Night Out" Day!)
*The invitation-only Project Runway Finale Show is this Friday, September 9th--same as last year--to the date!
*Now, the whole season has been already shot--and mostly edited--up to the Top 3 (or 4--sometimes there's that extra designer for a "twist")
*But--in "TV Land", as of last week, there are still TEN designers left.

The Four Stars: Michael, Nina Heidi and Tim

* Which means, that after Thursday's episode--where we assume one more designer will be gone (although it could be a Double Elimination!)--there will still be NINE.
* So, NINE designers will get the opportunity to show at Lincoln Center NY Fashion Week since they wouldn't want to "give it away" by just having the "Top Three" Finalists show (then why watch the rest of the season!) This has occurred for several seasons where the "NY Fashion Week Calendar" unfortunately didn't coincide with "TV Time".

Project Runway Season 8 Winner Gretchen Jones' Finale Collection, NY Fashion Week Spring 2011

* I did the math and that means that if you make it onto the show (usually 16 designers get picked), you have a 56 % chance that you'll be showing at NY Fashion Week. Lucky them!

On a similar note: Maybe Heidi needs to change the Intro to (Pretend the Project Runway theme Music is playing) "NINE Deeeeeeeesigners will get To Show at NY Fashion Week...but only ONE will actually win the $100,000 Prize and title of Project Runway Winner!"


So, My Question For This Week Is...Who Do You Think Will be Showing on Friday? Nine will show, in other words, Who will be "Auf'ed" this week by Heidi and not show his/her collection:

Anthony Ryan? Anya? Becky? Bert? Bryce? Joshua M.? Kimberly? Laura? Olivier? Or Viktor?


The following, to me, are the designers most in jeopardy (in alphabetical order):
A) Becky--according to "Mean Girls Joshua", she's not really a "Style Icon"
B) Bryce--poor thang has been in the bottom A LOT, or
C) Olivier--who is just loosing steam by the minute! If he does one MORE gray ensemble, I will SCREAM!
I think one of them (hopefully TWO!) will be going home--and not get the chance to show their collections along with the other eight designers...
Who do think? Let me know below in the poll!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Project Runway Season 9: Episode 5 Nick Verreos Recap: Mean Girls Edition!!!



Mean Meaner and Meanest



Last night's Project Runway Season 9 "Teams-and-their Captains Challenge for Heidi!" episode was a DOOZY! I know I have said this before, but seriously, it was a DOOZY! What ever happened to a show that was about THE FASHION!!?? Oh no darling: Last night, it was all about who can-be-the-biggest-bitch and cause the most drama, and yes, get the most "TV Attention". Before I let you go to my MyLifetime.com Project Runway BLOG to read my RECAP of this week's episode, a few things...



Forgive me, but...I Had To Do This:



Mean Girls Queen: Project Runway Season 9 Villain of all Villains, Joshua McKinley (middle) working her "Mean Girls" pose...in her pink pleated mini and bubblegum pink pumps!



Reality TV Land crowned a new Villain, Joshua McKinley, as well as a Sub-Villain, Bert Keeder. Joshua M. was cruel to the point of disgusting with his "teammate" Becky. Yes, he did apologize, but PUHLEEEASE, only after the realized "Oh Dear! I'm gonna come off REALLY bad on TV...maybe I should dial it back a few notches and 'pretend' apologize...and make sure the cameras follow me when I do it!!"



On the subject of Bert: Bert Keeder was one to LOVE in the beginning of this season, yet it didn't take long--briefly 4-5 episodes, which BTW, that's ONLY like 7 or 8 FILMING DAYS in "real time" kids!!!--to become a nasty bitchy queen. Oh Berty...



Also, The Boyfriends Are Back Together!



FIDM's Debut Student, Joshua Christensen, got another chance after he was "Auf'ed" in the beginning of the season--to join the contestants and continue onto Project Runway. His boyfriend, Mean Girls Queen Joshua M. was very excited to see him but more excited was Joshua C. He smiled and hugged so tightly, you'd think he had been deployed for six months to fight in Afghanistan and had finally gotten off the ship and saw his pregnant wife!



OK, let's talk about the "fashion":



"Team Joshua M"'s basic tank dress was one of the two winners last night. I get that it is very sell-able and all, but seriously? This dress is already at Forever 21: And has been there FOR A WHILE...all Team Joshua M. and Anya (who made it) did, was slop this neon athletic ribbon/trim on it:



And VOLIA! It's FASHION!!!! Not...



A few I liked:



Viktor Luna's cropped motorcycle jacket and purposely wrinkled gray jersey dress was great! Very Alexander Wang. Modern, sporty and (God forbid!) also Fashion-y.



Bryce Black: Barely out of design school and perpetually-in-the-bottom Bryce, did quite well in this challenge! Good for little Bryce. Professor Nick gives him an A!



The Worst:




Anthony Ryan Auld: Oh HUNEY. WHERE. Is. This. Girl. Going?!! She's broke, decided to leave College (cause she couldn't afford it) and is now going back-packing through Eastern Europe (it's cheaper!) by herself! Those romper-diaper-shorts were very Mahatma Gandhi. But the difference was, Gandhi's actually look more CHIC!



Olivier Green: Poor British-accent boy from Ohio and his creation. All she needs is a bonnet and a buggy and she will look right at home at an Amish farm in Pennsylvania.



Danielle Everine: I had high hopes for Danielle. I really thought she was going to be that "Silent but Deadly" contestant, in terms of her creations and really be this season's Leanne Marshall. But nope. She just loved doing green chiffon blouses. As a result, she went home.



And now: Here's a "Taste" of my MyLifetime.com Recap for this week's Episode. And as always, I would LOVE to hear your "Two Cents" and what you thought of Mean Girls Joshua, Bert, and everything else!!!





"Mean Girls": The Parsons Edition




Five things I learned from watching last night's episode:


1) Joshua M. is mean. OK, he's downright CRUEL.

2) Bert is also mean, but in a Bitchy Old Queen sort of way

3) Mean and bitchy gets you places … at least on "Project Runway"

4) Reality shows LOVE a villain ... or two!

5) A basic tank maxi dress can win in a fashion design competition! Who knew?



After last week's "Dress Nina la Diva" episode, the remaining contestants woke up only to find boxes in their Atlas Apartments. I started to get the shakes, as this reminded me of my Season 2 "Figure Skating/Make a Costume for Sasha Cohen" Challenge, when we received boxes of snap-on body suits and leggings to wear during our ice skating outing. Oh happy times! No figure skating for these kids; they were going to the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory. Heidi and Tim were there to tell them that they would be working in four teams of three....



Click HERE to continue reading my Mylifetime.com Blog.



Thursday, August 18, 2011

Project Runway Season 9--Episode 4 "It's All About Nina" --Nick Verreos MyLifetime.com Recap!



What Would Nina Wear?




Last night, on Season 9 Project Runway, the remaining designers had to create a look for Miss Nina Garcia, Style Diva, eyebrow-arching judge of the show, and of course, Fashion Director of Marie Claire. The results were, well, a bit Not Nina, but before I give you an Amuse Bouche of my MyLifetime.com Weekly Recap, I have some thoughts:



Would You Like Some Mustard with That Pencil Skirt: One of the contestants, Just-Learned-How-To-Sew Anya bought some mustard-colored silk fabric to make Nina her design. She was chastised for her color-choice by Nina--who asked "Do You Have a Plan B?" and Michael Kors who confidently stated "Probably the LAAAST color on the PLAAANET, that she would say ohhhh, give me that!"



So, Anya decided to change it and well kiddies, I went back into the "Nina Photo Vault" and found a little proof that Nina does wear mustard/yellow hues...and looks quite good in them.



The Top
:

Anya: Speaking of Anya (who dyed her mustard fabrication into this olive/mud-looking color). Her design ended up in the Top 3 mainly because I think Nina was impressed with her ability to find a solution to her mustard dilemma. Sorry, but I really don't understand how this was in the Top. Really? Nina is going to wear this to the office and then to a cocktail party?! With that belt? This is better for a Jr. Marie Claire Assistant who's 23.



Viktor: Very nice dress. I give him props for really thinking about his client (seems as if most of the others DID NOT) but as Michael Kors said "It's a little now and Nina is about what is the next thing". It also looks VERY Kim Kardashian...



Kimberly: She definitely deserved the win. Totally Nina. She LOVES pants. She loves BLACK pants and the gold directional top is great for a billboard and editorial.



The Middle of the Pack:



Olivier: Sooooo Olivier. And so Nina (if you changed the pants to black). But it looks like one of the suits he brought to his Casting. But DUDE (did I just type "Dude"?): Add some color why don't you? Step out of your comfort zone, just once.



Anthony Ryan: He could have been in the top for me. If he had done black pants (here we go again!), I think he would have nailed it. Also, interesting how he self-analyzed and realized in his commentary that he hadn't pushed it quite far enough. This boy is going to the Finale ferrrr suuuuure!



Becky: Actually a very cute dress. Not totally "Nina" but it is well designed and well contructed. Safe.



Bert: Chic and impeccably made. It was just kinda BORING. Yes, this would be at a Macy's Dresses Dept, like tomorrow! BUT: Hello, this is a DESIGN competition! Bert needs to stop phoning it in. This will be his dismiss for sure.



Joshua: Really girl?! On Nina Garcia?! Since when is Nina going to see Lady Bunny DJ'ing at Club 57 in NYC? Clearly someone who has a hard time combining the UBER chic aesthetic of their client with their own style. Once again, this will do him in.



Laura Kathleen: Oh huney. This is SO Laura. Not Nina. I can see this at the St. Louis Magazine's Annual "A-List" party but not in Manhattan's Hearst Offices and then to a Fashion Party at the new Dream Downtown NYC. Nope.



The Bottom:

Danielle: Boy, she really got it wrong this week. This is Nina, after popping one too many prescription pills for depression. Yes, the green color is very IN this season, but well, not in this style of a blouse. And the wide hip-slung waistband pant. I think I did a pant like that for my NIKOLAKI line back in 2003. Just sayin'



Bryce vs. Cecilia: Bryce's Wonky-hemmed dress (and what's up with those really BAD armholes?) vs. Cecilia's one-shoulder cocktail look. Both are NOT Nina, and not so well made (Bryce's is WORSE!). I'm still perplexed at how Bryce didn't end up in the bottom--other than at least his somehow could be (a little) more appropriate for "business". I guess.



Bye Bye, and Thank You For Flying "Julie Airways":



A Coat-Dress. Yes. It's the LATEST thing! Didn't you hear? She looks like she's about to serve my warm nuts and Bloody Mary as I sink into my Business Class pod seat on a plane!



The color combination is so easyJet (right) and the styling is so Richard Tyler for Delta Airlines (left). Go figure.



And now: This Week's Recap:







Do You Have A Plan C?



Designing for a client: a rite of passage every fashion designer — amateur or established — must go through. The circus is gone (thank goodness), and this week it's all about designing for a REAL client: Nina Garcia. The Legend. The Diva. Born in Colombia to a wealthy importer (Wikipedia!). Attended an exclusive boarding school for girls in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Holds TWO bachelor's degrees, from Boston University and FIT, and (if that's not enough), she also attended the Ecole Supérieure de la Mode in Paris. Oh, and did I mention the woman has enough style and class to fill two football fields in Texas? ....



Click HERE to continue reading my myLifetime.com blog



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