ProjRun Rewind: S01E01 - Innovation

The very first episode of the very first season of Project Runway!  Things are new, Heidi is extra stilted, Micheal Kors looks fresh, Nina Garcia is cool as ever, and Patricia Field lends Sex and the City cred.  We're off to a great start as the smallest number of contestants ever (!) flood into Parsons, New School for Design.

I can imagine the anticipation of these twelve designers, as they were brave enough to embark on a journey without knowing what to expect from the relatively new world of reality TV.  Notably, that would become a character flaw for one of them.

Supermodels have all the luck.

Heidi meets the designers outside of Atlas, with their luggage strewn about on the New York sidewalk. Amazingly, she doesn't seem to have aged very much in ten years.  

This would also be the only season that would house men and women together in the same apartment!  How lucky are Wendy, Robert, Nora, and Kevin?  Hardly?  Very?  Regardless, it was the first and last instance in Project Runway history.  Once they all get settled, and we rundown a few of the contestants history/portfolio pics, the group returns to Parsons, where Heidi unleashes the first challenge, rather coyly.   

"The first challenge is about innovation, and we will judge you on that.  I want you to design a sexy, glamorous dress, for a night on the town." Heidi states, also noting that "Tim will take you to a store where all the designers go."  How fortuitous?  Heidi brings out the models, offering the helpful tidbit that model selection is ever so important, as "a model can make, or break, your outfit."  Quite the truism.  I wish every season started with a model selection, as it helps to establish the girls, while putting the designers in charge of their own fate (somewhat).  

Why is this not a part of every season??

To cap off the day, the designers, models, Heidi, and Tim make their way to the top of the Atlas Apartments, where the most amazing thing happens.  Heidi leads a convoy of models across

a NYC rooftop!  So, with designers acclimated to their work and runway spaces, and now with models in mind, they are finally off to Moo---... oh wait, no Mood yet.  That scamp Heidi left a particularly interesting contingent out of when explaining the challenge.  They are off to Gristedes Supermarket!   Thankfully, the sound department helpfully syncs in some Psycho-string sound effects, because the look of utter terror on the contestants faces weren't enough.

Quelle horreur!

How will our industrious designers fare?  Will they all buy tablecloths?  What can you get with only $50 at a New York City supermarket? Find out in the next posting!  Or, you could go to Google, Wikipedia, bloggingprojectrunway, or any other source of internety news to find out... but they won't come with my judgey judge judgement. 

S13E01 - The Judges Decide, pt. 2

So here we go again, only eight more designers to sort through.  Hopefully this page wont go on forever, but I love my rambling posts and runway pictures... and it's America, so I'll exercise my freedom to do such.

Back to the runway!

JEFFERSON

 There is not much to like about this look.  The shorts are too blousey, which is not a descriptor that many woman wish to associate with their high-wasted Daisy Dukes.  The top might have been cute if there were some sort of print derivation in the flaps (panels?), but coulda, woulda, shoulda.   There is very little in the scope of flattering design in this look, with shorts that purposely widen the hips, and asymmetry with no sense of self awareness.  Had the shorts fit well, he might have skirted by.

My Scorecard: 1.5/5

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EMILY

I did not like this one.  There is something so very dated, over worked, and boring about this look.  In theory, it could have been a stunner, but the blue dress seems so cumbersome, while this vest-like corset adds an uninteresting print, that doesn't flatter the waist or butt.  Are the shoulder's purposefully asymmetrical?  Somehow I doubt it.

My Scorecard: 2/5

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HERNAN

There are abbreviated points of interest, and Hernan manages to make this homely print look somewhat young.  I like the asymmetrical shoulder (and it's done purposefully!) However, this is a conundrum of a look, as it is also a bit forgettable and hoochie at once.  In almost any other print, it might have worked better, but this feels forced and hammered together.  While it looks well made, the model doesn't exactly look comfortable.  A solid middle-ground entry. 

My Scorecard: 3/5

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KORINA

I have a love/hate relationship with this outfit.  I love the neck, hate the attached cape.  I love the hark to the 70's and Halston chic, but hate that belt.  The look, overall, is well made, but not exceptionally young or forward thinking.  Nevertheless, I am interested in seeing more from Ms. Korina. 

My Scorecard: 3/5

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KRISTINE

I rather like this ensemble!  It is young, casual, and sort of chic in once.  The crop top is not going away just yet, and this is a sporty rendition of it.  The skirt is flattering, moved well, and has pockets!  I especially like the look from the back.  While the fabric choices may not be the best, it is a superb example of using fabrics to bolster a design, rather than conflict with one.
My Scorecard: 4/5

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AMANDA

This was another fairly good entry on the runway.  While the top may have been too long, coming precariously close to looking like a dress over pants, but it is well made and holds strong visual interest from the front and the back.  The pants are exceptionally well made, especially up close.  While the triangle cut-ins are somewhat awkward, they appear symmetrical and well placed.  The model looks lean, tall, comfortable. and chic (even if I am not as wowed by the hair as Nina).
My Scorecard: 4/5

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FÄDE

I loved this look, and was surprised it bypassed the judges on the runway.  The mix of prints is inspired, the cut is flirty, but fun.  The white overlay on top is just enough to elevate the look to a place of sophistication.  It looks exceptionally well made too!  I look forward to more from Mr. Fäde, even if typing the umlaut ä will get old quick.  (Sorry, I'm a selfish American)
My Scorecard: 4.5/5

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CHAR

 

The last look on the runway was another stunner.  The mix of print and solid, pastel yellow works surprising well together.  The skirt is the perfect length, has optimal swing, and is utilitarian with said pockets!  The top is sexy yet conservative, drapes well on the model, and leaves just enough skin to not seem heavy or overwhelming.  Looks great from the front, back, side, in motion or stationary.  This would have been my winner.

Mr Scorecard: 4.5/5

S13E01 - The Judges Decide

Project Runway is back!  And the Judges Decide!  As opposed to every other episode?  Whatever.  Heidi, Nina, and Micheal Zac are here to narrow down eighteen designers to fifteen, and I wonder, couldn't the producers/judges/whomever do this before flying everybody in?  I guess it's a way to introduce everybody to the audience, but if you watched the "Road to the Runway" or myriad videos available on the Project Runway website, you are already familiar.  That doesn't mean I know any of their names (yet), but we have weeks and weeks (and weeks) of eliminations before we get to anybody important.

Red Robin Hostess.  Table for three.

 So we get rid of three of the contestants before they can make any sort of impression (beyond tacky), but who knows, maybe they'll be back next season like Gunnar.  Conspicuously, "fan favorites" Alexander, Amanda, and Ken do not have to appease the judges to come back, and frankly, I would find that much more entertaining.  Regardless, the fifteen designers, plus one fan favorite, get to take on the first challenge... to once again let the judges decide. And that fan favorite is .... 

Yes, that pic is from S13, not S11, she just looks exactly the same.

Amanda!  Who kind of sort of was screwed by being on the "Teams Season / Season 11" so I can at least side eye her back into the competition.   And her welcome back challenge is... TEAMS!  No just kidding.  Its actually a straight forward assignment, create a look for your hypothetical Finale collection, inspired by Spring (next year) and using the mystery fabrics in your ominous black boxes.

Why's it gotta be black?

Tim states "Each trunk contains five fabrics of three yards each.  And not all trunks contain the same fabrics."  He then encourages the contestants to beg, borrow, or steal... before begging them not to steal.  Which side are you on, Tim?  Apparently, he isn't on the side of fashionable accessories, because the designers are offered the assistance of the "ALDO styling wall."  Let's see how that works out...

I will try to contain my hatred of Aldo's "customer service" for this season.

So the designers are off to work.  Create a spring look, using your assigned/bartered fabrics, in one day.  The fact that some of the contestants look shocked irks me.  This is season 13!  They work, fret, design a little bit too.  Tim comes in, likes some people, is covertly bitchy to others, uses the word "staccato," you know the routine by now.  Some of the fabrics look god awful, but hey, its a challenge!  And America collectively fast forwards their DVR to the runway. 

Heidi elaborates the never ending prizes, furnished mostly by Red Robin?  Yes, fashion staple Red Robin. 

Michel Kors after plastic surgery, Just For Men dye job, perm, and suit shopping outside the mortuary department.


Ms. Garcia, if you're nasty.

Foolish actress admits to missing one season of Project Runway in front of its host/producer, never heard from again. 

Gets this reaction.  I love Heidi. 

 On with the clothes already!

SANDHYA

Sandhya starts the show with a hmm.  She took the homeliest print and made it semi-modern by gradient dying it.  The cut of the dress is interesting, save the shoulders which could be avant-garde if they didn't look like they were made by Santino Rice.  The zipper treatment on the back is awful and the frayed hem/sleeves irk me.  Still, it is impressive that she took this floral print and made a dress that seems young at heart.  It is also a powerful look to debut to the judges and to start a show. For that, she deserves some credit for nerve.  

My Scorecard: 4/5

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ANGELA

Oh Angela! (/Tony Micelli voice).   This has ideas, I can give her that much, and the color combinations are not atrocious.  The pants though ... that fit is awful, however, I kind of like the idea of side cut outs.  If only she didn't overwork every inch of fabric on the shirt, one might have been able to appreciate them.  (And if the slits weren't so slutty, thanks Nina!)  The top might not be so bad if it didn't have that sash appendage that hangs to the model's thigh.   

My Scorecard: 2/5

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ALEXANDER

It's youthful, cute, kind of fun in the swing of it all.  But I just am not crazy about this floral peice on top.  I guess it adds some visual element to contrast the B/W dress, which would have been deathly boring alone, but does it justify such an awkward cowl?  And without that element, its a pretty standard pregnancy dress.  Doesn't make me want to gauge out my eyes, but doesn't leave a lasting memory either.  

My Scorecard: 3/5

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SEAN

In theory, I should like this.  The colors are great, its minimalist, geometric, cut at flattering length.  But its also very wrong.  I cannot stand this diamond/triangle shape he has going on in the front which does nothing but extenuate the model's hips, make her midsection look wide, and her chest look miniscule.  Had the shape been inverted, to give a more hourglass illusion, he might have scored a win, but this shape makes it look like shes sporting a giant Free Mason symbol. 

My Scorecard: 2.5/5  

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CARRIE

 This one I liked quite a bit.  It has great shape, the print, while busy in itself, isn't overwhelmed by the cut, which cleverly used cut-outs to minimize the amount of print is actually shown.  The hips, while not necessarily flattering on wide-hipped women, look phenomenal on the model.  Is this a new shape or design?  Not quite.  It strongly reminds me of Leanne's Lexus dress, but for the challenge, it is a stunner.

My Scorecard: 4/5

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SAMANTHA

Another sash-appendage look?  This one is hard to wrap my head around.  In many ways, its striking, yet boring.  Young, but aging.  The all-black look stands out in the sea of dated prints, but doesn't look like an outfit anybody would want to wear.  Had the pants been wider cut, longer, and that sash simply cut off, she might have had a contender.  Looks well made though.  But that head wrap is a big no.

My Scorecard: 3/5

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MITCHELL

This is not good.  Like any red blooded American (who was born in the 80's), I too love 80's exercise wear, but that doesn't mean it's Fashion.  This is what you would find at the end of season sale at H&M, that the associate found mangled under some heavy Z-rack, shook out the dust bunnies, and rehung it the best they could, considering its missing one of its clear hanger straps.  Ignoring the fabric choices, this is just so bleh, in cut, concept and execution.

My Scorecard: 1/5

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KINI

Like Mitchell, Kini made clothing, not fashion.  This is something that could be found, well, anywhere.  Unlike Mitchell, it at least looks well made and wearable with only the scantest of side-eyes.  The jacket is a throwaway piece (which the model clearly knew), but without it, it is the most basic of ugly printed dresses around.  The length of the hem is also a bit troublesome, as well as that belt.  But hey, ALDO accessory wall?

My Scorecard: 2/5 

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For those keeping track at home, we are half-way though the seemingly never ending first episode runway!  Come back for part two later!