ratbones?!

So in this episode the designers were making outfits out of random bits and pieces of cars. There were some interesting bits and pieces, but i think the most important thing about this episode was the fact that Stella's boyfriend goes by the name ratbones. it is too perfect, and i did not and still do question the fact that they are perfect together. Ratbones. so good.







casey- Korto's swing jacket turned out well. I don't think she rally planned for the the seatbelts to drape that way when she wove the seatbelts together, but she got lucky and it worked for the coat. it is pretty and does not look cheap. I'm glad she took off the length of the sleeves so the silhouette doesn't eat the model.







Casey- Leannes dress won. the fabrics work well, i like the top alot and i like that she has used different fabrics through out her designs on the show. she always had some kind of structured shape to her pieces, i dont really like the horned hips look, i cant imagine this shape being flattering.





Casey- Suede's design is kinda interesting, i like the skirt no one else really uses this fabric. he played it semi safe, he knew that the silver could pull the outfit more toward bad Halloween costume and less fashiony. but i think the line of the skirt could have gone up more, the weight of the top is a little too overpowering, i think more shine would have been beneficial. i still do not like asymmetry.






Casey- Stella tried jumping out of her leather comfort zone with minimal complaining. I applaud her for doing so. i can see where she was going but the top and the bottom do look like they are from two different outfits, she needed to gel the two together more. personally, i wish the whole dress would have gone more towards the design aesthetics of the bottom portion it would be super classy outfit, and she could still keep some stella-esgue pieces, like a more form fitting top and the laced up parts





Casey- Terri's designs always are some kind of variation of a pantsuit. i don't really have much to say about her design. mostly just a shoulder shrug.









Casey- Blayne went against his neon instincts on this one, and once again i am happy to see some of the designers getting brave and trying new things! i like the idea of the loose belts of the skirt, the proportions could have been tweaked here and there. and the draping of the woven seatbelts didn't not work in his favor for the top, the shape created is definitely best used in a stiff wide silhouette like korto, the seatbelts are not form fitting when woven they are deff more boxy. the glass added some sparkle to break up the monotony champagne color, i think the mirrored pieces were too big. if the top was tailored to her, the skirt shortened, the size of glass could have been downsized as well and the whole outfit would have been a home run. but i liked where his head was at even if it didn't turn out, and the fact that he tried something new is what really makes me see the could have or should have been's of the dress in a positive light. there was a funny bit when Heidi had mentioned the bad luck for breaking the mirrors for the dress, and how she related back luck directly to not having sex for years. hahaha. oh Heidi.






casey- Jerell's dress is ok. i like the skirts, the seamlines have reasons to be there, they look like they belong there. the leather and the spandex work together to give it some interest, and it doesn't scream nightwalker, don't get me wrong it does, but its doesn't look as cheap as it could have. the top on the other hand is a different story, i feel like the shapes on the top were just plastered on last minute. the trim on the top of the bodice works, the random piece in the center realllly bugs me. if you wnat diff colors make it princess seamed and do full pieces of the bodice, this just seems last min and lazy. once again i get that they want to impress judges with diff shapes and stuff, but the pointy hip parts can not be flattering on people.







Casey- Keith, maybe it was how the edited the show maybe not, but you sir were the jerk of the season. you were mean, snappy, grouchy, and the stupid bandanna thing you ALWAYS wore was stupid. Now from the front of the the dress and from far away this looks ok. but as soon as you got close to the outfit it really was a hot mess, nothing was level, the slit in the hem one side was longer the seams weren't staying together, your model has to sit to get her hair and makeup done. so why would you think it was a good idea to put her in a crooked skirt that is following apart at the seams and tell her NOT to sit. why is it falling apart its a blouse and a simple skirt, it's a basic piece to construct. i can see making the choice to stick with simple with little time to work, but if you are going simple it needs to be really well constructed. the one thing that bugged the hell out of me the most was when he told his model to WATCH HER BREATHING when she was in the dress.?! really keith?! really?! there are somethings i thought were pretty basic in a n outfit in general let alone ones done by designers on proj runway, you know things like seams staying together, and being able to breath, maybe my priorities are out of whack. lets hope not.






Casey- Joe Schmoe.... oh man. well. it is not falling apart which is good. the lines of the colored parts aren't flattering i think they should follow the bodies shape, and it could have worked with the models body. the dress is kinda sack like, meh. and i am not digging the whole stomach or lower ribcage baring piece, not really sexy, just kinda awkward.





Casey- Kenley, the square toed witch shoes are back and i still don't like them. Kenley used some different piece from the cars which i gave her props for. the pieces all work together. as a whole it was ok, not bad, not great, ok.


but really how long are people going to last on just ok, this ocean of ok designs seem to be this entire season in a nut shell. normally ok gets kicked out in the first couple eps, but since everyone just seems to be ok people are hanging out much longer with these "ok" designs.

i don't think i said ok enough in that last mini rant.

The Fall of Keith

So, in this episode the challenge was to create an innovative look from the innards of hybrid cars. As to be expected, you see the mass of designers all in a frenzy trying to gather 'useful' materials from all of the various cars, and Stella cuts in with an 'I'll stay put and not look rushed' attitude, and gathers her leatha.

From the start of this episode, I had a pretty good feeling about it, with the exception of everyone using seat belts. But, some key points from this episode:

- Stella actually tried to step it up, and we saw that she actually realizes she simply recreates the same outfit every challenge.
- Kenlee likes finding anything as an excuse to bitch and moan (Okay, your model dropped out. Seriously, do you think she did this to screw you over?)
- Korto does the usual large silhouette, and it actually works.
- Blayne is off the radar. Again.
- Jerell should NEVER be in charge of hair and makeup on his models.
- Suede is... Suede.
- Keith... is a drama queen.

and last but now least, we find out Stella has a boyfriend named "Ratbone."

gold.

So, Kenlee's model bails, she cries, and no one 'gets' his designs, so Keith cries. Basically he tells us he's decided to simplify them so that the judges can understand them. Great idea, Keith. While you're at it, why don't you tell Tim Gunn that he has a bad sense of style. What you're saying makes about that much sense.

By the time the runway show came, just about everyone's outfits came together smoothly, with the exception of (tadaa) Keith's. He gave DIRECT orders to his model to NOT SIT DOWN. As it turns out, the silly girl did, and tore a hole in the dress. This is a KEY POINT in the episode, because every viewer, including myself, knew at this point what was going to happen at judging. And it did.

In the end though, I think everyone learned that Leane is a secret weapon. Yeah, she got a few designs a little off, but she really pulled through with this. The silhouette was gorgeous, and the thought outside of the box with the seat belts to create a really great looking garment. Terri also pulled through, her model looked really great and I really enjoyed the pants that she made. Ditto for Korto, you actually pulled through with your wideness.

On the down side of the judging, Blayne, Stella, and Keith suffered the wrath of the judges. Blayne was just being Blayne, Stella tried too hard and consequently looked like she didn't try enough, and Keith blamed the model and judges for all of his shortcomings. Sounds like someone's got a complex.

So, we said bye-bye to Keith, who whined about having to go back to Utah (um... move?), and got pumped on Leane. I think it's about time that I picked a favorite, maybe 2 because this season is so incredibly unpredictable, but I'm going to go with Leanne or Terri. In third and fourth place I've got Jerell and Korto, in no particular order, and not because I particularly like either. I just think that their short stints of genius according to the judges will carry them further.

Until next week.

drama queens

Ok its late again but really its the same story. Ok listen up, it pretty much set in stone. this season is boring, the designers have a random line here and they but i have no favorites. I don't particularly like and of them. their designs are ok or ugly never any more than that. lousy and disappointed this season for sure. I mean REALLLY guys you dress DRAG QUEENS this week there is no limit on the crazy, the tacky, the drama. THE SKY WAS THE LIMIT !!But everything was boring expected same old same old but a different body. there was no glitz no glam . just a big sham....



And I think I can truly deserve the title of self-proclaimed WORST blogger of all time. I'm so sorry things haven't been up to date- I haven't even kept up with my personal blog for a while! Agh! Needless to say all of this will change. If not tomorrow, then the following day. A new day job and a whole lotta night job is taking up so much of my free time and mental capacity. And really, this season isn't doing much of anything to keep viewers sticking around, unless you have the sheer devotion to the show or host/panel/etc. Sigh.


-Kay


casey- daniel put a prom dress on a drag queen. why not put a paper bag on miss America and send her down the runway. seriously now. no fun. no over the top design, color style. it says prom court 2008.







casey-please refer the the post where kayleigh and i compared blaynes designs to the made for tv movie zenon. bc this is basically the same out fit. it is blayne the wings are different they didn't fair well on the runway but there is far worse.












casey- so this is kenley trying old Hollywood. these women live for the glamour the loud shape colors styles the take it and put it wayyyyyyyyyy over the top and rock it. and the designers give them basics stuff nothing awe inspiring. oh hey look feathered collar. whatev. still not impressed









casey- so most of the designers have the same bag of tricks some of these bags only have one trick in them like Keith's bog of tricks is only full of scrap and remnants shoddily plastered on a basic dress. can he even sew?! this looks like cruella devil if she stepped out an 80's rock video and into a paper shredder.








casey- jerell had some diff colors. but the proportions don't do a thing to make it sexy feminine of appealing in general. everyone needed more glitz, seriously as a costumer who kinda prides herself on knowing how to glitz and sex up a stage this episode was soooo disappointing and almost painful.











casey- the ladies wearing these all had very strong personalities. which were supposed to be enhanced and magnified through what they wear on stage. this one by joe was one of the only pieces that did this i think. and it hides the "candy" and creates a shape that they wanted. baby had back in this jumpsuit. very few people can pull this off period man woman what-ev, she rocked owned this outfit. still wish there were more color though, kinda elle woods in the navy.....










casey- it's diff. teri created something unlike any of the others the sleeve construction was on point. but there is so much white. come on color? sparkles? bueller? bueller?








Casey- suede had the difficult diva of the group, she was kinda condescending and rude, but got put in her place later on. good. tim helped suede lay down the law. come on guys for realzies R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Do NOT piss off the person designing, creating, and responsible for your look, it will come back to you, and trust me when i say this you do not want to be on our bad side if we are the ones helping you to look good on stage. any who this outfit works and fits her personality well. after she got off the high horse and the pin cushion out of her ass, she realized wait. he does know what he's doing, and she did look fab.








casey- leanne does structured stuff. we get it. i don't think it looks like the ladies personality. still not wearing my impressed face.








casey- stella does snaps, black, stereotypical rock plaid. once again doesn't look like its the woman's personality so much as Stella's. meh.







casey- at least there were some theatrics in this i liked it best, it created the drama with the shape, but it still worked to rock and bring out the proportions need. you can rip off and twirl the skirt. the red grabs the eye, there is an artsy twist with the flamey corsage thinger. still not as over the top as it could have been but still compared the the rest. soooo much more interesting! not bad korto.

welcome to the jungle

Sorry this post has taken so long things have been crazy. But lets get into it the goal of this episode was to create an outfit for a character in the TV show the lipstick jungle, it needed to be an outfit that can be worn to kick butt in a conference room and be worn out for a night on the town, and there was mention of a boho edge as well. the character is a well off, high powered, and fashion forward business women played by Brooke Shields. They all pitched their designs to Brooke and she picked 6 she liked and the designers were split up into teams of two, which was like watching kids trying to pick dodge ball teams, team leaders trying not to hurt feelings, but worrying the hell out of the kids who are among the ones picked last. I am getting pretty stoked on the costume design challenges and it's looking like there are more in the near future, they look pretty ridiculous, and hey chris will be back from last season, which i am looking forward to as well.







designers: kenley and keith

Casey:this was the winning dress. it doesn't bug me as much here in the picture than it did when it was on the runway. I am realllly realllly glad they did not use the small floral print for the top, it wasn't a terrible print but would deff have not worked in the final garment. Tim knew this and let them know. Now I am gonna let a little secret slip here. Really there is a sure fire way to get to the top 3 if not win the entire show designers....LISTEN TO TIM GUNN! he knows what he's doing and his tips are gold, have you seen any of the other seasons? on our last shopping excursion Kayleigh and I both expressed an admiration for high waisted skirts. and it can look great if worn correctly and paired well with the correct top. but this is more empire waisted but the shape of the skit looks like it should be for a skirt at the natural waist line (which is the same as the high waisted skirts that are around lately) something about it throws the look off a bit for me. I am a big fan of the pretty brown. I still think that jerell's was a little more lipstick jungle esque








designers: suede and terri
Casey: so terri did her usual flouncy top and pants combo and complained about it the whole way and pretty much blamed suede and looked like she was ready to throw suede under the bus. but the bus stopped and tim liked it, in which case she pulled a total role reversal and was happy go lucky and acted like she never doubted her own genius....hm. it's boho yep, but doesn't scream office apparel to me.








designers: blayne and leanne

Casey: this is way to casual for the office. i think the character might would be more likely to wear it to the beach than to work. i like the color of the blue tank under the blouse. I'm glad blayne took the blow and stood behind his work saying of the two he should go bc it was his design, but there was a bit of a tantrum when they questioned his taste. and i am pretty certain you could find any of these pieces in a local mall, which isn't what the judges want.








designers:daniel and kelli

Casey: this was way too vixeny for the character. not that the character isn't sexy, just not this brand of sexy. i was bummed to see kelli go but i can see why she went i guess. the fabrics and the style came out more trampy than everyone thought they would have, the construction is pretty shabby too. Daniel has this high taste supposedly but the guy can't even spit out a pencil skirt?! you can see my confusion if not...
pencil skirt = classy
pencil skirt = basic and pretty simple construction
therefor the skirt should have been done quickly and efficiently and been classy.
but daniels pencil skirt = crooked, sloppy, ill fitting, and therefore not slick in any way.
his bff on the show LAUGHED at him when this was brought up, ouch. I wish he would stop looking like he is going to cry all of the time. that might help.







designers: joe and korto

casey: this is too much ethnic flair, yeah korto i know that's your thing. it looks like a mix of winter puffer bomber jacket and a sweet potato. but the shocker here....no wide leg pants, instead we have a poor fitting unappealing nude dress.







designers: Jerell and stella

Casey: This one was my favorite, to me it seemed best fit to the character it was designed for. it looks like it could be worn to a meeting and worn out as well. the leopard print fits the lipstick jungle theme but doesn't look too cheap, and the yellow leather piece really adds a lot to complete the composition with great contrasting color and texture. way to apply the leather working to fit into the design, stella was content. maybe a jacket for the office would have sold it more to the judges.

Tanorexia?!

Okay guys, so we're into the 4th week of the season. Can anyone really tell me what's going on?! There are absolutely NO standout designers. I talked to Casey about this earlier, I feel like it's easier to pick the designer you don't like rather than one that you do, and after the 2004 election this was a feeling I didn't want to revisit.

The designers aren't wowing anyone; or, if they are, it isn't a good wow. We have witnessed some of the absolute worst designs this season! What is wrong with you designers?! Why can't I have a favorite one of you without having you disappoint me, yourself, and then getting kicked off the show the following episode?

I also think it's a bit ridiculous that the judges are just letting some designers slip by every single week. Namely, Keith, Daniel, and up until this week, Jennifer. Keith has, in my opinion, put out some of the least cohesive designs in terms of what the challenge was. They are by no means strong, but somehow he manages to just slip under the radar. Last weeks dress? Looks like you forgot to make it and just slapped some scraps together. Daniel? You are never ready for the runway show! And you always use some sort of shiny that inevitably looks tacky and unfinished. Stella and Korto, that doesn't take the pressure off of you two though either. It's getting boring watching you re-create yourselves and your styles every single week, in a different color (except you Stella. Way to be consistent).

Now on to Jennifer. I'm sorry girl, I was rooting from you from the beginning because you're from my hometown (even if you refuse to admit it.) You have made the cute doll outfits weeks 1-4, and unfortunately that caught up with you. One would have thought you could recreate the American Girl Doll by this point, but you missed the red, white and blue memo. I liked her clothes, with a few exceptions, but cute styles. Unfortunately the show doesn't focus on one design aesthetic, and the winner ultimately needs to be versatile. Which, is kind of bad luck for a whole lot of you guys. Oh, and you're... a surrealist? You said they couldn't handle your surrealism when you were kicked off. I think I'm just going to let that thought go here. Because I'm surreally confused by that.

Right now, I'm just enjoying Blayne complain about tanning (and come on, he is a little funny), Stella talk about leather, Suede talk about Suede, but that's really about it. Terri and Leanne and Kelli, you are my girls as of right now. I may even put some hope into Jerrell, but let's not speak too soon.

There's always next week to change your mind.

we are looking for uniforms that represent 'merica and we get "if your sport is drinking it's a good dress"

So for this episode the challenge was to design a uniform for the US Olympic team to wear in the opening ceremonies ( the uniforms are also the same for the closing ceremonies, and are what the teams wear around the village). No the winning garment for this challenge is not the uniform they actually wear at the ceremonies this year. The actual uniforms this year are below, and if you couldn't tell simply by the sweater vests, they were designed by Polo Ralph Lauren . Apparently the Olympics take place on a yacht this year.



Casey's Notes on this ep: This episode really was pretty boring to me. I would rather design or watch people design dresses, gowns, and the like. Uniforms aren't fun to watch. As usual Stella made me laugh with her rock and roll quote, "plenty of bikers watch the Olympics" that was her defence haha. Blayne may have fried skin and brain cells in the tanning booth but it is funny to watch him go through withdrawal, he acts like he is going to shrivel up and die, with out nuking himself soon. Tim Gunn's reaction was the same as my own when he did not get the Sgt. Pepper reference, that one hurt my soul.ugh. I am listening to the Beatles as i type this.





designer Leanne

Casey: to start off my own vision on what the uniform should be in between two places but not to much of either side, we want some gym teacher in there, the Olympics kids, athletics is key, but we are representing out country so we have to look slick, but not pompously so. this is one of my favorites out of the group. its got the athleticism with the shorts, but a crisp fabric to keep it sleek.I'm not a huge exaggerated collar fan personally but it still says USA with a little class and athleticism in there.

Kayleigh: I am with Casey on this one, I like this outfit. And to take this further, I actually like the exaggerated collar. Especially seeing how many designers chose horrible options for neckwear in this episode, I thought hers was appropriate and patriotic. Leanne is pulling ahead for me again.








designer: Stella
i really dislike the GO GO dancer bellybutton keyhole thing in the top. the black didn't look as terrible as i thought it would. but this says more futuristic biker than opening ceremonies. but it does show an athletic side and not just straight biker. she is trying. shes complaining the entire way, but shes trying.

Kayleigh: Hm. It looks like there's some sort of space challenge at this year's Olympics.
Stella is increasingly more and more frustrating to me, primarily because although this week she has managed to alter her design aesthetic, she is still doing very much of the same thing week after week. Bo-ring.









designer: Terri
This one was my favorite. as usual i would have toned it down a bit. the scarf is a little to frou frou for me. i love the pants, crisp sharp, the pin stripe piping at the sides adds some athletic flair. i like the jacket, it's tailored really well, and looks great with out being too country club. i liked the mix of patterns through the whole outfit. I'm not sure a tube top would be the best top, i would have stuck with a basic shell. but way to rock the separates Terri, and she cranked out all the pieces in no time.

Kayleigh: I'm a fan of this one too. I feel like there's a lot going on with all the different patterns and textures, and how low does that top go?! seriously... But yeah, go Terri. Two weeks in a row. Yay, you!







designer: Suede.
Casey: i think this is cute. too cutesy i think for the uniform, but still cute. the skirt i think is a little to cheerleadery in the cut but the top is great. clean cut sharp, with an athletic edge to it. not bad compared to some of the rest. it looks a lot like the skirt that got the boot, but the fabric and colors say USA and that's what saves it. i blazer would have helped, but not everyone is up to the skill level of cranking out lots of pieces. to each their own.

Kayleigh: I feel like Suede out-Sueded himself a little with this one. It's veryyy cheerleader-ey, and I think the fabric choice of the skirt made it a little too much for the challenge. I agree, another piece would have been nice.









designer: Keith
Casey: i like the effect the striped fabric had when it was gathered like this. i don't like bubble skirts but this one has appeal. does it look like an opening ceremony uniform to me, not so much. but the colors work.

Kayleigh: I like the skirt, a lot actually. But... the challenge? What was it again? He got the yacht memo, though.










designer: Kelli
Casey: colors work. but this is too vintage. the designs were supposed to me modern day, for this years ceremonies. the polka dots are more holly home maker than, pro athlete.

Kayleigh: So cute... so not the challenge. I honestly feel like with the exception of Joe the challenge could have just been "We're going to be making a calendar spanning the 1900's, everyone here has the month of July, go make it work!"









designer: korto
Casey: this one was one fit the bill better than others i agree. it won. the pants are formal enough and the fabric is great. there is the athletic bits with the vest. i wish there were a sleeve though. and i wish she would make something besides a simple wide leg pant, this looks like her last look in a white pretty much.

Kayleigh: Are any of the judges really looking at designers portfolios as the challenges go on? It's getting a little predictable here. Stella? Tight and leather and studdy. Blayne? Asymmetrical and slightly off-kilter. Daniel? Always a little on the tacky side with a touch of "not quite ever finished "looking." Korto? Wide silhouette. I don't like this, though I haven't liked any of her outfits. So much of the same, and I do NOT think this one should have one.









designer: kenley
hm. no red. and this is a great look for a secretary. but there is no athletic anything to this. eh.


Kayleigh: Good think you had immunity, huh Kenley?

...but I'd wear it.






designer: blayne
Casey: AHG! so much asymmetry this season. ick. it is athletic in certain aspects and the colors are patriotic. this is really 80's to me. is Blayne the boy George of project runway? maybe.

Kayleigh: What was that tv show on nickelodeon where they had a bunch of kids up in space? Anybody? and there was that girl with the rainbow hair? I think he took this from her closet.


this may not be the show you were thinking of, but Zenon Girl of the 21st century...tv movie for disney from 99 (wow was it really that long ago!) looks like it could be some of blayne's handy work... haha

designer: daniel
casey: i knew the fabric and color wouldn't be the royal blue he wanted on the runway and he should have known as well. know the lighting your pieces are going to be under guys! the right or wrong gel and angle can and will completely change the color of a garment!!! and since i really doubt you have any correspondence with the lighting design team here, you have to got to work around it. color and lighting aside, that alone could not have helped. this is a cocktail dress from the 60's . does not scream Olympian...i don't think it even whispers it.

Kayleigh: NOT BLUE. NOT OLYMPIC. NOT...PRETTY.









designer: jerell
casey: please refer to my vintage rant from earlier. inspiration people take from it, the woman is ready to play shuffleboard on the Titanic, she is not thinking gold medal at the games. at least he listened to Tim and fixed the stripes on the skirt to make them vertical, so the model doesn't look like heavier shuffleboard player.

Kayleigh: Not appropriate for the challenge, but I'd love to play shuffleboard on not the Titanic. In this. But yeah, it's a bit on the 'too much' side.










designer: jennifer
casey: ???????? she got lost on the way to a tea party and some how ended up in a challenge meant for modern Olympic athletes. there is no USA any where here.

Kayleigh: SYRACUSE... come on.








designer: joe
casey: it says 'merica for sure. it is athletic sure. and it will look good on athletic bodies. but the length on the front of the skirt is terrible and throws the whole composition of the outfit off.

Kayleigh: I really liked this one. Not so much on a personal level, but the dude knew what he was doing (well, with the exception of perhaps the proper way to execute the "skort"). Totally should have won over Korto.

Ode to Emily

Here is a link to Emily Brandle's clothing line Smoke and Mirrors. It's got a lot of cute little things that you didn't see in her collection during Project Runway like big buttons, loose-fitting dresses, flirty silhouettes. Check it out. We will miss you!!