More Project Runway!
Episode 5.12 “Nature Calls”
Episode 5.11 “Rock ‘n Runway”
Episode 5.10 “Transformation”

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Hurricane Ike has come and gone. Houston now has power for the most part, but many are still without cable, a necessity almost as crucial as power. This makes for no television (except for the rabbit ear TV set in one bedroom), and definitely no fun shows! My favorite Style-Television show as of late had been The Rachel Zoe Project. I know there’s no real story to follow, so when I do get to catch up on the show it will be fine, but how I miss the vintage shopping sprees, the mindless fights between Brad and Taylor and poor Rodger trying to keep up with the Zoe.

If you know what’s going on with the show, or know anywhere online to see it, throw your girl a bone. I’ll be forever grateful!

More Zoe:
Rachel Zoe racks up the vintage preview clip
A review of Style from A to Zoe
Rachel Zoe discusses her style tips and fashion icons

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Why the CW decided to postpone the premiere of their new show, Stylista is beyond me. It was originally slated to premiere the same week as cycle 11 of America’s Next Top Model in September, but for whatever reason was pushed until October 22nd. Maybe there are only a few episodes on order, so the show will be a winner for November sweeps? Who knows, but either way, I know I’ll be in front of the tube watching these junior editor-hopefuls claw their way to the top.

Press release after press release promises a viscous character that is pegged as one of the most evil reality show villains ever. Not sure why this is the only selling point, as Anne Slowey’s sad impersonation of Miranda Priesly is stomach wrenching to even watch in the preview clips of the show, and I’d think that was the thing CW would bank on. I’m hoping the show isn’t as fake as it seems in these clips, but it’s reality TV so you never know.

What are you looking forward to when it comes to Stylista? The drama, the fashion? Anne trotting like a horse in her YSL Tribute heels?

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Photo: Brian Edwards/Pottle Productions Inc ©2008 Pottle Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Photo: Brian Edwards/Pottle Productions Inc ©2008 Pottle Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Kenley and her scales: the ones we love to hate!

Photo: Barbara Nitke

Catch up on Project Runway 5:
Episode 5.12 “Nature Calls”
Episode 5.11 “Rock ‘n Runway”
Episode 5.10 “Transformation”

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Original Air Date: 10/01/2008

The designers begin their quest for inspiration.

Photo: Barbara Nitke

Last week sent Suede home, so we’re down to only four designers! Korto, Jerell, Kenley and Leanne and it’s really anyone’s game. As long as this week calls for a ’50s dress from Kenley, of course.

The Challenge

Heidi tells the gang that Tim is waiting in the lobby and they’re about to go on a little field trip. Off they go, and Kenley is feeling nervous that the challenge is going to take her out of her comfort zone again. Jerell tells us that they get off the freeway and head to the Botanical Gardens. Collier Strong, head creative designer of L’Oreal Paris tells the designers they have to create an evening look, inspired by the gardens.

They have 30 minutes and are armed with cameras, to capture the inspiration. Leanne is frightened of the bees, but that doesn’t stop her from being inspired by lavender flowers.

The group heads back to Parsons and Tim gives them 30 minutes to choose the image that will inspire the design. After that, it’s off to Mood and two days to work on their pieces. At Mood, everyone is scrambling as usual, and the closing shot is of this black fabric, apparently already cut and ready to be taken. Does this belong to someone? I have a feeling yes…

In the Workroom

Korto explains she’s just designing what comes to her, as she doesn’t have anything specific in mind. It seems to be the same deal with Jerell and Leanne.

And here it comes? Kenley is missing a Mood bag. She’s missing the tulle she needs to make the bottom of the dress poofy. Apparently others have tulle they aren’t using, but no one is giving theirs up. Kenley decides on using drafting paper to fill out the bottom portion of the dress.

The next day Tim tells Kenley that she will be able to go to Mood to pick up the fabric she left, so she feels much better. Meanwhile, we see Korto stuff loads of peach tulle into a bag (that she easily could have handed over to Kenley, but who could blame her), but as she says, when you have an ugly attitude, no one wants to help you out.

Kenley is alone, while the other designers joke around, and Tim lets Kenley know that she can go to Mood. Apparently, being left out is something Kenley has deal with her entire life, so she feels OK with it. I can’t imagine Kenley ever being left out of anything; her big mouth usually ensures she’s the center of attention. She gets her tulle and gives us a bit of a sob story, and just when you sort of want to be on her side, she comes out with, “I have to be at Bryant Park, if I am…I’ll have the best collection there…ha.” Christ.

Tim arrives in the workroom, and likes the direction that Korto is taking. He gets to Kenley’s dress and comments that it appears to have scales, which he doesn’t mean in a good way, and she takes it in a very good way. Again, she could care less about Tim’s comments or opinions, so I’m not sure why he still bothers, poor thing. He’s loving Jerell’s dress, but I have mixed feelings about the bust.

Over at Leanne’s work space, Tim offers some clarification. She needs it too, as her nerves are getting the best of her.

Tim gives the designers a few heartfelt words, and it’s creeping into everyone. Everyone is becoming emotional over the idea of showing at New York fashion week (couldn’t someone have told them EVERYONE would show at fashion week?).

The day of the show, everyone is running around. Kenley makes us hate her more as she goes on and on about how none of the other designers have what it takes. Apparently, Leanne’s look “has been done,” but I guess floral print sheath or full skirted dress has? Whatever, Kenley.

On the Runway

This week’s guest judge? Harvey Weinstein’s (the show’s producer) squeeze and Marchesa designer, Georgina Chapman.

Korto- Good, but hardly great.

Leanne- Complex, and not super pristine, so I’m a little worried.

Jerell- Pretty, but still lacks something.

Kenley- Very nice, but doesn’t really read as evening. The belt throws things off for me, big time.

The Elimination

Leanne explains her inspiration, and says she wanted to recreate the structure of lavender. Georgina loves the dress, and Nina says it looks great, but the back is off. Korto says her flower had a lot of texture, so she used the lace. The silhouette is great, but both Michael Kors and Heidi say it reads as pageant dress. I can see that, but for me it just sort of drapes in an odd manner, and that’s what makes me dislike it. The skirt is full, but not full enough, if that makes sense.

Korto is in tears over these comments. Nina says while she doesn’t like it, she also feels it isn’t Korto, which I agree with.

Jerell talks about the shades of plum that inspired him. Nina says it’s the most youthful, but notices the same execution mistakes that I did. No one is a fan of Kenley’s scaly number, and call it old. Kenley jumps in before anyone can finish a sentence, defending her reject dress to no end.

OK, and until this episode,we really haven’t seen much drama out of the Project Runway 5 bunch. Sure, we all hate Kenley for her smug attitude, but other than that, the show has been pretty tame. All of that changes when Jerell is asked what two designers he would like to see with him at Bryant Park. After choosing Korto and Leanne, he goes into why he WOULDN’T want Kenley there and blames the poor ’50s dresses! BAHAHAHA! She interjects, but he cuts her off, telling her she’ll have her turn. Leanne and Korto both choose the same three for the tents, and Korto says her reason for that isn’t because of the designers that they are, but because of the PEOPLE they are (ouch!), which earns a severe eye roll from Kenley.

BTW, everyone sheds tears as they give their speech about why they should make it, but Kenley rolling her eyes down at the end of the line makes for laughs, despite the sweet words from the other designers.

Kenley would want Leanne and Jerell at Bryant Park because, “classic doesn’t put on a show,” which is what she feels is all Korto is capable of. Ummm…when was the last time Kenley saw a “show” at Bryant Park? New York fashion week is easily the most safe (and arguably, most boring) of all the major fashion weeks in the world. Classic (if Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, and Diane Von Furstenburg are any indication) is the only thing we see from the high fashion bunch at the New York shows.

After Heidi dismisses the designers, the claws come out in the waiting room. Korto tells Kenley that anytime she has to defend herself, she must feel the need to call Korto out.

In deliberation, Leanne’s lavender dress is winning everyone over. Jerell’s dress is liked by Georgina, but Nina is afraid his collection would be too messy to show at the tents. Korto’s dress is lovely, but they feel she got lost somewhere along the way. Kenley’s dress is hated, and Georgina says she doesn’t see any of her taste in this dress. I don’t see what was so difficult about this challenge? It’s a freakin’ evening gown! Couldn’t anyone have gotten it right?

Everyone wants to go to fashion week, and I honestly have no clue who’s about to get the boot.

The designers come back to the runway, and Heidi claims that only three will compete and New York fashion week. Cue the Bravo lies, for the third season in a row. What’s the thrill of showing, if it’s you, and five other designers? Heidi names Jerell the winner of the challenge and then brings the news that all four will be sent home to create collections, but only three (supposedly) will show at the tents.

Next week, Tim visits everyone in their hometown as they create their collections, and SOMEONE IS OUT! I promise!

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Original Air Date: 09/24/2008

Strike a pose!

Photo: Barbara Nitke

There are five designers left, and the goin’ is gettin’ tough. Sort of. For me, Kenley and Suede both have overstayed their welcome, so we’ll see who bites the dust. By this point, we know that PR allows everyone and their dog show at Bryant Park, so the real prize is…well, is there a real prize anymore?

The Challenge

Heidi greets the designers and the models are selected. A few switch their models up, but my favorite duo of Korto and Katerina stick together. They’re a match made in heaven!

The group meets with Tim, who tells them that this week, they’re designing…for EACH OTHER! What?! The designers will serve as both the designers and the client this week, and will be paired up. More than that, each look should be inspired by a musical genre that is assigned to the designer to use as inspiration. This the chance to show how music and fashion almost always relate to each other.

Jerell is designing for Kenley, Suede for Jerell, Korto for Suede, Leanne for Korto, and Kenley for Leanne. I can see this as being a difficult challenge for a myriad of reasons, but I don’t want to make any drastic assumptions (you know what they say about those).

During a brief hour, where the designers have a chance to meet with each other and discuss ideas, Kenley butts into Korto and Leanne’s conversation by asking if Leanne can fit into a certain pair of shoes. Korto brushes her off, but I have a feeling this is the first of many annoyed moments that Korto and Leanne will encounter in the coming weeks, unless the judges get Kenley out of there. One can dream…

Off they go to Mood to shop for fabric, and everyone seems to be playing it safe as they choose their materials. Korto has punk rock as her influence for Suede’s look, and Suede has rock ‘n roll for Jerell, so both of these have the option of going a lot of places. Kenley has hip-hop for Leanne, and Leanne has country for Korto. Jerell is probably the best off, with pop for Kenley. He plans on turning her into Kenley Spears, which sounds about right since she’s just as likable as the namesake pop star.

At Mood, Kenley reaches for yet another bright print. How she’ll incorporate this to read hip-hop, we shall see. Around the store, the other designers are playing it safe. Korto opts for a stretch denim fabric, while Jerell is loading up on fishnet and some silver.

In the Workroom

Leanne is going for a glam country look, and Korto is feeling an alter-ego named Shania Janks. ROFL! For Leanne, Kenley is doing a high-waisted pant, a floral blouse and a leather jacket, which looks cool, but definitely not hip-hop. She sees no problem with this, of course, and the other designers are just going to let her think what she wants.

Jerell is sexing up Kenley with a fishnet dress accompanied by diamond cuffs. For Jerell, Suede is making pants, a tank, and a patchwork vest. It looks good, but also sort of normal.  Once Leanne pulls out the cowboy boots that Korto will wear on the runway, Korto is totally feeling the country vibe. Meanwhile, Jerell has a mini-fitting with Kenley, who looks hilarious in her pop star get-up.

Tim arrives and thinks Leanne’s country look for Korto is a little too subtle. Korto thinks taking it too far will hurt her, so she’s keeping it safe, but Tim thinks it looks too basic. When he gets to Suede he’s feeling the same thing. After all, Suede has rock ‘n roll and he could get away with a lot, but he’s basically putting Jerell in his own clothes, just a little tattered. Tim makes his way over to Kenley and feels her idea isn’t conveying hip-hop at all. Kenley defends herself by saying she isn’t sending Leanne onto the catwalk looking like an idiot, and automatically becomes snarky. Tim doesn’t appreciate it, and neither do the other designers who have to see it.

Kenley isn’t listening to Tim’s opinion, so none of this really matters. I’m just hoping her attitude and her lack of depth as a designer send her home soon enough. Leanne isn’t on Kenley’s side, so I hope Kenley isn’t counting on her. Korto is working on her jeans for Suede, which fit him perfectly, but look too new. Korto’s bright idea? Bleach them! I guess because it’s stretch denim, it doesn’t take the bleach as horrendously as a pair of raw jeans, so there are these cool streaks of rust all over the pants.

The day of the show, Leanne looks like a fool in her hip-hop ensemble, but everyone is keeping their traps shut. After hair and makeup, Tim hardly recognizes the bunch, and Leanne is sewing up Korto as they walk out the workroom doors. Yikes!

On the Runway

The guest judge this week is LL Cool J. What the….yeah, I’m probably thinking the same thing you are.

Leanne- Nice, but the ties are throwing me off. We could have lost one.

Jerell- So pop, it hurts.

Kenley- Sort of costume-y. It’s just off.

Korto- This one reads the best.

Suede- Good, but tame.

Elimination

Korto explains Suede’s look, and the treatment that she gave the pants. It wins the panel over, and she seems flattered by LL’s compliments. For Suede, Michael Kors doesn’t think Jerell’s look has enough of a wow factor and needs more drama.

Jerell’s look for Kenley is loved by the panel, but Kenley’s own design isn’t understood by the panel. She tries to defend it, but the judges don’t seem to be buying it. Korto’s look is great, but again, a bit too simple. Leanne didn’t really take a chance on things and it came through in the outfit.

In deliberation, Jerell’s pop look for Kenley and Korto’s punk look for Suede are the front runners. As much trash as I talked about LL being a judge, I really think his insight is some of the most useful we’ve seen on the show from any guest judge.

Korto wins the challenge, and Jerell and Leanne are safe, leaving Kenley and Suede in the bottom. two. Suede has been there before, and Kenley’s mouth is just too good to get rid of quite yet, so Suede is sent packing.

Next episode: EVERYONE IN TEARS! Can’t wait! /evil/

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Original Air Date: 10/01/2008

Clark takes over and is sent packing.

Photo: Brian Edwards/Pottle Productions Inc ©2008 Pottle Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Challenge

It’s time for catalog modeling! Oh yeah! The girls are sent to a warehouse with cloths that are way too big on them, and Paulina is there to choose a winner. What was the challenge? The girls have to alter their clothing to the point that someone would want to buy it, if they spotted it in a catalog. Kind of funny, but it’s clear that Tyra and company are running out of ideas, so at this point, the challenge sounds about right.

Some girls do well, while others (Sheena, we’re talking about you) fail. And we know that Paulina isn’t one to glaze over this. After critiquing the girls, Paulina asks Marjorie what’s wrong. Marjorie is uncomfortable and overwhelmed, and Paulina is really sympathetic. Apparently Marjorie is from France or something? I guess I missed that. I think Samantha sums it up best when she says, “OK, get over it! We’re in America!” BAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHAA!!!!!! Gotta love that good ol’ American mentality!

Mckey wins the challenge, and also wins an extra 50 frames in the next photoshoot. Paulina’s sweet personality is infectious and I think it was good for the girls to see her in a “real” life for a bit.

The girls arrive at the house and the Tyramail says they are getting ready for a natural disaster-esque shoot. And a natural disaster is about to erupt in the Top Model house. Marjorie’s personality is driving everyone nuts, and I can’t blame them. She’s bringing down the entire house, and it isn’t helping anyone.

The Photoshoot

The girls are greeted by a fugly monster that looks like Predator and ends up being Jay Manuel. Yikes. He’s almost as scary as that on a regular basis, no? He explains that the girls should be able to come through in their photos. The photographer is Bryan Edwards, who has worked with previous Top Model shoots.

In hair and makeup, the girls are told that the hair and makeup will be an ode to the ’60s, which is becoming on most of the girls.

Lena is an earthquake and she does OK. Sheena is a little awkward, but Jay says she did fine. Lauren Brie is up and is supposed to be a snowstorm. I really am not understanding this shoot. It isn’t at all extreme, and is actually a bit boring. Joslyn is cute, but like the other girls, she isn’t really bring it.

Analeigh is a windstorm and hers is probably the easiest to work with because it actually moving. Mckey gets the 50 extra frames, and she’s a heat wave. Quick! Run to the mirror and model as if you’re a heat wave. What the…?! The shoot is almost as hokey as the challenge. Mckey blows Jay away.

Samantha is supposed to be a tidal wave, and she does great (again, because she actually has something to work with). I really love her energy, which is upbeat and positive, but not annoying. Marjorie’s disaster (besides her confidence)? A traffic jam. Now I’d hardly call that traffic, but the set is interesting, even if Majorie doesn’t know how to work her limbs. Does this chick’s voice bother anyone else? I simply detest it.

After the shoot, Majorie is whining to Samantha, who could care less!

Elimination

Clark is confident she isn’t going home, and Marjorie’s flinty voice can make anyone unsure of themselves. Just when she asks Joslyn, “How do you think you’re doing?,” poor Josyln doubts herself.

At panel, Tyra is donning her super slick bob again. I really hope she doesn’t wear this thing throughout the entire season.

Marjorie is the first up, and the panel is loving the image. Lauren Brie’s snowstorm shot is gorgeous and dark. Samantha is up next (she greets the judges with a sweet, “Hiiiiii!” LOL!), and her tidal wave image is amazing. Clark, who has been the front runner for a few weeks now, isn’t loved this week. Alena looks great as an earthquake, as Tyra says, “the definition of ugly-pretty.” Sheena’s sandstorm picture doesn’t do much for me, but the panel gives it a thumbs-up. Joslyn is criticized for not having enough energy in her newer pictures.

Paulina cracks me up when she says that Lauren Brie’s picture is all cheese. Ha! Sam’s picture wins everyone over, and Clark has torn Tyra, who can’t decide if she has it or not. Nigel sees something special in Sheena, and Analeigh concerns Paulina because she isn’t quite photogenic enough.

Samantha wins this week’s photo challenge and will have her picture displayed in the Top Model house as digital art. Analeigh is the runner-up, and slowly the girls are called, including Marjorie. I have a feeling Joslyn is going home…

In the bottom two? Clark and Joslyn.

I guess Clark’s confidence got the best of her, and she’s sent packing. That came as a surprise for me!

Next week: Alena sheds tears, and Tyra teaches the girls the art of the signature pose.

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Original Air Date: 09/17/2008

Joe’s losing design

Photo: Barbara Nitke

It’s the 10th episode and someone’s got go go home. Imho, Joe and Kenley have overstayed their welcome and hoping either (or both) go home very soon. These likes just can’t hang with designers like Korto and Leanne, whose designs prove to be innovative and incredibly well-made week after week. Kenley doesn’t care what the judges think…does she understand they’re the ones that will choose the winner? I wish someone would clue her in like that.

The Challenge

At Parsons, Heidi introduces several mature women. The designers are oh-so-pleased when they find out they aren’t designing for these women, but instead their daughters who are all recent college graduates. The request of their mothers? A head-to-toe makeover that will help the girls transition into working women.

Heidi assigns the girls to a designer at random, and we find out that the designers will have to please both the mother and the daughter in this challenge. There will be 30 minutes to meet and chat, then a trip to the fabric store.

Tim lets the girls and their mothers in, and we hear Joe blab about how he obviously knows nothing about women. Kenley loves her client because she’s as vintage-crazed as Kenley. Jerell is loving his girl, Caitlyn, who is so adorable. The final design is a pencil skirt, blousy top and cardigan. Laura, Joe’s client wants a jacket that works at work, but is still sexy. Uhhh…OK.

Overall, this challenge, at this stage anyway, seems like it’s going to be one of the most difficult ever. At Mood, the designers are scrambling to find fabric that will fit their designs. Joe looks for a menswear pinstripe fabric, while Suede is on the hunt for a purple Pucci-esque print (and finds it!). Korto is incorporating leather (and gives a shoutout to Stella in the meantime), and Kenley is going with vintage (of course).

In the Workroom

Everyone starts chatting about their first job. We find out Jerell’s first job was at McDonald’s, Kenley left for New York City, and Joe worked as a stock guy at Gucci.

Korto is concerned with fusing together the jacket and skirt in her look, and just as everyone is examining their pieces, Tim brings the mothers and daughters in. Let the madness begin!

Laura isn’t a fan of the pinstripe fabric, and it looks so boring for a girl her age. I mean, poor Laura can roll into any Club Monaco or Banana Republic and snag a suit for an interview. It certainly doesn’t look like something a designer would specifically make for her, and I think Joe senses that right away. He’s played it way too safe and it’s going to come back at him in a not-so-great way.

Kenley has churned out yet another vintage-inspired dress for her client, whose mother is loving it. Good for them, but I don’t think the judges want to see this out of her anymore. Jerell and his team are seeing eye-to-eye on the look, so he’s doing great. He’s really emerged as a designer in the past few weeks, and I never thought much of him, but now he’s among my faves.

Poor Leanne is having the hardest time due to Holly’s overbearing mother. She isn’t that bad, but in comparison to the other lowkey moms, she’s a little obnoxious.

The next day, only the daughters come in for the fitting. Lauren’s suit jacket is way too boxy for her, but she and Joe seem pleased with it.

Tim arrives with the head designer for Tresemme and discusses haircuts and color with each of the designers and their clients. Only Kenley is super vocal (big surprise there!) on behalf of her client, who barely got a word in.

Tim has an issue with Joe’s suit. It’s a little too stuffy for a graphic design firm. The entire point is that you can look your age and still look professional, but for Joe this doesn’t translate. Kenley runs her mouth about Suede (I was sure this diatribe was about Joe when I saw it in the preview clips) and mentions that he can’t interpret things to his own designs. Funny, because Kenley interprets everything as a ’50s dress.

The day of the runway show, the girls get full-blown makeovers with new haircuts and color done by the same stylists that style the models’ hair every week. What a treat for a post-grad!

On the Runway

This week the guest judge is Cynthia Rowley.

Joe- He’s confident. We’re not sure why.

Leanne- Not as good as I thought.

Jerell- Love this. It reflects the client perfectly.

Korto- I don’t like this at all!

Suede- Yuck! And what’s up with the back?

Kenley- Gross. It amazes me how stuck on herself this chick is. The poor client looked like a mini-Kenley.

The Elimination

Joe gets the hammer from everyone, especially Cynthia Rowley and Michael Kors. It looks so boring and doesn’t suit his clients shape at all! Suede is ripped apart by Nina, and Kenley and Jerell seem to be the front runners for this challenge. I loved Jerell’s look!

Jerell is named the winner, so his look will be featured in a Tresemme ad in Elle magazine. Excited with his second win, he lets out an enthusiastic, “Hell yeah!” Can you blame him? Korto, Leanne, and Kenley are in, leaving Joe and Suede in the bottom two.

Honestly, I wish we could send both home, but this week is only one, and Heidi deems Joe “out.” It’s about time!

P.S. Yes, I realize this recap is incredibly late…blame Hurricane Ike!

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