Project Runway - Week Thirteen

The witch is not dead.

If you need any clarification on that statement, then you haven’t been watching Project Runway for the last couple of months.

So as we learned last week, our final four designers were all tasked to create a line for Fashion Week, however, only three of the four designers would actually make it to Bryant Park. What we learned on last night’s episode was that as they are designing their line, they would need to create a wedding gown that encompasses what their line was about, or what it was inspired by; sort of like a “sneak peek”. The wedding gown would be judged and one of the four designers would be eliminated.

We then flash forward four weeks, and Tim Gunn makes his usual pre-finale rounds, visiting the final four in their homes and workplaces, giving his valuable words of wisdom to help the designers. We finally get to know the designers a little better, as we see a glimpse of their home life and backgrounds. I have to admit, every designer’s home life fit into the type of home life I pictured for them, based on their personalities. (and I was NOT surprised at Kenley’s home life at all. More on that later)

Flash forward again, and we’re back in New York. The designers have now had a couple of months away from each other designing their fashion line. As predicted, Jerell, Korto and Leanne were completely friendly, hugging and welcoming each other in their hotel room. Once Kenley showed up though, even I could feel the awkwardness. Things loosened up, however, when Kenley apologized for her behavior during the competition. Personally, I think Kenley had no choice but to apologize, considering she had to live and work with these people for the next few days.

Flash forward to the next day (wow, time goes by so fast in reality competitions, doesn’t it?) and the designers are back at Parson’s to unpack their fashion lines. This is, of course, where Tim drops another challenge to our already frazzled designers; they must design a bridesmaid dress that compliments and goes with the wedding gown they designed. They only had a day to accomplish this, so the pressure was definitely on for all four designers.

How did they fair? Well, I can say this much; I was impressed with one designer, surprised by another, and disappointed in the last two. Some of the choices they made were extremely questionable, and I have to wonder if they honestly thought their concept through.

I think I said enough. I know what you guys want.

Before we get to that, one last reminder; next week is (I believe) the last episode of Project Runway for this season. As it stands, I see only 4 of you answered the poll below of whether or not you would like me to review blog another show. If I don’t get enough interest, then Project Runway will be the last show I review blog until American Idol begins in January. Speak up now, or wait until January!

Now onto the fashions, shall we?
Here we go:

Korto – Again, Korto disappointed me. This had to be the most over worked wedding dress I have ever seen. I wasn’t crazy about the color to begin with, but the design just sort of took it into another level. I didn’t see a wedding dress in her design at all. To me, this was an elaborate evening gown. And while her wedding dress was over worked, her bridesmaid dress was under worked. Michael Kors said it best when he described this dress as “off the rack”. First off it was way too low cut for a bridesmaid dress. Korto seems drawn to the low V-cut design, but it just didn’t work for this outfit. The color matched perfectly with the wedding gown, and we all know that is a big no no. When Tim visited Korto in her studio and her home, we were all privy to the fact that she has strong roots in her African upbringing. She played the drums for Tim, and I have to say, I was quite impressed. Who knew Korto has such a talented side? Korto, to me, has lost her steam a little, and I only hope that her fashion line is reflective of some of the amazing designs I got used to seeing from her this season. (I still can’t get over that beautiful outfit made from seatbelts!!) Though she was one of the bottom two, she managed to slip by safely to show at Fashion Week. Personally, I am glad she did, because I am really jazzed to see what she can come up with for an entire line.

Leanne – LOVED it. I love the whole idea of “waves”, as her inspiration for her line. Her wedding dress for both unique and chic, as the judges pointed out. I honestly loved the way the dress flowed, and the patterns of “waves” that she created gave the gown such flow and movement, it truly made it stand out among the rest of the wedding dresses. Picture a veil on the model’s head and you truly could appreciate what an exquisite design this is. Her bridesmaid dress could very well be the first bridesmaid dress I’ve ever seen that is both fashionable and re-wearable. The wave effect on the bustier was subtle enough to link the dress to the wedding gown, but yet not over the top where it stood apart. The colors were perfect choices. This is a dress that can double as an evening dress easily, and Leanne nailed the look perfectly. When visited at home by Tim, Leanne introduced us to her boyfriend and then took Tim for a bike ride in a nearby park. To me, this fits Leanne’s personality to a tee. She lets her work speak for itself. She sort of reminds me of a character on a TV show I loved (when it was still on the air) called Angel. There was a character on that show called “Fred” (short for Fredericka) who had the same dorky, yet sweet personality. Maybe that’s why I started liking Leanne? Who knows, but all I know is I have my pick for the winner. Leanne moves on the Bryant Park easily.

Kenley – I wanted to hate it. I really did, I wanted to hate her entire line, especially her wedding dress. But, being the non-biased reviewer I am, I have to give this annoying girl props...her gown was so cute, I couldn’t possibly hate it. I don’t know who the designer the judges were referring to when they said that Kenley’s dress was very similar, but that doesn’t matter; they liked it anyway. The feathered design was adorable, and really did reflect Kenley’s personality well. And to improve and compliment the wedding dress, Kenley’s bridesmaid dress was just as cute. When done right, a poofed out skirt can look cute, and I think because she “poofed” it out just enough, it took the dress into the category of “adorable”. The top was simple, and the color was a beautiful shade of blue. Again, I wanted to hate it, but I just couldn’t do it. I top of that, I felt bad for her. Why you may ask? When Tim visited her at home, there was no family, friends or significant other to meet. It was just her, by herself, in her apartment in Brooklyn. Now either that means she didn’t want anyone there, or the more likely reason...she doesn’t have many friends or loved ones. We learned about Kenley’s grandmother, who was a calendar girl in the 1940s.(Shock and awe! We finally know where Kenley gets her 40s/50s looks from!). All in all though, I didn’t find her as irritating this time around. Maybe the time away from the competition gave her a chance to see the way she was acting. I found her attitude improved, and this was reflected when she apologized to the other three finalists for being a “bitch” during the competition. Wow, that was growth. Though I didn’t want her to move on, I have to say, she earned the right to show at Bryant Park with both dresses she created this week.

Jerell - Others have told me this, but I guess I didn’t actually get it until I saw Jerell’s wedding gown creation. Many people have pointed out that many of Jerell’s creations have “too much going on”. They are always composed of too many accessories, and “editing” is not part of his vocabulary. It didn’t hit me until I saw what he tried to pass off as a wedding dress. I will agree with judge Michael Kors when he said he loved the bottom half of the dress. For myself, I wouldn’t say I loved it, but I did think it was stylish. First off I thought the color was a horrible choice for a wedding dress. Fellow judge Nina Garcia pointed out that the color of the lace Jerell used to fill out the bottom of the dress made it look dirty. I actually couldn’t put my finger about what I didn’t like about that bottom half until she described it that way. And do I even need to point out the piece of the dress that both Tim and the judges had a problem with? That bustier was awful. Waaaaay too much going on, and I hated those “wings” sprouting out from the sides of the cups. It looked unfinished, and the judges pointed this out. And don’t get me started on the ridiculous flowers sticking out of her hair. When the model first walked down the runway, I didn’t think wedding dress at all; I thought “costume”. The bridesmaid dress was no better. While not a complete disaster like the wedding gown, it still was an accessory nightmare.The flowers sticking out on the side of the bustier were extremely distracting. It also felt very disconnected to me.
When Tim visited Jerell at home, we got to meet his family and friends. I found Jerell to be just as “real” as he portrays himself. I found his background to be genuine and true, so it was a real disappointment to see him not make it to the finale. Jerell was eliminated, so his work will not show in Project Runway’s finale; however, he will be showing at Bryant Park.

Now, you’re asking yourself, Nick, what are you drinking?
What do you mean?

What some of you don’t know (or maybe some of you know), is that the final six designers get to show at Bryant Park. That’s right, that means Joe, Suede, Jerell, and the final three all showed their fashion lines at Bryant Park.
Why you may ask?
Because Project Runway is taped weeks (and months) in advance, the show would still be going on when Bryant Park had their Fashion Week. To discourage spoilers for everyone watching the show, Runway producers opted to have the final six show at Bryant Park, so that way no one could be able to figure out which three of the six were in the Season Five finale. The difference is, while Korto, Leanne and Kenley’s fashion lines will be televised in the Runway finale, the other three won’t.
Heck I don’t even think you guys were supposed to know about that!

Anyway, there it is guys!
What did you guys think? Were you as disappointed in Jerell as I was?
Do you think the right three moved on to the finale? Who you do you want to win? Comment below!
As usual until next week...auf wiedersehen!