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!

poll by twiigs.com

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.

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

Project Runway Season 9 Spotlight--Nina Garcia: A Style Diva!!

La Diva Nina:

Lots-a-Judges: The Panel on tonight's Project Runway Season 9, Episode 4 "It's All About Nina"

In honor of tonight's Project Runway Season 9 4th Episode, entitled: "It's All About Nina", I thought I would review some of her outfits over the last year or so, starting with the one she will be wearing tonight:



Aquilano.Rimondi Fall 2011 by Italian Designers Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi. These are two very talented designers and I just LOVE their clothes (and they obviously have some nice backing from someone with deep pockets--look at that show!) and of course, Nina Garcia is the perfect person to promote them.



Effortless Nina: Nina in Michael Kors for Good Morning America Appearance: Clean, chic, love how she brought back the black (that is on the waist and neckline of the dress) to those stacked strappy heels. Two Words: "Focused" & "Balanced".



Miss Barranquilla Nina: At the 2011 A&E Upfronts: Oh Dear...Nina goes Chiquita Banana!!! Who knew? This is very "Miss Colombia National Parade of Nations".



Nina in Black: Nina attends the CHANEL Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner in April 2011. Nina loves a pant ensemble and she knows how to make statements with STATEMENT MAKING accessories! And she clearly LOVES a pair of Black Strappy Heels.



Mommy Nina: Nina and her eldest son, 4-year-old Lucas Alexander at The Society Of MSKCC Hosts The 20th Annual Bunny Hop, March 2011. Here, she wore an elegant silver dress with poufy cap sleeves, black leggings and black stacked heels. The brooch on the waist is so genteel!



Don't Mess With Nina: Everyone: THIS is how you dress for NY Fashion Week!!! Nina Garcia dons yet another black pantsuit ensemble--this time, black tailored straight leg trousers-- perfectly hitting the floor and covering the shoes (Take a Lesson Ladies!!)--and a fur shrug, at Fall 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Her only accessory (besides a thin bracelet): Her Blackberry, naturally.



Pockets Nina: Nina Garcia in a navy-blue printed scooped-neck dress from Oscar De La Renta Resort 2010 at the 13th Annual Rising Star Awards in January 2010. Those "Darth Vader"-looking bootie-heels are out-of-control!



J.Lo Nina: Nina goes uncharacteristically "Latina" and Sassy in this one shoulder (Nina rarely does the one-shoulder!) silver asymmetrical-hemmed dress with strappy heels and a big metallic bangle/cuff. This was in June 2010 at the CFDA Fashion Awards. BTW: Nina is disguising her new baby bump at the time (in November 2010, she gave birth to her second son, Alexander Davis Conrad).



Kooky Nina: Well, at least we have some examples of how Nina does wear--or like-color! (and not just head-to-toe black). Here she is in May 2010 at the A&E Upfronts wearing a multi-colored, multi-printed striped tank dress. Something tells me that if a Project Runway designer/contestant had created this for her, she might not have worn it...Love the black wedge heels though. Love.



Don't Miss TONIGHT'S new Project Runway Season 9 Episode 9/8c on Lifetime..and make sure to go HERE TOMORROW to read my Recap!!!!

Project Runway Season 9--Episode 3 "Go Big or Go Home" --Nick Verreos MyLifetime.com Recap

The Circus--and OVER-exaggerated Body Types...come to Battery Park New York!!!



This:



Equals:

Project Runway Season 9 Designers Joshua McKinley and Julie Tierney design for Challenge No. 3

Last night's 3rd Episode of Project Runway Season 9 involved STILT Walkers and designing outfits for them--that were NOT COSTUME-Y but more "Couture" as their Mentor Tim Gunn, suggested. It was a MESS!!!! I was so amazed (and not in a good way) at how BAAAD these looks were that I thought I was watching a horrible "Day At The Circus" Documentary...The designers/contestants were teamed up and well, to begin--one of the teams Josh and Julie wanted to do "Torreador Couture" and ended up doing Elephant Clown Circus Wrangler, as my images above shows you. It really should have looked like this:

Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Fall 2008

I know it is not fair to compare a $50,000 Haute Couture ensemble---which includes a hand-beaded jacket that probably took 400 HOURS to make--to an outfit on Project Runway that was made in 12 hours but there was nothing chic or modern or even something that looked wearable in Joshua and Julie's Outfit.

And to think that these were even in contention for the Best:



Becky and Kimberley: One shoulder striped, pouffed/Leg-o-Mutton sleeved jacket with contrast over-sized cuffs and asymmetrical collar paired with gold-studded army-green trousers ensemble. Enough said. The top was SOOO "Fashion School Graduation Show 101" in terms of its silhouette, styling and fabric choice. Yes, the pants fit extremely well (the judges agreed), but still: It WASN'T that good...to be considered a "Top".



Cecilia Motwani and Danielle Everine: The chiffon fabric of this look was cut and sewn BEAUTIFULLY!!! I give both of these girls points for that. But if it wasn't for the 1967 "Medicated with Way-Too-Many-Dry-Martinis-Housewife" bouffant hairdo, they might have won...

but in the end it was this that won this awful & creepy challenge:



Anthony Ryan Auld and Laura Kathleen: This was the ONLY look--a red gown with a gathered blouson top with feathered shouldered detail and thin-belted waist--that came close to NOT being COSTUME-like and from the Circus and actually reminded the judges--and me--of a gown that was just "stretched"...Laura won as a result.



The Really Bad:







Bert Keeter and Viktor Luna: These two designers argued throughout the entire challenge and the result of their look was a MESS! Using brocade from the Mood Fabrics HOME and Sofa Section (is there really such a department? I may be making it up!) is NOT a good idea!!



But it was THIS Tutu concoction that really made the judges sour:





Bryce Black and Fallene Wells: These two designers tried to do "Black Swan"-meets-Punk. Not so much. The basic black cami looks like it came from Forever 21 and that tutu, low-hanging waistband and under-skirt pants? It all looked like a drunk 50-something former ballerina had hijacked the stage and needed to be escorted off. Fallene was "Auf'ed"...



If you really want to know what I thought of the entire Episode...





Here is a preview of my recap for myLifetime.com:



Send In The Clowns



Off the Bat ...

I know that I will risk sounding like a big ol’ “Negative Ninny” right off the bat (I promise, just this week!), but ... boy, were these outfits AWFUL! Just awful! Good, I had to get that off my trimmed yet still hairy chest. Oh, and let me add the following while I am on a roll: I am all for Team Bert in this Viktor vs. Bert History of Fashion Terminology Lesson. Don’t say “Elizabethan” or “Victorian” or “Gothic” when you haven’t a CLUE what those terms refer to. Go buy François Boucher’s “20,000 Years of Fashion: The History of Costume and Personal Adornment” and then talk to me. Don’t use the incorrect terminology and not expect to be clocked on it. OK, I am done for now. Let’s discuss this week’s Circus on the Runway Challenge....



Click HERE to continue reading--and of course, please let me know what you thought (in the comments section).