Episode 311 (9/27)
Recap Four designers remain. The winner will go to Olympus Fashion Week, and Heidi announces that they are not committed to taking three contestants to Fashion Week this season. The designers are asked to design one signature piece that represents their point of view as a designer. They also must choose three adjectives to describe their design style. In addition, the winning design will be featured in Elle magazine. In the end, it is determined which designers will go to Fashion Week as finalists in Project Runway. Tim's Take
Four designers remain. Owing to the loss of three designers in the last challenge, seven models remain -- so we’re faced with a record model elimination. Laura and Jeffrey stick with their muses, Camilla and Marilinda, but Uli shocks Michael by selecting his model, Nazri. Reeling, Michael chooses Clarissa.
Heidi announces that the designers will learn about their challenge the next morning. Nina Garcia will present them with it at the offices of Elle magazine. There, Nina sets up the challenge by asking: “How important is fashion editorial?” She asserts that fashion designers need to capture the attention of the editors: “You want to offer the editors something new, something that we haven’t seen.”
Nina goes on to introduce Elle magazine’s First Look page, which opens the fashion section of the publication. This page presents millions of readers with design inspiration and gives incredible exposure to the designer. First Look presents a distinct design philosophy, which is the introduction to the challenge: Create an outfit of your choice that conveys your point of view as a designer.
The designers are instructed to choose three words that describe who they are as designers. Their outfit must convey these words. They are also asked to think narratively; that is, to communicate a story. In addition, this design should provide a window on their collection for Olympus Fashion Week -- a tall order, indeed. Later, they learn that the winner of this challenge will have their design photographed by Giles Bensimon and featured in First Look. Thrilling!
The designers are given 30 minutes to sketch, after which we go shopping with a budget of $250. They have two days for this challenge. Half way through day two, they learn that their day will be cut short. Why? Because they must create a facsimile of First Look using photographs of their model on a location of their choice. It’s exciting, but hair-raising, too. Time is not on anyone’s side!
At the top of the runway presentation, Heidi declares that there is no commitment to a Final Three; two designers could move on to Fashion Week. Her announcement has everyone shaking and quaking, including me! Teri Agins, lead fashion writer for The Wall Street Journal, is our guest judge.
Uli wins! She struggled with this challenge, but it was worth it. She knew that she wasn’t pushing the envelope and it concerned her. She took a self-described muumuu and transformed it into a chic, sleek, mini-dress. It was remarkable to watch her bulls-eye, tie-dye print go from dowdy to modern/edgy. Similarly, her choice of a caftan neckline could have labeled the design as being Mermanly (as in Ethel). I applauded this level of risk-taking, because it placed the design on a precarious precipice. It could have crashed and burned, but, instead, it ascended to a sexy youthfulness.
Uli photographed Nazri in the middle of Times Square. There, Nazri blended well with the chaos and cacophony of the scene. Uli’s three words were, appropriately enough, “Fun, Life, and Adventure.” Congratulations, Uli! You’ll be featured in First Look and you’re going to Olympus Fashion Week!
No one is OUT! We have a Final Four for Olympus Fashion Week!
Jeffrey was intent upon delivering a new design to the judges. Frankly, I was pleased to see him step away from his punk/grunge factor and embrace some elegance. He chose a palette of red, white and blue (the colors of a New Order) in velvet, silk, and a gauzy chambray with embroidered Napoleonic bees. I responded more positively than our judges did. The proportions of the pieces -- a halter-top, a cummerbund, and tulip skirt -- were harmonic, and the look was sexy without being vulgar. But the judges found his look to be dowdy, unsophisticated, and even “too pretty.” Given that his three words were “Provocative, Irreverent, and Romantic,” I could understand the confusion. Still, Jeffrey moves forward to Fashion Week!
Laura declared, “I’ve decided to not take any risks. I’m going to do what I do best, only better.” That statement alone was a risk! Her three words -- “Glamour, Confidence, and Elegance” -- define her well. She created a glamorous dress in nude lace and crystal beads. The plunging and scalloped neckline was an engineering masterpiece and spoke to a confident customer. And the entire effect was nothing if not elegant. Still, would the judges be put to sleep? Close to. I’m thrilled that Laura’s going to Fashion Week, but she needs to deliver some surprises.
Michael worried me sick. What is it about this last challenge that has disabled most of all three seasons’ designers? Not unlike Uli, Michael struggled with his design for a full day. His final eveningwear decision eluded me, because he’s so incredibly innovative with sportswear. Still, I was merely content that he was on a design path, any design path. His silk charmeuse column in plum was rather basic, but the weaving detail in the bodice was beautiful. I wasn’t crazy about the criss-cross neckline, nor all of the skin revealed in that region. And the fit was problematic, too. His three words suited his sensibility -- “Sexiness, Sensuality, and Sultry” -- but they all meant the same thing. Regrettably, the word that came to my mind was, “Vulgar.” Michael, step it up for Olympus Fashion Week and, please, show us some sportswear!
Recap Four designers remain. The winner will go to Olympus Fashion Week, and Heidi announces that they are not committed to taking three contestants to Fashion Week this season. The designers are asked to design one signature piece that represents their point of view as a designer. They also must choose three adjectives to describe their design style. In addition, the winning design will be featured in Elle magazine. In the end, it is determined which designers will go to Fashion Week as finalists in Project Runway. Tim's Take
Four designers remain. Owing to the loss of three designers in the last challenge, seven models remain -- so we’re faced with a record model elimination. Laura and Jeffrey stick with their muses, Camilla and Marilinda, but Uli shocks Michael by selecting his model, Nazri. Reeling, Michael chooses Clarissa.
Heidi announces that the designers will learn about their challenge the next morning. Nina Garcia will present them with it at the offices of Elle magazine. There, Nina sets up the challenge by asking: “How important is fashion editorial?” She asserts that fashion designers need to capture the attention of the editors: “You want to offer the editors something new, something that we haven’t seen.”
Nina goes on to introduce Elle magazine’s First Look page, which opens the fashion section of the publication. This page presents millions of readers with design inspiration and gives incredible exposure to the designer. First Look presents a distinct design philosophy, which is the introduction to the challenge: Create an outfit of your choice that conveys your point of view as a designer.
The designers are instructed to choose three words that describe who they are as designers. Their outfit must convey these words. They are also asked to think narratively; that is, to communicate a story. In addition, this design should provide a window on their collection for Olympus Fashion Week -- a tall order, indeed. Later, they learn that the winner of this challenge will have their design photographed by Giles Bensimon and featured in First Look. Thrilling!
The designers are given 30 minutes to sketch, after which we go shopping with a budget of $250. They have two days for this challenge. Half way through day two, they learn that their day will be cut short. Why? Because they must create a facsimile of First Look using photographs of their model on a location of their choice. It’s exciting, but hair-raising, too. Time is not on anyone’s side!
At the top of the runway presentation, Heidi declares that there is no commitment to a Final Three; two designers could move on to Fashion Week. Her announcement has everyone shaking and quaking, including me! Teri Agins, lead fashion writer for The Wall Street Journal, is our guest judge.
Uli wins! She struggled with this challenge, but it was worth it. She knew that she wasn’t pushing the envelope and it concerned her. She took a self-described muumuu and transformed it into a chic, sleek, mini-dress. It was remarkable to watch her bulls-eye, tie-dye print go from dowdy to modern/edgy. Similarly, her choice of a caftan neckline could have labeled the design as being Mermanly (as in Ethel). I applauded this level of risk-taking, because it placed the design on a precarious precipice. It could have crashed and burned, but, instead, it ascended to a sexy youthfulness.
Uli photographed Nazri in the middle of Times Square. There, Nazri blended well with the chaos and cacophony of the scene. Uli’s three words were, appropriately enough, “Fun, Life, and Adventure.” Congratulations, Uli! You’ll be featured in First Look and you’re going to Olympus Fashion Week!
No one is OUT! We have a Final Four for Olympus Fashion Week!
Jeffrey was intent upon delivering a new design to the judges. Frankly, I was pleased to see him step away from his punk/grunge factor and embrace some elegance. He chose a palette of red, white and blue (the colors of a New Order) in velvet, silk, and a gauzy chambray with embroidered Napoleonic bees. I responded more positively than our judges did. The proportions of the pieces -- a halter-top, a cummerbund, and tulip skirt -- were harmonic, and the look was sexy without being vulgar. But the judges found his look to be dowdy, unsophisticated, and even “too pretty.” Given that his three words were “Provocative, Irreverent, and Romantic,” I could understand the confusion. Still, Jeffrey moves forward to Fashion Week!
Laura declared, “I’ve decided to not take any risks. I’m going to do what I do best, only better.” That statement alone was a risk! Her three words -- “Glamour, Confidence, and Elegance” -- define her well. She created a glamorous dress in nude lace and crystal beads. The plunging and scalloped neckline was an engineering masterpiece and spoke to a confident customer. And the entire effect was nothing if not elegant. Still, would the judges be put to sleep? Close to. I’m thrilled that Laura’s going to Fashion Week, but she needs to deliver some surprises.
Michael worried me sick. What is it about this last challenge that has disabled most of all three seasons’ designers? Not unlike Uli, Michael struggled with his design for a full day. His final eveningwear decision eluded me, because he’s so incredibly innovative with sportswear. Still, I was merely content that he was on a design path, any design path. His silk charmeuse column in plum was rather basic, but the weaving detail in the bodice was beautiful. I wasn’t crazy about the criss-cross neckline, nor all of the skin revealed in that region. And the fit was problematic, too. His three words suited his sensibility -- “Sexiness, Sensuality, and Sultry” -- but they all meant the same thing. Regrettably, the word that came to my mind was, “Vulgar.” Michael, step it up for Olympus Fashion Week and, please, show us some sportswear!
Designer: Jeffrey
Designer: Laura
Designer: Michael
