Project Runway: Inspiration Station

It's the last challenge before the last three designers get to show their skills at New York Fashion Week. Yep, that means not one but TWO designers got the boot last night.

The final five head to Los Angeles' breathtaking landmark—the Getty Center—where they’re greeted by Tim AND Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of L.A. The camera pans to surreal views of the city and surrounding hills, lush gardens and fountains and regal white buildings. Amazing! But why are the PR peeps at the Getty?

The challenge: Create a garment using The Getty Center as inspiration.

 

 

The contestants take a 30-minute tour and then get to spend 30 minutes working on their ideas. Even cooler? Their models come along to serve as muses.

Everyone draws inspiration from different elements. Althea is taken by the architecture and wants to do something very structured and tailored. Carol Hannah falls for a regal French bed complete with feather, fringe and gold accents. Irina adores “Mischief and Repose”—a painting with two goddess-like women in sheer garments. Christopher loves the fountain’s organic elements—especially the algae-encrusted rocks. And, Gordana is taken with a European Monet painting that reminds her of home.

Our fashionistas sketch away and it’s off to Mood where there’s a frenzy of furs, colors and of course, questions from Tim.

 

Back in the workroom tensions are instantly at an all-time high. Carol Hannah and Christopher seem buddy-buddy, and Gordana and Irina have also paired up. That leaves Althea as the outsider and Irina compares A’s helter-skelter designing aesthetic to “King Kong.” Dirty looks and snide whispers fly. 

 

 

Tim-time rolls around and he’s got a thing or two to say to each designer. When Christopher tells Tim that he wants to put “angular pieces” on his frock Tim tells him that they look like stalagmites and he “needs to keep an editing eye.” He also gasps at Irina’s fur cape and tells her it looks like roadkill. He’s also unhappy with Althea’s angular dress. Wary of the “panels of puckering, “ he muses that her dress needs work.
 

Time’s running out and some of the designers are fuhhh-reaking! Gordana and Christopher are both pleased with their creations….but will Althea and Carol Hannah even finish in time? “I feel like I’m in an adventure movie, where I’m just running around all over the place,” C.H. confesses.

 

On to the runway where regulars Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum are joined by Cindy Crawford and Cynthia Rowley.

How’d the final creations come out?

 

(Left to Right: Althea, Carol Hannah and Christopher)

 

Althea’s gold, flowing dress was definitely structured and symbolic of the Getty’s architecture. The judges loved the risky paneling on the skirt but all agreed that it was very risky and the top looked half-finished.

I loved Carol Hannah’s gold “town and country” gown. I thought the ropey straps, shiny fabric and shape of the dress perfectly represented the bed…but the judges begged to differ. They felt her dress was beautifully made, but weren’t sure if it spoke to her inspiration.

Christopher’s fountain-inspired frock also received mixed reviews. The judges hearted the beautiful, silvery frock but felt the bottom was too heavy and only added on as an afterthought.

(Left to Right: Irina and Gordana)

 

I wasn’t too sure about Irina’s drapey green piece. Her “goddess gown” had a really cool back, but I agree with Nina who called the bottom “dowdy.” There was something about the shape that was a little too bubbly.

Gordana really loved her garment—and everyone else did, too! You could clearly see the connection with the painting and the crinkled, flowy fabric made her look absolutely angelic. Cynthia just wasn’t sure about the “chunky zipper.”

So who’s going to New York?

Although Althea’s look was deemed a “mess” and a “disappointment” she’s staying based on her previous work. And Carol Hannah’s beautifully made dress scored her a pass to Bryant Park. Irina’s consistent performance also qualified her to move on.

We also said our “auf”s to two great designers. Gordana is deemed too safe and the judges feel they don’t really know her as a designer yet. And while Christopher “sees the beauty in things where others don’t,” the panel thinks he just doesn’t have enough experience…yet.

Are ya ready for next week’s epi? Are ya disappointed by who the judges picked? What do you think will go down when the designers hit “The Olympics of Fashion?”

Stay tuned!

Cait

 

Photo Credit: myLifetime.com

BY JIAE K. ON 11/6/2009 2:14:00 PM 21 COMMENTS

Pretty in Punk

 

 

 

Rock Saved the Queen Hoodie, $20, charlotterusse.com

 

Pink Stud Belt, $11, wetseal.com

 

Vests are all the rage right now and we're lovin' that this one has a hood. Worn-out denim fabric pumps up the volume. Perf to layer with a comfy concert tee.

 

BY CAITLIN R. ON 11/2/2009 11:43:00 AM 116 COMMENTS

Project Runway: Companion Looks and Tons of Cattiness

Last night’s Project Runway was filled with witchy one-liners, a couple costume-y designs and one full-on fabulous frock. Did you watch all the fabric-filled dramz?

The ep opens with Heidi presenting the designers with…one of their own looks? Yep, our six fave sewers have to use something they already created as their inspiration.

The Challenge: The designers must make a companion ensemble for their best look.

The designers meet with Tim and start sketchin’. Then it’s off to Mood where, OMG, Christopher buys 30 yards of shiny white fabric. Is anyone else worried? Our boy Logan stocks up on loads of zippers. With only six left, everyone’s crankin’ up the volume on their looks, and that can be scary.

Back in the workroom, the designers get crazy-catty almost instantly. Logan tells Althea her drop-crotch jodhpurs look like “Malvin pants,” a.k.a. the trousers that got a former competitor booted back in episode two. Ouch.

Carol Hannah can’t make a decision about anything, while Irina is quickly basting lace to a copper dress. (Also, calling all fashionistas!, did Carol Hannah and Althea’s matching belts make anyone else want a sash?!)

Tim saunters in and tells the gang to talk to him. He doesn’t disagree when Carol Hannah confesses her dress is “a big scary mess,” but does tell Althea her piece “looks like it’s waiting for a diaper.” Fair or harsh—what do you think?

And then, almost out of nowhere, the contests started some serious backstabbing and, worse!, accusations of copying. As Tim coaches Gordana on her oh-so-boring jacket, Althea and Irina whisper in the corner. Althea thinks Logan stole her zipper collar idea and Irina reveals that she hates Logan and wonders why Christopher’s dress is “throwing up another dress.” Whoa.

At the end of the day, the designers still have lots of work to do, but it’s back to the apartments for some sleep. In the a.m., Gordana shows off some quick ninja skills and then they head to the workroom to quickly finish their designs. Logan starts dishing the sass, stating his grandma has better taste than Gordana and reveals a not-so-nice nickname: Meana Irina. Hey, the girl’s been brutal, right?

(Left to Right: Carol Hannah, Irina and Althea)

The Top 3: Carol Hannah’s model looks party-perfect in a flouncy black dress, complete with pockets (P.S. pocket dresses are a GL fave, too!). Guest judge Kerry Washington says, "the simplicity makes the dress kind of delicious." I agree...and wish the dress was in my closet. Everyone loves Irina’s mini cocktail dress and oversized sweater (complete with fur cuffs), except Nina Garcia…who thinks it looks cheap. Ah, I’ve missed her this season.

Althea’s pants turn out rockin’, and pretty soon there’s a tense moment about who had the giant cardi idea first. Do you think someone copied? Either way, Althea (and her harem-ish pants) nabs the win. Personally, I’m happy the mean queen didn’t get the victory.

(Left to Right: Christopher, Gordana and Logan)

The Bottom 3: Um, can we send them all home? Christopher’s tiered halter top nightmare got all sorts of flack from Heidi for looking like a bed skirt. Gordana’s original frock was so fun ‘n’ frayed and one of my faves from this season, but this week her piece was boring and Nina deems it dated.

Logan, whose personal style is pretty slammin’, produced a vest ‘n’ skirt that manages to be retro and futuristic all at once (PR alum Nick said it was “a little Judy Jetson.”). Normally, I can pick who’s gonna go home, but this week I had no clue—these three were all pretty ick-tastic in my book. In the end, the much-loved Logan was given the big auf from Heidi. Bye, boy.

What do you think? Did the only eye candy left deserve to go? Was his zippy vest really worse than Gordana’s ho-hum gray jacket and Christopher’s confection-gone-wrong? Would you wear Althea’s winning look? Will Irina keep being meana? Check back next week for all the cut-throat couture drama!

BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/30/2009 3:51:00 PM 20 COMMENTS

Velvet Crush

Hello, gorgeous! This airy top comes pre-accessorized to take all the guesswork outta gettin’ dressed. Skinny pants and bold heels are a must. Make it extra edgy with leather fingerless gloves.

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Give your basic black leggings a makeover. These look presh under voluminous skirts and fitted tees. Or, stand out by wearing ’em under an oversized graphic t-shirt and bold Doc Martens.

Velvet Ankle Length Legging, $28, ardenb.com

OK, so this hat only has the tiniest bit of velvet but teamed up with the floral design it gives a fedora some feminine flair. Fab for days when your outfit is totally borrowed from the boys (think: BF blazer and skinnies) or when you just have to hide your hair (cutely!).

 

 

Lace Fedora, $17, wetseal.com

BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/26/2009 12:00:00 AM 77 COMMENTS