ahww
February 10, 2005 - 02:48 PM
speaking of being based on design, let's have a challenge where Jay and Kara design the outfit that Wendy is buried in when the critics slaughter her at Fashion Week.
jennycones
February 10, 2005 - 02:52 PM
Here's a thought. If Michael Kors had been a contestant, I think the consensus would be that his clothes are too streamlined, too simple, not daring enough. Is that not analagous to Austin's romantic sensibility? Michael Kors is a fabulous designer, has his own thing, as does Austin. But he should not be eliminated for it!!
But, can ANYONE realistically point out to me WENDY's sensibility? There is not theme, no identifyable aesthetic.
Which is why I maintain that the producers keep her for controversy. Which, I admit, makes it fun to watch. My sister and I Instant message each other throughout the show making fun of wendy. They no what works in Television. Its a sad world, but fun to watch!!!
aguynamedWayne
February 10, 2005 - 02:57 PM
Oscar, I didnt put that blog in, I just responded. And yes. The only responce to that blog is Ouch! Thats serious dirt. (I was agreeing with you in other words)
chellebelle
February 10, 2005 - 03:04 PM
a former teacher of mine designed that dress..it was actually lent to her by james king for the event
Quote:
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Does anyone remember Rose McGowan's "backless" dress from the '98 MTV Awards? Although, to tell the truth, it was also frontless. But, the point is, no one seems to know *what* to wear anymore.
Lilibet
angeedee
February 10, 2005 - 03:05 PM
Quote:
Here's a thought. If Michael Kors had been a contestant, I think the consensus would be that his clothes are too streamlined, too simple, not daring enough. Is that not analagous to Austin's romantic sensibility? Michael Kors is a fabulous designer, has his own thing, as does Austin. But he should not be eliminated for it!!
But, can ANYONE realistically point out to me WENDY's sensibility? There is not theme, no identifyable aesthetic.
Which is why I maintain that the producers keep her for controversy. Which, I admit, makes it fun to watch. My sister and I Instant message each other throughout the show making fun of wendy. They no what works in Television. Its a sad world, but fun to watch!!!
here is what wendy said about a recent episode. these are her own words, before some wendy-defendy jumps down my throat:
I tried to do the best I could under difficult circumstances, and had to resort to trashing Kevin instead of making it though on my own merits.
(I'm assuming she meant "through," i.e. she can't spell either)
I think wendy has no vision because she's a dressmaker.
read "tim's take" for this most recent episode. he said wendy "succeeded" because she was told exactly what to do. she also copied almost exactly the color and shape of the top nancy o'dell had on when she spoke to the designers.
i think austin will be a fabulous costume designer for hollywood. i think we will see him at the oscars one day....
his designs on the runway, and his person accepting one for best costume design.
I don't think any actresses will be falling over themselves to don a "farty" WP "original"
murphy1541
February 10, 2005 - 03:05 PM
I am so tired of all the Wendy bashing. This show is not Survivor, the premise of which is to out-maneuver the competition. This show is based on creative talent... the weakest each week being "out". How is it possible for Wendy to sabotage the the other designers week after week? Am I watching a different program than all of you? But if you want to point the finger at someone, it should be directed at Kara Saun. She sees herself as the golden child who deserves to win, and God forbid anyone offer serious competition. Examples: She was nice to Wendy until the BR challenge - then all bets were off. Jay was a serious threat so she 'helped' him with the Grammy challenge (her advice ruined his dress). She is insidious - like a slow working poison. She smiles and hugs, all the while stabbing her 'friends' in the back.
And to bring up Wendy's supposed marital infidelity... give me a break. You resort to this type of malicious gossip because you don't happen to like this woman? What may or may not have occurred in her marriage is between her and her husband, and does not belong here. I like Wendy. She is what she is without pretense. And I like her designs. She listens to what is required from the challenge and delivers. That's why she has survived each week. I think she'll walk away from this the winner. More power to her.
designerwannabe
February 10, 2005 - 03:05 PM
not a prob, I am not so 'special" to think such a thing. Do you design? Style? Fashionista? or just a Fan?
ThomsTeddyBear
February 10, 2005 - 03:08 PM
Quote:
hmmmmm...... I've been watching this board for quite a while, oscar, and it has been my experience that TTB has been quite intelligent.
just because you disagree with her opinion doesn't mean she's not credible.
if i may, i would venture to guess that TTB would probably prefer that you don't agree with her opinions, as she does not have the time to rethink her entire point of view.
but that's just an assumption on my part.
Thank ya angeedee
Yup, I choose to mostly summarize - it gets the point across and I don't have to be a sesquipedalian to do it, lol
lisakaz
February 10, 2005 - 03:14 PM
You called it. I can't wait till someone calls out Cruella.
lk
Zany
February 10, 2005 - 03:16 PM
To continue the original post:
Of the eliminated designers Nora and Kevin seemed to have the most promise. I saw very little of Vanessa's creations to be able to judge her.
Alexandra was too one dimensional and lacked innovation as each of her designs seemed to be reminiscent of other designers.
Nora -I was sorry to see Nora leave especially as she showed promise, tantrums and tears aside. I have been in entertainment and have seen the best artists being the most temperamental too so I didn't really mind her hysterics. I had seen dresses like the wedding dress she created in malls with the same rose petals in a net overlay. So I wondered why she chose to make something that was already considered tacky. She should go a long way though as she had innovation which she demonstrated in the first challenge itself when she created the blue dress out of plastic.
Kevin - He was a strong designer who appeared to have the flair, the creativity and the skill. His GAP dress and his Rock and Roll dress were both great. I was sorry when he got eliminated because he did not listen to the brief and created a very constructed garment. He should have not made that risky move especially as he did not have immunity like Kara did when she made the 'plain-jane' white swim suit.
Vanessa - We saw too little of her to be sure. Growing up in a school with British teachers I know that it is very British to say 'I am the worst' in spirit of teamwork and fairness and as telling on your fellow mates is the worst possible crime. Vanessa must have certainly been surprised when the judges outed her for that statement! How very un-British of the judges. She took it in a Brit manner too with no drama..Well I do hope we see more of her designs elsewhere.
Robert - Robert is a charmer, he is probaly the nicest and gentlest guy and a great person. His vision as a designer seems to be inadequate. He keeps creating just plain designs, never anything that wows you like the others who stayed in the show so long. Wendy is perhaps better than him after all - if only he had made a better top for the postal challenge he would still be in. I hate to see him lose just because he is such a good looking charmer and a very nice person!
The others - I saw too little of their designs to really know them better....
chellebelle
February 10, 2005 - 03:16 PM
i'm pretty unimpressed by what i have seen of the fashion week collections. Of the ones that didn't make it, I would be interested in seeing what nora, vanessa and kevin would have accomplished.
ThomsTeddyBear
February 10, 2005 - 03:17 PM
Quote:
Well angee - - you would - - since your posts and attacks are quite similar.
He should talk, eh angeedee? Let's skip and leave Archie Bunker alone.
aguynamedWayne
February 10, 2005 - 03:18 PM
I agree that Wendy's personal life is her private affair. Unfortunately when you sign up to do a reality TV series you open yourself up to the press, and they will find out and print anything juicy. It may not be right, but it should be expected.
lisakaz
February 10, 2005 - 03:19 PM
You are incapable of seeing that aesthetics are subjective, too. And more of us think Wendy lacks them or simply that we prefer the others' concepts of it more than hers.
lk
prinsaspamela
February 10, 2005 - 03:21 PM
i hate wendy...she is a backwoods hick that should be taken out to the wood shed and put out of OUR misery...she could not design her way out of a sack...which is what most of her things look like...she is bad and I HATE HER......
Kelly_Fair
February 10, 2005 - 03:24 PM
*Gaps* I cant believe she made it to the final three! POOR AUSTIN! Sure, I agree, Austin didn't break out of his shell, but seriously, Wendy?? I was also disapointed that it was Rob that they brought back, then again I dont like him very much. Im excited to see what Kevin is going to say on the next episode. Im excited to see Kevin, I miss him! But I still think it should be Austin in the top three...and now Im voting for Jay (Rock on!)
-Kelly
ThomsTeddyBear
February 10, 2005 - 03:24 PM
Quote:
quote:
Thanks for asking - may I ask the same of you? Are you an avid birdwatcher?
Wow, TTB, that's intense fan-dom for QE! I will make a point to watch it (I have never seen it!) My name is actually Bird Aileen-- I have been called "Bird" ever since I was little, owing to my skinny, long frame. I actually do some runway stuff but I'm taking a break to finish school and shiver out here in the East. I almost auditioned for the PR modeling part, but the 'rents said school school school....
nice to meet you though. I like your posts!
The pleasure is all mine and your posts have always been cool
Oooo, I see you're in Boston...you guys got it worse than we did! I'm in Buffalo - the place most often confused with being in Alaska.
Bird Aileen, cool name - very delicate. School is important, I applaud you for knowing your priorties! But if you have free time to be a model with the next show, let me know - that may be the only reason to watch if they continue along these lines.
lisakaz
February 10, 2005 - 03:34 PM
I did not know there was such a thing. I love Thom, too. I find he's very funny, maybe not as outrageous as Carson, but he really is witty and can play off a situation well (like telling the Marine to make out with him for the flat panel TV). I really love Kyan, too. The scene where he is rubbing the leg of Jeff Toale's wife is hysterical.
Why can't straight guys be more like them??? LOL.
lk
designerwannabe
February 10, 2005 - 03:37 PM
Ding dong the wicked witch still lives. My problem is that as a designer, Wendy is a talentless creative black hole. But as a seamstress she is a skilled worker. However, just because you can alter a Butterwick prom dress pattern into a passable wedding dress, this does not make an artistic impressionist of social/political/cultural/personal expressions. I found most of her work to be unexplored scholatic fabrications. The BR challenge was like her singular momment of even the very edge of the creative light at the end of the tunnel. I wanted her to keep going toward the light but unfortunely she froze even began a backward decent into the madness of "Wendy's World." A dark frightening place where talent falls limp, career plottings become blurrier than near-sighted vision Leading one to attempt unsuccessful self sabotage. I will hate it when Kara Saun or Jay proves that talent was the only tool required to be successful here. I hate that she will have to take sucha big fall.
ThomsTeddyBear
February 10, 2005 - 03:43 PM
Quote:
I am so tired of all the Wendy bashing. This show is not Survivor, the premise of which is to out-maneuver the competition.
Aren't those two sentences contradictory?
Quote:
This show is based on creative talent... the weakest each week being "out". How is it possible for Wendy to sabotage the the other designers week after week? Am I watching a different program than all of you? But if you want to point the finger at someone, it should be directed at Kara Saun. She sees herself as the golden child who deserves to win, and God forbid anyone offer serious competition. Examples: She was nice to Wendy until the BR challenge - then all bets were off. Jay was a serious threat so she 'helped' him with the Grammy challenge (her advice ruined his dress). She is insidious - like a slow working poison. She smiles and hugs, all the while stabbing her 'friends' in the back.
And to bring up Wendy's supposed marital infidelity... give me a break. You resort to this type of malicious gossip because you don't happen to like this woman? What may or may not have occurred in her marriage is between her and her husband, and does not belong here. I like Wendy. She is what she is without pretense. And I like her designs. She listens to what is required from the challenge and delivers. That's why she has survived each week. I think she'll walk away from this the winner. More power to her.
I told you guys, they were going to start coming in and trying to bash Kara with out-of-the-air ideas! Please, go back and tell Wendy that her Kara-bashing campaign won't work.
You know what's funny? The Wendy supporters will go after Kevin, Austin, and Kara but they don't dare lay a finger on Jay. Probably because he knows where they live and would rip them a new @$$hole.
lisakaz
February 10, 2005 - 03:48 PM
You mean the dental floss butt dress??? I'd pose that it was hideous enough to be a Cruella original, but she's incapable of originality and not edgy enough to string it together.
lk
lilysmom
February 10, 2005 - 03:48 PM
I agree with everone who has said that the problem with Austin is that he designed for himself. And it's not a problem for his career in general, it just meant he wasn't going to win this reality tv show -- because this is not really about the best designer overall, it's about the best designer who meets the briefs (and even then, the little caveat at the end of the show suggests that the producers can override the judges' decisions.) Austin saw the picture of O'Dell had worn last year, he was told that it was supposed to be fun and hip, not glamorous, and he just didn't listen -- he kept on talking about how glamour was his speciality. The correspondents doing the interviewing on the red carpet aren't supposed to be glamorous, and there's no way that Nancy O'Dell could have worn that dress to the Grammy's.
And this isn't the first time Austin has missed the mark. There was the 2055 dress, which by his own account he designed as an "Austin Scarlett" more than as part of a collection. The BR dress was really pretty, but it didn't fit as well with the collection, and it probably wasn't as easy to mass-produce. The actual "rock star" team effort had a distinctive "Austen" look, at the cost of not being quite what Sarah Hudson wanted. And sometimes the outfits are just horrific -- the wedding dress and the postal service outfit. I think I'd go into hiding if my letter carrier came to the door dressed like that.
I also think that Austin will do just fine. He's very, very young, and he does have a style that a lot of people appreciate. And if you were going to have a single-shot competition where people designed whatever they wanted, and put it into a portfolio, and a team of judges decided based on merit, he might win that. But that wasn't what this was.
And, in a lot of ways, he's gotten a lot of what can be gotten out of PR -- visibility. I'd guess the visibility is worth tons more than the actual prize.
ThomsTeddyBear
February 10, 2005 - 03:51 PM
Quote:
I did not know there was such a thing. I love Thom, too. I find he's very funny, maybe not as outrageous as Carson, but he really is witty and can play off a situation well (like telling the Marine to make out with him for the flat panel TV). I really love Kyan, too. The scene where he is rubbing the leg of Jeff Toale's wife is hysterical.
I've met Thom, Carson, Kyan, Jai and talked to Ted on the phone and they are all as sweet and genuine as they are on tv! I swear, how you see them there is how they are with you - like old friends! Check out the QE forum sometime - others have met them and a few even got phone calls!
Quote:
Why can't straight guys be more like them??? LOL.
lk
Now you know why I married Thom, lol
lisakaz
February 10, 2005 - 04:02 PM
More on point was the talk about how Cruella behaved to the crew and how certain guys refused to work with her (those 1 on 1 interview things) because of how she acted toward them. It sounded like sexual harrassment to me.
lk
lilysmom
February 10, 2005 - 04:05 PM
Wendy's quote: "I tried to do the best I could under difficult circumstances, and had to resort to trashing Kevin instead of making it though on my own merits."
Wendy's comments about Kevin, I suppose, is what really motivates a lot of the dislike about her. (I just refuse to believe it's really that she doesn't wear lipstick. But you never know.) But I thought Wendy wasn't so awful in that "collection" show -- first, the judge tells her that her outfit looks like a cat ate it and spit it out, and then they explicitly ask her how Keven's leadership was. Yes, she could have responded more politely -- but maybe given the tone of the conversation thus far, she figured she'd just be honest. And maybe she knew that she absolutely couldn't show any sign of weakness -- look what happened to Vanessa. So she spoke her mind.
And what really bothered me was how hypocritcal the judges were. They criticized her for her answer, but they asked the question -- and they even pushed Kara Saun when Kara Saun wasn't strong enough in her answer to the same question. They acted like they *wanted* a tough answer. And, once the designers had left the runway, they basically repeated *exactly* what Wendy had said. They thought the collection lacked a unifying theme. And I just don't believe that *Wendy* gave them that idea.
Of course, I'm not sure it was possible to come up with a collection with a unifying theme, given that this is an individual competition (so everyone's trying to stand out), and they only have a few hours. The person whose name was pulled out of the bag was always really vulnerable. But that's the judges' fault, not Wendy's.
So I think it's interesting that Wendy talks about resorting to trashing Keven, when in reality the judges asked her for her explicit opinion, and at least from what we could see, really agreed with her. There's something really artificial about some of the essays about the episodes, something that doesn't ring true.
lisakaz
February 10, 2005 - 04:12 PM
I did not know about the forum. I am seriously addicted to watching them. I can't get into the Gal Pals so much, not yet anyway. A student of mine last year said she knew Carson. Small world. When I heard about a show for girls, I was hoping the Fab Five would be the ones doing it. I guess only so much of them can go around. Plus, I just CAN'T shave my legs "with the grain." I'd never get the hair off. And I like a dull(er) razor, too.
They seem so at ease doing anything. Plus they're sharp minded.
I guess marrying one of 'em is the sole recourse when you don't have a bf who could be a client of theirs. I could use some gaydar and tips to figure out what to do about my crush on my chiropractor, too...
lk
ericats
February 10, 2005 - 04:24 PM
Quote:
Wendy: She has so much determination, and she won't let anything, not even her lack of skills, stop her.
Praytell, do you really think that someone who lacks skills (your words) deserves to be at Fashion Week? I'm a really nice person and I have a lot of determination, but I lack some of the skills to become a Lakers Girl. Do you think that I deserve to be a Lakers Girl because I have nice hair?
pyt1977
February 10, 2005 - 04:25 PM
My favorites are kevin and kara. Wendy has the worst personality and worst designs. I can't believe austin was ditched over her.
aguynamedWayne
February 10, 2005 - 04:36 PM
I still think Austin should team up with a hot Top to co-design with. He should find someone with the last name of O'hara. So it would be SCARLET & O'HARA
Maybe Scarlet Fever Designed by Austin Scarlet ????
Ideas anyone..... And has anybody had any luck in locating a website for Austin?
gladtidings
February 10, 2005 - 04:49 PM
I agree that Austin’s last statement to the judges was the one that got him canned (the creating for himself statement) but he was almost eliminated in a past episode because he listened to the customer and gave them completely what they wanted (wedding dress episode). He was chastised for not showing any of “Austin” in the design. The judges were hot one week and cold the next and I believe they did their best to confuse the designers and create rifts between them. After all it is a “reality show” and it needs ratings to continue.
My only question is, I wonder what Wendy’s outfit would have really looked like had Tim not told her to shorten the top and do something about the skirt being too busy. Yes he also told Kara to “nix” the pants but that’s not as style invasive an idea as him standing there giving Windy tips as she was trying to put the design together with her model…she was completely lost before Tim stepped in with his “changes”. He also saved her with the shoes when it came to the Postal Outfit. He all but shoved the idea down her throat to make her change the shoes.
The show is indeed media driven but what can I say? I love the show. I love the design and creativity of all the designers (some more than others) and I can’t wait to see the collections of the finial three...although it would have been far more entertaining had Austin been one of the final three because I believe fully that Wendy is out of her league and the judges know it. I believe this is what has driven her to be so “mean spirited”.
murphy1541
February 10, 2005 - 04:56 PM
No, I don't believe I'm contradicting myself. Survivor is based on out maneuvering (out playing) all others. This show is supposed to be based on talent. And I haven't gone after Austin, Jay, etc. because I like them. As I've previously posted, I like Austin because he is so retro (ah, the glamour of old Hollywood) and Jay is just so Jay. Truth be told, his designs are the most innovative. Kara's designs don't change much from show to show. Her dresses were mostly same old same old. If you don't believe me, watch the reruns. And I back up my statement that she's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Funny how her 'help' hurt the recipient in the long run. But she is clever... she made a common enemy of Wendy. A whisper here - a remark there. Like I said, she is insidious. And the most ambitious. She said herself she's been trying over 10 years to make it in New York. But she'll lose this one. Wendy will win.
slvrlk323
February 10, 2005 - 05:04 PM
I agree. They keep Wendy because she keeps things interesting. I didn't like her dress at all. To be fair, I wasn't crazy about any of the dresses to tell the truth. Austin's dress was awesome, but maybe not appropriate for the Grammy's. But what IS appropriate for the Grammy's? Take a good look at Lil' Kim, Christine Alguilera, Britney Spears or J Lo this year and tell me what one is to wear to that farce of a program. There are enough categories to guarantee ANY artist a 1 in 10 chance of winning an award.
Back to Runway, the first thing that came to mind with Wendy's outfit is Big Bird. Those feathers belonged on a boa, not a dress. I can't see Nancy O'Dell in that dress. With her height weighing in at 100 pounds soaking wet, she will look like an exotic bird at the show. I can't wait.
I wanted to see Austin make it to Fashion Week, but next week should be fun. Watch Wendy fall flat on her poorly made up face.
aguynamedWayne
February 10, 2005 - 05:05 PM
If you've looked at any of the reviews from Fashion Week, you will understand that Wendy will not be winning this competion. The Review Fashionistas have basically savaged her in every review I've read. Though i wanted Austin to win, and I do admire Kara's work, I think Jay has this one in the bag.
iowahousewife
February 10, 2005 - 05:06 PM
Get the f... out!! You really met them? (My jaw is still on the floor). You've got to email me @ aceveltri@yahoo.com. I had no idea there was this little group for addicts like myself. My husband says that in my next life I am going to come back as a gay man. I LOVE the fab five and if you had any idea how many entries I did online to try to meet them. I would kill to meet them. BTW - I think I would love to marry Carson - his sense of humor cracks me up!
Seriously - email me so I can catch up with you and the addicts. I HAVE to know how to get a phone call or (can barely breathe at the thought) how to meet them!
I keep writing them telling them I'd pay for everything if they would come to IA and make over my hubby!
Mana
February 10, 2005 - 05:07 PM
I like Austin he has great talent but I think he should have been eliminated he didn't listen it was the grammys not the oscars but I did like his dress but it was more oscars
aguynamedWayne
February 10, 2005 - 05:14 PM
I get where you are coming from Mana, but none of the dresses by any of the final designers was really ever going to be worn by a real celebrity to the Grammys. Austin's really was the closest I could see to what Beyonce or Britney might wear.
MMendez
February 10, 2005 - 05:21 PM
This is my first time post, and I'm only posting cause well, I have watched the show this far, and I got something to say. I am not a K. Saun lover. aside from the 2055 outfit, I found her stuff a little dated... a little 1999. I especially hated the last outfit, THE PANTS under the DRESS, I saw Britney Spears wear such an outfit about two years ago for a photo shoot for Rolling Stone. Being able to put a great looking outfit together is one thing, but being a visionary is quite another. Kara's designs I have seen before in many places. She steals from the best, but she steals none the less.
Jay on the other hand is a JOY to watch design. He's usually so creative. I hated what Kara did with his top, because it deluded the color away... it made it look dull, and I am not convinced it wasn't Kara's idea to ruin his chances. JAY do your thing, never follow someone else's design ideals, they will ruin you.
WENDY, WENDY, WENDY. You know what guys! She has been picked on, she has been abused, and she is hated for telling the TRUTH about KEVIN... oh my GOD did SHE EVER!!! he was an awful leader, but she also knows that this world is not fair... and she got to the final three, GREAT!!! I have to say that in the entire season of the show, she created my favorite dress, The Banana Republic DRESS, reminded me of a modern Audrey Hepburn, it was lovely and simple, what a gorgeous line --- I don't think she was perfect. I do think she had an agenda. But at least she was straight forward about it. Kara Saun was not, she to me was a little more subersive and immature, she is a much better designer but as a person she is in par with Wendy. But her comments on last nights show about sabotage made her look petty and sort of pathetic. A real designer deals with truths and visions. Kara has a long road.
Finally, AUSTIN, I love his costumes. I love them. and I think he has a long career in Broadway and FILM, I can just see him designing film costumes a LA MOULIN ROUGE and the Lord of the RINGS. But he is not a fashion designer. He is a COSTUME DESIGNER, and that is not a bad thing to be, AUSTIN has to embrace his path, and go for that OSCAR STATUETTE.
So at the end of the day, I am hoping for a JAY win, he annoys me, he doesn't seem like that great of a guy to hang around with, but in the end --- people are not gonna wear him for his personality, but for his clothes, and his are head and shoulders over the rest.
Fiordiligi
February 10, 2005 - 05:26 PM
Here's my take,
I don't think the Judges would have picked Wendy in a thousand years, and I can't blame Nancy O'Dell for picking the outfit she would feel most comfortable in for the red carpet.
What I want to know is: who was the IDIOT who decided that the last and most important cut of the show should be left up to someone who had no past experience with the designers. On top of that they made her choose for a SPECIFIC event! Austin would have won hands down for almost any other red carpet.
Austin is amazing and this isn't even a set back for him. A year from now we'll be seeing Austin Scarlett originals all over the red carpet and everywhere else. He is a beautiful and genuine guy who, in this case, was the victim of either stupidity and lack of foresight, or just plain malicious scripting.
Austin, you are loved.
MMendez
February 10, 2005 - 05:36 PM
Runway Report; From the New York Spring Fashion Shows; Reasons to Say `Bravo'
Boston Herald February 05, 2005
NEW YORK - And the winner is . . . Jay McCarroll?
The four finalists on "Project Runway," the Bravo reality show in search of the fashion industry's next hot talent, got to show their own collections at Fashion Week here yesterday. But though the judges, who include indie actress Parker Posey, have yet to crown their favorite, the audience gave its most enthusiastic praise to McCarroll's "Stereotype" collection.
The colorful presentation had it all - great ideas, beautifully tailored clothes, and a rock 'n' roll edge. You've got to love a guy who doesn't take fashion too seriously.
Kara Saun, who has seemed the clear show favorite, underwhelmed the audience with her Fantasy Fly-Girl collection. Yes, the quilted leather jackets were the bomb, but the backless dresses weren't a good fit.
Wendy Pepper's fall collection was neither here nor there. The annoying "mom from West Virginia" doesn't have a natural eye, and it showed.
Then there was Austin Scarlett, the flamboyant blond from Oregon. His show notes bizarrely revealed that he was born on the same day as Edgar Allan Poe, Dolly Parton and Gen. Robert E. Lee.
It was the last from whom Scarlett took inspiration in a tribute to early America, but the detailing - scalloped edging and lace blouses - was too costume-y. He also had the best and the worst of the dresses - a killer hand-quilted red gown and a blue velvet horror with silver spangles.
A sleek peek ahead
Fashion Week got off to a strong start yesterday as designers Kenneth Cole and John Bartlett presented sleek styles for next fall. Cole, who had seemed uninspired the last few seasons, got back on track with a beautiful collection of mens- and womenswear built heavily around knitwear.
There were rich cardigan and turtleneck sweaters with collars so high one might get lost inside. Jackets and coats slouched softly, and the wool dresses were simple, but sexy.
The sex factor continued at John Bartlett, where the menswear designer paid homage to mid-20th century Irving Penn portraits. Bartlett, who has been known to dress a man like a dandy, generally kept things tame with lovely suits, sweaters and dress shirts.
Caption: ROCK ON: "Project Runway" finalist Jay McCarroll brought his A-game to Fashion Week, giving beautifully tailored clothes a rock 'n' roll edge.
Caption: `RUNWAY' ALSO-RANS: Kara Saun underwhelmed with her Fantasy Fly-Girl pieces, while Austin Scarlett's ode to America, complete with scalloped edging, was too much like a costume collection.
Caption: WARM LOOKS: Kenneth Cole's fall collection spotlights knitwear - especially rich cardigans and soft, slouchy jackets, left. Josh Bartless presents a crisp look for menswear, with beautiful suits, far left. (AP PHOTO, far left)
STAFF PHOTOS BY MICHAEL FEIN
desperatewannabe
February 10, 2005 - 05:43 PM
MM, your thoughts and mine are totally in line. I did think Wendy was a little too rough on Kevin, but then, he asked for it. And, sorry, he's scary. A very,very, good designer (in fact, a better ready-to-wear designer than Austin), but there is something....unhinged about him. Too passive agressive.
drRCC
February 10, 2005 - 05:45 PM
Wendy freakin rocks! She is the best TV and so much fun to watch. I actually liked her little dress last night and thought it was the best she has done so far. Austin on the other hand...although talented...is very ...dragolicious. lol!
desperatewannabe
February 10, 2005 - 05:45 PM
"Queer Eye for Everyone"
"Scarlett Letters"
"Scarlett Women"
vodkaholik
February 10, 2005 - 05:52 PM
Quote:
This show has become like every other reality show and is not fun to watch anymore. I am in it until the end because I want to see Kara or Jay win it, but I will not watch next season. Next season will be worse because there will be more untalented designers who will see this show and know all they have to do is be nasty and sneaky because that guarantees more face time.
Go Kara Saun and Jay!
I completely agree with your post. I'm cheering for jay, but do you really think there will be another season. Does anyone know?
desperatewannabe
February 10, 2005 - 06:04 PM
Who gives a $%^&! I believe it is probably also true that Austin and Jay SLEEP WITH MEN! I'll bet the President and John Ashcroft could investigate them -- gay men who design, hmmm, that's pretty suspicious don't you think? Listen, so she's a marginal designer and she has an attitude, so what. We can all dislike the fact she made it this far, or disdain her work as stuff we wouldn;t buy (although I still think that Middle America would, and as we learned in the elction, Middle America is bigger than we'd like to think. She may end up the richest, if the worst-regarded, of the designers on this show.) I think it's offensive that you post about her personal life.
Loomchick
February 10, 2005 - 06:08 PM
Quote:
"Queer Eye for Everyone"
"Scarlett Letters"
"Scarlett Women"
I like the person earlier who used "Scarlett Fever" . . . very hot!
livefromnowhere
February 10, 2005 - 06:15 PM
Last week when I was thinking about who I thought I would wish eliminated, of course, my first thought was Wendy the Wicked Wannabe. But then again, as I thought more deeply, I began to wonder - whose work do I really want to SEE? not just who do I want to be a finalist.
The answer was hands-down - Jay. His work is always surprising, and I really want to SEE his collection. Although it is obvious that of the group Kara Saun is one of the strongest of the group, I had much less urge to see her collection, because I could almost already picture it in my head. Triple Ditto for Austin Scarlett - although I think he is a more "worthy" overall candidate than Wendy - he is very constricted in his design options - which was his ultimate downfall in making the Fashion Show Cut.
And I had to be honest - I really do want to SEE Wendy's collection to prove to myself that given the opportunity she doesn't really have what it takes to work her own label. She might be a great designer for a label who would give her all kinds of mass market constraints - like her win at Banana Republic - BUT I don't think she really has an inner vision of her own. I try to teach my design students how to develop their own inner vision - not to be "remodelers" of other people's work. Wendy is a good remaker - and only some of the time at that.
Where do we see PIX of the show?????????
desperatewannabe
February 10, 2005 - 06:16 PM
Absolutely agree. If you define the "game" as selling to an audience. Austin needs to be a true courtier, an "auteur" living in Paris, with a couple of ridiculously rich women who love his work. He'd be fabulous at that. Because if you are true to yourself at the expense of being true to what others like, you will simply be poor. And ready-to-wear involves clothing which needs to be functional. He's not really up for that, he needs the glamour. Best of luck to him, I think we will see a lot of him, but not in stores.
Mana
February 10, 2005 - 06:16 PM
Sry I don't agree Austin truely should have lost despite the fact I like austin and not wendy I really think in the newest challenge he deserved to lose
aguynamedWayne
February 10, 2005 - 06:20 PM
To see images of the show go to www.gettyimages.com and click on the Editorial then use the search box for:Project Runway. It has pics from all of the final four Austin, Jay, Kara, and Wendy (poor thing)
JustTzujIt
February 10, 2005 - 06:27 PM
Quote:
I completely agree with your post. I'm cheering for jay, but do you really think there will be another season. Does anyone know?
Are you kidding? There *has* to be another season, you see how well Bravo is doing with this show? Not as well as in fall 2003 (first season QE) but I think they should do a deal with their parent network, NBC, and air the show on Primetime. They did that with QE some and then it got REALLY popular.
We all love to vilify *W* on these boards, but I'm not gonna let it get to me. I like watching the show so I can pick out my choice for up-and-coming designers. I like watching the designs also, and dreaming up (maybe someday creating) what I would do if I were given the challenge.
I for one am going to continue watching PR, even if they just dumped my favorite designer, I think the premise of the show is still alive.