PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos Project Runway Season 12 Recaps, Episode 8: Let's Get Physical

First Things First...

Tim Gunn In Shorts AND Sneakers...I thought I'd never see the day...I wonder how much they had to pay him to do that? (PS: A LOT!)

On this week's Lifetime Network's Season 12 "Project Runway", it was all about working out--or rather Activewear. The Challenge was to design a look for Heidi Klum's New Balance activewear clothing line. The winning design was to be manufactured and sold as part of Heidi's line at selected New Balance stores and NewBalance.com.

Some people liken this challenge to "Sweatshop Labor" (the designers get to create a look "for free" for Heidi's line and they don't make a dime off of any garment sold). It is that, yes, but also gives "bragging rights" to the winning designer since they can tell their grandma back in Lord Knows Where, that one of their designs is being sold all over the Country. Note to the winner: make sure to go online and buy your own design before you don't have an actual sample of what you did.

Let's Get Physical: Anyhow, the designers met up with Heidi and Tim--who was in full referee "costume"--black and white shirt, shorts and sneakers--to "host" a Field Day test where the designers had to go through obtacle courses in order to win extra time in the workroom and first dibs on fabric...

Lycra In The Park: makeshift fabric station in the field where the designers did their obstacle courses--Season 12 Project Runway Episode 8

Wash Your Mouth Out With Soap: During the episode, when the designers went back to their Parsons workroom, one of the designers--Ken Laurence (right)--got very, very nasty with fellow designer Helen Castillo. It was uncomfortable to hear Ken's language (and I'm not a "Language Grandma"!). To find out what I REALLY thought of Ken's behavior, keep reading...



The Runway:

 Very Special Guest Judge: Michael Kors was back for this episode and his comedy writers had some FAB zingers!

Alexander Pope (left) and Bradon McDonald (right): These two looks were good--there was enough "fashion" and the correct amount of athletic-wear to them. The whole color-blocking look is BIG for activewear designs and these two (safe) designers ran with it (see, an "athletic" term!). Miss Drag Queen high-arched eyebrows Alexander did leggings without side seams which was correct--as well as pattern impressive.

Dom Streater (left) and Justin LeBlanc (right): Of these two, Justin's was better. Dom's look was OK but for some reason, the outfit--and especially the placement of the red piping, made the model's thighs and hips look really wide (I am sure they are not!). Justin's running shorts and asymmetrically-zipped vest look was a good design. Me Likey.

Kate Pankoke (left) and Helen Castillo (right): These two were deemed the best and I agreed. Helen's won. Judge Nina Garcia put in a (supposed) order right on the spot.



The Not-So Good:

Alexandria Von Bromssen: No. Absolutely not. Drop-crotch "Poopy Pants" to work out in? Never. And I'm not even going to discuss the metal separating zipper and how it's stretched out in the front due to wonky sewing.

Ken Laurence: Potty Mouth'ed Ken Laurence did this look above and it was something any woman could buy at Target...ON SALE. The top was too long and it looked like a work-out/jogging outfit every other mom jogs in. At first I wasn't sure if that's supposed to be good or bad but when the judges put him in the bottom, I got my answer. But the clear worst:

Karen Batts: Awww, poor Roberta Little (the model), she had to wear that above. It looked like an outfit a woman with no fashion sense wears to a cruise ship buffet:

Cruise Ship Buffet Fashion

Bye Huney...

Now, time to read what I REALLY THINK of this week's "Project Runway" Episode and my "Project Runway Blog" Recap:

Let's Get Physical



I have Four Words: Tim. Gunn. In. Shorts. I thought I would never see the day. Thank you "Project Runway."

Referee Tim

This week's episode began with our dear style mentor waking the remaining designers up at their Refinery Hotel digs, in full referee Uniform ensemble, including the black-and-white shirt, shorts (Oh Dear!) and even sneakers. Yes, Tim Gunn in shorts AND sneakers! Heaven. When he was waking the designers up--going from room to room--I also had another thought as the camera cut to Karen: I forgot she was still on the show! (Is that bad of me?) After the designers changed into athletic/workout outfits from Heidi Klum's New Balance line, they all re-connected with Referee Tim--as well as Heidi--for a little Field Day. Tim and Heidi explained that there were five identical obstacle courses with four stations (a three-legged race, tire run, wheel barrel and flag grab) which the designers had to take part in. The designers would be put into five teams of two for this mini Project Runway Boot Camp.



What's The Point?

As soon as I wondered out loud at the point of all this (except to see Tim in shorts and sneakers!) Heidi announced the challenge: To create a fashionable activewear look for her New Balance collection. She also informs the designers that...



Click HERE to read the rest of my RECAP! And don't forget to let me know what YOU thought in the "Comments" section!

WHO WORE WHAT?....."Punk Chaos To Couture" Met Gala 2013 Red Carpet, Part Two: Models, Singers, Designers...and Kim Kardashian!

Heidi Klum in Marchesa Fall 2013--Heidi Klum went eighteenth-century romanticism Glam Goddess for last night's 2013 Met Gala red carpet as opposed to taking the "punk" route. Good choice I say! She wore a silvery-white gown form Marchesa Fall 2013 collection with a sculptured and opulent strapless bustier and wrap-around draped floor-length skirt with train.

In my last posting, I highlighted the actresses, Chairs and Co-Chairs of last night's fabulous and very FASHION OBSESSED 2013 Met Gala red carpet honoring the opening of the "Punk: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC , so now,  it's time to check out what the supermodels, singers, designers and a Reality Show Queen (yes, Miss Kim!) in my Part Two edition...Let's get to it:



Model 101:

 Coco Rocha in Ungaro Fall 2013--Nicely done Coco. Love the animal print (GRRRR!) and the oversized metallic gold details. She looks like a Cheetah who got caught in a jungle of gold leaves! As you can see from the photo, the original runway sample was a short sexy dress. For Coco, it was lengthened into a floor-length gown.

Joan Smalls in Tom Ford Fall 2013 (with Tom Ford)--Supermodel Joan Smalls wore Tom Ford as she attended the 2013 Met Gala with Tom Ford (naturally!). It was a black lace long-sleeved gown that looked spectacular on Miss Joan. Tom didn't look so bad himself. As always: impeccable in a double-breasted notched collar satin lapel suit from...Tom Ford.

Liu Wen in Alexander McQueen--Model Liu Wen looked fabulous in a black lace, chiffon and sequined embroidered gown with gold neckline detail from Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton.

Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello Fall 2013--Anja wore a red version of Belgian designer's black leather number form his fall 2013 collection. Anja looks very "Robert Palmer Girl"-Metes-North Beach Leather Catalog in this look and therefore: I LOVE it! It fits the "PUNK Couture" element, at least for me.

 Karolina Kurkova in Mary Katrantzou--Karolina wore this one shoulder printed design from Greek fashion design Mary Katrantzou. Katrantzou lives in London and shows at London Fashion Week and is known for her bright. bold prints. This dress screams early 1990's Versace for me. Not a bad thing. I'm just putting that out there. PS: those smoky eyes of Karolina's should get a makeup award. Like tomorrow.

Singers 101:

Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs Fall 2013--20 year-old Miley wore a floor-length version of a short nude and black sequined dress from Marc Jacobs' Fall 2013 collection. I like this tank dress; it's simple, not earth-shattering design-wise and it's all about the luxe fabric. The spiky hair on Miley is a bit contrived, I think. More importantly, what do YOU guys think?

Madonna in Givenchy--Only Madonna can pull this off (maybe Deborah Harry of Blondie could too!). Madonna went closer to the theme of the exhibition with this black, gray and white plaid jacket with gold studs, accessorized with black leather gloves, fishnets and bubblegum pink pumps...and a jet black long bob with bangs. Very Pin-Up Chick-Meets-Punk Club Door Girl.

Jennifer Lopez in Michael Kors (with Michael Kors)--I can't. Seriously. I just can't. How FLAWLESS does J. Lo look? Don't answer that because I will: She does! Her Momma--and all the Gays around her--done taught her right!

 Katy Perry in Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2013 (with designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana)--Katy Perry wore a heavily sequined dress with religious icon detail from Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2013 collection. She "topped" it all off with a crown--also from the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2013 collection. Whether or not this had anything to do with PUNK or CHAOS or COUTURE is not even the point, she looked great in my eyes.

Kylie Minogue in Moschino with Rossella Jardini Creative Director of Moschino--Miss Kylie wore a strapless black and white gown from the Italian fashion house of Moschino. Kylie looks elegant and very 80's event appropriate but I think Moschino's Creative Director looks more "CHAOS COUTURE" fabulous. Sorry.

Gwen Stefani Maison Martin Margiela--Gwen knows Punk-ish...at least the Orange County version. She's been doing this stuff for years. This outfit choice must have been a walk-in-the-park for her. I love her expression here, she's like "Yeah WHAT!?".

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel by Gilles Mendel--Taylor Swift looks almost unrecognizable here. I like this look on her, including this black and gold lace embroidered gown from Gilles Mendel's brand J. Mendel. What do you guys think? Is this a Hit or Punk "Chaos Couture" Miss?

Speaking of Misses....Solange Knowles in Kenzo and Nicki Minaj in Tommy Hilfiger--Afro Not-So-Fab and Roots Miss Nicki. I don't even know what to say (and I'm not usually at a loss for words). Therefore, please leave your comments after the post. PLEASE!

Ashley Olsen in vintage Dior--Carole Cook called and she wants her caftan. ASAP.  Why do I feel as if I want to be in Palm Springs drinking Dirty Martinis in a Mid Century home with a bunch of older gays? Was that her inspiration?

Designers 101:

Donatella Versace--I mean...WOW! Again, I just can't. Your turn, readers...

 Zandra Rhodes--Two words: LOVE HER. Period.

Model Lily Cole, in Vivienne Westwood, with the designer Vivienne Westwood and Westwood's husband and co-designer, former Austrian footballer Andreas Kronthaler--Subversive, plastic, silk taffeta, punk, chaos and couture...yep, it's all there!

And then there was Kim and Kanye...

Kim Kardashian in custom Givenchy--Kim wore a flower printed gown with a high side slit, long sleeves (covered up with gloves). She accessorized it with matching shoes. A lot of people (on the web) are saying she looked like a couch. I get the whole pink flowers "pink" suggestion (the color PINK is the color of PUNK in case you weren't aware), but yes, it's a LOT of dress. I know she's UBER pregnant but still, this might not have been her best choice. This, I think, is a case where maybe she should not have listened to the designer and said "Um, No thanks!". But, on the other hand, NO ONE is talking about any other dress except hers. So, I give Kim "At-a-GURL" Nick Points for going there! You go Miss Kim!