PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos "Project Runway Season 12" Recaps, Episode 10 "SuperFan, Supermodels, SuperKRAZEE"

Mud Masque CRAY-CRAY: GURL! I mean, Ken Laurence...Put down them denim raw-hem Daisy Dukes. Now. PS: You're looking like Faye Dunaway in "Mommie Dearest". Like seriously.

This week's Season 12 "Project Runway" episode was the SUPERFAN Episode. Superfans of the show submitted videos of themselves and eight of them were chosen to come to NYC, meet Tim and become part of the Season 12 "Project Runway" L'Oreal Paris Challenge.

 It's Tim! Yes, he is real and very dapper--Episode 10 Season 12 "Project Runway"

The "Project Runway" runway/judging "set" at Parsons--Episode 10 Season 12 "Project Runway"

OMG...We're at Mood! Designers & Superfans go to Mood--Episode 10 Season 12 "Project Runway"

I loved this concept since I LOVE Project Runway SUPERFANS. Truly. I do. But naturally, it was all overshadowed by Mr. Should-Be-A-Spokesperson-For-Klonopin Ken and his over-the-top-screaming antics:

As designers Alexander Pope (above, right) and Bradon McDonald were trying to move into their new digs at the Refinery Hotel NYC, Miss Ken "Anger Management Issues" Laurence, blocked the entrance...

Split At KRAZEE Birth: Faye Dunaway in "Mommie Dearest" and Ken Laurence Season 12 "Project Runway" contestant

Seeing Ken, in a mud masque, ironing his tacky denim Daisy Dukes, as he tried to block his co-contestants from entering their new "apartment"--and the UGLY, disrespectful, entitled yelling he did to them, and the "Project Runway" Talent Coordinator...was a scene straight out of "Mommie Dearest" sans the wire hangers. It was one of those moments where I kept thinking "Boy, Your Momma Will Not Be Proud". And,  I can only guess how Ken would excuse it as part of the "editing". PS: I'm, sooo OVER that! Here's a Reality Show Mantra: If You Come Off KRAZEE in TV. You Are KRAZEE In Real Life. Just sayin'.



The Runway:

Judges Zanna Roberts Rassi, Zac Posen, Heidi Klum and Erin Fetherston

The Best:

Justin LeBlanc: Loved this black A-line dress with 3/4 sleeves for his client Tristen. Justin incorporated her "autograph" into the front of the dress via machine-stitching. It looked great, fit well and hit all the right "client" needs and wants.

Helen Castillo: Helen won with this transformation of a gown. Her client was 100% different from when she first met her. And more importantly, the gown was made and draped beautifully.



The "Uh Oh":

Alexandria Von Bromsenn: Alexandria's client wanted an "interview/intern" outfit. This look above looked like a librarian from a Christian College. Seriously. So dowdy. It made her 20 year-old client look 15 years older.

Dom Streater: Dom's printed dress, jacket and bad styling should have ended up on the bottom. But she was safe (lucky her!). This whole look SCREAMS for a Bloody Mary at the Princess Cruises Happy Hour.

Alexander Pope: Poor Alexander, he did not finish his suit for Andrea, his SuperFan client, and it showed. The suit was very "Business Hoochie". Too tight, too cheap-looking. But thankfully, the one who was out was Ken...

Ken Laurence: He made a pea-green sheath dress (with leather panels), and that's it. And this was a TWO DAY Challenge. And it fit bad. Really bad.  I just wanted him gone for his unacceptable, nasty behavior. Read my BLOG RECAP below to see where I think he really belongs...

Bye Ken. Go get some Therapy.

Here's my "Project Runway Blog" Recap of this Episode...

Superfans, Supermodels and SuperKRAZEE

From superfan to supermodel. What a great theme for a "Project Runway" episode. As a former contestant, I can attest to the unwavering devotion, passion and enthusiasm fans of "Project Runway” have for the show. So, when Tim introduced this challenge, it made me smile and happy to see an episode that paid homage to them. That’s the good part. And yes, there was the bad: Ken’s "other persona" made an appearance and this time, it had a mud mask on. So, let’s discuss all the super good and super bad.



OMG! It’s Tim Gunn

"Project Runway" superfans submitted videos of themselves to be chosen for the ultimate "Project Runway" experience: to be made over by the designers. Eight ladies were picked and brought to NYC. They all pull up on a double-decker NYC Sightseeing bus in front of Parsons and guess who is waiting there to greet them? Tim Gunn! No doubt that the eight lucky ladies must have felt as if they died and gone to heaven. If seeing Monsieur Gunn live and in person wasn’t enough, he gives them a tour of Parsons and the Runway set. The superfans then all hide in the sewing room as they await their introduction to the designers—who incidentally have no idea of what is happening.



Who Are These Ladies?

As Tim tells the designers that they will be getting "new clients" and the workroom doors are about to open, you can feel the designers thinking, "OMG! It’s going to be my MOM!!" Soon, they realize, it is not (insert sad face). Any feeling of disappointment is quickly gone once they find out what the challenge—and who these ladies are. It’s the L’Oreal Paris Challenge: the designers will get to create a look for these superfans and have TWO DAYS to do it. As a bonus, the superfans will also get a complete beauty makeover courtesy of L’Oreal Paris. While most of the designers are excited, Ken informs us that he’s "never sewn for a real woman." Pardon me Ken, but then who do you sew for? Fake women?



To continue reading my RECAP, Click HERE! 

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos Season 12 Project Runway Recaps, Episode 9 "Modern Southern Re-Do"

Modern Southern Redo: "Designing Women" cast

On this week's Lifetime Network's "Season 12 Project Runway", the remaining designers had to design a look for Belk, the retail sponsor of this season and is the nation's largest family owned and operated department store company with 301 locations in 16 Southern states.

Speaking of Southern, the Challenge was to Design a Look For a Modern Southern Woman.  Just so you know, these are some photo samples of what Belk and dresses sold at Belk look like:

Dresses at Belk

Keep those images in mind when you keep reading--and seeing what this season's designers tried to come up as for their "Modern Southern Woman"...

The Guest Judges for this Challenge were John Thomas, Executive VP of Private Brands for Belk (far left) and George Clooney's ex main squeeze Stacy Keibler (second from left)--as well as Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum, of course. The designs came out and I was dumbfounded by the fact that NONE of them looked like a Modern Southern Woman (at least, to me), or at least a dress selleable for a department store...

Let's start with the designers who got bit by the Handkerchief Plaid Virus:

Alexandria Von Bronssem: No. Not happening. Boring, very Tablecloth and too much handkerchief hem happening.

Alexander Pope and Bradon McDonald: Alexander's PLAID and HANDKERCHIEF HEM strapless dress (left) was cute and well made, but not for Belk and not a Modern Southern Woman; too tricky of a hem. Then there was (one of ) the actual Winning designs, from Bradon (right, above): I loved the mitering of the plaid and how well it fit his model Ya, but again, this was not a dress that would be sellable in a department store and the front bias cut/horizontal construction would have to be changed.

Ken Laurence: (alleged) Multiple Personality "Sybil" Ken--who is from the South--Alabama to be exact--did this hi-low dress. It was OK but verging on the "Gown Virus" some other designers caught:

Dom Streater (left) and Helen Castillo (right): When these gowns came out, all I kept thinking was "This is NOT Neiman-Marcus, it's BELK!". Why gowns? So disconnected. John Thomas, the Belk exec must have been like "Ummm, Gowns???"



The Most Modern Southern Woman (to me):

Kate Pankoke: Kate's design was the one (to me) that came closest to being a "Modern Southern Woman"--or at least, something I could see sold at Belk and Belk.com. But nope, she wasn't it. I liked the print; the simple un-tricky/non-handkerchief hem silhouette. It was a bit high-waisted but that can easily be fixed, when it comes to selling it in the stores.



The Not-So-Good:

Jeremy Brandrick: Oh Jeremy. Virgin Atlantic Flight Attendant. The Purser.



There was this "9th Hour" twist where the Bottom Three Designers were given a chance to Re-Do their designs...

Jeremy was Out for this too-blah dress above (which actually probably would have sold well at Belk), and...

Dom's re-do (above) was so well liked that she received a (sort-of) win and was told her dress would also be "Manufactured and Sold at Belk and Belk.com", along with Bradon's design...

I'm Confused, Where Are the Manufactured Dresses? When I tried to find these "manufactured" dresses that won at Belk.com, I couldn't find anything. Tim's perplexed face and stance reflects mine...



So, naturally, I think it's time I REALLY vent and let you guys read my MyLifetime.com "Project Runway Blog" Recap of this week...I have LOTS to say (as usual):

A Modern Southern Redo

A modern Southern woman. Now, this is something I have a little bit of knowledge about: this past Summer, I designed a line, NV Nick Verreos, that was sold to a major department store and I traveled around the South doing a bit of "market research" during my in-store appearances. So, I was looking forward to what the designers would think was their vision for this "modern Southern woman." As it turned out, I was left as confused as most of the judges. And what was up with that ninth hour Bottom Three face-off? And Ken's attitude? And all that plaid and handkerchief hems? Lots to discuss...



Put Down Your Mint Juleps

The episode began with Heidi walking onto the runway, telling the remaining designers that she was giving them a morning off because they needed to "relax, unwind and have some fun" (Yeah right!). The designers head to Juliette Restaurant, a French brasserie in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for a Southern-style brunch. As they were enjoying their croissants, coffee and French toast, Tim Gunn walks in—in a double-breasted suit from Zac Posen's closet—to announce that it's time to finish those mint juleps and pack all the extra beignets in a "to-go chien bag." Tim tells the designers that this "lovely, civilized, relaxed" brunch describes who they will be designing for next.



A Modern Southern Woman...Who Loves Plaid?

It's the Belk challenge: to create a day or evening look for a modern, Southern woman. Gunn describes this M.S.W. as someone who dresses vibrantly, expressively; always fashionably put-together; knows how to accessorize; and loves color and anything with feminine details. Even though the designers were told that they were having a morning off, the designers all somehow brought their HP tablets and were ready to sketch. Afterward, they headed to Mood where a lot of the designers caught the PLAID fabric virus...again!



Southern Woman Expert Ken

Ken, who hails from Birmingham, Alabama, deems himself the go-to guy when it comes to what a modern, Southern woman likes and wears. In his direct-to-camera interviews, he keeps wondering...



CLICK HERE to continue reading my RECAP! 

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos "Project Runway Blog" Episode 7 Recap: Shoe-In!

SHOES! Tim Gunn and Anne Fulenwider, Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Announcing Episode 7 Challenge, Season 12 Project Runway

On this week's Season 12 "Project Runway" Episode, SHOES were The Star. The Challenge was to craete a look inspired by a pair of shoes. The designers went to the Marie Claire NYC headquarters in the fabulous Hearst Building where they got to "raid" the Marie Claire Accessories Closet. Well, they  really didn't get to choose willy-nilly. Instead,
the designers (except for last week's winner, Alexandria) had to play a
"Fashion History" game in order to pick the shoes.

 Shoe Heaven: Season 12 "Project Runway" designer Kate Pankoke goes for her shoe pick

 Shame on You: Designers Dom Streader and Miranda Levy (above) were the last designers standing at the end of the Fashion History game because they somehow called in sick during "Fashion History 101" classes

One of my biggest pet peeves (I have LOTS!) is when so-called fashion designers (and students of fashion design) do not know their fashion history. Once, I asked a former student of mine to tell me which designers in the past were most influential, and she said (without blinking an eyelash I kid you not!) "Jessica Simpson!". Well, you can only imagine the "Nick Look" I gave to her. Shade doesn't even begin to describe it.

Moving on...during this episode, one thing occurred that REALLY ANNOYED ME: When Tim Gunn (who I love and respect greatly!) said that "this group is composed of THE GREATEST DESIGNERS in Project Runway history." We all know Tim has said this, like, in the last TEN SEASONS! And every time he says it, it's a bit disingenuous as well as knife-to-the-stomach to some other seasons that REALLY HAVE HAD some of the GREATEST DESIGNERS. Ask most die-hard "Project Runway" fans who have followed the show since it's inception and they'll tell you--without missing a beat--that this season ain't one of them. Just sayin'. Let's just skip to The Runway:

Kate Pankoke: Little Kate was "Safe" with this white blouse and black split-front ensemble she created for her red and yellow "Surrealist" shoes. I thought it was a bit of a mess. The blouse was way too tight and those pants were so 1998. She looked like a mistress of a Russian Oligarch.

Ken Laurence: Two words--Too Short

Alexander Pope: Two designers--Alexander (above) was one of them and Miranda was the other--were bitten by the PLAID Virus. The judges did not like Miranda's but thought Alexander's was OK. Go figure because I thought it should have been the other way around.

Alexandria Von Bromssen: Several things here--I thought those thigh-high gladiator sandals were TO DIE Fab. The outfit Alexandria made was OK--a soft-and-pretty counterbalance to those Gladiator Sandals. And finally (and most importantly), her model Ya SOLD THE LOOK and was really the reason Alexandria's outfit was one of the judges' favorite. Just sayin'.

Helen Castillo: Helen's all black very New York and Parisian Look was the Winner. No surprise there. It was VERY Alexander Wang for Balenciaga Fall 2013 (above, right), and "Fashion Folk" LIVED for that collection.

Bradon McDonald: The judge's Prized Favorite of the Season--Bradon--was heck-bent on using this bouillonné technique. The word means "bubbling" in French but it is also a pretentious way of saying "a Pick-Up" or "Puckering". He had these beautiful beaded gold flats as his inspiration, and he went 1982 Prom-Tacky. The top is tragique and that half-circle skirt is straight out of one of my Pattern/Draping class assignments.

Google "Jupe bouillonné" (Bubbled Dress en francais) and you'll see what I mean--it is the exact same techinique one sees in very tacky Prom and Wedding Dresses. The technique was used BEAUTIFULLY by....

Couture Master Cristobal Balenciaga--especially in his Fall/Winter Collection 1967 "chou" coat

Bradon just graduated from my alma mater--FIDM--and I had just seen his "Debut" collection back in March, and he's obviously very talented...

Bouillonné Bradon: Bradon McDonald FIDM Debut 2013 Collection

He showed several bouillonné looks which he also brought to the "Project Runway Season 12" Castings/Auditions in which I was a judge. So, in other words, I guess, this bouillonné thing is one of his "Bradon Bag O' Fashion Tricks". Toward the end of this episode, he realized that maybe he shouldn't have used it and kept it back in his "bag". While I thought for sure he had one of the worst designs, he was not the designer that went home. This was:

Miranda Levy: Yes, the other Plaid Girl, Miranda Levy. Miranda did a plaid high-waisted pleated pants with top and bolero jacket look for her patent leather red flats. I liked her look. I certainly didn't LOVE it. But to me, it wasn't the worst. I was happy Miranda didn't do yet another pencil skirt (that's Miranda's bouillonné!). The mitering (matching of the stripes) of the CF seam of her pants was done much better than Alexander's (the other Plaid Girl). But I did think the models hair was a tad too...

Amy Winehouse...but Nina HATED this outfit saying that it was way too Christmas-y...

A Plaid X-mas

Here's my RECAP of this week's Episode--Enjoy! And please, don't be afraid to tell me what YOU think:

Shoe-In

I must confess, I'm a shoe-a-holic; I love
shoes. My two obsessions are YSL "Johnny Boots" and colorful suede
driving loafers from Florence Italy. I own three YSL pairs and about
four of the Italian ones. I get the suede loafers from a "secret" little
store in Firenze (and I am NOT telling anyone what the store is!). I am
only admitting this shoe confession to try and dispel the myth that
only women are OBSESSED with shoes. Lots of men are too. And to be quite
honest I think there are quite a few of us that are addicted to women's
shoes too! No surprise that some of the top designers are Christian
Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik and Brian Atwood. So right away, I was excited
about the challenge and interested to see if the designers could make
the shoes the star.



Justin...You're In!

Last week, the designers got to go GLAMPING. Alexandria won the
challenge (much to my dismay, since I liked Jeremy's bias-cut "love
letter" gown better), and Justin was out, almost. Tim Gunn used his save
and Justin was still in, not because (as Tim said) "he's one of the
nicest persons here," but because of his talent and that he needed "a
little more time" on the show. OK Tim, if you say so.



Shoe Krazee

For this week's challenge, it was ALL ABOUT SHOES: the designers went to
the Hearst Building and met up with Tim Gunn and Marie Claire's
Editor-in-Chief Anne Fulenwider. Anne announced that this week's
challenge was to choose a pair of FAB shoes from the Marie Claire
accessory closet and create a look inspired by those shoes. Before they
could pick, there was a fashion quiz they had to take. Alexandria did
not need to participate since...



Click HERE to continue reading my RECAP on MyLifetime.com's "Project Runway Blog"