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 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!