PROJECT RUNWAY.....Season 12 Project Runway Finale!! The Recap: And The Winner Is...

Dom Streater, Winner of Season 12 Project Runway

This past Thursday was the Finale Episode of Season 12 "Project Runway". I've recap'ed the entire season for MyLifetime.com and even did a fun Live Chat for the previous week's "Part 1 Finale". You can click HERE to read all about that. But back to the Finale: this was when the top four designers of the season got to show their collections at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. The actual runway show (and judging) occurred last month on September 6th but it aired this past Thursday.

Heidi Klum--"Project Runway Season 12" Finale Runway Show, Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week

Finale Judges: (left to right) Heidi Klum, Zac Posen, Nina Garcia of Marie Claire and actress Kerry Washington--Season 12 Finale Runway Show, Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week

So lets get to the Finale Collections, beginning with designer Bradon McDonald:

Bradon McDonald: FIDM Debut 2012 Graduate Bradon McDonald was the first one out and I wasn't surprised. His collection was pretty but screamed "older woman", and dated. The combo of the lame with the pick-up organza, plus his print--which looked like hands as opposed to flowers--seemed a little confusing. He was Tim's favorite (as well as the judges) so it was surprising that he went home and created this. It was a slight miss. But hey, he just began his fashion design career so I'm sure he's got lots ahead of him.

Lame Boca: I wasn't a fan of the look that first came out--the lame and organza ensemble (left). But I did like the look on the right. It was still a bit 66 year-old woman in Boca Raton at the Happy Hour...but I still liked it.

Oh No: These were my two least favorite looks from Bradon--the supposed "Unconventional Look" (left) and the "Tide Pods Washable Challenge Look". No and no. Here's a question: who is your woman Bradon? Because these two ladies are very different.

Justin LeBlanc: His Finale Collection was one of my favorites; it was sharp, directional, and very edgy. His 3D prints accessories were definitely a highlight.

Test Tube Couture: Justin's "Unconventional Challenge" look ivory gown made out of test tubes and his 3D prints shoulder accents was my favorite look of his.

Alexandria von Bromssen: I think Alexandria was the surprise of this season. When she came into the Los Angeles Casting that I judged (along with Tim Gunn), she was all things bubbly, Euro-kooky and so much fun. When she was on the show, she was anything but. I'm not sure what happened but the Alexandria who came into the castings wasn't the I-Don't-Like-Anyone Alexandria I watched on the show. But her Finale Collection was fantastic. I loved all her pants and the relaxed-chic look of most of her ensembles. It screamed "Heidi Klum" (no wonder she liked it so much!). Here is my least, and most favorite of her collection looks:

Unconventional Challenge Look (left) and Pant-fab: I thought that when she opened her collection with that "Unconventional Look" of hers, it was a miss; it looked like it didn't belong in her collection and seemed a bit "Fashion School-y". However, this look on the right was so chic, effortless and Paris/Berlin fashionista...If I was sitting next to her in a First Class flight to Frankfurt I definitely would have been like "You Go Girl!".

Dom Streater: Dom's collection was--by far--my favorite. From the first look out, I was like "done and done". The bouffant hair, the fab prints, the overall styling...I got who this woman was. She was hip, stylish, and a Gay Man's Bestie for sure. I LOVED it. If she didn't win this season--just from this Finale Collection--I would have been very pissed.

Resort Goddess: A look from Dom Streater, Project Runway Season 12 Finale, Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Lincoln Center.

My Favorite Look: I loved this printed jersey dress with plunging cowl back; it was effortless and oh-so-chic. If I saw this woman at my next Santorini Greece holiday, I would A) SCREAM, and B) Have her come to my table and have Ouzo!

Washable and Unconventional Fab: Dom's "Washable Look" (left) was EVERYTHING. This look was Oh-So-Fab and need I add, washable! And then, there was her "Unconventional Look" made of door hinges. One word: Wow.

Congratulations Dom!!! And by the way, besides the fact that her collection was great and deserved the win, she is the FIRST African-American Winner of "Project Runway"...You Go Girl!

Here is my RECAP of this past week's Finale Episode of Season 12 "Project Runway":

The End Is Here

The end is here—well, at least for this twelfth season of "Project Runway." Now, before I begin discussing this finale episode and my recap of the collections, I have to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who tuned in and joined me for the FIRST EVER "Part 1 Finale Live Chat" here on myLifetime.com. I had a blast during my "Nick Dishing on the Web" session, answering fan questions about the season and "Project Runway" in general. I really enjoyed it and hope we can do it again next season!



Time to DISH on the Finale

As of last week, there were five remaining designers—with Bradon and Dom having secured spots at Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week and three having to "fight it out" for the coveted third spot. As it turns out, there were going to be four designers showing. Alexandria and Justin were in and Helen (and her "caped crusader" girls) was out.



Washable Redux

Halfway through last week's episode, we had the introduction of a final challenge, the Tide Pods Washable Fabrics Challenge. The designers had to create a look using only washable fabrics. The challenge, however, was derailed as a result of Tim's unfortunate subway accident. During my Live Chat, I talked about how great this challenge was since I think it is so important for "high fashion" designers to think of using washable fabrics in their collections. This was brought to my attention this past Summer while doing events for my NV Nick Verreos dress line; I heard from LOTS of women who told me how important it was for them to have chic garments that they can actually throw in the wash. But during last week's episode, it was only introduced and then...nothing else about it happened.



Step Away From The Bouillonne

The beginning of this episode solved my "Can we get back to the Tide Challenge?" conundrum and immediately showed the Top 4 designers at Mood, picking their washable fabrics and going back to their Parsons Workroom to create their a "washable look that pops" as well as finish whatever they had to do in their collections. Tim checks in. Last week we got a glimpse of what Bradon and Dom were doing through their home visits but this time, Tim got more up close and personal. He LOVED what Bradon's collection was looking like; but I didn't so much. Bradon was mixing prints and while that could have turned out to be good...



Click HERE to read the rest of my RECAP on the "Project Runway Blog" on MyLifetime.com 

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos "Project Runway Season 12" Recaps, Episode 12 "Butterfy Avant-Garde"

Tim Gunn and the remaining five designers at Sweetbriar Nature Center--Episode 12 "Project Runway Season 12"

This week on Lifetime Network's "Season 12 Project Runway", the remaining five designers were tasked to create TWO things--first a look inspired by Butterflies and it had to be Avant-Garde. And second, they had to re-do an eliminated designers' look and make it better...It was a Double-Double Challenge...

First off, Here are some Butterfly-inspired looks from the "fashion world":

Butterfly Fashion: Seattle-based fashion designer Luly Yang's "Monarch Butterfly" dress from her 2005 "Metamorphosis" collection, and Marchesa (right)

This Is Avant-Garde, Kids: Comme des Garcons by Rei Kawakubo Spring 2014--Avant-Garde should be Experimental, Inspiring, and Push-the-Envelope Fab.

How Big? Heidi and her Schnitzel Obsession--Episode 12 Project Runway

  

Weepy Helen: Miss "Project Runway After School Special Helen" did not disappoint in this week's episode...yes, there was LOTS of WEEPY Helen crying

Guest Judge Emmy Rossum--Episode 12, Season 12 Project Runway

The Looks:

Justin LeBlanc: Justin created two wonderful looks--I especially LOVED his Avant-Garde one; it was so Marchesa-meets-Comme des Garcons. And yes, his re-worked look was much better than his "Foaming Vagina" original (right photo, top)

Helen Castillo: Weepy Helen did an OK job of her Butterfly-inspired Avant-Garde look but...I felt she didn't push the avant-garde envelope far enough. And her re-worked look of a pencil skirt and midriff-baring top was...well, not enough either and similar to last weeks look. But it was much better than Kate's original look (right photo).

Alexandria Von Bromssen: Alexandria's Avant-Garde look was deconstructed Goth but I felt that she also played it safe. But, I agreed with Nina in that her re-worked plaid-pants look was great.

 Dom Streater: Both of Dom's looks were my favorites! She is a PRINT Diva!

 I especially loved what she did with Jeremy's "Virgin Atlantic Hostess" look

Bradon McDonald: Bradon was this week's winner. His "Avant-Garde Butterfly" look was exceptional. The judges went CRAY-CRAY over it. I just wasn't so much a fan of his re-worked look...

Naughty One-Shoulder Nurse

Here's my RECAP--Read and yes, please let me know YOUR thoughts!

Butterfly Avant-Garde



It's a double-double on "Project Runway." No, not the delicious In-&-Out burger that Tim Gunn ate with me during this season's castings (Google it, I took a picture for my Twitter AND Instagram!). I'm talking about the fact that last week we had the double elimination of designers Alexander and Kate. Kate's was a big shocker since everyone and their puppy thought she would stay until the end, no matter what she did. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. And now this week, we have a double challenge. This was supposed to be just the avant-garde challenge but as it turned out, there was much more. Time to discuss...



Dangling Sausage

Heidi and Tim saunter on the runway to congratulate the remaining five designers for making it this far. I give them medals of valor for A) dealing with "Unicorn Boy" (what was his name?); B) Sandro, the camera-punching Diva; and C) surviving the mud masque wrath of Ken's anger management issues. Kudos to the five remaining designers indeed! La Klum tells the designers that this is the challenge that will determine who makes it to Fashion Week, and adds that the "sausage is dangling in front of their noses." Say what Heidi? I think the saying is "carrot on a stick." I have a feeling that either Heidi was hungry for a schnitzel at the time, or she was thinking of...well, never mind.



Butterfly Avant-garde

The designers are then off to Sweetbriar Nature Center in Long Island where they meet back up with Tim, as well as Billy B., L'Oreal Paris' consulting makeup artist. He is there...



To Continue Reading my Recap, Click HERE!

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos "Project Runway Season 12" Recaps, Episode 11 "Generation HP"

Designer Dom Streater's print, Season 12 Project Runway, Episode 11

Printastic Challenge: This past week on Season 12 of "Project Runway" on Lifetime, it was time for the "HP/intel Print Textile Challenge". This challenge has become a "fan favorite" since in the past, there have been some FABULOUS prints created by some of the designers/contestants...

 Project Runway Print Fab: Hello Mondo Guerra (left) and Emilio Sosa (right)...I am talking to YOU!!!

Usually the prints are inspired by their NYC surroundings or something personal, but this season, they were supposed to be inspired by a group of hand-picked "Next Gen Innovators". The results were, well...rather UN-inspiring and probably one of the least effective (and good) results to come out of this "HP/intel Print/Textile" Project Runway challenge. Looking at the past as a "Rubric" of sorts, this was a little bit of a PRINT LET DOWN.

 Le Judges: Guest Judge was fashion designer Perter Som (far left), Nina Garcia, Zac Posen, and Heidi Klum--Season 12 Project Runway Episode 11

The Runway Good:

Bradon McDonald: Bradon created a printed bomber jacket and black knit tube dress that the judges adored. I liked the look; it was hip, very cute and sellable. I could see SO MANY girls--especially models--wanting that black tight knit dress. However, it wasn't a BLACK KNIT TUBE DRESS Challenge. It was a print challenge. He used the print well in that bomber design but it was lacking in it's "exuberance" and overall "celebration" of the print in the ENTIRE design. But the judges LOOOVED it.

Helen Castillo: Weepy--and Tatoo'ed--Helen, did a great job with this two piece look. In case you have not been on the "up-and-up" of What's Hot, it's ALL ABOUT the midriff-exposing crop top. So, in terms of style/silhouette, Helen was ON POINT. Her print wasn't exciting, per se, and certainly not on par with past "Project Runway" HP/intel Challenge designers. But overall, it was an OK showing from her.

Dom Streater: Dom was the obvious winner of this challenge. Seriously. Take a look at that print above. It's not one of the best of "Project Runway", but it was the best of this season. When her model came down the runway, I was like "Yep, that's the winner!"; she celebrated the print and wisely used it almost ENTIRELY on her dress.

The Runway "Uh Oh":

Justin LeBlanc: I liked the gown style but the construction and lack of print use, was sad.  Speaking of sad...

What is up with the 2" seam allowance showing through the chiffon gown layer? That's (kind of) unacceptable right? Just saying'

Alexandria Von Bromssen: Somehow this look (seen above) was safe. Don't know why or how. But yes, it was safe. It is tacky, dated and something a "Club Kid" at "Burning Man" would wear...in 2002. And how, in God's name, does the model somehow look as if she has a tummy pooch? #DesignFail

Alexander Pope: Chocolate High Priestess. Alexander's inspiration was chocolate since his "Next Gen Innovator" partner was a dessert chef. I can see the "chocolate" part but the white banding that turned out to be a bit "Vatican City", totally distracted from the print, and look. Alexander was out.

Kate Pankoke: Oh poor little Kate. She failed miserably with this tricky design featuring one too many pleated godet inserts. More importantly: where is THE PRINT? Well, from some research I have done on the internets...I found out that (allegedly) Kate's print didn't work and/or print out correctly. Therefore, the producers somehow "made it work". I'll give her a pass if this is what actually occurred but...that still doesn't excuse this design. Kate was out as well.

Double Elimination: Bye Alexander and Kate...Don't worry your time on "Project Runway" isn't over, I am sure we'll see you in an upcoming "Project Runway All Stars" season. For sure.

Wanna Know What I Really Think? Here's my Recap of this Episode:

Generation HP



Previously on "Project Runway": the UBER SUPER DUPER fans were celebrated with their very own episode, while designer Ken's anger management issues were "celebrated" as well, for the world to see. I still can't get the image out of my head of Ken looking like Faye Dunaway in "Mommy Dearest," shrieking and yelling at the top of his lungs. Besides myself, I'm thinking that most viewers -- and I'm sure everyone associated with the production of the show (oh those poor talent coordinators, P.A.'s, camera and sound people) -- were happy to see Ken get the "You're out!î from Fraulein Heidi. I hear Ken's trash-talking on Twitter, saying he purposely threw the competition (what is this, ìBig Brother"?) as well as dissing Lifetime's target audience. Bless his heart. Now that the nastiness is gone, let's get back to designing and one of my favorite challenges of the show.



YAY: It's The HP Challenge!

After changing from his "Therapist Tim" uniform back to his "Mentor/Co-Host Tim" ensemble, Tim Gunn walks into the lounge, greeting the remaining seven designers and introducing Rob Le Bras-Brown, Senior VP at HP Worldwide Marketing. He is there to announce that this is the HP and Intel Textile Design Challenge. Usually, during this much-anticipated episode, the designers create a print inspired by something personal or their surroundings. This time, it will be different: They will be inspired by a "Next-Gen Innovator. The winning designer and his or her Innovator partner will get an HP Technology Suite consisting of the Split X-2 and Notebook Rove.



Designer/Next-Gen Innovator Pairings:

Helen, who won last week's challenge, gets first pick and chooses Ryan Keeley, an artist who combines painting with new media and technology. Bradon is with Nigel Sylvester, a world-recognized DMX rider/entrepreneur and youth mentor. Alexandria chooses Ilana Greenberg, a top graphic designer who uses her creativity to advance social causes. Alexander is with Thiago Silva, Executive Pastry Chef at Catch Restaurant (who coincidentally has THE BEST EYEBROWS EVAH). Kate chooses Maria Gonzalez, teen software developer and creator of the app "Say Something" to help homeless individuals. Justin goes for Nana Meriwether, Miss USA 2012, who created a foundation focusing on education and health in Africa. Dom gets Premal Shah, co-founder of KIVA.org, a crowdfunding organization for entrepreneurs worldwide.

After visiting with their innovators, the designers go back to the Parsons workroom...



CLICK HERE to read the rest of my "Project Runway Blog" Recap!