PROJECT RUNWAY....Nick Verreos Season 12 Project Runway Recaps Episode 6 GLAMP IT UP! My "Extended Nick Recap":

Not In the Mood To Cook Marshmellows

Last night's "Project Runway" Season 12 Episode on Lifetime dealt with Camping. The photo above reflects what I think of Camping. Not. A. Fan. So when Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum announced that they were sending the designers on an over-nighter camping/get-to-know-the-outdoors trip, my first thoughts were "Oh Thank Goodness I wasn't there!", since this is how I see camping:

My Vision of Not Cute Camping

However, Tim quickly clarified (probably realizing some of the designers had similar "Oh No!" thoughts like myself) what kind of camping they would be doing...

GLAMPING: Luxurious Camping--Although the designers' GLAMPING site on last night's episode wasn't as luxurious as the one above (there are REALITY SHOW BUDGETS, kids!), it was mini-Glamping still...kind-of.

 Tim Gunn at the "Project Runway Season 12" GLAMP site--Tim, in camo suit (love the skinny cargo pants!) with Seona Skwara of Resource Natural Spring Water

 Not So Luxe Designers at camp--Project Runway Season 12 Episode 6

Judges (left to right) Nina Garcia, actress Alison Williams (Guest Judge), Zac Posen and Heidi Klum--The Challenge this week was to design a HIGH FASHION look inspired by Nature. Some did great and some, not so much...



The Best:

Alexander Pope: Alexander created a Mermaid-shaped gown and hand-painted tree branches and used black leather at the hem. The dress fit FLAWLESSLY! Good job Alexander!

Jeremy Brandrick: Jeremy used his time while on his GLAMPING over-nighter to write a Love Poem to his husband and children. He then transferred this poem--via calligraphy--onto an ivory satin bias-cut gown. The dress was so beautiful and of course, his model 5' 11" tall Roberta Little, looked amazing; her short pixie-like wig was the perfect "cherry" on the entire 20s/30s-inspired "Couture cake". I also loved the small pearl buttons on the side--very John Galliano-esque. To be honest, I think Jeremy should have won this one. But he didn't. The Winner was...

Alexandria Von Bromssen: Loner Alexandria was the only one to create "Sportif" separates consisting of a denim jacket and--as Zac Posen said--"poopy pants", drop-crotch "knickers". I thought the look was odd; the sleeves were too big and too long, the jacket rides up in the front, the slight tummy exposure looks a bit cheap and the "poopy pants" aren't doing it for me. But somehow, the judges drank the "Alexandria Kool-Aid" and she won.

Kate Pankoke: Kate ended up "Safe" with this white tulle concoction with shiny (is it patent leather or plasticized fabric?). I thought the fit was a bit "pregnant"-like but I got the whole "Nature Fairy Princess" vibe. I also thought it was slight referential of dresses I had seen before from...

 Alexander McQueen Fall 2008 (by Alexander McQueen) and Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 (by Sarah Burton)

Kate's dress also had elements of...

Marchesa Spring 2011

The Not So Good:

Bradon McDonald (left) and Karen Batts (right): Bradon had trouble this entire episode and only made this mess of a dress above during the 2-3 hours the designers have before the actual runway show...and it showed. It looked a bit sophomoric and like an 'Avatar' Fairy Going To A Prom.  

Karen's was a Beach Maxi-Dress straight out of Fred Segal Santa Monica.  I can just see Kim Kardashian wearing this, much to many fashion experts dismay. Karen tried to be "original" by dying the dress with a yellow ombré effect but, as the judges pointed out--it ended up looking a bit  like...

A Runny Egg.

But the Worst Was:

Justin LeBlanc: Justin tried to "step outside the box" and use the glue in his glue gun to create a lace applique effect. Unfortunately, it backfired. It looked as if his dress was FROTHING. And in the WRONG place. He was Out...but not for long...



Want to Know What I Really Thought of this Episode? Here's my RECAP of this week's Episode:

Glamp It Up



Tim in a Camouflage suit? Heidi in a khaki ensemble? Is this THE "Kandahar Province Challenge"? Is the U.S. Army a new sponsor? No kids, relax, "Project Runway" is going Camping—as in tents, marshmallows and getting closer to nature...



Camping Convert

First things first, I'd like to take this time to discuss my abhorrence to camping. It may come to everyone reading this as a surprise, but once—very long ago—I was a Cub Scout. I HATED IT. In addition, the one time my dad tried to take me on a father-son camping trip, I cried the entire time. Suffice it to say, I don't do camping. So when Tim and Heidi announced that the designers were going on a camping trip,besides thinking bug bites, peeing in a river and snakes in my tent, I thought, "Thank goodness I wasn't there!" This all changed, however, the minute Camo-Tim mentioned that this would be more of "luxury camping"— a GLAMPING trip. I think my fuchsia-colored Prada Dopp Kit could definitely get with the GLAMPING program. I also realized that this "get out of the workroom" trip would have been a nice respite from the pressure cooker environment of the competition.



Time To Glamp It Up

I was ready to give Tim Gunn credit for coining a new word into the lexicon of hip 21st Century lingo...until I Googled "Glamping" and 1,330,000 results came back. Oh well Tim, not this time. The designers packed, got in their separate boy-girl vans, drove for hours and finally got to their Glamping site. Tim was waiting there, along with Seona Skwara, who has what could be the MOST OBSCURE TITLE in a Company EVER: she is the Head of Activation with Resource Natural Spring Water. One question: does she "activate" the Resource Natural Spring Water Spout? Inquiring minds want to know.



Nature Inspired

Along with Tim, Seona announces that...



CLICK HERE to Read the rest of my RECAP on MyLifetime.com "Project Runway Blog" 

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos Episode 11: "Do Not Dissapoint Nina!"

What Do....

The Hearst Building

 The Easter Bunny

And Pocahontas all have in common?

PROJECT RUNWAY of course! Yes, kids, it's time again for my "Nick Recap" of Lifetime's Season 11 Project Runway and now we're onto this week's "Episode 11" of the show. The remaining five designers met up with Tim Gunn and Nina Garcia at the Hearst Building--home of the Marie Claire Magazine NYC headquarters.

 Remaining Five: (left to right) Michelle Lesniak Franklin, Patricia Michaels, Stanley Hudson, Daniel Esquivel and Layana Aquilar

Nina announced that they were to create an editorial look for actress Jordana Brewster that would be featured in the May 2013 edition of Marie Claire. Now Miss Nina had some "Nina Do's & Dont's", amongst them being: NO Red Carpet, No Gowns, NO T-shirt and pants, and DO NOT Disappoint her.

Fun Facts about Jordana Brewster: She was born in Panama City, Republic of Panama from a former swimsuit model Brazilian mother who appeared on the 1978 cover of "Sports Illustrated" and an American investment banker father. Her paternal grandfather was the president of Yale University, as well as an educator and a diplomat. Jordanna grew up in Panama, London, Rio de Janeiro Brazil and then Manhattan. Now back to the episode...

The remaining designers also got the news that finally, there would be NO MORE TEAMS, and that they would get to "be on their own" but with a caveat: they would get some "help" from "Sewing Assistants":

The last five cast-off designers--Tu, Amanda, Kate, Samantha and Patricia's "nemesis" Richard--a lot of drama ensued, especially when they were paired up with their "helpers". The main story arcs had to deal with "Bossy Stanley" treating his sewing assistant Tu as if he was a Third World sweatshop worker, and Patricia being paired up with Richard (for a second time in a row!). The latter drama causing Patricia to go into a creative black hole. She also had to do some schoolin' and teach poor Richard how to sew and especially how to sew a French seam, which by the way EVERYONE learns practically on the second day of sewing class, whether in an actual fashion college or High School Sewing 101.

The Runway Results:

Daniel Esquivel--Daniel's design--a canary yellow linen cropped jacket with exaggerated shoulders with matching shorts was well constructed but it looked A LOT like an...

Easter Bunny. Couture Easter Bunny. It also was a bit referential to some of French Couturier Alexandre Vauthier's designs from recent Couture Collections:

Alexandre Vauthier--Exaggerated shoulder French designer

Layana Aquilar--Layana was inspired by the Hearst Building and created a gray-blue leather top that was held together with metal rings. The rest of her look had an ivory organza fluttery dress (or was it just a skirt?). I liked the top section, but wasn't sure what the organza bottom half had to do with it. It looked a bit disjointed. It also looked A LOT like...

Paco Rabanne (again, very referential)

Patrician Michaels--Patricia struggled with her "Don't Know How To French Seam" sewing helper Richard Hallmarq, and the final dress she created (with little help from Miss Richard) showed the struggle. It got panned by the judges and I thought it was a bit of a MESS. It was VERY...

Pocahontas

Michelle Lesniak Franklin--Michelle somehow missed the part about Nina not wanting to see T-shirts with pants. Because Michelle did a T-shirt with pants--albeit directional, chic-looking ones but still, a T-shirt and pants look.

Stanley Hudson--Stanley's look of off-white culottes, brown leather jacket and a printed top got the highest votes--and therefore, the win--from the judges. To me, it was "OK". The pants were interesting but the look to me didn't necessarily say "Marie Claire" editorial. I guess, it helped that his model looked A LOT like client Jordana Brewster.



And Who Got the "Bye Bye"??? Read on, kids--Here's my MyLifetime.com Project Runway Blog "Nick V." Recap:

Do Not Disappoint Nina!

Last week's HP Challenge episode garnered a win for Stanley and sent Richard packing to join the rest of the eliminated designers in a secret undisclosed location. This week, the episode begins right after the elimination as Tim and Heidi announce to the remaining five designers that it’s time for each of them to "work on your own." There will be NO MORE TEAMS! After the screams of joy dissipate, Heidi reminds them, however, that it is still "Project Runway: Teams Edition" and that tomorrow they will be getting "helpers" and sewing assistants for their next challenge. Oh, what fun. Not.



No, No, No

The following day, Tim takes the designers to the Hearst Building, home of Marie Claire Magazine, where Nina Garcia is waiting for them to announce their new challenge: to create a fashion-forward editorial look for actress Jordana Brewster. The winning look will be featured in the May 2013 edition of Marie Claire. Nina then sets the "Nina Rules": NO red carpet, NO gowns, NO t-shirt and pants, it must be EDITORIAL plus be bold in color, shape and silhouette. Before saying Adios, Nina reminds the designers of two very important Nina-isms: Do Not Disappoint or Embarrass Miss Nina. Got it. Bueno.



Free Labor

After Mood shopping, they all head to the workroom where Tim introduces them to their "sewing assistants": the last five eliminated designers Amanda, Kate, Richard, Samantha and Tu (PS: How lucky were all those early eliminated designers?!). Stanley (who won the last challenge) gets first pick on his helper and chooses Tu. Although he says that he chose Tu because he is an excellent sewer, I think the true reason is that he knew that he could easily boss him around.



So Over The Button Bag

Tim then brings out the dreaded button bag to "decide" who the next ones to choose are. Michelle picks Amanda, Daniel is with Samantha, Layana gets Kate and...



Click HERE to read the rest of my RECAP!

PROJECT RUNWAY.....Nick Verreos Project Runway Recaps: If It Walks Like A Duck

If It Walks Like A DUCK, Talks like a DUCK, Then it must be...Made out of DUCK Tape!

Heidi Klum...and a DUCK--Season 11 Project Runway

What Does This:

 Restaurant Swan "To-Go" Foil

This:

80's Prom Photo (bless their hearts!)

And This:

"Duck Tape" brand Duct Tape...

Have in common?... Well, of course: PROJECT RUNWAY!



Read on:

Tim Is Not Convinced: Tim Gunn--Season 11 Project Runway "Duck Tape" Challenge/Episode

On this past week's Lifetime Network Season 11 Project Runway episode, the remaining designers/teams were given a SECOND "Unconventional Challenge": Design and create a Prom Dress out of "Duck Tape" brand DUCT TAPE. All they had was the tape (and they could chose from colors and prints besides the famous silver color!) and muslin.

Which One Is The Sluttiest? The designers then went to a NYC high school gym--along with Tim Gunn--to "unveil" their Duck-a-licious Prom Designs--I thought the looks were very well done....considering. The Manhattan high school kids were allowed to cast their vote for their favorite dress. Some of the designers commented on how high school kids only LOVE the HOOCHIEST and (therefore) sluttiest ones. After the kids voted, then, it was time for the actual RUNWAY the following day...

Guest Judge was fashion designer Chris Benz--whom I met before at one of his fabulous fashion show presentations several seasons ago here in Los Angeles:

Fashion Designers Chris Benz and Nick Verreos

The Top:

Patrica Michaels and Layana Aguilar: This collaboration won the votes from the high school students. I think it was a bit "Jiffy Pop" looking for my taste, but may I must say, that model is working it OVERTIME: LUV her!

Michelle Lesniak Franklin and Amanda Valentine:  My favorite of the group--and the judges as well. Well structured, love the folded pleat slight high-low silhouette and the custom "Houndstooth" duck/duct tape print. If only the pointed strapless bustier was....a one-shoulder strap...

Michelle FINALLY got a win! Yeay Michelle!

Richard Hallmarq and Daniel Esquivel: 1984 Called And They Want Their Dress Back. Oh Dear and Huney! This gold drop-waist Prom confection was an big MESS. Not only did this look like a bad 1984 Prom Dress, it also reminded me of those steak restaurant foil "To-Go" things the waiters would wrap up for you (see top of this post). This was awfully tacky. And not in a good way. One of them--or both , should have gone home for that, but...

Kate Pankoke and Tu Suthiwat Nakchat: For some reason, the judges deemed this blue gown above, to be the worst of the bunch. I, personally, liked it. I was with judge Zac Posen, in that long dresses, are OK for proms. Glad he stood his ground with Miss Nina in the episode. But that didn't help:

Kate and Tu: Bye Bye

And now...here's my MyLifetime.com Project Runway Blog Recap:

If It Walks Like a Duck...

Ducks. Yes, Ducks. Miss Heidi walked out
with a DUCK. Last week we had "Mature Ladies" and this week: ducks. When
La Klum walked out with a duck this week, I instantly thought "I didn't
know Aflac was one of the sponsors of this season and how are they
going to make stylish uniforms for Insurance Salesmen?!" I am sure that
most of the designers thought the same thing. But, alas, I was wrong...



Unconventional Part Deux

After the "Heidi and Duck Show," the remaining Season 11 designers
headed to their 1407 Broadway Workroom, arriving to tables piled high
with "pyramids" of Duct Tape. In case it isn't 100% obvious at this
point, the challenge for this week--as described by Tim Gunn and Bill
Kahl, Executive VP of Marketing at ShurTech Brands—was to create a
garment made out of Duct Tape. But not just any ol' garment: a Prom
Dress, darlings. In case you're counting, this is the SECOND
Unconventional Challenge this season. I am not sure if there has ever
been a season with TWO Unconventional Challenges, but it's smart of the
producers to do this, since the fans LOVE this stuff.



Duct-a-Licious

Tim tells the designers that the judges want to see "fresh and
innovative thinking" in terms of their Prom-a-Licious designs. He also
says that they will have one day to do it and that they will later meet
with high school students who will vote on their designs, which will
count for 20% of the final "Who's In" and "Who's Out" decision. The
designers are paired up in 5 teams of two: Stanley/Layana; Kate/Tu;
Michelle/Amanda; Richard/Daniel and Patricia/Samantha. There's no Mood
shopping; just duct tape and muslin.



Teams Duct Prom

Back in the "Duct Workroom," Mustachioed Daniel is paired with Richard
and thinking of Beyoncé for their look—using only gold tape. While Tim
makes his requisite visit, those two boys add that there's also a
"Mexican Mariachi" inspiration to their dress. Ay Dios Mio! Of the other
teams, Layana is not happy that Team Daniel/Richard got all the gold
tape and vents to her teammate Stanley who secretly wants to backslap
her. Tim likes what they're making and is "not concerned." Samantha is
not on the same duct tape-wavelength as her teammate Patricia, but then
again, I wouldn't be either: let's just say Patricia has a design
aesthetic that is unique to her. When Tim surveys what they're up to, he
notices that they are on two different "design pages." He wonders why
they're not collaborating and suggests that their design might look like
a "Bride of the Tin Woodman." Ouch. In the Kate/Tu team, Kate is the
boss and Tu is her assistant. They're making a gown for the prom and
Kate is too focused on making the tape look like actual fabric (is that a
bad thing?). Tim thinks their end result may be too "flat and
lackluster." We'll see.



Short & Slutty

Time to head to a secret NYC high school gym and have privileged NYC
high school students judge the creations on how "prom proper" they are.
The models saunter down and by the looks of it, all is pretty good. Some
of the designers comment about how high school kids these days want
"short & slutty" for their proms. PS: When haven't they? The kids
interact with the designers and...



Click HERE to read the rest of my RECAP!