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...



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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! 

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!