Under The Gunn "Superhero Fashion"

 Marvel Style: Mentors Mondo Guerra, Anya Ayoung-Chee and Nick Verreos with designers Sam Donovan, Asha Daniels, Shan Keith and Oscar Gracia-Lopez, at Meldown Comics and Collectibles store, Hollywood CA--Project Runway: Under The Gunn "Superhero Fashion" Episode

This past week's episode of Lifetime Network's "Project Runway: Under the Gunn"--was the penultimate challenge of the season-- The designers were to create a look inspired by a Marvel Comics Superhero. All three mentors are still on the show and only four designers are left--Mondo Guerra has 2, Anya Ayoung-Chee has one...

Oscar and Nick: Oscar Garcia-Lopez and Nick Verreos--Meldown Comics and Collectibles store, Hollywood CA--Project Runway: Under The Gunn "Superhero Fashion" Episode

And I also only have one designer, Oscar Garcia-Lopez. For the introduction of this "Supehero Fashion" challenge, we all met up very early in the morning at Meldown Comics and Collectibles store in Hollywood on Sunset Blvd. The reason we were there so early is obvious: the producers wanted to film before the store opened and that early in the morning, curious people walking Sunset Blvd. would not be milling around wondering why Tim Gunn is in the store? (Hello!)

Gunn Superhero: In case you may not remember, about four years ago, Tim Gunn became a Marvel Comics (Fashion ) Superhero when he teamed up with "Iron Man" For "Models Inc. : The Hero Issue" Because of his involvement with Marvel Comics and being a comics superhero of sorts, he thought this subject would make for a fun challenge for "Project Runway: Under The Gunn".

Guardians of the Galaxy: Each designer on the show got to choose a superhero that would be their "muse" for the look they would be creating. There were these huge posters boards with all the Superheroes they could choose from. Oscar--my designer--chose Gamora, who was part of Marvel Comics' Guardians of the Galaxy.

Fierce: Gamora is the adopted daughter of a supervillain and the last of her species. Her powers include superhuman strength and agility and an accelerated healing factor. She's also superchic and besides some of her various "uniforms"/costumes she wears, the one that she was wearing in the poster/board included a red bodysuit with silver metallic body armor. She also had long blond hair and green-colored facial skin. She looked very bad-a** but sexy as well.



So...let's get to my "Nick's Take"/Inside Dish of this Episode: 

Oscar was very conscious of how the judges perceived him--and what I thought was A STUNNING emerald green gown--from the last challenge so he wanted to make sure his muse was young, hot and very very sexy!



In our caucusing session at the store, he immediately told me "NEEEEK! I want to make a suit! A very Fabulous and sexy suit! No Gown! And something 'unexpected' so the judges (Zanna, etc.) can stop saying that all I can do is  a Gown!". I was all for it.



The Workroom:

Workroom Critique: When Tim Gunn and I walked into the FIDM workroom, Oscar had already finished draping his half-muslin of the jacket that would make the "base" of his suit. He was also making a pair of superskinny pants to match the jacket...

Structured and Chic: The jacket included an open back section, structured shoulders, lots of jigsaw-like pattern pieces, a sleeve with the underarm section cut out, and a jutting peplum section. There was a lot going on but I still LOVED it especially since it was so "outside of Oscar's box". I just advised him to not let the design get too tricky with "too mucheey" in the jacket.

I'll Show You: I think that Oscar also wanted to show the judges--and his fellow competing designers--that he could do a fabulous jacket with 85 pattern pieces and do it PERFECTLY! It was a way of "I'll Show You!". I get it, that's exactly what I would have done too! (we're kindred design spirits in that way!).

Coat Suggestion: Right before leaving him for the day, Oscar talked about possibly adding a coat to his outfit since he had A TON of this black felt fabric he had bought at Mood: if he had time, and only IF...we discussed how a coat would "suggest" a Superhero cape without being a cape (and you know how Oscar loves a cape!). As I left him for the night he said "We'll see Nick...only if I have time..."

Runway Way:

Oh No You Didn't: Yes kids, above is a screen cap of my reaction when I walked into the FIDM Workroom and for the first time, saw that indeed Oscar had made a coat and HUUUUNEY, it was this:

Supercoat: I just about fell on the floor with this vision of an asymmetrical, very modern and superchic cloak with high stand-up collar and wraparound self belt. Only Oscar would...

A) take the idea of "Maybe doing a coat" and make a SUPERCOAT, and

B) take $2/yard felt and make a garment that looked like it was worth $4000!

As you can see from the screencap above, I just kept on pushing him and pushing him--as well as smiling, at how talented he was and how he does things 110%. #GoOscar.

A Red Hint: Now, I'm not sure if the viewers and fans of "Under The Gunn" have noticed but Oscar makes it a point EVERY Runway Day to put something in his own personal attire that has something to do with the look he created. And this week was no exception, he cut a bias piece of the metallic red fabric he used on his jacket and pants binding and made a band for his hat (see photo above). And yes, in case you're wondering he had extra time right before the runway to make that. #OfCourseHeDid.



 Runway:

Gamora Couture: Oscar's model Meredith Hennessy looked so fabulous in Oscar's outfit! It consisted of a metallic black/silver jacket and skinny pants with red piping accents and metallic zippers, as well as the aforementioned black felt cloak. You should have been there when she first came out and then stepped in front of the judges to effortlessly slip the waist tie off the coat and voila: Gamora Couture!

This was definitely one of the biggest "Oscar highlights" of the entire season. The judges gasped, I smiled from ear to ear.

 Oscar and his model Meredith in his "Gamora"-inspired look--Project Runway: Under The Gunn "Superhero Fashion" Episode

Worried: During the judges critiques, the judges were mixed--at least at how we saw it--in terms of what they said about Oscar's look--some said "too costumey" (Zanna Roberts Rassi and Rachel Roy) while others LOVED it! (Thank you Jen Rade and Jaime Alexander from "Thor"!).



If you ask Oscar or myself, I think that we felt worried EVERY SINGLE Runway time, because you just never knew how the judges would react.

Every week, it seemed like such a mixed bag and so even if we knew deep in our hearts that he did AMAZING, we were always a bit unsure.

But eventually...Oscar (and I) were "In"! And I cried (again!). We're onto the Finale!



**In case you missed it, watch this week's Full Episode HERE on MyLifetime.com and...



**Don't Miss Next Week's FINALE of "Project Runway: Under the Gunn"--on Lifetime, Thursday April 10 9/8c !!!

UNDER THE GUNN.....Nick's Take: Episode 10 "Crossing Teams", My Inside Dish!

In The Mall: Designers and Mentors in front of Francesca's Collections store in the Manhattan Village Mall: Manhattan Beach, CA--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

This week on Lifetime Network's "Project Runway: Under The Gunn", each Mentor has two designers left on our "teams". Therefore the producers decided to do another "Team Challenge" in which each team would consist of two designers, each of the designers from different mentors.

The challenge was to design a three-look group for Francesca's Collections,
the retail partner/sponsor of "Project Runway: Under The Gunn". The
location for the "Challenge Introduction" was the Manhattan Beach
location of Francesca's in the Manhattan Village Mall near Los Angeles.



So, let's get to my weekly "Nick's Take"/Inside Dish on this episode...

 "Nick's Team": Designers Natalia Fedner and Oscar Gracia-Lopez--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

My designers Natalia Fedner and Oscar Garcia-Lopez were paired with a designer from another mentor. When Tim got that dreaded black velvet button bag out, I knew EXACTLY what was happening. In last week's episode, Asha was not very nice to Natalia (along with most of the other designers and two other mentors) unofficially becoming the leader of the "Under The Gunn Mean Girls" group. Therefore, it didn't take a brain surgeon to know that these two were definitely going to be paired up.

Cross Mentoring Caucusing: Mentors Mondo Guerra and Nick Verreos with deisgners Asha Daniels and Natalia Fedner--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

There was never a direct statement that we, as mentors, could "cross-breed" in terms of offering mentoring
advice to the designers who were not ours. I guess that was all depending on the mentor. I was very
careful with this --remember, I have already been labeled by Tim Gunn as being "too hands-on!" and since Mondo has a very strong personality and we had just come off of his ranting about Natalia the previous evening, I decided to try and stay calm and level-headed. In other words, I was more of a "quiet" mentor here and
frankly, just afraid that Mondo might come at me again and blame me if
anything bad was going to occur with this pairing of designers.

 Think Young and Cool: Oscar
Gracia-Lopez, Shan Keith Oliver and Nick Verreos at Francesca's
Collections, Manhattan Village Mall--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

  

Oscar Garcia-Lopez was paired with Shan Keith Oliver
and I was much more comfortable with this pairing. I still had
hesitancy in how to give my mentoring advice to Shan--not because of him
but because, just like with Mondo, I didn't want Anya coming at me as
well. My only concern with Oscar was that I had heard "rumblings" from
Tim that his looks were possibly "Too Couture" and maybe verging on looking  too sophisticated for the market, so I wanted to
make sure to give him direction to THINK YOUNG, cool and hip.

Oscar/Shan Critique: Back in the FIDM Workroom, the Critique went well with Oscar and Shan and I was happy that they were working quite harmoniously, almost finishing each others sentences in a great Ying & Yang sort of way. I let Anya do most of the talking but also added my "Nick Two Cents" while being cautious and "Socratic".

Nervous Smile: The Critique session for Asha and Natalia was a little different; the smile you see on my face in the photo above betrays how cautious and nervous I was. I knew that Natalia was still being smack-talked by the other mentors and designers; I knew she felt horrible, belittled and her self-esteem was at a low point. Frankly, I wasn't feeling too cute myself .

Unhappy Pairing: Mondo immediately took over the critique, pointing out Asha's discomfort with the pairing and you could definitely feel that Mondo thought Natalia was the "Weakest Link" here and the reason for any doom that might occur in the pairing. Mondo's very direct demeanor made Asha more nervous and naturally did not help Natalia.

I do remember asking Asha during this critique, if
Natalia's "nervous behavior" was spilling over onto her and making her tense and edgy. This was not in the final edit of the critique session one saw in the episode but trust me, I remember asking her. It was my way of subliminally telling Natalia to try and relax and not get shaky and nervous.

I did not want to step on Mondo's toes and offer any of my advice on Asha's designs other than suggestions on making the three looks be more cohesive. At one point, Mondo (and Tim) just LOVED this rust-red trim Asha was using on the top she was making. But to me, it looked "whickety-wack" and "too-mucheey". I definitely knew that I hadn't seen anything like that at the Francesca's store and it was for a good reason. But since Mondo and Tim adored it, I just kept my mouth shut. I don't remember a "What do you think Nick?" question coming from Asha. So, that was my overt sign to leave her alone...with Mondo. It must be said, however, that Asha was always very cordial with me during all of this.

I Believe In You: Because I could tell that Natalia was struggling with confidence after her recent experiences with her fellow designers, I tried to turn my attention to being a support system for her. I tried to give her the strength to survive this challenge and be mentally and physically strong. I wanted her to know that I was THERE to support her 110%, and as I said in the episode, be her "Biggest Cheerleader". On the same note, I was not coddling her in terms of her design and construction. I liked the pink dress she was making--it was cute, young and very Francesca's, but I pressed her on making the garment look FINISHED and not to overwhelm herself with too much, especially with all the "noise" around her. She was also making a pair of shorts to go with Asha's dashiki-like top, so for her, she already had a lot on her plate.

Day of Runway:

Doing Good: The Oscar/Shan pairing was all good. The day of the runway, they were all but done, and in addition my designer, Oscar, took Shan's jacket and completely self lined it, HAND-SEWING (!) the lining into Shan's jacket. Originally it was lined in muslin and Oscar was like "NO!", and decided to take it upon himself to make Shan's look more finished and better...for the team!

Still Stressed: The day of the runway, Asha and Natalia were still at odds and frazzled. I continued to encourage Natalia to make sure her pink dress was complete (it was, except for a few fit issues) and that she finished the pair of blue shorts she was also making. I remember saying "Just finish those shorts!!"



Runway Time:

Oscar Garcia-Lopez and Shan Keith Oliver's Looks--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Overall Chic: Shan did these fabulous overall/shorts worn by Meredith (left) as well as the coral crochet shorts on Janica (right); Oscar made the blue cropped mock-neck top on Meredith (under the overalls), as well as the zip-up coral crochet vest on Janica. These looks were young, cute and very Spring.

Going to Capri: Oscar designed and created this gorgeous easy-breezy cotton printed maxi halter dress. Aleksandra worked the runway beautifully. The dress was finished impeccably (of course). Oscar was especially proud to point out to me his "special" baby hem; after he sews this perfect 1/8" baby hem, he then does something with his hands to "flutter" it. Notice on the photo on the right above how the hem has these pretty fluttery waves.

 Oh, and yes, he WON with this dress which was put into production and sold at Francesca's

And yes, I was soooo proud of Oscar that I started crying like a little baby! I was so overcome with emotions (especially after just losing Natalia--see below) that well, I lost it (sorry!)

Asha Daniels and Natalia Fedner's Looks--Episode 10 "Crossing Teams" Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Flirty and Strappy: Natalia made this dress which was in a printed and textured heavier cotton. I thought the design was flirty, young and cute. Originally, Natalia wanted to use her "weaving" technique (similar to what she did in the "Unconventional Beach Party" challenge for the back straps, but I suggested that she should make it simple and not overwhelm herself with more work; I told her "How 'bout just doing self spaghetti bias straps" in the back instead. She did and I think the back turned out beautifully! She did have problems with the torso and bust part of the dress, and every pucker showed.

Dashiki Superhero: Natalia also made the light blue shorts worn with Asha's  top. I thought Asha's top was not good and worse than Natalia's dress. While Asha's dashiki would NEVER be sold at Francesca's (trust me!), at least Natalia's pink dress (and cute shorts) would.

Over It All: Sitting onstage, watching all the looks come down and knowing that both Asha and Natalia were on the bottom, my view was that Asha should have gone home, and was probably going to. But the minute she was asked by Tim why she should still be there, and began sobbing, I immediately looked at the judges and they were all crying as well. I knew that Natalia was done. And Natalia knew it as well. I truly believe she was "over it" and had reached her limit. She was respectful and had grace under pressure. I commend her for it.

So proud of you Natalia! xoxo

UNDER THE GUNN.....;Trouble in the Lounge My Inside Dish!

Team Nick: (L to R) Designers Natalia Oscar Gracia-Lopez and Nick Verreos--Episode 9 "'Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

This week's "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" was DRAMA-filled. As I like to say, it was a DOOZY. I will get to the Natalia Getting Bullied/Mentor Lounge Drama--as well as the Fashion--but first, let's discuss the actual challenge. This week there was a sponsor tie-in with Glade® Customizables™  and therefore this was the Glade Customizable Challenge: to create a Day-to-Night look...

Smelling Good: This Glade product is all about alternating between two fragrances daily in ONE holder, therefore the "tie-in" of making TWO fashion looks...in one.

Now time for my "Inside Dish" on the episode:

Hours after filming the "Challenge Introduction" and the designers trip to Mood, Tim comes into the Mentor's Lounge, after seeing how the designers did at the fabric store and recommends a "Socratic" approach to me. He tells me that Oscar and Natalia were a mess and feels that they might be possibly too reliant on my advice and style suggestions. I'm sick to my stomach that yet again, Tim has bad news for me and am rapidly trying to process the whole thing. When Tim suggested the "Socratic" Method in this episode to me, it
finally clicked (maybe it was the Greek Analogy that worked on me!). I
went into the workroom with a new method and it was a success...

Nick Verreos, Fashion Designer NIKOLAKI, with models in his designs

I think that one of the hardest things for an audience to grasp, is that while this is week 9 for the viewer, we have only been filming for about 16 days. Things move FAST! While I make no excuses, I came into this project as a Fashion Designer (as did Mondo and Anya). While I have been a Teacher in the past, my main profession is as a Designer. That is very different than being a Mentor or Teacher. My whole life has been about putting pencil to paper and sketching. I draw constantly. So when I arrived to the set of "Under The Gunn", I wanted to try to help my designers in the best way I knew how, and that was through my vocabulary of sketching and patternmaking. I, in no way wanted to dictate to them what I thought they should be doing, but only wanted to communicate my suggestions in the best way I knew how. Obviously, as we have all seen by now, this was the wrong approach. But with the advice from Tim, I was ready to get into the workroom and embrace a new approach:

Tell Me What's Wrong: Nick Verreos and Natalia Fedner--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Ever since last week's challenge--the "Unconventional Beach Party Challenge", I sensed that the rest of the designers were not  happy that Natalia had stayed and was deemed safe; I heard rumblings that they felt Natalia's straw beach look was not to their liking. I also got the same sense from my fellow mentors, Anya and Mondo. I correct myself... it wasn't a sense, they told me outright. I was sad that one of my designers went home (Stephanie), but happy to still have Natalia and Oscar. But unfortunately, the negative energy was in the air, and Natalia was the target.

Shake It Off Natalia: Tim Gunn and Nick Verreos with Natalia Fedner--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Knowing that, I wanted to make sure to nip all that negative stuff in the bud, confronting Natalia before beginning my "Mentor Critique" with Tim. Natalia was feeling very down--and yes, bullied by the "you shouldn't be here " feeling she got from her fellow designers. I tried to tell her that the judges kept her because they liked her originality and to try and suppress all the "Mean Girls" environment around her and rise above it.



Runway Day:

 How You Doin' Oscar: Nick Verreos and Oscar Garcia-Lopez--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

By the way, this whole time, Oscar was doing really well. I was happy with his Day-to-Evening concept and excited at the prospect of this multimillionaire heiress going from a board meeting to a fundraising gala. He was basically done THE NIGHT BEFORE and when I got to the FIDM workroom on Runway Day, part of his look...

was covered and hidden with dotted pattern paper (photo above). It was always really funny to come into the workroom and see that (he did  that almost EVERY time!). Oscar hid his design (or part of it) by covering it with pattern paper. He wanted to do a "reveal" later.

Benefit Cosmetics and Blow Pro "Pretty Room": (Left) Model Ivana lounging in the Benefit Cosmetics "Pretty Room" and a behind-the-scenes look at filming at the Blow Pro area as models get ready for the runway--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Mentor Waitin': Mentors Nick Verreos, Anya Ayoung-Chee and Mondo Guerra waiting in a bench in Grand Hope Park outside of the FIDM campus, while Runway Judging Filming is all set--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Natalia Fedner: Natalia rocked it out!!! She created a fun, sporty and young Day-to-Evening look consisting of a gray ribbed knit sweater front and top/sleeve panel and cowl neck that when removed, folded up into a purse, and underneath, was a black/silver color-blocked knee-length dress perfect for going out. I loved it and was very proud of Natalia for pulling it off.

Oscar Garcia-Lopez: Oscar's design was SUPERB. It was chic, perfectly made, doubled (lined) and he used very luxe fabrics. I LOVED the whole transition, with the flip-up of the peplum and flip-down of the neckline. And, of course, the turn over of the cape. His model did look like a Euro Heiress ready to go from a boardroom meeting to a Fundraiser Gala. Perfection. Oh, and I'm not sure if you noticed that the sequined boutonniere that accented his day look, turned into a Fascinator in the Model's hair:

Fab! Oscar Garcia-Lopez' look--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

Oscar Won! I was so happy for him. He deserved it--Episode 9 "Trouble in the Lounge" Lifetime Network's Project Runway: Under The Gunn

I was also very happy that Natalia was on top as well. Once back in the Mentor's Lounge, I thought it would be a "celebratory" feeling and I would get "Hey! Congrats!" from my fellow mentors. But nope, Mondo and Anya came at me; they told me that Natalia shouldn't have stayed and so on and so forth. To be delicate: I was shocked at their feelings and I was especially surprised that Anya was part of it, since none of what occurred had anything to do with her designers, in terms of who went home. I also felt like a "Mother Lioness" protecting her babies when they were being so negative toward Natalia. I just couldn't believe it.



That's it for now! Don't miss next week's "Project Runway: Under The Gunn" and make sure to RSVP to the Special "Under The Gunn" Screening Party I am hosting at FIDM on Thursday March 27...Join me in watching a brand new episode of "Under The Gunn"!