S18.E12: The Height of Avant Garde Fashion

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Quote

The remaining designers must think big to make an avant-garde look that is extraordinary and in a fashion first, the runway starts with a season long retrospective, outside and 16 stories high, in New York City.

Original air date: 2/27/20

[Thumper]

Can’t find a mod to open up the closed topic, so starting it up now.  Mods, please combine as necessary.  Thank you!

Sergio especially high on himself this episode.

Did I hear Rachel Brosnahan as guest judge?  Why?

 

Edited February 28, 2020 by Thumper

[Rhetorica]

Beautiful building and runway show. 

[Mindthinkr]

That was visually one of the best runways I have ever seen. 

[chitowngirl]

God, I loathe Sergio’s smugness and self importance.

Ha!  Brittney’s face with Nancy’s critique!

Edited February 28, 2020 by chitowngirl

[mightysparrow]

A time when women were empowered?  Kind of like the 1950s, huh Sergio? 

[raven]

Don't like Brittany's.

Don't like Sergio's styling but his garment is really good.

I like Nancy's a lot.  I like the chain pants that Marquise made but not the jacket so much.  A little too much the Jetsons.

[Stats Queen]

So at the beginning it looked like Christian had pipe-cleaners hanging on the neck of his shirt, now I just finished making toys for my cats using pipe cleaners and beads (which is about the limit of my talent).

And here goes Sergio with his “political” design. If he could just get over himself (and if I could extend my talent outside of pipe cleaners .....

 

[WaltersHair]

Frickin Nina.

[raven]

I like the way Geoffrey's garment flows but other than that - not really.

I'm pre-disposed to dislike Victoria's.

The woman doing the hairstyling was annoying because everything was "cool".  Did she not know another adjective?

[nb360]

3 hours ago, chitowngirl said:

Ha!  Brittney’s face with Nancy’s critique!

Yes! This was delicious. The editors are on fire this season.

[Thumper]

I love Nina sticking it to Sergio.

 

 

[Straycat80]

Nina is really being a Debbie downer, geez. 

[raven]

Yes, I know they had to get up early but I thought it was funny that the judges are all dressed up, we have a great runway show in a beautiful building and the designers all look a mess.

Ugh, they are praising Victoria. Ugh.

Brittany is gone.  I can't decide who else. 

[Thumper]

I love Geoffrey but not his garment so much tonight.  That might mean it is very avant garde, though!!  lol

I liked Nancy’s a lot.

Cool idea by big-haired contestant* (why does her name escape me).  Impressed with all the tiny squares she cut out.  Did not like the bodice, but the rest was pretty cool.  And she annoys me.

*Edit: Victoria

Edited February 28, 2020 by Thumper

[chitowngirl]

I think Brittany and Marquise are out

[raven]

I would keep Marquise over Sergio - I think Marquise is a more interesting designer - but from the commentary I think the judges will vote the other way.

 

[TexasGal]

If its Brittany and Marquise out I’d be ok with it since they both have been out and given a second chance - which I think is where the judges are heading.  

 

[WaltersHair]

If they let Nancy come in, I'll tolerate Victoria. But only tolerate.

I think Brittany, Marquis are out.

[buttersister]

Good night and goodbye, Brittany and your plastic butterflies.

Likely Marquis is going with you. Based on designs, not personalities. (I like Marquis more than Victoria/understatement).

Edited February 28, 2020 by buttersister

[AwesomO4000]

I don't get what they see as so avante garde about Victoria's design... or how it's so "different" from what she's done before. Sure no straps technically, but the bust is just a larger strap, and was her hemline still that uneven thing she usually does (or was I just projecting what she's done before?)

I also thought the up and down puffy arms just looked weird to me.

I also liked Nancy's and Sergio's - styling not withstanding.

But of course Victoria is in.

Edited to add: And I know the judges liked the color of Brittany's, but I thought it was hideous (at least on my TV).

Edited February 28, 2020 by AwesomO4000

[raven]

I'm so glad Geoffrey and Nancy are in.   I like how a different judge is giving some advice to the designers.

[chitowngirl]

I hate that Victoria is in, but I think she’ll come in 4th in the final.

[raven]

So they cut Brittany and accept Sergio with Marquise standing there?  Weird.

[nb360]

Brittany, sorry, but karma is a B***H and schadenfreude is in. 

[Straycat80]

Not a fan of pink or butterflies or Brittany, especially when she makes that stank face every time Nancy gets a compliment. 
I didn’t like Sergios styling, seen it before as Nina pointed out, but liked the outfit. I liked the chain pants Marquise made. Everybody else was just alright. 
Of course Victoria is in. Geoff is in. My girl Nancy is in, yay! Brittany is out, good. Sergio is in, I figured that, and poor Marquise is out. Wish he had made it instead of Vic. 
so are they going to knock out one person or do all four show? 

[WaltersHair]

I can live with these four. Marquis over Victoria any day, but Nina was never gonna let her pet go.

[Ellaria]

If I had a dime for every time someone said The Vessel,  I could retire.

Rachel Brosnahan was a zero as a judge. Nina continues to be nasty and, yes, sometimes it is warranted, but I’ve seen and heard enough of her to last a lifetime.

Love Geoffrey but not his latex panty. It looked like half of an outfit. I guess I liked Nancy’s the best. I knew that Victoria would move on and I fear that she will be the eventual winner. Sorry to see Marquis go but it was inevitable.

This entire season has been completely underwhelming.

[TexasGal]

Oh I’m so glad they are back to having a long time to do final collections. Those last years on Lifetime when they had like 6 weeks were such a joke.

[Thumper]

Not sure I was listening, but did Brittany say her stuff was better than the others?  Did I mis-hear?

[raven]

Huh, the two sets of friends made it in.

Editing points to a Geoffrey win IMO.  I can only hope.  I like most of Nancy's stuff but I think Geoffrey is better.

Victoria - ugh.  I think Sergio hid who he really is for so long, he has a hard time showing it in his designs.  I'm probably overthinking that.

Still really like Marquise!

[nb360]

3 hours ago, Thumper said:

Not sure I was listening, but did Brittany say her stuff was better than the others?  Did I mis-hear?

I think she said she deserved to show at Fashion Week more than others, or that she wanted it more than others ...?

Regardless, my response: "See ya!"

[mightysparrow]

Christian Dior is probably contacting his attorneys from beyond the grave about Sergio's blatant theft of his work. 

[Empress1]

7 minutes ago, WaltersHair said:

I can live with these four. Marquis over Victoria any day, but Nina was never gonna let her pet go.

This is how I feel. I’m very glad Nancy is in (I’m rooting for her) and wish it were Marquise instead of Victoria or Sergio but that was never going to happen. And I’m glad Brittany is out (again).

[mightysparrow]

I don't know why it was 'inevitable' that Marquise wouldn't make it in.  It's not as if the others were master designers.  Anyone who has any knowledge of ballroom culture knows that ballroom culture is VERY fashion forward.  I think Marquise's biggest problem was he wasn't dramatic enough for the producers.  Being a low-key, quiet man who doesn't impose himself on everyone else or make 'bold' (and incredibly ignorant) STATEMENTS, wasn't enough for them.

[buttersister]

They left Sergio and Marquise up there to teach Sergio a lesson, or take him down a peg or whatever, it was all about that, not seriously making anyone think he’d be out.

This bugged: Why didn’t Karlie give Marquise the au-smooch and hug??

[Ladyrain]

I can't stand Sergio's personality, but he does make beautiful, well-made garments (it pains me to say), so I'm not surprised in the least that he's in.   The judges telegraphed that from the get-go.    I can't stand Victoria either.......OR her clothes, so I'm pissed that she's in.   But again, not surprised, based on the praise of her janky designs.   Geoffrey - Yes!  His ego needed this, and his designs were deserving.   And Nancy!   I'm thrilled that she made it, and my fervent hope is that she blows the lid off Fashion Week and sticks it royally to smug, entitled Sergio and bratty Victoria.    I girl can dream.

[Lemons]

Victoria’s dress looked straight out of Forever 21 just like the outfits she wears.  If the model took off the shapeless coat they would have seen the same asymmetrical hem she’s used all season. 

And apparently Nina thinks Galliano or Dior invented Traditional Asian makeup. Like they didn’t lift it from Opera or anywhere else we’ve all seen it before.  

[Empress1]

4 minutes ago, mightysparrow said:

I don't know why it was 'inevitable' that Marquise wouldn't make it in.  It's not as if the others were master designers.  Anyone who has any knowledge of ballroom culture knows that ballroom culture is VERY fashion forward.  I think Marquise's biggest problem was he wasn't dramatic enough for the producers.  Being a low-key, quiet man who doesn't impose himself on everyone else or make 'bold' (and incredibly ignorant) STATEMENTS, wasn't enough for them.

Oh, I think he was absolute deserving of making it. He is as talented as any of them. but I also think there was no way Victoria was NOT going to make it. Victoria is more interesting (positive or negative; she gets on my nerves) television than Marquise & this is a TV show over anything else. I think you’re right that Marquise is less dramatic than the rest (except Nancy, who is not dramatic but her hook is her third-act story) and that worked against him.

[Ellaria]

6 minutes ago, mightysparrow said:

I don't know why it was 'inevitable' that Marquise wouldn't make it in.  It's not as if the others were master designers.  Anyone who has any knowledge of ballroom culture knows that ballroom culture is VERY fashion forward.  I think Marquise's biggest problem was he wasn't dramatic enough for the producers.  Being a low-key, quiet man who doesn't impose himself on everyone else or make 'bold' (and incredibly ignorant) STATEMENTS, wasn't enough for them.

Since I am one of the posters that said it was "inevitable" that Marquis didn't move forward, I will explain my opinion. It is pretty clear that the judges have favorites - Victoria being one of them. I LIKE Marquis - not just his designs but how he presents himself. I think that he was a worthy competitor. However, it was obvious from the  judges' critiques that he wasn't perceived as one of the four strongest designers...unfairly, IMO. I'd love to see a collection from him but no one asked me.

This competition is about perception. Lots of silly rhetoric is tossed around in those critiques. And a lot of worthy designers don't get a chance. 

Please don't criticize use of a word without understanding intent. The judges/producers made his elimination "inevitable" but that doesn't mean that it was justified.

[mightysparrow]

I honestly don't see how 'avant garde' latex knickers are.  Unless 'avant garde' is French for 'hot and uncomfortable'.

[IndyMischa]

Welp, this will make the finale either super easy to watch, or utterly torturous. My favorite designer (Geoffrey), plus three I can't stand. 

[buttersister]

Was it Elaine who said how much Marquis would benefit at this stage of his career by mentorship. She has connections, I hope she—and other judges—help make that happen. Looking at you to step up, Nina, you and your increasingly odd judgement.

[BlackberryJam]

I wanted to slap Sergio. I thought his model looked pissed, but it’s likely I’m just projecting my own feelings.

I LOVED Geoffrey’s latex skirt. That was amazing.

Nancy’s was so much like her sheer challenge. I wish she had made it in Brittany’s pink. It was better than Brittany and Marquise.

 

ETA: I actually forgot Victoria existed for a moment. I have nothing to say about her garment.

 

 

Edited February 28, 2020 by BlackberryJam
Eta wooops

[mightysparrow]

It's interesting that Sergio got into the finals even though on two separate occasions the judges have pointed out that he's 'borrowed' from other designers.  And when his copying was pointed out, he knew EXACTLY what Nina was referring to.  Sergio knows how to put a garment together but he seems incapable of coming up with an original idea.

[Thumper]

I don’t even remember Sergio’s dress (?) garment.

Also, I get a kick out of Nancy’s throwback photos where she is all Corporate Nancy, vs. “Artiste Nancy” now!

[violet and green]

I thought, given Marquise had previously been auf'd and then was only in the competition again because Dayoung (sob) had to leave due to her health, and also given he's been rather uneven in his designs since, it was highly likely he would be out, even before the episode started. But I would much prefer to see a Marquise collection than a Nancy collection. I think he's very talented, and I really hope he gets backing for his work and does well.

I also thought, even though they had no elimination last episode to in part (in my mind, at least) save Brittany, as they'd high hopes for a return to form (same reason Christian used up his CS Save on her), it was quite possible she could go home.

So the two previously eliminated designers were re-eliminated.

I am sad not to see more of Marquise's work; not so much Brittany's or Brittany. Though she gave some very funny talking down her nose interviews! The last one with a big red nose was very funny, inadvertently; made me think editors/production didn't much like her, as it was such a bad camera angle and used repeatedly.

Christian really gave her a bum steer re using the butterfly print for the underdress, and okaying the butterfly cut-outs. She really was out of gas, designwise. Her coat - Schiaparelli shocking pink, if we are going to talk about ripping off previous classics - was a bit eh. But the judging could have gone either way, I felt.

Nancy's was supremely underwhelming for a two-day challenge, and also repetitive. But  I guess they didn't want to miss out on a first in PR history with her.

Criticizing Sergio's makeup was ludicrous. It was part of why the whole look was so stunning, and previous designers using Kabuki makeup/Geisha makeup is really no reason to rip into him. Normally, I enjoy Meana's critiques - I have to think she was using it as a jumping off point, to really get through to Sergio, to set him up well for the next 5 months.

Five months! Fantastic!

I really liked the snippet I saw of Sergio's collection and am rather hoping he pulls off a surprise win. Geoffrey, also keen to see his collection. Nancy's looked like miserable clumpy seaweed. 'No oversize clothes,' goes Teen Vogue. That's her whole oeurvre, you idiot. That's her freaking aesthetic. And hate Victoria's new hair, from the preview. I do hope her collection is not... unduly influenced by confusion from that final critique, and trying to give them what they want. Happy for her to blow it out of the park and win, also.

Really looking forward to next week.

Edited February 28, 2020 by violet and green
always the typos

[Lady of nod]

34 minutes ago, buttersister said:

They left Sergio and Marquise up there to teach Sergio a lesson, or take him down a peg or whatever, it was all about that, not seriously making anyone think he’d be out.

This bugged: Why didn’t Karlie give Marquise the au-smooch and hug??

Nina really doesn't like Sergio, and I think many including myself, find him irritating, but this isn't a personality contest. It's about the clothes. And while I agree that his hair and makeup were lacking, his garment coming down those stairs was stunnning. And just like the backwards tuxedo critique from Nina, I will again say - so no one should ever do Asian theme again?  I love Geoffrey and he deserves to go to the finale based on many of his looks, but didn't see what the judges apparently did in his design tonight. And Nina, how many times have we seen the sculptured sleeved jacket he made? Many.

I also really love Nancy and she brought it tonight. Good for her.

Bye Brittany and her tacky butterflies.

Edited February 28, 2020 by Lady of nod

[Harry24]

Was Karlie wearing a garment from Sebastian's winning collection?

[mightysparrow]

Christian made a good suggestion.  A menswear season would be interesting.

Edited to add:  God knows this show could use some fresh ideas.  This season has been sooooooooo TIRED.  The skill level has been shockingly low and the original ideas are few and far between, if the glimpses we got of the home visits are any indication.

Edited February 28, 2020 by mightysparrow