S04.E10: Versatile Tops And Bottoms

[meep.meep]

I am really surprised (don't know why anything on this show surprises me anymore!) the judges do not ever mention a designer using the same design they did in their regular season of PR.  This happened most recently as last night with Helen and last week with Dmitry.  Do the judges not even know what the designers created in their regular seasons?  If not, why?  If they do, why are they not asking the designers why they are repeating themselves? 

 

They don't seem to notice people doing the same garment over and over on the current show either.  Sonjia has done a lace or eyelet or cutout pencil skirt repeatedly.  She's won with it twice.

 

I don't know why Michelle didn't do the exact same thing that nearly got her aufed in her original season:  emerald green trousers with a fancy white T shirt.  It was gorgeous but they'd been told specifically not to do pants and a T shirt.

[GaT]

2. The fact that QVC completely, and I mean, completely, redesigned the top before offering it speaks volumes:  they are NOT the same design:  they've used an eyehole lighter weight fabric for a start and it also looks longer and has a more flattering sleeve.

 

I don't know why it never occurred to me to look & see what QVC was selling, but I just did & you're right, I would not have recognized it as the same outfit at all. It's like they decided that since her outfit was made of fabric, then all they had to do was make something out of fabric & it would be the same thing.

[Malbec]

Does everyone who hates Michelle's print also hate Mondo's mix of prints, which were always large (much larger than hers) and usually quite colorful?  Of course I'm one of the few who didn't find the print that awful, but I have to admit that I frequently wonder if disliking a designer shades what the opinion of the fashion is. 

Mondo was able to pull off print-mixing because he had an excellent sense of proportion and had the tailoring skills to execute flawlessly.  Michelle... less so.  I missed her season and I actually don't have strong feelings on her as a person or designer (I've even, gasp, liked a few of the things she's made this season) but she's not in Mondo's league.

[seacliffsal]

Now that I've watched the clip from QVC about the moon and planets and stars, I think I understand a bit more why Isaac's comments during judging don't make sense to me.....

 

Every thing Alyssa says 'the best of the best' I have the immediate reaction of "NO!"  These designs are so repetitive.  I'm agree with others that it's surprising the designers are so put off by RTW.  Even major designers depend heavily on their RTW sales to support their businesses.  I also agree with others about who Helen's clients may be.  Perhaps her family?

[Julia]

I'm probably a good control group, because I liked the patterns Mondo used in his season, particularly the Poz pattern with the plusses, I don't like Michelle's use of patterns here (it's not as if she does it often. Apparently Mood doesn't carry that many patterns in bridlepath tan), and I dislike Mondo's narcissistic bullying ass every bit as much as I do Michelle's.

[Steph619]

I don't like how QVC changed Sonjia's RTW outfit. I thought the way she designed it was very pretty especially the color. However, I feel like that look is something she's already made before.

Helen is another one who repeats herself, but in her case, too much. A lot of the stuff she's designed this season are pretty much the same things she designed in her original season.

Michelle's outfits were awful. I didn't like the print at all, maybe because she used too much of it. Speaking of Mondo, he's one of my favorite Project Runway designers because of his great use of prints. Perhaps if Michelle had mixed up that print with a solid color, she would have been more successful.

[Pallida]

I like prints, even obnoxious ones.  It's taken many years, but I finally got my mother to stop buying me matching separates in obnoxious prints by nagging her about "matchy matchy."  (Who needs to be eloquent when nagging?)  I didn't hate Michelle's fabric choice, but the separates were very matchy matchy.  Head to toe in one pattern needs a different type of structure.

[Muffyn]

I am convinced Dimitri is into S&M and his safe word is neoprene, he is really into that fabric!

 

Okay Fabio no woman wants a dress with a bunch of fabric bunched up under her ass. Looked like the model had shat herself and was carrying the load around.

Again Zannas outfit in the workroom has me convinced she got her job in fashion through nepotism or something that was one ugly dress.

Fabio can sell his droopy ass dress on QVC, only not with other clothing.  Do they sell depends and other personal care items?  It's a great dress for people with fecal incontinence.  

 

Thank you for mentioning Zanna's dress.  What in the high holy hell was that?  It was like something a toddler would wear in the early 70s.  Maybe she and Dmitri are into age play and infantalism games in their little S&M world.  He wears neoprene to protect himself when she spits up.  

[KLovestoShop]

I thought all the designs were Not-Ready-To-Wear, especially for the core QVC audience. These designers are so fixed on being cool, and high end, and try to out funk each other that they are forgetting that their bread and butter will be ready to wear. But they all have delusions of being the next Versace or Chanel. NOT !!!!!

[Bebecat]

Sonja's day/ready to wear outfit was really the only outfit I could see anyone wearing anywhere, in a "normal" life situation, i.e not trying to stand out as some freak or porno skater queen or sloppy boho barefoot girl. Ready-to-wear on what planet is the question for some of these freaks-I mean designers.

I wonder if Michelle or Helen, for instance ever think about the image they project possibly affecting potential clients. I would not even ask to see their designs, frankly, if I only saw either of them first and not their work. Very closed minded of me, perhaps, but designers are a walking example of their tastes and talents, Imo. But of course Michelle only wants to design for people as "cool" as she is, so she probably does not care. Helen could (??) make the most gorgeous gowns in the world, but I would never see them if I saw her first.

[bookrat]

I am betting that pencil skirt winning design now being sold on QVC is going to tank. Anybody with a "tummy" and who has some padding on the hips is going to look like pregnant whale in that thing. Pencil skirts tend to draw attention to the two areas most women do not want attention drawn to. Heck even the model, who had to be a twig, looked like she had a tummy on her when she was walking down the runway.

Edited January 24, 2015 by bookrat

[303420]

I swear I thought Michelle' s was a joke. The one with the puffy sleeves reminded me of David Bowie in the Ashes to Ashes video.

[ava111]

Actually regarding the color and print on Michelle's outfit - 70 style and colors are IN this season, it's all over fashion magazines right now and there was tons of that stuff at NY Fashion week spring 2015, shoes as well. The fact that many of you is reminiscent of that time when seeing her outfits this week means she is right on point.

Edited January 24, 2015 by ava111

[slensam]

I swear I thought Michelle' s was a joke. The one with the puffy sleeves reminded me of David Bowie in the Ashes to Ashes video.

The clown! That video scared me as a ten year old back in 1980 but now it's one of my favorite songs from him. Funk to funky...

[Julia]

Actually regarding the color and print on Michelle's outfit - 70 style and colors are IN this season, it's all over fashion magazines right now and there was tons of that stuff at NY Fashion week spring 2015, shoes as well. The fact that many of you is reminiscent of that time when seeing her outfits this week means she is right on point.

I'm not sure how a forty year old style which is "all over" (and has been for years - I can't remember how long it's been since someone wasn't trying to bring back the seventies) is on point as a fashion forward design.

[Malbec]

Actually regarding the color and print on Michelle's outfit - 70 style and colors are IN this season, it's all over fashion magazines right now and there was tons of that stuff at NY Fashion week spring 2015, shoes as well. The fact that many of you is reminiscent of that time when seeing her outfits this week means she is right on point.

 

However, just because you're working with something on trend doesn't mean you're working well with something on trend.  I liked the print that Michelle selected, and I even liked the idea she was going for with her pattern-mixing, but the proportions were a huge fail.  The faraway view looked like pajamas.

[pasdetrois]

 

They don't seem to notice people doing the same garment over and over on the current show either.

They are aware, but they are following Lifetime/Weinstein's decision to maximize profits for the show. It's gone from being about beautiful, original fashion - which requires giving the contestants more time and money to execute - to ramming each new episode through a minimized production process. It's no longer about finding a new fashion star each season; it's about shilling products and the PR brand. The designers are in on it - they just want to get in front of a TV audience to grow their own brands. Most of the guest judges appear because they too are pushing some new product.

Edited January 24, 2015 by pasdetrois

[potatoradio]

Michelle's girls were clearly headed for the Love Boat's lido deck to flirt with Gopher. I did not need that kind of flashback.

Someone, please, put Alyssa on bed rest?! And give Issac his Prozac (or take it away?). I worry for their health.

I see Zanna ran away from her Catholic school that fashions uniforms from 1970s movie theatre carpet.

[alrightythen]

I have to say that I liked Michelle's print, but she used way too much of it.  Generally I'm okay with her odd color choices - it's her design aesthetic that turns me off.  That and her smug personality.

 

I haven't read the whole thread so maybe this has been discussed already, but I was really bugged by Isaac warning Fabio to step it up.  It doesn't look good when a judge owns up to giving him a pass for purely... what... personal reasons?  I'm going to call it the Isaac Mizrahi save.   

[Oholibamah]

I actually quite liked this runway presentation. Definitely the strongest thus far this season.

 

I loved both pieces from Sonjia, Dmitry and, yes, Michelle. I liked both of Helen's, even if they didn't go together and the black dress was a ripoff of her "Shoe" look from S12. I liked both Fabio and Jay's "fashion forward" looks despite not being fashion forward. Their saleable looks were both snoozefests, but hardly criminal.

 

Let's face it: Neoprene is just a way for these designers to "cheat". Unless you're doing Elena-esque Avant Garde, these designers wouldn't actually intend something to be produced in Neoprene. But when you're presenting a design for the sole purpose of hanging on a model and being looked at in one day, it's an easy fabric to make look crisp and clean. It cuts well, isn't finnicky, and holds its shape. If I were on the show I'd probably do everything in neoprene.

[kelslamu]

Right?  Apparently Helen only designs gowns.  How does that work?  I seem to be alone in really disliking both her looks tonight,  I thought the shoulderline on the black dress made the model looked hunched over, and I wondered if she was repeating that from the challenge where a couch cushion was turned into a jacket without changing its shape.  Which was also a look I hated, so what do I know.

 

 

 

 

You are not alone in disliking both of Helen's looks.  I can't stand that type of neckline and I would never want to look like a caped "SuperPilgrim" either.  Whomever said her everyday wear made the model look pregnant also had it right.

I think Michelle is delusional when she says she knows what every woman wants to wear. That print made me think of a seventies mannequin, if that makes any type of sense.   Fabio's fashion forward made me think of an eleven year old's Easter dress.  Strangely enough, I liked dimitri's fashion forward, but it did make me think of a beauty pageant dress at the same time. 

The only one I really liked was Sonjia's everyday look.  I'm weird and would put the top with a pair of jeans.  I should probably not be allowed an opinion.  *sigh*

Edited January 24, 2015 by kelslamu

[Bebecat]

It is kind of shocking that no one seems to be able to make basic wearable separates that would work in everyday life, which is what QVC is all about, from what I can tell. The RTW look did not have to be "cutting edge" (not that any of these were) but they needed to have a place in the average women's closet, with mix and match possibilites. I could design something and I am completely unskilled in fashion.

Michelle's truly ugly print aside...not having one of the pieces be in a solid was a big mistake. It was an assault on the eyes, the way she showed it. And Fabio is way to dreamy and interested only in making pajama-clothes to ever reach a mainstream market. I guess this show isn't about that, though the number of designers who can thrive by making clothes for a tiny market are few. Also the market for Helen's $5k gowns lol.

[la11]

How did Sonjia get away with two pieces for her fashion-forward when eveyone else stuck to the one-piece directive?

 

eta:  Lisa Robertson (QVC host) said to make two ready-to-wear separates for one look, and Alyssa added the twist which was to add a fashion-forward  version of the look, but, she didn't actually say how many pieces for the ff version.   Michelle surmised, "Three pieces",  Fabio continued, "Two models",  with Michelle ending, "One day."  Maybe there should have been two pieces for the fashion forward, and everyone else was wrong other than Sonjia.  lol

Edited January 25, 2015 by la11

[Bebecat]

Good question...I don't remember that part of the orders.

[carrps]

The clown! That video scared me as a ten year old back in 1980 but now it's one of my favorite songs from him. Funk to funky...

Watch the the first season of the UK series Ashes to Ashes (a kinda spin-off of Life on Mars) if you want that clown to freak you out again. Waaay creepy.

 

I actually liked Michelle's fabric up close. It had an updated Art Nouveau, almost Biba-esque, vibe. But I hated the ketchup and mustard colors, and the garments didn't use the fabric in an interesting way. Just reversing the colors didn't do anything to alleviate the matchy-matchy of it all.

Edited January 24, 2015 by carrps

[jcbrown]

 

I didn't hate Jay's work this week.  Am I the only one who thinks he looks like BD Wong's brother?

Yes! Thank you for identifying who he reminds me of!

 

Pencil skirts tend to draw attention to the two areas most women do not want attention drawn to. Heck even the model, who had to be a twig, looked like she had a tummy on her when she was walking down the runway.

I think much of this was because she did a high-waisted pencil skirt with a cropped top, two things that only .0002% of the adult woman population is going to look good in, especially together.

[Bebecat]

Farrah Fawcett might have worn Michelle's outfits, but in a smaller, prettier print...that is the best I can say about anything Michelle-related.

[bobbyjoe]

I swear I thought Michelle' s was a joke. The one with the puffy sleeves reminded me of David Bowie in the Ashes to Ashes video.

 

The clown! That video scared me as a ten year old back in 1980 but now it's one of my favorite songs from him. Funk to funky...

 

I'm convinced that Michelle's true calling in life is to be the in-house fashion consultant for the Joker and Harley Quinn.

 

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

[Oholibamah]

I actually liked Michelle's fabric up close. It had an updated Art Nouveau, almost Biba-esque, vibe. But I hated the ketchup and mustard colors, and the garments didn't use the fabric in an interesting way. Just reversing the colors didn't do anything to alleviate the matchy-matchy of it all.

 

I think it's the matchy-matchy element that is turning people off, but it's the same problem viewers had with her winning collection: who would wear it like that? The individual pieces in her S11 collection were stunning, and tons of people would wear them with jeans or a different top. This week, I thought the skirt and top, if worn separately, were pretty cute and accessible to the everyday woman. She was actually correct that a larger woman who wants to wear a bold print could totally get away with that skirt. Thinner women could throw on that crazy top with jeans or a pencil skirt and look fab.

 

The issue? She was specifically told the pieces should be wearable together. Were they? Of course, but the kind of people who would wear them together are not the same people watching QVC. Michelle actually does understand the body, her "customer" and fashion design, but struggles with her "audience" and following direction, which is likely why her relationship with whichever retailer she designed for after S11 crashed and burned.

[carrps]

The issue? She was specifically told the pieces should be wearable together. Were they? Of course, but the kind of people who would wear them together are not the same people watching QVC. Michelle actually does understand the body, her "customer" and fashion design, but struggles with her "audience" and following direction, which is likely why her relationship with whichever retailer she designed for after S11 crashed and burned.

Very insightful.

 

I think Michelle does have talent. She just gets in her own way. All the time.

[Tony]

I think I'm going to drown puppies if Fabio is the winner this season. He's skated by with ugly shit just as many times as Sam, so he should have been gone by now. He needs to get over his obsession with ugly pastels (remember his hideous final runway collection?). I'm fine with anyone winning as long as it's not him... even Helen!

[Oholibamah]

I think I'm going to drown puppies if Fabio is the winner this season. He's skated by with ugly shit just as many times as Sam, so he should have been gone by now. He needs to get over his obsession with ugly pastels (remember his hideous final runway collection?). I'm fine with anyone winning as long as it's not him... even Helen!

 

I actually really liked Fabio's S10 collection. For me it was the clear, if distant, second best collection (after Elena's).

 

He's landed in the bottom a bunch of times, but it's most often because he took some kooky risk or tried something weird and different. I would much rather have somebody like him win than somebody who plays it safe, or consistently designs something they do every week.

 

TBH, I find this season so bland that I don't much care who wins, but I've always loved S10 so I would be happy to be validated with a Fabio/Sonjia/Dmitry F3.

[Bebecat]

I am hoping Fabio was told to step it up, it was because they knew it should have been an elimination. His stuff of late has been crap. But seeing how PR is so manipulative with editing, it could mean worse.

[WicketyWack]

Holy shitballs, this show just goes from bad to worse. 

The only thing I liked on the runway even a little bit was Sonjia's grey outfit. 

I didn't mind Michelle's print, but head to toe? just no. A print master like Mondo or Uli could've worked that into a garment in a fabulous way.

I'll say it for the 46,429th time: the benefit of MORE TIME would allow these designers to make garments that impress, instead of just forcing them to slap shit together, repurpose designs they've done already (Dmitry and Helen I am looking at you) and hoping to be safe.

Note to AM's stylist who is demanding that she wear all these fauxhawks: dropping the neckline on her garments would also give the effect of elongating a round face, without making her look like she has a dumb column of hair teetering on her head. #justsayin

 

I question this show's taste level.

Edited January 26, 2015 by WicketyWack

[tobysmom]

Yes, that's Nastasia, and she was Fabio's model before the switch.  Nastasia made it to final four in cycle 19, she was my favorite.

Thank you!!! :)

[Guest]

Milano's styling is atrocious.  I just want her to let her hair down and reduce the clown face by about 70% and wear something normal-ish instead of trying to look like the most hip 11-month pregnant woman ever.  I feel bad for her.  She just quit Mistresses, too, she doesn't need to be on tv looking like a desperate pregnant hooker clown.  

[izabella]

I was almost ok with Melissa's black dress on the runway.  It was at least simple, and didn't make my eyes hurt.  But then I saw the back...what the what was with that open back?  It was like a mullet dress...prim church dress in the front, and Slutty Pregnant Mamas in the back.  Her hair was equally atrocious.

[Thump]

Am I the only one who saw the episode title and thought of something else entirely?

[qtpye]

But of course Michelle only wants to design for people as "cool" as she is, so she probably does not care.

 

 

Its funny because Michelle kept reminding me of someone, but I could not put my finger on who.  Then it hit me...she reminds me of Patricia Heaton.  This is the actress who played the wife on Everybody Loves Raymond and now the mom on The Middle.  Even though she is a well respected comedic actress...she is not exactly what one would call hip or cool.