S14.E06: Lace To The Finish

[Rancide]

This may be the first time in my personal Project Runway history that I've completely agreed with the judges. I loved Merline's look and I'm happy she won. She was the only one who successfully built a bra from the ground up. Everybody else decorated a pre-made bra. Granted, some of them did a fabulos job, but Merline actually constructed something. 

 

See, I thought there was a good reason everyone else just decorated.  As Blake (who also built a bra from the ground up) helpfully demonstrated, if you've got anything bigger than a AA, you need a cup.  A REAL cup.  Not a triangle of lace held up with some straps.  I thought Merlene was incredibly lucky that her model had no boobs.  Put her design on Blake's model and she would have looked like... well... Blake's model.  If you look at any of the stills on Heidi's website, you can see that she is already halfway there even though her boobs are smaller than the average 16 year old boy's.

[honeywest]

Merline's model looked as if she had barbed wire around her waist.

 

Most of those designs created bulges where the models actually had none.

[Surrealist]

I understand why women prefer briefs, hipsters, or boyfriend briefs because they perceive them as being comfortable. I've worn every type of underwear and thong is my preferred choice. Hipsters and boyfriend briefs feel as if I'm wearing a pair of shorts under my pants, plus even at the right size, I feel as if they slip more often.

 

I think people are confusing thongs and G-string underwear. The former is comfortable as where G-string underwear can feel like dental floss riding up your crack.

 

Underwear's a subjective thing, I suppose. Lol.

 

High-waisted underwear offends me because it's dated and sorry, but full coverage on one side and thong or G-string on the other? Hell no. What a horrible look. I believe that's what Laurie and Merline (respectively) did, right?

[SSAHotchner]

No one with breasts could ever wear Merline's "bra." Ugh.

I can't believe they actually aufed Blake. I was certain Tim would save him too, but nope. PR finally managed to surprise me. (Guilty confession: he's annoying as hell but the workroom and show will be a little less interesting with him gone).

I was glad to see him go, too, but I'm not sure we're safe from the Tim Gunn Save yet. He could bring him back at the start of the episode next week. 

[Bebecat]

Sorry to say, but a look at the fraternities across the country do not offer much hope in the way of the society advancing to the point if replacing vile, crude terms for female anatomy with correct, clinical ones. If anything, we seem to be going backwards in many ways.

I just like my underwear bottom to come to just below my belly button and full coverage in back. To meet that is a hipster. I don't like bikini bottoms or things at all. I don't want my rear feeling naked under a dress.

[Madding crowd]

I didn't mind them having a lingerie challenge, I like it when things are mixed up a bit. And 12 hours should be enough time to come up with some kind of idea. Like we always say, practice doing some of these things before you get on the show. I didn't like Merline's at all really, but at least it was somewhat different while being wearable by some women (I guess). Swapnil is my favorite (along with Edmond), but his look was just tortured. I liked Edmond's look and Ashley's and the rest were just ok except for Blake's which was embarrassing.

 

I really, really hate it when men like Blake play the "girls are so gross card". Be an adult, you are 24. If women offend you so much, be a bartender at an all male bar or design men's socks or something. I no longer get offended at hearing Vagina every two minutes-it's everywhere. I blame Oprah and her vajaja comments. 

[anonymiss]

I'd be surprised if they'd waste "Tim's" save on Blake and not Ashley. She's like Justin in that way for the show to further their Lifetime-y agenda. That's not to say she wouldn't deserve it, though.

[slothgirl]

If we're hatin' on words, I can't stand "boobs". Even the word "tits" is preferable if you don't want to call them breasts.

I can't stand either one. I don't understand why people can't say "breast". Every time Heidi talked about boobs, I wanted to reach through the screen and smack her. Why is female anatomy so hush-hush that even the word BREAST has got to have a euphemism? If they were talking about guys, would they be up there referring to dicks, junk, balls, pecker, etc? I doubt it. That would be considered far more offensive for tv than anatomically correct words.

 

But using anatomically correct terms for women is taboo, and when they DO use it, they get it wrong! (shaking my head at the fact they say "vagina" but don't say "breast")

 

So I'm nominating the term "The Midlands" to cover everything between the waist and the knees.

 

(If anyone saw "Mrs Henderson Presents", you'll get this reference)

Edited September 12, 2015 by slothgirl

[slothgirl]

See, I thought there was a good reason everyone else just decorated.  As Blake (who also built a bra from the ground up) helpfully demonstrated, if you've got anything bigger than a AA, you need a cup.  A REAL cup.  Not a triangle of lace held up with some straps.  I thought Merlene was incredibly lucky that her model had no boobs.  Put her design on Blake's model and she would have looked like... well... Blake's model.  If you look at any of the stills on Heidi's website, you can see that she is already halfway there even though her boobs are smaller than the average 16 year old boy's.

But aren't many bathing suit tops just 2 triangles held together with straps? It isn't just AA gals who wear bikinis. Is the difference because the bikini fabric has stretch and strength?

 

I was glad to see him go, too, but I'm not sure we're safe from the Tim Gunn Save yet. He could bring him back at the start of the episode next week. 

 

I'd be surprised if they'd waste "Tim's" save on Blake and not Ashley. She's like Justin in that way for the show to further their Lifetime-y agenda. That's not to say she wouldn't deserve it, though.

I agree that Tim is probably "saving" the save for Ashley. She does vasilate between good and crap-tastic (remember that the judges told her the challenge she had immunity that she was VERY lucky to have it). At some point before the final 3-4, she's going to turn in another WTF outfit and be at risk.

 

The only other people I can see Tim bothering to save are Swapnil (who shows NO signs of ever needing it) Edmond, and possibly Merline. I don't know why I think Merline, but maybe because she's got a different POV?

 

However, I think the point at which Tim might think Merline's elimination is "too soon" is going to be passing soon. If she outlasts Kelly, Joseph, and Lindsay, then I think Tim will let her go.

Edited September 12, 2015 by slothgirl

[Bebecat]

I kind of hate the idea of a "save". It is admitting that the judges are fools who go off on tangents, and also allows Tim too much room for sentiment. He does lean that way, and of course Ashley is the perfect "victim" if she should be eliminates. I think she is middle-of-the-pack and not a final contender. I am guessing Swapnil and Edmond will make it, not sure who else but it does have to be a woman, so maybe Merline is being sent up the ladder.

I can't imagine who wants extra straps all over the place. It is enough trouble to keep the basic ones in place. And they are so limiting in what can be worn over them. Showing part of your bra is a "thing" but far from something the majority of women do, Imo.

[Kromm]

So much for the "Mean Girls" plotline. I knew it was total bullshit. I mean we would have seen more than some vague "move on" comment (which could have equally applied to them losing) if there'd been more to it than that.

[meep.meep]

 

I really, really hate it when men like Blake play the "girls are so gross card". Be an adult, you are 24. If women offend you so much, be a bartender at an all male bar or design men's socks or something. I no longer get offended at hearing Vagina every two minutes-it's everywhere. I blame Oprah and her vajaja comments.

Why would you chose to become a designer of clothing for women if you don't want to know anything about women's bodies?

So Oprah is responsible for the "vajayjay?"

[Kromm]

And I am SO tired of the "special snowflake" stuff with Blake. Glad he's gone despite that.

Edited September 12, 2015 by Kromm

[RedheadZombie]

So Oprah is responsible for the "vajayjay?"

No. Shonda Rhimes, creator and writer of Grey's Anatomy, made up the euphemism. It was a scene in which a male doctor was supporting his superior while she was in labor. She yelled at him to stop looking at her vajayjay.

[Gbb]

I remember an article about the word awhile back. Shonda Rhimes didn't actually make up "vajayjay." It was already in use at the time but not well known. She chose to use it because the censors wouldn't let her use the word "vagina" (although they'd used the word "penis" many times on the show without a problem).

Edited September 12, 2015 by Gbb

[GreyBunny]

I liked Swapnil's bottom piece but the bra was ridiculous.  It certainly was a showstopper - I paused the video so I could take time to laugh. 

 

It's appalling that Merline won, her set looked hideous and the bra made the model's breasts just as floppy as Blake's.  

 

Ashley's is the only set I might consider wearing, plus she actually finished her cover-up.

[Kromm]

Merline's outfit looked ridiculous. It was like something an 80s porn star might wear.

 

Swapnil's outfit was indeed impractical and impossible to produce, but I have to admit he actually managed to make a bra look visually interesting (for reasons other than a nice pair of breasts coming out of it). Nobody would ever wear it in real life, but is that really what this show is usually about anyway?

 

Kelly's wasn't bad. It probably deserved a top look.

[slensam]

They know that. They just like to say "vagina".

Why though? It's incredibly silly and old at this point.

[Rancide]

But aren't many bathing suit tops just 2 triangles held together with straps? It isn't just AA gals who wear bikinis. Is the difference because the bikini fabric has stretch and strength?

 

All mine have cups.  I've seen some that don't, but yes, in my experience they're usually pretty heavy-duty nylon/lycra that hold the boobs in place.  Same concept applies to sports bras.  I guess there are some micro-string bikinis that are literally a piece of string with two triangles and no support, but I tend to think of those as the exclusive province of women with breast implants.  Implants, despite the best attempts of the best surgeons, just doesn't hang, move, and react in the same way as breast tissue.

[candall]

I sense the Tim Gunn Save is on countdown.  I didn't see the preview, but if it looks like Ashley's on the rocks, all the markers are in place.

  

 

If Tim has any control over these decisions at all, I doubt he's eager to bestow his blessings on Blake.  Blake thinks his twee affectation is charming and fun, but some people might be more inclined to see him as perpetuating a very offensive stereotype from the bad ol' days for gay men.

 

 

The "Save" is such a transparent gimmick anyway.  Supposedly, Tim's drawing on his personal insight from the workroom, but now he just blabs anything he wants the judges to know at the runway.

[Beden]

 

Strikes me, though this is not relevant, if Blake is so repelled by the female form, why is he not designing for men?

I was wondering the same thing and all I could come up with is that, in general, men's wear wouldn't allow him to play with bits and pieces of lace, bright colors and all those girlie things. I guess he isn't all that into sports jackets and three piece suits.It's always fun to see PR have a men's wear challenge--the designers all freak, moan and groan. I know that sounds like I'm stereotyping him, but c'mon--he seemed like a walking cliche to me (YMMV).

 

Men's wear is whole 'nuther animal; a young man I know, along with a business partner, opened a bespoke men's shop in NYC and has made a success of it, just opened a second shop (good for him!). The high end stuff, beautiful fabrics, hand detailing, gorgeous things. I add that he also spent years studying his craft, worked like a dog, has talent to burn and, I'm sure, has a full knowledge of human anatomy. Yes, men;s wear is branching out but the majority of men's clothing is still pretty much 'men's' colors and stays with variations of the tried and true. A walk through any men's department in any departments store will bear that out. There are exceptions, sure, but they're usually exceptions.

 

And, as mentioned above, bikini tops (and even women's tank bathing suits or other variations of bathing tops) will almost always have either a shelf bra or built in cups, especially if you're looking at any sizes over like a 6 or 8 or somesuch. And yes, generally bathing suit fabrics have more heft than a bra--usually. There you're also dealing with a garment meant to cope with immersion in water and potentially serious activity. As mentioned, sports bras have a harder job than a bit of lace and ribbon for a size AA so, yes, they're built of sterner stuff. And thank god for that!

[Julia]

I think the Tim Gunn save was the producers'recognizing that they tipped their hand when they kept Michelle, the contestant they're still trying to make fetch happen for, from going home when she clearly should have. This way the judges aren't in the tank, Tim's just a real nice guy. Which is how we started down the road that gave us the aborted coronation of the L&T Mrs. Weinstein's young protege on Under the Gunn, JMO. They're just not even pretending very hard any more.

Which is maybe why I enjoyed Zac Posen's smackdown so much this week. It must have been downright painful for someone who was an actual prodigy to pretend Blake was a thing.

Edited September 12, 2015 by Julia

[justawatcher]

Ashley not getting the win: Heidi knows Ashley designs for plus size and Heidi is not going to put anything plus size next to her name. In order for Ashley to win, they would have had to manufacture the plus size, so - sorry Ashley. Same reason Joseph's or Jake's could have also reasonably won, but didn't. Heidi won't be selling matronly underwear on her site.

 

Things for Heidi's line- they also do a Nina magazine challenge every season, they do a sponsor promo every season. How many items over the years have we seen for Sarah Jessica Parker, Banana Republic, Macy's, Lord and Taylor, etc? It's nothing new. Know who we HAVEN'T ever seen do a "do a piece for my collection" challenge? Michael Kors or Zac Posen.

 

I found it extremely weird to have an underage minor from Disney as the judge for the lingerie episode. Who thought that through?

 

Blake: guess his boyfriend ran out of favors. Or he really pissed off someone behind the scenes.

[spaceytraci1208]

Did it bother anyone else when Tim brought Heidi through the workroom and she said something like "This is all you've done in 5 hours?" I immediately yelled back at the TV "Bitch, you try designing and building something!" How rude...

[Freckledbruh]

I had sold those string bikinis that are just triangles and I can tell you:

1) not meant for anyone over a B cup and a B cup is pushing it

2) only meant for sunbathing

Actual swimwear for swimming will have built in cups and much of the time underwire. The fabric is more durable with more stretch. Also, a decently made bikini with have reinforced seams and durable fasteners and hardware for adjustments. (Pro tip: when shopping for swimwear don't be afraid to stretch that sucker to the max to make sure seams don't pop and the clasp isn't flimsy)

[PinkSprinkles]

Tim walking in with that lantern to wake up the designers was everything <3

I think the Tim Gunn save was the producers'recognizing that they tipped their hand when they kept Michelle, the contestant they're still trying to make fertch happen for, from going home when she clearly should have. This way the judges aren't in the tank, Tim's just a real nice guy. Which is how we started down the road that gave us the aborted coronation of the L&T Mrs. Weinstein's young protege on Under the Gunn, JMO. They're just not even pretending very hard any more.
 

 

And we never got an adequate explanation for this. They just dismissed her from the runway and made her stay in New York to design for the next challenge. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like, "If you don't outright win the next challenge you will be sent home even if someone designs something worse than you." 

[mansonlamps]

Is fertch (from the above quote) some sort of typo or am I just am idiot?

[English Teacher]

Kelly should have been in the top 3 over Marline -- that wasn't a bra.  It was a mess, and an uneven one at best. Ashley was robbed.

...and I'm sorry, but all I could think about when Lindsey returned to the workroom from the hospital was the post subway/ hospital scene in "Adventures in Babysitting":   Doctor: "One stitch"    Actor: "1?"   Doctor (bored and disgusted): "Yes, 1 stitch".

Really? How much time did you lose for that?  And how the heck are the paramedics unable to give the girl 1 freaking stitch themselves and have her get a rabies shot after the runway show?

[Starsandbucks]

Bralettes are very in and often come in S, M and L rather than traditional bra sizes. I'm torn on the win because I love the produced piece on Heidi's site and would definitely wear it but what Merline *actually* made? I thought it was truly sloppy and I'll-fitting. I wish the judges had at least said something to that effect. Bella Thorne did mention that the lace needed to be tighter on the cups (God bless her) but the rest of the judges acted as if Merline's design was perfect out the gate. In reality it was droopy and wonky and everything was askew. It screamed homemade to me. Not sexy. (But again, I love the set that is ultimately for sale!)

I liked Lindsey's set as well. (I must like boy shorts!) And credit to her for not making a huge production about leaving to get her cut stitched up and get a tetanus shot and losing time to work. She was at a disadvantage and managed to not cry about it. Some designers could take note.

[English Teacher]

I was not prepared to like Bella Thorne but she took her turn as judge seriously and had some good comments, without being mean about it.  I was getting ready to see if Lindsey pulled a pity card, but she didn't--good for her.  I'm sure her hand hurt and it was awkward, but she managed to work through it. 

On the show, Lindsey said she lost 3 hours. I'm sure they had to take her to the hospital because of possible litigation on down the line if they didn't provide appropriate care for her injury.  It was probably not Lindsey's choice but a decision the producers made.  I don't think a rabies shot would have done her much good--the tetanus shot she was given probably wasn't needed but it also comes under the heading of preventing future problems for the show.

u

I was thinking tetanus, lol. I think I subconsciously wrote rabies because I think the judges have been rabidly crazy with some of their decisions. . Sorry for the misspeak.

And, yes....I hadn't thought of the litigious angle. Very good point. Thank you for pointing out my mistakes.

[Gbb]

Is fertch (from the above quote) some sort of typo or am I just am idiot?

Typo.

http://youtu.be/Pubd-spHN-0

Edited September 12, 2015 by Gbb

[sinkwriter]

 

I think the Tim Gunn save was the producers'recognizing that they tipped their hand when they kept Michelle, the contestant they're still trying to make fetch happen for, from going home when she clearly should have.

 

Am I blanking out on someone from this season? Who's Michelle?

[Calamity Jane]

Am I blanking out on someone from this season? Who's Michelle?

Michelle was the "steampunk" designer from a few seasons ago, made it to the final four, got eliminated, then was brought back because Tim fought to have her, had to hang around New York while the "final three" went to exotic locations for inspiration, and then went on to win.  The season after that, the "Tim Gunn save" appeared, apparently because of the Michelle decision.  

[jennylauren123]

Even if I'd never been in close contact with an actual penis in my life, I would have absolutely no questions about where it is on the human form. C'mon, people! Can Blake really be that ignorant of women's anatomy? 

 

I find it hard to believe. It can be a little confusing at times for even the straight male, but it's not as though they were quizzing Blake on where the gasp! clitoris is.

 

Sheesh.

[akr]

Are EMTs allowed to give stitches? A quick google search suggests not and some reasons why not (need to evaluate what's in the wound before you close it off among other things; also I've known some EMTs with fairly minimal training and it looks like you can get certified with about a two-week intensive course). If they had a physician assistant on staff, that would be one thing,  

 

Anyway, I'm inclined to give Lindsay a pass on this. It was on her dominant working hand and was probably going to keep opening up while she tried to work if she didn't get it stitched up. The tetanus shot is just an easy thing to do that adds no time once you're in the ER or urgent care center anyway.  And she did good work and didn't whine about it. 

[slothgirl]

Anyway, I'm inclined to give Lindsay a pass on this. It was on her dominant working hand and was probably going to keep opening up while she tried to work if she didn't get it stitched up. The tetanus shot is just an easy thing to do that adds no time once you're in the ER or urgent care center anyway.  And she did good work and didn't whine about it. 

I agree.. if she made any fuss or drama out of it, they didn't show it.

 

My guess is once the medic said "Stitches", the legal dept took over and she wasn't given a choice.

[Surrealist]

Merline's outfit looked ridiculous. It was like something an 80s porn star might wear.

 

Which is precisely why Heidi loved it.

[candall]

"Bralettes"?  Lol, I haven't heard of that--marketing is everything.

 

As a teen, I would put bandaids over my nipples so I could wear halters.  I was so ahead of my time.

 

.

[Passing Strange]

See, I thought there was a good reason everyone else just decorated.  As Blake (who also built a bra from the ground up) helpfully demonstrated, if you've got anything bigger than a AA, you need a cup.  A REAL cup.  Not a triangle of lace held up with some straps.  I thought Merlene was incredibly lucky that her model had no boobs.  Put her design on Blake's model and she would have looked like... well... Blake's model.  If you look at any of the stills on Heidi's website, you can see that she is already halfway there even though her boobs are smaller than the average 16 year old boy's.

I'm just guessing, and maybe also hoping, that had Merline had a different model, she would have designed a different bra. All I have to go by is what she did with the model she had and I loved the overall look. I think you're right about why most others just decorated, which is why I was happy to see Merline go in a different direction. The production version of her bra does have more support.

[candall]

 C'mon, people! Can Blake really be that ignorant of women's anatomy? 

I apologize that I can't remember who said it, x pages ago, but every reference to Blake's naïveté since then has made me repeat:

 

Raised in a barrel, fed through a bunghole.

 

I'm still laughing; it's the only explanation.

 

.

[ratgirlagogo]

 

Hell, even Santino's German reindeer lingerie was miles better than the crap we saw tonight.

 

No one will ever beat Santino and his lederhosen lingerie, complete with deer antlers.  When Nina asked him what he thought about lingerie, he replied (paraphrased) 'I think it's supposed to come off!'  Good times. I miss early PR

And god knows it was interesting and memorable, unlike any of the lingerie made in this episode (or the season 2 episode for that matter).  The reindeer underwear are still the only thing I can clearly remember that he made.  I thought at the time and still think there would be a real market for that stuff - there are tons of young women, (hell, not just young either) who walk around in bunny rabbit and kitty cat snow hats and use backpacks made out of stuffed animals.  Plenty of women would be all over playful underwear like that.  Nina's rage is still one of the funniest things in the history of the show. "It's just not aesthetically pleasing."  Hilarious.

 

LOL, lorikauai! "The front butt." That's classic.

Yes, much the way the Brits refer to it as as the "fanny".

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/fanny

Edited September 12, 2015 by ratgirlagogo

[slothgirl]

u

I was thinking tetanus, lol. I think I subconsciously wrote rabies because I think the judges have been rabidly crazy with some of their decisions. . Sorry for the misspeak.

And, yes....I hadn't thought of the litigious angle. Very good point. Thank you for pointing out my mistakes.

Given some of the people who have been on this show over the years, rabies shots might actually be handy.

I'm jus sayin..

;)

[CloverTracey]

Vajayjay weigh-in:  Orange is the New Black!  Might not have invented the term, but OITNB has kept it current.  Separately (get the pun?) I must express my devotion to Swapnil's look.  He created a deity in the bedroom, people!  Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  I WOULD wear that top (and fabulous cover up).  I'd wear that top in the daytime, and I'd wear it at night.  Your choice about the cover-up.

[RedheadZombie]

I loved Ashley's response when told Blake needed a tutorial on female genitalia - I'll just slip these bad boys on for you.

[nb360]

YES. A MILLION TIMES YES. I abohor the word "panties" and refuse to use it. Underwear. It's all underwear to me. I also get a vaguely misogynistic vibe from the word that I can't entirely explain - like women are little children who need cutesy names for things, or such delicate flowers that their underwear needs a baby name. I don't know. I FEEL WHAT I FEEL.

I've always felt this, too. I can't explain it. I just find the word to be unappealing.

[Calamity Jane]

Calamity Jane, I like your granddaughter. She's good people.  ;)

You'll recognize her if you see her - she's the 3-year-old in the Elsa gown with a firefighter's hat on, playing with the excavator and dump truck while singing "Let It Go" at the top of her voice. 

[guilfoyleatpp]

I can't wait for "mons pubis" to come around. I love that phrase. It's perfect.  "I need to cover her mons pubis."

 

PP's point about how we finally use vagina was well taken, and I have changed my mind ever so slightly on people who use it to indicate the mons pubis.

 

I really really disliked Merline's lingerie. It didn't look well made and the extra V straps didn't speak to me at all. I really liked Ashley's and Lindsay surprised me with hers also. I liked the boyshort over the thong. AND a little robe.  Cute.

 

I've never been a fan of the thong. I've owned them. I don't get the point. They sort of just move the VPL up the ass, IMO. I've also seen some major faux pas with thin trousers and shorts and thongs...starting in the late 90s. It's horrifying to me to see someone's ass through their trousers.

 

Oh Blake...your "I'm a dumb yet adorable twink" finally bit you in the ass. Can't tell time on an analog clock, unaware of women's lingerie, oh Blake...you had your time. So long, farewell.

 

ps: I like to call them "chones."

Edited September 13, 2015 by guilfoyleatpp

[Bebecat]

Idiot Blake was just being "super cute" if you ask me.

He probably does not know much (about anything) but noy buying that act.

Won't miss him at all. And feel pretty sure I will never have to see his face again, beyond more PR maybe.

[justawatcher]

I have to disagree on the word "panties". Said in a sexy, gravely male voice, as in "Take off your..."

[voiceover]

it made ask the same old question I ask about the contestants each season: why are you so unprepared when there have been so many seasons of this show already and there is not much new under the sun

 

Twopper, I was thinking the same thing.  I already discussed the previous season's menswear challenge that caught those designers (even the men) as flat-footed as this group.  The later Top Chef contestants annoyed me in the same way: "Fer crissakes! you've seen enough people sent knife-packing because they couldn't turn out a simple fucking dessert! why didn't you show up with a few in mind??" (eventually, some did)

That's why I think Edmond might win it all.  He's absorbed a number of those lessons.