S17.E06: Power Play

[FormerMod-a1]

Quote

The designers each create their own female video game protagonists with a functional and stylish look fabulous enough to earn them an extra life in the competition.

Original airdate: April 18, 2019

[chitowngirl]

Airs an hour later than usual this week.

[checkmeboo]

I am living for Christian at Mood - I could watch a separate show with the designers and Christian shopping!!!!   

[LennieBriscoe]

Disliked the "Unconventional Survival" challenge. Wasn't into the "Logo Street Fashion" task. 

But tonight's "Gamer Girl" assignment? My level of "OMG,  WHO CARES?!" is off the algorithm charts. 

[mightysparrow]

1 hour ago, LennieBriscoe said:

Disliked the "Unconventional Survival" challenge. Wasn't into the "Logo Street Fashion" task. 

But tonight's "Gamer Girl" assignment? My level of "OMG,  WHO CARES?!" is off the algorithm charts. 

FOR REAL!

[Straycat80]

I don’t know how they were suppose to design something Gamer and not let it look costume-y. 

Hester wins. I think the judges are favoring her. The bottom three designs deserved to be in the bottom. I was rooting for the Chicago boy because I’m from there but it was time for Rakan to go. 

[Fellaway]

1 hour ago, LennieBriscoe said:

Disliked the "Unconventional Survival" challenge. Wasn't into the "Logo Street Fashion" task. 

But tonight's "Gamer Girl" assignment? My level of "OMG,  WHO CARES?!" is off the algorithm charts. 

Yeah, and a lot of these challenges lend themselves more to costume than fashion.  This one in particular, I can see how the line between fashion and costume would be hard to see for the designers.

Me, I see costume in Hester's designs every freakin' week, yet the judges love her and she's won!  Twice!  Tessa hauled out the miller and the apron story again from week one, and Garo's couldn't have been more costumey and cliche.

Honestly, though, I don't know who I would've picked to win.  The ones that looked like fashion didn't look like game characters, and the ones that looked like game characters didn't look like fashion.  So, yeah.

Ready for a fashion challenge.

[jackjill89]

While didn't love another Hester win, loved the look on Tessa's face when she didn't win. She thought she had it in the bag. Ha!

Hester's wife Honey looks equally insufferable. The two of them together must be a real treat. Yikes. 

It was Rakan's time to go. Next up: Jamall. He needs to learn to take advice.

[SunnyBeBe]

I'm totally confused. To me someone had convinced the judges that tacky and cheap is awesome. No, I don't buy it. Why is spandex a no no, but plastic ok? Lol

[Ellaria]

Can’t say that this challenge interested me. 

Very tired of Tessa’s smug expressions and superior attitude. I’m also over Nina. I appreciate that they wanted to carry-over someone from the “original” PR but I would rather hear from a new voice. I’m not sure what the Gamer Executive offered as a judge of fashion but I guess that they had to include someone that was representative of the challenge.

Didn't love any of the looks...perhaps because I didn’t get a good look at most of them. Many of the looks that end up as “safe” seemed to go by in a split second. 

It was a fine line between fashion and costume in this challenge and I’m not sure who succeeded and who did not, regardless of the outcome.

[mightysparrow]

How does Hester have time to design or make clothes when it looks like she spends most of her time putting her own looks together?  In my opinion, a REAL designer saves it for the runway.  Most of the great designers dressed very simply and plainly and put their imagination and work into their designs.

I must say that I was moved by Hester's story.  I also turned my life upside down to care for a parent.  It's a hard thing to do.

[LizDC]

When the guest gamer people asked any of them had programmed, I thought, "Sure did! Using BASIC on my Apple IIe."

I'm old. 

[heyjupiter]

This judging is getting a little suspect. Hester’s look was awful. Totally costume and a bit drab if it really is a raver. Tessa may be a mean girl but she was right in the TH. Garo’s was cliche and costume, too. And again the winning look is on the thin model. 

They can’t have it both ways, either you’re creating a character in a costume or you’re creating fashion. Asking for both is unfair. Let the designers go wild and design the most ridiculous costumes they could imagine. Let them push their boundaries. At least it would be interesting.  

The one guy needs to stop making everything in muslin first. It’s time to sew!

Rakan wasn’t a fit for this show and it was time for him to go. The show is still cutting off the dead weight and it’s obvious. 

I did like the look from the woman with long hair who may have had her first TH tonight. We never see her. The shirt was fun, if impractical for anything. And Sebastian’s monk was was pretty. 

[Thumper]

Yeah, I warmed up to Hester today in hearing about her family and her moving to Santa Fe to help her parents.  I didn't understand her complaining about Santa Fe not being artsy or funky enough for her though,  because isn't SF known as an artists' colony???  I would think she could have found many kindred spirits there.

I didn't think her outfit was the best.  I liked Tessa's ( despite her snotty critical Talking Heads about the others).  Her character was strong, dressed in a practical manner that did not sexualize  her.  I loved that idea.

Edited April 19, 2019 by Thumper

[Nidratime]

I hated Hester's look and thought it was pure costume. No way was that transitioning to fashion. I was kind of rooting for Tessa's. I could definitely see people wearing that and I thought the message was unique and inspiring. But, instead, the judges went with the kitsch, which is exactly what they said they didn't want, and I can understand Tessa's frustration.

[mightysparrow]

Just now, Thumper said:

Yeah, I warmed up to Hester today in hearing about her family and her moving to Santa Fe to help her parents.  I didn't understand her complaining about Santa Fe not being artsy or funky enough for her though,  because isn't SF known as an artists' colony???  I would think she could have found many kindred spirits there.

That had me wondering too!  Sante Fe is one of the ORIGINAL artists' colonies.  But I don't think Hester is an artist so she probably didn't impress any of the folks in Sante Fe.  There are a lot more posers in New York so she would fit in much better.

[carrps]

7 minutes ago, LizDC said:

When the guest gamer people asked any of them had programmed, I thought, "Sure did! Using BASIC on my Apple IIe."

I'm old. 

You're old? I started programming in COBOL.

[mightysparrow]

Hester's model and the makeup artist who worked on her won the challenge.  What she was wearing was incidental to that.  Jamal had the 'bad' model.  It was painful to watch her plod up and down that runway. 

[Thumper]

10 minutes ago, carrps said:

You're old? I started programming in COBOL.

*Raises hand* -- with stacks of punchcards!!! 😄😄😜

[mightysparrow]

Listening to the judges gush over Hester's look made me question their taste.

[Stats Queen]

19 minutes ago, carrps said:

You're old? I started programming in COBOL.

So did I - on a mainframe!

[Ashforth]

47 minutes ago, heyjupiter said:

They can’t have it both ways, either you’re creating a character in a costume or you’re creating fashion. Asking for both is unfair. Let the designers go wild and design the most ridiculous costumes they could imagine. Let them push their boundaries. At least it would be interesting.  

So true! 

The showcasing of Hester from the beginning of the episode projected that she would either win or lose, so once it was revealed that she was in the top I knew she would win even though I did not think her look deserved it. It was exactly the COSTUME they said they didn't want! And despite my lack of expertise in fashion, I am confident in saying that her look was not fashionable. 

I got a huge laugh from Garo's "fashion editor/dominatrix" concept when I saw how well executed it was - even Nina seemed to accept the humor of it after a minute. I liked that it seemed the judges are having a good time. For a while PR felt like it had gotten grim (not as grim as PRAS - shudder). 

I thought Tessa's look met the challenge best of the looks that were selected as the top (but I didn't think Hester's belonged in that group and there were at least one or two looks that should have been in contention - can't ID them since the runway isn't on the Bravo site yet and I don't take notes during the show). 

I hope the challenges get better because I'm liking this iteration of PR so far, but... It would be sad to have it go down the drain.

Edited April 19, 2019 by Ashforth

[Beaner]

Hester's personal style still makes me cringe. Everything is so matchy matchy and Justice and Claire's. Good grief, how did she haul all that shit from Sante Fe. She must have a U-Haul parked offsite for the accessories alone.

I liked both Garo's and Tessa's. All of the top three in my opinion were well constructed, and the bottom ones were shoddy, shabby, and so poorly executed that everyone else was safe by default.

[roctavia]

I agree with the auf, but not the win. It was definitely Rakan's time to go... and the other bottom looks belonged there, though I would have put Hester's look near the bottom too. 

It was too costum-ey and the clear plastic things were horrifying... All I can think of were those awful "mom" jeans with clear plastic knees that were floating around on the internet earlier this year. 

She didn't look cool or kick ass to me with a clear backpack full of flowers or whatever was in there. 

I agree that the dominatrix look is way over done, but at least it was well constructed!! Tessa's look was good, even if it was boring... and was a good way to show a "character" with some backstory but without sexualizing the character. 

There were more looks in the middle that I felt also were able to pull that off and wish we could have seen those designs more up close. 

Still enjoying this new season, but the judges are back to pretty standard levels of WTF juding... 

[little black cloud]

The most gorgeous thing I saw tonight was Robin Hunicke’s lace dress. Urrrrrgh where can I get that?!

[HappyDancex2]

Rakan’s sketches showed a cropped vest and I thought she was going to be a superhero farmer and basically just recycle last week.  Also Bordeaux looked like red to me too.

The white and blue cross outfit was by far the worst outfit to me.  The lady bond with the no bra from Jamall was a close second.  It’s almost like they weren’t going to eliminate one of the full figured models.  

The only thing I want to learn from Hester is how to pack.  Did she bring 20 trunks of clothing and accessories?  Her and the spouse are visually exhausting.  NY to Santa Fe seems like worlds apart though in terms of her crowd...I’m glad she hasn’t let it stop her.

[HappyDancex2]

 Christian is just so hilarious.  I would totally take advantage of him.  If I was stuck with that horrid blue fabric and white lace and feathers I would just ask him how to salvage it to not get him in the bottom.  He would totally help LOL.  

Also the way it was edited didn’t it seem like since Rakan was under budget that he was going to offer his extra money to Venny?  I was confused.

[buttersister]

What was that?

Christian was wonderful as usual. I’m pretty sure I tune in to see him, because the judges are meh and the challenges are gimmicky and they could all do better. Please.

[Brookside]

Venny's looked like a misguided outfit for the Greek team at the Olympics Opening Ceremony.

[Wandering Snark]

1 hour ago, Beaner said:

Hester's personal style still makes me cringe.

Did you see the look she had on in the previews?? O. M. G. *tries to shake the image free from his head*

Speaking of Hester-related trauma her design reminded me of the 80's that brought us 'So Fine' (and I apologize for this in advance...)

I don't like that Tessa has become the bitchy narrator/definer of taste. She gives me Michelle lite vibes and I'm still trying to forget that last doomed retro POC that was PRAS. I mean most of this group are at least amicable with each other and she's that bitch eating crackers in the corner commenting on everyone like she's the arbiter of what passed for good design. Shut up Tessa! That said, I still would have given her the win here.

[Brookside]

I thought Hester's was, as usual, absolutely hideous, and failed the challenge.

Why do they continue to ignore Christian - his advice is on the nose.  So much boring beige/baby poop brown (Tessa).

The judges need to make up their minds on so many fronts.  Like tonight the complaints about boobage in Jamel's tux.  There are frequently outfits sent down with cleavage, side boob, nipples, etc that don't get criticized.

Sebastian's looked exactly like something Brandon would have sent out a couple of seasons ago - beige and pale pink with stupid straps dangling all over.

[HappyDancex2]

Also I officially don’t like Jamal’s model.  I would have defended her a bit in the past but she was awful.  She’s not a strong poser, her body is not even model like for a full figured model, her face isn’t expressive or pleasantly neutral because she has a weird overbite or something going on with her mouth. 

In addition she seems to throw her designer under the bus because she thinks she’s relevant.  If they asked her about how comfortable she was she should just say she felt amazing and fine.  The judges are looking for reasons to eliminate and she shouldn’t be a factor.  Unless the designer is flat out a jerk to any of them how they feel in the clothing should be irrelevant.  Her boobs didn’t fall out so why she do him like that?  I wouldn’t want to work with her after that.

[HappyDancex2]

Tessa declaring that she programmed her WEBSITE was somehow relevant to coding video games was laughable.  Tessa please.

[GaT]

Besides the fact that almost everything looked like a costume, Hester's was one of the most costumey, how did she win? I really though Tessa had it.

[GoldaVining]

A sexy editrix with a whip? Ugh. I realize people of the world seem to want to sexualize everything but gross. The skimpy X over the cleavage does not make it modest, don't tell me that. It doesn't need to be modest, who cares, but don't tell me this story and expect me to believe it. How often do we see this hypersexual dominatrix look in gaming? How inventive in coming up with a new look for girls in gaming. GROSS. I don't want this.

Swinging wildly in the other direction to brown wool overalls with a brown wool apron? I don't want that either.

It sounded like the gaming experts PR brought in to explain the challenge were hoping to encourage more girls into game design. If girls were the intended audience then at least Hester's outfit looked fun and wearable for movement. I'm not saying it was fashion. The winning look of the survival challenge didn't look like fashion either.

Venny what?

Edited April 19, 2019 by GoldaVining
flip flopping

[Vermicious Knid]

The designers are told not to make costumes. Hester makes a costume and wins. Did not get why they were tripping over themselves to tonguebathe that outfit. At least one of the judges pointed out it was a bit too much. Next week they have to make something elegant, which will probably be a gigantic fail by Hester but she has immunity. Darn it.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I'm glad that Christian warned/reminded the designers not to make costumes for this challenge, but most of them didn't listen. The larger problem is that they were asked to create video game characters which means veering into costume territory.

I remember in past seasons, there were certain designers who would spin elaborate stories about who was wearing this outfit (I still remember Angela's rambling story about how the girl wearing her design was a dog walker in Paris or some such nonsense). This group doesn't seem to have the collective creativity to come up with those complicated stories if their video game character inspirations are any indication.

Although it was cool to see the designers' video game characters rendered by the artists, I felt bad for the people who worked with Rakan and Sonia . They were already on a pretty tight schedule to create the drawings and then these poor artist were told, "Oh, hey, I changed my design so can you change this by tomorrow?"

I love watching the designers interact, like when they all started making fun of the way Jamall said, "STAAAAAAAAAAP!" or when Sebastian ran through the workroom in his muslin pattern. I totally loved the mothafucking walk off on the ferry.

Apparently strong female video game character = pants with a long jacket.

Renee's community warrior looked so different from what I thought it would be when she was describing it. I think it veered slightly into costume but not too much. It was still wearable. Maybe not something you would wear to go to, say, the grocery store, but still wearable.

Lela's white top and grey pants were definitely wearable/not too costumey. I didn't love the long straps hanging off the pants but I was just glad that someone made something that didn't look like it was a Comic Con costume.

I've liked Sonia for being quietly nice in past challenges but I loved her after she talked about how she got fired for wanting to make technical board shorts for women because she's right - why shouldn't women have board shorts that are just as technical and good as the ones made for men? I liked the original design she was working on so I was disappointed when she had to scrap a lot of it. The dress was fine but her fabric choice was an issue for me because it cheapened the design. The combination of the fabric and the collar plus the cape was giving me old school Star Trek vibes, like an alien queen from whatever planet they were visiting that week.

Bishme's red queen of hearts assassin gown was a little costumey, but I think if he had removed the crown from his model's head, it wouldn't have been as obvious.

Jamall's white femme fatale James Bond tuxedo was exactly as Christian feared - she looked like a restaurant hostess. There was way too much boob showing and she couldn't wear a bra so that was an automatic fail for me. That poor model. If he didn't have time to make the original top he designed, he should have at least thrown together a tank top or SOMETHING for her. If Garo can make a ten minute dress, Jamall should have been able to make her a ten minute top to cover her up a little more.

Hester's star jumper sounded HORRIBLE every time she described it and the finished product definitely pointed to her Hot Topic faux raver roots. I don't know how most of the judges insisted that it wasn't costumey though. I liked the pink and orange accents because as Christian pointed out, we need some color on the runway. I agree with Elaine that this outfit was tacky in real life, but I get Karlie's point that it would look great rendered as a video game.

Garo's fashion editor dominatrix was an interesting idea, but I didn't like the red jersey dress underneath because it looked wrinkled and messy. I want to hear more about why hammering leather helps. I guess it makes it softer and easier to work with? I also want to hear more about him working at the dominatrix house!

Venny's blue and white savior was not good. Between the cross on the leg and the feathers and the lace and the cape, it was so much and none of it was good. I couldn't believe he said that he didn't want it to go too churchy. But you're the one who designed it that way! I felt bad that his model couldn't fit the shoes he originally chose but I'm so confused about the accessory wall. Do they not have shoes in more than one size?

Tessa's miller's daughter character definitely stood out because it was so different. I did like her point about how this character did not sexualize the woman, which is a pointed departure from a lot of female video game characters.

I felt so bad for the poor makeup artist. I don't expect all of the designers to know the ins and outs of specific kinds of makeup, but Rakan couldn't give her any direction. Even when she offered a few suggestions, he just doesn't respond. How the fuck is she supposed to create a look without any input or direction? Even if he just gave her something generic like bold, sexy, natural, modern, ANYTHING. Rakan's queen looked better than I thought it would after all of his struggles in the workroom.

Sebastian's pink and white dress definitely came off as too costumey for me. Like who would actually wear that to walk down the street?

The bottom three were all pretty bad but it was time for Rakan to go. Hes been in the bottom too many times. He can't seem to adapt what he already wants to do to fit the actual challenge and he is not good at applying critiques to make change. He seems like maybe he's just too stubborn to take anyone's advice. Case in point: Christian telling him he was using red and Rakan arguing that it was bordeaux and then Christian reiterating that the zipper he was holding up was RED.

[Gummo]

Not going to get too hung up on the costume/fashion divide because this challenge was designed to straddle that very line, and the line is going to be different for each person.

Agreed generally with the top and bottom, except I thought Renee should have been in the top, too. Her concept was clear and it translated nicely to her outfit. I thought Hester's outfit walked the line between fashion, costume and kitsch with a nice sense of humor, but I can see how it would't be to everyone's taste. At first I thought Tessa totally didn't get the challenge until I remembered some of the designers talking about the Sims, then I realized that she was possibly the most original, going in a completely different direction than the rest. I appreciate her intent and she came really close to realizing it, but the final result was just a bit drab.

Rakan checked out of this competition at least one challenge ago, and maybe longer, so it was way past his time to go. Jamal can go next, he's another one who ignores the challenge parameters and ignores Christian's advice, which bugs the hell out of me. 

Was it Venny who just made a black tux suit? How innovative. Yawn. And yes, there's nothing wrong with cleavage, even boobage, but as the judges pointed out, one quick turn at the waist and she'd be out of her top completely. In some circumstances I'd enjoy seeing that, but this wasn't it.

And the less said about Bishme's Church Lady, the better. He's so lucky Rakan was there, his outfit was HIDEOUS, so tasteless it was embarrassing.

Loving the return of regular 2-day challenges, though! By the end of the Lifetime run and endless 1-day challenges, all the garments were ragged and unfinished and you had no idea if anyone actually had any technical skills at all.

[DrSparkles]

Sorry, they all missed an obvious opportunity to be LEGEND!!! As Venny was describing his thing, all I could think was “((I’m not) Captain Save-a-ho!”

Edited April 19, 2019 by DrSparkles

[dleighg]

1 hour ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

They were already on a pretty tight schedule to create the drawings and then these poor artist were told, "Oh, hey, I changed my design so can you change this by tomorrow?"

As a software engineer myself, that was my immediate thought when they introduced this idea. I just knew that was going to happen.

[Aulty]

This could have been a challenge to have fun with unconventional material (old electronics) or new technology.

I also felt that some interpretations where more superheroinnes than game characters. Depending on the world the game is set in, the characters are often dressed in regular stuff. At least in the games I play.

[dleighg]

This is the second time Hester has stuffed some material inside a clear plastic backpack.

Sebastian's straps all over the floor-- wouldn't she trip?

[terrymct]

I'd have gone with Garo as the winner.  That was an awesome outfit.  Would they have liked it better without the whip?   The jacket was amazing, did not look like something pulled together in a day.  The outfit would work for a character and people could still wear it.

Hester I'm convinced has incriminating photos of the judges or something.  The outfit didn't deserve to be in the bottom, but it wasn't worthy of the praise it got either.  She designs for club kids no matter what the challenge is.

I'd have liked to have seen Sebastian's look in the top three rather than Hestor's.  I could see that outfit easily on a superhero or a game character...and on a regular person.  I really liked how it moved.

Actually, I liked Sonia's empath better than Hestor's club kid, too.

Jamal's got a similar problem to Hestor.  He designs what he designs regardless of the challenge.  He better wake up soon.

Rakan was due to go home.  

Edited April 19, 2019 by terrymct

[slaterain]

Ugh. While the right person went home, I don't think the right person won. Hester's was not innovative or exciting or anything to me. I don't get what the judges saw in it. The only thing I can think of is that the producers want her kitsch to stick around and they know she will need immunity to justify keeping her through next week's elegant challenge. 

While Tessa bugs at times and they are definitely making sure to get her going in the talking heads - I thought she should have won. Especially when she unbuttoned the overall part and showed more of the tops. She looked strong and the clothes were cool. A pop more color would have been nice but could totally see that character in a game. I thought she was pushing the costume too far with the flour sack but it did actually work for the runway. 

My two favorite looks were in the middle/safe zone which annoyed me. And while I thought Garos' look was strong - I am so over the default dominatrix as empowering women. And editors, we don't need to see him repeat the nina and whip bit multiple times!!! every time he said it it made me cringe more. 

I like the older woman with greying hair but damn - she needs to get her time management together as this panic each week is getting frustrating. She does great stuff and just needs to focus on what she can do in the time. This one was more model fit related but the previews for next week don't bode well to see any improvement here

Edited April 19, 2019 by slaterain

[Pepper Mostly]

The single greatest moment in Project Runway history, no matter what comes later, will be Mimi whipping Nina Garcia. Greater than "I didn't take the bitch's dye!" Greater than the mustache on the pic of Wendy's daughter. Better than "Its a motherfucking walk off!". Better than Chris March's finale collection made with human hair. Better than Kenley spitting "Its not meant to be beautiful, Heidi" Better than just about any moment featuring Kelly from the deli. I loved it with all my heart and soul.

3 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

I'm glad that Christian warned/reminded the designers not to make costumes for this challenge, but most of them didn't listen. The larger problem is that they were asked to create video game characters which means veering into costume territory.

I remember in past seasons, there were certain designers who would spin elaborate stories about who was wearing this outfit (I still remember Angela's rambling story about how the girl wearing her design was a dog walker in Paris or some such nonsense). This group doesn't seem to have the collective creativity to come up with those complicated stories if their video game character inspirations are any indication.

Lela's white top and grey pants were definitely wearable/not too costumey. I didn't love the long straps hanging off the pants but I was just glad that someone made something that didn't look like it was a Comic Con costume.

Tessa's miller's daughter character definitely stood out because it was so different. I did like her point about how this character did not sexualize the woman, which is a pointed departure from a lot of female video game characters.

@ElectricBoogaloo, hear hear to your whole excellent post, edited just because I wanted to respond to these few little things.

ANGELA! Jubilee Jumbles! The model was supposed to be the owner of a preschool called Jubilee Jumbles. Holy shit.

I loved Tessa's and thought she should have won.Say what you will about her, she understands what the challenges are and she is able to communicate her own style and vision into every one.

I loved Lela's too. She also sticks to her own vision and is able to adapt it to the challenge. She's interesting. I hope she sticks around for awhile.

2 hours ago, Gummo said:

Not going to get too hung up on the costume/fashion divide because this challenge was designed to straddle that very line, and the line is going to be different for each person.

Agreed generally with the top and bottom, except I thought Renee should have been in the top, too. Her concept was clear and it translated nicely to her outfit. I thought Hester's outfit walked the line between fashion, costume and kitsch with a nice sense of humor, but I can see how it would't be to everyone's taste. At first I thought Tessa totally didn't get the challenge until I remembered some of the designers talking about the Sims, then I realized that she was possibly the most original, going in a completely different direction than the rest. I appreciate her intent and she came really close to realizing it, but the final result was just a bit drab.

Rakan checked out of this competition at least one challenge ago, and maybe longer, so it was way past his time to go. Jamal can go next, he's another one who ignores the challenge parameters and ignores Christian's advice, which bugs the hell out of me. 

Was it Venny who just made a black tux suit? How innovative. Yawn. And yes, there's nothing wrong with cleavage, even boobage, but as the judges pointed out, one quick turn at the waist and she'd be out of her top completely. In some circumstances I'd enjoy seeing that, but this wasn't it.

And the less said about Bishme's Church Lady, the better. He's so lucky Rakan was there, his outfit was HIDEOUS, so tasteless it was embarrassing.

Loving the return of regular 2-day challenges, though! By the end of the Lifetime run and endless 1-day challenges, all the garments were ragged and unfinished and you had no idea if anyone actually had any technical skills at all.

I enjoyed this challenge too. I thought it was fun and it was refreshing to see female game designers and hear their perspectives. I loved Tessa's, I thought was well thought out, loved the humor of the flour sack, and walked the line between fashion/costume well. I like her. Her critiques are spot on, so I can't fault her on that score. She knew Bishme's was a hot mess. And it seems that many here agree with her take on Hester's, also.  I don't think she's a mean girl. She's asked in her talking head interviews for her opinion, as all of the participants are. She's been giving the best sound bites and I can't say she's been wide of the mark. Think of those appalling twins from a few seasons ago, who said terrible things about all their fellows. They thought the were being hilariously witty and snarky, but they were mean spirited and, usually fabulously, glaringly wrong in their assessments. The garments they trashed would win, while their pitiful rags were always on the bottom. Tessa gives a calm, measured assessment, she is usually right on the money, and her stuff is frequently on the top.

I am LIVING for Christian at Mood! "Does anyone like yellow? How about green?" Bwahahahaha!

[SunnyBeBe]

I thought that I might enjoy this season, but, I'm done.  The judges are full of it with their praise of questionable designs by Hester.  I don't get it and think my taste is just fine.  Why did they have to ruin the season with what appears to be a conspiracy to promote this woman without justification?  I find it insulting. 

[milner]

How old is Hester?  When I look at her in one of her costumes I think young...twentyish.   But this week we saw a couple of shots of her close up without her clown glasses and l  realized she was way older than I imagined.  Much like  Betsy Johnson who at 71 looks ridiculous most often. 

[jrlr]

13 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I thought that I might enjoy this season, but, I'm done.  The judges are full of it with their praise of questionable designs by Hester.  I don't get it and think my taste is just fine.  Why did they have to ruin the season with what appears to be a conspiracy to promote this woman without justification?  I find it insulting. 

I agree.  The fix seems to be in for the irritating and "special" Hester.  Everything she makes looks like bad Lisa Franks from the 80s, and those talking heads with her in her idiotic costumes hurts my eyes and ears (that vocal fry is awful).  Really?  Plastic in the pants cut-outs?  Wow, such INVENTION (not).  This whole Hester thing makes the judges seem like they are stuck in the past, gushing over kitchy bullshit which isn't even original, let alone stylish.   SMH big time.

[dleighg]

1 hour ago, slaterain said:

I thought she was pushing the costume too far with the flour sack but it did actually work for the runway. 

I had the same thought earlier in the episode, like "flour sack? Why?" but it made the "character" look really strong and self-assured.

[SunnyBeBe]

These judges are really full of it. Do they know how foolish they look doing this?  Nina on WWHL last night appearing all smug about the show.....please,  I'd be embarrassed.  Pitiful.  I wonder if they anticipated viewer backlash or if they care.  Who is producing this mess? 

The only place I could imagine seeing Hester's strong woman design would be for a Halloween costume at Party City. 

Edited April 19, 2019 by SunnyBeBe