It's been a busy few days in the reality TV sphere, and I'm hardly the only person writing about it, as it turns out.

-- First up, American Idol's Paula Abdul is going to be on ABC News' Nightline on Thursday. In this clip (which you can also view above), she talks about how she found out about the addition of judge Kara DioGuardi this season. (Ouch.)

-- David Zurawik reports that Project Runway finally has a premiere date: Aug. 20 on Lifetime. Read more here. He also has more on Blagovejich being denied the request to appear on I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here.

-- I posted the clip of Britain's Got Talent's Susan Boyle auditioning and surprising the heck out of people last week. Several others here have weighed in since then: Classical music critic and Clef Notes blogger Tim Smith; Unleashed blogger Mary Corey; Columnist Susan Reimer (who is also the Garden Variety blogger, but there's no Boyle there).

-- I didn't get to watch Style Network's Running in Heels, which followed three Marie Claire interns, but Tim Swift of Swift Picks tells me it was a lot of fun. The Evil Beet has an interview with Talita Silva from the show.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 3:31 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

According to TMZ, Kenley Collins from season 5 of Project Runway (she of the feathered headbands and dissing of Tim Gunn's advice) is in jail on charges of assaulting her ex-fiance with a variety of things, including a laptop and a cat.

Huh. That's ... odd.

Update: Here's more from the NY Post.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 3:38 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

I haven't had a chance to blog about the finale of Project Runway, and I apologize. I had grand plans to do so last night and instead came down with some kind of flulike illness that made it hard enough to get through Dancing with the Stars, let alone watch PR after that. But enough of my excuses. By now, you've gone elsewhere to read a recap, or you have watched the episode. So, instead, tell me what you think of the results and enjoy these fun links:

After-Bryant Park interviews with the constants. Kenley is her same old self. Apparently, she is teaching a sewing class, and she tells Entertainment Weekly, "I lost all my money because I did Project Runway, and I'm just trying to get my money back, plus more." She also says, "Korto sent really bad, unfinished pieces down the runway, and underwear was showing, too. I don't care if you have the best line in the world, if your stuff is showing underwear, and it's unfinished, that's unacceptable at Bryant Park. That was really insulting, to have my beautiful, couture-made line come in third next to that was really insulting." (Whaaaat?)

Buy Kenley's creations, including the green sprouts she wore in her hair during her runway show, on her Web site. (A size 8 dress is a 26-inch waist? Really?)

Before Leanne was on the show, she sold her clothes on etsy and through her Web site (it looks like you can't just shop, as you can on Kenley's). I really wish I knew about etsy when her pieces were available. Some of these dresses are fabulous. (I'm so glad she won! I heard a rumor that the applause during her show was louder and that Bravo had to adjust it for the airing.)

For those of you who want Korto's dresses, keep an eye on her site. It's not quite up to date, but I imagine she's been fairly busy!

Posted by Carla Correa at 5:48 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Leanne! I have to say, I liked all the collections a lot, but I liked hers best! I'm glad Kenley didn't win, but I feel bad for Korto. She's fabulous, too.

FYI: The fan favorite is Korto. That tidbit was announced during a commercial break. Huh? What? Why? Why no reunion show? Boo! Well, congrats Korto, enjoy your $10,000.

Full recap to come ... 

Posted by Carla Correa at 9:59 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Apologies for not recapping Project Runway last week; I was out of town and didn't get a chance to watch it as soon as I would have liked. But if had written about the show, it would have been one whiny entry.

The designers were charged with creating outfits based on photos taken at a botanical garden. Daniel's orchidlike outfit from Season 2 is a fabulous example of something the designers shoulda and coulda done. Instead, we get fish scales a la Kenley. (I liked how she forgot her tulle and NO ONE would give her any of theirs. Ha!) Leanne's soft-yet-structured dress was OK, and Korto's orange creation was bleh (and a bit pageantlike). Jerell's dress was the best, but it didn't knock anyone's socks off.

In a predictable fashion (yes, I see the bad pun), all four designers will create collections, and the judges will dismiss one of them before Fashion Week. Yawn.

Who's going to be Auf'd tonight? (Crossing fingers ... hoping it's Kenley.)

Posted by Carla Correa at 5:09 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Last night's episode of Project Runway starts with the obligatory bathroom shot. The designers are getting ready for another day. And what awaits them when they get to the runway? They get to repick their models.

There are eight models and five designers since we've had some challenges in which the models weren't used. Jerell gets to choose first because he won the last challenge, and he stays with Nicole. Kenley takes Joe's old model. Leanne takes Suede's model; he's upset. Suede chooses, then Korto has the last pick. That means three models are out, including Caroline, Leanne's old model. 

In the workroom, Tim tells the designers that they will be designing for each other. (So, essentially, they repicked models for NO reason at all.) Suede will design for Jerell. Kenley will be designing for Leanne. Korto for Suede. Jerell for Kenley. Leanne for Korto. No one looks happy. Tim says they must each create a look for their client inspired by a musical genre. Tim then picks what each client's outfit will be: Kenley's genre is pop (meaning she will be dressed like a Pussycat Doll). She's not excited. Suede's genre is punk. Korto's is country. Leanne gets hip-hop. Leanne looks sick. She knows she's going to have one ugly retro hip-hop dress. Jerell gets rock and roll.

"Yo, Kenley's gonna make an outfit for me; she better not make it look like it's from 1950!" Leanne says in a confessional. (Do rappers use semicolons?)

Continue reading "'Project Runway': Suede says Suede is eliminated." »

Posted by Carla Correa at 7:05 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

After writing a quick recap of last week's show earlier today, my little iBook somehow didn't save the file. I hope it doesn't happen right now. The What's Your Sign? episode last week eliminated Terri and Blayne-licious. See pictures from the episode here, and see the fashions here. (You could also Google the Bryant Park photos -- six designers showed -- but I don't want to know anything.)  All I can say is that I am so OVER over-confident Kenley. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Tonight, Kenley starts off by saying that she doesn't understand why she was in the bottom three during the last challenge and that she will stay true to her instincts. Dear God. If I was working with MICHAEL KORS, I would listen to him.

Continue reading "'Project Runway': Pinstriped Joe, it's time to go!" »

Posted by Carla Correa at 10:29 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Native Marylander Christian Siriano unveiled his 2009 spring collection at New York Fashion Week yesterday. Read all about it here. I would dish on more PR Season 5 details, but I don't want to know anything about the clothes OR the designers who make it to Bryant Park. I already stumbled on one of them while surfing the Web. If you want spoilers, Google 'em yourself.

I did look at video of Christian's show on baltimoresun.com. (You can access it via the link above.) Christian chose a gray palate, with some orange and chartreuse thrown in for good measure. Gone are the harsh, stiff blacks; ruffles and flow are in. Sheer material evokes the lightness of spring. I'm not so big on sheer, but I'm big on gray and orange: They look good together. And, of course, it wouldn't be Christian's show without some fancy hats. Tim Gunn says Christian "really is the next great American fashion designer." I'm going to actually agree. Jay McCarroll who?

Posted by Carla Correa at 5:05 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Project Runway is becoming a bit predictable. Designers guessing what the challenge will be and debating who will be that episode's guest star? Check. Suede talking in the third person? Check. Field trip to an undisclosed location? Check. Corporate sponsor? Check. Wednesday's episode was no different, but at least the looks didn't have to be designed using car parts.

First up: The designing women are wondering what the new challenge will be. Will they get to use REAL fabrics? Suede is sad that Keith, his roommate, is gone. I'm not. Then, they all head to the runway.

Car-part-challenge winner Leanne decides to keep Caroline as her model, which means that Keith's model, Alyssa, is out. (There sure hasn't been a lot of model-swapping going on this season.) Heidi Klum then describes the next challenge, saying a special person is there. Tim Gunn walks out, saying, "It's just little old me." He tells the contestants that they'll be designing for a fashion legend, whom they'll meet now. Field trip! (Here's hoping that he or she is an actual legend, unlike Brooke Shields.)

As they walk down a cobblestone street in New York's Meatpacking District, Blayne is crossing his fingers that the aforementioned legend is Mary-Kate Olsen. Yes, Michelle of Full House, who is 22 and often clad in oversized garments that resemble garbage bags, grandmotherly garb, etc. (Though she has been looking a bit better as of late.) "My first thought about the fashion legend is Mary-Kate Olsen. I want every challenge to be involved with Mary-Kate," he says. "I wanna marry Mary-Kate. Who doesn't? Besides Tim Gunn?" Everyone, raise your hand.

Continue reading "'Project Runway': Stella wants me to keep walking" »

Posted by Carla Correa at 1:23 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

New guest blogger Ishita Singh writes about Project Runway:

Carla’s on vacation, so I’m filling in for her tonight. In case you missed last week’s show, here’s a quick recap: The designers paired off to create a look for Brooke Shield’s character on ABC’s “Lipstick Jungle.” Keith won the challenge, and Kelli was out.

The show starts with the designers’ reactions to last week’s judging. Korto is surprised that Kelli is out (Michael Kors called her outfit “slutty, slutty, slutty” – was there even a doubt that she was leaving?) and Blayne and Joe comment on Keith’s aesthetic, or lack thereof.

Heidi Klum brings out a guest to introduce this week’s challenge. As promised, it is Season 4’s Chris March, dressed like an operatic valkyrie, with disco balls covering his chest and a ridiculously large viking hat. Chris explains that the designers will have to create an outfit for a drag queen and brings out 11 lovely ladies so that the designers can choose their models. His one piece of advice? “Be as theatrical and over-the-top with your designs as you want to be.”

Keith won last week’s challenge, so he gets to pick his model first, and he chooses Sherry Vine because she has great legs. Blayne picks Miss Understood, no doubt because she has bright pink hair and is wearing Kermit the Frog in sequins.

After everyone else picks their gals, they head to the workroom. Tim Gunn warns the designers that they must reflect the unique personalities of each queen with the looks that they create. He, too, tells the designers to go “theatrical and over-the-top.” He also tells them that their designs will be auctioned off to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Continue reading "'Project Runway': Drag queen challenge" »

Posted by Mary Hartney at 9:53 AM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

I apologize for not recapping last week's show. However, I finally got a DVR, so recording will (hopefully) go a bit smoother!

As fans know, Korto won the last challenge. That means she can either keep her model or switch things up. She keeps Katarina. Alex is out and wishes the designers luck. Host Heidi Klum then tells them that their challenge will be to design for a high-powered and glamorous professional woman.

Blayne doesn't want her to be Hillary Clinton; he says he'd never win with a neon pants suit. Hillary? High-powered? Yes. Glamorous? Not so much.

Continue reading "'Project Runway': Welcome to the 'Jungle'" »

Posted by Carla Correa at 3:39 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

I have to confess: I am so stressed out that I forgot to watch my favorite show last night. I'll try to catch it ASAP and recap. Until then, take a look at this design. The challenge was to create a look that an athlete could wear during Beijing's opening ceremonies. Most designers went with sporty and modern. What was Jennifer thinking? Perhaps J.Crew would be interested? (Jennifer was sent packing, by the way.)

[Photo courtesy bravotv.com]

Posted by Carla Correa at 12:00 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

This will is a bit of a delayed recap, because I am home sick today. It's not my best. My apologies.

Christian Siriano is blabbing to all sorts of media, saying Season 5 of Project Runway is the pits. So far, I agree. Yet another episode has left me unwowed. And, honestly, I'm shocked about the elimination.

The episode starts with Daniel saying he is sad Wesley is gone. (The rumor is that they are now dating!) The contestants then leave Atlas and head to the runway. They're all, of course, pumped for the next challenge. Heidi brings out the models assigned to the winner, Suede, and loser, Wes. She says Suede can pick Wes' model or stick with his. Suede replies: "Suede loves Tia; he could never change. So Suede is going to keep Tia." (Gag. Seriously, producers, it is so obvious that several of these contestants were picked to be the next "Christian." All strong personalities do not have the same charm.)

Continue reading "Project Runway: Holla at cha cha-cha outfit, Emily!" »

Posted by Carla Correa at 4:01 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Suede wants you to buy his dress on bluefly.com, Suede says. For $280, Suede says, you can head out to a cocktail party looking like a mess of a ballerina (but an eco-friendly one!). Suede says Suede and Bluefly only have time to sew 150 of these dresses. So pull out the credit card now.

(Note: Dress looks better in this photo than it did on actual runway.)

(Photo from bravotv.com) 

Posted by Carla Correa at 2:31 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The show opens with a shot of Suede referring to himself in the third person, which I imagine we're all tired of, one episode in. It feels like someone gave him that advice so he'd stand out on the show -- it's like his "Spike hat" from Top Chef. ("I know! Only talk about yourself in the third person! Then people will start to think there's a buzz about you.") Or maybe he's really just that annoying.

We go right into the models, and Heidi announces something new: The winning model will get a spread in Elle magazine. They're all a-flutter, standing in the runway in their bare feet. There's some brief, manufactured drama over who gets which model, and then we learn the reason for the extra prize: The designers will make cocktail dresses, for their models, who will serve as clients AND do the fabric shopping. Oh, and the models can only buy eco-friendly fabrics. Now the designers are all a-flutter (but not barefoot), rolling their eyes and wringing their hands. Leanne looks smug and says, "I ALWAYS use green fabrics." (Bully for you.)

The models' shopping is pretty much a disaster. There's brief talk of hemp fabrics and I hear phrases such as, "I need, like, color." Many end up buying the same fuchsia, champagne, black and bronze organic satins and silks. One winds up with peacock feathers, and Kevin is none too pleased when she returns. He's huffy that the fabrics don't match, whatever that means, and asks what he's supposed to do with the feathers. Wesley calls his "disgusting," but he's wearing a sweater tied around his shoulders, so what does he know?

Continue reading "'Project Runway': Sueded!" »

Posted by Mary Hartney at 7:13 AM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Project Runway is back for its last season in the Big Apple and its last season on Bravo. This disappoints me: The show is moving to the Lifetime network, and, apparently, Los Angeles next year. L.A.? Sure, the City of Angels is more fashionable than say, Charm City. But a PR without the Parsons The New School of Design workroom and the hustle and bustle of Eighth Avenue just doesn't seem right. Don't convince me otherwise: N.Y.C. is the fashion capital. I'll have to savor this season, I guess.

Which brings me to the first episode, which was fabulous. As in, it was fabulous TV. Fabulous fashion? Not so much.

Continue reading "'Project Runway': rating the first runway" »

Posted by Carla Correa at 1:49 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

I'm a huge Project Runway fan, so I'm surprised that I'm not TOO excited about Season 5 tonight. It seems like Season 4 just ended (and it seems we're still on Christian overload), and Season 6 will air on Lifetime later this year, too. (Yes, you read that right: three seasons of PR in 2008.) I'd rather have quality over quantity, so here's hoping that the designers bring it and that Tim Gunn says some great lines. (I adore his vocabulary.) Check out the (younger) cast and more details, and check back for a recap of the premiere.

Posted by Carla Correa at 1:57 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams reports:

He said “fierce.” He called one character a “hot tranny mess.” And more important he was mentioned by name at least a half dozen times during last night’s episode of ABC’s hit Ugly Betty.

Christian Siriano indeed made his mark on the dramedy, which takes a satirical look at the fashion magazine industry through the lives of employees at Mode, a fictional magazine based in New York City.

Although his appearance was pretty brief, he packed in his usual outdated catch phrases. (Seriously, who in their right mind still says “fierce” and “work it”?)

Siriano – accompanied by three stunning models wearing designs that I’m pretty sure he designed – played himself on the episode. (I’m also pretty sure that one of the show’s stars Rebecca Romijn was wearing one of his designs.)

Anywho, writers were able to work Siriano into the storyline by having the Mode editors attempt to persuade the Project Runway winner to unveil some of his new designs in an upcoming issue. Siriano was accompanied by Project Runway judge Nina Garcia, who appeared to be acting as his agent during the show. She described him as a “diva” before he made his entrance.

Siriano is the latest guest star to arrive on the Betty set this season. Others include: Victoria Beckham, who has worn Siriano’s designs in the past; Dawson’s Creek alum James Van Der Beek; and Celebrity Apprentice alum Gene Simmons, who flashed his freakishly long tongue. Diva supermodel and frequent flyer Naomi Campbell is scheduled to appear at the end of this season.

Siriano is definitely part of an eclectic mix.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:

Christian Siriano, the former Annapolis resident/Project Runway winner/walking stereotype, will be making an appearance tonight on my favorite show, Ugly Betty.

Regardless of your personal feelings about the guy, it is undeniable that he is the most recognizable Project Runway winner ever. I can’t remember the last time a contestant on the show had this much buzz.

Name one who was spoofed on Saturday Night Live (see clip above)? I can’t remember one making national headlines for being a judge for the Miss USA competition. Can you remember the last Runway contestant who hosted awards shows? And now Ugly Betty.

What’s next? Hopefully, we’ll see a successful clothing line. After all, isn’t that why he won the competition? 

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 3:24 PM in Maryland reality contestants, Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

In case you missed Saturday Night Live's sendup of Christian Siriano, you can check it out above.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Newsday was the the finale party for Project Runway last night and got to chat with winner Christian Siriano. Check it out above.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

So what’s is your next move?

Honestly, I’m really going to be working on my collection for next season. I’m going to show in Fashion Week again for spring. I’m just starting to work really hard on that. And it can be more of a show than you saw tonight. It’s going to be amazing. That’s the goal.

That’s the first purchase, a bed — and fabulous pair of shoes. I definitely need those.



It’s pretty amazing. She’s like a dream client and she’s such a muse. It was perfect. It was everything I wanted. Undeniably perfect.

I was competing against amazing designers. Jillian and Rami are so talented. I wanted them to know that I cared about them and I think the world of them. I was just humbled, really.

I think it was really respectful because we’re real designers, and it didn’t need to be that kind of show. It was a real fashion show during real Fashion Week. It was so much better.

You made a big splash on the show; is there more reality TV in future?

I’m not a big reality TV fan, but you never know. I could see a little sitcom or a little movie for me. We’ll see how it goes.

Posted by Tim Swift at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Finally, finally, tonight we find out who wins Project Runway -- and whether Annapolis native Christian Siriano is going to take home the big prize.

Back to the show. The three finalists show off their designs to Tim Gunn, who gives them a little feedback, although at this point there isn't much they can do.

Christian interviews that he thinks Jillian's collection is very innovative and that Rami's very talented and his work shows it, so it's messing with his head. This is a far cry from the usual, cocky Christian we've come to know.  

Next up, the final three start model casting for the runway show. Christian says he needs "strong, confident and amazing girls." Jillian interviews that she's never done a casting, so everything is a new experience for her.

Rami says some of the girls were great, some were OK and, "some were tragic."

The next morning, it's time to work out the makeup and do fittings. Christian interviews that he is over his nerves and totally excited.

Continue reading "'Project Runway': and the winner is ..." »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

In case you missed it, check out Abigail Tucker's story today on Christian Siriano. The Annapolis native and Baltimore School for the Arts grad is one of the Project Runway finalists who's up for the big prize tonight.

The finale airs tonight at 10 on Bravo. I'll have a recap of the show up as soon as possible after it's over.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Tomorrow, at long last, we'll know whether Annapolis' Christian Siriano is the winner of Project Runway. To gear up for the finale, take another look at a clip from last week, when Tim Gunn visited Christian in his New York apartment to check on how his collection was going.

Who do you think is going to win? Who do you want to see win? 

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The whole point of tonight's episode of Project Runway was to see who was making the final cut -- would it be Rami or Chris March?

But it was repeated again and again that they would have to make it through the final challenge in order to show at Fashion Week. And yet, since Fashion Week happened a while ago, Chris, Rami, Jillian and Christian -- as well as Sweet P -- all got to show because otherwise it would be obvious who had been cut.

So Rami made the final three and still has a chance to win the whole thing. But don't feel too bad for Chris March -- his collection was shown, too.

Next week, the top three will face off, and we'll learn the winner. Who are you rooting for?

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:27 PM in Maryland reality contestants, Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

I still don't know why Project Runway airs its reunion before the finale, but I guess I'm kind of used to it by now. Here are some highlights:

* Jack, who had to leave because of a health issue, is back and talks about how he made the right decision, but it was still really hard. There is a weird exchange where they ask Victorya, who is seated defensively, arms crossed tight around her, about how she felt about the scenario. She says "upset" is the right word, but it doesn't seem to be upset in the same way as the other designers who were crying upon his departure (and upon viewing the clip thereof). Heidi says to Tim, "Victorya's always a little uptight, no?" So what's the deal here? Was she mad about Chris March being able to return or what? Weird.

* There's a viewer question for Kevin about whether he's really straight. He says yes, but then they show a montage of amusing clips of him talking to his girlfriend about having lots of new girlfriends, but of the same gender, and more. Tim tells him: "If being on Project Runway didn't turn you gay, nothing will."

Continue reading "'Project Runway' reunion, and fan favorite winner" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

What an eventful episode of Project Runway!

We knew the contestants would be trimmed from five to three so that the final three would be judged at Fashion Week.

For the final challenge, they went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and had to pick a piece of artwork to inspire them for their last look.

Rami went straight for a statue of Aphrodite because of the -- you guessed it -- draping. Sweet P chose a painting of peacocks. Annapolis' Christian Siriano found a painting of a Spanish soldier, and Jillian chose a painting of the battle of the Argonauts. Lastly, Chris March found a painting of an 18th-century royal woman in a gown.

The designers all went in different directions with these inspirations:

Rami created yet another gorgeous gown, but the fact that it was draped -- AGAIN -- garnered the most notice. Sweet P made a pretty, but not all that interesting dress. Christian, super-quick at the sewing machine (and pretty jerky about it), made pants, a detailed shirt, a jacket and an over the shoulder piece. Jillian proved to be the queen of jackets again, as she created a gorgeous, detailed, gold-lined jacket that evoked the uniforms in her painting, as well as a great short, gold dress. Chris March's dress was gorgeous, but too evocative of the avant-garde piece he and Christian made a few weeks back.

The judges, including guest judge Roberto Cavalli, loved Christian and Jillian's looks right off the bad. They were kind of bored by Sweet P's dress, though they found it perfectly fine as a commercial look. Nina Garcia was most frustrated by Rami and his incessant draping. And while Cavalli loved Chris March's look, the other judges weren't as enamored, since its thunder was stolen by the previous piece.

In the end, Christian was the winner, Jillian a close second, and Sweet P was out. But then, a twist. Two were supposed to be eliminated, but the judges were deadlocked, so Rami and Chris March were both in and both able to create collections, but one will be eliminated before the finale.

(Of course, this elimination is a little misleading -- since Fashion Week was last week, all five of the remaining designers got to show at Bryant Park. You can see more photos here and a closer look at Christian's collection here.)

(Photo of Christian Siriano at Fashion Week by Associated Press)

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

All of the remaining Project Runway contestants got to show collections at Fashion Week -- did you realize that? No, not all of these will make the two-part finale Feb. 27 and March 5, but they all got to show in order to keep the outcome of the show up in the air.

Don't want to be spoiled at all? Don't read the link below! (But don't fret -- it doesn't reveal the actual finalists.)

Continue reading "'Project Runway' at Fashion Week" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

See ya later, Ricky! I'm so not sad to see our (least) favorite cry-boy depart Project Runway. But did it shock anyone else that, after bawling in almost every other interview segment in the whole season, he didn't cry last night? I was shocked.

But anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. The challenge was, the designers had to create in-the-ring outfits for six of World Wrestling Entertainment's divas. And they thought prom dresses were taking them outside their comfort zone!

Instead of shopping at fabric store Mood, they got their supplies at "Spandex House," which was a crack-up in and of itself. And making these choices seemed to throw some of the designers for a loop. Sweet P bought these two horrible holographic silver fabrics that just fought and fought with each other (because her diva likes "sparkly" things). And Rami bought the Barbiest pink in the history of the universe.

Annapolis' Christian Siriano went with a leather and lace look for his diva, Kristal, and she loved it. So did Christian, who thought for sure he was going to win (and also said "fierce" about 700 times).

Chris March and his diva, Maria, discovered a mutual love for leopard print. Chris, who is used to making outlandish costumes, was much less intimidated by this challenge than many of the others, and he created this great leopard hoodie lined with sparkly black material and with flared arms, as well as a leopard top with black straps meant to signify a caged animal.

For Michelle, Jillian created a royal blue top and short-shorts (shortest short-shorts ever) with a sporty twist, thanks to some striping details.

Sweet P's outfit for Candice Michelle was supposed to be a robe and bikini outfit, but the robe offered no drama, and the bikini was ill-fitting (especially for someone getting flung around a wrestling ring). And the silver spandex only made it worse.  

Rami's pink outfit for Torrie was too frilly by half (especially the removable skirt), and the eyeball-searing pink? Also didn't help.

But Ricky made the worst misstep, creating what he saw as a cute "one-piece" outfit, but what looked to everyone else like a boring orange bathing suit. And he added this removable shift made of gold spandex covered with black fishnet that did nothing for his diva, Layla.

And so, a not-tearful Ricky was sent packing (finally!), and the remaining designers get that much closer to Fashion Week.  

(Photo and video courtesy of Bravo TV)

Note: Just for the record, I headlined my entry before I saw Bravo's caption on its Ricky video. But it's too fitting to change!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

It was all about denim on last night's Project Runway. Well, denim and redemption.

At the beginning, crybaby Ricky lamented that none of the other designers seemed to think that he should be there and that they didn't treat him or his experience with respect. Of course, none of the judges seemed enamored with his work, either, and his experience wasn't really showing. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

For the challenge, the designers were ushered to a warehouse filled with Levi's 501s in various colors and styles and asked to create an iconic look that evoked the 501. They could grab as much as they could fit in a laundry bag in a certain amount of time. 

There was drama in the middle, as both Jillian and Victorya were working on coats, and both had some timing issues.

In the end, the judges had a lot of positive things to say. They liked Rami's dress accented with zipper trim and Christian Siriano's trucker-inspired outfit, which included a pair of jeans whose legs were made of the arms of jackets. Sweet P's slimming dress of several shades of denim also got high marks (good thing Tim Gunn steered her away from her denim wedding dress idea).

But the highest praise of all went to Ricky, who created a corset-inspired dress with impeccable stitching and fitting accented by a button fly down the front. The judges were thrilled that he finally lived up to his potential and his reputation as a lingerie designer, and he ended up the winner.

Victorya and Jillian's coats found them in the bottom (and Chris March's boring dress got him there, too, but not for long), but Jillian was saved for overreaching rather than appearing totally uninspired. So Victorya was auf'd.

It was interesting to note, though, that our Annapolis contestant, Christian, seems to be losing fans among his fellow designer. He got a lot of grief in interviews for being obnoxious and immature and seeming like a cartoon character. Ouch. That won't help much when the next group challenge surfaces.  

(Photo and video courtesy of Bravo)

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

OK, raise your hand if you thought Christian Siriano and Chris March would be a disaster as teammates on last night's Project Runway?

I did, until I remembered the avant-garde theme, which I think played to the strengths of the costume-maker, as well as our edgy Annapolis boy.

This week, the designers were randomly assigned into teams of two and had to create an avant-garde look inspired by the crazy hairstyles given to their models. (Well, except the one girl who just looked like she had dirty roots -- and then no one picked her, so she was out of the models' part of the competition.)

The teams got to work on their creations, and most were struggling with the time frame on the second day when mentor Tim Gunn dropped another bomb: They'd also have to create a ready-to-wear garment that complemented the original piece. EVERYBODY PANIC!

Chris and Christian used 40 yards of organza cut into circles to create this amazing piece that included basically a wire sculpture on the shoulder. It was impressive. Their second look was an organza, sleeveless ruffled top and a pencil skirt. Interesting top, rather boring skirt, but still, they worked together.

Continue reading "'Project Runway': changing of the avant-garde" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

I thought the challenge on Wednesday night's Project Runway was genius -- the contestants were expecting to have to make eveningwear at some point, but for for 16- and 17-year-old girls going to the prom!

Unfortunately, the results were not so genius. I think a number of the designers were thrown off by having to create something that fit someone else's expectations. Plus, the age thing didn't help much.

Christian Siriano (of Annapolis) had a lot of trouble. Maddie, the student who chose him, is also interested in design and wanted some very specific things in her dress. When he started putting it together, it turned into this bronzey, lacy, beaded confection (and not in the good way). It was interested seeing how he dealt with the complications -- there was much less "Hell yes, I'm the best" and waaaaaay more "I'm getting eliminated tomorrow. Yep, eliminated. I'm totally going home." It was a close call (especially when at judging he cast some of the blame on his teen client), but that did not come to pass. Whew.

Continue reading "'Project Runway': close call for Christian" »

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

OK, sorry, that was a goofy headline. But what do you want me to do when the challenge on Project Runway involved using materials from the Hershey's store in Times Square? I just couldn't help it.

Anyway!  I'm glad to have this show back after the holiday hiatus, and it was a fun return.

The designers had five minutes to gather as much as they could from the shelves of the store -- including pillows, teddy bears and other products, so not just candy. It was a total free-for-all.

Back at Parsons, they each parsed what they'd gathered and tried to come up with a plan.

Right off the bat, Rami's outfit, created with Twizzler packaging and York peppermint patty wrapping paper, looked great. It was whimsical in shape and color and extremely well made.

Jillian was the only one who decided to use actual candy and made a bustier out of Twizzlers and created fringe on a skirt with more of them. She was having a tough time, but in the end, despite all the dramatic tension ramped up by the editors, she prevailed.

Annapolis' Christian Siriano made a brown dress and covered it with the inside wrapper from Reese's peanut butter cups. He finished really early and then proceeded to annoy everyone -- not typically the best strategy.

As per usual, Sweet P and Elisa had some trouble. Sweet P had a fairly interesting-looking dress, then questioned herself and started from scratch, creating a boring dress whose skirt mentor Tim Gunn likened to a "coffee filter or a maxi-pad." (Ouch.) Elisa said she was going for a fairy-tale Gretel look, but that didn't quite happen.

At judging, the highest marks went to Rami, Jillian and Chris March (whose slightly subdued but totally well-shaped dress caught the judges off-guard), with Remy winning the challenge. Bottom two were Sweet P and Elisa. The judges though Sweet P's dress looked rushed and that Elisa's was a boring brown dress. Finally, Elisa was out. (Earlier in the episode, Elisa had shared that she was hit by a car a couple of years ago, breaking her neck and sustaining a major head injury. I won't speculate whether that's a cause of her strange attitude, but fellow PR watcher Tim Swift notes, "Oh, they trotted out the sob story B-roll, you're out; you're no longer useful.")

She's been interesting to have around, but I think many of the other have a higher skill level, so I'm not distraught that Elisa is leaving. Also, Sweet P is not long for the show, I don't think. She's just produced too many disasters, and the second-guessing herself is not helping her.

What'd you think of the show? 

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

Annapolis' Christian Siriano pulled out his first challenge win on last night's Project Runway, even though he thought it was soooo not his style.

The designers were each assigned a model, but rather than their usual rail-thin skinny minnies, the models were everyday women who had recently lost a lot of weight. They showed up in their favorite outfit from their larger days, and the designers had to use this as the raw material for a new, fashionable, well-fitting outfit.  

Early in the episode, Jack revealed that he had a staph infection in his face (his mouth was so swollen; it looked terribly uncomfortable). After consulting with his doctor, he left the show to go get medical treatment. To keep the numbers even, ousted designer Chris March was brought back.

For some people, the challenge was a total disaster. Steve had the unfortunate luck of getting the model whose favorite outfit was her wedding dress. He could not figure out what to do with all that beaded polyester, and he basically punted: With the $10 they had to spend at Mood, he bought a bunch of black fabric and made a shapeless black frock with white trim from the wedding dress (glued on!). The judges said it was a funeral outfit crossed with a French maid's costume. Whoops.

Also in danger was Elisa, whose highly layered outfit did little to flatter the newfound figure of her model.

But Steven's nightmare of a dress got him sent home instead. 

Other standouts were Kevin's sleeveless yellow top and leggings (made from a shapeless blazer) and Jillian's red and black dress (although she kind of flouted the rules and only used black fabric from the pants as piping).  (Also, as much as the judges loved the dress, I thought there was something about it that wasn't totally flattering to the woman. But no doubt it was well made.) 

For Christian's winning outfit, he refitted his model's jeans and created a button-down black shirt with some interesting pleating. OK, I'm no fashionista, so here's a picture.

It didn't hurt that his client LOVED the outfit and worked the runway.

My favorite moment of the show was when Tim Gunn was coaching Chris March. Since Chris got a late start on the challenge, he had until 3 in the morning to finish, and Tim was concerned that he was going to costumey and said something along the lines of, "I can't tell you how many mistakes I've made at 3 in the morning."

The designers all busted up laughing as their minds went to dirty places. ("Give us details, names," someone demanded, jokingly.) Tim went red and totally cracked up, shedding some of his usual facade. It was hilarious.

What did you think about the episode -- and, of course, our local contestant's win? 

(Photo courtesy of Bravo)

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:27 AM in Maryland reality contestants, Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Remember Emmett from last season of Project Runway? Apparently, he launched his new line, EMc2 this past Sunday in New York (where, as you can see above, he was joined by current PR contestants Jack, Kevin and Christian, as well as mentor Tim Gunn.

You can see Emmett's line at his web site, but the big draw might be the talking Tim Gunn bobblehead doll, seen here. From the description on the site:

Trying to pull it together in your closet? Never be unfashionable again with the help of your very own fashion mentor. The official Tim Gunn talking bobblehead will help you "Make it work!" If you give up too soon, Tim may gently admonish: "I can't want you to succeed more than you do." Eventually, you'll earn a "Fa-bu-lous!" and surely "carry on" with quality, taste and style.

(Photo courtesy of GALE GROUP) 

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:11 AM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Is it just me, or are the challenges getting tougher on Project Runway?

Last week's -- to create a three-piece outfit for Tiki Barber that he could wear on TV on the Today Show -- was insane. People fully didn't finish the challenge, Carmen in particular. She was sent home after sending her model down the runway in a weirdly constructed Members Only-esque jacket (in a bad way), a piece of fabric draped around his neck in lieu of a shirt and frightening pants. The scariest piece, though, was from Sweet P, who said she had never made menswear but appeared to have never seen a men's shirt before. The resulting piece of clothing looked like Salvador Dali sent it through a wringer and then Willy Wonka danced all over it. Jack ended up winning, but I still question whether that was fair since he didn't actually end up making three pieces. I thought Kit had it.

Last night, the contestants each had to choose an outdated trend (such as overalls, cutouts, poodle skirts, dancewear, pleather and more). Then they broke into teams of three and had to create a cohesive, modern three-piece collection that used their three trends. 

Christian, Jack and Kit were working with zoot suits, pleather and fringe and felt confident from the start that their collection was going to win the whole thing. One might even say that they were cocky, since they lost to Jillian, Kevin and Rami (overalls, poodle skirts and 70s flare). The editors made it look like these three wouldn't finish, but Kevin finished the last piece at the last minute, and their collection definitely met the judges' expectations.

Ricky, Victorya and Elisa were dealing with neon, underwear as outerwear and cutouts, and their collection was a mess. Plus, Victorya and Ricky were butting heads the whole time, and they were both wrong and right on various fronts, so it was hard to know who to root for. I thought Ricky was done for, especially with last week's outfit, which was unfinished and full of pins on the runway.

But instead, it was poor Chris who was out. He and his team had shoulder pads, dancewear and baggy sweaters. They decided they would use one trend per outfit instead of incorporating all three, and they ended up with a collections whose only common thread (sorry) seemed to be color. Chris' jacket was deemed too costumey, and he was out.

I still think it should have been Ricky. His garments haven't been constructed well yet. Call Chris' stuff costumey, but at least it's well-made. Oh, well.  

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

From guest blogger John-John Williams IV:

Heidi Klum will be hitting the runway tonight. But don’t expect to see Christian anywhere. (Don’t worry Christian supporters, your hometown boy has not yet been given the boot on Project Runway!)

Klum will host the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show tonight at 10 p.m. on CBS.

Klum’s husband, Seal, will perform. In addition, will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas will take the stage and likely perform his hit song “I Got It from My Mama.” Dancing With The Stars finalist Mel B. will go back to her roots when she performs with the Spice Girls.

Check out this Web site for behind the scenes videos from the show. Can’t get enough Heidi Klum? In some of the videos at that link, she talks candidly about getting back in shape after childbirth, and about life as a top model.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 2:52 PM in Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

It was a close one for Maryland Project Runway contestant Christian Siriano last week. He found himself in the bottom two after the challenge.

That challenge involved coming up with a two-piece outfit for Sarah Jessica Parker's fashion line Bitten -- everyone pitched, and half of the ideas were chosen. Then the people whose ideas were chosen picked a teammate for the challenge. The catch (of course, there is always a catch) was that they only had $15 for materials since Bitten is not an expensive line.

Christian worked with Carmen on his design -- a stretchy turquoise turtleneck minidress and gray, black and white zippered jacket. The other designs of note were Marion and Steven's dress, made of a woven material that stretched and stretched and stretched, ending up way too big, as well as misshapen. Elisa and Sweet P made Elisa's "polymorphic dress" and cape, which looked like they'd be a disaster. Victorya and Kevin's little black dress (with a giant neck-bow) and tiny racerback plaid vest also got some attention.

In the end Victorya's design won the challenge, and Elisa's was a very close second. The bottom two came down to Christian and Marion -- their partners were declared safe. The judges thought Christian's look was totally retro, looking entirely 1980s instead of like a modern spin on the era. But Marion's misshapen, Pocahontas-evoking garment made him the recipient of Heidi's "auf."

Overall, I think Sweet P kept Elisa from getting totally out of control, and the end result was quite nice. And Christian needs to listen to Tim Gunn, who had warned him that his outfit was looking a little too retro.

Lastly, I can't believe how many tears were shed -- Chris cried at the mere sight of Sarah Jessica, and Ricky bawled like five different times in interviews.

What did you think of the episode?

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 7:08 PM in Maryland reality contestants, Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

So what did you think of last night's Project Runway?

I like our snarky local guy, Christian, who impressed the judges with his bold and trendy outfit. And I wasn't surprised at all that Simone ended up being auf-ed -- bad construction, boring design and two pieces that the judges thought made it look like the model "got dressed in the dark"? Yes, even over Elisa, who, while clearly nutty and living in her own world, at least sewed like crazy.

Meanwhile, fashion reporter Tanika White reports:

Many of Christian's former instructors at Baltimore School for the Arts gathered at the Pikesville home of his former drawing teacher last night to cheer on their local star. There were snacks and champagne, wine and other goodies, as Christian moved confidently through the first episode.
According to Stephen Kent, head of the visual arts department at the school, Christian's confidence is not a put-on for the cameras. That's how he always is.

"Oh absolutely," Kent says. "He's always been just very quick and very confident."

What he hasn't always been is so technically sound, Kent says.

"The show that he did here as a senior was very good, but the one thing that concerned me was the construction," says Kent. "I don't know anything about fashion, but I know when something is well made. And so I was real curious to see what he's learned where that's concerned, as fas as sewing and construction goes. And I was really impressed with how that came together. And they (the judges) even commented on that on the show. They said it was well-constructed. So I said, 'Thank God!'"

His instructors were sure Christian would win the challenge -- even taking friendly bets that he would beat out the other contestants. Even though he didn't win, the teachers screamed and whooped and hollered when he wasn't voted off. "We carried on," Kent says.

The show's judges did seem very impressed with Christian's Euro-style plaid jacket with puffed sleeves and collar.

Michael Kors called the jacket-and-skirt combo, "quirky, tailored. It's not just another dress." Guest judge Monique Lhullier was pleased with Christian's "pleating, tucking and twisting." And Nina Garcia, of Elle magazine, said the whole look was very polished.

Christian himself seemed surprised that the jacket turned out as well as it did.

"The jacket fit her (the runway model) so well; I don't know how that happened," he said on the show. But he admitted, "I felt really accomplished."

And well he should. We can't wait to see what he does next episode!

Classic Christian quote of the episode: "I think there's some hand-sewn crap up in here."
 

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The newest season of Project Runway debuts tonight at 10 on Bravo, and this season features a local contestant, Baltimore School for the Arts grad Christian Siriano. You can read more about him in this story by Sun fashion writer Tanika White.

I can't wait. I love this show because it puts these wildly creative people under pressure, and you never know what they will come up with.  

(Photo courtesy of Bravo)

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The Baltimore Book Festival runs Sept. 28-30 in Mount Vernon Place. Among this year's authors is Project Runway mentor extraordinaire Tim Gunn (his book is Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style).

And, in case you missed the news, Project Runway will be back with its fourth season later this year on Bravo -- and Gunn is returning. (He has his own show coming out, too, and there were rumors for a bit that he would not have time to do both.)

Read an interview with Gunn here, which reveals something I wasn't aware of, which is that he's from D.C. That's practically local!

(Photo courtesy Bravo TV) 

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 9:00 AM in Local appearances, Project Runway | Permalink | Comments (0)