By CJ Bomb
Hello everyone and welcome to Project Runway week eight!. This week my good friend Leslie is joining me while watching the show. She was a stylist and wrote a successful fashion blog, so I thought it would be interesting to get a professional perspective! Plus she’s really funny. And in my humble opinion, we need as much funny as we can get right now.
Mah-Jing says he’s not sad he didn’t win the money last week because he wants to improve his relationship with his mom more than he wants $25K. Could MJ be any sweeter? Cornelius notices he’s the only one left who hasn’t won a challenge. He knows he is a good designer, he just hopes the judges can finally see it. FORESHADOWING. Erin and Nat are massively relieved. Has it finally sunk her pretty little head that Erin might have something to be worried about? She has been in the bottom the last four times. The designers are given a mysterious note telling them to meet Tim for their next challenge. Something about spreading their wings.
They head to a rooftop and a Project Runway helicopter descends carrying Tim and Anne Fulenwider, Editor in Chief at Marie Claire. (Nina’s boss). Anne tells them they are taking a “power trip” around NYC in the helicopter and are to design an editorial look based on their inspiration for a “powerful woman.” She also reminds them that an editorial look IS NOT an everyday look. They have $300 and one day.
The designers take to the skies and everyone is loving it except MJ who looks like he’s trying not to throw up. Nat is influenced by the reflections of the buildings. The really shiny silver ones make her think of superheroes. Rik is loving Lady Liberty. Roberi is loving the freedom of being above traffic. Cornelius is dazzled by all the colors and takes a pic of a, golf course? Um, ok. He wants to do a dress for a business woman with an artsy side. That I am down with. Dex is going goth. Shocker. Laurence is doing a dress inspired by the skyline.
The Workroom
Rik is splatter painting fabric. Leslie and I are children of the eighties, so this brings us back. Not necessarily in a good way. MJ throws a wee bit of shade in his direction saying he also uses this technique, but when he does it, it’s dope. Rik is also very busy helping Nat. I never realized how much Jenni helped Nat before. Nat needs A LOT of help. MJ waxes poetic about how much he’s not only developed as a designer being on the show, but as a person. Leslie and I go, “awwwwww” again.
Erin was influenced by the vibrations of the helicopter. (Sigh) She is designing a weird pink vest/coat thing that we predict will be her swan song. As Leslie puts is, what the HELL is she thinking? As Rik puts it, “What powerful woman would want to look like Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants?” Not a one, Rik. Not a one.
Tim’s Critique
Rik: Rik tells Tim about his Statue of Liberty influence. The draping seems off to me, but maybe that’s just because it’s not done. There is also a weird dress underneath the flowy splatter part. Tim is cool with it though.
Mah-Jing: MJ is celebrating his African roots with an edgy dress mixing tweed and denim. Tim tells him those are two very challenging fabrics to mix. Tweed also stretches. He says the fit has to be perfect.
Cornelius: Cornelius is doing weird, brightly colored leather amoeba shaped appliques on a fitted dress. Tim tells him to lose the amoebas and follow the very cool seams of the initial design he made instead. Tim just basically saved his ass.
Roberi: Roberi is designing another pretty, (not too sexy) flowy dress with a cape inspired by “freedom”. Tim asks if he takes the cape away is it “just another dress?” Leslie says that it looks like something she could get at Loehmann’s.
Laurence: Laurence is designing a cocktail dress. The waist has a skyline effect and Laurence is using a printed fabric for the high/low skirt. Tim notes that this is the first time she has ever used a print. He’s happy. I’m happy.
Dex: Dex is doing a coated denim coat with a shoulder like a wing. He is doing a full length see-through spandex lace dress. Now look, I love goth. For a while there I WAS goth. I LOVE Rick Owens and Maison Martin Margiela and wear them frequently, I’m wearing an Alexander Mcqueen skull t-shirt right now, BUT, to me? This just seems like it’s trying TOO hard to be edgy.
Nat: Nat is doing a jumpsuit with a raincoat. Tim asks what is editorial about the jumpsuit? And why a raincoat? He tells her to edit using the million different textiles she bought and amp up the jumpsuit.
Erin: Erin. There are no words. Tim tells her she has designed something that is boxy and milk-cartony. Leslie mutters, in other words, it sucks. It dawns on Erin that she has designed a “piglet” dress. Les and I both lose it. Erin then says it’s a band-aid, piglet, labia dress, at which point I am laughing so hard Leslie grabs the remote to pause the show and orders me to write that down so I remember it properly. I do, we refill our wine glasses, and then watch Erin have a total, what the fuck did I just do, and what the hell am I going to do now? moment.
Panic sets it. MJ’s tweed IS stretching. After saying he’s doing a completely different shoulder from the mickey mouse jacket he designed that last time, Dex does the EXACT same shoulder on this jacket. The dress is completely see-through. He tells his model to wear black underwear on the runway. Nat’s making a space age, Buck Rogers jumpsuit. Not only space age. Eighties space age. Remember that show? Erin Gray would have totally rocked this. Nat is melting down completely. She had no idea it would be this hard. If I only had a dollar for every time I heard that on this show. Laurence tells her to “Get it together, little girl.” And even Dex brings her tissues as she sobs over her Brother sewing machine. Rik is done, so after he takes a quick nap, he tries to help Nat.
The Runway
Heidi comes out in a form-fitting classy black dress. She’s really been killing it in the last few weeks. Perhaps Nina is putting out outfits for her like I do for my kids? Anne Fulenwider and actress Camilla Belle are the guest judges. I explain to Les how I do this. When the outfit comes down the runway, tell me the first thing that pops into your head.
Dex: Leslie: She looks like a goth, South Beach matador. Me: Nothing, laughing too hard. But that pretty much sums it up.
Nat: Leslie: Boring, Boring, Boring. Me: Buck Rogers, Buck Rogers, Buck Rogers. Nat’s in trouble.
Roberi: Leslie: She starts singing Raspberry Beret by Prince. I take her wine away. Me: Yawn. Flowy, pretty, but not editorial.
Mah-Jing: Leslie: Architectural and cool. Me: Uptown meets downtown.
Cornelius: Leslie: She says for some reason she’s thinking of a Scandinavian businesswoman who needs a pop of color due to bad weather in winter. Me: It’s well made, but now I’m thinking of a Scandinavian flight attendant.
Laurence: Leslie: I want this for my next cocktail party (which is actually at my house) Me: Pretty, but not hugely editorial.
Erin: Leslie: Little House on the Prairie with metallic tweed? Me: At least it’s not a fucking coat.
Rik: Leslie: A wearable piece of art. Me: Love the drape, don’t love the back, but it flows prettily down the runway.
Picks for the top, Leslie: Rik, Laurence and MJ, with Laurence for the win. Me: Rik, MJ and Laurence, with Rik for the win.
Picks for the bottom, Leslie: Nat, Roberi and Dex with Nat going home. Me: Nat, Dex, and Erin with Nat going home.
Judges Top Three
Mah-Jing: Nina says she can totally see the aerial view and loves the hard/soft element. Camilla says that this is a powerful woman. Anne says it’s like a cool suit of armor. Zak tells MJ that is has great contours and is exciting.
Erin: WTF???? Heidi says it’s a great editorial dress. Anne says it’s feminine and fun. Nina says that it’s a “safe” dress for her.
Cornelius: WTF AGAIN??? Zak says it was a risky placement of seams, but it totally worked. It was Heidi’s favorite look. Anne says she’s a customer. Nina likes the severity of form with the whimsical colors.
Judges Bottom Three
Nat: No surprise here. Heidi says she looks like a Power Ranger. Zak says the construction is awful. Nina says she looks like she’s going to Comi-Con.
Rik: huh? Les looks at me and says, really? How much have we had to drink? The judges like the front, hate the back. Camilla says it felt incomplete. Nina used the word tablecloth. Anne LOVED it. She thought it was dramatic and magnificent.
Dexter: They are pissed he made the same jacket. Camilla says Minnie Mouse meets Marilyn Manson. They are also pissed that the best part of the whole thing was the model’s OWN undergarments. Nina tells him he already played this card.
Cornelius gets the win! The judges say they are happy Tim saved him. Natalia is sent packing, to no one’s surprise. But just when I think Dex needs to send her a fruit basket, THEY SEND HIM HOME TOO! Double elimination. Wow. Do you agree with the judges decisions this week?
And I loved to hear your favorite designers last week. Tell everyone one of the favorite outfits you ever had when you thought you looked awesome, but you look back now and cringe. I just found a picture of myself from the eighties in red velvet knickers, a gold belt and a ruffled shirt. Yikes.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Great write-up! Still giggling over that Raspberry Beret comment! And couldn’t agree more about MJ; I’ve been on a sweet-overload with him every week. Although this week I thought it might be foreshadowing of his departure.
I think this weeks departures were totally appropriate and didn’t feel that Dex’s outfit had but only the tiniest passing reference to Goth. It was just a stupid outfit.
Red plaid polyester wide legged pants were my favorite in elementary school and one time I tried to pair them with a pink (raspberry!) colored tweedy british style flat cap. Surprised I made it home alive.
Wow! Double elimination! I didn’t see that coming. Maybe saving Cornelius made them get rid of two this week.
I haven’t watched yet but really enjoyed your recap.
I used to dress like Pat Benatar so probably one of those outfits would make me cringe now.
“Maybe saving Cornelius made them get rid of two this week.”
I was going to comment this, as well. They had to get rid of an extra designer at some point because saving Cornelius a while back made for two episodes with the same number of designers, and they couldn’t extend the season an extra episode to accommodate Tim Gunn’s save.
Funny the extra designer to be eliminated had to be Dexter (Cornelius’ nemesis). Maybe the judges thought it would be poetic justice. I’m sure Cornelius was tickled.
Great recap! Your friend was hilarious by the way.
A message for the producers- Enough already with the one day challenges! I feel like the quality of the looks this year is far below standard. Every outfit is rushed, I feel they would look so much better with a little more time.
I liked Cornelius’s look, and MJ’s. Props to MJ for using such an interesting fabric choice.
Erin’s dress does not deserve to be in the top, Nina literally called it “safe.” If its a safe dress, why is it up there?
Back in middle school I tried to to be punk so i bought a cheap studded leather bracelet, wore band shirts and cargo pants. So embarrassing.
Wow, I was wrong again! I never pick what the juges pick. Laurence would have been in the top 3 for me. Cornelius dress was ok, but I wouldn’t have picked it to win.
Love MJ. He keeps me watching this show. Roberi has been such a disappointment this season. 🙁 Can’t wait to see if Erin does another damn coat next week.
CJ Bomb: “At least it’s not a fucking coat.”
That made me LOL. Though I do like Erin and her sensibility as a designer, despite a few design misfires. I was glad to see Nat go, she was always too catty and immature, and not really all that great as a designer.
I again am so over Erin I thought for sure she would be in the bottom. Not as bad as Nat but close. To me it looked tired and like something I have seen over and over but done way better . If a gorgeous model cannot make it look good nobody can. The colors remind me of a babies nursery. Dex’s was terrible too. It was very Fredricks of Hollywood to me.
Am I the only one that thought Dex’s model looked like a brunette Brandi G? Stank face and all! Love that Dex thought he was safe then boom, Heidi dropped the hammer! That was my favorite moment of the whole season. I just wish they had sent Erin home with him.
I’m so confused. I hated Rik’s. A dirty bedsheet. That’s all I got from it. Didn’t like MJ’s at all. Looked like a grandma couch material with denim shape over the boobs. I loved Laurence and Roberi as wearable dresses. I really don’t think anyone hit the mark as a very editorial piece that looked good. Cornelious’s dress to me if you look at the picture looks like an orange gloved hand is on her shoulder.
Great recap, as usual! I hope your friend enjoyed participating as much as I enjoyed reading her comments. As I watch each episode I find myself more and more missing the previous season’s better constructed, more elegant, interesting, fashion forward, and creative outfits. Rik’s dress this week was a perfect example of what’s missing with the more recent season’s designers.
His dress was beautiful from the front, but the back was completely different. As the judges were taking a closer look they commented that had he done the same draping on the back as he did on the front, he’d have maybe won. And, I agree completely.
In past seasons designers presented beautifully draped gowns, elaborate, creative outfits, and they were well fitted and well finished but that seems to be missing now. IDK what or why the producers are so intent on the 1 day challenges, but I think they’re missing the mark and the reason most people originally tuned in and became fans of PR. I think they’ve fallen into the reality tv trap of making drama and conflict their focus rather than in showing good designs made by really talented designers. IDK how many more seasons I’ll be able to stick with this show if they keep giving us these poorly constructed, cheap looking designs.
I hated that thing from Erin, and both Nat and Dex needed to go.
I had this really horrid, loud, oversized suit when I was 17. I think Espirit made it. It was white with red and black….and there was a decal on it of a pencil drawn guy in profile. I was punk, I rocked it….but it was really, really, really ugly. LOL
Yes, yes, yes, Dex and Nat are gone!! Can’t believe they liked Erin’s dress though. I had the big, flouncy, ruffle in the 60’s. Never thought I’d ever see it again, especially on Project Runway.
I can’t help think none of them have ever even looked at an issue of Marie Claire. None looked especially worthy to me.
Love your comments and insight.
So glad Nat went home. Watching her floundering and asking everyone else what to do was painful – she obviously doesn’t have the skills she needs and that outfit last night was disastrous. I really liked the fabric Erin used on her dress (I think that’s what caught the judges’ eyes, because the dress was definitely safe), but not so crazy about the material on the bottom. Still, it was sooooo much better than that godawful pink monstrosity she made first – it looked like something you’d use to make a fat suit or Sumo wrestler outfit. What was she thinking? Dexter’s outfit was a mistake from start to finish, and when the judges found out the model was wearing her own cool bra and panties, that was the icing on the cake for hating the whole thing. I think it’s ridiculous when everyone warns a designer that his/her outfit has an obvious problem, then the designer ignores everything that was said. How could Dexter not realize how similar it was to his prior jacket, which wasn’t even well received? Then the see-through jump suit thingy was bizarre. I always found him cocky and pretentious, then when he was paired with Erin he became a complete snot. I got the feeling that Tim didn’t really like him and wasn’t heartbroken to see him go. Didn’t Tim call Dexter and Erin “mean girls”? Also, the look on Dexter’s face when Heidi told him he was auf’d too? Priceless!! Sorry, my inner bitch is coming out. I liked Cornelius’s dress, thought it looked very haute couture (coming from someone who shops at WalMart and Sears). I love Cornelius, so was happy for him. MJ’s dress was clever but the too-high titty part did throw me off a little. Love him too. Laurence didn’t really impress me last night, but her craftsmanship is spectacular. By, the way, I do know how to form paragraphs, but this stream of consciousness thing is so much easier to type.
Loved Cornelius dress, beautiful but I don’t think it is editorial. Still my favorite of the show. I mostly agreed with the judges EXCEPT I hated Erin’s dress. Wrong colors, ugly ruffle, meh style. I love Laurence’s style, but it is starting to get monotonous.
You are ur friend really cracked me up. I am loving your recaps… Ireally can’t believe Erin was not in the bottom. The fabric was lovely but the dress was God awful…I agree that it was time for Nat to go. I’m on the fence with Dex. I loved Cornelius dress but I was pulling for MJ.
I am a child of the 90s. My cringe worthy moment is when I wore my clothes about 8 times too big and backwards a la Kriss Kross. Not my finest moment and my brother still shows the pictures. My kids think it’s hilarious.
I’m always late to the party, but wanted to add that I agree with posters above who’ve also noticed the declining quality of the designs and designers on PR. When I think back to earlier seasons, a flood of really talented designers pass through my mind, and their construction skills were notable too, not just passable. This year I’ve see things on the runway we never saw in previous years, no hems, cut outs for arm holes, pinned zippers, bulges where bulges don’t belong, glued ornamentation, etc. Has this show been running so long that all the good up and coming designers have already passed through?
This might be the best recap ever written. I am so lucky to have CJ and all of her BOMBass friends covering this show.
I think MJ should have won. I suppose it was “editorial” but it was also the best out of the bunch. I think this group was as confused about editorial pieces as my Maxxinista ass is. Some went avante-garde (Dexter) and others just made some shit. But MJ had the best look.
Far be it from me to take up for Erin. Her look was not editorial. But if I was in the body I was accustomed to having for decades and not this ginormous fucking blubber blob that is the new normal for me, I would KILL for that dress. BUT without the hideous ruffle underneath. If this challenge was a prettiest dress contest and she had used that gorgeous fabric with the same plain design without the ruffle she should have won. I still pray she gets voted off next week because, cunt.
I just deleted a whole thing because it sounded awful but I don’t like pointy people with pointy features. Sue me.
Cornelius’ dress was awful. How is as our fearless leader insinuated appliqueing some shit on a flight attendant uniform “editorial”? Clearly, this was redemption for Cornelius not based on his product. And they got rid of Dexter that they should have auf’d last week
And while I am ranting, This show is still 90 minutes long. I love the workroom scenes. I do. I love Tim’s critiques. But why is the actual RUNWAY part and the inspection of the work such a minimal part of the show. The entire runway is less than five minutes.
I’m going to shut up now. But I do think that Leslie should be on every recap. I can send over wine if needed. But my idea of a good wine is cheap Chilean Merlot so that might not be the best bribe.
But really, What is that shit on Cornelius’ dress? And it was obvious Tim was trying to keep him in the game.
Who do you think makes it to fashion week? And who should? I’ll have to think about that. I like Rik and the front of his dress this week. I like Roberi but I am not sure who is bringing it. I am not sure I have a favorite. I mean we like MJ like we like… I mean nevermind.
And do we have an outfit you would like to forget to share with us TT???
I agree that Leslie should be present for the next recap. I enjoyed the recap more than the show.
I liked some of Erin’s work early in the season, but that dress with the blue ruffle was hideous. She has made some very ugly clothes. And yes, thankfully she ditched the spongebob coat.
I liked Cornelius’ dress, which is probably a bad sign, as I am not fashionable at all.
For personality, it is MJ for the win.
Thanks for these posts for one of my favorite shows. I need such input to see how far my taste level is moving. It does look like a lot of them have peaked, Erin, Dex….while MJ is ready to push himself. This makes want to go back to the selection process show and see what I liked and why I am not seeing their talent come through these challenges. What I would hate to see is that they have selected who they want in the finale and begin protecting someone like Erin.
That unconventional challenge is next week, just in time to see the designers push themselves.
I think Cornelious dress was a worthy winner. But I’m European so maybe I have different sensibilities:) Dex is derivative drivel. He deserved to go as did Nathalia – just awful. I love love love MJ but I didn’t like the dress. I love Laurence’s style and think her clothes are always the most awesome – but it’s nothing new. The coolest and very wearable but not innovative .
My most embarrassing fashion period was my raver period in the 90s – shaved undercut with giant baggy pants with stripes on the side. Fun times though. Luckily there are no pictures.
CJ: Love your recaps! Leslie is a jewel !
Flashed back on many bad outfits worn that now make my teeth itch.
Photos mysteriously..no longer in my house.. thinking my cat buried them.
Great recap. Nat and Dexter derserved to go home. Nat’s garment was hideous plus her voice gave me a headache.
What a fun recap and always love the comments too! The fashion disaster ones hilarious and I flashed on early 70’s, early teen pics of me in “elephant” bell bottoms. Few pics survived, lol.
The comments also helped me realize that the “1 day” for this challenge thing is probably what’s wrong with Project Runway. It’s like Project Fastest
Seamstress. The show has sufferred from this trend. I guess it’s all related to production $$? Or is it Heidi’s time constraints. I’d like more runway too TT.
Wondered why Dex was still standing on the stage, but was floored by the auf. Laurence was the only “editorial” look for me – altho’ not sure what that even means, lol. The Rorschach look would have been better with another day in the workroom.
Erin is on redemption arc. Loved the material, but just like me elephant bells, Holly Hobby should not make a comeback!
LOL! “Holly Hobby!” I thought it looked like a Peasant’s dress or something Maria would have made in the “Sound of Music.” Old upholstery from a couch and a sad cheap dust ruffle from a twin bed.
“Old upholstery from a couch and a sad cheap dust ruffle from a twin bed.”
Funny, and spot on, too! ^_^
Now that Dex is no longer around, I expect Erin to go back to designing her good stuff. Without Nat being in so over her head and making everyone crazy, all the designers will have better thought out designs. The judging is going to get cruel now as they have gotten rid of the weakest designers who did not have at least two of the following:
Good storyline,
Good taste level
Growth as designer Cornelius just demonstrated that with Tim’s help.
I’ll be rooting for MJ as part of the final three
Great recap once again CJ along with your friend Leslie and I want thank you for having such a wonderful place to discuss fashion. All great questions
As for style, I was a child of the sixties…think Janis Joplin. Enough said.
Oh and one more thing …love you TT and everything you do as you allow us this great format to clear our heads.
What an enjoyable recap, CJ. Please thank your friend!
Erin’s dress would have been far better minus the square dance ruffle. My grandmother used to make square dance dresses for aficionados and her dress reminded me of those. Not particularly “modern” or “trendy.”
Am not sure, even after watching this show since the beginning what an editorial look is? Does anyone else know?
As for outfits, my favorite from the early 70’s, yes I was a mere child, was a suede vest with beaded fringe in varying lengths, all the way to my knees, go-go boots, and a brown corduroy mini skirt. I would have worn it every day if mom had let me. 😉
Love everyone sharing their fashion disasters! An editorial look is one that stands out in a spread. It is not necessarily un-weearable or avant-garde, but made more dramatic by styling and being slightly more “extreme” than what would appear in stores on a rack. It is meant to catch the eye.