By CJ Bomb
Hello all and welcome to Project Runway Junior week three! I am watching at the lovely Leslie’s house and we have ANOTHER guest judge with us tonight. Caroline, the lovely Leslie’s daughter, has agreed to grace us with her presence and comments during the runway show. We are lucky to have her as she is young and cool and we are old and…..less cool.
The kids are waiting patiently for their instructions when all of a sudden two fencers arrive on the runway. They are not pretending to fence, they are actually fencing. They stop to reveal themselves and one fencer is Tim Morehouse, Olympic medalist. The other is……Tim Gunn! When Tim Morehouse opened a fencing club, Tim Gunn joined and asked him to be his instructor. Tim tells the contestants that it’s good to be pushed out of your comfort zone at any age, because wonderful things can happen. Allie gushes that this makes Tim G even cooler and more awesome. Yes Allie, it does. A’kai says he has no interest in leaving his comfort zone. Tim announces the avant garde challenge. Leslie and I look at each other and simultaneously ask, isn’t it too early for this? Awesome Tieler is excited because he loves avant garde. Hawwaa? Not so much. Then to make matters more intense, it’s a TEAM challenge. Everyone simultaneously groans. Tim tells them that their inspiration this week is the modern fencing costume and/or it’s older, historical armor pieces. The dreaded button bag comes out and the contestants are put into pairs.
Hawwaa and A’kai are paired and he is worried if they don’t do this right it will be “like a horse pooped it out and it fell on a mannequin.” I couldn’t write his whole description even though we rewound it three times. Leslie has an epiphany that A’kai is a mini-Mondo. My God, she’s right, how did I not see this before? Hawwaa is confused by the concept of avant-garde (seriously contestants, DO YOUR HOMEWORK) and isn’t inspired until Tim Morehouse tells her the costumes are white because in the past it was easier to see the blood. Cartier and Izzy are partners and we love their sketch. Allie and Chelsea are paired and we REALLY love their sketch. Chris and Rene are paired and Leslie and I immediately think that between these two big personalities that this look and partnership might go south quickly. Awesome Tieler and Mollie are paired together and Tieler takes the lead.
The designers have $300 to spend at Mood. In a team challenge there are two schools of thought while shopping: stick together to make sure everything is cohesive or split up to cover more ground quickly. If you are splitting up you need to make sure you have a very specific plan. A’kai and Hawwaa do not. She is getting upset that he isn’t buying what they need and starting to feel like his mom. FORESHADOWING. Everyone else is sticking together.
The Workroom
Upon entering the workroom Rene does a little fencing dance and Leslie notes that he is pretty entertaining. And looks like a young Lorenzo Lamas. Someone asks Tieler how having immunity feels and he says it feels like “Thousand Island Sauce.” Leslie orders me to write that down as we will now use it as a catchphrase, TIS for short. It’s the simple things that bring joy. Hawwaa is micromanaging A’kai. Not good. After making the top of their garment, Chelsea starts second-guessing their design, worrying it needs a more dramatic element. Chris makes a Frida Kahlo reference and Rene doesn’t get it. Does that mean chic? We are going to have a to have a culture class with these kids. First not understanding the Gilligan’s Island reference, and now this??
Tim’s Critique
Chelsea and Allie are thrilled that Tim loves their top. Chelsea feels much better now that Tim has validated their design. He does tell them to edit the scale of their wing-like protrusions (Leslie says winged scales) for the pants or the model will look like black stalk of asparagus walking the runway.
Tim tells Hawwaa she is giving him the “die, scum, die” look as he walks up. She doesn’t get avant garde and she is NOT happy. Tim explains that avant garde isn’t supposed to be wearable or pretty, it is supposed to be interesting and make you think. She is doing the top and A’kai is doing the bottom. A’kai throws organza over his skirt and while Hawwaa thinks it looks like crap, Tim tells them it’s the right direction. She is like, Really? Hawwaa doesn’t like this challenge and much like Lucas with the unconventional challenge, it shows. Tim tells them they need to build some drama and some high impact. Hawwaa is getting the bitch edit.
Rene and Chris, on the other hand, are working together beautifully. Rene has painted a heart onto a bodysuit and Chris is making a coat to “protect” it, like armor. Leslie thinks they have a great vision. Tim tells them to see how it functions as an overall look.
Cartier and Izzy are making a sporty take on a victorian silhouette. Tim wonders if it’s TOO wearable and not avant-garde enough.
Mollie and Awesome Tieler have made a REALLY avant-garde look that reminds Leslie of her favorite movie, Big Hero Six (Leslie was Baymax for Halloween). Tim is crazy about it and Chelsea says everyone loves it and wished they had thought of it first. Rei Kawakubo would be impressed by this.
Tim leaves the workroom very, very happy, but all is not well. A’kai is taking too long and Hawwaa is very upset. She isn’t happy with his plans to sew the model into the garment and a fight ensues. She leaves crying, A’kai seeks Tim out to ask his advice. Tim tells him to shut out the drama and finish his garment. He asks if he should meet with both of them and A’kai says no, he’s ok. Tim sends him off with a hug. Leslie and I have another brilliant idea to make new Echo device, but instead of asking Alexa, we will ask Tim. Tim, how do I fix my life? He will tell us what to do and all will be right with the world.
The next day before Runway, Tieler makes a David Bowie reference (could I love him any more?) and Mollie says she doesn’t know a lot about David Bowie. A’kai “knows he’s dead.” FASHION sacrilege. I’m sending these kids the book David Bowie Is. Fashion 101. A’kai has moved the organza from covering his skirt to underneath it without telling Hawwaa. This doesn’t go over well and another fight ensues. Everyone else watches. Not good.
The Runway
We have bribed Caroline to come downstairs and I explain how we do this. She asks if “she can be mean.” We assure her she can and she settles in to help out. I realize this week that Hanna is actually less than ten years older than some of these contestants.
Chelsea and Allie’s outfit comes out and Caroline yells, “BAT!” Leslie thinks it looks like “all black Tetris” and I think it looks like futuristic Japanese armor…in a fabulous way.
Chris and Rene’s outfit makes Caroline think of a Japanese princess and Leslie is reminded of a warrior Red Riding Hood. I think she looks like an anime character come to life.
When A’kai and Hawwaa’s outfit comes down the runway we are stunned. Yes there are some construction issues, but it is still better than 90% of what the adults in the regular season sent out. Caroline says she looks like Snow White with a unibrow. Leslie says that all that fighting begat Marie Antoinette. I mention again how much better it is than the recent Project Runway avant-garde looks and Leslie sighs and says, let’s not go there.
Caroline thinks Cartier and Izzy’s look is pretty, but too wearable; it doesn’t go far enough. Leslie also thinks it’s beautiful but too safe. I think it looks like my goth prom dress.
Tieler and Mollie’s dress reminds Caroline of a robot. Leslie stands by her Mrs. Baymax comment and I ADORE it. I cannot believe this came out of the brains of two teenagers. In fact I think this is the best avant-garde show I have seen on Project Runway since Christian Siriano and Chris March sent that incredible gown down the runway years ago. Leslie agrees.
Our Picks
Leslie and Caroline pick Rene and Chris for the win and Chelsea and Allie for the bottom. I think they are wrong, but I can’t decide between Chelsea and Allie or Mollie and Awesome Tieler for the win, but I do know that A’kai and Hawwaa are going to be in the bottom.
Aya LOVES Allie and Chelsea’s look. They think it’s crazy that these two sweet little girls came up with this fierce ensemble. Kelly this it’s truly Avant-garde, but still sexy. Christian wants to go to fencing matches in the future where the outfit is worn.
They all note the problems with A’kai and Hawwaa’s construction and tell them it’s pretty obvious they had trouble communicating. Kelley tells them that no one works alone in fashion and they will have to learn to do this better in the future. Aya tells them she gets the idea of the garment, but when you break it down, there’s a construction problem.
Kelly is obsessed with Chris’s jacket, but thinks the bodysuit looks flat. Christian also has a hard time with the bodysuit and thinks it’s costumey. Aya tells them that this is too safe for them. Caroline and Leslie are shocked.
Aya tells Mollie and Tieler that they should be a design team for life. Christian says that this design could be in a fashion historical archive some day, it’s that good. Kelly adores it and is obsessed with the pants. They are also thrilled with it’s impeccable construction.
The judges are so impressed with everyone (as are we) but they give Awesome Tieler the win for taking the lead on his and Mollie’s look. A’kai is sent home in tears and the judges are heartbroken for him. BUT WAIT…..Not only are we doing avant-garde, unconventional and team challenges early in the competition, TIM GUNN IS USING HIS SAVE. He tells A’kai he has has more to show them. He then tells Hawwaa if she had been eliminated he would have done the same for her. Everyone is stunned. Allie notes that Tim usually uses his save much further along in the competition and now no one is safe. Shit just got real kiddos.
Now I know some of us will disagree with this decision, but I have to remind myself at the end of the day these are kids. Kids that worked well together and were gracious and kind (for the most part) and did better than a lot of the adults we have seen recently in this competition. I am impressed and thankful TT asked me to do this (even though she usually tells me I’m wrong, lol). If you are getting hit by the storm, stay warm and safe! We look forward to hearing from you in the comments. XOXO.
I’m so glad to hear that Tin Gunn used his save! I watched up until the point that they told A’kai he was out. I flipped the channel to avoid seeing him cry.
I have to tell you, I absolutely admire and enjoy your recaps. I am reading, having fun with each one. I don’t comment, because I agree with you. You are a joy with your recaps.
P.s. Always meant to tell UF the same, somehow never did. Shit… No words yet.
I realize one contestant or another often gets a bitch edit, but from my vantage point, it appeared Hawwaa was hounding and degrading A’Kai constantly throughout the challenge. I realize he’s younger and a bit whiny, but her behavior would have made me whiny too. I don’t think he’s ready for the caliber of talent he’s up against with this group, and I felt for him in this challenge. I was actually pleading out loud for Tim not to give him the save because I don’t think I can stand to watch him continually struggle only to eventually be sent home in tears. Apparently Tim is stronger than I am.
I might sound heartless, but A’kai annoys me. The endless non-sensical rambling just to fill the air with soundwaves — Ugh. But more importantly, he is on Project Runway, and it seems he doesn’t even know the BASICS of sewing. Like how to sew a ZIPPER. When I heard him basically say to Hawwaa, “What’s wrong with sewing the model into my skirt? I’ve been doing that this whole time”– my reaction would have been the same as Hawwaa’s… except I would have pulled out my own hair in frustration. A’kai has no business on this show if he can’t even sew properly. His seams and construction are just TERRIBLE. A’kai got the sympathy Save because he ran to Tim crying like a victim. What a waste.
It happens a lot due to time constraints.
Well, sewing someone into their clothing usually happens in a last-minute crunch where the designer has run out of time to install the zipper, or the zipper breaks. It was only the first day of sewing, and he had never intended to even sew in a zipper so that his model could actually put on the skirt like a proper garment. His plan was to sew her into it all along. When he sets such a low bar of quality, there’s really no hope of getting anything remarkable out of him for the rest of the competition. Tim Gunn’s Sympathy Save is wasted on A’kai because the other kids are SOOOO much more talented, and I’d hate to see any one of them go because they had a “bad day” (versus A’kai, who just simply lacks the skills, period).
It’s hard for me to watch A’kai. He’s too sensitive and immature for a competition like this. I want to pat him on the head and tell him everything is going to be alright.
A’Kai reminds me so much of Steve Urkle from the TV show Family Matters. You know he is eventually going to grow into such a cool person but this is a hard show for him. Everyone on the show is very talented so I’m glad the Tim Gunn save is over for the season. Just wish I could slow everything down for these kids so they had enough time to relize their ideas fully. Learning to work as a team and hearing criticisms is the hardest part of this show.
Love having Caroline’s input and once again CJ and Leslie, your recap is superb.
Thank you once again TT for allowing this discussion …. and I am so sorry for your loss
Love your comments. Wish I could pull up a seat with you and Leslie and have at it.
These young’uns are so much more talented and creative than the whole of the last adult bunch.
I so look forward to your critiques, so keep up el good work.
So much love for Lady C for getting this up when I could not.
Such a wasted save by Tim Gunn
Thank you! There are some really brilliant kids left who would deserve a save more should they have a bad day. A’kai will go home in the next couple of weeks.
I’m wondering if he used the save cause the behavior of his partner was worse than they showed. I just doubt he would have used it on her. Just a feeling.
I thoroughly enjoyed this review. Excellent play by play. Can’t wait to watch the show!!!
Hawwaa needed to go this week. She was to worried about what her partner was doing and not worried enough about making a better top.
A’kai need to go last week. Thus is to much for him.
But I’m glad it’s not my decision because I like all these kids.
Both Akai and Haawaa should have been sent home. His construction was awful but she was the epitome of a mean girl.
We had so much!!! It’s definitely a challenge to work with a partner under these conditions …but in this industry… you have to collaborate with alot of other resources under stressful timelines so it is a must…. although…Molly will be the ONLY exception that i deal with regarding this lack of knowledge of David Bowie….because that just cant be tolerated 😉 lol. Thanks for the recap!!
Nice re-cap guys!
I don’t know if I could say the save was “wasted” it’s Tim’s save to do with as he likes. He is there and I am not. If the producers saw fit to cast A’kai then so be it. Hawwaa got the bitch edit because her behavior was poor towards her team mate.
I was a little put off by Chelsea’s comment complaining that the save was now no longer available.
Personally, I did not like their outfit, but I get why the panel did like it. I just dint think the contestants have enough time to complete these looks.
Looking forward to moving past this week…not my favorite challenge.
I agree that Tim’s save wasn’t wasted.. but think , he’ll regret it.
Too bad for the kids another judge can’t have a SAVE…
Very early ….I love this shhow .
I get what you are saying (he may regret it), I just don’t think the kids or adults should rely on it.
I also know that in either production that there is a lot we do not see or hear about.
Agree.
I feel like these kids designs could have easily went up against any of the adults of the same challenge. They did a fantastic job.
Love the recap! Thanks, Ladies.
Love the Awesome Tieler!
Hawaa may have received the “bitch edit”, but she certainly gave the production plenty of bitch to choose from.
Late to the commentary because I’m finally feeling human again after being sick for almost two weeks (still don’t have a voice, still a little tired).
One of the best avant garde challenges EVER. I’ve watched religiously since day fucking one too.
Last PR: Jr season I tried to convince my mom that she should give it a chance, that in so many ways it is what PR USED to be. When I think of last season, and how well all the designers worked in team challenges – I want to make every future adult designer watch just the film of those kids working together.
So my mom texted me during the show, that she now gets it, and is “hooked”.
As a former teacher, I kind of get the A’kai and Hawaa dynamic. A’kai is the youngest. He is clearly also somewhat immature for his 13 year old age. The nearest to his age (of those remaining) are 14 year old girls, which in some ways, is the equivalent of what he’ll probably be at 16. To top it off, he’s used to being the oddball 13 year old I am betting. But I am also betting that Hawaa is the same at home. Is she religious? Then what is up with those eyebrows? I get the sense she is still figuring out who she is and where she fits in. She DID have to mother and direct A’kai at Mood – the problem was she didn’t to step back when they got back to the school. I frankly admired A’kai for approaching Tim for advice but NOT to fix it. I do wish that Hawaa had done the same.
Design wise, A’kai’s was not exciting and had construction issues… but for someone who was done early, Hawaa’s hems were a HOT MESS. I think ultimately she was taking out her lack of confidence in Avant Garde out on A’kai because he would basically take it.
As for the winner… I LOVE that jacket! I texted my Mom that I thought it was like it was inspired by the Wizard of Oz, and she thought it was like a chess piece. So we decided it was an Oz/Wicked chess piece design.
Seriously… I could see that on stage. (and that is an ultimate compliment from me)
Thank you so much for your and your friends’ insight!!! Loving your blog entries!!!!!!!
fwiw, super religious people can have weird looks too 🙂 I’m literally dyeing my hair teal rn while prepping for my extremely Catholic wedding, coming up in 2 weeks. I met my fiance while I was looking into becoming a Franciscan Sister and he was discerning entering seminary (aka, we were a wannabe nun and wannabe priest)! Just my 2 cents.
Hawaa mentioned her look in episode one. For some reason I think it’s a fashion statement for her. If I recall, she vaguely answered. Could be wrong, but too lazy to look right now. 🙂