By CJ Bomb
Hey everyone. You have me solo this week as the lovely Leslie is headed out west to catch U2. Am I jealous? Maybe. A bit. Ok, yes I am, but I will fill the void by watching my favorite design show and imagine I am taking selfies with Tim Gunn. I have one with Christian Siriano and one with Michael Kors….it WILL happen at some point. Heidi, who’s boobs are strapped in within an inch of their lives in that dress, gets handed her phone by a production guy who tells her Tim is “blowing it up.” Heidi should never act. Just saying. She proclaims that Tim is sending her selfies! She is going to send selfies back and the contestants look tired and confused. She tells them Tim is waiting with their new clients. Shawn hopes it’s not their moms as her mother isn’t all that fashionable.
It’s the MODELS! Margarita is psyched to see their individual styles. Models are the coolest dressers and sometimes what they are wearing is more interesting than the clothing they wear in the shows. Tim points out the power a model has with their social media account to promote a designer. Each model will choose a designer to design a street look for her. The theme is #modelsoffduty. A street shot will be taken of the look in addition to the runway walk for the judges to consider. I have to say, whoever is coming up with the challenges this year is doing a much better job. They have one day and $200 to spend at Mood. The models pick their designers and Shawn, Claire and Ayana are last. I’m assuming this is because the models don’t want to work with a modest designer or spazzy idiots.
Samantha’s model wants something sweet and edgy. She is going with a tight bodice and full skirt. Shawn is basically doing a copy of what she and her model is wearing. Amy mentions rompers and jumpsuits to her model and she responds that she is worried about the bathroom issue. I own several jumpsuits. This is a real issue. Brandon’s model wants something with a seventies vibe. Kenya is inspired by menswear, pants and feathers. Her model isn’t sure about all of that, but trusts Kenya. She should do pants, her model is eight feet tall. Michael’s model says that the world is her runway and wants to channel Beyonce on the street. Ayana’s model is looking for something cute and sexy. Batani is going with an African vibe and Claire’s girl is all about comfort and neutral colors. Sweet Kentaro tells his model he’s going to make her “look dirty” and while I’m contemplating Kentaro talking sexy he uses the word “homeless” which actually makes more sense. His model looks alarmed, but he assures her it will be dirty but clean. Margarita and her model are planning a sporty look with a print. They are thrilled to be working together. They sketch with their clients and then head off to Mood. Kenya picks out emerald green and a dalmatian print? Huh? Shawn picks out the exact same fabric of her and her models current clothing. Sam says she is determined to fulfill her model’s vision while staying true to her own.
The Workroom
The twits are back working next to each other and I’m finally now seeing more of the dynamic. Claire does most everything for Shawn. Claire is also now commenting on how exhausting it is. Everyone is throwing them looks, but Batani definitely has the best side-eye. Brandon is tie-dying which I think might be too literal an idea for the seventies vibe. Kentaro is doing some interesting legging things. Margarita is doing pants, a top AND a jacket. She worries it’s a lot, but is VERY excited about this look.
Tim’s Critique
Kentaro explains his Hakama shorts, crop top and skinny legging/jeans to Tim and Tim thinks it’s a great combo of him and his model’s aesthetic. He’s happy. Shawn is REALLY knocking off what the model is already wearing (thank you for pointing this out Margarita, nice to have you back) and Tim doesn’t think the top goes with the pant.The model explains very clearly that she wants to mix something lux with something casual while Shawn just bobs her head up and down adding nothing. Tim is ok with this coherent explanation and Shawn blurts out INDEED, because…Shawn.
Ayana is doing a halter dress with star appliques because her model likes stars. Tim is worried they look like stickers. Tim is completely on board with Amy’s urban tuxedo idea. Brandon’s model tells Tim she likes very simple things and Tim tells her it’s good to try a new look. So I guess he’s happy with Brandon’s ideas? Sam says that his model looks like Rey from Star Wars and he’s going to wind up with an entire new client base. I actually love what she wore in that movie, so I am cool with it. Claire is doing a Benetton outfit I wore in 1985. She wants to put wording on her oversized sweatshirt but the letters idea concerns Tim.
Tim loves Batani’s African prints. Kentaro is talking about it and asks if he can say “African” and not sound racist. The producer says he’s fine and that was actually pretty funny. Saint Tim is helping direct Michael with his body-con cutout dress. Sam’s model tells Tim she wants to be a “hipster bartender” and Tim is excited to see the collaboration between the two of them. Her model just doesn’t want it to be “too grunge” and I feel a cold whisper of foreshadowing across my shoulders.
Tim is worried Kenya’s model is going to look like a green bean. It’s a LOT of green. He asks her: Is it fashion, or is it just making clothes? For everyone who bitches about there not being enough pretty dresses on this show, please MEMORIZE this statement. Kenya is worried about time and mentions that not everyone has a sister on the show to help them. Truer words, Kenya. I wish you had SAID it to Tim. Margarita asks Tim if she needs to reel it in and he tells her that she needs to go for it. She and her model are both very happy. I keep noting this for you guys to make a point later.
Ok Shawn: FUCK YOU. Your sister is basically constructing a design you COPIED and you tell us you wouldn’t wear a SINGLE item Samantha has made on the show except from the trash episode “and that one was MADE of trash”? Seriously? This is not a bad edit. You are awful. Kenya actually points out that Claire could have a shot at making beautiful clothes, but she’s stuck helping Shawn. This is blatant cheating.
Brandon calls his girlfriend. He says she’s a bit older and helping him grow and mature as a person. Brandon, just so you know, Les and I are MUCH older and VERY mature. Just throwing that out there…. Ayana is showing a lot of skin on her model so she it making a coat to throw in her aesthetic. Shawn thinks it looks like a robe. I actually took a picture of her bitch face on my TV and sent it to TT. They are working super late and everyone is getting slap happy and second guessing themselves. Margarita does a spot on Zac Posen impression. Michael is worried his outfit sucks. Amy steps in to help Kenya, and she’s happy to do it, but worried for her.
On the day of the runway, Michael is ok with his dress, but he and his model are still trying to find a balance of ideas between them. Claire actually says this as she comes into the workroom: First thing we need to get done is Shawn’s pants. HOW IS THIS NOT CALLED OUT AS CHEATING NOW???? Samantha’s model looks exactly like Samantha. Amy notes that Margarita’s look (which she and her model are VERY happy with, please take note) looks like 90’s hip-hop. Bitchface Shawn just says it’s TACKY. Have a seat baldy. You can add to the conversation when you actually design something.
The Runway
Heidi’s boobs are contained in a beautiful red dress. I’m ok with boobage, but at some point in life you have to accept that gravity and childbearing are going to take a toll. Even if you are Heidi Klum. Georgina Chapman is here! Yay! An actual fashion person! Kelsea Ballerini is here! Who the hell is this? I have to look her up. She is a country musician?
I especially miss Leslie during the runway. Kentaro’s look ROCKED. She looks like an urban samurai and if I were younger and thinner I would sooooo wear this. It’s just cool. Claire has done a sweatshirt and booty shorts. Her tall thin model looks like a walking blob on stick legs. Ayana has done a star dress from the JR section at JCPenney with a pink bathrobe. Michael’s dress looks like a lesser Herve Leger. I love Brandon’s pants, but the top needed editing. Shawn’s (Claire’s) pants are nice, but I still can’t get past the cheating. Margarita’s model does look like 90’s hip hop. Pants are ok. I find it hard to believe that Batani’s model would be rocking this on the NYC streets. Amy’s look is cool and effortless. For the love of GOD please pick Amy this week! Sam’s outfit is too junior for me. If Kenya’s look wasn’t THAT color with THAT print I would love it, but I’m having a hard time with the two together. They are going to love it or hate it. My top are Amy and Kentaro with Kentaro to win. My bottom are Claire, Ayana and Batani with Ayana to go.
Judging
Nina thinks that Claire’s look is a blob of black and needed a pop of color to stand out in the photo. Zac says it didn’t make a fashion statement and Heidi thinks it didn’t do anything for her body. She also doesn’t want to see the model’s butt cheeks hanging out. Georgina notes that if you are going to do black, you need a strong silhouette and no woman wants to look pregnant when she’s not. Kelsea said something.
Zac thinks Shawn’s (Claire’s) pants look slick and easy and this is a great day to night look. Heidi thinks it is fantastic and looks chic. Nina notes that feminine and pretty always sells and Georgina says it feels elevated but there is an ease to it. Kelsea said something. Shawn beams and tells them she feels she is on an upward trajectory. She either has no shame or no clue.
I hold my breath as Zac says Kenya’s is Debbie Harry meets Peter Pan meets 101 Dalmations………and he likes it! I exhale. Georgina loves the personality and strength. Heidi loves the color and the petals but hates the print. Nina says the model has a “Chic Je ne sais quois.” And she wants to know more. Kelsea says something.
Heidi asks Kentaro if he thinks he’s on the top or bottom. When he says he doesn’t know she insists he answer. Top? He says. YES! Heidi says his model was the coolest by FAR on the runway. Georgina thinks it has a dangerous masculine edge, but it’s feminine at the same time. She thinks it’s wonderful. Nina says it looks haphazard, but it’s not. Zac says it’s crisp, easy and great. Kelsea says something.
Georgina thinks Samantha’s dress is verging on costume and it doesn’t do it for her. Zac has seen this before and he’s not interested. Nina mentions that she AGAIN is more interested in what Sam is wearing versus her model. They all like it better without the vest. Kelsea says something.
Ok, remember the lovefest that was going on with Margarita and her model? Apparently that was all just for show as Margarita was truly SUFFERING designing a look that she really didn’t believe in for her demanding client. Huh? Zac says he understands (huh?) but he has major issue with the fit of the pant. Heidi thinks she looks cheesy and even though Nina likes the jacket she’s getting a Miami vibe and not in a good way. Georgina tells her that there is nothing here that tells her who Margarita is as a designer and Margarita AGAIN throws her model under the bus basically saying she did exactly what she wanted and none of it was her true aesthetic and paints her model as uncooperative. The model looks stunned. Damn.
Off the runway Tim FINALLY points out that Claire did Shawn’s work and while the contestants are allowed to help each other Zac smells a bald rat. In the models room they ALL point out that Margarita totally changed the narrative on her outfit. Her model is very upset and hurt and proclaims that she is the furthest thing from a diva. If Margarita isn’t kicked off it’s definitely going to be awkward in the workroom next week.
Kentaro WINS! Samantha is out instead of Claire??? Argh. And we have to suffer more of these twits as it’s NOT the Yolanda episode next week? Argh. Do you agree with the judges this week? Les will be back and we will see u then! xoxo
I feel like Claire may almost be bearable if you put your fingers in your ears and got rid of The Baldy One.
On the flip side though, they put two – not just sisters – TWIN sisters on the show together and didn’t expect them to help each other out? I mean Shawn is abusing it to the extreme, but it’s almost like production could have EXPECTED this to happen. Maybe. Possibly.
Allegedly.
I heard it on the streets.
Ooo Mama Joyce’s streets?
CJ, boobs and gravity, even for Heidi. You made my day.Forgot to dvr the show, so thanks for the recap. Is loving Kentaro so far
So much to say about this episode. It is not against the rules for the designers to help each other. They have always done that. On this very episode, Amy did some sewing for Kenya. Last week someone helped Aaron cut his fabric. It’s absolutely fine for Claire to help her sister.
What is not fine is for one designer to be making two looks each week. I am starting to wonder if Shaun makes anything. I mean can she sew at all? It’s not fair for Shawn to stay if Claire is making all of her looks.
HOW THE HOLY HELL DID CLAIRE NOT GO HOME THIS WEEK? That was so unfair to Samantha. I really hoped that Tim might save Sam.
I thought Kenya was going home. I also thought she was in the bottom when they called her name. I am worried about her design aesthetic now. I thought she had a chance to go all the way and I’m not so sure anymore.
Margarita throwing her model under the bus was bizarre. I’ve never seen anything like that. Margarita just oohed and ahhed about how much she liked her model and then did a complete 180 on the runway. WHY?
I really wish they had not shown us the big fight or whatever happens on the first episode, because now we are all just waiting for it to get there.
I had no idea who that judge was.
I thought Tim was going to save her.
I wondered as well- Samantha is too talented to go home now, when Clare and Shawn remain around. Also, there is a group -Amy, a number of the others- who are in the middle each week and never are in the top or bottom but seem to float along without doing anything meaningful.
That group really bothers me when someone like Samantha goes home. But Imust admit Idot; understand why she couldn’t adjust her actions enough to respond tot he feedback she was getting. I sometimes suspect that many of the designers find the rapid pace ,without breaks and real rest, forces them to operate in ways anathema to them-so they lose because they aren’t as fast as others, not because they can’t complete the challenge as well- just not as fast. I am not convinced that speed is a relevant measure- except for the cost/time spent filming. So it’s a measure for this show-not necessarily THE INDUSTRY.
I thought he might, too, but his saves need to be reserved for someone who has more potential, like a Kentaro, if he should be eliminated for one bad week, or in a team challenge. Samantha was very nice and a good dressmaker, but limited in her ability to stretch beyond what we’ve already seen.
Hey Tamara, I thought you would’ve brought up the fact that Claire made the same sweater Kentaro made last week only adding a zipper on the shoulder to make a subtle difference…
Why would I bring that up?
I don’t think I have ever used the word indeed.
Swatch’s bday party looked fun. Loved the crown!
So Samantha went home. The show is in that part of the season where the middlings are getting cut. She was likable but she wasn’t going to show us anything new. In fact, this week reminded me strongly of that ugly ugly ugly green/ black fabric she made a week or two ago. Neither looked good on the models.
But I wish it had been Marguerita. Those pants puddling in a mess on the floor were awful. I hate her always tacky print choices. They could have done a double elimination.
Kentaro’s was interesting and photographed beautifully.
Brandon seems committed to having random straps and strings hanging off every look. Why do some designers get married to a gimmick and repeat it week after week? What little we saw of his look would have been sleeker and cleaner without them.
Didn’t like Batani’s loud-ass prints, the model didn’t seem to like the finished look either, and on the whole, she can go. Ditto Ayana, that peach satin bathrobe was dreadful and bore no relation to what was underneath. Green Dalmatian was well made as always, but not her best effort.
Claire got a beautiful, ethereal, waif-like, very young looking blonde model and immediately envisions a whole lotta black and gray drab for her. A sweatshirt? I haven’t liked any of her choices of fabric or designs at all. It doesn’t help that they look poorly thought out, rushed and unfinished. No wonder, she has no time to design and execute thoughtfully, she’s a doormat for her high strung temperamental twin.
Is it just me, or does this batch of designers seem mediocre this season?
Thanks CJ, great recap. What a sad episode, I like Sam. Kentaro sure deserved the win.
Can not wait for the twins to get busted. Just have to wait for miracle woman Yolanda Hadid episode, lol.
Again, this is the first season in many I can keep track of designers, and find the models interaction really great.
I wonder if the twins take turns being needy last week it was Claire’s and this week Shawn’s. Between the two they seem to turn out only on acceptable outfit I did love the growing bitch faces as other designers were chosen.
Ayana could have created a cool flowing black jacket to go with her outfit and everything else, but peach doesn’t make sense.
I’m guessing with Margarita either she decided that either based on something she saw on the judges faces or who was put in the top/bottom looks that it was likely that she was on the bottom, to to panic throwing of the model under the bus since Margarita would get eliminated but the model would be safe. Not defending her, but trying to figure out what happened. Unless she grovels a lot I can see all the models going frosty on her.
Brandon to me seem to me this year’s Mondo. An appealing people, but I am just now fashion toward enough to get their esthetic
I think you mean “not fashion forward enough” and I’m in that club, too, Ivy. I never cared for anything about Mondo, but I really like Brandon and I do see why he’s good, although….kind of stuck in one groove. I don’t know anyone who’d wear his stuff. I’d like to see him get out of his rut and produce something “pretty,” something that I would love to own.
You have to admit that Brandon looks exceptionally cool wearing his own designs. His personal style is wacky but somehow he pulls it off. I couldn’t wear his stuff but if I was a 20-something hipster (ugh, hate that word) I might consider it. But not everyone can wear bright white Japanese-style sandals and not look foolish, lol.
I’d love to see Kentaro design menswear. His aesthetic is a more practical than Brandon’s but every bit as cool and more varied. Team Kentaro!
Sorry, I haven’t paid much attention to what the designers wear themselves except the several times the judges called attention to them. Well, other than Aaron’s getups. Not a fan of men in women’s or babies’ clothes. I’ll make a point of paying attention to what Brandon wears.
I’m very east coast when it comes to men’s fashions.
Thank you tamaratattles.com and all the contributors for the amazing updates on the reality shows. I live in Miami, Florida and since Hurticane Irma hit we have been with out cable, internet or our home phone. (Yes those of us born in the 70’s still use the traditional land line). Your website updates have kept me updated and entertained. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!
I’m sad about Sam. I really liked her earlier looks (those Deco pajamas haunt my dreams). I think she got fatigued. So many 1 day challenges must be exhausting.
I’ve been wondering: is there a Tim Gunn save this year? I assumed there would be but they haven’t mentioned it.
I think they mentioned it at the beginning of the season.
There is a Tim Gunn save. But he’s saving it for someone worthy. ?
I was surprised at all the positive comments Kenya received – the combination of the color and print on her outfit reminded me of a cow in a meadow. If it weren’t for the gorgeous model, who could probably pull off wearing anything, I don’t think the remarks from the judges would have been as positive. Shawn is beyond belief – clueless, arrogant, ungrateful, you name it. Can’t wait to see her voted off. Margarita should have been sent home before Samantha – the tailoring of her pants was hideous and she blamed it all on her model. Who’s going to want to work with Margarita now? Sam’s design wasn’t as edgy as the dress Sam was wearing, but she didn’t deserve to be auf’d. I wonder what Claire thinks about the comments her sister made and if it will alter the amount of help she gives her in future episodes. Love this show!
Ditto to the extreme!
Sam’s design was intricate and beautifully presented (minus the unneeded jacket). Although I don’t quite understand the “Lolita” look at all. I find the concept incredibly disturbing. But the sweatshirt ensemble from Clawn/Shaire was much, much worse. I’ve enjoyed this season a lot but the producers are starting to make their choice for drama more apparent. And it’s not a good look.
Kelsea Ballerini was on the episode of Southern Charms where Shep and Craig were auctioned off as bachelors for charity. Kelsea was the “entertainment” that night AND she made the winning bid on Craig, which infuriated Shep. This was the episode that Kathryn was running down the dock in a mink screaming at Thomas.
I was so upset that Samantha went home when Claire’s outfit was horrible. The twins drama is outrageous this season. I’ve not heard anyone mention the Tim Gunn save this season so not sure he has one. I’m ready for the twins to go and then get down to the interesting designers and let’s see what they can do!
Tim Gunn does have a save this year. I was shocked he didn’t use it on Samantha. I feel like if you didn’t read it in the other comments, you probably won’t see this one either
I am loving Project Runway this season and think that CJ Bomb’s recaps are awesome.
The twins are simply awful, especially Shawn. While I’m opposed to them working together, I agree with Tim’s opinion. Namely, if Claire is dumb enough to help her sister into the top while she’s on the bottom, that’s on her. It seems so much more egregious because no other competitor would actually do another’s work for them to their own detriment. If Claire were smarter, she would have cut Shawn loose as a design partner a long time ago.
Loving this season! Next week is a team challenge and I so want Kentaro and Brandon to team up. I want to see what that combo would come up with. Loving their bromance. I wait each week for when Michael blows up about cheating and I just pray I’m right that it’s about the twins. I want Shawny gone to see what Claire can do without that ball and chain around her neck. If Claire goes first I think Shawn will either quit in protest or be eliminated when she the next week it comes to light she can’t design or sew on her own anyway.
” I wait each week for when Michael blows up about cheating and I just pray I’m right that it’s about the twins.”
I read that am my first reaction was DUH, of course it’s about the twins.
And then I thought HOLY FUCK WHAT IF IT IS NOT ABOUT THE TWINS?!!!!!
Now you have me worried it is about Kenya and maybe Amy. They seem to show Kenya doing the most complaining about the twins working together. But they have also shown Kenya and Amy working together and”The Brothers” working together. What if it is not the twins?
It has to be about the twins, doesn’t it?????????
I’m starting to think that someone has snuck patterns or sewing books into the workroom. Didn’t someone get busted for that many seasons ago?
My suspicion turns toward Amy, Brandon or Kentaro. Their looks seem so polished and complete. And you almost never see them struggle for ideas. A smart competitor who has watched every season of PR could easily prepare for all of the common challenges in advance. But a deceptive competitor could take that a step further and hide patterns in their belongings.
Another thing I noticed… wasn’t it Brandon who mentioned that he won 2 challenges when he was Skyping with his girlfriend? I thought it was forbidden to disclose details of the competition to outsiders. And don’t they keep ‘auffed’ designers on lockdown until the season is over?
By the way, I’m Team Kentaro now. I still like Brandon but his looks are getting predictable and stale. Brandon has a very unique perspective and he’ll likely be very successful. But he’s so limited by his unique perspective that I don’t think he can do anything other than cutting edge streetwear.
I’m pretty sure the guy who was walking off the show said something about he didn’t come here to play two people working together. Or something to that effect.
Does anyone know what was actually said?
I must have missed that bit in the preview. I’m focusing on Tim saying something like “I consider that cheating.” Tim did also say on the last show that helping each other was ok. So I don’t see how the show could consider that cheating.
I went back to the Facebook page and scrolled back to the preview. Michael walks off and says that people are not playing fair. It’s not a fair game. Tim says this is cheating. Almost everyone is seen crying but some of the people crying, like Sam are already off the show when then happens so it could be editing of random crying or maybe she gets the save next week. But I don’t think Tim will tell her to pack and then save her, so most likely editing but Banti (sp?) is crying a lot and Claire is saying she has no idea what is going on. The judges say to the sobbing twins “this must be very hard for you” they seemed to especially be talking to Claire.
I am more confused than ever.
Here’s the youtube clip
Thanks for the clip! That’s way more detail than I remembered. I still can’t make heads or tails what’s going on. Damn Lyme brain, lol!
The twins are the worst ! Nose rings..please. One has more talent than the other. Get rid of the less talented one and let the other one shine.
Well well well, how time changes things. I am getting tired of Brandon’s looks and surprised the judges didn’t comment on the ties dragging on the ground. Street wear? Not on any street I have been on. As much as I like Kenya, I hated the outfit. I think I sewed that in 1978 for work when I was too poor to get a pantsuit.
Loved kentaros look and, dare I say, Shawn or Clawn. I feel like Amy is overlooked and not sure why. I would have sent Anaya home. It’s the same look in different fabrics and the jacket was stupid. There are lots of ways to dress modestly without form fitting dresses and a headscarf. Even in Islam, the scarf is optional
Clawn, lol!
Or how about Shaire? In a punny way, it describes their working relationship.
“Kelsea said something”-LOL! I had the green Dalmatian outfit in college in the 80s.
What I find interesting is that Kentaro had the audacity to ask if the design of an African inspired outfit wss racist while designing a Japanese inspired outfit. Huh? And first off, look up the definition of the racist. An outfit or black person could never be racist, according to the definition. And secondly, how can using African fabric in an African garment be an issue, let alone racist?