By The Lovely Les
It’s December and so another week goes by in a flash! TT is super busy with her usual blog posts and CJ Bomb is still recouping. So after an unplanned dinner hosting out of town guests, The Lovely Les is ready to have her day in the jungle.
The show starts in reflection mode and let me tell you – heads were spinning and if they weren’t they were pale, pale, pale. Each of the remaining 14 were COMPLETELY shocked by the double elimination – Welcome to our world from last week! Dayoung is undeniably tired and stressed out. Everyone else says the double elimination is a huge surprise and a rude awakening to the what this competition is really about.
Dayoung Down!
Sigh! The Show will go on… Umm but not really. The penthouse comes into view and an ambulance is underway to the building. It seems a bit obvious from the reflection and previews that Dayoung is not doing too well. Unwell enough to call the medics as she is aching all over, numb and really can’t move her body.
The medics ask for privacy and next thing we see is Dayoung barely walking along with support from nurse to a wheelchair to be taken away to the hospital. The other 13 are very concerned and are hoping for the best as the door closes on their heels on the way to the workroom. Brittany says it best – taking care of “us” is key or you literally will not see this competition through. It’s a good group of designers who seem to be very genuine and care about the well being of each other.
Change of Scenery
Designers walk into their workspace but with one HUGE addition! A giant size door the height of Karlie Kloss times 3! And so the animal print challenge is out there as this door was part of the set for the movie – Cats. Karlie is wearing leopard print. Marquise is wearing leopard print. I swear there were a few more sporting the print in the designer group so the challenge is perfectly played.
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The challenge is to use the re-imagined world of the Cats movie as the inspiration to create a chic street style look using animal prints. And there we turn our ears back for some of the designers who have NEVER worked with animal prints. Hissing…Some say animal print is the new neutral…more hissing.
The Lovely Les agrees with this new neutral and has been adding animal print into her wardrobe for the last 15 years. So clearly, this is not a FAD! I have antelope print carpeted stairs. I have leopard print on a bench. If I do anymore of this in my house, people will say stop…it’s that bad. My closet – it’s a bit of the same. I tried to see what a leopard print top with a leopard print cardigan would do – thought to myself – would Marni say yay or nay? Back to Bravo, it is a 2 day challenge and it is an INDIVIDUAL challenge. Brittany has immunity and plans to keep her prior model. Big sigh of relief!
Sketching the Mood
Marquise is crazy about this challenge as it is made for him – meantime he is twinning Karlie Kloss’s outfit with a leopard print button down shirt and later revealed – animal print shoes that are spectacular. Veronica can not find an animal print in her silk chiffon selection. Christian gets a bit frustrated with her as she has SOOOOOO many options of fabrics but limits herself in such a way. Delvin stumbles across an amazingly beautiful green feather fabric and decides to runaway from the usual suspects of snakeskin and cat prints.
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Meanwhile, Brittany is “sweating like a whore in church”!!!!! Nancy has 8 fabrics and tells Christian that she has narrowed the selection down to the 8! Christian says she must be creating a collection. Christian then turns to Geoff and says his design is not street enough and that sends Geoff mentally over the edge again. It’s a repeat from last week. Geoff will seem to always stress the most at Mood because he can’t locate what he wants. Then he questions his design and then he is down in the dumps and the sweet designers have to emotionally pick him up. I see the routine.
Back to the Workroom
Everyone gets down to business as they know from the first episode that they can not send down unfinished garments. There is an elevated level of get it done this go around. Alan plans to do some type of coat. He envisions an old cat sporting a stylish look as if I am not too old to wear young??? Delvin is doing a classic coat dress with a double lapel. His go to is luxury over status quo. He will not be doing his southside of Chicago streetwear – which is where he grew up – but the rich streets of Chicago instead. Brittany has immunity and plans to do a very utilitarian coat while painting her animal print on the chosen fabric. Sergio, of course, will have a train on his garment. Thoughts?
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Geoff down-”streeted” his look into a hooded/pant ensemble that eventually is labeled a track suit of sorts. He is just beyond mental and can not seem to come out of his rabbit hole. Sweet Chelsey has to remind him that he almost won the last challenge.
Marquise is making a pleated skort and a puffer shoulder sleeved shirt with multiple animal prints. His goal is to make his piece universal.
Christian Swoops into the Jungle
Christian updates the designers with the status of Dayoung. She has returned to the penthouse. He sympathizes with the designers on what a tough job they have. The limited amount of time they have to take care of themselves is not really a thing on this show. The TV show makes it look fun and easy but it is not. Reality TV is not reality!
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Christian starts his rounds first with Victoria. She has made a white and snakeskin dress. The dress is not finished but Victoria is more focused on making her yellow bag as a statement accessory. Christian says to bag the bag and finish the dress.
Listen To Christian!
Tyler is making a Tokyo underground streetwear design that incorporates his love of Tokyo and origami. Tyler goes on to describe himself as a perfectionist as he was raised as an only child. Christian turns a frown on this look. He challenges Tyler with the pants – it’s done over and over again – be more creative – get out there. Tyler’s response – I like my look. Well, okay then.
Shavi is using only 1 fabric/print for his dress. He is repositioning the fabric to make it look like it’s more than 1 print.
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Veronica is super stressed because she can’t really figure out her identity with the fabrics that she chose. She has black leather and a soft blush chiffon animal print. Christian tells her to find her boho look and go for it. The lightbulb goes off and she says blouson shorts it is!
Christian tells Alan to stop taking snack breaks since he has Yoda on the model form. LOL! Alan takes it in stride and shows his 2 other designs on the sketch pad. Christian tells him to get going on his other 2 fabulous ideas and hang the Yoda camel coat up. Alan is definitely scared. Later we also find out that Alan is here in America as one of the Dreamers!
The time has come to head back to the penthouse and everyone is looking forward to seeing Dayoung. Sweet Fancy Nancy assumes the mama role and takes to Dayoung’s room to check in on her improvement and plans to do the challenge. Dayoung says she is regaining her energy so that she can fight her way back. She has only 1 day to complete the challenge and she has never worked with animal prints. But she knows that she will only go with a tiger print since it is such a symbol of China.
Back to the Jungle – Day 2 of Challenge
Veronica has her blouson shorts with a puffy leather top that has no inner lining which is taboo apparently. Dayoung shows up and says she is doing a cotton coat with silk cutouts. Christian visits and announces that Marni Senofonte will be the guest judge. I throw my hands up with excitement as do the designers. I don’t know why Marni makes me so happy! Christian highlights that Marni truly epitomizes street style.
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Victoria is worried about her accessories and alas her dress is still not finished. Christian observes that it looks like a wedding dress – isn’t this a streetwear challenge? Sergio has constructed a super lady like look that is NOT street style. Sergio goes on to explain that he does not design inexpensive clothes for the younger lady. He designs for the 45 – 60 year old rich lady!!!! This does not roll over Christian very well.
Sergio says he will not change his aesthetic for a random challenge such as this. So Christian finally meets in the middle and tells him to make a total haute couture dress for someone shopping at the grocery store.
From Yoda To Beyonce
Alan has made the leap from Yoda to Beyonce – Christian walks by and says check! Alan is relieved! Geoff is still working with muslin and has made very basic garments that have no wow factor at all. His animal print isn’t even out yet to make into anything. Nancy is working on shredding her print materials (remember she has 8 fabrics) as if a cat is working on it’s scratching post. Nancy says that in each of her designs, she collaborates with the fabric. She listens to the fabric to find what journey it wants to take on.
Night before Runway
Veronica makes a facetime to her mom and daughter. She is quite emotional with having to leave her little girl behind. She recently became a single mom and she desperately wants to prove to her daughter how risks can evolve into something amazing. Sergio pontificates his geo-political statement in his dress? He goes on to say it portrays the future extinction of animals. That people love animal prints but they do not take care of the animals. One day there will be no animals. Tyler literally calls bullshit and gets up to leave the room. Geoff rolls his eyes.
Runway Prep
The designers have 2.5 hours to finish everything. There is lots of work to be done. Delvin in his sashaying lab coat just prances around. Poor Dayoung is making the best of her problem with amazing spirits of positivity. While Delvin has been done since day 1! He has been avoiding Christian so he won’t be slapped on the hand for sitting around and doing nothing. Christian finally gets onto him and says his classic line – nothing is ever “done” on this show.
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Victoria is working hard on her coveted purse that is now being compared to a block of cheese and does it even match the look of her wedding dress? Geoff, again, can not decide on his accessories. Decision making is not his forte. Veronica sees that she has designed diaper pants – and an oh shit moment has been captured. Delvin decides to watch everyone helping Dayoung instead of lending a hand. I think at least 4 designers were helping her and he literally says that enough people are helping and that it is totally okay that he isn’t. Hmmm – let’s see where that gets him later in the season.
To The Runway
Karlie comes out with a killer laced up ensemble that immediately creates cat noises from the gallery. She quotes Coco Chanel – “Fashion that does not hit the streets is not fashion”. The winner of today’s challenge and the fan favorite look will be made by the 19th Amendment and sold on Bravotv.com.
Tyler’s look is described by Nina as a karate kat! The leather crop top is really awesome with the mock neck and button closures. But the pants don’t hold up to the top. Super baggy looking pants that are hard to really read or understand what they are.
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Victoria’s dress is very Herve Leger. Lots and lots of construction design going on but little animal print. Her goal was to impress with construction and her yellow bag which she eventually does. Christian exclaims that he hates the bag back behind the runway. Hehe.
Geoff has created this really cool hoodie that has this awesome flapping in the wind factor but then everything below the neckline is boring. Is it a cape? Anorak? Shawl? Poncho? It’s just lost in translation. Geoff seems very detached from his creation which I think stems from the fact that he does not work with animal prints.
Oragami Gone Bad!
Brittany sends down another mullet cut out form in a skirt with a painted pattern on her trench coat that is hard to really see on the runway. I do not care for her bra like top that is very flowy under the oversized trench. Too much swaying going on.
Alan watches while Nina smiles at his outfit! His design is definitely creative.
Shavi has a basic silhouette of a dress which also does not lend itself to streetwear. But his play on the juxtaposition of the same fabric is great. The dress fits his model perfectly.
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I don’t know what to make of Melanie’s outfit. Judges are unsure if her fabric is even an animal print. Her dress looks like an origami project gone bad and has undone it’s folding. She mentions she had nightmares about it all last night!
Delvin’s goal was luxury and that is what he displayed. The color choice was definitely a big hit with the judges.
Chelsey rocked it! So did her model. She made sweatpants into flowy culottes. Loose and comfy crop top – total street wear!
Marie Antoinette Meets Scarlett O’Hara
Veronica’s diaper pants actually do look a bit better on the runway but her top needed more shape. Veronica is worried as she spent her time creating a ballerina look for the dancers of the movie Cats…
Oh Sergio Oh Sergio! While his look is impeccably made, I see Marie Antoinette pretending to be in her little house in the backyard of Versailles trying to go unnoticed at the pretend farmers market. Then the model turns around and I jump forward to Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind. This is not street wear chic.
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Dayoung’s look is nothing to write home about. It was a cool concept and she had very limited time to create it. So she went with a safe design that she hopes will not fall apart on the runway.
Marquise has created a new take on a skort and his button down shirt is amazing. I love the 3 print top with the simple camel skort to balance out everything. His styling was spot on. Remember – Marni is judging.
Nancy’s shredded top was interesting and you really felt a sense of a cat waiting to pounce on you!
The Judgements
My top picks are Chelsey, Marquise and Nancy with Chelsey for the win. My bottom picks are Veronica, Victoria and Melanie with Melanie out.
Judges pick Geoff, Victoria, Marquise, Tyler, Delvin and Veronica for the highest and lowest scores. Geoff’s tracksuit had too many ideas. Brandon coaches Geoff to reign in his nerves. They are getting the best of him. Victoria is one of the highest scores. She guessed that she was in the top – which made me stop and wonder why I had her in my lowest category. (Side note – this is when the judges are not consistent with rewarding the challenge vs. the construction. Victoria’s look had no street sense about her). Marquise’s look is understated elegance. Tyler is too costumey. All of the judges love Delvin’s look – loved loved that he took a risk with the feather print. Veronica’s look is just bad yet Marni liked it which meant a lot to her.
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Judges agree that Victoria’s look is very old school Herve Leger – thank you Elaine. So she drops out of the running as the winner. Delvin’s look eventually comes down to it not being streetwear enough and the win goes to Marquise!!!! Yeah!!!!! I may get to buy his shirt!
Tyler’s look was not great but his attention to detail was very high. Veronica’s design was unfinished and Geoff’s had no vision. The judges agree that it’s time for Veronica to go home.
Next week – get ready for the unconventional challenge!
PS Sorry this is so late. The Lovely Les had the recap turned in in record time. I got off to a late start and the first one of the season takes several hours to get everything to fit. Too many designers!
Loving this show! Christian Siriano is EVERYTHING! Loved him when he was a contestant, love him even more ten years later as a successful designer and mentor to the newbies! So happy you are recapping this TT!
When are these people going to LISTEN TO CHRISTIAN! It drives me crazy! He gives excellent advice and half of them just ignore him!
How the hell is Victoria in the top! Her garment was unfinished. Brandon clearly didn’t want her there. NANCY should have been in the top. I loved her look. And she followed the directive of the challenge!
Delvin’s dress was GORGEOUS but it was NOT street wear. He should have been sitting next to Sergio in the safe zone for the same reason.
Thingin makes everyone’s garment look good. I forgot who she was wearing but I loved that whole catwalk.
Totally agree! This is going to be so fun to watch! So happy you are in to Project Runway TT!
Thank you Lovely Les. That was a great recap. So far I am really enjoying this season and Christian is the cherry on top.
I agreed with the top two but don’t get all the love for Victoria. THAT BIG FUG BAG! I would have voted her in the bottom below Tyler. I agree Nancy should have been in the top three. I LOVE that feather print and gazar is one of my favorites to sew and to wear. I WANT that print! Sergio would do well to listen to Christian. He is able to appreciate aesthetics other than his own, and MOST IMPORTANT, he has been there, done that, WON that. That train was so dowager. Brandon Maxwell makes me laugh and he is not as dismissive as Michael Kors.
Loving this season from minute one! Christian is hysterical! The designers do need to listen to Christian. But, remember Christian went against Tim & Ninas’ advice all the time his season – and he won!
Good point, Janfan, but these people are no Christian Seriano.
Also I added the video for Christian’s after show with Victoria to the end of this post. You might feel more positively toward Victoria’s work when you watch it.
The CS after show is with Veronica who lost. Though it would have been fun to interview Victoria and understand why she thought so highly of her garment. With 16 original designers, the double V names get confusing!
Christian’s after show is fantastic! It is close to impossible to top Tim Gunn, but Christian brings a different but equal ”fabulousity”! Victoria, and her bangs, were great as well. Definitely felt sorry to see her go after the after show. If I were Christian, I’d probably get drunk with the designer on the aftershow and end up using my Christian “Save” after my 3rd shot. I’m not sure how those skinny minis downed those shots and still made sense. I weirdly liked the bloomers, just not the way she styled them at all. She seems extremely talented. My favorite part was their stories about charging so much extra to make ugly dresses.
Sorry Les! I didn’t read your post till after I reversed the names. The 2 V’s WERE confusing! Victoria – top 3 Victoria – should have been bottom 3. I thought they were going to tear her apart. Shows what I know.
Right there with you! I didn’t understand the fascination with Victoria.
I thought the show would be over without Tim Gunn. I LOVE HIM. But Christian Siriano just swooped in and made things all better. I still miss Tim but Christian is everything. He is not trying to be Tim or replace Tim, he’s just being him and it’s working for me.
I cannot wait for someone to take Sergio down a lot of notches. He is NOT on the same level as Brandon and Christian, no matter what he Mommy, or his participation trophies, might be telling him.
Les- thank you for an amazing recap. I loved Delvins choice of print. I would have loved to see it with a structured short jacket and cute short. It was a little to dressy for street wear but it was stunning. I loved Marquis’s winning look. I am amazed how he combined three animal prints so beautifully. For my taste I would have liked to see the shorts without the skirt over the one side. My style is simple and risk free so what do I know? I like Nancy’s top but I thought the pants looked heavy. I would have liked to see her top with dark jeans with some type of fraying on the pockets or the bottoms of the jeans and maybe animal print accents. I think a simple pant would have highlighted the top. My mom and I looked up the winning look and I think for the the outfit it was about $300. It did look expensive and ready to wear. I can’t wait for Sergio to be in the bottom and defend his look to the judges. His over inflated ego and “I know best attitude” may seal his own fate. One of the designers said they think he is full of BS with the way he is acting. I said the same thing to my mom. He seems he is trying to build a character for TV.
Kerry – You are so welcome! It is so fun to watch but I miss my main side kick – CJ The Bomb! Delvin could have definitely “younged” up his look with that same fabric and would have won hands down. It’s fun to watch how dialed in certain designers are where they can’t let themselves go outside their own boundaries to the unknown. What if he combined rich fabric for the south side of Chicago streetwear? Who knows?
I checked out the Marquise look online tonight too. I need to recheck the shirt collar – I don’t remember it being like that but it was a long night and a lot of the same animal print…skort was very funky – I would like to try it on but it may not compliment my body type.
As for Sergio, he is the relegated DRAMA DIVA for the season which means he will be along for the long haul. ugh!
I was watching while reading the recap and literally said “yes” out loud multiple times in agreement. Thanks for a great recap!
Honestly I would have offd Sergio. The dress was hideous, overwrought and not suitable for any economic group. My favorite was Nancy’s top, beautiful texture and color. Didn’t really care for the skirt.
Christian is everything, on point, direct, hilarious.
I already lost interest when that gown trailing on the ground was not even mentioned as being totally wrong for ‘street wear’. Once again, this show keeps bad designers just because they cause drama.
Am I the only one that thought this week’s episode was an absolute shit show? Could it be because I hate Street “style”? Perhaps. That said, the one outfit I did like, belonging to Delvin, still didn’t pass muster for me because it just didn’t fit the bill. I know, “I hate Street style but that wasn’t Street style enough.” ??? Sue me. They’re supposed to be working from a client brief.
Nancy’s top was interesting. Victorija BEING in the top was interesting, and clearly just to pad out the numbers – as proven by how quick they passed over her when it came to picking a winner. Best of a bad bunch for sure.
And don’t get me started on whatever Shania-Twain-Man-I-Feel-Like-A-Woman looking monstrosity that was that Sergio, “I’ll Be Political In Lieu of A Personality” sent down the runway. I’ll give it a D-. Purrretty Grim.
Nancy’s design was my favorite. She took the biggest risk with her design and it totally worked.
Marquise‘s overall look was pretty good, but that top looks like something my Mom would have bought at Fashion Bug in the late 90s.
I’m with all of you. The judges choices were very confusing. How Nancy wasn’t in the top made zero sense and that super long ball gown didn’t fit the challenge in any way (except for the print?) and should have been in the bottom along with Victoria’s dress that reminded me of something you’d make at a stupid bridal shower out of toilet paper.
Dayoung is from South Korea and China literally had nothing to do with her decision to choose tiger print.