Welcome back to fashion madness, now with 30 extra minutes! And just to stir things up around here, I’ve decided to acknowledge the new, supersized 90-minute Project Runway in inverse proportion. I’m trying to write shorter recaps than seasons past. May the pithy spirit of concision be with me!
So, onwards. In addition to the longer running time, the season 8 premiere messed with format a tad, with Heidi and Tim assessing the 17 (one more than the usual 16) contestants as they arrived via plane, boat, and train. Suitcases in tow, the designers made their way to the new home of New York Fashion Week, Lincoln Center (see ya, Bryant Park!), where Heidi and Tim told them each to choose one item from their suitcase. Why oh why did Casanova choose his $1070 Dolce & Gabbana pants? Couldn’t he see what was coming — that they’d each have to pass their chosen garment to the contestant to their right so that person could do what she pleased with it and incorporate into her own design? Apparently not. Oh, and the gang had just five hours to complete the project.
Of course, before they even got to that curveball, Heidi and Tim informed the contestants that they weren’t officially on the show yet, but rather in the final stage of the audition process. This was a big, fat untruth on the part of Frau Klum. If none of these people were on the show yet, then what were we all watching last night? I could have sworn I was watching the season 8 premiere with actual contestants. This “twist” really threw poor Nicholas (a.k.a. the new “Neek-oh-lass”) into an existential crisis. Twice he sat looking at the camera (which was on and recording) and fretted that he might not make it on the show. Nicholas, allow me to explain how this works: When the red light is on and the recorded footage then airs on national television, you’ve made it on the show.
It did come off as pretty disingenuous for Heidi to keep harping on the possibility that more than one person might go home when, in the end, just one poor soul from Utah with bountiful dreads and a penchant for side cleavage was sent packing. At least two others should have joined her. Which brings us to:
The Bottom Six
April The 21-year-old had one of the best bases to work with — Nicholas’ tuxedo jacket, which she hacked apart and barely put together again. The hem was unfinished and uneven, and Nina likened the whole look to 80s streetwalker. It was trashy, but modern enough for her to get a pass.
Nicholas There was nothing offensive about Neek-oh-lass’ shiny blue gown adorned at the neck with remnants from Christopher’s bomber jacket. It was just boring. Usually that conjures the death knell, but the judges sent him to safety. Good thing, too. Poor guy looked like he was about to burst into tears.
Jason The dude with the meant-to-be-intimidating bowler hat (?) ogled his model’s bare chest and said he didn’t want to cross a line “like a doctor would” (ewww… and huh?). For all his talk of being a contender, he gave off an I-don’t-give-a-crap vibe, stapling together (!) his kimono/hairdressing cape and on the runway, giving a defense as limp as a wet dishrag. How did guest judge Selma Blair find the drabness interesting? Beats me.
Ivy Confession: I was surprised by the judges’ scorn for her outfit. (Small-town hick?) It was on the uninspired side, and despite her protests, it’s true that she really didn’t transform Peach’s passé pants. But still, bottom three seems excessive. Ivy exuded oodles of confidence at the top of the hour, but by the time the judges bitch-slapped her, she was singing a different song. Her newfound humility made me kind of like her.
Casanova As with all important matters in life, let us turn to Michael Kors: “She’s like a mother of the bride who’s a belly dancer. She’s a sexaholic, but she’s conservative. … She’s a pole dancer in Dubai!” Earlier, Casanova said he had taken New York “from the balls.” After witnessing his wreck of a handkerchief/bathing-suit-dress that was fit for a cheap hooker prowling for customers on the Lido Deck, I’m here to posit that it was the other way around. New York grabbed you, hermano, and I suspect you’re now running low on oxygen to the brain. And forgot what Nina said. Casanova’s design was not fascinatingly bad. It was just bad. Muy vulgar. Oh well. To quote the would-be Lothario himself, “S— happens.”
McKell Despite Tim’s early support in the workroom, McKell ended up the first bootée. Why? Because it’s a hard and fast Runway rule that the not-awful-but-kinda-meh must always get the ax over the so-bad-you-want-to-shield-your-eyes. McKell’s biggest problem wasn’t the girly blue dress itself, but her poor styling. High hair! Plus, she accessorized with a big red bag that, during the runway show, Christopher praised, but during judging, Nina lambasted. Oops. And my word, was it ever painful to watch the poor gal go back stage and deflect applause from her colleagues who’d assumed she’d made it through to week two. She even had to insist that no, she wasn’t “messing with them.” Awkward!
The Top…One
Gretchen Because Heidi was still insisting this was an audition, the judges didn’t bother naming a top three. In a unanimous decision, they just handed the win to Gretchen, the hippie chick from Oregon who made a cute little dress that looks like something you’d find in one of those hipster Lower East Side shops where they deconstruct and reconstruct vintage garb. With the glittery sleeves (incorporated from April’s blouse, which Heidi called “one of the worst materials to work with” — ouch) and fluttery opaque back, I’d say the dress deserved the win, even if no wheels were reinvented during the making of it.
As for those who glided into safety without a grilling from the judges — A.J., Andy, Valerie, Sarah, Peach, Kristin, Michael C., Mondo, Michael D., and Christopher — none of their designs really rocked my world. Mondo’s chevron dress with a bright green panel bordered on fug. On the upside, Andy whipped up cool black separates that could signal he’s a fast worker who can get that shizz done. I also liked Peach’s cute white summer frock that wrangled Michael D’s unwieldy knit scarf into shape. “Let’s hear it for the old lady,” the 50-year-old chirped when she made it backstage. I like her!
My biggest disappointment last night was that, despite the 30 extra minutes, I didn’t notice any major change in the amount of time we have to assess the garments as they come down the shiny, new black runway. How is this possible?! If the judges get new seats and there’s ample time to pimp Brother, Hewlett-Packard, L’Oréal, and the Piperlime accessories wall (can it be used as thoughtfully as the Bluefly.com wall?), surely there’s a way for us study the clothes without hitting pause on our DVRs 100 times, right?
Other food for thought: Tim now does confessionals. Interesting. And Señora Garcia makes one hell of a translator.
Now, I’ll leave you with some questions:
What did you think of the premiere and this new 90-minute format? What’s your take on the changes? Which designers stood out for you? Did the right person go home? Should they have sent more than one person home? The show does get more interesting with fewer than a dozen personalities to juggle, right? Anyone miss Models of the Runway? (JK! Hahahahahahahahaha!)
Hey, hermano.
I thought it was so adorable how Nicholas held hands with his model while receiving his crit. So sweet.
ME TOO!! I noticed that too, I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a designer do that!
Thank you for the comment.
Its tough up there. Keep rooting for me!!!
hahaha
Hah I was thinking the same thing!!
Tell me everything you know about…HERMANO.
does anyone else think it is NOT a good sign for the season that given very few constraints every single one of them was freaking out? Like, there wasn’t a single person who seemed to ooze the confidence of Christian, Jeffrey, or even Santino. Only Ivy did, and we saw where that left her. I’m already calling this season being a disappointment.
I really didn’t hate McKell’s work and thought Charlie Chaplin and his bowler should have gone home. As for the rest of the designers, I’m really enjoying Pearl because she was pretty hilarious and I found Ivy’s voice extremely grating.
*Peach
Ha! She may be older than the other contestants, but she’s not quite into “Pearl” territory…
I agree re: Bowler hat guy – talk about a lack of effort and skill. Very strange that McKell was booted. Or not- the judges seem more interested in keeping the cast interesting rather than eliminating the worst design.The show just seems slower and less watchable.
agree that McKell should have stayed and Jason gone. He was very unprofessional with the model and she(his model) looked unbelieveably uncomfortable with him.
Perhaps his model, knowing she was showing up to undress and redress in a large room, should’ve worn or brought some bra/undergarments…
Spot on Cat! Like Peach and was glad to see someone a little older. Go Gretchen!
I actually liked McKell’s dress, and didn’t think the hair and handbag were that terrible. She didn’t deserve to go – “Clockwork Orange” Hat Guy Jason, Casanova, or even April should have been ousted first. I wonder if bc McKell had a 9 month-old baby at home, it made the judges’ decision easier?
“Clockwork Orange” hat guy- now I know why he was creeping me out, “Clockwork Orange”
Wow, you just channeled everything I was thinking. Glad I’m not alone.
P.S. Right after the elimination, my two daughters walked out of the room declaring they would not waste another minute on this show if that’s how the judging is going!
Ditto in our house. My daughter loved McKell and has taken a vow of RunwayAbstinence for this season. I just thought the judges were super harsh…there has to be a more professional term than “butt ugly” to describe a dress.
Not if the dress really IS butt-ugly. If y’all want sunshine and butterflies, watch Sesame Street!!
I like Peach – she reminded me of Sweet P.
awwww Sweet P!! I loved that girl!
Without the tattoos!
Jason must have watched A Clockwork Orange one too many times if he thinks a bowler hat is scary. And he STAPLED the smock shut. Why is he still here?!
Seriously, why is Jason still there when he STAPLED his dress together…next week I bet he uses a glue gun to make it work. I also can’t figure out how Gretchen won…I must have horrible fashion sense, since the moment her model walked the runway, I just knew she was a goner…I thought her dress was so plain and something my mom might buy at the Dress Barn store.
Hey Droogie I agree with you. Jason was horrible.
@curly agree 100% with both of your comments.
As usual, the judging on Project Runway sucks. It just seems so random.
Sorry, but if ANY reality show on TV right now needs a judging panel re-boot it’s this one. Michael, Nina and Heidi all need to be kicked to the curb and some new blood needs to be infused into this show. The dress that won was HEINOUS and to keep Casanova or the perv who basically turned a kimono around and sewed a wide belt on it – in 5 HOURS!!!! – over the poor ex-Mormon was just disgraceful. I can’t believe that anyone with the ability to see with their own eyes would look to these 3 individuals for advice on fashion is beyond me.
I actually thought the dress that won was very nice, but everything else was weird. Really, you are going to keep someone who made a dental floss top with a snow bird’s “trying to be young” skirt? Or some one who turned a jacket around and called it a dress? Or a dress that only need a hair scrunchie and we are in 1983? Seriously, if the judges thought McKell was the worst last night, then they need to check their taste level.
They should keep Coors to make the witty comments but not let him decide who goes home. You are all right: Their decisions are entirely random. New Judges needed.
I thought Casanova and Jason should have gone home. They sent half-dressed (Casanova) and shoddily-dressed (Jason) models down the runway. At least McKell had a fully dressed model, who was dressed like a schoolmarm in comparison to Casanova’s model. Moreover, Jason’s bowler hat did not seem edgy to me at all; rather it reminded me of Alex and the his gang of droods from ‘A Clockwork Orange’.
I was disappointed by this episode and I’m hopeful things improve. I think they’re keeping certain individuals around for “color”…they’re this season’s Ping. But ultimately, they’re lack of skills will show and they will be auf’d.
Yes – Alex from Clockwork Orange! I had totally forgotten that.
I kept thinking about when Bart Simpson dressed like the guy from Clockwork for Halloween.
it’s “droogs.”
I’ve come to the conclusion that, if there’s an outfit I like, the judges won’t, & vice versa. It always seem to happen that way.
Same here. Only very rarely do I find the judges in agreement with garments that I flat out hate. Rarer yet, the judges and I loving the same outfit. Sometimes I rewatch the show just so I can try to understand the appeal. I never do. Maybe something gets lost in translation from seeing a garment live and seeing it televised.
I agree. They need new judges. I don’t understand the hostility towards Ivy too. I thought her dress was even better than the “winner”.
Ivy didn’t make a dress. She made pants out of pants. Maybe you are thinking of someone else, @RCB?
I agree the extra half hour didn’t add much to the show. I mean, it wasn’t boring or anything, but it wasn’t any more exciting than usual. I feel like I might get tired of it after a few episodes. But thankfully, there is no model drama.
The extra half hour doesn’t add much, but I hope that Missy goes back to the longer recaps!
Missy, I agree with H! Why the concision? It’s not like you don’t have enough room in the magazine. I love a good, long, juicy recap. Reconsider, please!
I don’t see any need to make your comments shorter. If I choose to waste an hour and a half of my life watching Booby McBoobAlot bounce a hairdresser’s cape down the runway, then I deserve to be rewarded for my pains with your thoughtful recap. Kristina makes a great point. If this isn’t about column inches, what gives??
PLEASE, PLEASE, let us see the outfits on the runway for longer than 3 seconds! That is why we watch. It seems to be concealed before the runway show for suspense, as if we’re going to get a big reveal…but then we don’t really get that. With 30 extra minutes we now have enough time.
Agreed on the length – I LOVE coming to EW and finding a good long recap for a show like this that can inspire so much glorious bitchery. I’m not saying Missy needs to take it to Doc Jensen levels, when I sorted of dreaded the 12 page Lost recaps that took me an hour to sift through and ponder (in his defense, I also loved the depth he went to)…but I do enjoy a nice 4 or 5 pager.
(Maybe this next comment will demonstrate my poor judgment and make my previous comment seem worthless, but…I may have been one of the approximately 4 people on the planet who actually liked Models of the Runway. It was stupid, sure…but I enjoyed hearing what the models who have to wear this crap think about said crap, and how it feels for them to wear it.)
I also was hoping for more runway time – I am always rewinding and pausing the dvr! I don’t mind a lengthy recap either, I only read a few recaps of shows so I like them detailed
To Katja: I one of the other 4 people who liked Models of the Runway and I will miss seeing it, if for no other reason than you get to know the models and can put a name to the face.
I also agree about the longer recaps!
It’s interesting. I used to think that Project Runway was the superior reality show compared to Top Model goofiness. At this point, I don’t know what’s worse. Cringing at Tyra’s antics or being bored by Project Runway.
Oof, I’d consider that shame-inducing reveal that the models were going to New Zealand before making that decision. Runway may get boring at times, but I’m never questioning my sanity, as I was with big, Sesame Street Zs and fake sleepiness.
I’m thinking that Peaches, Gretchen, the man from Palm Springs and Kristin are best. Mondo is right when he says people probably think he’s weird…
Don’t miss the models, and why have they already started bad mouthing each other- extra time gives them extra time to complain.
It’s Peach.
At least the show started out quite creative! I don’t care for when the designers wear hats or have super weird hair…it is distracting and they need not pretend they have a persona yet. Nina Garcia seems very cold. I like Heidi’s new hair style. I was surprised at the winning dress…I loved it, but I thought they would think it was not creative enough. Not much else to choose from. Casanova’s dress…I thought the bottom half of the dress was beautiful…flowing and great color. They never commented on that. This looked like a dress some stars would love to wear to the Oscars as they love dressing half-naked…Jennifer Lopez should like it. I was sure they would send Ivy home and she thought so too. I really watch the show for Tim Gunn. I think he is fascinating! Perhaps there are way too many designers to begin with?
I thought that about Casanova’s dress too. It looked really good on the model with just the right areas being covered. It wouldn’t take much tweaking to make that a red-carpet-ready look. Some women want to look like belly dancers.
I notice they didn’t say anything about his model’s “side cleavage”, as they did with McKell’s.
Jeeebus! What is wrong? The dude that made the “smock my mother would wear to get her hair dyed” and the idiot that spent $1,007.00″ on a pair of D&G pants should have been sent packing! I guess they wanted to get rid of the girl that would have stanked up the ATLAS dorms with her dreadful-dreads. Now that show with Austin and Santino that followed was funny.
Oh my goodness, yes. I loved Austin & Santino’s show. It was so funny. I just loved the faces of the “locals” the first time they saw those boys! I season passed it after that first episode. Looks pretty good.
Casanova needed to be given his walking papers.I have cleaning rads that are better looking than his garment. It was disgusting to say the least…He was kept for the comic relief, and interest he will no doubt bring to future shows. The girl who was sent packing and her garment were much more interesting than several others who were give a pass. Still a fun show to watch as it beats 90% of the stuff you can watch…
Casanova is this season’s Ping. They’ll keep him on for a few weeks of freakiness until they just can’t justify it anymore. Love Missy’s reaction to Jason (ewww… and huh?).
The New “Ping” LOL!! Why did they even airewhat Jason said or thought! (ewww… and Huh)? is right! He should have gone home!
lol yes Jason was totally creepy. Even his model seemed to sense it, because she did NOT look happy. “Ewww” was my reaction as well, although I thought that when he said the comment about crossing a line like a doctor, I think he meant he wouldn’t want to cross the line in the same way that a doctor wouldn’t – like he wanted to be clinical and professional about the omgboobies in his face. (Which reminds me – it always irritates me when straight men on this show feel that they need to prove their manly straightness. “I was a straight kid in design classes, but it was okay because I’d kick anyone’s ass who made fun of me. *Cue bio video clip of punching a punching bag ever so manfully.* And also, I like boobs. Because I’m straight. Did everyone hear that? STRAIGHT.”
Casanova reminds me of the guy from a couple seasons ago who had the blue mohawk and always referred to himself in the third person. Ping was sweet and ditzy – I don’t think anyone thinks Casanova is anything but arrogant and clueless.
Suede.
The one who was sent home — was she the one who has a nine-month-old at home? It seemed odd to me that the mother of an infant would leave her baby at home, to be on a TV show and launch a new career!
wait… you mean like Heidi?
Would it seem just as odd if it were a man who left his baby to be on a show that could possibly launch his career???
to sprbp – You’re kidding, right? As a general rule, men and women have different hard-wiring when it comes to nurturing instincts. Just sayin.
And by the way, before anyone starts jumping down my throat, I wasn’t condemning her – I don’t know what her family situation is – I was just observing that it was “odd”, as in “unusual” or “atypical”.
Kids have to eat and mother’s need to make money to feed them.
I agree with Missy Schwartz: I expected to get some more time to see the designs during the runway show…maybe we’ll get more when there are fewer remaining designers. Loved the show.
Jason and Casanova both should have gone home instead of McKell. She had a problem with side-boobage, but Casanova’s was hookerwear! Jason’s was STAPLED, for the love of God!!! How in the world did they stay while McKell’s sorta cute little frock with bad styling sent her packing? She, at least, MADE a dress…NOT a smock! Ack, is the judging going to be as ridiculous as last season’s? I love PR, but I think I’m only going to give them a few episodes to get it right. Not an auspicious beginning.
I looked forward all day to watching PR and was left feeling very disappointed. The show has lost its pizzazz. The contestants have all the personality of a saltine cracker, but as bad as they were, the judges were even worse. The extra 30 minutes didn’t help things. Will someone please bring back the REAL Project Runway!
This show is over. There is nothing fresh to it. The production value has sucked since it moved to Lifetime and the extra time just added extra commercials. The winning dress was HORRID, just like the styling of the contestant who made it. The judges are way too nasty now. Harsh but constructive criticism is one thing but their comments are too personal. I feel sad that I no longer wish to watch what used to be a favorite show.
I am hoping this season will be better than the last two, especially last season when Seth Aaron was really the only one with talent, but judging from last night, I have lost hope. Seriously, to save PR they need to get rid of the judges and beg Bravo to take them back. Or at least get as far away from Lifetime as possible.
You can’t judge the contestants’ personalities, and whether or not they’re interesting, based on one show. It usually takes a few weeks for their “true selves” to appear, and for various clashes and friendships to take root. Be patient!
My comment was directed to Hope, by the way. Just how was the “real” Project Runway so different from the current one?
In fairness, the extra 30 minutes were probably used up introducing all of the new designers. I think we’ll notice the extra time in subsequent episodes when we don’t have all of the “bookkeeping” to do at the beginning of the episode.
I loved last night’s show and thought it was tons better than the last two seasons. I appreciated the time at the beginning where we met all the contestants. There are some potential characters here. And I was ready to throw in the towel on this show.
Jason didn’t get the boot cause he’s a straight Guidoesque sorta hot guy designer. And he SHOULD have gone home. Not for wearing the bowler hat. That was just embarrassing..
That bowler hat was just bizarre. It was the antithesis of intimidating. Malcolm McDowell he is not!
Casanova needs to stay for as long as he can! I found him hilarious.
He’s clearly going to be this year’s Ping or the girl who marked her fabric with spit. Comic relief.
Elisa! I loved her and that peacock dress that pooed fabric.
The fact that Heidi busted out “butt ugly” made it worth the 90 minutes for me!
All bad jokes aside, I didn’t find any value in the extra 30 minutes added. And I think McKell was the first to go because you still need the freak factor, which I think at least three of the remaining contestants will bring to the table and she seemed like a weakest link.
I am, however, completely over Ivy and April: its the first show – keep your yap shut and just listen. If you were that fantastic, you wouldn’t have been in the bottom 6 to begin with!
Keeping Casanova and Jason with those terrible outfits was almost as bad as keeping Emilio last season after he made that ridiculous “swimsuit” in the hardware challenge. And I can already tell Jason’s gonna bug me as he reminds us every week how straight he is.
McKell’s outfit wasn’t great but at least she made something. Jason turned a kimono backwards, left pins and staples in it and wrapped some ugly belt around it.
Hee hee. On Work of Art this week they went to a hardware store and my mother was sure Jaclyn was going to make a washer bikini for her photo of herself.
LOL!! That’s hilarious…I think I would really like your mom!
Yeah, like Jaclyn would ever wear anything in the pics she takes of herself…
I know – the straight male designers always feel the need to repeatedly tell you how straight they are. I don’t care if you are straight or gay, dude, just stop stapling your clothes together and trying to “intimidate” people by looking like John Steed from “The Avengers.”
Thank you for saying what I was thinking.
On behalf of Patrick MacNee, I take exception to the John Steed reference.
I so agree with you. Jason (I get it, you’re straight) and Casanova should’ve gone. I actually like McKell’s garment – it sure didn’t seem like the worst of the 17.