Oh hallelujah. we finally get to see what the designers on Project Runway can do with a decent block of time, and a bang-up budget...until, of course, Tim walks in with the Project Runway signature quick-make-another-look-never-mind-that-you-had-budgeted-your-time-for-one-great-look. Oddly enough, they are asking that the second look-for-less be derived from a competing team. Personally, I think this may be a bit easier than stripping down your own design, simply because you have been staring at it too long, and really, when you stare at you work to long, you lose focus. A fresh look is the way to a fresh look, if you get my drift.
Anthony and Seth produce a Mrs. president dress that seems to add weight to the model. The skirt is cut too full at the top, or the crinoline goes up too high. I'm not sure which. It's a bit like a bee with its black and yellow colorway, and I think it would have been better with the red tossed in to the design, McDonald's, or not.
Jesus and Amy's mermaid dress is a classic, and perhaps a bit too classic, in an old Hollywood way. The fit and construction are amazing, however. My dislike of black, "the great excuse" color is blossoming into a real hatred. Black is what you use or buy when you can't make a decision about what color to use. You pick it because it goes with everything, and it goes with everything because everything you own is black. I was hoping this season's transformation of the Little Black Dress into the Little Bold Dress would show up here, but I think I am going to be sadly disappointed.
Mila and Johnathon turn out a 60's look worthy of Emma Peel. It's smashing; skinny pants with racing stripes, and a great big jacket with the signature 60's circle design on the sides. Striking, exceptionally fun, and not a dress, which makes it fresh.
Janeane and Ben's look got a "whaaat?" out of me as it made it's appearance on the runway. Oh, yes, a look I have for years found to be terrifically uninspired. They sent a little black sheath dress with a bolero down the runway as a museum piece? They spent $500 and two days on a LBL? This is not what I'd think would be at home in the collection at the Met. To top it off, it's black. An excuse of a color in a less than inspired dress. I am hoping that it's just that it's black, and all the detail is lost in the murk.
Emilio and Anna send down a dress that is understated, and elegant, and praise be, it's not black. It fits the models shape beautifully, and carries an air of 50's cocktail parties.
Jay and Maya send down a look worthy of Yves St Laurent. It's over-the-top with s loosely interpreted grey ruffle going over the shoulder and down the length of the dress. It's my pick for the winner--even if it is mostly black. The model styling and construction are perfect.
Ping and Jesse send down a gypsyish dress with a convertible skirt/wrap. A portion of the skirt is worn over the shoulder, and can be dropped into the skirt. It's in black, and various shades of cocoa and taupe. All very Hollywood red carpet. Just gorgeous--until you see that it does not actually have a skirt. It's just hanks of fabric tacked to her bum and draped around her. Big fail again for Ping in the not-actually-dressing-your-model-department.
The looks for less were mostly better than expected
Jesus and Amy produce a simple top and funky Asian-inspired origami pant. It's adorable, but I am not siure how it related to Ping's and Jesse's gown. aside from the color and a bit of lace at the neck.
Anthony and Seth's take on Jesus and Amy's mermaid dress is definitely identifiable, but without any of the flair that the original had.
MIla and Johnathon's take on Anthony and Seth's piece is oddly enough, more successful that the original. It's a fun, and floaty full-skirted babydoll, with no trace of "baby" in it.
Janeane and Ben's scaled down take on Mila and Johnathon's Emma Peel outfit is just that. It's not got the fun and wackiness of the original. but it does whisper it's address.
Emilio and Anna's take on Jay and Maya's knockout look is darling enough, but it has no resemblance to the original piece at all. I don't even know what to say about it.
Jay and Maya's scaled down rendition of Janeane and Ben's LBL looks like, well, Janeane and Ben's LBL, only more ineresting, save for the ugle shoe action. Less time, and less money, but a far better look. This is my pick for the look-for-less winner.
Ping and Jesse's simple version of Emilio and Anna's elegant taupe sheath may be too simple for the judges. It's certainly too simple for me. It's an unremarkable toss up of grey and taupe in a shell and a sloper skirt.
Mila wins with her Emma Peel look leading the way and overcoming drag of the baby doll dress that the judges hated. Ping finally loses her magic shield of protection and is aufed. I'll admit that I'd have gone ballistic if she got a buy again. Adorable as she is, as original as she is, she just is not working well in the Project Runway atmosphere. She comes off as if she is in desperate need of some sewing and pattern making instruction. I have a secret hope that she will sign on at one of Pamela Ptok's classes. I know Pamela adores her, and I wonder what that combination would produce. I do really want to see what she can do.
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