0 Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 2 "Candy Couture"

Sweet...or Not So Sweet, Fashion:

Cotton Candy Delicious: Guess What the Project Runway designers are working with this week?

Project Runway is BACK and we are now onto Season 10. It premiered two weeks ago and last week was "Episode 2", it was the iconic UNCONVENTIONAL CHALLENGE that all the fans LOVE. I, often wonder if these are the types of challenges that help discover "Next Great American Fashion Designer". But as we all know...it's all about what makes for fun and great TV.

Tim Gunn and Dylan Lauren, Project Runway Season 10

The contestants/designers meet Tim Gunn and Dylan Lauren (yes, Ralph's lovely daughter), CEO and owner of Dylan's Candy Bar. Soon, it is revealed they must create a look out of candy.

Project Runway has done this before in Season 4, where it was held at the Times Square Hershey's Store and Rami Kashou won , in case you're keeping tabs (Photo of Kashou's winning look above).

After some krazeee candy shopping at Dylan's Candy Bar NYC, some candy Parsons workroom draping, molding and more importantly, GLUEING...it was time for the Runway Show with Judges:

(Right to left) Heidi Klum (in a off-the-shoulder snakeskin printed ensemble), Michael Kors (in his black "uniform"), Nina Garcia (in a FAB black and gold jacket and skinny pants and FIERCE heels!), and Dylan Lauren in purple. Now, the whole point of this challenge was to somehow make a garment from candy BUT...make it look as if it wasn't made out of CANDY. Some succeed beautifully and well, some not so mucheey...

Le Good:

Beaded Candy Ball Superb: LOVED Belarus-born fashion wunderkid Dmitry Sholokhov's twisted halter dress with fitted midriff. He used black, red, and yellow candy balls and WOW!!! This should have been in the Top Three FOR SURE, some would even argue that it should have won. The candy looked like oversized beads. One could NEVER EVER tell that it was candy. Simply Superb. With all that, he just "made it through" to the next round--and somehow only landed "in the middle".

Mini Mermaid Cocktail: The first of the Top Two positions was Sonjia Williams (who is quickly looking like a contender to be in the Finals, if only from these two first challenges). She created a peplum-shaped mini dress using ivory and aqua candy balls, white chocolate covered almonds and shark gummies.

I LOVED how she created the princess seams with the candy, injected the color-blocking trend seamlessly and then finished it off with a "neck-piece" of shark gummies. She was part Sexy Mermaid, part cocktail dress, part "Mini Shark". The hat was a miss, as some of the judges said, but other than that, it was an excellent and very creative creation.

The Winner, however, was Ven Budhu. Just from the "hints" shown by the cameras in the Parsons workroom, I could just see that his design was going to be a STUNNER. And it was. The way he created this vision of serious Haute Couture using crushed colored candy, it was magical.

The perfectly geometric inlaid pieces, the stained glass effect he created with candy--it all added to a beautiful strapless cocktail dress that was reminiscent of something from an Atelier Versace Collection:

Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2012

Now, Le Bad:

Oh Buffi Jashanmal: Her Project Runway fifteen minutes are a ticking. This is so tasteless that Miss Nina is looking as if she's going to get ILL every time one of Buffi's designs come down the runway. She looks like Paris Hilton's REALLY REALLY tacky--and that's a feat!--daughter (OUCH!). I know it's only the second challenge but I am beginning to wonder how the heck she even made it onto the show.

Noodle Twizzler Dress: Also in the bottom was Elena Slivnyak's "Warrior Princess" structured dress made from a muslin base with piña colada twizzlers. The twizzlers began falling off the dress the minute the model came sauntering down the runway.

And then from not-so-far, the twizzlers began looking like a pasta noodle arts and crafts project from a 12 year old. I totally get what Irena was going for and it could have been great but...alas, it just didn't work. Poor thang.

But the Worst Was:

Oh Huney You Didn't Even Try: Just take a look at the model. She was like "Oh Dear! First, I cannot believe I have to wear this tacky creation and, second of all, I just KNOW my designer is going home". Fashion designer Lantie Foster's design was a MESS. She really did not even try. Umbrella fabric and little candy. And she tried to use the excuses of a first year fashion school student. Hashtag FAIL.

Wanna know what I really thought of this past week's Episode 2? Then read on kids....

"Sweet Tooth Couture"

Last week, Season 10 of "Project Runway" premiered with the "Biggest Fashion Show" in "Runway" history. This week, our little ol’ show loses not an ounce of couture steam and keeps the strong momentum going with one of the most iconic — and beloved by fans — "Project Runway" challenges, the "Make a dress out of crap you would NEVER use to make a garment challenge" … in other words, yes kids, it’s the Unconventional Challenge. I’ve always said that this is a fun challenge to watch by the fans and TV viewers alike, but in terms of it being a guide rule in finding the "Next Best American Fashion Designer"… not so much.
 
Candy Re-Run
As "Plaid Heidi" saunters onto the runway congratulating last week’s winner — cutie Christopher — she tells the designers that this is "no time for child’s play." Instantly I think, "Oh Dear, they’re making clothes for bratty Upper East Side kids!" But oh no, I was wrong. Soon, the designers meet with Monsieur Gunn in front of Dylan’s Candy Store where he is flanked by it’s owner and CEO, Dylan Lauren (Yes, of Ralph Lauren fashion blue blood), announcing that their second challenge will be to create a look out of candy using materials bought from Dylan’s Candy Store naturally. Now, I remember back in Season 4, the challenge was done at the Hershey’s Times Square store (Rami won it), so it seemed like a slight re-run challenge idea to me, but one figures that it’s difficult to come up with new "Unconventional Challenges" year after year.
 
Gunnar and Christopher: Please Get a Room
After a mad "Candy Dash," the designers get their sugar tooth couture fix, buy out half the store and then head to Parsons to #makeitwork! The workroom quickly begins to resemble a 5-year-old’s birthday party after a piñata has exploded. Several designers are spending their early hours doing muslin dresses to build the foundation for their candy creations. Others are crushing candy, gluing candy … or just eating it! And then there’s Gunnar Siriano 2.0 and cutie Christopher who spend a lot of their time being Bitchy Queens (more so Gunnar than Christopher) talking smack and "throwing shade." It’s only the second week (In real time, it’s only been like TWO DAYS since they’ve met each other!), but there’s already this weird tension between them. I have a feeling that either A) Gunnar feels threatened because he thought he was going to be the only "twinky gay" or B) They just need to GET A ROOM! But I digress, let’s move on…



Click HERE to read the rest of my Recap...

0 Project Runway Season 10 Recaps: Episode 1 "A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"

Happy 10th Anniversary Project Runway!

What do the Teletubbies:

Dumpster Diving:

And Mosquito Netting:


 Have In Common with Project Runway?  Well, read on kids...

This past Thursday night was the PREMIERE of Season 10 of Project Runway on Lifetime. Yes, kids, it's the Tenth Anniversary. The show began in 2004 so it's actually been only 8 years but TEN SEASONS. I was part of Season 2, which we shot in the Summer of 2005 and debuted in December of that year. So, in case you're countin', I am part of "Vintage Project Runway". Now, back to the new season, the show has a new set of sixteen designers; lots of talent and LOTS of "characters" and a BIG Flashy First Challenge Runway Show (The BIGGEST in Project Runway history!!) that took place in Times Square. For many, many seasons now, I've had the honor of being asked to Recap the Episodes of my "little ol' show" and once again, I'm back at it!! Hope you guys enjoy Season 10 and yes, also enjoy my Recaps with a "Nick twist".

So...let's get to the Haute and Not-So-Haute of Episode One of Season 10:
 

The Judges: (left to right) Costume Designer/Stylist Patricia Field, actress Lauren Graham, Marie Clair Fashion Director Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and Heidi Klum--For the first Challenge, the producers brought in actress Lauren Graham and the first ever Project Runway "Guest Judge", Patricia Field. She was a hoot with her throaty I-smoke-two-packs-of-Marlboro-Reds-a-day voice, great insight and at 71 years old (yes, SEVENTY ONE kids, Thanks Wikipedia!), dresses like a woman who's 29--and looks good! (No Oscar de la Renta Barbara Walters suits for her, thank you very much!).

The Teletubbies Connection:

Domo arigato: For the first episode challenge, the designers had to bring one look from home that best exemplified their design aesthetic. Once at Parsons--on the show--they then had to create a "companion look" with only $100 and one day. One of the designers--and more "Kooky" characters of the season, Kooan Kosuke (above) from Japan, made these two looks above.

Kooky: His first look from home, included this jumper with oversized teal blue polka dot applique, laminated shoulder strap detail and printed long sleeve top. I thought it was kinda fun and quirky. He definitely had a point of view and his style--even in just one look, reminded me a lot of Spanish fashion designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada (her fried egg dress with baguette hat design on the right photo above).

Tubbie: However, for his second made-at-Parsons look, judge Michael Kors criticized it as being a little too Teletubbies-esque in its shape. He's right. Kooan was also criticized by Nina Garcia and Kors as well for possibly being too much of a "Character" and less of a Designer per se. We'll see how serious he is and if he'll annoy Miss Nina more throughout the season with his "Harajuku JapFro" antics. I have a feeling, however that the fans--and viewers of the show--will just LOOOOVE him!

The Freegan Hipster:

What's for Breakfast: A First for Project Runway is the fact that one of the designers, a 29-year-old bearded chap, originally from Brazil, named Fabio Costa, is a FREEGAN. I didn't even know what that even meant until A) he described it and B) I looked it up (Thanks Wiki again!). In case you don't know, a Freegan is someone who "reclaims and eats food that has been discarded". Yep, you go "Dumpster Diving' for your daily meals. I wonder how difficult it was for him to eat from what the P.A.'s got for the designers every day during their filming from nearby restaurants. Or did he specifically instruct the producers that they had to send someone out Dumpster Diving for his breakfast, lunch and dinner? I wanna know.


So now, let's get to who ended up on the Top and the Bottom of the first challenge:

The Top:

South American Pleating and Folding: Project Runway Season 10 contestant Ven Budhu (left) with his designs and a design by Angel Sanchez on Miss World 1995 Jacqueline Aquilera of Venezuela

The designers on top in the first episode were Guyana-born Ven Budhu (left) who showed two stunning looks included an ivory crepe palazzo pant and jacket ensemble with a folded-and-draped "Flower" bustier and a bubblegum pink high neck sleeveless dress with diagonal pleats.His designs remind me of another South American designer, famous for designing for Miss Venezuelas, Miss Worlds and Miss Universes--as well as beautiful wedding gowns--Angel Sanchez. To me, Ven should have won this first challenge. However...

Pretty Gown, Wonky LBD: The winner was Christopher Palu. The judges "Oohed" and "Ahhed" at his first look--a gown constructed in strips of satin. And basically they gave him the win because of it. It was very pretty, but I'm not sure how fair this was since this was the look he brought from home and did not make at Parsons with a limited budget and time. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the LBD he did for his second companion look. The fit was wonky and the back zipper was buckling (see right photo above). It was a little amateur hour for me. But he won, nonetheless.

The Bottom:

Mosquito Netting Prom Girl Goes Shopping: The bottom two included the looks from designer Lantie Foster. She "re-worked" vintage-like fabrics but achieving results that the judges did not like. In fact, Miss Nina (never one to hold back) said that the one dress above was "Horrible". Ouch. Miss Lantie likes to do these center front bib things that well, she shouldn't be doing. And then on top of it she makes this dress in a muddy-colored tulle that looked like mosquito netting as Kors pointed out. It was all wrong, poor thing (and I didn't even begin to talk about WHY OH WHY did she style it with a big ol' I'm-going-shopping-on-a-Sunday-at-2pm bag!!??). Hashtag Styling Fail.

Knit Girl Bye-Bye: But deemed the worst were the knit designs from oh-so-pretty Beatrice Guapo (she should be an anchor--or at least the weather girl for Good Day LA Fox Morning Show--if the designing thing fails). She had trouble throughout this challenge with her sewing which I just didn't understand being that she grew up in the industry. And then her final designs were called sad (they were). That maroon/terracotta-colored top on the left photo looked as if she just got some fabric remnant and slopped it on the model and tied it with a belt. It had little design quality or originality. During the show, Guapo said that she loves designing/making scarves. She should probably stick to that.


Anyhow, without further ado, here's my Recap of the 1st Episode for MyLifetime.com:

"A Tenth Anniversary Fashion Party"

Eight Years, Ten Seasons
Happy 10th Anniversary "Project Runway"! As a member of the "Runway Club" (it's like the Mickey Mouse Club, but more fashionable), it's not surprising that the show has survived this long. Back in 2005, when I did Season 2, I knew that I was going to be part of something that was iconic in TV History. The show premiered almost 8 years ago and well, as we now know, it has become the "Grand-Daddy" of all Fashion Reality Competition Shows. In fact, last week, while on a trip to Mykonos, Greece, I was switching channels and stumbled on Greek TV and guess what was on my hotel TV? Season 6 of "Project Runway"! In Greece! Say no more. 2012 marks the Tenth Season of the show and last night's premiere was a doozy so let's get to the Recap'ing shall we.

Center of the Universe Fashion Bang
It is quickly revealed that the first challenge and runway show is taking place in the HEART of NYC, "Center of the Universe": Times Square, for the first time EVAH! Models are under a tent squeezing into their clothes; designers are putting the last minute touches on their garments and the Stars of the show — Heidi, Tim, Nina and Michael — are greeting the crowd with a Champagne toast. Cut to the previous day...

The Who, What and Where Are You From
Since Season 3, I have had the privilege to judge the castings and this past Spring, I took part in the LA Castings for Season 10. I, obviously, had no idea who would make the Final 16, so it was with great delight to see several of the designers I saw during those castings, actually make it onto the show. This included Elena (Miss Futuristic Thierry Mugler-meets-Claude Montana-meets Lady Gaga), the lovely Beatrice "jersey knit" and blonde-haired Melissa, who loves black and edgy.

Click HERE to read the rest...

And make sure to let me know YOUR thoughts!! I always LOVE reading them!!! 

0 Project Runway Minute: Introducing the Winner of Look TV Project Runway "Skip The Line" Talent Search!

And The Winner Is...

Presenting Blake: Nick Verreos (right) and Project Runway Season 10 hopeful--and LookTV Project Runway "Skip The Line" Talent Search Winner, FIDM about-to-graduate student Blake Patterson (left)

Last week, as I posted HERE, I had the HONOR and yes, PLEASURE--of judging the Los Angeles Castings for the 10th Anniversary Season of Project Runway. I judged for three days along with Project Runway All Stars Season One Winner (and shorty-short-lovin'!) Mondo Guerra and Marie Claire's Website Director, the fabulous (and oh-so-sweet!), Abby Gardner.

Project Runway Season 10 LA Castings Judges (left to right) Nick Verreos, Mondo Guerra, Abby Gardner

In addition, LookTV--YouTube's newest Fashion and Beauty Channel--in conjunction with the Producers of Project Runway, were running the FIRST EVER "Project Runway Skip The Casting Line" Talent Search--where we asked fashion designers all over the US to submit videos of themselves and their designs to have a chance of receiving a coveted spot at the Los Angeles Closed Castings of Season 10 Project Runway.

SO many of you submitted videos to LookTV and it was a very difficult choice, but we had to pick our Top Designer-ista. And the Winner of this first ever "Skip The Line" Project Runway Talent Search was (quick drum roll): Blake Patterson!

Plaid Blake: LookTV Project Runway "Skip The Line" Talent Search Winner, Blake Patterson Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Project Runway Season 10 Los Angeles Castings

Blake submitted his video via a special Casting we had at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Los Angeles Campus. He is still a student of Fashion Design but about to graduate. He interns at the Lanvin Beverly Hills Boutique and actually procured a super-coveted internship in Paris with the House of Lanvin as well. But yes, his DREAM is to be on Project Runway--Bien sûr, il est! (Of course, it is en francais). The prize of this LookTV contest was to win a spot in the Castings so he arrived, with designs he had created--and his fun, very skinny self!

Strike a Pose: Blake Patterson doing his take on the "Couture Pose" ---juxtaposed with Dominican Republic Supermodel Arlenis Sosa and hers...I think Blake did pretty well!

I interviewed him before--and after he had to go in and face THE CASTING JUDGES (moi included!).  You can see the results in the video below plus a little bit extra: Blake LOVES to Line Dance and well, he taught me a little bit of the "Boot Scootin' and Boogie"--his fave line dance!
Will Blake Make the Final Cut and be a Designer in Season 10? What do you guys think? Is it a "Yay", "Nay"...Maybe??? 
Let us know and leave your comments here or on the LookTV Facebook Page or YouTube Page.

Click Below to watch the Video--LookTV Project Runway "Skip The Line" Talent Search Winner: 

 

0 The Project Runway LOOK TV Talent Search: YOUR Opportunity to Audition for the 10th Anniversary Season!

Do YOU want be on Project Runway????

Melon & Peach Boys: Nick Verreos and Project Runway All Stars Season One Winner, Project Runway Season 10 Chicago Castings

If your answer is a resounding "YESSS!!!!!!" , then darlings, keep reading...As you may know, we are now on Season Ten of Project Runway-- Yes, kids, it's the Tenth Anniversary Season (note to self: I feel REALLY OLD!!!).

I flew to Chicago last week to film some fun "Call To Action" videos for a very special contest/opportunity for fashion designers wanting to be on Project Runway for the newest--and most fabulous--fashion and beauty channel on YouTube: Look TV...

Look TV has partnered with the Co-Creators and Executive Producers of Project Runway to create this FIRST TIME EVAHHH (!!!) opportunity: a chance to audition for the show! THIS is your only chance to get a spot on the exclusive Final Closed Casting Session in Los Angeles on May 1st. The search is on for the next Project Runway fashion designer candidate!

Here's what you have to do:
*Submit a creative 1-2 minute video explaining why you're qualified to compete for the show.
*Show us why YOU think you can "Make It Work!"
*Make the best case of what you have to bring to the table as a unique, innovative fashion designer.
*The Look TV/Project Runway team will judge each of your submissions/videos and select their FAVORITE candidate to join the designers already chosen to show their designs--in LA on May 1, 2012.
*At this exclusive closed casting session, one lucky winner will go through an in-person interview and assessment of their designs.
*Look TV will chronicle the journey of our lucky designer hopeful as he or she vies for the spot in the top finalists.
*Do YOU have what it takes to make it to the Final Casting Session?? If you think so, then send your video to: looktvnet@gmail.com.

DEADLINE is April 26 so "Make It Work!"...like NOW!!!!!

Chicago Filming: Nick Verreos filming the Look TV Project Runway Call To Action videos, The James Hotel Chicago

Click Below for the "Call To Action" video I filmed during the Chicago Season 10 Project Runway Castings for the LOOK TV/YouTube "Project Runway Talent Search" giving all the DETAILS:

0 Style Network Project Runway Marathon "Style-a-Thon": Nick Verreos and Jeannie Mai!!

A Runway-a-Thon...on Style Network:

Couple Fabulous: Style Network's Jeannie Mai and Nick Verreos, on the set of the Project Runway Marathon Interstitials

Tomorrow, January 2nd starting at 8am until 10pm--Style Network will be doing a Project Runway Marathon--and specifically--the season I was in--"back in the day" (2005-2006, in case you were wondering!).

They will air the entire season from "Road to Runway" all the way through to the "Reunion" (Oh Dear!) and Finale! I had the fabulous pleasure of being invited to share my thoughts and give some "Inside Fashion Dish" on my time as a contestant/designer on Project Runway with...

Jeannie Mai, Project Runway Style-a-Thon Interstitial filming, Style Network

The gorgeous Jeannie Mai--my Sister From Another Mother!--from a chic loft near Downtown LA, with AMAZING views! We chatted all things "Project Runway"--from the judges, to how much time we really have--to is there really a light switch under the pattern table. I had the BEST time with Miss Jeannie! I can talk to her FOREVER! (sorry producers and director!) Can't wait until we meet again...

Behind The Scenes:

I showed up all ready to go, or "Camera Ready" as people in the industry like to say--but with some "Outfit Options". As soon as I met with Jeannie and the producers, they were like "we love your ensemble...now let's make Jeannie match you". And HUUUNEY, she did!

She had a full-on table (photo above) filled with the most FAB jewelry and accessories (Note to self: I want a drawer in my closet just like that table!)...

As well as a rack full of clothing options (above photo) for her (OK, I also want a rack like that!). This is par for the course for stylists and Wardrobe/Costume Designers; even though the "talent" might be filming only one scene, it is de rigueur to have many, many options.

Style Network's Jeannie Mai and Nick Verreos, Project Runway Style-a-Thon "Behind-the-Scenes" filming

Jeannie ended up wearing a directional--and stylish-- high-low black chiffon dress with a fitted attached bustier top and a thin gold belt. Oh, yes--I almost forgot--and some AMAZING black bootie black-and-gold pumps. Miss Jeannie Mai could wear anything and look good! Next time, I might slip her stylist one of my NIKOLAKI cocktail dresses for Miss Jeannie to wear...for sure!

Sitting pretty: Nick Verreos, on the set of Style Network's "Project Runway" Interstitials Filming

Don't miss the Project Runway Style-a-Thon and my Fun & Fab (and DISHY!) interstitials with my new girlfriend, Jeannie Mai...on the Style Network.

*Click HERE for more info.