0 Nick Verreos Season 8 Project Runway MyLifetime.com Blog Recaps: The Finale!

Mondo Wins!!! (Not so Much!)

Unhappy Threesome: Top 3 Season 8 Finalists Gretchen Jones, Mondo Guerra and Andy South

Thursday night was the Finale Episode of Project Runway Season 8. Yes, kids, it's OVER! And the outcome, well let's just say, didn't make too many people happy. It was a big shocker. Gretchen Jones, from Portland Oregon, who started out all "I love sustainable clothing...and I'm all about Granola-Crunch and sweet" but then before you could say "Camera's On!", turned into this season's Most Hated "character". It may not have helped that EVERY episode, she was giving her unadulterated opinion on all the other contestants designs...and they weren't so nice.

Pre-Argument Happy: Judges Jessica Simpson, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and Heidi Klum

This Final Episode continued where last week's left off, as the top 3 contestants faced their Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week "Close Up". But first: The yawn-inducing Reunion. It was a bore and a half, with no Ivy Higa Acting Foolish, or Michael Costello crying about how everyone thought he was useless, and so on. Nothing. I really wish they would bring back the liquor-induced fun Reunions of the past of season's past.

Season One:

Season One Contestant Vanessa Riley likes her Merlot, so much so that it lead to a "walk-off" and some spillin'...

Season 2 (my Season):

Cosmos at Parsons Y'all: Huney, I was THERE! And they had a whole bar set up AT PARSONS!!! (is that even legal?) Most of my comrades joined in on the celebration, but I refrained. My Momma didn't raise a fool! I knew what that was all about and I was looking at the m all like "You go ahead darlin' ". Fortunately for the viewers, Guadelupe Vidal had about FIVE cocktails and well, the rest made Project Runway Reunion History. I miss those good ol' days!

Now, it was Runway Show time: Andy South was first to be Auf'ed as he showed a rather boring collection of silvers, grays and apple green silk shantung and just didn't have any of that directional Andy "touch". I missed his Warrior Divas and so did Nina. Those celestial headpieces reminded me of a 8 year-old's ceiling solar system. His theme was Laos and Buddha but...

Some of his clothes were a cross between a high-priced Pattaya Bay "Good Time" Girl and...

Someone's rich aunt in Singapore: Elegant, nice and very Chico's Catalog, but not a NY Fashion Week Project Runway Winner. I actually thought what he was wearing was cuter and more innovative than anything in his collection. Now, let's discuss the Winner: Gretchen's collection was sooooo "Now", the judges argued. Well, not really, if you read HERE (and I agree!). It was very "Coterie Show in NY". Also, all 3 Finale Collections have been for sale on the SeenOn.com website and Mondo's ENTIRE collection is SOLD OUT while Gretchen has sold only one outfit!

Acceptable separates for the Contemporary Market. Her color--and print story--was so monotonous though. Take away the styling, the hair, the make-up, and I would never give a second look to this girl walking down the street. Never. And I'd probably say something mean about her shoes (AGH!!!).

The zigzag print was very Missoni-esque and I praise her for the bias-cutting and mitering. She's obviously talented and knows pattern technique. But...fashion should be aspirational. This wasn't. Speaking of aspirational...

Mondo Guerra's Collection was fresh, young, colorful and REALLY oh-so-now! The models were FAB, the make-up, the hair, the accessories, the details...pom pom shoes, graphic color-blocked tunics, prints a ga-ga, and stuff to make women smile! It was a fun combination of Betsy Johnson meets Christian Lacroix.

The fit on everything was superb. And he also matched those over-sized plaids beautifully! Those pants--if done incorrectly--could make even a size 0 model look like a Hippopotamus. But, Mondo did them right: It's all in the fit, the cut and color.

Mondo, you were my favorite and wish you all the best. You may not have won, but like I said in my MyLifetime.com Recap...well, never mind, just go ahead and read the WHOLE thing HERE...and make sure to tell me what you thought!

Byeeeeeeeee until next Season kids!

0 NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Videos and Review: Jason Wu, Marchesa and Herve Leger

Fashion Week continues in NY...

First up: Jason WuFor Fall/Winter 2010 Jason Wu--otherwise known as "Michelle Obama's Favorite Designer", showed lots of grays, burnt oranges, lemon yellows, greens and golds in his collection. The shapes were rather masculine and slouchy, like your dad's cardigan or old blazer, as opposed to fitted princess-seamed batteau-necked shift dresses (preferred by the First Lady, of course) . But he didn't altogether lose his "lady-like" side when he showed pretty and flirty chiffon skirts and softly gathered dresses. Wu said he was inspired by the late photographer Irving Penn, both the man and his photographs. One of my favorite looks is this oversized cashmere coat (above) which opened the show, worn by Polish Supermodel Anja Rubik.
Click Below for the Jason Wu Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Show:


Marchesa:Georgina Chapman (aka Mrs. Harvey Weinstein) and co-designer/founder Keren Craig decided to show their Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Installation style (smart) where the stars were the clothes. They've done this in the past and it has proved well for them. Marchesa is a red carpet favorite, especially among the "Harvey Weinstein Girls"--his A-list actresses such as Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman as well as others. For Fall/Winter 2010, they continued doing what they do best. Their gowns and dresses are meticulous, opulent and serene, as well as abstractly elegant. There were royal blues, blacks, pale pinks, whites and lipstick reds, which I love. We know it's Fall but who cares? Bring on the colors! Details included snake-charm/octopus-like accents embroidered and hand-sewn into the dresses--as well as folded and pleated Origami-like "explosions". One of my favorites was this gown above which would fit a stunning (and very rich) bride as well as an Academy Awards Best Actress nominee any day!
Click Below for the Marchesa Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Show Installation Video:


Herve Leger by Max Axria:
Max Axria and his wife Lubov are smart. They certainly do not need me to tell them that! For their Herve Leger Collection, they sent out S-E-X; in the form of tight above-the-knee bandage dresses the house is known for. One after another, in Winter whites, lots of gray, gunmetal, black, and nude colors; His models were Leger Warrior Queens! Azria said the theme was "Athletic", as in laced-up tennis shoes and of course, I am sure the Olympics were on his mind. Not sure if those healthy size 8 Downhill Skiers would even be able to fit into these, but they looked great on these size 0 models (too skinny btw!). Nevertheless, these are dresses EVERY SINGLE model wants to wear. Hopefully those models can work enough to earn those dresses $3,000+ price tag!I loved the last black one-shoulder dress which coincidentally, wasn't a typical "Herve Leger" tight-fitting bandage dress but still retained all the sensuality of one.
Click below for Herve Leger by Max Axria Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Show:

0 NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010: Runway Videos: Marc Jacobs, Rodarte

And We're off to NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:

Marc Jacobs:
Earlier in the week, Marc Jacobs vowed to not have any actresses or paparazzi-ridden celebs in his front row (like last season's Madonna and Lady Gaga love-fest) and instead decided to actually have important editors and buyers sitting front row and center since they are who really matter in the end. As the designer and his business partner, Robert Duffy tore brown paper to reveal the podium filled with his 56 models, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played as the models began their walk down the runway showing Marc Jacob's Fall/Winter 2010 looks. It was a collection of his "best of the best" from his almost 20 year career. Mostly neutrals, lots of grays, some mustard yellows, and "Winter" pastels. Loved the mitered striped wool coats and the 1930s-inspired slithery gowns. Lots of exaggerated fur collared coats and wraps and some cute socks-with-pumps styling...very Marc Jacobs.No high drama, theatrics or tricks (except for that big pouffy Marc Jacobs Prom Dress at the end--still fabulous though!) just great saleable clothes his women will D.I.E. for...

Check out the Runway Video Below: Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2010


Rodarte:Known for their tulle, wool knit/crochet, ethereal but with a Goth edge dresses, the Mulleavy sisters took its audience on another Rodarte fashion trip. This time, for Fall/Winter 2010, it was Texas and Mexican border towns such as Ciudad Juarez. Patchwork arts-and-crafty dresses but with a defined "Couture" like quality: there was a method to the subdued madness. Floral chiffons, burnout velvets and laces that looked as if they were 100 years old--I can't even imagine the 150 pattern pieces on those dresses--the thought of these dresses going through Production can give any Production patternmaker a big headache! But somehow they do it, and do it beautifully. When I visit stores that carry Rodarte, such as Barney's and see their dresses, they are almost museum-like quality--and with a museum-like $14,500 price tag to boot! My favorites were at the end, those ivory "Virgin" gowns with asymmetrical side cowls with mini pouffy sleeves were a dream. Couture Communion Dresses anyone?

Rodarte Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Video, Part 1:


Rodarte Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Video, Part 2: