Yes! It is time for the real woman challenge! I absolutely love this challenge! It is easy to make things look good on women that are tall, slim and have perfect figures for clothing. However when you start working with women’s curves and women with different fit proportions, other than, let’s say the mannequin, things can get a wee bit more difficult. These are the real world skills that are needed to become a successful designer. In the end, these are the women that will be buying a designer’s clothes. A new element to the challenge is that the designers will be designing for women who are on the production staff. I think this is such a brilliant idea. Being with these people 24/7 you really get to know them. I will also add, I think it is so fun to have them involved on screen because they are so involved off screen. I still keep in touch with a lot of the production staff from my season of “Project Runway” and I know a lot of the other designers do as well. I don’t think people realize how close we all become, the designers, the production staff, and in my season, our models.
It seems to me that the designers got consciously paired with a member of the production staff that most fits their particular style. Again this week I continue to become even more of a fan of Edmond, watching him interact with his model. He gives her a hug and tells her not to worry. Meanwhile he has the task of creating a raincoat, which he has never done before. Candice is looking to do a corset. I can’t help but wonder if she is going to run into a time issue by creating such a complicated piece. Add to that, having to take a little more time fitting a different body type then the ubiquitous mannequin. Luckily for all the designers this is a two day challenge.
After a trip to Mood the designers head back to the workroom and get started. Ashley starts to have a little bit of a breakdown after stating that she has run into “designers block.” I can absolutely understand. At this point of the season it’s just getting to the point where you are totally exhausted, both emotionally and physically. It starts to dawn on you that you’ve made it to the top six, and things are getting “real.” Our designers are not only just under pressure with the competition, but also with living with your competitors nonstop. Of course the intensity is racketed up even more when there is some kind of personal drama going on. We all saw Ashley deal with that just recently with some of the other female contestants. I do have faith that Ashley will be able to pull everything together and realize this is a fleeting feeling.
The next day Tim comes in for fittings and he is not in the mood to hold anyone’s hand. He is giving tough love to all the designers. He is especially hard on Swapnil, who does not have a lot of work to show when it comes time for the critique and fitting. Swapnil seems to have issues with his client. I can be sympathetic. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get inspired, but it is frustrating when you hear designers complain about the client being a bad fit. That is how the real world works! It is your job to make everyone happy, get creative, and cut the excuses!
On to the runway….
Kelly – I think she did a good job on this challenge. She delivered a look that was very obviously Kelly, but also made her client extremely happy. She fit the overalls very well which can be hard to do in leather. I don’t know if this is such a standout look that deserves to be in the top but it is definitely well done.
Edmond – I also think that this job was well done. The client was happy and design was true to his style. My favorite part was the back shoulder cut out. I would have loved too see that brought a little more into the front. I also think he did a good job on the jacket. The overall feel of the look was a little bit “off the rack” department store, but again an overall good job.
Swapnil – I do not think this look is as bad as everyone says it is. I actually think the models figure looks great. He ended up covering up the arms, and the cape is absolutely in style right now. Like Edmond, it is a little bit “off the rack”department store style, but again, overall well-made. I don’t think that he lucked out, or had an easy time with his client. She had a lot of negative feedback, and never did explain exactly what she was looking for. So it was a fail for both, in the explanation and execution.
Candice – I have to say to me, this look should be in the bottom. There were a lot of fit issues, and it looked more like a costume than actual garment. The chiffon cover-up looked like a remnant from lingerie challenge. Add to that the leather superhero-like corset was a disaster. The only positive…her client seemed to really love the garment as she walked down the runway. So, a “yeah” there I guess…
Ashley – What was Ashley thinking with the color of this top? I think the skirt is very successful, and the model looks great in. But, then there’s the top of the dress. It is just way too distracting. I question whether this color would look on anyone. Then to add insult to injury, you can tell the model feels a little uncomfortable in it. Personally I thought the neckline was not a good balance with the skirt.
Merline – You can tell that this model loved her look!! Folks, that is what it is all about. She worked the runway. The design itself was not any kind of a standout or especially unique even, but it does have a nice fit. I believe she is not going to have to worry about going home, a definite safe look.
In general this one was not an inspired episode, nor was it very exciting on the runway. To me, there was not a clear winner in the group. And too make matters worse, I didn’t think anyone was horrible enough to go home. Luckily there are judges who make that decision. So, for this week Kelly is crowned the winner and Swapnil goes home. Honestly, I can’t help but think he just got sent home because Tim didn’t like him. There were absolutely far worse looks…cough, Candice…cough. What do you think?
