Episode two starts and although I am a little bummed that Duncan, one of my initial favorites, is missing, I can’t help but get a smile when I see Blake describing how he is going to be more “sweet and innocent” now that he has been in the bottom. The next challenge is given through a note and seems to revolve around cards. I initially think poker or some sort of card game and therefore am surprised when the designers actually meet at Hallmark. However, the surprise does not end there as we quickly learn that this is an Unconventional Challenge. The designers are told that they need to make their dresses out of cards. I actually feel bad for Hallmark after they leave and see the store basically whipped clean. I’m surprised they didn’t start stealing light fixtures!
Once the designers get back to the workroom they learn that this is a one-day challenge. It is always hard with one-day challenges because when Tim comes in the designers don’t really have much to show him. I used to always hate when this happened because it seemed like the time it took to have the critique was more of a hindrance then the benefit of the critique. I have a feeling that Kelly is going to be the one to go home because it always seems like when they highlight the designer that comes out with the most confidence they are the one to go home. But that being said, Kelly is my pick for the winner just based on the early critique. I also think Amanda is in trouble because she keeps changing her idea, even with the beautifully developed textile, and has no “make it work” attitude when she runs into an obstacle.
I also felt the same way about model fittings with one-day challenges. It just seems to take up precious time when you have nothing to fit the model! The designers take it all in stride and as the day comes to an end they all seem to have their nose to the grindstone working hard to finish their pieces. They continue that attitude in the morning. I really like David and Joseph, but my heart aches for them because I know the judges are going to take issue with both — David for his lack of unconventional material and Joseph for his construction. The designers are also starting to sharpen their claws in contrast to the friendliness and compliments at the beginning of the episode with insults such as saying it looks like a “vagina” or “whale penis.” I am never one to encourage the catty behavior, but I can’t help but crack a smile….
On to the runway!
Swapnil – I thought this design was beautiful! I loved the black and white top with the beautiful colors and texture of the skirt. I have a feeling this will be in the top.
Ashley – I loved that she did something different with creating a poncho however the fit was completely off and the design was not that exciting. I also feel like she did not use enough unconventional material.
Joseph – I have the same reaction to this look as I did in the workroom. While the color combination is interesting, I do not think that it is constructed well and the design is not interesting enough to support that.
David – I think he runs into the same issue with lack of unconventional material as Ashley. However, the look is amazing. I love the use of letters and think the oversized hoodie was a creative take on this assignment. I want one in fabric!
Jake – This look was a little simplistic, but very chic and beautiful.
Candice – I liked the use of silver, but this dress seemed liked it was not constructed well. It looks like a “safe” dress.
Hanmiao – Wow! I was not expecting much from the workroom, but I loved when she removed the card from the dress. I thought it was very cool and creative. The design was not entirely inspiring for me, but I can appreciate that it was very true to her style.
Gabrielle – Unfortunately I cannot look at this dress without seeing a vagina! I think her use of textiles is interesting, but find the hemline odd and distracting.
Laurie – I thought the top of the dress was interesting — I wish they would have zoomed n on it more! The bottom of the dress seemed a little juvenile and over all a “safe” dress.
Blake – I was a little disappointed in this dress. It looks like something one would wear to a junior high dance or something. His model works it though and is completely stunning!
Lindsey – I really like the simplicity of this dress. I think that takes a lot of restraint in a challenge like this. I thought the texture was also interesting. I believe this dress should be in the top.
Kelly – This dress reads like a high school art project. The skirt looked very crafty and the top dated. I will say with she did a great job with construction.
Amanda – I love the use of texture at the top, but the skirt is so distractingly horrible. It looks like it was constructed in an elementary art class.
Merline – This dress was an interesting idea but seems too basic. It seemed like she just pulled liners from envelopes and glued them together.
Edmond – I did not like this dress. It just seems entirely too dated. The skirt looked over the top and crafty to me and the sweetheart neckline on the bodice screamed 80s.
The judges seem impressed with the looks, but I have to say that I was disappointed this week after what I thought was a strong showing the first week. I thought over half the looks seemed like they belonged in the bottom and any one of them could have gone home. Swapnil seemed like the clear winner to me.
The judges ultimately choose Edmond to be the winner (what?!) and send home David who understandably did not follow the rules but was one of the few that created an innovative look. My favorites are dropping like flies!
