For those who thought, like myself, that we had already seen the unconventional materials challenge this season, think again! I guess the Hallmark card challenge didn’t count. Or more likely, since apparently Mood is out of the picture, the producers figured the viewers love unconventional challenges, so let’s give them as many as we can since fabric is apparently not an option!
I did actually feel that a paper/greeting card unconventional materials challenge was not nearly as interesting as one which involves more diverse materials and hardwares. So I appreciate this “retro tech” theme, in which the designers must “dumpster dive,” selecting materials from outdated computers and such, and the intent to upcycle. All that said, I am really missing Mood. I am missing Swatch. I am missing fabrics. And I am sad for the designers that they are being deprived of this very important part of the creative and design process: selecting textiles. Recently there was a post on The Daily Mail online: clips from interviews with Heidi, Nina and Zac, captured at the PR Finale in New York. What put me off me the most was Heidi touting that this show is about “REALLY about fashion, and not drama.” Please! Fashion involves fabrics and a design process! It is getting a bit ridiculous that every episode this season is sponsordriven, drama-riddled and lacking in fabric selection! It makes it very difficult for a designer to show his/her true point of view. What’s more, the show does nothing to help its alumni designers succeed. It would not take much for Marie Claire to feature pieces in their magazine, for example. Nina pretty much pulls the strings there.
It’s the top 10 now, and this is when we start getting more into the idiosyncrasies of some of the designers. For example, we learn that Lindsey is a germophobe, Kelly apparently doesn’t know much about textiles (When Tim compared her hardware treatment to “paillettes,” she thought he was talking about pie.) and Swapnil is a chain smoker. Speaking of Swapnil, he sure was relaxed during this episode, to his detriment. I know he works fast, but trust me when I tell you, every single minute of challenge time is needed! Every single second counts! I could not even imagine being so cavalier and relaxed in the workroom!
And then there is poor Jake. I mean this sincerely, I felt so much compassion for his leaving to be with his dog who was in poor health. I have been there and there is not a whole lot worse in life than having to put your beloved fur baby down. Jake, I hope you are reading this and feel better. You did the right thing and I hope you have no regrets.
SWAPNIL’s laissez-faire approach hurt him in the end as his look was unfinished. He took the easy way out after not managing his time well (and taking too many smoke breaks), by tying some cables together, sculpting a bodice, and then just using muslin as a skirt. Did he really think he wouldn’t get called out for that? I wonder if his “I’m just operating at 60 percent” attitude will continue. Somehow I think when he really wants to kick ass, he will.
EDMOND transformed mouse pads, keyboard components and cables into a fabulous LBD. I love the combination of black textures and the play of matte and shine. The proportions were perfect. This made me think of Chanel or Herve Leger. My only criticism is I could have done without the fringed football shoulders. But I’m not a huge fringe lover. The plunging neckline made Heidi smile!
LINDSEY’s uninspired look this week was made of keyboard keys and clear vinyl CD sleeves. She admittedly was blocked in this challenge, and clearly has trouble thinking outside the box and pushing her creativity…if she has any. *snap*
CANDICE basically took a whole bunch of cables and glued them onto muslin, in a corset-like design. Certainly a fine looking dress, and certainly very Candice. But this did not wow me; she was in the safe zone again.
LAURIE, also in the safe zone, designed a two piece ensemble using mouse pads and cables and ended up feeling pretty much like student work. The top and skirt felt haphazard together and the overall design was just kind of off and borderline questionable taste…
KELLY’s overly-praised look made from aluminum duct tubing took the win this week. Perhaps it was more impressive in person, but I didn’t think it blew everyone else’s out of the water. I appreciate minimalism and her fabrication did look nice. It definitely warrants a high score, but I wish it had been a little longer since the proportion is everything when the design is so simple.
MERLINE, who had immunity and ended up safe, took a risk by making an all black “bird” dress. She cracks me up. The result was rather crow-like indeed. All she used was black cable. It was very avant-garde and Burton-esque. I wish the shoulders had not been so massive.
JOSEPH was eliminated for his underwhelming scuba-ish blue and black dress. Not only was the look a bit dated, but all he did was glue mouse pads and a couple cables to a simple muslin foundation. Visible glue and cut ends of cables just looked sloppy and not sharp. He is another designer whose work is very safe and he doesn’t know how to push himself creatively.
ASHLEY continues to do great work this week. I *love* that she created a “textile” using old Polaroids! This was so innovative and thoughtful, and turned out visually beautiful with the white background and abstract swirling colors. Only thing I wasn’t such a fan of is the excessive circle skirt because it was so stiff it ended up being a bit Judy Jetson. Still, I would have chosen this look as the winner over Kelly’s.
