WARNING: Shallow Post
I am now going to reveal to you my shallow indulgence: I LOVE Project Runway. There, I admitted it. I also admit that it totally doesn’t seem like a show I would like, but about a month ago I had it on to keep me from spacing out doing the laundry, and I got hooked. It really is one of the best reality shows out there, in my opinion (not that that’s saying much).
What I love about it – it’s completely about the skill and talent of the designers. Yes, they have the ratings-inspired drama and the cliché “Omarosa” now required of all reality shows. But who is eliminated and who wins is purely based on talent, and talent of that one particular task – not even what they showcased in past designs. They present a beautiful outfit one episode, and they win that task. The next project is a hideous production, and they’re out. So the contestants are weeded out for inconsistency.
I also love that it’s a profession that I know NOTHING about, yet I can really appreciate. I can make pillows, curtains, and the occassional skirt and dress. But these people yield amazing results from their creativity, craft, and know-how. I’m amazed every episode, whether or not I like the clothes.
The downside: Heidi Klum is the host.
So why am I bringing this up? Because last night was the season finale, and I was on the edge of my seat. The final three contestants were given the opportunity to show a collection at Olympus Fashion Week, which is apparently the Super Bowl of the fashion world (I personally had never heard of the event until this show). I was really surprised at what I’ve read about the Project Runway fashion show – people skipped the Ralph Lauren show taking place at the same time, celebrities aplenty were present, important fashion people were there to buy and make offers. Apparently, it was quite the buzz.
The end was really a shock – the winner was Chloe Dao, the last person I expected to win. She’s from Houston, so now I really want to see her store there. In my opinion, Daniel Vosovic got the shaft; he was the clear winner. I’m just glad that Santino Rice didn’t win.
Just to explain how addicting this show is – I got Kabob hooked.
posted: 06 March 9
under:
Welcome to the PR club! I’ve been totally addicted since Day 1. I’m glad Chloe won. Her design and sewing skills were a notch above Daniel and Santino. There were some subtle details that indicated some problems with both Daniel and Santino’s collections. Santino doesn’t seem to understand how to fit a woman’s body. None of his tops fit properly — much gaping and drooping going on there!
Daniel had some very sloppy work showing. His very first piece down the runway was the black and white print jacket — the bottom front was uneven and it was an obvious mistake — not a design choice. He had wrinkles and puckers in several pieces that shouldn’t have been. Not to mention still needing to have Parson’s students help sew on buttons in the last few minutes!That was unforgivable, even if the judges weren’t aware of it happening. He had 7 months to complete only 12 outfits! Making last minute fit alterations is common on runway models but not basic sewing and finishing!
I was not impressed with Chloe’s collection while hanging on the hangers but on live models — wow! She knows what she’s doing! Some of her designs had some very complicated sewing that was done to perfection — mainly all those curved seams! I wouldn’t have chosen some of the fabrics she used but she really made them work.
I still say last season’s designers were more talented and produced much nicer work than this year’s cast of designers.
I’ve read they’re doing auditions for season three. I hope it doesn’t turn into a freak show with more Santinos and Wendy Peppers. That would ruin it for me!
Peg, your sewing obsessed aunt who owns 3 sewing machines and 2 sergers and sews almost daily on something! Though definitely not up to the level of PR!
PS — I just re-read my post and I neglected to say….I think Chloe was the superior designer as well as the most skilled seamstress. She did well at every competition during the show — never a total dud. Both Daniel and Santino had a couple of “auf” worthy pieces.
Okay….I’m done! Really. Finished. I’ll go to my corner now.
That’s awesome you like the show! It’s funny; I run into people all the time that like the show whom I wouldn’t guess would. Go figure.
And I agree, Chloe’s stuff looked much better on models that on the hanger.
I’ve never seen the show, but my friend Mark knows Chloe from Houston. He says great things about her and her boutique. Sounds like she was a hit on the show and in real life. Maybe that is a true reality show.
Oh, and I took the “city” quiz…I was Miami. Whatever.
ok so if you’re shallow then i dont even know what you would rank me. my confession – once i started reading this post and saw the words ‘project runway’ i had to close the window. not because im against it. because i dont have cable and am SOO obsessed with it that i download it weekly and i hadnt yet watched the finale and didnt want the end for me spoiled. luckily, i was able to watch it tonite(and oh my gosh it was like the hardest thing ever to wait until the last 5 minutes to see who won)and i was able to revisit your blog and see what you had said.
i was totally a daniel v fan myself..i loved his designs(moreso the last half of the show) and even went on banana’s website and searched for that dress that won in one of the episodes. yeah,im obsessed. but i gotta say, chloe is pretty talented and was kinda the underdog going into it so im ok with her winning. i figure with as talented and young as daniel is, he’ll definitely still make it in the world. oh, and although i did think santino was a good designer sometimes…im soo glad that he got his pride knocked down by getting 3rd place!
so there you have it…i think its quite a healthy obsession…its not like a trashy dating show like the bachelor…oh wait, i watched that too…dangit!! im a tv junkie.. *sigh*