Project Runway All Stars - Did Anyone Watch????

[Olympia]

I know that Anya did a lot of caftans, but one could see that her work all had an individuality to it. I don't know if she has the versatility to be a really successful designer, but she has that spark of originality. I'm sure that she'll find a niche for herself. Michael's work often seems derivative. Of the current crop, I think Mondo and Austin have the greatest potential, though I agree with you that Austin's coat wasn't as youthful as Mondo's shift. I'm glad to hear about the drawstring; it will give the dress added versatility.

One thing I found interesting about last night's challenge is the variety of looks that people designed. There was a short activewear dress (Mondo's), a more sedate short dress (Kenley's), the coat, and the caftan.

[heyang]

I agree with what you're saying about Anya. She was able to make her caftans all look different and more up to date as compared to Michael.

So far, MC doesn't have a 'look'. When you see a runway show, you know which is Kenley's, Mondo's and Austin's. Their aethetic is identifiable. Can't say the same about MC's. and he even admitted that he needs to determine his point of view as a designer, instead of being a dress maker.

Here's a link to Mondo's dress http://www.nanettelepore.com/new-arr...ery-dress.html They picture the cord in the back, but it would also look cute if the cording was wrapped toward the front aa belt to really define a waist IMHO.

[Olympia]

The dress turned out so nicely, Heyang. Thanks for the link!

[Dee4707]

I was sorta surprised that Michael didn't lose - he's made the same caftan before.

I loved Michael's dress and the material.

[Olympia]

Last night they had a show on another network called something like Fashion Star, set up a bit differently. Each contestant sewed three versions of an item, and three buyers from large fashion stores (Macy's, Saks, and H&M) bid on them. If a designer received no bids from the buyers, he or she risked elimination. It's interesting because one criterion is marketability, so the clothing is a little less innovative. There are also three mentor/judges. One is Jessica Simpson, and I was pleasantly surprised at how articulate she is. She comes across as a nice person, supportive of the contestants and interested in her task. The show isn't as revealing of what it takes to design or make the clothes, because everyone is on and off the stage too fast. The designers show up in groups of two or three, introduce themselves briefly in a voiceover, prepare their models, and then receive reaction from the buyers and the mentors. The one aspect of the show that I find off-putting is that it seems to be done before a huge (and vocal) audience, to the tune of very loud, pulsating music. I'm not fond of loud noise. But I guess the producers were trying for a different format from Project Runway.

One unique gimmick is that anything that is bid on by the clothing stores is already available for sale from whichever store has ordered it.

[mmcdermott]

I saw that too, Olympia, and thought the exact same thing about the music! It would be a lot easier to watch if it wasn't for that loud, pulsing music. And I thought ... what's her name... Nicole Richie was kind of obnoxious.

There were some interesting clothes, but more the sort of thing you'd see in stores, though.

[heyang]

I think Fashion Show is about the runway experience and there is a lot of noise at them.

What I didn't like was how they would go away from the clothes to show the faces of the buyers, judges and/or the designers (usually jumping in excitement.) I wanted to see more of the clothes.

LOL - on of the 'morning crew' on WPLJ left the studio at 8:45 so that he could get over to H&M to buy one of the blazers he saw on the show last night.

Here's the link to the show if you missed it http://www.nbc.com/fashion-star/

I liked the white rosette dress and the asymetrical tunic that Macy's bought http://www.macys.com/campaign/social...8&channel_id=1

The 2 pieces that H&M are selling are nice, too. http://www.hm.com/us/fashion-star#path=1.1

and the zipper skirt was a nice idea, too. http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/edito....jsp?&sre=mhp1 It's sold out!

[Olympia]

Just as the finale came on, a very dear friend called me and I missed a good deal of the show. (I watched out of the corner of my eye.) I know who won but haven't seen all the outfits. I hope they show the full episode, or at least the lineup of the outfits, online. I am happy with the winner, and I think all three guys did a good job with their apparel through the season.

[heyang]

http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/proj...nway-all-stars

[Olympia]

Heyang, you're a peach! Thanks.

One of the great things about this incarnation of PR is that with the small final collection, each contestant stands onstage with all of his outfits. So I got to see the whole thing from these videos. I thought all three guys did a great job, but my affections continue to lie between Austin and Mondo. Both these men will do well in the fashion world, I think. I love Austin's pink and black color scheme, and I love Mondo's use of black and white, with red accents, and that wonderful Rorschach-blot textile he designed. This guy is a natural-born designer. And though he's (pardon the pun) cutting-edge, I feel that he respects women and wants to make them look good. (As opposed to Jeffrey, that rude designer who won season three, I think.) And of course Austin wants to make women look good! His ensembles are so graceful. I wish the contest could have ended in a tie. What did the rest of you think?

[Dee4707]

I will say it again, I don't get Austin. I didn't get the first piece on the runway. It looked like holsters or a place to put ice cream cones. I guess I always think that area is off limits due to making the hips look larger.

I'm Ok with Mondo winning because I love how he puts material together that shouldn't go together.

I loved Michael's collection and I do understand that his clothing was a little more than what you would find at Target or some of those kinds of stores. I loved the 2 piece pant & top that looked like one piece.

[heyang]

I agree with Dee. I didn't get Austin's 1st piece.... what women wants bigger hips? I understand the appeal of the lacquered dress, but it also had a huge loop of fabric on one hip. I also didn't think this red/black evening dress complimented the model. ...and I didn't understand that bunny tail of pink tulle on the back of the leatherette skurt. I'm surprised none of the judges commented.....the only dress of Austin's that I liked was the wedding dress. There are a # of pieces of Austin's that I didn't like at all during this season - I never saw his 1st season.

[mmcdermott]

I'm so happy Mondo won! I thought he was robbed in Season 8, so it's great to see him finally come out on top this time. I love how he always does his best work when he's super-stressed and uninspired. You know he's going to come out with something great in the end when he struggles to find inspiration and hates all his fabrics. Interesting creative process - I think this happens to a lot of artists.

I also really like that he came up with a variety of looks that would appeal to different people and work for different occasions, while still being a coherent collection.

I agree with others about Austin - loved the wedding dress but that's it. His explanation of the collection was really bizarre, too. It was OTT, but then, that's Austin.

Michaels' collection I liked but I thought it was too much of the same thing. I'm surprised the judges didn't say anything about that. It also reminded me of Anya's collection from Season 9. You can tell Michael really appreciates women and understands what women want to wear. I don't get that impression from Austin at all.