Project Runway--Anyone Watching???

[dorispulaski]

IBut that is just me commenting on the last couple of comments. I really just came over here to mention that both Nina Garcia's blog and Tim's Take over at the Bravo site imply that, as expected, it was not the use of human hair, but the lack of "business sense" that ruined Chris' chances.

Not exactly. It appears that Chris is not thinking about marketing his clothing line, particularly. That is not a lack of business sense.

I suspect that Chris intends to continue in his "thriving costume business". I started to think that after Tim was so amazed at how large Chris's work space was. Chris has been in NYC for only 2 years. Do you have any idea how much he must be plunking down for a space that large per month?

I checked his exit interview:
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20181041,00.html

Tim Gunn lives down the street from Chris--again, I suspect Chris's income is pretty good.

So I thought I'd see if I could find out anything about Chris's business.
Here's his website.

http://www.chrismarchdesign.com

Check out his client list. Mostly corporations, including E!, Disney, Kraft,Rachel Ray, Rheingold Beer, A&E, MTV, Mercedes Benz, Wicked, Yahoo, Virgin Atlantic, (etc. be sure to move the slider-there's a loonngg double column). I doubt that these companies would deal with Chris if he was not business like.

Interview with Chris

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/project-runway/project-runway-meet-the-design-12721.aspx

Scroll down to the rest of the interview
http://www.ibabuzz.com/fashion/page/2/

He's become a go-to guy for any kind of unusual or outrageous costume, prop, hair or interior. The New York Times profiled his work to create a vegetable-themed fashion show for Wish-Bone as they rolled out their spray-on salad dressings. .

Here's a clip of Chris's second summer salad fashion show for Wishbone dressing, hosted by Tim Gunn & with Richie & Trevor from Heatherette:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5UcS9hSIUU

Chris can be seen doing the lettuce hairdo for the Asian silk dressing.

NY Times article on the show and on Chris's work in general.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/17/n...r=1&scp=1&sq="Chris+March"&st=nyt&oref=slogin

His success with costumes is undeniable. He's been a part of America's longest running show, “Beach Blanket Babylon,” and received a Drama Desk Award nomination in 2002 for "Christmas With the Crawfords."

Here's Chris playing Louella Parsons in Christmas at the Crawfords
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znHubkpz0Go
NY Times review of the show & costumes
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpa...752C1A9679C8B63&scp=2&sq="Chris+March"&st=nyt

Chris was apparently the "wig guru" for Beach Blanket Babylon for 10 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_Blanket_Babylon

http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8360178

March constructed humorous headpieces of grand proportions for America's longest running musical revue, including wigs inspired by pop culture icons Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and an explosively domestic Martha Stewart headpiece - which is still in the show.

Costumes:
http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/newinshow.cfm

Hats-Martha & Oprah are shown:
http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/andallthat.cfm

March's fate on "Project Runway" may be up in the air, but the industry already has taken notice of his distinctly whimsical fashion sense. He has received an offer to do the costuming for a big-budget Hollywood movie (he won't mention any titles), and he is working on producing his own stage show.

Where amongst those projects would he have time to produce and market a line of clothing?

I do wonder if the movie will star Meryl Streep, who was one of Chris's special guests at Bryant Park.

It does make one wonder why Chris did the show in the first place. It seems to be rather like my cousin went to a Baseball Fantasy Camp...to hang out with top players from the present and the past.

And maybe, like Chloe & Jeffrey, to get some positive press for his existing business.

 

[dorispulaski]

Is there a problem with the Finale part of PR?

This brings to mind a question I've had, and I'd like to know what you all think.

With American Idol, the winners have done just what the show's producers claim: they have produced top records. However, PR has claimed that it is going to find America's next top designer, and that hasn't happened in the first 3 seasons. Jeffrey & Chloe doubled their own businesses, but you're not seeing their lines sold in your local big stores. I'm not sure Jay McCarroll is even designing much any more; I heard he's teaching.

So what do you all think is the problem? I've got some ideas, but I'd like to hear what others think first.

 

[babyoscar]

Chris March

I do wonder if the movie will star Meryl Streep, who was one of Chris's special guests at Bryant Park.

It does make one wonder why Chris did the show in the first place. It seems to be rather like my cousin went to a Baseball Fantasy Camp...to hang out with top players from the present and the past.

And maybe, like Chloe & Jeffrey, to get some positive press for his existing business.

there was an interview done with Chris March. He said he worked with Tim Gunn in various projects and TG was amazed by his work, and told him he must audition for PR so he did. CM also said that he already had an excellent business going on as a costume designer while living in SF. But he wanted to get into the fashion world, so he moved to NYC. He is in the deal doing some costumes for a movie if I remember correctly. He did mention Meryl Steep was his special guest at Bryant Park. He definitely knows what he is doing. He may not be a great designer when it comes to designer gowns, but he knows his costumes. I can't remember exactly where I read this article. But if you want the actual article, I will try to find it. I got the link off this site, just don't remember which article it was.

http://bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com/

 

[equestrianguy]

I definatly see Chris March being a fashion designer for big screen films.. He can do any kind of period peice costume... I see an Oscar for fashion in his future!!

 

[Dee4707]

This brings to mind a question I've had, and I'd like to know what you all think.

With American Idol, the winners have done just what the show's producers claim: they have produced top records. However, PR has claimed that it is going to find America's next top designer, and that hasn't happened in the first 3 seasons. Jeffrey & Chloe doubled their own businesses, but you're not seeing their lines sold in your local big stores. I'm not sure Jay McCarroll is even designing much any more; I heard he's teaching.

So what do you all think is the problem? I've got some ideas, but I'd like to hear what others think first.

Doris, I guess I see this PR season as the best in terms of designers. I think the final 3 and including Chris especially put Jeff S. to shame. I thought in one of the episodes Christian made a good point...I'm not a dressmaker, but a designer. I just think the previous PR designers were not so much designers as good dressmakers. Just my opinion. Whether I like Christian's attitude sometimes, this guy has mega talent.

Dee

 

[Dee4707]

Surprise, surprise.

The runway show just took my breath away.

Dee

 

[equestrianguy]

I was so happy for Christian! When he started crying before they announced the winner it brought a tear to my eye.. Christian, IS human afterall! LOL I loved it when he drove away in his new car.... Totally FIERCE! LOL

 

[ToePick]

No real surprise, but I enjoyed seeing Christian break down on the runway -- not because I like seeing people upset, but because I appreciated seeing the real emotion that I've always believed lives (and I believe, is the creative force) behind that cocky, 21-year-old exterior. It did, however, keep me from appreciating his final interview when he turned the cocky act back on. *shrugs* He'll learn. We all do.

The fashion show was incredible, but I thought the camera work could have been better at highlighting the clothes.

As I've said before I think all three were worthy and were

More on Chris and the search for the "Next Great American Designer" later!

 

[Dee4707]

I was so happy for Christian. He may be cocky but I could take that better than Jillian's childish behavior. When they told her she was out she goes to the room and opens the door and says.....Sorry I disappointed all of you. I couldn't believe she did that.

Dee

 

[Spun Silver]

Minority voice - I did NOT like Christian's runway show. Too ruffly and monochromatic and over the top. To me it looked like an imitation of the high fashion looks you can see in the international shows online. But taking his work overall, throughout the season, his win made sense. Jillian's line didn't do anything for me. I loved Rami's! For the first time all season I wanted him to win. It was the first time I really liked his work and felt he rose to the challenge.

I'm surethe final four will all go on to prosper. They all got such high praise from the judges. Sweet Pea too - "we believe in you."

What's wrong with Jillian's apologizing for disappointing her family? She needs more self-confidence, but why "childish"?

 

[Dee4707]

I loved Rami's! For the first time all season I wanted him to win. It was the first time I really liked his work and felt he rose to the challenge.

I loved Rami's collection too. I would have been happy with either Christian or Rami winning.

What's wrong with Jillian's apologizing for disappointing her family? She needs more self-confidence, but why "childish"?

I wasn't referring to disappointing her family as being childish so much as when they were casting for the models. Rami said....Can you think postive about the situation and she said.........no!!! I thought that was very childish on her part. I thought she behaved that way through a lot of the show. Just my opinion.

Dee

 

[Pixie Cut]

Minority voice - I did NOT like Christian's runway show. Too ruffly and monochromatic and over the top. To me it looked like an imitation of the high fashion looks you can see in the international shows online. But taking his work overall, throughout the season, his win made sense. Jillian's line didn't do anything for me. I loved Rami's! For the first time all season I wanted him to win. It was the first time I really liked his work and felt he rose to the challenge.

I enjoyed Christian's designs, but I loved Rami's. I knew he wasn't going to win, and I teared up for Christian, but I thought Rami's collection was fabulous.

 

[JonnyCoop]

I, too, thought Rami's collection was fantastic; a lot of beautiful, elegant stuff that WOMEN COULD ACTUALLY WEAR IN PUBLIC WITHOUT GETTING A LOT OF WEIRD LOOKS . And I liked that he also used much more variety in color than Christian and Jillian did. [Plus I think he's a hottie, so I was rooting for him all along on that basis alone... ].

Jillian's just looked like a bunch of weird random stuff all thrown together, tho I will say that that striped sweater with the big yarn on the sleeves, which looked HIDEOUS on the hanger, actually looked quite cute on the model.

As far as Christian, it's cool that he won so he can get the finances he needs to do his thing, but THOSE CLOTHES are just hideous. If they wanted Rami to tone down the drapery, I think they also should have asked Christian to try toning down ALL THOSE RUFFLES. That one model had ruffles up to her eyes and I'm quite frankly surprised she could even make it down the runway, tho scarily enough, I'm sure she's probably had to wear worse on occasion. I will say, tho, that my favorite style of the night was actually from his collection -- the second to last two-tone feather dress, with the two-tone belt. THAT was pretty cool.

 

[equestrianguy]

Rami's collection was really great, BUT it was too all over the place. With Rami you never know what direction or purpose your going to get.. Some of Rami's middle collection colors were horrible..Odd pastel or like Korrs said "Brady Bunch"... With Christian, his work is always consistent and you see his direction and theme throughout his work. He has the sense of a particular style and drama. At 22, I think he has the most potential of any of the designers we have seen on the show in all 4 seasons.. I too was surprised with Jullians reaction..I guess she is a queenie little brat..LOL

 

[Dee4707]

This brings to mind a question I've had, and I'd like to know what you all think.

With American Idol, the winners have done just what the show's producers claim: they have produced top records. However, PR has claimed that it is going to find America's next top designer, and that hasn't happened in the first 3 seasons. Jeffrey & Chloe doubled their own businesses, but you're not seeing their lines sold in your local big stores. I'm not sure Jay McCarroll is even designing much any more; I heard he's teaching.

So what do you all think is the problem? I've got some ideas, but I'd like to hear what others think first.

OK Doris, I'd like to hear from you. :agree:

Dee

 

[dorispulaski]

I thought all of them had some good designs and some real losers, both. Jillian and Sweet P had the least memorable looks for me. With Jillian the designs were pleasant and not memorable. With Sweet P, not so pleasant and not memorable.

I felt that Christian's was the best runway collection, but I couldn't see myself buying any of them, even supposing I was size 0 and 6 foot tall. Also, I do have a problem with the feathers. I can't help knowing how feathers smell when either hot or wet or both. However, I know everybody else nearly liked the design 1 feather dress. Rami had the most looks that I really, really hated and a couple real winners. I liked Chris's looks the best overall and could picture myself wearing quite a few of them, again if I were size 0 to 4 and 6 ft tall. What I like best about Chris's stuff is that the models looked absolutely fabulous, even with the weaker designs.

Ones I liked:
Sweet P-Design 1-I really love the texture look
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=851
Design 7: Hate the hat, but the rest of the look is good.
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=857

Chris
Design 10-Now that's fierce (sue me, I know others will not agree)
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=848
Design 8- I liked his batik dresses
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=846
Design 1-I love this one with St. Theresa on it
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=839

Jillian-
just very cute, Design 8
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=916
Nice details, Design 9
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=917

Rami
Design 3-Rami's right-this is one of his strongest looks.
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=923
Design 12-I really love the way he used the antique lace
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=931
Design 7-This is the one with the jacket with the woven back, I think.
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=927


Christian
Design 2-A great top.
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=898
Design 3-I love the detail on the shirt front
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=899
Design 9- Ruffly Zorro, but I really like the hat, especially
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=905

I really don't like
Sweet P Design 12. Tacky, tacky, tacky, especially the bedazzled embellishment
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=862
Design 8: Lord, the model looks HUGE. And it's all plaid. I shudder to think how this would look on a real person
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=858


Chris
Design 5- The velvet is not working in this design
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=843
Design 3- Looks like she's taking out the trash in her bathrobe. Plus the hair trim is way too long
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=841
Design 4 - I don't like the cut across the shoulder and the print of the hand doesn't show up enough so that you can see what this design is about
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=842

Jillian
Design 11- I so do not like the twizzler scarf
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=919
Design 6-Barbarella's costume is falling off. Plus way too much gold
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=914

Rami
Design 4-pouchy pants front, ugly colors, not flattering
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=924
Design 8-ugly colors, even uglier with the hair the way it is done
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=928
Design 10-Looks like she has a gold shower curtain draped around her. Obviously the person who bid $500 for this does NOT agree with me
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=930

Christian
Design 8-Santa Claus meets Wicked Witch of the West. Worse in motion.
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=904
Design 10-Our Pilgrim fathers. sheesh
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=906
Design 6 -My kitchen net scrubber walks-who wants their butt to look like this?
http://projectrunway.auction.seenon.com/viewitem.php?item=902

 

[dorispulaski]

Dee, It's a dumb theory, but here's what I think. I think the Project Runway Finale process is seriously flawed, because it's schizophrenic.

The problem is that the stated objective of the show and the objectives of the designers that they pick for the finale are at complete odds. This year is a great example.

The show needs to decide whether they want a designer to start their own line (which is what their prize is geared at-$100K & a spread in Elle, ability to sell on bluefly). If they really want to see a great new designer and a great new clothing line, they need to pick designers for the finale who are actually interested in starting a new commercial line and whose work is actually wearable, at least some of it.

Instead, when you look at the portfolios & bios of the contestants, you find that their idols as designers are the great couturiers of Europe. When they talk, you realize that they all think the prize is getting to show at Bryant Park more than the money. And what they would really, really like is to show in Paris, not at Bryant Park.

They don't want to be the next Calvin Klein or the next Ralph Lauren. They want to be Cavalli, Westwood, or McQueen. And that's the type of designs the judges are rewarding.

If they wanted someone to produce a wearable line of clothes, they should have picked Jillian for the win. Or Sweet P, whose stuff they actually disparaged as wearable. Or for that matter Chris, who has had no intention whatever of doing 'a line'--he would love a Paris show, though.

If they really want the next great couturier/designer, instead of $100K, bluefly and Elle, they should be getting a prize that would actually hook the winner up with high class clients, Paris shows, something else. I know nothing about how to get ahead in that type of business, but maybe what they need is 1 year's rent & expenses in Paris and arrangements for them to have a show in Paris.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_McQueen

 

[Dee4707]

Doris, I think you make excellent points. I was becoming confused about what the Judges really want from the designers. I don't think they are really clear about that.

Dee

 

[Spun Silver]

They want it all!

Seriously, any narrowing of the goal would just limit the audience. ITA that it is confusing. But it keeps us interested, obviously.

 

[ToePick]

I agree that the judges and contestants are often at odds with what they're looking for (couture? ready to wear? Calvin Klein? Alexander McQueen?) I sort of suspect the answer for the judges is all of the above, but they don't quite grasp the impossibility of that. So the contestants are left scrambling trying to be all things to all people while finishing tasks on short sleep in a specific time frame, while maintaining their point of view, while keeping it different from everything else they've done on the show, while ensuring that it is something they can complete in the alotted time!! Whew!! No wonder it is so scattered sometimes (or most of the time)!!

I think one of the big reasons, and I've heard it from other places, that the show hasn't produced a real breakout designer who you're seeing in the stores is that it takes a massive operation to be a "Great American Designer," a la Ralph Lauren etc. You need factories, dress-makers, publicists, etc. And all of that takes money -- lots more money than $100k. That's nice prize money, but not nearly enough to really "start your own line" (Jay) or even to do much for advancing a pre-existing line (Chloe and Jeffrey).

Plus, it takes time for those things to happen. Fashion doesn't happen overnight. There is a reason we see the Fall 2008 shows in February.

This... 'stuff'? Oh... ok. I see, you think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select out, oh I don't know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise, it's not lapis, it's actually cerulean. You're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar De La Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of 8 different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and so it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of stuff.

From The Devil Wears Prada, the movie (rare instance, imho, of the movie being better than the book!).

There is so much trickle down in fashion (even with stores like H&M, Target, and Forever 21 making trendy fashion available to lower-end consumers at a much faster rate than even a few years ago) that it is hard for someone to get started and make a major impact right away. They generally have to work up, either through an existing house (and if you really are a top designer you might grow frustrated with "contributing to another person's vision" -- (mis)quoting Jillian), or with a small line that you are able to grow over time. I think good support personnel (and financial backers), is key for any route to fashion success. This is opposed to, say, Kelly Clarkson, who was able to record a single and have it hit #1 almost as soon as she was crowned the first American Idol.

I've said a couple of times in this thread that I think all three of these finalists are going to make waves in American fashion. It sounds like Christian and Jillian are both looking to start lines, and Rami has indicated that there has been a lot of interest from, potentially at least, the right people in expanding his already successful and existing line, and helping to take it to the next level. We'll see what happens, as I'm no soothsayer (just someone with good gut instincts!).

I thought this interview Tim Gunn was interesting and shed a lot of light on the season and the obsticles (like we have been discussing) to having a real break-out talent the way that the average viewer might expect.