24 replies to this topic

[TWoP Tennison]

Designers discover the business is not as glamorous as it seems.

[CrumbyButtons]

A two-parter? Are you freakin' KIDDING ME???? Seriously, I barely wanted to watch tonight, but figured I'd watched so far... and now I have to watch this dreck again?

I never want to hear the words "ruffle dress" again.

Since I don't give a crap about the hum-drum "designs" - I'm going to hope that Merle, her enormous ego and her transformer clothes don't win.

[canasian]

I don't know, I don't have a problem with this show. It's not Project Runway by a longshot, but it's a nice show to watch while I finish the mountains of homework I have every Wednesday.

I was hoping for a one-part finale, but it was listed as "finale, Part 1" on Bravo's schedule, so I wasn't surprised. I don't like that they only gave them two days to complete 3 whole outfits, since they've had more time to do one piece on a couple other challenges.

I also didn't like that two of the outfits' requirements were so limiting. Merle's collection is the only one with a place for ruffles, and really the only one with a place for pockets. Jim conforming the pocket to the zebra print was clever though. Really, this challenge was designed for Merle and i wouldn't be surprised if she takes it. I'm rooting for Kathy, though.

But really, the most interesting thing about this episode was the return of my favorite experts and some redemption for my least favorite. Tressa is just a perfect partner, Jim rivals Thai in sewing skills, and Koko showed that she really does know what she's talking about (but what kind of woman wants to have a purse zippered to the hem of their dress?).

[canasian]

Double post...sorry.

Edited by canasian, Jan 27, 2010 @ 11:19 PM.

[Newhope]

Ok, I feel I have to bring this up because it was bothering me the entire time I watched this episode and it's about the return of eliminated "expert" - Coco.

Who was this person who seemed animated, energetic, cooperative and friendly like?

Now the problem I have is why the seeming total persona change? Did she get some rest? Did she realize after getting eliminated that she was horrible to work with and now has found a new approach? Or was her Designer such a drain on her that she lost all sense? I Pray that it was not that her Designer was an Af-Am woman that caused her to be such a witch. I really, really hope that wasn't it.

Edited by Newhope, Jan 27, 2010 @ 11:39 PM.

[swankie]

and Koko showed that she really does know what she's talking about (but what kind of woman wants to have a purse zippered to the hem of their dress?).

Ok, I feel I have to bring this up because it was bothering me the entire time I watched this episode and it's about the return of eliminated "expert" - Coco.

Who was this person who seemed animated, energetic, cooperative and friendly like?

Now the problem I have is why the seeming total persona change? Did she get some rest? Did she realize after getting eliminated that she was horrible to work with and now has found a new approach? Or was her Designer such a drain on her that she lost all sense? I Pray that it was not that her Designer was an Af-Am woman that caused her to be such a witch. I really, really hope that wasn't it.

I think Coco is trying to redeem herself now. She knew damned well she was being a complete spaz to Marilyn. I think she really thought that badly constructed thing she sent down the runway would win for her team and when it didn't she realized that her ideas in and of themselves weren't necessarily what the judges were looking for. She didn't want Marilyn to get all the glory. She's a total bitch and everytime they show that snippet of her being a toad to Marilyn, I want to jump through the tv and kick her in her throat. I really, really, really, with all my heart, hope her team loses. She doesn't deserve to be in anyone's winner's circle.

[ThatPoshGirl]

Merle was really bugging me tonight. She came across as such a B.

What was up with Kathy's designer? He seemed so open and accommodating up until tonight, then all the sudden he was a negative nelly. I can't believe how many times he said something wasn't possible without even thinking about it.

I really like the chubby white guy designer. I wish we had seen more of him during the season.

Edited by ThatPoshGirl, Jan 28, 2010 @ 7:23 PM.

[swankie]

What was up with Kathy's designer? He seemed to no and accommodating up until tonight, then all the sudden he was a negative nelly. I can't believe how many times he said something wasn't possible without even thinking about it.

It's almost like he and Coco have switched identities like on Freaky Friday.

[Lamb18]

Now the problem I have is why the seeming total persona change? Did she get some rest? Did she realize after getting eliminated that she was horrible to work with and now has found a new approach? Or was her Designer such a drain on her that she lost all sense? I Pray that it was not that her Designer was an Af-Am woman that caused her to be such a witch. I really, really hope that wasn't it.

I think Coco looked down on Marilyn but has some respect for Merle. I don't think it was racisit snobbery; I think it was more of an industry insider/outsider snobbery. Also being cooperative with Merle--who's a fashion writer--could be more beneficial to Coco than cooperating with Marilyn. (The "what's in it for me?" motivation) Her ego is so big I don't think at this point she considered how she might be edited on the show.

[Houddy]

I think Coco looked down on Marilyn but has some respect for Merle.

True, but I think the fact that Merle didn't imediately shut her down or treat her like nothing more than a seamstress is part of that. With LMar, Coco had really no say in what she was doing. It was, here's my idea, sew it. With Merle there is a lot more give and take, and as a creative person, that is the environment Coco would do well in. Of course, I never thought Coco was this evil thing trying to ruin poor little LMar so much as LMar treated Coco like her slave and Coco just straight up hated that. Merle straight up got the best team. Thai alone is enough to give her the win.

the Kathy Emil dynamic is interesting. I think it's mostly just exhaustion. It's got to be hard for the experts to kind of let the amateurs make their own mistakes (in the eyes of the experts).

I want Kathy to win. Merle is my second choice because I'm pretty much an anyone but Eric person, however, every time they say the collection will be on ruelala I think of Eric becaus that name is cheesy and reminds me of Hot Topic which is definitely what I think of when I think of Eric's collection. (I have no idea what ruelala is like, it's just a silly, cheesy name to me and that's what I envision).

[Pepper Mostly]

Well, its pretty clear that Merle won't win, since we keep getting TH's of her saying "I'm sure I'll win". I think Kathy will win, based on the foreshadowing. Merle is now getting the "so cocky" edit. That person never wins. Kathy's getting the "Can I pull this off against all odds?" edit. So I think she's meant to come from behind and surprise us all! Sigh. I don't know what to name Eric's edit, except maybe "Jesus my clothes are ugly and hoochie" edit! How did he get this far?

On the whole I don't think the show is a terrible idea, on its face. The execution really sucked, though. A Tim Gunn figure, mediator, facilitator, is badly needed. An overall design expert who can keep everyone on track. And the challenges need to be streamlined. The number of twists, turns and conditions was silly. If the show is about a fashion line, then the challenges should be "big picture" challenges with room for interpretation of each individual vision. But the idea is interesting.

[Constantinople]

It's interesting that none of the returning designers who had a choice, chose to work with Eric. I hope he doesn't win with his nightclub, junkie slut "fashion" line.

As for Coco coming across better, there's still another episode and thus still time for her to freak out.

Now the problem I have is why the seeming total persona change? Did she get some rest? Did she realize after getting eliminated that she was horrible to work with and now has found a new approach? Or was her Designer such a drain on her that she lost all sense? I Pray that it was not that her Designer was an Af-Am woman that caused her to be such a witch. I really, really hope that wasn't it.

Based on what little footage we've seen of Coco, I think it's premature to speculate that her behavior was based on racism. More than once, Marilyn came across to me as a typical CEO/manager - someone who thinks her colleagues/underlings will magically intuit and implement her idea.

It's possible that Coco's doing better now because Merle knows how to make better use of Coco than Marilyn. After all, hasn't Merle been a fashion journalist for two decades or so? That's a lot of time to think about what she likes, doesn't like, what she'd do differently than what she saw in a show, etc.

I think it was more of an industry insider/outsider snobbery. Also being cooperative with Merle--who's a fashion writer--could be more beneficial to Coco than cooperating with Marilyn. (The "what's in it for me?" motivation) Her ego is so big I don't think at this point she considered how she might be edited on the show.

Good points.

[NYC2007]

So if they just make a clownsuit into a long dress, they'll have all three requirements in one stupendous fashion statement!

I just read the recap and had to explain to my office why I was laughing so hard I was crying. Best line ever Sara M

I think that needs to be the next challenge "take the classic clown suit and make it into today's fashion".

Sorry, but CoCo has a long way to go in my estimation to redeem herself. Yes, LMarilyn wasn't the easiest, but she didn't seem as nasty.

[lnmop]

I guess I'm rooting for Kathy by default, because I can't stand Merle and her self-importance, nor can I stomach Eric's Hoochie Mama stylings, I'm still glad this is almost over. DSquared2 (isn't that Dsquared-squared?) sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, their personal wardrobe choices look like they're identical twins who can't figure out if they want to dress alike or differently, hence, the settle somewhere in the middle, and the only experts I like (Jim and Emil on Kathy's team) aren't being listened to when they say something isn't possible.

And would somebody PLEASE tell me why every shot of the "time remaining" clock has to show x hours and 59 minutes? Is the minute counter broken? Do they have an automatic camera pointed to the clock that's timed to go off once per hour and it's a minute late? Are they trying to fool us into thinking that 8 hours and 59 minutes is closer to 8 hours rather than 9? Do they HAVE a reason? Is it a conspiracy or a coincidence? Why do I care so much? Why does it bother me? Is there anybody out there?!?!?!?!?! /rant

ETA: Shouldn't somebody have cleverly named the stage "The Launch Pad" by this point?

Edited by lnmop, Jan 28, 2010 @ 1:58 PM.

[Bungalow Joy]

I don't know, I don't have a problem with this show. It's not Project Runway by a longshot, but it's a nice show to watch while I finish the mountains of homework I have every Wednesday.

In some ways I think this show is superior. This episode was one reason. They're tasked all through the season to create a sellable line of clothing, the challenges are reasonable, they have partners with sewing know-how, the judging is pretty specific, and their time limits are generous. The show answers so many complaints I read about Project Runway. Now, the results aren't as fantastic, but these are basically amateurs trying to bring an amateur's vision to life, and since fashion is subjective anyway I go to other ways of appreciating the results.

The episode was a good illustration. Who's created that cohesive, sellable line, whatever my own taste? Even Eric, as despicable as his taste level is, has a line that would probably sell. I liked that they have the opportunity to modify existing garments. My wish is, as a finale, they had a good two weeks to do so.

[Houddy]

What I liked about this ep was that they were given the ability to go back and fix mistakes made in the past. It's actually an interesting challenge in itself. How would you take the judges critiques and alter something they didn't like, or would you?

If they did a season two the main thing I think should change is take the challenges down a knotch. Make the challenges simpler with less twists and turns. I feel like that mainly because what I liked most about this show as opposed to PR or that Fashion Show thing is, these were total newbies trying to create a complete line rather than experienced designers trying to get discovered. I liked the learning aspect and wish we'd seen more of that, more mentoring from the experts instead of the teams frantically trying to get all these bizarre twists done in the short time they had.

I also loved seeing the experts this ep really giving advice and working together. I'm a sucker for collaboration (rather than fighting)

[Cookie Hoarder]

Merle started out funny and snarky, but as the season has progressed she really has turned into the Ego That Ate The Trim Room. Based on last night's episode, I'm not sure if she's getting a cocky edit or if she's just so full of herself that there's no other storyline the editors could even try to build around her.

[Team Awesome]

I hope Kathy wins, I would love to own her yellow dress! I wouldn't be too upset if Merle won, but that's mainly because I love Thai so much and want to see him get the money.

If Eric wins, how much do you think his pieces will retail for? $20? They look like even sluttier versions of the things I deem "too tacky" at Bebe, Arden B., and Forever 21.

[Lamb18]

I have to say I like Eric. I don't like his line--I think it's tacky and definitely not my 51-year old taste. (ha) But he's taking this seriously and really wants to create a collection. I like seeing him sitting there with the scissors cutting out a pattern or stitching something together. He's not doing this just to be on TV.

[repag]

I am boggled. Eric. Reeeeallly, What was the line he used about ... like, having grown up in LA, he's gotten to see certain women blahblah or something ...? I guess I know what he was trying to say, but I still don't get it. Definitely Forever 21.


I missed the first two eps and had to play catch-up. Finally been able to tell Galina form Merle instantly, and this season ends. Great.

Finally,

I think it's premature to speculate

Just me? Heh.

Edited by repag, Jan 29, 2010 @ 5:48 AM.

[duandsku]

This show has been on a downward train to Planet Suckage after the first couple episodes, but I have to say that I really enjoyed the first part of the Finale. I thought this was probably the most exciting hour of watching people design I've seen in quite some time, and they didn't even finish any clothes!

I love the teams of fashion experts thing going on, and I think the design process is really interesting within these dynamics. I'm actually excited for the last episode and really want to see the lines from beginning to end and see how they came out.

I hope Kathy wins, and based on the editing I feel like she probably will. I feel like her line may wind up being more interesting than Anna's from the Fashion Show, and more marketable as well.

[FunnyHat]

It's fitting Merle is receiving the Santino edit, with all the talk of knowing she'll win. Now they both have similar backgrounds in televised fashion design to bond them on the judging panel of RuPaul's Drag Race. How sweet.

[Bigwheels1971]

I'm rooting for Kathy too. Although I'm in the "just not Eric" camp. Throughout the series, it seemed to me that Kathy & Merle because of their backgrounds seemed to really have a vision as to what they wanted and knew how to talk about it whereas Eric relied so much on his designer for vision that I think of the collection as hers, even though I don't think it's her taste.

Edited by Bigwheels1971, Jan 30, 2010 @ 10:52 AM.

[Red Rabbit]

Also for Kathy but only because I want Emil to win. Despite his crankiness during the last ep he's generally adorable and I can't help but root for him.

What I liked about this ep was that they were given the ability to go back and fix mistakes made in the past.

It's the one good thing they've done. Considering the ridiculous challenges and fabric limitations I'm utterly shocked the show had enough insight to think of this.

Edited by Red Rabbit, Jan 30, 2010 @ 7:05 PM.

[bodielovesbetty]

D2 came in for the sniff and sneer and said they weren't going to critique, just observe, and then proceeded to critique everyone. Weird.

I think having the designers be non-designers resulted in a lot of similar dresses over the run of the show. If I didn't now how to sew, I'd drape material and tuck it in here and there and make haltery tops, and that's what it seems like most of them did.

My overall summing up of this show: meh.

Edited by bodielovesbetty, Jan 30, 2010 @ 11:29 PM.