a positive outfit on life

I simply loved last week’s episode of Project Runway. It was definitely one of the most memorable ones of the season; perhaps even the series. Memorable is indeed a great way to describe this episode because the challenge actually centered around memories. It also brought back a memory from last season, by repeating the HP TouchSmart design challenge.

In my last post, I mentioned my thoughts on the constant product placement that occurs on this show, but at this point, I guess I just need to get over it. They’re sponsors and they make the show possible and blah blah blah. This week, it was all about HP. The designers, some still saddened by Ivy’s elimination--I recovered from that quit quickly--entered the workroom to find childhood photos on individual HP TouchSmarts on their tables. It was quite a shock to all. Turns out, the photos were provided as a means of inspiration. As I mentioned earlier, PR is repeating a challenge from last season. The designers are to create their own pattern which will then be printed onto fabric and incorporated into their final design. Their patterns must be inspired by something personal, taken from their own lives.

The designers hopped to it and got to creating their patterns. I have to say, that while I have no sewing skills at all, I’d probably go nuts with this challenge, and get too distracted on the computer, making continuous patterns. I could occupy myself for hours doing that! But let’s forget about me and how I’m easily distracted. For the most part, the designers had a very clear idea in their head and knew exactly where that idea came from. Valerie for example took her dad and the fact that he is a home builder, and did her take on a blue print. April went to a darker place and used her parents’ divorce to come up with an edgy-looking pattern. Michael had this whole “evil eye” concept go into his. Gretchen took her rustic Oregonian childhood and represented it with simple but cute objects that looked like sections of pinwheels. Chris decided to go with his current home of San Francisco and went with an oceany, foggy, sort of design (fine, it was really boring). Andy--to be honest, Andy’s design was completely forgettable; some sort of “memory bubble.” He was pretty much lost the whole time and it didn’t really end well, but more on that later. Mondo, oh Mondo. Mondo was the only one who didn’t open up about his pattern to the other designers. But he let us viewers know. He designed a vibrant pattern containing a plus sign. The plus sign signified the fact that Mondo has been HIV positive for about 10 years now, and hasn’t told anyone, not even his family.

Hey! Speaking of family--I know, great transition--the designers were in for a surprise. Everyone got an unexpected visit from their mothers! Well, everyone except Chris. His visitor was his partner, J.J. which was also cool. But you have to wonder, where was his mother? Was she not available? Mystery! So everyone took a break from the workroom and went out with their visitors. I’m glad they were able to go out on their own and have truly personal time with their families. Mondo and his mother were adorable. Turns out Mother Mondo is aware that her son is gay--though when he had come out to her, she advised that he not tell his dad--but she of course is unaware that he has been HIV positive for 10 years. I was rooting for Mondo to tell her when they were sitting together, having their private moment. I think he was even rooting for himself, but the moment came and went, and he kept the secret with him.

Cut to runway day. Guest judge is designer Rachel Roy and she is GORGEOUS. And I love her t-shirt. She’s wearing a simple v-neck tee with a little shine to it and she looks so beautiful it’s disgusting. Moving on. Chris is “eh.” Andy is “what?” Michael is “meh.” Valerie is “wait a second.” Gretchen is “ooh, fun.” April is “you say it girl.” Mondo is “OH MY GOD THOSE PANTS PUT THE ‘HIGH’ IN HIGH-WASTED AND THE GIRL JUST LOOKS AMAZING.” For the first time in the season, the judges have all of the designers stay on the runway. And in the top we have Mondo (obvi), Gretchen (sure), and April (ok). I would have totally worn Gretchen’s, even with that little semi-circle on the back of the pants. The model looks awesome. And therefore, I would look awesome. That’s how those things work, right? I don’t think I would ever wear Aprils--half long-sleeved isn’t really my thing. But I definitely understood the story she grabbed the outfit from and overall I think it stayed true to the talent as well as her aesthetic. I’d like to say I’d wear Mondo’s, but to be honest, I’d be a bit self-conscious about those pants. With that said, the entire ensemble was amazing. What I love about Mondo is that he takes patterns and designs that seem like they would clash, but once he’s done combining them the way he does, they look like they were meant to be together the whole time. All of the judges loved his design, but Mondo was the only one who didn’t open up about his design inspiration. Nina was the first to express her disappointment in not being told the story of his design. But then a few minutes later, Mondo opened up and let everyone in on his secret. It was a surprise to everyone in the room. And of course the judges (and everyone else) were very proud him. But what made the moment even better is that Mondo pulled from what would be a sad and devastating part of his life, and he put out an outfit that was everything but those two things. It was pretty great. And Mondo was the clear winner--there was absolutely nothing negative to say about his design.

But there were some negative things to say about those on the bottom. Valerie, Michael, Chris, and Andy all delivered designs that were way off target at worst, and safe and boring at best. Andy’s was certainly the most shocking. Here is a designer who for the run of the season, has really been a visionary, or who as at least had his own unique point of view. And for this very personal challenge, he makes a flimsy shirt out of his fabric, and combines it with simple short shorts and a vest. Bleh. And Heidi even thought of it as unwearable. It really was a disappointment, especially coming from him. Chris’ design was also very blah, but lately, I feel like that’s to be expected of him. His designs are never very exciting, but they’re usually safe and wearable. But in our eighth season of Project Runway we know that “safe and wearable” can only get you so far. Michael’s was also safe, and boring, but Heidi would have worn it. And the issue with Valerie’s is that it was kind of a repeat of her napkin dress earlier in the season. And she’s still so into that cheap-looking blue fabric--enough already! And it certainly was enough for her to get the boot.

So our dear friend Valerie didn’t make it to Fashion Week--thought I’m pretty sure that since she was in the final 7, she showed at Fashion Week, which most aspiring designers don’t get to do. So while she wasn’t up for the win, perhaps she wowed a few important fashion insiders. Six designers left. Right now, I’m Team Mondo, and will be until he takes the win.

Michael Kors Quote of the Night: “It looks like she has, kind of sleeping eyes on her boobs.” -on Andy’s sad design.