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| Bishme Cromartie did a very interesting drape on the blouse of this outfit, but the skirt didn't flow well and tended to bunch up when the model was walking. I'm not super fond of the print, either. |
The designers walked into a photo shoot. After the snacks, the challenge is issued by Karlie and Brandon - elegance. Elegance is the new black - classic design focused on design restraint. Each designer chooses a designer bag by Brandon Maxwell and their model for this challenge. After everyone has chosen their handbag and model, they are also informed that it's a "flash sale", a 2-day challenge, and has a $400 budget.
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| Hester Sunshine had immunity from last week's win, and decoded to go all out on a limb. It was the first time I saw pasties on a runway, and the fact that she actually glued them to her model's skin with fabric glue was pushing things a bit far. I loved the skirt, but no. Just no. |
Working until midnight, it's surprising how little is actually on the mannequins. It's very lucky the designers have a full day to work on their fashions tomorrow. They will get a critique from Christian Seriano, and I assume they'll also get a model fitting late in the evening since the Runway will be held the next day.
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| Jamall Osterholm finally gave up his muslins, grabbed his fabric, and started draping. The dress was one long piece of velvet-accented plaid. Apparently he specializes in gender-bisecting fashion, and I've seen successful draping in the past, but I wasn't crazy about this gown. |
Day two - ten hours is the schedule, and even though the designers aren't panicking yet, maybe they should be. Hester is talking about a design using pasties over the nipples of her model, Jamall can't seem to divorce himself from trial muslins into his actual fabric, and once again he purchased too many fabric options. Tessa is trying for a modern-day Japanese aesthetic, and Sebastian is channeling his home country with a handbag featuring orchids using their shape pulled through into the gown's structure.
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| Lela Orr decided to choose organza as her fabric, building an exterior corset and sculpted hips and tossing a faux-sleeve over one shoulder as a final element. Her handbag was classic statuary and I think she actually brought the handbag element into her gown. |
When time runs out, so many of the designers have a TON of work still remaining and for a challenge of elegance, finishing is key. The judges will grade down on unfinished seams and unhemmed hems. Tailoring details will be key here, and the clock is ticking. Coming up on the Runway show the next day, too few designers are even close to being ready for the big reveal.
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| Sonia Kasparian made an elegant gown with a high hip slit and ruching along the waistline. She wanted to have a kimono-style jacket to go along with the gown, but ran out of time. I actually liked this design a lot, but the judges seemed to think it was dated. |
It's Runway time and the Top Ten will become nine shortly. It's nervewracking. I watched the ten designs walk the Runway and I know which ones I loved and which I would send home. I'm curious about the decisions of the judges. So, here we go ... Well, I really loved Sebastian's design, but he's only "safe". Bummer.
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| Venny Etienne gave the judges this pink and red fitted gown with thick shoulder straps. It was beautifully tailored and his model looked fabulous in it. |
The judges went in some unexpected directions, although I generally agreed with most of their points. I do tend to be conservative in my clothing choices, so I didn't agree with all of their decisions, but the Runway was one of the more interesting ones with Hester's pasties to Sonia's overly conservative slate grey gown. Want to catch pics of all of the fashion this week? Just follow this link.
WARNING - SPOILERS BELOW THIS LINE
So, who won and who was sent home. I put the designs in order of designer's first name, so no hints in my placement, but here you go. Bishme, Hester and Sonia were in the bottom. Jamall, Lela and Venny were the top looks this week. The comments were rather scathing - they are the final 10, after all. Bishme was panned on poor fabric choices and his skirt. Hester - well, she was called out on the pasties and general lack of good taste, and it was remarked by several judges that she was lucky she had immunity. Sonia's design was called dated and uninspired, which I really didn't agree with.
For the high scores, the judges fell all over themselves with Jamall's draped plaid, stating that he had finally allowed himself to walk proud. Lela was high on the fashion end, but the construction under closer scrutiny doomed her to a placement, but not a win. Venny's lovely red dress was a runner up. I still think Sebastian's dress deserved to be a final contender.
Results: Jamall was the winner, and sent home by 1/2 point was Sonia. I found it telling that Christian announced to the entire group of designers, as he was leading her to the workroom to pack up her stuff, that he had dressed many on the Red Carpet, and thought her dress would work beautifully for a lot of stars. It was a nice thing to say, and I totally agree.
So there you have it. Winners, losers, and we're down to nine. One more to get 1/2-way down. I hope you have a wonderful Friday, and I'm out of here. I'll be back tomorrow.
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