Project Runway 4 - Episode 3

Episode 3: Fashion Giant

So how do I begin this recap? I know:


How about some shirtless Kevin. You're welcome!

This episode of Project Runway was kind of dull because the challenge was about menswear. Heidi lauded this challenge as a first for project runway, but I don't understand why. Yes, it is the first time they worked with male models, but this is not the first time the designers worked with menswear or had males walk down the runway. Let me refresh your memories:


The Challenge:

Design a menswear outfit for Tiki Barber
The build up was kind of a let down, but I was nice to see the designers work out of their comfort zone. The special guest was Tiki Barber, which explains the menwear angle of this episode. So we go from "pop culture and fashion icon" Sarah Jessica Parker to a football player who is now a correspondent for the Today Show? Since Bravo and NBC are both NBC Universal companies that this is just corporate synergy at work. It may not be a bad idea to cross-promote consider when Tim announced Tiki Barber the only person who recognized who he was was Kevin.


Probably because he is a NY Giants fan ... and straight. From the look on Victorya's face, she got an eyeful of Tiki and liked what she saw:


But she may want to watch her back:


Ginny Barber may destroy her. I am just sayin'. According to Christian:

"... I love Asians. Asians are fierce!"
I think he meant "fierce" in the Tyra Banks American's Next Top Model sense, and not that in the menacingly wild or savage way. But whatever he says is always subject to interpretation.

Okay, let's talk about Jack. I didn't want to lead with this I thought it would off-putting but needs to be mentioned. But the shirtless picture may make the transition a bit smoother:


In the beginning of the episode, it has finally been revealed on the show that Jack is HIV positive. It hard to tell if everyone on the show knows, but it probably safe to assume that his roommates know because he seems pretty open with his pill taking. This is the first HIV positive designer on Project Runway, but not it's not a first for a Bravo reality show. John from Top Desgin was the first HIV positive contestant that I am aware of (correct me if I am wrong), and if you've know the spoilers, then you know then end up with similar fates.

In a weird juxtaposition, Jack is shown carrying Christian in a handbag.


Maybe the producers and/or Jack want to show the audience that he is still a strong, virile guy, despite his HIV. Or maybe Christian just lazy.


I think it probably a little of both.

There was a bit of drama while at Parsons. Jack asked Tim whether he could take his shorts off ... and before he could finish Tim instinctively said he could. Okay, that didn't happen, but with the right editing it could. Jack want to take off his shorts to use them as a pattern. He did,


and several people then wanted to borrow his pattern to design their pants. I don't see a problem with this considering that Vincent did the same thing during season 2:

still from season 3 coming soon
Rami was not pleased, and in an act of defiance, he flaunted the pants he made with the use of draping.

"And they aren't trace from a pattern, like some other pants. I am not accusing anyone ... I am just saying some did."

That side-eye is vicious, y'all.

Now it's time for a melange of male models:



The models are pretty obedient. They are told to take of their clothes and they offer no resistance.

Even while being fisted
The designers where were assigned male models, but for some reason they were not given their measurements. I think the producers of the show were just being sadistic by withholding this information. The stress of it caused Jillian to get all verklempt:


Back at their apartments, they are all trying to find ways to deal with the stress:


I guess the guys don't deal with stress as well as the women:

PMA = Positive Mental Attitude
This reaks of the new age-y-ness that is Elisa.

The results:

Winner: Jack, Auf'd: Carmen, My fav: Kevin
I really don't understand how Jack won this challenge. This shirt with the front and pocket stripes on the bias, just looks strange to me. I liked Kevin's pieces but the look is too young for a TV anchor, so I understand why he didn't win. Tiki mentioned that the look was "avant-garde", which is I guess something you can't have when hosting hour 12 of the Today Show.

The most shocking moment:


Ricky only cried once! In a hat that he stole from Colonial Williamsburg:


He only cried out of relief after avoiding being auf'd by Heidi for a mess of an outfit. Now, Ricky -- don't go all dry eyes on me because I use your tears as sustenance. I wouldn't have the energy to do these recaps if weren't for the tears that copiously flow from your eyes. Luckily, I have built up a surplus. But Ricky, you must promise me two things:

1) Cry at least twice per episode.
2) Never wear those manpris again:


They cause me physical pain, and Nina Garcia does not approve.


You know you messed up when Nina is giving you the "head shake of disapproval" and "the middle finger" combo.

And for no reason at all, I give you this:


Kevin channeling his inner Wolverine. Why are all the good men straight or Republican senators?
___

Ricky Cry tally: 7

Project Runway 4 - Episode 2

Let's start this recap off on a total shallow note:


Kevin is totally doing it for me. And now lets follow it up on a happy note:


Well, it not exactly a happy moment, but it somehow brings a smile to face. It is only five minutes into the second episode and Ricky has already started the waterworks. My buddy Marius thinks that he is over emotional because he is way to in touch to his limbic system. I say that the girl just can't control himself. When you are 1 of 13 kids, crying is probably an effective tool to get attention. It's either that, or you end up marrying someone 30 years older like Celine Dion.

Anyway ... onto the very special guest who is a fashion and pop icon. I had several ideas on whom it may be: Cher, Cate Blanchett, ....


... Sarah Jessica Parker. I always thought that the SJP would be the mostly likely choice because she lives in NYC, has her own fashion line and she has a lot of time on her hands considering that she is not really in demand in the movie industry. She was recently just name the "Unsexiest Woman" by Maxim magazine. Ouch ... but at least she is getting some publicity out of it.

When the designers find out who the special guest is, the gays had a fit:


It is hard to determined which person has the gayest expression, but I will have to vote for Jack. He had the gay gasp routine down cold.

I decided to leave out Ricky's crying fit because the girl cries at the drop of a hat.


Crying isn't inherently gay... but Chris, on the other hand:


Totally gay. Chris stated that he was motivated to moved to NYC because of watching Sex and the City. I loved the show as well ...

Yes I own the entire series on DVD. Don't judge me!
... really loved the show, but I never entertained the idea of moving to NYC for numerous reasons. But I digress.

FYI: Jack is an extra in the upcoming Sex and the City movie. I wonder if SJP liked Jack so much during their brief encounter on Project Runway that she offered him a cameo in the film. It would be a good way to extend his 15 minutes of fame. Another good way ...

source: queerty.com
... naked pictures of yourself on the Internet. If the PR spoilers are true, he may need a sex tape out by the end of the year to prolong his fame window.

The Challenge:

Create a two-piece look for Bitten
Pretty sketches:

Collage of sketches
Ricky so wanted to be chosen for the chosen for the challenge that he did what he does best:


Cry. He is crying more than Sally Field on Brothers and Sisters. But the difference is that I actually like to see Sally Field cry -- Ricky, not so much. His tears were not in vain as he was one of the seven designers chosen, along with: Elisa, Rami, Victorya, Marion, Christian, and Kit.

The twist is that is team challenged anyone had to pick a partner. This is were Carmen started to showed that she can be too eager. Rami was trying to decide between Carmen and Jillian, and guess he saw this:

Jillian = seductive, Carmen = manic
The choice became obvious -- and he chose Jillian [editor's note: if you are using Firefox the animated image may move too fast. Try IE or Safari. I trying to resolve the issue.]. From the look that Jillian is giving Rami, I can tell that she has used that looked before on other men. It's so effective that I mailed my wallet to her.

It seems that Carmen didn't learn the art of subtlety after being past over by Rami when she tried to beat her name in SJP's head.


Unsurprisingly, she was not chosen. Also, why "Webber like the baller"? Why not "Webber like Andrew Lloyd"? I am pretty sure the SJP would remember someone who works on Broadway over a basketball player Chris Webber, who is famously known for his timeout debacle during the 1993 NCAA Finals. Is that reference too butch for this recap? Mae culpa.

My second favorite moment is when "Sweet P" was saddled with Elisa and her crazy ways when she was picked last for the challenge. In order to work harmoniously with Elisa, "Sweet P" offered this advice:


I am not sure if Elisa took this as a subtle come on, but how else would you explain this:


Her excuse is that she was spit marking the fabric, because, like, everyone does that. Oh ... she really was spit marking the fabric?!?


Would it be easier to use chalk instead of going down on fellow designer?

Ricky freakin' cries again because it is "awesome" that SJP picked his design.


When does he ever not cry? He strikes me as the type of guy who would remain completely stone-face in a tragic situation when tears are usually the appropriate response.

Results:

Winner: Victorya, Auf'd: Marion, My fav: Ricky
I know that I have and will continue to give Ricky grief about his crying, but I really liked his dress. I think the neckline and bust line of the dress made it too complicated for SJP's clothing line. It was too intricate for the under $20 price point. Cut and cry, Ricky. Cut and cry.

SJP has a great knowledge of fashion and is able to tell Christian that his outfit was crap, but in a way that is constructive. This is what SJP told Christian after the other judges told him they hated his 80's inspired look:

"It has a stronger color, and it is little bit short. It is more severe in person than it was on paper."
I will give Christian some slack since he was born in 1986. SJP also gave the boy a bit of hope when she thought that Christian's piece would fit her Bitten fall line, if it were longer and not as snug. And I have to agree. When your skinny model looks fat in your creation, then you should head back to the drawing board.

Astute Observation by Heidi Klum:

"I have to say, I don't get it at all. It's like out of the basement. It looks dirty -- it looks like a rag to me. (referring to Marion's auf'd design)"
Does she know any real fashion-y words? Just fake it, Heidi. Just throw random things into your critiques like: on the bias, cross stitch, tailoring ... etc. You are so adorable that you can turn bullshit into mash potatoes (line stolen from Rich). And besides, nothing is ever dirty in fashion. The proper word is: vintage.

Next on project runway ... Ricky will most likely cry.

I will end this post on a high note:


Using Kevin as bookends for this post ... I will be devastated when he leaves the show. He is perfectly imperfect, with the beard. I am sensing that underneath the beard may not be as pretty. You've been warned, Kevin.

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Ricky cry tally: 6