Thursday, April 22, 2010

"Finale, Part 2"

Can't wait to see how the fashion show that happened about three months ago turned out!

Previously on: Seth is advised to reconceptualize! Emilio and Tim clash! Mila and Jay have a runway-off, and Mila is victorious.

One day till runway show! Wow, Emilio's clothes look gross. Seth eagerly announces that he's "sizing up the comp". The ever quotable Seth, how I will miss you. This is now the part where the designers crap on each other's collections: Mila sees Seth's clothes as "glamourous Hot Topic", and Seth sees Mila's looks as "severe and demure", while Mila thinks Emilio's looks are a boutique in Harlem...in 1994 (are we talking Moesha fashion here?).

Tim checks in with the designers. Seth Aaron created 24 looks. Which he has to whittle down to 10! The tension between Tim and Emilio is palpable, and Tim walks on eggshells around ESosa. Mila has been advised to rock and roll her black coat-filled collection.

Model casting: Mila is looking for edgy girls. Emilio wants a diverse cast, and Emilio is looking for fierce walkers. Collier Strong/John Locke consults for makeup looks with the muse models. Wow, he gives Seth's model a very strong, blue eye and very red lips. Very Robert Palmer.

The muse models come in for fittings. Emilio seems surprised to see how different his dresses look on real women's bodies, so is adjusting accordingly. Time for Garnier hair consults. Mila actively tries to go rock and roll (hint: lots of gel). Emilio's model, meanwhile, gets a lot of hair spray. All three interview how important the show is to them and their loved ones. Funny, it's snowing in New York as the designers leave Parsons...

Day of the show and the designers are awoken by a 1930's alarm clock in the Westin hotel. The designers enter the Bryant Park tents with awe. Seth makes snow angels on the pure white runway. The designers prepare their models, as they get styled. Mila is missing 3 of her models. Emilio is also missing one. Are they caught in the snow? Stuck in traffic? Making snow angels on the virgin white runway?

Hold on tight while we watch this ad from Garnier...

Tim pulls alternates for Emilio and Mila, and we see ghosts of contestants past enter the tent: Anthony, Jesus Estrada (really?), even last season's Althea and Carol Hannah. Finishing touches are put on the models. Meanwhile, the judges, all in black, enter the tent. The models are all lined, up, the lights go down, and a spotlight falls on the runway.

Heidi enters. She announces that season 7 had amazing designers, and we see Jonathan, Jesse (yeah, Jesse who?) and a sullen Jay in the audience. Guest judge is Faith Hill, for some reason.

Seth Aaron is first. He thanks his family, and his inspiration was German/Russian military from the 40's. Ok Seth, I'm expecting some Inglourious Basterds action here:

The first look is strong, the red dress. His muse model is fierce. The houndstooth that follows is awesome. Wow, his silhouettes, fabrics, and even accessories are so original. There is one black and white gingham -looking dress that doesn't seem to fit in with the rest. But this is followed by a rocking black pleather explosion, and then that yellow plaid Burberry pencil skirt creation. The black jacket that follows is awesome. There is a gray dress with polka dot leggings, and then a gorgeous, shimmery gray coat that is the most chic garment so far. Purple dress that looks like a bunched up scrunchie is the sole miss, and hell, Nigel Barker and his blonde companion seem to like it. All in all, far from glam Hot Topic, it was awesome!

Mila is next, and she gets emotional. Her black coat really contrasts well with the white runway. Her inspiration was inspired by shadows, and she gives a shoutout to her parents and her boyfriend Matthew. Uh, why couldn't they get better seats? It looks like they're up in the rafters with Jesus Estrada.

Anyhoo, the show: A shapeless dizzying black and white coat thing, followed by a similar coat with similar colors. Quick cut to Jay in the crowd, wondering what these clothes have over his. The clothes so far don't seem really high fashion, but they're wearable, and model Brandise looks fierce. There is a short black and gray leather dress that looks cool, and an outfit with purple tights. Ooh, color! There is a sweater with fringe that looks cool, and B-list actress Christina Milian seems to approve (either Christina Milian, or Raven Simone from The Cosby Show). One weak note is the white blouse with asymmetrical black lines- it's very unoriginal and reminiscent of Mila's weak rainbow lines for the make-your-own-print challenge. The light purple shift dress that follows is eh, but that shimmery, sequined gold dress that closes the show is very cool.

Emilio's colorful show is ready to come out. "Good morning", he announces. Morning? Why does this seem like a nighttime event to me? Do attendees walk out of the tent and squint and blink like they've come out of a movie theater? Anyhoo, Emilio: we finally hear the inspiration for his collection, which is his mother and her sister. The collection is called Color Me Badd. Oh no he didn't. I'm already a wee bit on his side with the mother inspiration.

Ok: first a pea green coat. Eh. So not impressed. The cherry red dress that follows is a great color, but the style is unoriginal. These colors are great though: there is a bright, azure blue coat that follows, and the color is just lovely. But the design? A big, fat, meh. More cherry red, underneath which is that hideous mishmash of a print dress. Next is a green leopard print-like dress that is actually pretty cool. The cool blue dress that follows it is a great color, but very run of the mill design. These outfits are coming hit or miss for me. More cherry red, and finally a black suit that is a bit incongruous after all these colorful looks. A teeny weeny yellow barfy print mini-skirt comes out, followed by a very pretty green, shimmery Tinkerbell-like gown. The best so far. Way to get dressed up for the event, Emilio.

Instant fashion celebrity reaction: Editor in Chief of Marie Claire, aka Nina Garcia, liked Mila's shadows inspiration. Hunky fashion photographer/reality show judge Nigel Barker liked Seth's collection, and former contestant Anthony liked Emilio's, while an almost unrecognizable Ping Wu, in a gray bob wig, preferred Mila. So did the CEO of Halston. Aha! Mystery runway girl was indeed Raven Simone, who surprisingly resembles Christina Milian. Well, she actually liked Emilio's prints with the initials on them. How could she see? Beth Ostrosky Stern is identified as a television personality, and I have no idea who she is. Help, anyone? Anyway, she liked Seth's looks. Season 6 bitch/winner Irina liked Mila's blackety black looks (shocking!), and Jonathan (you remember Jonathan) is non-committal, saying Seth's collection was more whimsical, whereas Emilio and Mila's were more wearable. It all comes down to what the judges are looking for: a risky Jay McCarroll, or a safe Chloe Dao...

I have to rewind my DVR to see why the dude from Drop Dead Diva looks so familiar. Is he supposed to be a plus size heartthrob? He looks so damn familiar, in a Toby Keith way...

Alright, judges room: Is Nina Garcia on valium? Seriously. Kors admires Seth's craftsmanship, and his wow factor. His collection both stayed young and was luxury. Nina also adores his collection, and calls it very editorial. Heidi wasn't nuts about the purple scrunchie, but thought it was an exciting show. Faith Hill loves Emilio's coats. Heidi liked the print. Kors thinks his collection was the most commercial. Nina thought is was a sophisticated collection, but she criticizes the overuse of tailored coats. Mila's turn: Heidi of course really liked the show, and is glad that she heeded Michael and Nina's advice about edgy styling. Kors liked her use of shine, cause it was a little nasty. Seth Aaron cannot help but giggle, and neither can I. Don't shiny coats just make you feel nasty? Faith Hill loved Mila's collection, too.

Time for deliberation. Mila showed the culmination of her aesthetic, though Kors still thought it wasn't surprising. Heidi is not too surprised at Seth's collection, which she thought was typical of him (isn't that the point?). Kors thought it was polished and mature, but still with Seth's signature. They think he can be overwrought (cut to purple scrunchie). Nina thinks he's fearless, which is necessary. Faith Hill loves Emilio. She adored the Tinkerbell dress (me too!). He went more subdued, and went commercial. Kors is missing the drama. They're looking at who's the most creative and who has the most to say. Initials S.A. for the win?

Everyone gets accolades from Heidi. Mila...you're out. Figures. A male winner. She seems to take it well. Long silence from Heidi, and then...Seth Aaron...congratulations! He cries and is hugged by Emilio. Emilio is very bummed. Seth is thrilled, needless to say. Aw, the son is crying, how sweet is that. Kristina the model, of course, wins too. How does that other girl feel about taking the Ralph Lauren job now?? Seth seems enormously humbled and happy, as he should. Bravo.

Aufwiedersehen to another season of Project Runway! And now for the Cast Reunion...

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