Channel Flippin': Project Runway (S6E1)
Posted by: Sirui Huang on August 21, 2009 at 2:55 pm
After various licensing and production troubles, Project Runway Season 6 (finally, finally) premiered. Only now it’s on Lifetime. And in LA. And on Lifetime. Did I mention that it was on Lifetime? After the show’s long hiatus, anxious fans were treated to two hours and a half of PR marathoning. So, sight for sore eyes or… acid. In the eyes.
Initial Thoughts
It is hard to judge with the first few episodes, before we get a better feel for what the designers’ unique styles. But I am disappointed no one really stood out, given the first episode is trying to establish a base personality and look. Well, except crazy Ari. And uh. Well.
From the introductions, I was taken with Malvin, Epperson, and Shirin. Malvin for his belief that men and women apparently should wear the same clothes. Always. Epperson for his earthy, eclectic feel—and maybe his age can bring something to the table. Shirin? She is cute. I don’t have particularly high hopes for her designs, but hey. Cute.
Challenge: Red Carpet
The challenge for this week was to design a Red Carpet look that showcase a designer’s individual style and innovation. The designers sketch, except Ari, who likes to talk to her fabrics rather than tell them what to do. Communist!
In the workroom, the designs don’t pop, but as we feared from Lifetime. There’s crying. Ex-Meth Johnny freaks out, takes a nap, and cries until Tim talks him through it. Mitchell’s model is bigger than he expected. A woman lying about her weight? REALLY? Sucks but, I wasn’t that upset. She is beautiful and his design is not at all.
On the Runway:
Runway Day comes with Lindsay Lohan as the guest judge, and Mitchell is not done—well, someone had to send a Naked Dress. Most of the dresses played on the safe side, neutral palates in lux fabrics (ie shiny) in varying length. Based on the judges’ scoring, the top three were Ra’mon, Johnny, and Michael—with Michael taking the cake for his punk-glam VMA dress. Qristal gets scolded for low-taste, Mitchell for making excuses, and Ari for not taking things seriously. In the end, Ari and her space halter is cut.
I had been excited to see Epperson and Malvin, but the crushes did not pan out as expected. I barely remember Malvin’s and Epperson made Dr. Evil in dress form. An elderly Dr. Evil going to a funeral.
Out of the Safes, I liked Carol’s and Irina’s off-gold gowns (I’m going through a beige phase, it’s very Old World Lovely), and Nicolas’s petite woven dress. Carol’s execution on the bust was cluttered and prickly, but I liked her aristocratic concept. Irina’s had strong visual impact with the open back. It made a great first impression but on second (closer) look though, it was kind of tarty. Nicolas’s was my favorite. The black and charcoal weaving was adorable, as was his flirty low back. The ribboning reminds me a Kitsune tail. An eveningwear Kitsune tail.
I wasn’t impressed really with the top three. Ra’mon I thought was generic. Johnny’s color palate was about as tasteful as Hot Topic. (Though he gets points for the cut—it moved so playfully.) And Christopher’s dress, hip and fun as it is, feels like it’s been done several times over. It’s probably been stolen by Forever 21 several times over. Come on. Step it up guys.
As for the losers, Mitchell should have been the one to go home. Okay so Ari’s a bit out there. I couldn’t quite tell if it was a dress or a romper—neither, it’s a halter tunic, over shorts—and couldn’t think of any celebrity calling her up for her mystery garment. Does she even have a phone? But the design was actually kind of cute. So it wasn’t Red Carpet. So her explanation made no sense (no one would wear it to the Nobel Prizes). So the girl dressed like a deranged hippie-clown. It was the only design the stood out! It is a misstep to punish a designer for showing innovation, particular when it’s the first show. And come on, her competitor made the naked dress. Come on.
Conclusion:
Will I keep watching? Sure, I will keep watching. I been waiting for this so long that I will keep watching even if I wanted a pony and I got a dead hamster. But don’t take advantage of my desperation, Lifetime. Cut down on the heartwarming personal stories. They’re really not that heartwarming. More sketching, more workroom, more runway. I just want to see the clothes! More clothes!
Sirui August 21st, 2009
Oh and on Models? Lifetime adds a spin-off showing viewers the models’ point of view. The girls move in to a house, get free bling, bitch a bit. Redhead Erika had the losing designer, but it was Mitchell’s “oversized” Yosuzi that got the cut. Verdict? Not worth the 30 minutes.
I had marginal expectations of Models being good, and those teeny, fledgling expectations were brutally stomped to death. Inside of a cute little behind-the-scenes dessert to the main PR entrée, Models was a terrible recap—watched right after the actual episode, mind you—spliced with teenage girls squealing in pleasure and displeasure. No suspense, no content, very.. shrill. That said, I was disappointed to see Yosuzi go. Ignoring that she could be a full-on brat (“I basically made my designer’s outfit for him”), she was rather pretty and one of the more distinctive models.
Favorite for the season? Kojii, the Irish girl. She’s the most striking, super dynamic and bold, and has dynamite expressions (not that it matters on the catwalk). She makes me want to look at her.
chanzero August 22nd, 2009
Nice post, I agree pretty much all around.
I was kind of drawn to Malvin and Shirin for the same reasons you mentioned. Epperson not so much. I immediately hated Johnny (Ricky Redux) for crying so damn much. He wanted to quit BEFORE THE FIRST CHALLENGE! Also, was not and am not a fan of Qristal. I don’t hate her but she just doesn’t seem like she has talent or taste level to be there.
The Top 3 were indeed a bit boring, especially Ra’mon. His seemed nicely done, but generic as you mentioned.
As for the Bottom 2, I totally agree Mitchell should have gone home. He didn’t even send a dress down the runway! Well, neither did Ari, but she at least made something! Granted it was a bit nuts, but then again Ari is a bit nuts. She asks the clothing to tell her what it wants to be! She reminded me of — I don’t remember the lady’s name — but the woman who spit on her clothes to mark them (eww). I’m not saying we shouldn’t be about the clothes, but there is some benefit to, I won’t say “drama”, but the personalities, right? And Space Cadet Ari should’ve stayed!
Like Sirui says though, let’s step it up designers!
chanzero August 22nd, 2009
I think I have to watch this at least once. If for nothing else than to know who you are talking about. An Irish girl named Kojii? Huh? Also, I wouldn’t be wasting an hour of my life — just 30 minutes.
chanzero August 22nd, 2009
Oh, you responded before I finished editing my post. I was going to say, “And to see who is cute, of course”. All of which is a bit strange to say since these girls do make multiple appearances on the show itself.
EDIT: I want to go look at some of these models, BUT LIFETIME SITE SUCKS SO BAD, which you neglected to mention in your review.
