This week we’re going to be treated to an interactive challenge, very exciting but I’m interested to see how it is going to work. Apparently Carolyn doesn’t know either so we have to wait to see Joanna. Hmphf. In the workroom, Joanna introduces us to Sandra Micek of USA Today. That’s an odd project placement…ok maybe not, that’s good reciprocal exposure. The theme of the challenge is every picture tells a story. Well, duh. I’ll contain my snickering. Anyways, they asked fans to tweet them inspirational pictures which the designers will use one to turn the picture into a fashion design for the runway.
Ok so I can see where this is a collaboration of sorts but how exactly is it interactive? I don’t think they know what the meaning of interactive is exactly because for it to be truly interactive, there would have to be more than simply using a fan’s photo for inspiration. We shall see I guess. Sandra tells them to remember “what is the headline for your look” – I can see this being fun. “The horror! Designer sends down a dress with splitting seams!” Ooo the winning designer and look will be featured in USA Today, not too shabby.
Emilio’s reward for winning last week is being able to choose his photo first. Not much of a prize but hey, better than nothing. Emilio chooses a photo of an adorable little girl, Sophie. 
Casanova chooses a fabulous guy in a white suit, it’s a very Casanova photo. Althea picks a train station from the UK because her husband proposed to her in a train station. Awww. Cheese. Ivy picks what looks like a dead butterfly because butterflies represents evolution and change, deep. It would be better if it wasn’t a dead butterfly but hey, that’s just me. Kayne, of course, picks a jumble of jewelry with gem stones sparkling. He is going to go gaudy, I can’t wait. Uli finds one of the sky and clouds from an airplane window because it makes her feel peaceful, very Uli to me. Laura Kathleen is having a pity party, sigh. Suck it up buttercup. Andrae chooses a photo of a fan who looks forlorn, I’m guessing because it’s how he’s feeling about now. Haha and yes, that’s exactly why. Anthony Ryan finds a very graphically bold photo which he says looks like paths crossing. Laura Kathleen picks a photo of moving water, it’s definitely pretty. For some reason we don’t see Joshua’s yet. Weird.
I miss having Tim Gunn herd the designers around Mood. Sigh. Anyways, Andrae has decided to make tinker toy-esque clothes as in something modular that can be combined in many ways. This could be genius or this could be a hot mess. I’m a wee scared for him right now, not gonna lie. When I think of fashion, I don’t think about tinker toys. Just saying. Ahh there’s Joshua’s photo. It’s of utility meters with interesting rust streaks. He’s going to match the colors perfectly which could be fantastic especially from him as he is really strong with his use of bright colors.
Laura Kathleen is dying fabric and venting to Josh. I feel bad for her, she can be a bit harsh but man, people have been quite snarky, short, and straight up hateful this season. Not really surprising considering her main detractors are Ivy and Kayne. Oh Andrae. Sweet Andrae. He’s under his desk and as Uli points out, very Golum-like.
Joanna time and this time, she’s brought a friend – Allison Maxwell,style editor for USA Today. Interesting wording, they’re there to help with their designs. First up is Andrae and his tinker toy dress. They can’t decide if it’s bonkers or brilliant. I feel that Joanna, I really do. They visit Laura Kathleen and get hung up on the fact that hers is a long dress and apparently no one wears long gowns anymore. Except wasn’t this just the summer of the maxi dress? They were everywhere… Snort. Joanna pointed out that Kayne’s design could go hooker-y easily. No freaking kidding. Anthony Ryan’s theme of moving forward, especially with his story of cancer could really go far. His designs tend to go towards the more structured look which definitely reflects his photo. They’re not feeling the connection to Althea’s picture – she’s doing separates, a pant suit to be specific in a taupe color. Her photo is so bright and airy with the gorgeous structural details yet she’s making a taupe suit? Meh.
Runway day so it’s time for everyone to panic…aaaand they do. It looks like everyone is running a bit behind and still sewing. Oh hi my lovely makeup man, I know I’m not your flavor and I’m married and all but damn, you are so nice to look at. As everyone is scrabbling to put their models into their garments, we a treated to Casanova’s deliciously accurate description “Kayne make this Parisian prostitute with a chicken in the head.” I love that man…and he is not lying. Rut-roh, Ivy points out that Joshua’s outfit looks like Rainbow Brite…and it does. It so does. Remember how I said he’s great with bright colors? Well today? I lied.
Oh look, Carolyn is wearing scouring pads on her clavicle. Nice. Ok. It is NOT an interactive challenge. It’s a fan collaboration but dude, no interaction. Not going to lie, I’m excited that Tavi Gevison is one of our guest judges. I love her blog, she really has great insight on trends as well as really marching to the beat of her own drummer. We also have Charlotte Ronson who happens to be a designer I personally adore. Double excitement for me! Hold onto your chicken hats, it’s time for the runway.
Kayne’s Parisian prostitute kicks off the show and damn. It so fits Casanova’s description. It’s also not anything we haven’t seen before, it’s a bright red dress that to me, screams 80s. I do not see any of his photo in the dress. Laura Kathleen is up next – I really see the inspiration of her photo. It’s a lovely print with fantastic movement that echos her photo. Adrae’s is next and while I don’t see where the photo comes in, it’s probably the best he’s done so far. The whole modular thing was not as horrific as it could have been. We don’t get to see it in action though. Casanova sends out a lovely pair of pants and belted top. It’s a great match for his photo and beyond that, it’s a fantastic outfit, let’s hope the judges agree! Ok. Althea’s jacket is gorg, love it but the pants? Oh. My. Gosh. They’re horrid! The crotch is insane too, looks like she has a very saggy diaper and no one wants that! Rainbow Bri..I mean Joshua is next – at least he’s self aware enough to know that it isn’t a hit and just hopes he doesn’t go home on this. Damn. Uli’s dress is beautiful, flowing and the perfect color, you can really see how she got from point A to B. Ivy the dead butterfly sends down this chiffon skirt paired with a cropped vest. Yes it’s as non-flattering as it sounds. Which of course means the judges will love it. I love Anthony Ryan’s dress, it’s a bold dress as he points out but it’s fitting with his photo. I actually think it’d go nicely in a collection with his dress from the graffiti challenge. Here comes Emilio’s model. I’m torn about his dress. I love that it’s different, that it isn’t something that you’ve seen a million times (hi Kayne!) and I love the colors, plus it does give you a clear idea of where his inspiration came from but there is just something I can’t put my finger on that I don’t love.
Laura Kathleen, Andrae, Joshua, Anthony Ryan, Emilio, and Althea are our top and bottom designers. The judges agree with me on Althea’s pants and the drabness of the color story but that her jacket is nice. Nice isn’t good enough in my opinion for All Stars. They love Anthony Ryan’s dress but do agree that it’s colors he’s used before.
If I’m remembering correctly, isn’t he color blind? I bet that’s exactly why. Watching Joshua try to defend his outfit is painful, he knows it’s bad. Oh Andrae, you’re so out there, so dramatic. They don’t get the connection between the forlorn photo and the modular dress, yeah, nor do I. The judges love Laura Kathleen’s dress and easily see the connection. She really did a fabulous job on her print. Emilio’s dress is another that they like, they see the inspiration and love the youth the dress evokes.
Deliberation time – Anthony Ryan is pitch perfect, Laura Kathleen’s dye job is the stand out of her outfit, and Emilio’s is a breath of fresh air but it isn’t the most wearable of dresses. On the bottom side we have feelings of footlocker and exhaustion with explanations for Andrae; Althea’s color choice was poor as were her pants but the jacket was ok; Joshua’s is schizophrenic and unwearable. Sad but true.
I’m betting on Anthony Ryan winning and Andrae going home but first we have to sit through endless Liz and Dick commercials. Sigh. Lindsey is such a train wreck.
Emilio is safe…and it IS Anthony Ryan with the win! Good for him. Laura Kathleen is obviously safe. Althea is safe so it is down to train wreck vs Rainbow Brite…..aaaaaand Joshua is in. Aww, good-bye Andrae. I shall miss your distinct weirdness.
Until next week, Stay fabulous kids!
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