Project Runway Season 10, Episode 10, Sew You Think You Can Dance?

Greetings, Project Runway Fans!

I'm headed off to an overseas trip, so I'm making this really fast this week.

"Perhaps I can help.  Tonight's challenge is to design an outfit for a world class dance troupe...."

"Meet the Project Runway Dancers!" 

"Actually, tonight, I would like to indulge you with a boyhood dream of mine.  Ever since I was a tyke, I wanted to dance with the best dance troupe in all of America..."

"The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes!"

That's nice, Tim, but I really don't need your help.

"But don't you want to talk about how I let the designers go back to Mood after I saw how unimpressive the designs were half-way through the production?" 

No, Tim.  I don't have time to go into the producer manipulation that occurred when they saw Chris's New Yorky outfit and found out he didn't have enough fabric to make the skirt.  That's my working theory, anyway.  No, let's just go straight to the outfits this week.

Fabio

Whatever force possessed Fabio to use grey chiffon to line the top of the dress needs to be exorcized from him immediately.  It was wrinkly and made the outfit look dowdy.  The outfit itself isn't bad...kind of an art deco throwback.  If he had used neutral or sheer illusion at the top and a little contrasting outline around the bustline and straps to give it a bit more pizzazz, he could have been in contention for a win.  As it was, he was safe.

Sonjia

Girlfriend almost said goodbye this week.

She looked like a purple bird.  Michael Kors said it was too cocktail (pun intended, I'm sure.)  Debra Messing, guest judge this week, said the feathers would molt all over the place.  This costume wouldn't last past one performance.  I don't know what Sonjia was thinking this week.  Perhaps she has a sequin allergy.

Melissa

I don't understand the thrall in which the judges hold Melissa.

Melissa's "ode to art deco" ended up becoming a cross between a cheerleader and a cigarette girl from the 1940's.  She said that she didn't see the "1" on the front until the model walked down the runway.  I can't figure out what she was trying to do with the front.  The back looked so symmetrical and the front was a total mess.  She once again tried the straight neckline in the front, but that really didn't add anything to the outfit.  The outfit didn't move at all and would do nothing to showcase the dancers.  This would have been one of my candidates for an auf.

Elena

Circus performer meets Vegas showgirl.  That's what Michael Kors said.  For me, it's more Aztec Warrior Princess meets Romanian gymnast.  She didn't need all the cut outs in the front.  She certainly didn't need to add the triangle of sparkles at the neckline, either.  The "V" shape of the skirt makes it look like a cheap, eBay costume.

Compounding her troubles was the very poor fit in the bodice.  It bunched up and wrinkled and made the outfit look sloppy and poorly constructed.

Ven

But worse than bad circus performer or sad, purple bird was someone who missed the brief entirely.

It's a nice dress....tell me more.

"I like the fabric and the color really stands out."

At one point, while working with the fabric, Ven said the color was "loud."  I'm beginning to wonder if he sees colors the same way everyone else does.  In any case, there was nothing outstanding about this dress, which is exactly what it was.

Is Ven even that familiar with the Rockettes?

Even the toned down outfits have some strong, visual interest.  These aren't just pretty dresses for dancing.  Ven's dress wasn't the worst outfit up there (Ven certainly knew that...) but it was the one that took absolutely no chances whatsoever.  Bye bye, Ven.  We'll sort of miss you, I guess.


So what's better, treacly sentimentality or edgy perfection?  This show is on Lifetime.  What do you think won?

Dmitry

For me, Dmitry won the challenge.  There was nothing bad about this outfit at all.

Seriously...cheer up, you two!

The fit was perfect.  The fringed skirt moved beautifully.  The sleeve and diagonal bodice would have created a strong visual image for a chorus line of dancers.  To me, this was not only excellently produced, but a very innovative design.

Christopher

There's no doubt that New York City can be a designer's muse.

Remember Jay McCarroll's Chrysler Building dress from Season 1?

Well, Rockette fashion doesn't get any more inspired than this.

He took a pre-beaded fabric and appliqued it onto a sheer illusion bodice.

You'll notice that in this picture, he does not have the skirt attached.  He completely ran out of fabric.  It was at this point that the producers decided Tim announced that the designers could return to Mood for more materials.  Chris made a beeline for the beaded fabric.

Then, he glued sparkly jewels to the bodice to make "stars" and around the buildings in an outline.

The effect was beautiful.  The fit was perfect.  No, it didn't push any envelopes, it simply paid homage to one of the most iconic cities on earth.  Well done, Christopher.

The judges announced that the Rockettes will be wearing Christopher's design in an upcoming show.

I'll be late with next week's post.  Since I was late last week, you may have missed my post on last week's challenge.

See you when I get back for the last few challenges before the final show!