Friday, November 23, 2007 by
Author
Again with the frickin' bows. These designers are going to kill us.
Part of the reason we wanted to lead off yesterday with a post about Sarah Jessica Parker and her BITTEN line was so that we could point out just how in line with the BITTEN aesthetic this dress was.
The editing made it tough to see what contributions Kevin made to the process, but if the final product looked good and there was no drama between the two of them, then he, by definition, was a good team member - although he was PISSED that SJP didn't pick him. Something tells us Kevin needs to unclench a little.
Lorenzo HATED this dress on sight. Tom didn't (and still doesn't) exactly like it, but he could see all along why this was the dress chosen and through vigorous arguing over turkey, got Lorenzo to agree (which ranks somewhere around "pouring water uphill" in the scheme of possibilities).
The thing is, it's just a very finished, polished look, which goes far when you're trying to convince someone to manufacture it. Also, big time credit needs to be paid to VictorYA for "getting" BITTEN so well. Scroll down and look at the rest of the BITTEN line and tell us that this doesn't look like it fits right in.
No, we don't like the color choices (which are drab) and the proportions (which make her look like she's just eaten a really large meal), but we're not the young girls to whom this dress should and probably will be marketed.
Bottom line: we don't love it ourselves, but it's a well-designed, perfectly executed dress that's totally in line with the demographic she was going for. Also bottom line: Kevin, we believe you if you say you're straight, but honey, you sure don't look it there.
[Photo: Seenon.com - Screencaps: Project Rungay]
Post a Comment
86 comments:
I hated this dress. It looked like a maternity dress for a manic depressive. And I hated the colors.
The proportions actually reminded me, a little, of Charlie Chaplin: Oversized trousers with too, too small jacket vs this oversized dress with too small vest. Except, thankfully, Chaplin didn't wear bows.
From just the runway that I saw, I would have picked the purple dress.
--Gotham Tomato
I personally think it's a Britney Spears maternity dress. I don't like it, but it really does fit into the Bitten line. I could see getting both of these for under 40.00 at Steve and Barry's, and that was the point. They would be easy and inexpensive to reproduce.
You notice that there was a lot of cool stuff this week? Much cooler than the ---50,000 worth of fabric from Mood episode.
Can't wait to hear your take on the "Ktel presents The Best of the 80s"-this oughta be good.
And I almost forgot...
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
One of the many things I'm thankful for are all the laughs (& insight) that I get from this blog everyday.
--Gotham Tomato
I find it odd that Victorya has been singled out two weeks in a row--for the same dress, albeit one with an ugly flower and one with an ugly vest. Can she make anything other than an above-the-knee, unconstructed black sack dress?
I still don't get this dress, even with your explanation. It's a sack, and the vest is super-ugly. I mean, most of the work this week was pretty subpar, but still... blech.
Hated it, too. The racer-back on the vest so obscured the detail on the yoke of the dress that I really felt like this was not a two-piece look. It was two separates that yearned to remain separate.
I'd also love to know what Tim thinks of this bloated silhouette.
And are we sure VictorYa isn't Vera Wang's sister? Or cousin? Or...Vera herself?!
i like this dress. i would wear it. maybe get rid of the Colonel Sanders bow.
Not so sure that Victorya "got" Bitten as much as Bitten happens to fit into her signature Vera-lite style. I don't like it but I do recognize that it's well executed and thoughtful. On the good side, she seems sweet and drama-free. (Actually, all the teams worked well together).
Last time I saw a bow like this on the front of casual wear, however, was 1986. Why, again, does she get a pass for doing something which is the subject of criticism in another designer's work?
As soon as I saw the finished dress, I knew that it was probably going to be the winner of this challenge. Victorya designed a dress that really fits into the Bitten line. My 18 yr.old niece thinks the look is very cute, and she totally loves the vest, and she's definitely part of the demographic that Bitten is marketing to.
Kevin was most definitely not pleased that his design wasn't selected...and yes, Kev, we know that you're NOT gay...chill, honey, please.
Given the criteria of the challenge, this dress deserved the win.
Do I love it? It's not for me now, but I probably would have worn it when I was in a younger age bracket...
Kevin, you furry little thing, you were so not cool around SJP, even the screaming homos were more slick!
And I adored Chris' reaction, I love him more each week....and he and Kit seemed like a really good pair.
My question is this: The challenge was for the fall/winter line, correct? Then how come all you saw coming down that runway was LEGS? Uncovered legs? Don't designer's legs get cold in the winter? Do we not think of that when we are designing mini dresses for January wear??? I mean people, c'mon!
Other than that, the dress is meh and the vest was meh squared. Nothing really stuck out for me, but it's not about me. (their loss)
I loved the look. I thought it was fresh and young, especially the vest.
She's such a Vera Wang wannabe, and no, I'm not saying that because she's Asian, it's her aesthetic: minimalism, depressing colors and odd shapes.
yeah i thought this was a fall winter look??? the only sweater going down the runway was kit & chris's look.
well there was the burlap sack that looked kinda warm but eh... NO!
is it just me or do these judges not always take into consideration ALL of the intricacies of the challenge??
as a young fag with fabulous taste, I don't get what mythical younger demographic this dress is supposed to target. I don't know a single young woman who would wear this.
And Kevin not only looks gay, he also looks like a power bottom.
Well said, ted. I thought I should have posited my Vera Wang comparison with a "not because she's Asian...with a drab haircut...and no discernable makeup" disclaimer, but you nailed it. They seem to share that same depressing, so-called post-modern aesthetic.
And amen to say what? about the LEGS in winter. I'd have to think that's a look that only really works for the hyperthyroidic (whose internal furnaces are on overload).
although i know the younger folks tend toward the street urchin look these days (as one of my all-time favorite actors, christopher walken, said in wedding crashers re: todd: "what's he got to be so morose about?"), i don’t get it. the color, the bow, the oh-so-tiny vest, the formlessness…
if victorya sends another dress like this down the runway in the next challenge, i can’t help but wonder how long it will be before we start hearing “one note.”
~~zoë
I agree with Gotham Tomato. It's a very maternity dress. It's just another yawn. But, it did deserve the win, and the vest was kind of cute. I could see that with a pair of pants or jeans.
5 Letters. F-U-G-L-Y.
I loved the neckline on this dress but hated the bow. Too much fabric in the dress, tho. Anyone who had actually gone thru a pregnancy would never want to wear maternity clothes again. I figure that's why all those "maternity tops" that the teens are wearing with their jeans now - well, not for anyone older!
One thing I wondered about this challenge. When told they could only spend $15 on the material - was that wholesale (which would have been fair), before taxes, or what?
I agree with Gotham Tomato (and others): I hated this look. Sure, I understand that I'm not the target market, but I know plenty of younger woman, and I can't imagine ANY of them wearing this. Forget dressed in the dark -- it looked like it was designed in the dark. The proportions seemed odd and unflattering, the bow was ridiculous -- and what is with the lack of color? Yes, I understand that the drabness fits in with Bitten's line, but why is the line so opposed to color? I don't get it.
I personally love bows. I think if the fit of this dress/vest had been a bit different, this could've been a cute look.
you obviously don't have enough of an artistic sensibility to appreciate the dress, which, by the way, again, looks very Vera Wang
I loved the vest, actually, but the look looked kind of, messy, no? I mean, it's cohesive and what not, but so...overly voluminous. The vest just sort of get's lost in the dress. It reminds me of Bonnie's dog walking outfit where there was just was to much fabric going on, and not enough time to understand it.
I was made PERFECTLY though.
It was okay. I'm not the audience. Since I had to wear actual maternity clothes 3 times (and where were you THEN, Liz Lange?), I'm not bloody likely to. But I can see cute young things wearing this over skinny jeans with wee flats and a cute hat. Still hate the bow, though.
Love the dress. Love the vest. HATE the bow. Not my pick, but perfect for SJP's collection.
Go Victorya! We are all cheering for you in Virginia!
I liked Victorya's dress for its simplicity and because a lot of people can wear it, including me.
Victorya's vision and Kevin's skills combined produced a beautiful outfit. I can't wait to buy it!
victorYA seems talented and i kind of like her personality.
but the better dress was constructed by the little kooky girl with help from that nasty (non)sweet p.
if the little kooky girl's dress had been a different color, it might have fit more with the Bitten line. it was a prettier dress, more sophisticated than this (sackcloth) construction.
and the bow around the neck. somehow it reminds me of the '60s, not a very pretty time for fashion.
nevertheless, congrats to victorYA.
I liked the look. I had a feeling it would be unpopular, but it seemed artistic to me in a way. Whether that translates to sales, I don't know. But I liked it like I would like a painting that I would never buy.
Elisa is surprising me. I figured she'd create outrageous clothes but she designed a killer look. I look forward to more of her gifts.
Sweet P prejudged her (as I think most of us did), and I think by the end of the episode came around. Remember, the producers ask leading questions to create us much cattiness/drama as possible.
hopefully Elisa will have more respect.
So far, I'd like to see more from these designers. I find myself enjoying the designs on Project Runway Canada more. And Iman is just world class.
But the American judges are better. Nina Garcia is the best. Also Tim Gun > than that other guy (although he's helpful too).
Totally agree with gothamtomato and others, and it did remind me of an artist's smock--as I have said else where the vest was to minimalist and appeared to be added only for color. I much preferred her first design, the arms not lifting thing...well, nothing better fabric choices would not fix-but that dress showed some innovativeness that seems to be missing so far.
I do have a question for anyone...is the goal to design new high fashion and/or fashion that the common woman would wear?
I was pretty amazed at the whole lack of partner drama. It made me miss Angela and Vincent a little (just kidding!)
I liked Ricky and Jack's, although the belt was a pretty easy second piece. I also did like Sweet P and Elisa's.
It is a good Thanksgiving dress. You could eat the whole turkey and fit a pumpkin under it.
Good Christ; enough with the "smock-goes-babydoll" sihlouettes already!
anonymous 2:48 ~ no shit. aren't you just sick of it?
mumblesalot, honey, yes. or a baby or three and a turkey and a pie.
"babydoll" will always be puffy fluffy little girl jammies, never suitable for wearing out into the world and only cute and flattering when you're tucked in bed.
I hated it. I was underwhelmed by all the outfits. I don't understand the hype over VictorYA. She designs frumpy, drab dresses with no shape. Kind of reminds me of the Simply Vera collection that I saw at Kohl's just tody. UGH.
I think part of the reason this one won is that it will be easy to manufacture.
Please, sweet baby Jesus in the cradle, no more bows. I'm having a Diane Feinstein, Mayor of San Francisco (in the late 70s/early 80s) flashback. Long live Mayor Feinstein ... RIP bows. Please.
The only saving grace RE this dress is that--as has been mentioned--it can be worn over jeans and is a much better look on overweight/chubby girls than the crop top/muffin top look that is everywhere and awful.
So far only, baggy, drappy grey designs have been chosen. Hope this isn't going to be a drab, minimilast Project Runway sseason.
Not too big on the bow in the front, but without that embellishment, I think this is a really cute dress.
There is a word for this dress...
FUGLY!
That is one sad, drab outfit. Even the bow looks limp and joyless.
Honesty.not.pc.
I thought this was a very cute and sellable dress.I think it would have really looked cute with colorful tights. I like the vest and the color combo, but I do not think the racer back works, because you can see the yoke seam on the dress though the enlarged armhole of the vest. Victorya knows how to make cheap fabric work for her. The silhouette is pretty similar to what she did last week. Lets see what else she can do. For now I think she is in the final three.
"Mrs. Jones said...
The only saving grace RE this dress is that--as has been mentioned--it can be worn over jeans and is a much better look on overweight/chubby girls than the crop top/muffin top look that is everywhere and awful."
I disagree on that. That silhouette will make a big girl look like she's dating Omar the Tentmaker. And if she has thick legs, forget it!
That dress is for a thin girl with thin legs.
--Gotham Tomato
I picked Victorya for the win because I had a sneaking suspicion SJP would be the guest and a Bitten oufit would be the goal. However, I have to say I really liked Elisa's cape/dress combo. When I heard "polymorphic + cape" I expected...I don't know what I expected but it was nowhere close to Elisa's final garment. Maybe it's just me but I'm not really seeing work that is far superior to anything from S3; I thought this was supposed to be the most talented group ever? I think there are 1 or 2 designers who are ahead of the usual PR curve but as a group I'm just not that impressed.
I would have liked Victorya's design a hell of a lot more if she didn't have that hideous bow around the model's neck.
Victorya is very talented. Mark my words...she'll make the final three.
Congrats to VictorYa, but...bleah.
Sarah Jessica Parker said that she "loved Victorya's design immediately."
Well, let's see if BITTEN keeps the design close to the original.
I saw this outfit at Steve & Barry's today (advertised under a big "Project Runway" sign) and the design in the same, but it doesn't look as good as it did on the runway. The fabric was a really thin and lifeless cotton (Tthis is for a fall/winter line? Really? Do they make short thermals to wear under it?) and the vest didn't have the same vibrant colors. The vest and the dress were displayed separately, leading me to believe you had to buy them separately. I couldn't figure out the price and the employees were so busy I didn't ask. None of the tags in the Bitten line had prices on them; some of the displays listed handwritten prices on the signs but many did not. It was my first trip to Steve & Barry's so I'll have to return (sans small child) and figure out their system.
I like Victorya but I think the Earth Goddess and Sweet P should have won for their outfit.
Update: In New Jersey for the holiday I chanced upon a Steve and Barry. They have the PR dress on display with a PR tag.
Of course the frabic is cheap as well as the store. I don't see this as a seller at all. Bitten seems like crap to me. Nice dream but not reality.
I forgot to mention in my previous post that the bow around the neck reminds me of those scary camp stories about the woman whose head falls off once you remove the ribbon around her neck.
"j-yo said...
I saw this outfit at Steve & Barry's today (advertised under a big "Project Runway" sign) and the design in the same, but it doesn't look as good as it did on the runway. "
"matchchatter said...
Update: In New Jersey for the holiday I chanced upon a Steve and Barry. They have the PR dress on display with a PR tag."
Thank you for the update. I might check it out myself. Now I'm curious to see it.
Hated the bow. Hated the color. The vest might be acceptable if it was a brocade or something more elegant to stand out from the dress. The dress actually might be more interesting if it were shortened to be a top worn over jeans.
In the sketching parts of this episode, a couple of the designers mentioned tights, so I think we were supposed to envision the garment being worn over tights. THe tights, however, wouldn't have been included in the $15 so they weren't shown. But it would have been well to have mentioned the concept again at some point if that *was* what the look was supposed to encompass.
My favorite outfit was the runner up cape and dress. I loved the cut of both of those garments, and the color of the dress was spectacular. Up close, they might not have been as nice if, for example, the edges of the cape were left unfinished. But none of the judges mentioned that as an issue.
Victorya's dress seemed more Olsen twins than Bitten to me. I don't know anyone who's drawn to a muumuu silhouette unless they're over 70 or on an island vacation. And that bow was just sad. Come on, SJP, this can't be what you want the women of the world to wear.
-- rain brain
I didn't really like this dress. I was surprised it won after all SJP's talk of them making a dress that all women could wear and making clothing that would look good on heavier women too. I was really impressed when she pointed that out. But, as a plus size woman I do not see how this dress would look good on someone larger like me. I would never wear it, it looks like it would make anyone look heavier especially those of us that are heavier. Maybe I don't "get" fashion but I liked a lot of pieces in the Bitten line and I don't see where this fits in. I really like the red dress with black belt...thought that was really cute, wearable and a lot of women would buy it. Just my opinion though.
I actually loved this dress! (btw, I'm 17 and dead broke) I have a thing for oversized tent like dresses, and when I saw it in Steve and Barry's I was extremely excited.
The dress came at a reasonable price of ~$20, in a nice shade of burgundy and the dark gray from the show, and the vest was sold separately for about $14. The material is on the flimsy side, but for its price, is reasonable. At least it's soft. :O
However, I really doubt the average woman can wear this dress. It came up to barely mid-thigh on me (I'm 5'7'') and is extremely unflattering on anyone without narrow shoulders. Not exactly a curve friendly dress either. I tried it on and my mom refused to let me even think about buying it. XD
As for the vest, it was nicer I think but it was more abbreviated than I expected. xx;; I was quite disappointed :( so much for my chance of wearing an actual project runway design T_T
Cute, deserved to win, blah blah blah but that dress/vest combo doesn't work for anyone over 25.
I did like Victorya and Kevin's dress with the racer back vest it was pretty, but I was blown away more by what Ricky and Elisa designed. I'll talk about those later.
I hated it. I thought it looked like something a slutty Amish girl would wear.
In the store it looks EXACTLY like a short graduation gown. My friend tried it on and we joked about how the only thing that was missing was the square hat.
I hated this outfit. I sincerely don't understand why the judges love Victorya's designs so much.
"The BITTEN collection was designed for women of all ages and sizes."
Yeah, I'd like to see that dress and vest in size 16-22.
That dress ... if any celeb wore it, it would surely show up on Go Fug Yourself, and with good reason. It's hideous. It made the skinny-ass model look pregnant. Imagine what it would do to a size 6 woman (and the BITTEN line goes up to size 22 ... ye gods, that dress would be unflattering on a size 22 woman).
Well-made? Sure. But since when has that been a criterion? I truly wish someone could explain why the judges thought this deserved the win. Hate!
Speaking as a young woman in said demographic-- the dress is hideously ugly. The only circumstance under which I would wear this dress is if I were pregnant AND broke.
What about Jack and Ricky's adorable dress or Kit and Chris's outfit? So far I think the judges have been good at picking the losers but AWFUL at picking winners. Thumbs down to this dress and to Rami's!
And to Keith's first win from last season!!
I did not like this. It looked a lot like her first dress, which I also did not like. I don't understand the appeal, and apparently I'm not alone.
To be honest, I thought everyone's designs had some flaw in it, but weirdo or not, I'd rather Elisa had won given the choice between her and VictorYA. That cape is not something I'd ever wear, but I guess some people like 'em, and I liked the dress proper.
As far as outfits not kept on the runway, I actually rather liked Ricky's. The shirt/capri pairs (both Rami's and Kit's) were a little boring in all-black but were actually things I might personally buy... I'd need a closer look and to see how they hung on me (I suspect Kit's top would work better) but they'd at least be things I would look at.
Dude. I hated this dress. Hated. It reminds me of the Olsen twins too, Rain brain. I don't get the drool for VictoYa either. I don't dig her style OR personality.
She's a drab.
Victorya really did deserve the win. Someonel said she reminds them of Vera Wang. I think I agree now.
The vest is adorable, I would definitely wear it. The dress is a little too potato sack-like for me. I'm too petite for it, it would just hang on me and look weird.
A mini moo-moo???!!! SJP picked a friggin mini moo-moo???!!! Gawd, I hated this dress. It looks like an over-the-top artist smock, but not as cute.
I am not seeing the hype of this season's designers yet, but I am waiting patiently.
I didn't understand all the praise from the judges for the shrunken wee vestie.
On me the effect would look like a pair of tits wearing horse blinders.
Victoryeah best understood this challenge. Not only does it aesthetically fit in with Bitten but you can also tell that it could be produced inexpensively. It doesn't rely on fabric or detail for its impact, which is very important when you have to produce a dress for a dollar.
Really? We believe he's straight?
Really?
Anne
The Biten line is hideous. I looks like a cheaper version of the bad designs that Banana Republic is coming out with.
There are some things I like about the dress... has nice lines... but I don't know who would look good in it who wasn't a size 2. It doesn't make you look like a skinny size 2. Can you imagine it on a 14? It hides every asset a woman has except the legs and face. So, I guess pray you have good face and skinny legs!
I just don't understand how this dress (or Toulouse Lautrec-sized smock and racer back (?)vest) is supposed to work for women of all shapes and sizes, I really don't. Perhaps such an outfit does not exist but this doesn't even come close. It is totally Olsen twins - little twig legs with hideous ankle boots and chimney sweep eyemake up and hair. But not a normal size woman. It is not flattering. And the vest was inexcusable (as was the bow). Anyone without tiny little shoulders and normal size boobs is just going to look silly and unless you have perfect legs... (I could go on and on...)
CP
Anyone over a size two will look like a cannon ball in this dress. Plus, you HAVE to have great legs. This dress moved great on the Runway but will be a joke in real life. Now, let's discuss Ricky's dress....
I'm 14 and I hated this dress. The colors were bad and the bow was just awful. I feel like I've seen this dress SO many times before and I feel it's a little TOO trendy....
While I do think its a good idea on paper, I tried it on yesterday and you have to be a size 2 to be able to pull it off.
I didn't like it either. What's with all the drab colors?? Reminds me of the Vera Wang for Kohls colors.
No thank you.
Victorya is Korean.
Vera Wang is Chinese.
Unless there is some interracial marriage a generation before, the chances that they are relatives is very remote.
Koreans generally don't care for the Chinese, due to the conquests of the Chinese peoples in mid 20th Century.
It's like you're in my head. Why is it that I think of you guys whenever I watch Jackie & Debra on youtube:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdpKwwomO_A&feature=related)
Hil-damn-larious, that's why. I can't wait for you to start a podcast.
WorkingWords100 said...
Victorya is Korean.
Vera Wang is Chinese.
Unless there is some interracial marriage a generation before, the chances that they are relatives is very remote.
Koreans generally don't care for the Chinese, due to the conquests of the Chinese peoples in mid 20th Century.
*****
Um, I appreciate the cultural lesson but I'm not sure how it's relevant here. And, being Asian myself, I don't really appreciate the generalization on who hates whom.
I was out shopping today for a trip that I'm going on, and had no idea that my mall had a Steve and Barry's until I walked right past it with the "dress" sitting right there, staring at me. I thought it'd be a fun story to tell my other PR friend that I tried on the winning garment, so I went inside and tried it on.
Personally, I didn't like it on the hanger, but I loved it on. So I bought it. I mean, it was only $20. Opted not to get the vest, mainly because they changed the color of the plaid in-store, and I didn't find it too appealing
I think its gorgeous...and I'm about the demographic of a Bitten customer. I didn't like the racer back and the color of the dress was beyond drab, but hey, its not really designed for someone who likes to take fashion risks. However, I think it would look terrible on a plus size woman--it would just make that woman look still bigger.
I do think it was the best this week, much more wearable for an average young woman than Elisha and Sweet P's.
Post a Comment