Great post as always, gentlemen.

But Tim Gunn did not say "snapshot." Nice try.

Does Kenley not have a single friend/family stand-in that could have been including in the "A Mean Girl Sews in Brooklyn" segment???

It seemed like Kenley was getting the same "underdog" treatment in the "home" episode that Christian did-- didn't the final edit show him alone in his little studio with no friends or family too? Let's just hope that's only a coincidence....

Great recap boys. On form as always!

Hmm. The 'snapshot' debate. While I think that Tim would consider it crude and rude to use 'snatch' other than as a verb, especially in front of a woman, it was hard for me to discern what was said. Maybe Tim just needed to be miked up better....

Snapshot, my ass.

I seriously squeed when I saw Tim on the back of LeAnnne's bike, like a large and very debonair toddler. I could just eat him up! Yes I could! Him's so cute!

Would it be lame for a very, very white 41 year old suburban mom of three to suddenly take up African drumming? That was so cool. Loved that. And really, when you story is "we fled Liberia to avoid being killed"? You deserve the win no matter WHAT you send up that runway. The universe OWES you. Well, okay, at least someone give her a contract, okay?

As much as I dislike Kenley (and Lord, do I dislike Kenley), every time I read your blogs and all the postings following them, I do feel sorry for her. You know that all the designers read this blog and it has to feel like she is getting slapped in the face over and over again. I am sure that the result is that she believes that, like Tim, the whole world just doesn't get her. But, it still has to sting.

I would love to know if Kenley did indeed invite over some friends and then the producers edited that part out to make her seem more "loner, making her way in the big city blah blah blah"?
I mean really I'm sure she knows the format of the show and she's gotta have at least a couple of friends.

I thought it was adorable that Leanne gave Tim her helmet. And as for "love interest," big deal. I'm sure he was just being cute.

Mazeway, go ahead and find a drumming class. All kinds of people drum.

A few tidbits from me:

First--thanks for posting so early in the morn'

Korto--
That dress would have been GORGEOUS and SOPHISTICATED if kept to the sleek pleating. Where did it go?

Leanne--
Why is Tim wearing a helmet, but not Leanne? If you own a Tandem bike, you have two helmets--unless the producers rented it for them.
Not good role modeling for the kiddies.

Kenley--
The rope could be a fabulous signature--though I admit one would have to be very careful not to take it over the top--but I agree that wrapping it around the neck is not the best idea. Braided rope of various patterns and weaves could be a very interesting "twist" on the silhouettes that she prefers.

Ms. Jerell--
I wonder what the longer version was like--he really doesn't look like he can give up on his total picture.

Speaking of which--I miss the old days when a whole show was devoted to the home visits--I still haven't caught all of Korto's visit b/c I have started watching at 3 minutes past the hour.

Thank you for another great segment.

Watching the unflappable Tim Gunn adjust to unfamiliar settings is priceless. I don't know if anything can top Laura's son trying to hand Tim turtle poop. But still, this "Homeward Bound" was enjoyable.


mazeway said...

Would it be lame for a very, very white 41 year old suburban mom of three to suddenly take up African drumming? That was so cool.

Not lame at all! I'm a very very white 44 year old who loves playing African drums until her fingers bruise.

BTW: for those who like African Drumming, contemporary composer Steve Reich incorporated a lot of African Drumming in his early works, such as "Drumming" and "Tehillim" and to his most famous piece "Music for 18 Musicians".

You can listen to "Drumming" at artofthestates.org

am usually not a fan of the home visits because of the hokie staging. But I did enjoy the bridesmaid competion.

Jackie you are correct about the way they portraited Christian as friendless and alone. He said that they did film segments of his family and friends, but they where edited out in the episode. My guess is the same is true with Kenley. Whether that means she is the winner is anybodys guess. But I doubt it.
They should have taken the camera crew down to Fla, so we could meet the ol' tugboat captain.

And finally I like the rope trim around the necks of her garments. It's provocative in a tugboat/bondage kind of way.

thanks for the early post.

just cant believe we are here & our show is almost over. :(

Sewing Siren,
I think you just came up with a new SM approach- tugboat bondage. I'm not sure about the specifics, but I see a line of videos.

And, please. Snap shot does not make sense in context.

Okay - best part for me (since I missed most of this episode) was finding out that Judy Noodles' boyfriend is a cartoonist! Will there be a draw-off showdown between Nathan and our dear Alex for the love of Judy Noodles?

I see Tim Gunn standing in an open meadow in the early morning haze with Alex and Nathan standing back to back. Judy Noodles is off to the side, supported by Korto and Jerell, distraught over the love of two suitors.

Tim intones, "Gentlemen, sharpen your pencils, take ten paces, turn and...draw."

i still can't believe kenley never once equated a rope around the neck with hanging

i mean, isn't that what hanging is?

After this episode I really thought more of Kenley. I mean, she's not going to change completely, so she's still gonna be a little defensive and abrasive. Yeah, that dress was a ripoff, but she seemed like she was honestly trying to let bygones be bygones when she was pouring the champagne and handing it out, and didn't want any more drama. Of course, I'm probably wrong.

Vanessa said:
"Why is Tim wearing a helmet, but not Leanne?"

a) Tim is the paid talent. Do you think the producers are going to risk their show,or their shooting schedule that much?

b) I like to think Tim is not as brazen as a 27 year-old and he knows damn well that accidents happen.

c) I agree that it was not the best example to set to have Leanne without one. As a cyclist, I always wear one because you never know which pothole or car door is going to get you....

PS: Bill, love your idea for the duel, but who are the seconds for Alex and Nathan?

On After Elton.com Jerrel said in an interview that he and his "love interest" have been together for a couple years but the nature of his love interest's work kept them apart most of the time. Now that's settled down and Jerrel called them boyfriends. When Jerrel said love interest on the show I thought it was a nice way of saying newly dating. I couldn't figure out the issues people had with his terminology.

Yes, that dress on the form at Korto's was much better than the final thing. But I still think the deeper taupe color, plus the wrinkly nature of the fabric was too "brown paper bag" for a bridal event.

I was more surprised that Tim and Kenley didn't have a play date after his critique at her apartment, than the fact that she didn't have any friends around. I would have liked to see where she gets her inspiration or some idea of places she goes to off times.

Tim has the most erect bicycle posture I've seen since Elmira Gulch! I was waiting for the Miss Gulch music from Wizard of Oz as they rode away!

BrianB

I love seeing/hearing TLo reiterate (mostly) my own feelings & thoughts but so, so much more entertainingly. And with screen shots vs. my own weak visual memory.

Extremely tangentially I think it would make a fantastic "we are America" sort of ad to gather all the final designers from all seasons(arguably a group that might be viewed as non-mainstream America in their aspirations and presentations-of-self) together with their various friends & family groupings against their various home backdrops.

There's a heartwarming public interest ad in there somewhere.

Um, yeah. Time for more coffee . . .

Bill said, Tim intones, "Gentlemen, sharpen your pencils, take ten paces, turn and...draw."

Too funny! Honestly, I didn't even make the connection between Alex!'s crush and Nathan being a cartoonist. Not enough coffee in me yet.

Your mention of Tim in the meadow has me chuckling again at the snap --SNAP-- shot TLo posted of Tim sitting on the blanket in his expensive suit and pink shirt, looking like he's trying to keep as little of himself as possible from touching the ground.

C'est moi, c'est moi Lola, for seconds I suggest T & Lo.

Someone please, catch a rerun and watch it with closed captioning. Let's put the snatch argument to rest. I actually watch most TV with captioning (loud children make that a necessity) and would do it myself, but I no longer have Bravo & have to watch PR online.

I did like this episode, and I'm glad that they all kinda sorta made up at the hotel. But my fave-rave was seeing Tim on that bike! Beats a Saturn any day of the week. I'm still chortling (nicely) over that one.

The "home" sequences were way too short. Like the rest of you, I don't believe they didn't do footage with Kenley and her "peeps", whoever they are. And the Leanne sequence was rather short as well; I was hoping she and Tim would start a campfire or go hiking, tee hee!
"Tim, it's Gortex. It's ugly but necessary here in the Pacific Northwest."

Hotly contested topic in my office and on several blogs -- was the Alexander McQueen dress on the runway DAYS before the PR show or MONTHS before, when Kenley could have seen a picture of it?

The McQueen dress was shown the previous February during FW.

hellene said:
"Tim, it's Gortex. It's ugly but necessary here in the Pacific Northwest."

Could be better/worse: they could've put Tim on a flashy road bike.

"Tim, it's spandex. It's tacky and all too revealing, but very aerodynamic."

Oh, the bicycle segment, we loved it!
It takes a real man to put on a helmet and ride a bicycle built for two. Loves The Tim.

I heard what Tim said, and it wasn't "snapshot"-I loved it!

Kenley should have been eliminated for fashion plagiarism. Hopefully her true colors will be her undoing on the finale.

WHY must Wednesday be so far away??

"Tlo said: Maybe we're reading too much into it but Kenley seemed like she was a nervous wreck meeting up with Tim again."




Yes, but right here, she just might have been thinking about going all Mike Tyson, and biting Tim's ear off.

I think he had a lucky escape.

--GothamTomato

Snap shot, guys? as td said above, nice try.

I firmly believe that the producers edited out Kenley friends and/or family. I don't know what he said before this, but he told her that the feather dress was spectacular, fabulous, or something like that. And I am tired of the feather dress controversy. I'm sure you can find outfits covered in feathers from the dawn of time (some fantastic use of bird feathers in Inca items for example, yes?) and kittens, we have to move on!

Tim, sitting in the woods, heeeeee! He's so game for all this stuff. What a good sport. Thanks Tim!

And thanks, TLo, especially for your weekend posts, because I've been working a bit on weekends these days and love coming over to visit.

Still would love to be able to win something and replace my broken Tim Gunn bobblehead... *snfff* tugboat

1. Happy Columbus Day everyone!!

2. Yes, Nathan, please cartoon for PRG...and you & Leanne are an adorable couple!!

3. I liked Jerrell's goatee - and I like him without it (sigh!) His "love interest" is very lucky!! And, I thought it was sweet when J. talked about his dad - Dad sounds like a great guy!

4. I have a little empathy for Kenley. I know what it's like to be insecure and to be your own worse enemy. You need to gain maturity and that comes with wrestling your demons, compromise, letting go of a lot of stuff and making peace. At 53, I'm still working on it and I hope she is working on it too.

5. Love Korto and love her story. Having said that, I think the biggest drama on Wednesday will be if Leanne doesn't win. I'm no fashion expert, but if this is a competition about high, cutting edge fashion, it has to be Leanne's beautiful, artistic collection that wins.

Having said THAT, I probably could never wear one of Leanne's garments (I'd look like a tidal wave, not just a wave!) I do think that Korto has the best ability to make clothes for real women and to have a very successful career. And, some day, if I ever have $$ again, I'll buy her clothes!!!

Auntie L

" jackie said: It seemed like Kenley was getting the same "underdog" treatment in the "home" episode that Christian did-- didn't the final edit show him alone in his little studio with no friends or family too?"




I think that's just because they don't live 'at home', but rather have moved to NYC, which is why there's no family & old friends around. If you recall, it was the same for Daniel V.

--GothamTomato

Aw, love the post, guys! That's one of my favorite episodes. Tim on that bike was one of the best S5 moments.

I'm actually not so against the rope. Of course the noose allusion is there, but taken as just a material, I don't think it looks as bad as most people are making it out to be. And I especially like it as the trim on the black skirt she paired with the big green spotted top. (You can't really see it in the pictures online, but they had one in the newspaper yesterday that showed how much more texture there was to it.)

"Instead we got a lot of immature passive agression that evaporated with one half-assed apology followed by alcohol for all."

Sounds like every party I've ever attended!

Now, I'm not trying to defend Kenley or anything, but it seems to me that she's catching a lot more flack than Jeffrey of S3 did for being an asshole. I've been wondering why this is. Is it because she's been pissy to the judges and the Gunn? She's also laughed at the other contestants, but she didn't relentlessly pick on one designer, and she never made anyone's mommy cry. Were Jeffrey's actions forgivable because Angela of S3 was not a popular contestant? Are we more willing to tolerate such behavior from a guy but will slap down any female who exhibits similar behavior? Just curious.

Perhaps I should quit thinking about this so much and concentrate on my real job! :)

Nathan is cute and they're adorable together. I felt bad for Kenley and her grandmother. I could be wrong but it looks like the girl has a lot of issues.

"Tlo said: He said "snapshot" you dirty birds. We refuse to believe that Tim would ever use the word "snatch" unless he was talking about grabbing something."




The whole thing went over my head to begin with. I'll have to try to catch it when I watch it again.

But I'd have to say that given the Georgia O'Keefe-ness of the look, he just might have said it (even though, just the thought of it is as bizarre as the thought of your parents ever having sex).

--GothamTomato

The rope idea is gimmicky and adds nothing to the looks. I heard 'snapshot' y'all! Tim should have played the drums : )

I had to rewind it because I didn't believe it the first time, but Tim didn't say snap shot. That just doesn't make sense or fit into the context. He said " It seems sexual..." just prior to saying it. Plus Korto laughed and snapshot isn't funny.

Boys, I'd like to amend the last part of my last post about Tim ever riding a road bike in racing shorts:

"Tim, it's spandex. It's tacky and all too revealing, but very aerodynamic. By the way, you fill them out nicely. Good thing Heidi isn't around."

(I fan myself while I blush.)

Nice to see those shots again. Thanks, Tlo!

Bill said...

Okay - best part for me (since I missed most of this episode) was finding out that Judy Noodles' boyfriend is a cartoonist! Will there be a draw-off showdown between Nathan and our dear Alex for the love of Judy Noodles?

I see Tim Gunn standing in an open meadow in the early morning haze with Alex and Nathan standing back to back. Judy Noodles is off to the side, supported by Korto and Jerell, distraught over the love of two suitors.

Tim intones, "Gentlemen, sharpen your pencils, take ten paces, turn and...draw."

That would be AWESOME! LOL

Oh my goodness, I had totally forgotten what Korto's wedding dress looked like back in Arkansas. That's how overembellished and wrecked it was by the time it got to NY! Agreed, TLo, she should have stopped where she was when the shoulders still lay flat.

Tim is so cute when he goes to the homes and meets families and friends. Always love it.

Isn't it telling that Kenley had NO ONE to introduce to Tim?

Oh, and how interesting that Judy Noodles likes cartoonists! Alex is going crazy just about now.

Dude, I thought Jeffrey was an insufferable a-hole. He annoyed me more than any other PR "villian." I hate that he won the whole shebang over Uli. He might have made good pants and jackets, but his dresses all looked the same to me.

But Kenley is no Jeffrey. However, Kenley is pretty durned annoying, especially when paired by these blatant-looking designer ripoffs (though who knows what acutually happened there). She really didn't bother me until she started laughing at other designers during the runway critiques. So not cool.

"jeninphilly said: Were Jeffrey's actions forgivable because Angela of S3 was not a popular contestant?"




Absolutely not - on all counts.

First, I don't think that Kenley is getting more grief - nor should she. Jeffrey was the biggest asshole this show has ever seen. He was an aggressive bully and liar, he ruthlessly used people, including his 'family', to get what he wanted, and he cheated his way to a meaningless 'win'.

I think the difference between in the comment reactions is that Jeffrey, clearly, had an organized campaign to flood blog comments, to defend him & attack anyone who posted anything negative about him. It was very obvious because it was sudden, and started near the end of the show's run. It was clearly done to try to make it apppear as if he was not as unpopular as he really was - I guess, for the press' benefit. And then there were also likely a few misguided loons who like bad boys, (the types who have prison pen pals), and had crushes on him.

Kenley has no organized campaign, and likely no crushes (given the demographics of this audience). So if you're going by just the general tone of comments, I don't think it's a good barometer.

And btw, I don't know whether Angela was popular or not, but I've met her on two occasions and found her to be absolutely lovely to be around. And I asked her about the editing on the show, about Jeffrey, and she said the edit was actually kind to him. In reality, he was much worse. And she's not the only person I've heard that from.

So no, Kenley is no where near as bad as Jeffrey. She is annoyingly immature and short-sighted; and just self-UNaware enough to make you roll your eyes (which is all most of these comments are: Eye rolling in typed form).

--GothamTomato

What Kenley ran into with the judges is something us grad students run into that I think is really problematic. I sat in on a dissertation defense at which the professors of the person defending raised basic critiques of her dissertation's foundational premise FOR THE FIRST TIME, after years of working with her.

Granted, this is not a dissertation, and we don't know--as you boys pointed out--what Tim said in private to Kenley. But it would be a big problem if Kenley was left to hear this critique on the runway for the first time, as it appeared through the filming that she did.

Thanks for this post--I wasn't expecting it!

Mazeway: If there are no African drumming groups nearby, don't forget to look for South American. My honey was in a volunteer-run Samba band for a number of years. OH, those rhythms!

In my prior post, I meant "we" in general; that is, blogger comments. From those, I've gotten the impression that Kenley's garnered a lot less support than Jeffrey. Maybe GT's correct that he had pals posting positive comments for him. I also wrote that Angela was not popular again based on blogger comments.

I was just curious as to why Kenley has generated so much venom. I agree she's been obnoxious and rude, but I have better things to do than hate on reality show people unless they do something REALLY bad like make Mrs. Keslar cry. (Who is, BTW, a very sweet lady who I've known since about 1991.)

I agree with Jen from Philly--Jeffrey WAS rude to pretty much all the other competitors. Didn't he say, regarding Laura, "I hope she has a stroke"? I think Jefrey WAS really a mean person.

I also had major problems with Santino. I remember the makeover challenge, with Santino standing next to poor embarrassed Kara Janx in her jumpsuit. When Nina asked why the sleeve was coming off, Santino did not give the REAL reason ("I ran out of glue") but blamed it on Kara's jumping for joy back stage at the honor of wearing the amazing jumpsuit. Lying to the judges? REALLY? Santino also made fun of Diana's voice, and I think the physical attributes of the other designers should be off limits. I also remember the screaming match between Nina and Santino, who was trying to defend some of the most ludicrous crap to go down the runway (2 words--underwear collection). But he was "funny" and he did Tim impersonations, so we let it slide.
I can't explain why Kenley has generated so much more hatred than anyone else.

When Kenley said repeatedly that she plans to remake that wedding dress and wear it someday, I laughed. Who is going to marry Kenley? Can you imagine lasting a week being married to her? Marriages involve a certain amount of frank discussions, such as "Why didn't you wash the dishes last night?" and "It's not my turn to pick up the dry cleaning", not to mention "What the hell were you thinking?", best said while brandishing a credit card statement. Michael Kors imagined her stabbing a department store buyer who dared criticize her sleeves, which is easy to imagine. What's hard to imagine is someone who would marry Kenley.

Kenley is a fascinating example of how good looks can't cover up an ugly nature. She was my favorite in the first few weeks; I loved her retro charms UNTIL I got to have a sense of who she was. An early scene of the other designers cringing while Kenley laughed at them with her pet gay by her side in the workroom made me go off her fast.

I also despised Jeffrey. He does have actual fans, though. After I wrote disparagingly about him on my blog after attending an event where he and Santino appeared (Santino, unlike Jeffrey, was gracious and warm, even offering advice to my then eight year-old about how to achieve her dreams), people actually defended him. These weren't anonymous Jeffrey henchmen but rather readers of my blog who liked him. I still dislike him, though.

winkleperi said...
What Kenley ran into with the judges is something us grad students run into that I think is really problematic. I sat in on a dissertation defense at which the professors of the person defending raised basic critiques of her dissertation's foundational premise FOR THE FIRST TIME, after years of working with her.

Granted, this is not a dissertation, and we don't know--as you boys pointed out--what Tim said in private to Kenley. But it would be a big problem if Kenley was left to hear this critique on the runway for the first time, as it appeared through the filming that she did.

I thought the same thing Winkleperi, but in regards to Jerell. When I first saw his BP collection I wondered why he based it on his DQ dress that very nearly got him auf'ed.
But then the judges give him wins on the Astrological dress and Nature dress that are very similar in tone to the BP Collection. Especially the wedding dress and the Nature Calls dress, they are very similar. One is a winner, the other gets him thrown out. Go figure.

Tlo, I can't say for sure whether or not Tim Gunn said snatch shot or snapshot, but the CLOSED CAPTIONS on my TV set unmistakably and clearly spelled out "snatch shot."

tee hee.

Who cares about PR, did you see Mad Men last night?!

Tim was so adorably out of place on that picnic blanket.

"But damn, "We had to leave Liberia during the civil war because they would have killed my entire family" is right up there with Chloe's Laotian refugee tale."

And THAT, Ladies and Gentlemen, in reality TV land means "We have ourselves a winner". Mark my words.

embeeedubya,
To totally resolve your office argument, go to Gettyimages
http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=1&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=victorya%20hong&src=quick
This link will take you to one I had last year for Victorya,
then as your office watches, enter
Fall 2008 Alexander McQueen

You'll get a page of thumbnails and of his February 29, 2008 show (the dates are clearly marked) and you'll see 'the' dress in the catwalk at least five times on the first page.
In unargueable clarity.

Just lead the folks who argue that Kenley couldn't have copied into it. (Or place a side bet or two.)

I love how Kenley had no friends or family to introduce Tim to. How sad.

1. Last year, the producers edited out the footage of Christian introducing Tim to his family/friends because of "time constraints". I will assume the same thing happened here with Kenley.
2. Although Tim most likely said "snapshot" he clearly must have meant for us to hear or think "snatch" - after all, it would be nonsensical to describe the dress as a snapshot.

"macasism said...

Who cares about PR, did you see Mad Men last night?!"


Well, we do.

Love Tim on the bike with Leanne. And Korto playing the drums actually made me cry. That was so beautiful. It's so nice to see them with their families, get to know a little bit more about them...love it!

Great posts! I whole-heartedly agree with your comments and insights! Thank you.

I also have to admit that I heard "snatch" as unbelievable as it was!

the Drunken Housewife said...
When Kenley said repeatedly that she plans to remake that wedding dress and wear it someday, I laughed. Who is going to marry Kenley? Can you imagine lasting a week being married to her? Marriages involve a certain amount of frank discussions, such as "Why didn't you wash the dishes last night?" and "It's not my turn to pick up the dry cleaning", not to mention "What the hell were you thinking?", best said while brandishing a credit card statement. Michael Kors imagined her stabbing a department store buyer who dared criticize her sleeves, which is easy to imagine. What's hard to imagine is someone who would marry Kenley.


Wha?? Men don't care what you act like on reality tv. They want somebody who is good in bed. If she good in bed and she can cook. That't want they want.

Alice said...
Tlo, I can't say for sure whether or not Tim Gunn said snatch shot or snapshot, but the CLOSED CAPTIONS on my TV set unmistakably and clearly spelled out "snatch shot."

tee hee.
---

Thank you Alice!

I don't if it is said often enough, but THANK YOU, Tom and Lorenzo, for your blogs! I've loved reading them since you first started blogging Bad Mommy and posted about trying to make Martha's Meringue. If you are ever in my neck of the woods, I will treat you to a phenomenal meal, with wonderful company.

In addition, I promise we can visit the local town of Gays --- where they have the annual "Gays Days" and crown the "Queen of Gays." They also have a combination tire store/gun shop and a two-story outhouse that local school children visit for class field trips.

Seriously.

I was really surprised that they didn't do any Kenley didn't show the boyfriend or friends. I know her family is doing their tugboat thing in FL. I mean even Jeffrey got a chance to show his human side.

Love what liz in fla said, "A Mean Girl Sews in Brooklyn" ha ha ha! Actually I like Kenley more after seeing that she's just young and a little immature and defensive. In about 10 years she'll look back on these shows and say, Wow what a tight ass I was!

C'est moi, c'est moi Lola said...

"Tim, it's spandex. It's tacky and all too revealing, but very aerodynamic. By the way, you fill them out nicely. Good thing Heidi isn't around."

(I fan myself while I blush.)

Almost choked on my coffee!!

Just imagine our Mr. Gunn in tight cycling shorts and a zip up jersey. LOL!!

OK, first, how fun would it be to hang out with Tim and show him around your life??? If he came to visit me, I'd put him in a kayak and make him paddle around for a while.

Now, just have to wonder if the Kenley-hate vs. Jeffrey/Santino-hate is partly based on gender, plus the confusing attractiveness factor?

We'd like to think we've evolved, but is there still some lingering feeling that it's OK for men to be aggressive, ruthless and entitled because, after all, they have to earn a living? And an attractive woman, with the same qualities, is just a raging bitch? Several of you have said you liked Kenley, and excused her for a while because she's cute. I know I sort of did. I really wanted her to be nice, too, since she seemed to have so much else going for her. Then when she wasn't at all nice, our dashed expectations caused us to dislike her even more than the men who behaved in similar ways.

OK. I've been trained to, perhaps, over-think these things. I can't help it. But, maybe?

The look on darling Tim's face when Leanne announced they were going bike-riding was worth the price of admission alone!

And, yes, Nathan, please give us a drawing! *clapping loudly*

I went back to watch the Kenley segment again to see if I could see any books on Alexander McQueen in the background. I really don't want to think she copied that dress but it's hard to reconcile it.

I just think that a grown woman who wants to work in the business world needs to drop the "whatever"-s and the nasally sounding whiney speech that goes up at the end of every sentence. It is just childish and adults don't speak like that. And adults might roll their eyes on occasion but not at the rate she does. I personally think people don't like her is because adults are so over high school teen attitude and have little patience for it.

A. Tim Gunn said "SNATCH shot," one hundred percent. "Snapshot" doesn't even make sense. And arguing that a prissy gay who's lived in Chelsea for years would never use the word "snatch" is just about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

I adore Leanne even more after seeing her cutie, supportive nerd boyfriend and the fact that she rides around Portland with him on a tandem. Sigh. I wish I were Leanne.

Jerell, Jerell...I liked his goatee, but other than that I agree, his home visit was sad. You could tell he was so excited...until Tim started talking. By the end he just looked defeated. You would think because of that he would have bothered to change something, but I guess not. We all saw how that worked out for him.

Oh Kenley. "Of course she immediately reverted to form and got defensive at the slightest critique." Really? The only slight critique made was about the ropes, and she simply answered that she hadn't thought about the hanging aspect. That's not defensive to begin with, let alone compared to how she was on the show. Anyway, I liked the ropes and thought she made them work in her collection. Who even noticed them in her final collection until this episode aired? Ok then.

for the record, i didn't like Kenley from the beginning. I also didn't like Leanne, either, and still don't - personality-wise, that is. Kenley makes some oogly clothing - the print of that Hanging-Party dress is NOT my taste at all. Leanne, on the other hand - well, she's using some of my favorite colors, and has some amazing skills (not to my taste usually, though).

re: home visits. any chance family/friends couldn't fit into Christian's tiny tiny apt? or Kenley's, which didn't seem especially spacious? so it was easier to edit out "field trips" to meet other people?

I also love the home visits, and wish they devoted more time to them. Tim's just such an amazing person - able to speak graciously with EVERYONE, no matter how unlikely a match it might seem.

"Now, just have to wonder if the Kenley-hate vs. Jeffrey/Santino-hate is partly based on gender, plus the confusing attractiveness factor?"

That was my original thought as well, but I have another possibility: I am sure there were Project Runway blogs for the first few seasons, but I have no idea what they were and I never read them. For me, watching PR was a very solitary affair; no one else I knew watched the show.

Maybe everyone who did watch the show hated Jeffrey, Santino, etc. with a passion but where could they have made their opinions known? Season 3 was the first time Tlo ever commented on the show and it wasn't as comprehensive as it is now.

PS I also hated Kara Saun by the end of the first season.

Tim Gunn must be the classiest man ever made. He's so gracious to all the family and friends of the designers, and never once have I noticed a vibe of "how tacky" about their houses, decorating or backgrounds. Just an elegant man. Sigh.

I hope Korto uses the drumming as the music for her show...

Also, Korto's drumming was f-ing awesome! And I think that it's great that her drumming has inspired viewers to take it up!

Bailey said...

A. Tim Gunn said "SNATCH shot," one hundred percent. "Snapshot" doesn't even make sense. And arguing that a prissy gay who's lived in Chelsea for years would never use the word "snatch" is just about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.


Really. The most ridiculous thing you've EVER heard. That's a bit much.

I'm going to take T Lo's word on this one since they actually know Tim.

Yes, if you set up a turbine to Kenley's eye-rolling, you'd give a village power for an eternity!

Tim is just the coolest. Loved him on the bike with Judy Noodles. I always enjoy his visits to the designers' homes.

In response to my prior comment, someone wrote, "Wha?? Men don't care what you act like on reality tv. They want somebody who is good in bed. If she good in bed and she can cook. That't want they want." Well, honey, I certainly know about the good-in-bed and good-at-cooking charm. That's been the open secret to how I've received more marriage proposals than I can count on my fingers.

But there are two points here: first, how Kenley acted was how she ACTS, not just how she was on reality television. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and rather than being civil to such luminaries in fashion as Heidi Klum and Michael Kors, she chose to be rude and roll her eyes. Funnily enough the Wall St. Journal ran an article once about an academic who interviews newly wed and predicts which couples will divorce, then follows up years alter. That academic has uncanny success in determining future divorce... and his #1 tip was eye-rolling. You see a spouse roll their eyes when the other spouse says something, and you KNOW they're headed for a divorce. People cannot handle that level of disrespect. Eye-rolling addict Kenley is not going to succeed at marriage (and why would you think she's going to be good in bed? I think she'd be more likely to spoil the mood with a rude remark... and yes, men do get their mellow harshed in the sack, even with eye candy).

I have to say that I don't really care for the home visits. I don't care where you came from, or who your friends and family are, I care about what you send down the runway.

Does a sob story make someone a better designer? Of course not.

Just my $0.02.

Re: the Jeffrey vs. Santino vs. Kenley debate

My personal guess is this. It's easier & more fun to be vocal about Kenley because she's just such a cartoon-level reality TV villain. It's like something out of Roger Rabbit to see this pin-up wannabe spout all sorts of delusional, egotistical BS.

Whereas Jeffrey really does seem to be a pretty foul person IRL.

As for Santino, I don't think anyone would deny that he had some anger issues, but he also seemed to have some friends.

I always look at how the other designers act around our villain. Everyone hated Wendy, Jeffrey didn't seem to have any friends, and now everyone hates Kenley.

But Santino, Victorya and Christian all had friends on the show. Even if they sometimes got into it with them. Post-show, we've heard multiple that Santino is really a nice guy, and I think some of that subtly came through the screen during his season.

Zak said...

Bailey said...

A. Tim Gunn said "SNATCH shot," one hundred percent. "Snapshot" doesn't even make sense. And arguing that a prissy gay who's lived in Chelsea for years would never use the word "snatch" is just about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.


Really. The most ridiculous thing you've EVER heard. That's a bit much.

I'm going to take T Lo's word on this one since they actually know Tim.

LOL. Or you could, you know, trust your EARS, since he clearly said "snatch."

God, some of the insane veneration of Tim Gunn here makes me embarassed to be a PR fan. He's a human being, people. You all seem fascinated by the fact that he wears JEANS occasionally! Damn.

And Zak, please don't try to make the argument that TLo "KNOW" Tim Gunn because they've talked to him a few at times at Bravo parties. That's not exactly like bff's for 10 years. And actually, I think their denial that he said 'snatch' was a joke to begin with. Lighten up dude.

SnarkeyKenBasher said...
Yes, if you set up a turbine to Kenley's eye-rolling, you'd give a village power for an eternity!

That could be this week's drinking game - every time Kenley rolls her eyes, you have to drink!

The thing I thought was the most bizarre about this episode, was that of all of them Kenley had no family or friends and didn't go on a little jaunt with Tim to do anything...

At least Christian had a picture of him and his sis.

I really wanted to meet Tugboat Daddy (is he still alive?).

PRfanalaPenn said...

I would love to see Jeffrey call her a bitch, just to see what Ratbones would do! LOL!!!

====

I don't think Jeffery would get past Stella to find out!

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Kenley's boyfriend was at BP with her. (TLo, is this true?) Tim's visit with Kenley at her home seemed SO fast, like any friends/family/fun were edited out. Why that would be---who knows?

Oh, and it's totally "snatch" which was shockingly funny.
-Dawn

Grace said...
I have to say that I don't really care for the home visits. I don't care where you came from, or who your friends and family are, I care about what you send down the runway.

Does a sob story make someone a better designer? Of course not.

Just my $0.02.


well aren't you a load of fun!

iris at 1:15, well said!

I have to add to this, that good communication skills are CRUCIAL to the survival of any partnership. If Kenley cannot accept any criticism or take any blame for her actions, then no amount of bedroom and kitchen skills will save any marriage of hers.

You guys - let's not make assumptions about Kenley's relationship with her boyfriend. Who knows - it might be a match made in heaven - he could be deaf.

Drunken Housewife/Iris,
This

Wha?? Men don't care what you act like on reality tv. They want somebody who is good in bed. If she (is) good in bed and she can cook. That't want they want.


is a joke. You know- funny , ha-ha?

It is a tad ridiculous to make assumptions as to her marriageablity (if there is such a thing this day and age)as you did in your first post , or dire predictions as to it's longivity as you did in your 2nd post, based on her appearance on PR.

On the Kenley/Alexander McQueen controversy. That design of the white strapless feathered matinee-length dress is not original to either designer.

Check out 70% of Swan Lake ballet productions for over a century and that is the costume for the lead ballerina. Kenley or Alex could very well have this as a shared influence.

The mistake Kenley really made was to be so adamant that McQueen did not have that silhouette in his show. If she doesn't follow other designers, how would she know one way or the other?! Since so many of the dresses in that collection DID share that silhouette, she was just arguing for argument-sake, not very mature.

I don't see Nathan's information anywhere for us to nag him to do a cartoon for you, so I'll do it here. Being nearly neighbors (okay, not nearly but I'm in Portland, too, and know some cartoonists here) I wonder if I know anyone in common with him and if so, I'll try to nag through them.

And I think at this point, no one on Lifetime will ever be able to compete with the tales of difficulty presented to date in these five seasons. I defy them to top the combination of Chloe and Korto. Throw in our boys with issues and Lifetime is soooo up a creek; they'll have to give up. I'll take any means necessary to make Lifetime give up. This is just one thought...

I dislike LifetimeTV. Could you tell? They cancelled a great show ("Blood Ties") for no reason other than that they could, or so they left us believing, and now they've stolen the best show on cable for their own nefarious purposes. We hate them, Precious!

Sewing Siren wrote:

"I thought the same thing Winkleperi, but in regards to Jerell. When I first saw his BP collection I wondered why he based it on his DQ dress that very nearly got him auf'ed.
But then the judges give him wins on the Astrological dress and Nature dress that are very similar in tone to the BP Collection. Especially the wedding dress and the Nature Calls dress, they are very similar. One is a winner, the other gets him thrown out. Go figure."

This is a great point. I was flabbergasted, as many of us were, at Jerell's Zodiac win. I thought the skirt was beautiful, but the overall look very fragmented and--frankly--unattractive. So I do feel badly that he executed the same aesthetic throughout, but got very different feedback each time.

I totally forgot to add that Mazeway should certainly pursue the wish of learning African drumming. I've tried it and it's a great feeling once you get the beat and having the people around you is just fantastic. I'd love to learn more but can't find a conveniently located group. And, honey, you're a babe in arms compared to me.

PRfanalaPenn said...

I would love to see Jeffrey call her a bitch, just to see what Ratbones would do! LOL!!!

I imagine Ratbones giving angry little peanut an upper cut to the jaw and, a la warner brothers cartoon style action, Jeffrey's head flies up ten feet and lands back down on his shoulders. Tattoos following one second behind.

Could explain the long neck. Just sayin...

How gorgeous are the colors in Korto's collection? Very. That green? My envy.

And it was "snatch shot" and I love him even more for saying it.

Did someone say soapbox? Why, yes, I think I will:

Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming. 'Cause it doesn't matter what joy *you* get out of it, cultural appropriation is never the right thing to do.

I agree that Korto's original idea for the wedding dress was way better. And sorry, T Lo, but I think Tim said "snatch shot" too. I've seen this part 3 times, and it's always sounded that way to me.

Tim on the bike with Leanne was a great visual, but it was his "Whoa" that really made it for me. So Tim.

I liked Jerell's goatee and he's such a sweetie. I wish he'd be more willing to take input from Tim. He seems to be in love with the word "opulent" and that it is always a good thing. I'm not so sure it is, and I'm not sure that's what he does.

Kenley has sucked up so much attention that I've run out of interest in talking about her.

"Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming. 'Cause it doesn't matter what joy *you* get out of it, cultural appropriation is never the right thing to do."

Tell that to Korto. She shouldn't be modeling her wedding dress on her own traditional dress if we all need to stop appropriating other cultures. And quit eating all the Italian food if you're not Italian!

Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming. 'Cause it doesn't matter what joy *you* get out of it, cultural appropriation is never the right thing to do.


I hope you were joking. That was offensive. My drum teacher is black and from Africa and teaches a class that's half white. You shouldn't make such ignorant statements because you obviously do not know what you're talking about.

"Korto shouldn't model a wedding dress on a non-traditional African dress, if that's the point that you wish to make."

I have no idea what point I was trying to make, other than I thought that the original statement (white ladies shouldn't play African drums) was idiotic.

But, looking at how the dress turned out, maybe Korto should follow my advice, whatever it is!

Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming...

yo! please "don't be" talking ebonics cuz "you be" stealing MY CULTURE away from me. you have no right to anything from other cultures yo. you get joy stealing from others and dats never the right thing to do. no rap music for you either, you listen to celine dion.

"Tokyo Rosa said: Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming. 'Cause it doesn't matter what joy *you* get out of it, cultural appropriation is never the right thing to do."




And if you're not Italian, no more pizza for you!!

--GothamTomato

"Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming. 'Cause it doesn't matter what joy *you* get out of it, cultural appropriation is never the right thing to do."

Dumbest thing I ever heard.

"...you listen to celine dion."


Sorry, no can do. She's from Canada. Wouldn't wanna be appropriating Canadian culture.

Tokyo Rosa said: Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming. 'Cause it doesn't matter what joy *you* get out of it, cultural appropriation is never the right thing to do."


Wow. You know, if this were a discussion about white women wearing traditional native African ritual clothes and making it their own fashion, I might agree with you that such an act could be seen as taking of a culture in an inappropriate way.

But drumming?? You are so off it's ridiculous. I can't believe you would even say such a thing to me and to the others here who express interest in drumming. That was quite rude and uncalled for.

Pop quiz to anyone racist enough to think African drums are off limits to white people. Where the hell do you think drums originated from in the first place? Norway?

"Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming. 'Cause it doesn't matter what joy *you* get out of it, cultural appropriation is never the right thing to do."

Guess I should cancel that yoga class next week. And stop listening to blues. And never should have taken those origami classes.

..And where did all humans originate?

The home visits are one of my favorite parts of the whole season. Seeing each person in their milieu, surrounded by the things that bring them comfort, gives them a little more depth.

Loved seeing Korto's collection -- the colors flowing as they did. And the backstory was infinitely intriguing.

The visit with Leanne was probably the best if only to see her wheeling Tim about. Actually, I expected nothing less than the sweet vignette we got. Oh, and Nathan, draw some cartoons for TLo!

I kinda liked Miss Jerell's goatee. Made him less angular or something. Whatever. I like Jerell no matter what.

Kenley should have been scared to have Tim in her home. I mean, she'd so short and dismissive with him during the show... And "I like rope. It reminds me of my tugboat days" uh, no.

And now we get to move on. The next few days are going to be torture.

Alright, you people, you all just just calm down. No one's gonna take your drums away from you, okay? Ya'll just take a couple of deep breaths, mmm-kay?

C'mon, seriously? You're all up in arms to protect the right for white ladies to take up African drumming? In the words of the great Tina Fey, white guilt should be used for good, not evil: Like voting for Obama and overtipping.

(Oh, jeez, where's "Anonymous" to slap me with some anti-Michelle Obama rhetoric.)

There's a difference, dear folks, between appreciating a culture and appropriating a culture. Learn it, live it, love it.

And, psssst: What you doing in your yoga studio prob'ly'd get you laughed at in India. I'm just sayin'.

And, yeah, I'd love some Italians/Italian-Americans to take it upon themselves to smack my hands away from the pizza. Then my ass'd be two sizes smaller and then maybe I could fit into some of the stuff these designers are putting on the runway.

I love the home visits, and would prefer a few more minutes in each home MUCH more than the crappy drama of the extra challenges.

*groan* Swan Lake was brought up again, and I finally feel a real need to comment on it.

NO ONE is saying that Alexander McQueen invented feathered gowns, or strapless feathered gowns, or even off-white strapless feathered gowns. I will go further and say that feathered gowns were not invented for Swan Lake either.

I know that I don't have enough knowledge of fashion design to say whether something is a "copy" or has been "influenced by," or at what point it becomes utterly original. I will, however, trust that people IN the fashion industry (the judges, Chris March) DO know enough about those boundries.

The judges clearly thought it was a bit close for comfort, and Chris March outright called it a copy.

I would be thrilled to see the opinions of other's in the industry, but please, no more Swan Lake excuses.

(sorry, Isaspacey, I'm not dumping on your comment specifically, you were just the latest of many)

OH! And quick! Someone call Bela Fleck & tell him to PUT DOWN THE BANJO!

tokyorosa said...
Ladies, you white ladies, please don't be taking up African drumming. 'Cause it doesn't matter what joy *you* get out of it, cultural appropriation is never the right thing to do.

As a woman of African/Asian descent, it's my humble opinion anyone who thinks they have a right to tell others what to do, particularly when it comes to the sharing 1's love of 1's culture in the form of artistic endeavors, et al, not only do I find your "advice" insulting, it's even more racist than what you're railing against.

Maybe my Asian relatives shouldn't have shared their recipes, art & Tai Chi w/ my Black mother for fear she would "appropriate" them.

If anyone should calm down, it's you, Tokyorosa.
Your slip & hatred's showing.

Racist Rosa takes the Kenley approach instead of apologizing. How fitting for a PR forum.

And don't you worry honey, no one here is taking drums away from African culture as YOU so rudely accused them of doing. If anyone here needs to calm down, it's most definitely you.

You can call it white guilt or whatever excuse you can think of. You posted a RUDE comment leveled at several people here, plain and simple. I've been drumming since age 6, and your racist post is ridiculous. Anyone can drum using African drums or Native American drums or Asian drums. Your post was just weird and out of nowhere. Reality check.

anon 12:42 says...
PS I also hated Kara Saun by the end of the first season.

Me, too! I was so disappointed in her runway show. And the shoe thing really bugged me. I know in my heart that is why she didn't win. I think she knew it & was ok with it. But her holier than thou attitude to Wendy P was what turned me off. No, she didn't have to like her (I couldn't stand her either) but she could at least have been civil.

SisterZip

You're all up in arms to protect the right for white ladies to take up African drumming?

Uhhmmm... it's just playing drums. You are the ONLY ONE HERE who thinks it's a "right" to protect.

wtf are you on?? People play different instruments from different countries. You need to learn it live it and love it. Not spread your hate here. Emma is spot on about your comments being more racist than anything. You need to chill and save your self righteous energy for an actual "right" not the simple matter of people who like to drum. You're making something out of nothing and it doesn't belong here.

Anonymous said...
You're all up in arms to protect the right for white ladies to take up African drumming?

Uhhmmm... it's just playing drums. You are the ONLY ONE HERE who thinks it's a "right" to protect.


I KNOW! It's just drums! This whole discussion makes no sense at all and this person is just being nasty for her own fabricated reason to stir up trouble. I think that's called trolling.

Tokyo Rosa said...
Alright, you people, you all just just calm down. No one's gonna take your drums away from you, okay? Ya'll just take a couple of deep breaths, mmm-kay?


You get all worked up about drumming circles and stir up shit here and then take a childish attitude when you're called out on it. Seriously, you sound more immature than Kenley. You're at the adult table now. Try behaving like one.

Tokyo Rosa said...

Alright, you people, you all just just calm down. No one's gonna take your drums away from you, okay? Ya'll just take a couple of deep breaths, mmm-kay?

C'mon, seriously? You're all up in arms to protect the right for white ladies to take up African drumming?

There is no "right" inherent in drumming. If anyone is "up in arms" it's because you said something so painfully stupid.

There's a difference, dear folks, between appreciating a culture and appropriating a culture. Learn it, live it, love it.
Sounds like you need to learn that lesson yourself. An interest in African drumming isn't "appropriating" it, it's appreciating it.

You know what? Tokyo Rosa's comments were a mistake, but some of the responses here are a bit harsh.

I definitely don't agree with her drumming restrictions, but I don't think we should be calling her a racist or an ass.

Please don't run away Rosa.

Okay, I'm going to jump in here and risk getting my head chopped off. The real questions that are raised are: "what makes something ethnic?" and "if something originates from a certain ethnicity, then does widespread embracement also dilute ethnic identity?"

There are two ways to see African drumming: as a musical activity originating from Africa, or as something that a small group of people identify with because the experience is unique to that group alone.

There is no one right answer and people from the same ethnicity might differ in their views. Both ways to see things are valid, IMHO.

Tamarama, telling a few people here that they shouldn't play drums because they are white IS racist, not to mention assinine. The discussion here was upbeat (pardon the pun) and light until she had to step in with her ugliness and stir up trouble. She should have realized her mistake and apologized like an adult, instead of trying to shift the drama she caused back at everyone else with her childish reply. It would be wonderful if she did run away, but that won't happen. But hopefully her hateful childish posts will cease. She accused several nice people here of something ridiculous and I hope she never does this to anyone else here again. This is a great blog and a good group of people. We don't need any more racist posts.

Grace, no one here will chop your head off for offering a mature and intelligent response. Nicely said.

There are several drumming circles in my city that meet every week at night and we play every kind of ethnic drum and rhythm there is. And there are bellydancers and just dancers, some with rhythm and some just doing their thing. It's hypnotic and wonderful, the trance it puts you in when the drums are synchronized just right. It's very positive and happy, and people of all races and backgrounds meet to celebrate this wonderful sound. I know for a fact we have quite a few African born people drumming and they look too damned happy to be offended. It's a fellowship and an indescribable energetic yet peacful feeling.

How anyone can put a bad spin on that is beyond me. It's an uplifting and wonderful experience we all share.

I just love your running commentary. It really brightened my day!
I saw someone Jerrell should work with --Kevan Hall. He had a wonderful show in L.A. last night. It had all the glamour Jerrell seeks, and loads of restraint. I'll write it up on my blog tonite.

So Rosa,
If I'm to understand your perspective, you're saying there should be no sharing between cultures?

If this is so, I have to say that you're going to have to take Eric Clapton to task for being so damned good with the blues and befriending Muddy Waters and BB King.

And damn! What do we do with Rodney Yee and those yoga poses? Rodney! Get back to doing Tai Chi like you should?

Phhhhttt.... and of course. Al Pacino NEVER should have tried Shakespeare.

Right? Is this what you're saying?

Snapshot? Me thinks not, but I'll pretend if everyone else does because I couldn't believe my DVR (five times).

Anyway, LOVE, LOVE, love the home visits. Always love seeing a glimpse inside the designers' lives and inspirations. I also love seeing Tim Gunn being sincere and trying to be comfortable in all surroundings. Love Tim, love his home visits.

Where are Kenley's friends? Family? Sad.

Well, Tlo thank you once again for yet another wonderful segment. Season's almost over and I'm going to miss your witty screencaps and commentary. Honestly, I'll miss Rungay more than PR. It's been great!

Lol, guess I'm a dirty bird because I heard "snatch" but hey, I'm a grackle girl. "Nerd Love is so cute." They are a good match. And I think Judy will win this thing. She's been my favorite from early on.

Can't wait to see Alex's take on all of this.

Guys, I don't know what happened here today. But I'm going to shake off the bad energy and focus on the awesomeness that is this blog. Afterall, that's why we're here. And speaking of shaking, you mentioned something about shaking things up at the Tlo Lounge - and I'm looking forward to whatever that is!


Love you, Tom and Lorenzo, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the work you put into Rungay for our enjoyment!!

I don't have a blog, so sue me I'm anon.

PRfanalaPenn I can tell you're a sweetheart because your posts here are positivie and funny. I've had a couple of good laughs thanks to you. Do not agree with your most recent post, but ah well. We can't agree on everything. At least we agree on Marlon Brando and Paul Newman. ;)

PRfanalaPenn, I hope she at least has the decency to apologize after causing such a stir here. It was very wrong of her to say such things. If she is as intelligent as you say, her posts here today did not convey that. Let's hope it was her having a bad day and this behavior will not continue. It's not cool to attack others here from out from nowhere. It was ugly and uneccessary. While you sympathize with her, I sympathize with the several regulars here that she insulted. What she received in return was a reaction to be expected given the weight of what she threw out there. And several handles did respond intelligently and deserved better than the mm-kay rude retort. It really wasn't necessary. I wish all of that nonsense would be removed from this thread.

Ooh, what a meaty, sexy entry. Thank you, gentlemen!

I love these home visits as well. One thing for me is that I like Leanne's collection more now that I understand her inspiration. Knowing the context that she's thinking of, waves and the ocean, it really helped something click in my brain, and I can appreciate what she did more. So for me that was very cool.

I also love Korto's colors. And her beadwork, it's just fantastic. For me it's a tossup between her and Leanne for the win. I'd try to give it to both of them.

I must respond to the idiocy of TokyoRosa's post. Do you really want to get into the "cultural appropriation" bullshit? Because it can work both ways, if you're being honest. I guess you think Wynton Marsalis should put down his trumpet because Mozart belongs to us whiteys. James Earl Jones should never perform King Lear. How dare Jessye Norman sing Puccini? How presumptuous of George Washington Carver to attempt science, since clearly that's the preserve of Gregor Mendel and other white men! And while we're at it let's just purge the NBA of all the black players since they've appropriated a game created by James Naismith, a white man, a game that was honed and developed and popularized by white farm boys from Kentucky and Indiana.

In case anyone is too stupid to pick up on it, the above is sarcasm. Are we really so insular and so PC that we can't stray from our cultural roots in any way? That's ridiculous, especially in the 21st century. I think people were paying Korto a very lovely compliment. Why not learn something about another culture? Why is that "appropriating" it? Would it somehow be more acceptable for a black American, someone who has never been within 3000 miles of Africa and whose family has lived here for generations, to pick up African drumming? Why? Sometimes I truly despair for our world given the number of idiots roaming around.

I enjoyed Korto and her drumming partner. It did not, however, inspire me to take up drumming. I tend to find drumming really boring whether it's done by John Bonham or an African drum circle or my teenage son. But I love that so many people were inspired by it and more power to them, whatever the color of their skin or their ethnicity.

anon 12:17, that was very well said. thank you. I couldn't think of a better response. really this whole thing is so childish and those who are trying to 'get the last word' over and again are only fueling it for some odd personal need. it needs to be dropped today because here it was: one person said one very stupid thing and everyone else reacted. such is life. there will always be that one offensive person who will say that one offensive thing. you have to just shrug and walk away. no need to stretch it out. it's all been said. I sincerely hope those who feel an impulse to sit here all day and continue taking those little last word jabs will refrain. it does not reflect well on one's character. back to fashion.

carry on.

Hot damn, I'd have kept my drum lust to myself if I'd known it would turn so ugly.

While I don't generally agree with most notions of culturaly appropriation, I totally get what Tokyo Rosa was saying. Say you're a hipster doofus with a shrine to Shiva in your house, even though you haven't the slightest notion what that means. It could be offensive to an actual Hindu that you just have this thing b/c you think it's pretty. I happen to be a bit obsessed with the Mexican Day of the Dead--but it has nothing to do with belief, I just like the aesthetic. And it makes me uncomfortable, a bit, to think that someone might think I'm poking fun or taking lightly something that is an important part of their belief system.
Because I'm a godless monster, I don't stay up nights over it and don't personally ascribe meaning to things like this, but I'm not a heartless monster, so I do at least try not to offend those for whom it IS full of meaning.
Okay, rambling. But my point is--Rosa has a point, albeit one I don't actually agree with in this instance. And those of you calling "racist" were out of line and unnecessarily inflammatory.

Can we snark about clothes again now, please?

I hate to use TLo's lovely website to continue this discussion. I also can see some problems with cultural appropriation. For instance, my DH and I went to the Bahamas for New Year's Eve and watched the Junkanoo parade.

Nassau residents spend all year designing incredibly intricate floats and costumes that are just amazing.

But some drunk white tourists from a cruise ship along with a hippie kid banging a (African?) drum jumped into the parade. We were watching alongside some Nassau residents and the crowd turned from relaxed and happy to downright frosty as they witnessed these sods. The cops finally took the inebriated party crashers away.

Now that's inappropriate cultural appropriation. Picking up an avocation that originates in another culture is not, IMO, as long as A. one is respectful B. there is no religious/cultural prohibition against it....

Now back to the clothes. I am actually looking forward to seeing all three shows. From my glimpses of the photos, these might be among the strongest runway shows. I've felt let down by some of the other seasons/designers.

nice try, anon 8:39 AM


:(

Wow. I just wouldn't want to even be Kenley anymore. All remaining designers verbally stone her on national TV. She is shot alone in her apartment, crying about her dead grandma. 99 percent of America and this board hates her.

I think of the girl who charmed Tim with the Alice in Wonderland reference and the hand-painted silk dress.

My take is Kenley's a fragile, creative, emotional girl who, like she says, has had to "fight for everything" and can't turn the fight reflex off yet.

Maybe I'm a mushball, but I'd give her time. And a break.

Looking forward to Kenleyology. Your blog makes my day.

and by the way, if i lived in Kenley's apartment in Brooklyn, I wouldn't be turning off my fight reflex, either!

i liked the goatee :)

Oh... no apologies needed on this glorious bitchfest please!

Tokyo Rose made a big fat blunder, we pounced --isn't that to be expected, I mean after all, we are what we are!

No, instead I'm just going to drag out my big drum and start pounding. I hope she can hear it from where she is!

In fact, I have a drum for her too! And if she wants, she can drum while doing yoga.

It's me. It's all my fault. Everytime I join into a conversation people start slinging nastiness around. I don't start it, but my very presence apparently causes it.

Or maybe I just feel that way because I so rarely participate.

Anyhow, I'm still rooting for Judy Noodles. I love her collection and I love her.

I liked Korto's naughty girl giggle when Tim commented on her hoochie mama dress.

tlo said...He said "snapshot" you dirty birds. We refuse to believe that Tim would ever use the word "snatch" unless he was talking about grabbing something.

(sigh) Dad and Daddy I guess Denial is more than a river in Egypt.

I know I'm a sore head and I'm going to hell but this;

Bailey said...
A. Tim Gunn said "SNATCH shot," one hundred percent. "Snapshot" doesn't even make sense. And arguing that a prissy gay who's lived in Chelsea for years would never use the word "snatch" is just about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

Made me laugh.