The only look that I thought was really bad was 2. I actually like pretty much everything else. Even the orange sherbet prom dress had some promise.

Soooo lucky with the inside-out seams dress. Really lucky with the orange gown. But ya gotta love her! Wry humor. Saw through Kenley early on. Great backstory. Could be a winner!

I agree with all of your comments. Korto does show a nice range, even though these looks don't plant her firmly in one style. It is nice to see use of prints, use of solids, volume, tight-fittedness, etc.

Leanne falls into the pattern of using only solids, and Kenley tends towards the loud/wild print. It is nice to see Korto cross between the two, although I do enjoy the clarity of point of view in Leanne's collection, if not her PR works.

I think Korto is going to win the whole kit and kaboodle.

I had my doubts when she created the fin dress, but after that I saw good work!

Rooting for Leanne, but Korto could also take the win and I'd be happy.

I am hoping to be wow'ed with her BP collection, but the tone of those who've seen it doesn't encourage me.

Because I think she could do it - create a stunning and unified collection. But the hints and work to this point (tragically over-fussy wedding dress was a bad sign) argue that she's not yet found that vision.

Korto was totally lucky with not getting aufed for the 'fin dress'. That said, I can still see where volume could be used to describe part of her aesthetic. Aside from certain restraints on specific challenges (make-over, musical chairs), I still think she flirts with that.

She is a good contender for the win, and there are a lot of pieces that make me want to take a closer look (Gristedes, Saturn Challenge,DvF). I think she does good work, but like my critique of Kenley, there isn't anything here that yells out "Korto". And that may be what gives Leanne the edge, because her clothes so embody that intellectual approach Judy Noodles has to her designs.

Then again, Rami's looks last season were just as easily recognizable, and he only got 2nd place. A matter of taste, or however Tim says it in French.

Can't believe tonight is the last episode until PR's legal purgatory ends. Then again, maybe we can all use a break from the furious, fabulous, and fanatic discussion of a reality tv show?

I concur about dress #2 as the only really bad one. I love the jumpsuity thing she did for #3 (I'd forgotten about it!). And I'd argue that there is something a little "ethnic" about the seatbelt coat-dress; something about the silhouette of it.

I really love Korto, though - I like her approach to design, I like her personality, and I like an awful lot of what she makes. LOVE that drag queen dress for Sweetie!

I thought she was not the right choice for the Olympics win and should have won the drag queen challenge and, for my taste, anyway, the Saturn challenge - that coat is divine. But you nailed it, TLo, when she's bad, she's horrid.

It's the potential for greatness that must have kept her in the game despite "green," "astrology" and "nature calls." She is ready-to-wear and sportswear all the way, though, where Leanne is more intellectual/architechtural so I think Korto doesn't win.

if korto wins, i will be happy, then sad for leanne. if leanne wins, i will be happy, then sad for korto.

You're right - when you see her whole body of work it's clear that she really is all over the place. I think her most successful work were those using non-traditional materials - the seat belt coat (fab!) and the yellow dress for the Gristede's challenge. Her white Olympics outfit was nice but I like Leanne's better - it's more fashion forward. I also liked her black pants outfit (3) even though it didn't get much love from the judges. And the DVF challenge dress is good. But honestly, everything else is pretty bad - or at least it's not to my taste. I hated her look for Suede, her orange prom dress, the dress and jacket (which didn't work together at all, IMO) for the recent grad, and the shark fin dress. The rest of them were meh. I remembered her work as being stronger, maybe because I like her so much.

If there's any justice (and of course there isn't - this is a rigged reality show) Leanne wins but if it's Korto I'll be okay with that too. I predict that both of them will be successful.

I see your point on the "all over the place" critique...but I like the fact that she actually tried to conform to WHAT THE CHALLENGE called for.

Many of the designers/contestants have been called out - rightly so - for "making what THEY wanted to - even if it had NOTHING to do with the challenge".

I even kind of like the fin dress.

I don't want all of my clothes to look exectly the same.

Even the bad ones had a good idea or two behind them. Overall, i like...

Glad to read this summary, boys...I was never a Korto-backer. There was a lot of "meh" looks, a couple of good ones and a couple of cringe-inducers. I didn't really warm to what I saw of her personality during the show, either, so....yeah. Middle of the pack of finalists, in my book.

What I love about Korto is that most of her work would look good on women of ALL sizes, not just the size 2 hangers that most designers trot down the runway.

I also appreciate the fact that she seemed to work hard on every challenge with minimum drama. Okay, quiet and hard working does not make great reality teevee, but those are qualities I'd like to see rewarded in real life.

I favor Korto for the win, but I'd be content if Leanimal won. Just dear G*d, don't let it be Mean Girl...

Like everyone else, there are a few misses and a few are out of the park (I WANT the seatbelt coat!!!) But she's still my favorite of the season, probably because if there is one overriding theme to her stuff it is that you don't have to exist on a diet of saltines and pam with butter flavor to wear them.

I am perhaps the only person that liked the fin dress. I wouldn't consider any of hers bombs, she did have a few misses,though.
When I look at the collection as a whole I get kind of a Polynesian vibe from it. I agree that it's not some much "volume". but just not fitted too closely to the body.
She tends to use a kimono sleeve. If you take out the Suede and Sweety outfits it looks like a cohesive collection (to me).

I dunno. I don't find this as uneven as you say. Maybe I'm drawn to her aesthetic or color palette---it just all works for me. I'm always interested to see what she comes up with, and she was hitting her stride at the same time as Leanne. Her Saturn and DVF designs were serious contenders. Loved them both!

I only felt two of her looks were misses: fin dress and sort of the sherbet dress.

Korto has the ability to step outside a narrow range, which very few other contestants even attempted. I give the girl major props for that.

When she uses prints, she uses them well. When she goes for color, she knows what she's doing. When she takes risks, she TAKES RISKS. That's a sign of someone who's willing to learn, grow, and succeed.

I love some of Korto's looks and like most of the others. The only bad one im my opinion is the second( thigh flaps...Yikes!). I just LOVE her DVF dress and the drag queen dress (she should have won for that!). I also don't think her zodiac dress is that bad. I love the color palet and the flowyness of of the skirt.

It was always strange to me however that when she was being complimented and lavished with praise by the judges she would look like she was being beaten. She would stare at her shoes, pout and say thank you. Odd.

GO Korto!

Taken as a whole, it looks better to me than I'd have thought. That is, I knew there were a few times she hit it out of the ballpark, but overall, there are a lot of good to excellent looks. I LOVE the hint of yellow in the DVF dress -- that made it sing (though I didn't love the shrug). And I thought the Brooke Shields outfit should have won, as it seemed most right for a nighttime soap. I also liked the #3 night in the city or whatever the hell it was called look. Maybe not the most exciting, but really cute and chic.

I agree that we haven't seen much of Korto's vision this season--only glimpses. It falls to the final runway show to reveal that. And I think, more like Jillian than Rami, last year, hers will be well done, but not have a strong point of view.

We have a lot of themes: ethnic, full figured, colorful...but no strong vision to pull them together.

I would have loved to have seen her break the mold completely and asked the modelling agency for some full-figured models to round out the collection.

Someday, a designer will do that and it will be VERY COOL TO SEE.

You guys were way off on this. There's volume in the pants or sleeves of almost every look that you said didn't have volume (almost). She had a run of 5 really good looks in the middle of the competition, beating Kenley and Leanne. She does have unusual silhouettes - pulling off volume where it might not otherwise work. I think that's huge risk taking and a demonstration of her African background - as African clothes naturally have more volume... but she brings that into the modern by putting it in pants and places you wouldn't expect and marrying it to sleekness.

I think each individual outfit she designed on the show is more interesting than her entire final collection put together. It's like she got so scared from Tim's SNATCH SHOT comment that she completely diluted her aesthetic and sanitized all of her designs. Definitely the biggest letdown of the season. She was so good on the show!

suzq said:
I would have loved to have seen her break the mold completely and asked the modelling agency for some full-figured models to round out the collection.

Someday, a designer will do that and it will be VERY COOL TO SEE.
-------------
I could not agree with you more. The only problem is, is that "full figured" is considered a size 10 now for models. I would LOVE to be a size 10! This size 14 gal would LOVE to wear a few of Korto's designs and I'll bet they would look smashing on us more endowed gals!!!

Joanie said...



When she takes risks, she TAKES RISKS.

Joanie,
Which ones do you think she took risks on? Because one slight criticism I might give her, is that she doesn't appear to take risks.
Of course in the real life buisness of fashion there is very little room for risk. But in a reality competiton, it does make for fantistic viewing. And since they don't have to worry about production costs or if it will "sell" I do like seeing the risks.

Korto is the only designer I can think of on PR who showed lots of looks I realistic crave. (Not- "When I lose XX pounds") I have never thought about owning a designer dress, until now. Who knows, Little Rock is only a 6 hour drive.
Like many others I am pulling for Korto but once the disappointment clears I will be happy for Leanne.

Her only theme is unexpected shapes, maybe? Volume, perhaps, where volume is not expected? I dunno.

Yup, I noticed that during the season.
This was the worst season of all. I wish Judy Noodles had gotten on earlier --with Santino and Andre.

Spoilery


suzq said...I would have loved to have seen her break the mold completely and asked the modelling agency for some full-figured models to round out the collection. 11:40 AM

I soooo agree with this. This would have been brilliant to the max!

I also wished she would have done more pants.

I agree with the people who said that her only bad look is #2 ... and even then, #2 was not a bad design idea. I think that, had it been flawlessly executed, it would've been awesome!

On a quick glance it looked like a bedding collection to me.

Kanani said...Yup, I noticed that during the season.
This was the worst season of all. I wish Judy Noodles had gotten on earlier --with Santino and Andre. 12:04 PM

At that time, neither the judges nor Tim were ready for a female designer with such a unique vision.

Furthermore, imagine what a feast mean girl Santino would have had with Diana, Lupe, Marla and Leanne.

There was nothing here that made me think, "I MUST own THAT!"

Which is lucky for Korto since the thing that happens right after I think that is Heidi says You're out.

I guess I'm not as fashionista as I thought.

Even though I like Leanne better, I have to admit that Korto has the best body of work of the final 3 and my money's on her for the win.

The fact that you gays can't see the theme is beyond me. Korto's style is about drama and a play on volume. She obviously likes strong silhouettes and believes in COLOR. I'm not always a fan of hers and not into some of her color choices, yet the QUALITY of her work was consistent. Just because she doesn't repeat a poofy sleeve or noodle doesn't mean it's not consistent. oye.

Dress #2 was the only bad look for me, and the last one was just so-so. But overall I have really liked her work and think she really knows how to work with women's bodies, whether with volume or with fitted looks.

bg said...
"Glad to read this summary, boys...I was never a Korto-backer. There was a lot of "meh" looks, a couple of good ones and a couple of cringe-inducers. I didn't really warm to what I saw of her personality during the show, either, so....yeah. Middle of the pack of finalists, in my book."

I agree completely. There is something off-putting about her. She just has that air of "I've worked sooo hard, I need this sooo bad!" that is always a complete turn-off to me. She just always seems so down and depressed. Not trying to down-play what she's been through or how hard she's worked, but - a big "meh" from me.

I adore Kenley and her collection and would love her to win, but I don't think that's going to happen. However, IMHO, Leanne completely DESERVES this win, COMPLETELY. I have a bad feeling I'm going to be seriously PO'd tonight.

I usually agree with you guys, but not this time. I do see hints of volume in most of her looks (1,3,4,5,6,7,9,12 and even a bit in 8, if you consider that the shrug is not fitted). None of those would be mistaken for a, say, Kenley silhouette. She also uses a lot of bright splashes of color. She had a couple of definite misses, but no more than the other 3 finalists.

One man's uneven is another man's diverse...but for the record...last two challenges aside...I completley disagree with the former characterization.

Why does it always seem that ALL the posters who rave about Kenley are "Anonymous"? Seriously.

Korto's personal story is very compelling. She is obviously a lovely woman, inside and out, expressing just enough humility and timidity to apparently engender a feeling of protectiveness in the judges. If that were not so, she would have been auf'd at several junctures of the competition. Her backstory and psrsona have been every bit as important in her making it to BP as her 'talent'. Korto has a DREAM of being a designer. She does not yet SEE herself as a designer. That is a huge difference from Leanne who stated in her interview that she IS a designer, or even Kenley who BELIEVES she is a designer. Korto has good sewing skills and some creative ideas, but it appears to me that she has not yet found her true design aesthetic, her signature look, a source of consistent inspiration. I think she needs more time, more confidence, and more focus before she moves into the shark-infested professional world of fashion design.

And further more....

I can't believe you guys basically "Spun" Kenley is being "Bold" when in actuality she's completley derivative! 50's , 80's whatever, the girl's looks have been DONE. While I admit I liked Kenley's earlier stuff, the idea that you are basically awarding her 2nd place out of the final 3 makes my head spin, if comparing her to Laura Bennett didn't already!

All that said, you've gone on record as saying that Korto always seemed to annoy you so I shouldn't be all that surprised at your review...but frankly I am.

For those who still think this season has the least talented designers, remember when all anyone made were sleeveless dresses? When making two pieces required two designers? When jackets and menswear were "too hard?"

I'm rooting for Korto. Loved her actual collection, and her work on the show indicates that she's willing to actually make what the challenge requires, regardless if it's her "aesthetic" or not.

Korto FTW!! Which means she'll lose; they never pick the one I like (except for Jay).

I'm sick of the Noodle's flaps and pleats. You might say that she has a clear design aesthetic, or you might say that she is predictable. Seeing Korto's peices all together like this convinces me that she deserves the win for her originality, pizazz, and understanding of the female body.

pj-

Perfectly stated. Korto is a great seamstress, a lovely person, and a talented drummer. Her TV Movie of the Week backstory got her to the final three. I agree w/ TLo....there's no real statement in her overall work, and I don't see her a designer. Working in a small town far from the fashion industry is a major handicap for someone who has never been to design school. She's really just all over the place.

The only looks I didn't like were the fin dress and the gown. I think Korto can design for any body type. She doesn't shy away from designing for normal(non model)bodies and if they had a plus size episode she'd have won it.

I feel you were very critical with Leanne and Korto but with Kenley I felt you were trying not to hurt her feelings. I cannpot decide who'll win but it's between Korto and Leanne.

Love these "ology " really helps to see everything together...

Really liked Korto from #1 and I think her choices have been really interesting and yes I liked the "fin" dress... she needed more time to think it out...could have been really interesting...

I would buy something from Korto and Leanne, both are winners to me

anonymous (12:19)

Even though I like Leanne better, I have to admit that Korto has the best body of work of the final 3 and my money's on her for the win.

***********************************

I've been a big LeAniphile all season long, but now after looking at Korto's collection and giving it more thought, I'm actually starting to wonder if she just might be this season's winner, afterall. I think LeAnne's BP collection definitely deserves the win, but it's PR people, and you can never predict what the judges will come up with for the finale
--- especially now that Sir Tim serves as "guest judge." Sheesh, now I'm all confused now.

- edina -

It is hard to come up with a through-line for Korto's work on the challenges. I thought she had patches of great work (3, 4, 5 then 7 and 8) but sort of fell apart at the end. I didn't think any of her last 4 designs were good and thought she was only in the top 3 or won because everyone else was also falling apart. The wedding dress/bridesmaid was a complete disaster. I'd have only given her the win for 4, the Olympics challenge, and mostly because hers seemed the best combination of stylish and practical. She'd have been in the top 3 for me though for 3, 5, 7, and 8.

I wanted to like her final collection, and was looking forward to it, but I thought the proportions were off on too many of her looks. They looked great hanging on the wall of her studio, but not quite as good on the models. She is great with color and I liked her on the show, but I don't think her collection deserves the win.

Boy, you two are quick on your toes today! ;)

~~**Thank you!!!**~~

Lots of fun segments for us minions, and I enjoy your -ologies. Gotta love Korto and wish her much success because there is a lot of heart behind her work. Nothing that I could wear, but much I do admire.

Frankly, some of you need to stop taking the opinions of others so personally. The boys haven't been any more critical of Korto here than they were of Leanne and Kenley. All three "ology" posts point out good things and bad things about the designers' work.

It's catching my by surprise because I've thought that I thought Leanne's designs were the strongest overall (I have NOT seen the BP collections -- I'm saving myself), but when I scroll through the -ologies, Korto stands out more. Then Leanne, then Kenley. Maybe it's Korto's "color story" that makes her work, seen all at once, stand out. It's more vivid, whereas Leanne's is more muted (and the two Kenley designs I think are her best are very colorful -- nos. 1 & 3). Go figure.

I like Korto, but I think Leanne will win.

Frankly, I find that Korto continuously falls back on V neck A-line. That's her style. Look at the collection. That's a lot of V neck A-line.

It's a style that is very flattering on larger women. I think Korto is on to something, and could be very successful doing a mid-price plus size line. HSN, are you listening?

I think there was enough yellow in the collection that I would call that a trend for her. I forgot how much I actually ended up liking look 3. Tonight will be interesting. Speaking of which - when does the TLounge open? I have my Amex primed....

I can't stop loving that seatbelt coat. I still can't believe she didn't win that one.

Leanne or Korto better win. But based on the previews... kenley doesn't have a shot in hell. sounds like they accuse her of copying again (the balenciaga look in her final collection was a copy off of herself and still resembled balenciaga).

I think Leanne is going to win because her stuff is more fashion forward and i think the judges will love that.

However, korto's silhuoettes and color story are to die for.

I'm secretly hoping Korto will win, but I think Leanne has it in the bag.

I have to admit, I've been gunning for Korto all season. (My housemate has accused me of consistently rooting for whatever contestant on any given show that I find the most attractive...) Ahem, that said, being a lady with a Monroe figure I would be most likely to wear Korto's and feel glamourous and hot. Now, I love, love, LOVE architectural elements incorporated in clothing design (and would wear Leanne's wedding dress in a heartbeat), but I hated the colors she chose for her collection. Blech.

Anonymous said...
pj-

Perfectly stated. Korto is a great seamstress, a lovely person, and a talented drummer. Her TV Movie of the Week backstory got her to the final three. I agree w/ TLo....there's no real statement in her overall work, and I don't see her a designer. Working in a small town far from the fashion industry is a major handicap for someone who has never been to design school. She's really just all over the place.

Dear god! Korto did go to fashion school in Ottawa, Canada. I *think* the name of it is IADT.
Going to school to study design is cetainly helpful (especially for the technical side), but not necessary to be a "designer". She is a desiger! She designs clothes. You don't have to like them or find them very original or think she is making a statement. What on earth do you think the definition of designer is?

i love her and i hope she wins.

Funny, isn't it, how much a designer's personal style influences how we end up remembering their design work for the show?

It's like they're all channeling Kara Janx and her kimono dress... In the sense of: If I'm aufed, people will still have a strong memory of my style.

Sewing Siren said... What on earth do you think the definition of designer is? 2:59 PM

BTW, Sewing Siren where did you post your magnificent write up on the differences between seamstress, designer, etc. I want to read it again. Thank you.

Dad and Daddy, when are you going to open the lounge, it is almost 5:00 in St. John's, Newfoundland? Did you make a surprise trip to NYC?

a said...
Sewing Siren said... What on earth do you think the definition of designer is? 2:59 PM

BTW, Sewing Siren where did you post your magnificent write up on the differences between seamstress, designer, etc. I want to read it again. Thank you.

I made that tirade in regards to Kenley, so I think it is on the Kenley wedding/bridesmaid thread. I know it was on one that got pretty long.

a said...Dad and Daddy, when are you going to open the lounge, it is almost 5:00 in St. John's, Newfoundland? Did you make a surprise trip to NYC? 3:25 PM

OK I have the wonkiest reset key, unless there is a delay in the time stamp and when the post appears.

Carry on.

Totally disagree. There is a through-line -- and you nailed it pre-Ology -- and that's volume. She plays with volume (sometimes mixing volume with form-fitting, like the big flare pants with more body-conscious top) and ways to pull the design off the body while still looking sharp. Even the DVF dress, which flows away from the hips. She tends to make clothes that would flatter a wide range of body types, from models to plus size gals, probably looking just as good at each extreme -- and that's really rare.

Momology 101

1. i think warmth...warm colors
2. modern...she is the only designer that seems to design from this century. this makes me happy as the retro thing is soooo tired.
3.like you said volume
4.flowiness...she is a curvy woman and her items look like they would be comfortable on a variety of sizes

that being said she is my favorite of the finalists though i like betty paige kenley and leanne "fold-me-some-napkins" animal

Wow, seeing all of her looks together makes me realize that I really like Korto's designs more than I remembered. Go Korto! :-)

Help! My tv is broken and I have to watch the finale tonight!!!! None of my lame friends are watching. Does anyone know of any bars in Chicago that play the show, possibly in Boystown?? I'm dying here.

Desperate PR fanatic

I hope that Korto wins. I like her designs.

I liked all but 3 of her designs, and I think there was potential in the 3 I didn't like (green, aquarius, garden).

I agree that she seemed to be hung up on pleasing the judges...and to me that shows positively in her BP collection.

I love Judy's noodles too, but I'm holding out for a Korto win!! (pleasepleaseplease)

Korto should lose. She is not original.

Kenley FTW!

I'm not sure I agree with your thesis that Korto's misses are more disastrous while Leanne's tend to the boring. Leanne's green dress seems like a bigger miss to me.

Looking at these ology posts, it does seem that Korto (and Leanne) was really willing to experiment. The fin-dress, the punk challenge, and the flower dress were all outside of her normal thing, if I recall correctly, and she was really willing to go there and work outside of her box. Not always successfully, but that's ok.

In my heart I want Leanne to win, but I also like Korto for it. And if Kenley does win, I'm sure I'll be happy for her as well.

I do like the colors she uses, and she herself looks fab in yellow.

sewing siren, you appear to have missed my point. Being a successful designer has almost as much to do with your confidence level as it does with your talent. Korto has talked consistently about her dream of being a designer; she seemingly does not recognize that she IS indeed a designer. Leanne knows she is a designer, never doubts it for a moment, so she feels free to create her noodles and pleats with confidence. Kenley believes she is a designer, so she fights with her little tin sword swinging and chopping at the air against anyone who would deny her that title. It's the old 'I think therefore I Am.' Korto still is looking for proof from the judges that she is a dssigner instead of presenting evidence to them that she is. I love Korto, but I stand by my earlier comments...she is not ready, not tough enough for New York and its pitfalls.

PJ,
My post was directed primarily at the anonymous poster (12:54) who concluded from reading your post that Korto was a talented seamstress (not a designer)and that her backstory was what propeled her to the finale. I disagree with that and I don't believe that was the point you were trying to make.

My impression of what Korto means when she says it is her dream to be a designer is, she wants to make a LIVING designing clothes, not that she is unsure of her desigining ability.
As to whether Korto is tough enough for New York. I think she is tough enough for anything. But I am not sure that her plan involved relocating. It is possible to have a design business outside of New York. If you want to do orignal work it might even be better. Witness the success of Chloe Dao.

Looking at the Kortology really got me startled. I never realized that I liked so many of her designs. She is someone I undervalued until the last minute.

Late to the party...

I think Korto has the strongest body of work but, but Leanne has more spectacular designs.

Bad - Look #2-Green;

Meh - Look #10 - Transformation;

Good - Look #5 - Jungle; Look #6 - DQ; Look #9 - Avant Garde; Look #12 - Nature; and Look #3 - NY.

Great - Look #4 - Olympics; Look #8 - DVF and Look #11 - Music.

Sublime - Look #7 - Carparts