It was bullshitty in the first place that Jerell even had to compete for a spot in Bryant Park. He won that last challenge and by the rules of the competition that should have guaranteed him a spot.
Unfortunately for him, the producers just couldn't leave well enough alone.
Which, come to think of it, is also a pretty good way of describing this dress. Jerell just couldn't leave well enough alone.
We think he never should have been put in this position, but we can't deny that, based ENTIRELY on the dresses shown last night, the judges made the right decision.
Pitchforks down, ladies!
As much as we would have rather seen Jerell stay than Kenley, there's no way we can defend this dress.
And as bullshitty as the manipulations were that got us to this point, we have to say the judging was dead on last night. The tulle at the bottom looks dirty and overwhelming.
The ripped open, bejeweled bodice was tacky as hell and frankly, kind of ugly.
Although to be fair, we did like the way the skirt was constructed.
But let's face it, the styling was a joke.
And we haven't even started on this one yet.
We can all rail and moan about the endless amount of flaming hoops they're making the designers jump through but at the end of the day it's a design competition AND a reality show. This is what they do and they've done it before, so we can't get too upset over it this time.
If we had to guess, we think Jerell succumbed to Michael Knight/Daniel Vosovic Syndrome. Once he got away from Tim and the judges, he only remembered their praise and none of their critiques and not only did his designs go off the rails but he got a little cocky about it to boot.
Seriously, people. What the fuck.
No one loved Jerell more than we did and we'd been routing for him to take his spot in the final 3 for a long time, but YARN?!
Considering he apparently wanted to create an ugly dress, well...mission accomplished, Jerell.
Come on, ladies. We know you're all mad at Kenley (and the judges and the producers) and while we're not thrilled with the outcome, can you deny that this dress is a mess?
I mean, we're not talking about some 2-day challenge with materials from a landfill. We're talking about a Bryant Park collection. This shit needed to be gorgeous and most importantly, impeccable.
It's so half-assed and wrinkled and sad-looking. And he just shoved those flowers into the sash.
Before anyone accuses us of being in the tank for the judges or getting payola from Bravo (we WISH), let us reiterate: we HATE the manipulations the producers put them through and we firmly believe Jerell earned his place in Bryant Park last week, BUT this is what they decided to do and Jerell had choices to make. His choices including blowing off Tim's advice and shrugging his shoulders at his half-assed "ugly" bridesmaid dress. Whatever we may feel about the producers or the judges or even Kenley at this point, we can't deny that these two dresses were the worst two dresses on the runway last night.
Still, we feel awful for Miss Jerell and we're terribly sorry that she didn't get her shot.
You can see the rest of Jerell's collection and runway video here.
Based on the challenges laid out last night, I agree that by far, Jerell deserved to go. I'm not even that mad about it. Out of the remaining 4, he was clearly the least talented, and it's not like he had a shot at winning anyway. At least he still got to show at Bryant Park.
When they didn't give Jerrell a spot after winning last week, I had a feeling that he'd get the auf this week. So sad, I really liked a lot of his work this year. The manipulations this year have really turned me off of this show. Was it Bravo's goal to kill the show before it left for Lifetime? Mission accomplished.
Yeah I was a bit sad to see him go instead of Kenley but at the end of the day it was about design and not about attitude. I agree the judges did the right thing and honestly his whole collection was not that cute. So glad Korto is still there! I'm on team Korto and it she doesn't win then I'm on team Leanne!!
Sad to see Jerell go, but it was obvious that his dresses weren't on par. It was a bullshit move on the part of the show to even have him up for elimination, but you are right: that bridesmaid gown was a bullshit gown.
You know, I don't really feel all that bad for Jerrell. He probably should have gotten to go to the final 3, but given the way his collection looked, there was no way he was going to win anyway.
So I'm a bit "meh" on the matter. Especially since I don't really like him. He was very guilty of "I think I'm taking the high road, but I'm really being catty and bitchy" for the last 2 episodes in regards to Kenley.
Yes, Kenley's mean, but you can't really talk about how mean she is and how awful when you're doing the exact same thing.
It's funny .. I don't even care enough to get upset anymore. I feel so manipulated by this show. Some series there are 4 finalists, some just 3. Sometimes they get help, sometimes not. I've decided I like the first half of the season, when there are a boatload of designers, and you're just trying to figure out who is who. But by the end, I start to care about them, and then I just get frustrated!!
I hate to say it, but this outcome was predictable since Terri got booted off. BUT Jerrell should have known better then to make a tacky piece of shit and throw it down the runway. That wedding dress was so tacky with the boobies, and he should have listened to Tim about it or asked a female. They would have told him what's up.
That brides made dress was just sad, like he knew he wasn't going to make it and said fuck it. Then again, looking at his collection, I think the judges made the correct choice. Sure, it was manipulation of the finest caliber, but at the end of the day, Jerrell could have made an awesome dress and he didn't. End of story.
Now the others, I'm going to wait until they have their own seperate posts before I say anything more about them.
Totally unfair that Jerell had to compete again, but he did get cocky and once again got carried away with his design . . . and execution . . . and styling. I feel really bad for him.
I loved the "idea of Jerrell's gown but the color of that tulle! Yikes! Had it been a darker cream color, it wouldn't have been so bad. And those flowers? WTF?
And as much as I hate to admit it, after I haven't liked much of what she has done throughout the season, I LOVED Kenley's bridesmaid dress. It could have been a bit longer, but it was a beautiful color.
LeeAnn's was the best and I was disappointed in Korto's. I think they actually got it right.
Agreed. It was bullshit that Jerrell even HAD to compete for a spot after winning the final challenge before the runway. HOWEVER, those two dresses were complete ass, so in a way, I'm glad that they made him jump through that last flaming hoop. Having see the BP collections, I thought that Korto, Leanne, and Kenley made the three best collections, and can't really shed too many tears over Jerrell's collection not being a contender. It was a shitty decision on behalf of the judges/producers/whatever, but I can't really say that based on these two dresses that he deserved to be there.
I'm with Mimi in not caring that much anymore... I do wonder why everyone seemed wound so tightly given that they knew they would still show at Bryant Park. I mean, who gives an eff about "competing" at that point; I would think BP is the big prize.
Thanks for the post TLO. I just decided not to watch this episode and quit watching Project Runway. This is too much bullshit. I never liked being manipulated and I'm done with this show.
Maybe you guys could blog Project Runway Australia next season? The first season was fabulous, very talented designers, a lot less drama, great designs and the judges made the decision, not the producers.
I haven't loved Jerrell as a designer. I think I would have picked Leanne for the win last week, and that way the producers wouldn't have looked like such absolute jerks for having him win last week when everyone knew he was the one who would get kicked off this week.
However, it was so cut and dry. I'm a 25 year old woman. Although I thought the whole wedding dress/bridesmaids dress was kind of lame and pedestrian, I'm still a sucker for that stuff. And Leanne and Kenley did produce four fabulous garments (even though Kenley seemed to be channeling other designers quite a lot- I even recalled Christian Soriano a bit).
But... Leanne and Kenley did such beautiful jobs, and Kortos and Jerrell's were rough.
It doesn't help that that damn Kenley put out a couple nice frocks. My boyfriend & I were like, "uh-oh, they don't suck, dammit.Now we have to give the mean girl props"
We were atually just as worried for Korto. The fit on that wedding dress was baaaaad.
I like Jerrell. I think he seems like a fun guy with a hell of a sense of humor. And I have liked some of his designs on the show. His poptart dress for Kenley, his outfit for the dress a girl going to work, and the Brook Shields dress were all fantastic. That said, I really didn't think he was Bryant Park bound. His work can be inconsistent, and when he floundered, he really floundered (the green, Olympics), and when he was okay, there were big issues with fit and finishing. After all those challenges, he still couldn't fit Nicole's bust.
So long story short, the manipulation IS ass. In a way, it DOES seem unfair. But I can't complain about the outcome.
I'm with you about how unfair it was to Jerrell to have to compete again when he won last night; and I agree that his dresses were not anything I'd want to wear at a wedding (my own or someone elses). Good Luck Jerrell. It's great that you have such a supportive family, and I'm sure you'll do well.
Bravo wants female winners this season. Actually, Bravo/NBC want female winners. They've had them on:
Biggest Loser (first female winner ever!)
Last Comic Standing (first female winner ever!)
Top Chef (first female winner ever!)
Shear Genius (first female winner ever, though it's only season 2, so that's not as blatant)
The fact that there CAN'T be a male winner now for Project Runway makes it kind of bloody obvious that that's what NBC/Bravo is doing. They used to avoid female winners like the plague, but now they're going overboard to make up for it.
Oh, and did anyone else see the resemblance of Jerell's wedding dress to that awful Carrie Bradshaw gown in the SATC movie? Hers didn't have the sparkly inner bra, but the ridiculous cups were similar.
I'm sad because I thought Jerrell had some beautiful pieces in his collection, but glad Korto is still in. That was a coin flip last night. Call me an 80s girl with tacky taste but I could see Miss Jerrell's gowns on b-list (They're generally prettier than the top-tier) European royals at some dusky castle wedding illuminated by thousands of candles... Maybe I saw that on Dynasty ...Jerrell, if I had the money and the bod, I'd shop in your store every day!
How adorable were the pictures of baby/pre-school Jerrell?! Gotta say, I think growing up in South Central was probably rougher than being raised on a tugboat, too ;)
Eh. I actually Korto's dresses were the ugliest ones last night, but she deserves to go to BP wayyy before Jerell's tacky ass. Not everything needs to be metallic and encrusted with jewels. Barf. I felt a little bad for him but he's been quite the nasty bitch lately, so eh. I was tired of all his grandstanding and pronouncements of being the best. Let your work speak for itself, like Leanne does. If it can't, well...I guess this is what happens. Better luck next time.
I do feel that the producers pulled a switcheroo on Jerrell . . . and us.
But I really disliked the dresses he showed in the bride/bridesmaid challenge, for the same reasons that you, the judges, and the other commenters here have listed.
As much as I like Jerrell, I don't think that the decision last night was wrong.
And because I like Jerrell, I am so glad that I don't have to live through a critique of that runway show.
I like deep rich colors, rich textures, but I REALLY don't like what he sent down the runway. It's too much, it's too unedited. I'd really love it if he could work with someone on editing his color and trim choices. All of those saturated colors in such deep hues just end up looking so weighted down. With a little smart editing, Jerrell could really be fantastic.
When both Korto and Jerell decided to do wedding gowns in non-traditional palettes (i.e. not white), I knew they were in trouble.
It didn't help that Jerell junked his up with every bit of tinsel he could find, and Korto decided to put everything she knows about construction into one dress.
As for the manipulations of the producers: I'm with whoever said "meh." It's a "reality" show. It's all manipulation. Jerell was rightly auf'ed, although based on Korto's gowns, I would not have been shocked to see her go.
It is not Kenleys fault that the judges or producers chose not to honor the rules/tradition and award a spot at Bryant Park to the winner of the final challenge. I think it was cruel, but the blame should be place on the judges. I thought is wedding gown was a little too far over the top, but the bodice the judges had problems with was remarkably similar to the bodice of his winning gown in "Nature Calls". So it is understandable that he would return there. Again the judges are at fault, if they had problems with that type of embelishment/fit they should have let him know THEN. I don't see why they didn't just allow all 4 to compete at BP. They already had collections and everything.
Ps: I like the bridesmaid dress, flowers and all. But Jerrell a word for ya: Interface.
Miss J's dresses were ass. The bridesmaid one could have been really great if it weren't for the wrinkles.
And those flowers! I knew he was gone when I saw those tacky things.
But Heidi, Harvey and the magical elves really screwed her over big time, for mean girl and manufactured drama. If the previews are what they seem (although they rarely are), she's back to her old obnoxious self next week.
However, I'm sure Miss J will be okay. She actually took it better that I thought she would have, even with the Duchess snark.
I KNOW that I wouldn't have been that tame about it.
last night's challenge was nothing but an excuse to kick jerell out of the game and keep the ratings up with Kenely. I just watched season one for my first time and have never been so outraged by the auf'ing of Austin to keep Wendy Pepper. I was so upset, in fact, that there's no way I say Kenely getting the boot last night...I was almost numb to what the producers were doing. Unreal.
I completely agree, based on what what shown last night, the judging was exactly right. But it should never have gone there in the first place. However, Jerrell failed to step it up, and frankly his final collection was a giant mess.
Agreed, total bullshit that he can't compete. But his BP collection was really off and I think he would have come in fourth anyway. So he gets to show at BP, he was on Regis yesterday - all he's really missing is the chance to show his collection on tv and appear in the final episode. But hasn't everyone seen the collections online already? So it's not a total bust for him.
The bridesmaid's dress was shockingly bad. And I do see the many problems with the wedding dress but even knowing that the dress should have been edited I think it looks kind of spectacular - from a distance. Up close you see some of the problems but floating down the aisle, it could look pretty amazing. Not really my taste - I would never wear that - but I liked the silhouette and concept. I thought Korto's wedding dress was worse but her bridesmaid's dress was better. So Jerell had to go, I guess. Loved his family, friends, and "love interest." Good luck, Miss Thang!
His dresses were fug, but I love Jerell. His exit interview was a class act. He was graceous towards the judges and the other contestants. He never mentioned the unfairness of the whole thing. Imagine what Kenley would have to say if she had won the last challenge and then had to compete for the final three!! OMG the whining would be unbearable!!
When I saw what Jerell was cooking during Tims visit, I was worried.
I like Jerell as a person, but as a designer, he left me wondering what I was looking at. He always over styled the models, and got such high praise. I bet he thought he could do it again this one last time.
As far as him winning the last challenge, he barely won. Since the judges didnt think anyone was that great, they prolly felt Jerell didnt deserve to automatically make it to the end. Hence why he didnt.
What I'm wondering at this point is why they threw him the bone of a win last week at all. His wedding dress is reminiscent of that dress, and they didn't even need to pick a winner at all last week if they were all going to keep on competing. Whatever.
I can see y'alls point, but in Jerell's defense, at least both dresses looked like what they were supposed to be, and they related to one another.
Go Jerell. You're a gentleman and you're talented and I'm sure you'll go far.
Wow, I agree with everyone here. 1. The manipulations of the producers sucked. (So maybe it's a good thing after all that a new team is producing the next season, don't you think?) 2. But then ... so did Jerell's two outfits. Why does he think that a droopy, ill-fitting bust is attractive? (He's had the same model all season and seems to have paid next to no attention to her body.) 3. These two designs, as it turned out, were really a preview of the (decoy) show to come: ill fit, sloppy execution, over embellishments, and heavy-handed whimsy. (When the judges saw his decoy collection at BP I'm sure they felt they'd made the right decision - and they did.)
His dresses were fug, but I love Jerell. His exit interview was a class act. He was graceous towards the judges and the other contestants. He never mentioned the unfairness of the whole thing. Imagine what Kenley would have to say if she had won the last challenge and then had to compete for the final three!! OMG the whining would be unbearable!!
Jamibythebay
Are you serious? Do you not recall his snark regarding not designing white t-shirts like Michael Kors? Going on and on about how "opulent" (read: tacky and cheap) his look his? Yeah, so gracious. Psssh.
I'm probably alone in this opinion, but I thought Korto should have been the one to go. Jerell has some fabulously original ideas: he just doesn't have the construction chops at this point to translate them pristinely. But I thought his ideas last night were coherent and interesting. There was a buoyant energy to his two dresses. A wrinkly buoyant energy, but energy nonetheless.
And I applaud him for so obviously deflecting one after another "how would you trash Kenley now" questions in his post-auf interview. He was robbed but he handled it with class.
I admit, I hated his wedding dress and I hated his bridesmaid dress. But he won the final challenge, he should have had to compete in this challenge at all. It should have been a Korto/Kenley face-off for that last spot. (Which would have also broken my heart, because Korto's designs were just as fug.)
Maybe the producers were trying to make the transition to Lifetime easier by turning the finale of this season into a giant pile of suck?
I agree that strictly on the strength or weakness of last night's challenge Miss Jerell was the one who should have gone.
However he won the challenge that was supposed to decide the issue. The only ones who should have had a style off - if indeed it was really even necessary - was Korto and Kenley.
I agree with you TLo about the Danny V./Michael Knight syndrome. It was clear at the challenge last week that Jerell was firmly of the 'more is more' fashion philosophy, and as Duchess said he went hog wild. He only seemed to edit himself in the competition within the confines of particular challenges.
Merde. I hate it when designers drop the ball like this and we end up with someone with a crappy attitude in the final.
If Judy Noodles gets the Jillian treatment and ends up third, I really am going to scream to the high heavens and rail against the producer machinations on this show!
After looking at the photos of Jerrell's final collections on line as it turns out- and I think a lot of readers here agree- the judges made the right choice. As hilarious and cute as hell I think Miss J is, his collection was not as good as the other 3. Not to say he didn't work hard or didn't have a point of view, but from here it simply didn't look as polished as the others.
Anyway he still got to go to Bryant Park and show a collection so all last night meant was that he wasn't in contention for the win. No big surprise there.
Kate and Brett: When I was watching I was like, what is he making outfits for a Tim Burton movie?! :p
I know its been said but based on the challenge, Jerrell's was a big fail. The bottom of the dress looked dirty and that bridesmaid dress fabric looked dated/wrinkly.
Not a fan of Mean Girl -- but the color of the bridesmaid dress was beautiful and I really like that white dress in her collection with the flowers down the front. But seriously, we get, father was a tug boat captain.
I am so tired of hearing people complain about "rules" and "manipulations." This is reality TV!!! The producers (people that actually put up money to have the show made) can do whatever the hell they want. Do you want governmental oversight or something? Is there something in the Bible that claims the winner of the last challenge MUST go to BP? Get. Over. It.
Oh come on. This was so obvious. From the second they showed the previews with the Duchess saying "it's garish" EVERYONE who reads this blog knew this was going down.
As much as I love Jerell and it was bullshit that he didn't get a guarantee, we all saw that collection. Enough said.
On the other hand, I can see Helena Bonham-Carter choosing these for her wedding to Tim Burton. Only darker, without the flowers.
That's it!!! Helena Bonham Carter! I can totally see her in this dress either for her own Bonham Carter/Burton wedding or for a "Bride of Frankenstein" remake. I admit, I like parts of the dress, but Jerrell just had to go and embellish that poor gown within an inch of its life.
TLo, you're so right about Jerrell suffering from the same malady as Dan V. and the other (?) designer who rode the waves of praise too long and forgot about the undertow of constructive criticism.
Anyways, I'm ecstatic it's an all-girl showing at BP. Can't wait to see the drama. I'm now numbe to BRAVO's manipulation and mind control, so they can bring the tears, tugboats and tantrums for the finale. I'm ready.
Damn, y'all, Jerrell's dresses sucked, but Korto's were AWFUL...don't know how so many of you are coming to this conclusion.
I loved Jerrell...he handled his aufing like a man, didn't he?
Anyway, Leanne's garments were beautiful, and I am so pleased that she's the clear winner. I share Alex's crush on her. She is just the hottest little nerd girl ever...
After the way the series was manipulated in Season 3 to let Jeffrey win, nothing surprises me anymore. The producers want "drama" and are willing to manufacture it wherever and whenever they can.
Too bad. It would still be a very compelling show without being totally rigged.
Alas, after the oducer-pray anipulation-may of last week, I couldn't get up the emotion to care about this challenge. Sad to see him go, but, well, just don't care that much.
The satellite said I could see the episode (repeat) at midnight. Sat down to watch, on screen info said Project Runway, on air was the HORRENDOUS Skanks Of Atlanta!
Bastages!
Meh. From looking at BP pics weeks ago I didn't expect he was in the running.
I hate that he had to go. I hate that Mean Girl had to stay.
This kid came from nothing, fought his whole life to get where he is right now, won the last challenge; Mean Girl lived on a freaking tugboat. End of her story. Not fair.
Based on producers' coldly calculated and manipulative move to justify his auffing and keep Mean Girl, yeah, his was the worst. So yeah, mission accomplished.
I thought Kenley's wedding gown was absolutely gorgeous. A dream gown. but I thought her bridesmaid dress was awful. It looked uncomfortable, and I think it was just an awkward length for that amount of fullness and for a bridesmaid dress.
Maybe I don't really understand the way the shows are set up, but didn't the top 6 show at bryant park? So when they say I wanted to show at the tents, that just means they wanted they're show to be televised by Bravo right? I say who cares. It was seen by the people most likely to be interested in furthering your career. jerrell should have been in the top three, but congratulations on showing!
Oh and I forgot to mention: he won the last challenge, not to mention that he won three challenges; Korto is bottom two TWICE in a row and gets to go to Bryant Park.
I don't think this is even remotely a possibility. Don't forget that Chloe Dao won PR. And there were male finalists in Top Chef; it just happened to be the case that the male chef BLEW the final, just as Jerell blew his wedding and bridesmaid dresses.
These kinds of claims really are sexist and unwarranted. The women won last night fair and square. Jerell won challenges this season with some shoddy offerings, mostly because others did so poorly (as in the Zodiac) challenge that he had to be given the win. I agree with someone else that the producers should have cut the drama and given Leanne the win last week.
As probably the lone Kenley supporter, I thought the judges were spot on in their decision. Did I think Jerrell was shat on? Sure...but like TLo said...Bravo's (and the producers) show, so their rules.
I was worried during the last few minutes-I thought that the producers might have decided to REALLY piss everyone off by aufing Korto, since everyone expected Jerrell to be off. But I agree-looking at Jerrell's collection, there was no chance of winning. In completely unrelated news, I just read Bad Mommy's column on The Daily Beast, and I'm still wincing over the Cocoa Puffs story. Read it here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-09/theres-no-good-time-to-potty-train-a-rabbit/
Damn, y'all, Jerrell's dresses sucked, but Korto's were AWFUL...don't know how so many of you are coming to this conclusion.
paul, take my word for it, once TLo review Korto's bridal gown and bridesmaid's gown, I'm certain you'll read comments on this blog that will make Jerrell's dresses look like the best garments designed since the dawn of creation.
I hate that he had to go. I hate that Mean Girl had to stay.
This kid came from nothing, fought his whole life to get where he is right now, won the last challenge; Mean Girl lived on a freaking tugboat. End of her story. Not fair.
Oh please, like you know either of them. How can you judge which had it harder? Besides, isn't this supposed to be Project Runway, not a charity? If we're all about helping people with hard lives, let's leave Parsons, find a bum on the street, and give HIM the win rather than an egomaniacal douche who had a poor childhood (and really, how many of us had poor childhoods? Ok then).
Anonymous said... I am so tired of hearing people complain about "rules" and "manipulations." This is reality TV!!! The producers (people that actually put up money to have the show made) can do whatever the hell they want. Do you want governmental oversight or something? Is there something in the Bible that claims the winner of the last challenge MUST go to BP? Get. Over. It.
I guess, having already seen his collection, I felt his auf was deserved. I think he's adorable, and talented, but his...taste level...is not there. Kenely's collection is pretty shit, too, but based on last night's show, she deserved to stay.
You guys are right to make the point--this is not life, it is a TV show. And every season, at some point, it breaks our hearts. I'd have wept far more bitterly for Korto, so at least they gave me that.
"Garish" in the previews--now who the heck else would that have been? Nope, not a fan of these 2 dresses, nor the BP collection, but I still like Jerell. Another nope: NOT a reality show, but a game show. That realization changed my anger into bemusement.
I must be the only Kenley fan left (judging by the comments here and the "text to vote" during the show last night.
This young woman is fun to watch. Watching Leanne is about as interesting as watching beige paint drying. It's TV, y'all. Ditto for Korto.
And Wendy Pepper is a truly horrible person. I made a special trip to Middleburg, VA, (not far from home) to laugh at her designs. Then, for more fun, I almost bought a Christmas ornament from Linda Tripp (but I wouldn't give her a damned dime, either). What a town!
If I recall correctly, Kenley's laugh started the whole "I can't stand her" drama this season. Happy people always piss off the sulk masters.
I'll bet it was the yarn idea that sealed J's fate. Tim G. probably screamed all the way back to the judges' table with that one.
Laura B. and Austin S. proved without a doubt that you don't have to win to be successful.
At this point, I don't care who wins. I just happen to like Kenley, and I like her designs. She's young, and she'll mature. And she'll never tell Tim G. confidently, "I'm thinking about sewing some yarn around this tacky embellishment shit."
I don't know about "rigged" or "fixed", but I do have my theories on the lameness of this edition of PR. I think the producers made it the lamest they could, before sending it off to LA and the Golden Girls channel. That being said, much as I love Jerrell, the gowns were just awful. The bridal gown did look dirty, and the bridesmaid gown was literally thrown together. And the "flower pot" on the bride's head was purely, tastelessly ridiculous. If Jerrell can tone down his love of bling and "stuff" on his designs, I think he just might be successful. PS: Korto's gowns were every bit as fugly as Jerrells. Blech
It would have been great to have all four of them in the judging at BP, but they knew what they had to do going into the last challenge, and Korto and Jerell blew it. Korto's wedding dress was worse than Jerell's and both of them put out sad, sad bridesmaid's dresses.
I like the little twists the producers put in at the end every year--it makes it more interesting.
Jerell biffed it last night. I could see what he was going for, much like his dress in the last challenge, but he biffed it. Moreso than Korto did. And I'm with russell, Jerell was being as mean and bitchy as Kenley was. His whole "kewl kidz" attitude went into overdrive and it bugged the hell out of me.
Does anyone else find it ironic that all of Heidi's final criticisms of Jerrell last night also apply to the mess now known as Project Runway?
Overdone, overwrought, overworked. And Just. Too. Much.
You take something perfectly wonderful and, season by season, you add the beads, the sequins, the fake flowers on the head, the miles of tulle, the ridiculous nonjudging judging, the rules changes to get the finalists you want, and the jewels under the boobs?
Nina Garcia is so bored you could iron on her. I loved Jerrell's final catty comment about Michael Kors too. Way to go out with your head held high, Miss J!
Does anyone have a link to a photo of the McQueen dress KopyKat Mean Girl copied for this challenge?
I am grateful for four wonderful years of PR (not including this year). My Wednesday nights are no longer sacred.
I got about half way down before I had to get back to work...so I don't know if anyone commented on it yet....
But come on I laughed so hard at the end when Jerrell took a dig at Kors basic white t-shirts! - I've seen Kors stuff at TJMaxx and even Ross - and in many cases they've been pretty blah and on the clearance rack at those stores. ;0)
That said, while I have like Jerrell as a person, I have not thought that some of his work was the absolute worst!! (Olympic and green) HOWEVER, while his execution was bad - his were actually HIS DESIGNS! He is a DESIGNER - plenty of people have ripped on earlier contestants calling them "dress-makers not designers". You cannot say that about Jerrell. I liked his designs for both of these dresses.
Didn't several others posters agree that in the screen shots of BP that Kenley's dress looked a bit like Bjork's infamous award dress?
It is turning out as I have expected all along only now everyone else is seeing the fine Italian hand behind this "reality" show. There is more manipulation than just the material and the audience. I wonder what reward some contestants get for taking a dive or creating drama? Surely they get something out of collaborating with their captors? Surely just being on TV does not make them willing to prostitute themselves?
There is a mindset whereby grown people will become highly emotional discussing the events of a soap opera as if, AS IF, the characters were really dying, cheating, lying, killing, etc. It is called the willing suspension of disbelief. It exists in "reality" show audiences also. And it exists in audiences in regard to news--both actual and slanted. People tend to believe what they are told and shown sooner than they use their brains to discover the emperor has on no clothes. But as what is shown becomes more and more incredible and more and more onerous, those with brains become less and less credulous and less and less willing to burden themselves with watching or going along. Now in reality, the real kind, real designers take a long time to design a garment. Some have scads of people to help them make the garment. They do not make them out of garbage--even if the result is garbage. They do not have to have so many false constraints put on them. And the resulting garments sent down runways will be judged individually as wonderful or as ass just the same way we do here. A designer will not have his or her career ruined because a few people hate one or two garments.
Totally agree with you, boys. The PR producers completely their lost credibility this year - first with the travesty of Terri (Suede deserves to show at Bryant Park over her? WTF?) and now last weeks' crap with Jerell. You know what? I'm almost glad Bravo lost the show to Lifetime because they clearly have lost their minds. Oooh, guess I'm bitter.
First of all, Boys, you need not defend yourselves or assure us you're not in anyone's pocket. Those of us who love you know that.
Throughout the season, all the designers had some real stinkers -- except maybe Leanne, who had a couple of duds but no real stinkers (except perhaps as Blayne's lieutenant during the Brooke Shields challenge). Jerell made some wonderful outfits but had some real bombs, too.
The wedding gown looked like he spent some time draping and then once the draping was done, he threw wickety wack at it. I thought the bridesmaid's dress worked really well with the bridal gown, but again, it looked like he didn't make it with care and a lot of thought.
The irony is that Korto clearly spent hours and hours folding and sewing perfect pleats. . . and yet I thought hers looked worse. Both sent disasters down the runway last night, but, based I think hers was worse.
On the other hand, I must say that Jerell looked very dashing with the beard.
I agree with you 100%. Jerell shouldn't have been on the chopping block. But, since he was, the judges were right to send him home. I am curious to go look at the rest of his collection now and see if the other looks are of a piece with the bridal ones.
Anonymous 10:26 AM said... ...There is more manipulation than just the material and the audience. I wonder what reward some contestants get for taking a dive or creating drama? ===========================
I didn't really mind this twist last week, but now it really ticks me off. They essentially called a mulligan on the last challenge because the winner and loser weren't who they wanted--if the object were just to decide who got to compete at Bryant Park, the flower challenge could have sufficed perfectly well. But no, since that challenge was "inconclusive," they had to make everyone sweat it out and create a line that might never be seen on the show, then judge them on the basis of work they had to do at the last minute, and work that they wouldn't have put into their collections by choice to boot. At least Rami and Chris got to show off their best looks.
All that said...what a wreck, Jerell. It looked a bit like the dress that got Alison Kelly aufed, just a shapeless mound of tulle with a sheet thrown over it. Had this been the last regular challenge I'd have had no regrets about this decision.
Had he edited himself, say 30%, and tightened up the look (like trimming some of the fullness in the bottom and losing or changing the color of the tulle), it could have been quite interesting. But there was no getting over the bridesmaid's dress ... it's what every bridesmaid fears.
Had a feeling when Tim saw the bridal gown. Got a real vibe when I saw the fabric he picked for the bridesmaid dress. Knew it was coming at the runway show. Craaaaapppp.
I got about half way down before I had to get back to work...so I don't know if anyone commented on it yet....
But come on I laughed so hard at the end when Jerrell took a dig at Kors basic white t-shirts! - I've seen Kors stuff at TJMaxx and even Ross - and in many cases they've been pretty blah and on the clearance rack at those stores.
Ugh, that is so disingenuous. As if that's all Michael Kors does. I'm no fan of his, but tons of designers have low-end, affordable stuff for the masses. This doesn't mean he just designs t-shirts, and Jerell knows it. Too bad he couldn't really defend his work or aesthetic, he had to make it the JUDGES' fault somehow. I guess it's ok not to take responsibility as long as you're Jerell and not Kenley. Oh, and places like TJ Maxx are still on a higher tier than the tacky QVC collections you all drool over whenever Laura or Emmett release their newsest garbage. *snort*
I LOVE LOVE LOVE KORTO!!! I think her BP collection is a total contender fro TOP PRIZE! But I thought she should have been sent home last night.
It was such a joyless episode. Judging from the collections (which is unfair but is what it is) she was the right one to stay, but based on the dresses last night it's clear she completely over-thought, and over stressed on the Bridal gown and was completely thrown off her game by the last minute bridesmaid's challenge. Yet based on the challenge...she failed and should have been aufed. =( =( =(
I HATED Kenley's dress BUT it was undeniable bridal and would be a "Dream" for somebody (a fool in my opinion )to wear.
But at this point since everyone's been predicting this outcome for months now. Can we just declare Leanne the winner and call it a day?!?!!
Wedding dress-- I completely understand what he was trying to do and I think the look could have been magnificently stunning had the bodice been simpler and better fitted. He has big trouble fitting bodices and after his almost disaster in the last competition, he returned to a bustier look. After taking a good look at that bodice, I really had questions about Jerell's taste level.
I do not believe that wedding dresses need to be white and I applaud his risk-taking.
The Bridesmaid's Dress--
They are always ugly because they are usually poorly designed! This is a design competition and Jerell's aside seemed to reveal a bit of disdain he had for the contest at that point. That attitude carried into the dress. The dress needs to fit women of all shapes, sizes and ages. His didn't. It needs to be of material that would hide flaws and hold up to a ceremony and a party afterwords. His wouldn't.
On the plus side, I actually liked his styling ideas. I liked the flowers in the sash matching the bride's flowers in the hair. It's an economical alternative to carrying bouquets. I also liked the color story. Very complex.
Othe Alexander McQueen Feather dress http://www.televisioninternet.com/news/pictures/alexander-mcqueen-feather-wedding-dress2.jpg
And THIS ONE - looks like several of Kenley's is shape and asymmetry http://www.televisioninternet.com/news/pictures/alexander-mcqueen-feather-wedding-dress3.jpg
Ugh, that is so disingenuous. As if that's all Michael Kors does. I'm no fan of his, but tons of designers have low-end, affordable stuff for the masses. This doesn't mean he just designs t-shirts, and Jerell knows it. Too bad he couldn't really defend his work or aesthetic, he had to make it the JUDGES' fault somehow. I guess it's ok not to take responsibility as long as you're Jerell and not Kenley. Oh, and places like TJ Maxx are still on a higher tier than the tacky QVC collections you all drool over whenever Laura or Emmett release their newsest garbage. *snort*
10:35 AM ==========================
Here we go with this same old shit.
If we all can't judge, or TLo can arrange the blog in you oh-so-hoity-toity standards, then why are you here?
Everyone is insisting the producers wanted Kenley in and Jerell out, and that's why they had the holdover from the last challenge. Isn't it conceivable that they simply wanted to add "suspense" by adding an additional challenge (that really turned into 2 additional challenge) and an elimination to a show that is otherwise pretty boring every year, with all the saccharine home visits and fleeting shots of people's collections? There's really no incentive on the producers' part to favor Kenley over Jerell, both who have bitchy attitudes and ardent fans as well as detractors. If they'd wanted drama, Leanne would be gone and Suede would still be there.
Anon 10:35 - DUH - I SHOP at TJMAXX. Was that not clear? Damn. I was saying that I thought that was a witty comeback. AND that I have not been impressed with most of the Kors stuff I've seen. I have a couple of his things - but much of what I've seen qualifies as BASICS, not FASHION.
Oh, we knew this was how it was gonna shake down this season, so I wanted to see Jerell go out in a blaze of glory. And he kind of did.
I actually liked the bridesmaid's dress better than the bride's, but then again I was really tired by the time I finally got to see the episode.
I will say that as much as I loved Miss J., he was the one who needed the most self-editing of the final four. Still, I think he has so many good ideas...
I agree that it was bullshit that Jerell had to compete at this late stage. But the exploding boob dress was SO much worse than everything else on the runway. And he completely ignored Tim's concern about the wrinkles on the bridesmaid's dress. He just wasn't as rude or defiant as Kenley would have been. The producers really need to rethink their approach. After three seasons of yanking the contestants's chain to stretch out the finale, they should just admit that the final four challenge before the break is just so much bullshit. They could just make the final four challenge after the break, as they did this year, or go with last season's format of having two compete for the final slot, but the last minute rule changes are just bullshit. If they want to avoid charges of rigging, the producers have to stop screwing around like this.
I think Jerell was robbed--he won the last challenge and two others. I liked his BP collection a lot and thought the wedding dress was beautiful.
I sense producer manipulation but not to keep Kenley on. As a couple of other comments noted, it was to keep Korto on the show. Kenley may have squeaked by last time, but she deserved to go through based on this challenge. Korto did not. Her dresses were terrible and her bride's dress even made the model look fat. It was hideous.
The redo was all about keeping Korto on the show. I think they did want Jerell to go home but they wanted her to stay all the more. She was bottom two in the last two challenges and yet they kept her despite there being nothing nice about either dress.
I admit to finding Korto's designs unremarkable and forgettable. She's a great dressmaker with some taste issues but no vision. Jerell, Kenley and especially Leanne have the latter, even if Jerell's sewing skills are not as strong (and this is about design, not sewing--in the real business of fashion, those two are separate).
It's also likely that Jerell's final collection--which had some great stuff--didn't fit quite so well because he didn't have the opportunity to adjust the dresses to the models, something else given to the finalists. He likely just had a casting and no fittings.
While Leanne deserves to win this--she is the best designer ever on PR, this season has been ruined by even more heavy handed interference and bizarre decisions than any of the previous ones. I don't think the talent was necessarily worse--there have always been many clunkers on the show--but the ones with great potential like Wesley and Jerry were cast out immediately.
He deserved to be gone since day two; sorry, I can never get behind someone who thinks throwing sequins all over a dress makes it opulent. Less=more, Jerell.
Sigh, no. But the final challenge was a bullshitty manipulation by the producers, regardless.
Jerell looked like he was channeling that wedding dress monstrosity that Carrie Bradshaw wore in the SATC movie. (But then Kenley's was an almost exact copy of an Alexander McQueen).
And to me, there was humor in his wedding dress, in that the skirt looked just like Heidi's hairdoo.
I know we'll get to it later, but kittens, I just WINCED when Korto's wedding dress came around the corner, while this one? I thought was salvagable. Take away the orchid on her head (?) and change the color of the tulle, and it was bridal-y.
Sorry to say it, but based on the dresses shown last night, Korto should have gone home. Love her, but ick.
This post is pretty much the exact conversation I had with my sister last night about the show. We both agreed that it was bullshit that Jerrell had to compete for a spot after winning the last challenge, but based PURELY on the wedding dress/bridesmaid challenge, Kenley deserves her spot. I still don't like her, I still think her being there is a gift almost on a par with Wendy Pepper being in the final three -- I think she has more talent, but she should have been out after that hip-hop travesty, and she should have been out AGAIN over last week's horrible dress.
That said... oh, Jerrell. I'm sorry. You got robbed in a number of different ways, but I did not like these dresses at all. I wish you would have listened to Tim.
Sad as I am, I have to agree. I could not believe he thought this was an appropriate response to the challenge. That dress had NO relation to a bridal gown whatsoever. And the headpiece? WTF? Love ya, mean it, Jerrell. Good luck always!
On the other hand...As much as I adore Jerell, he (and a few others) were very lucky in that the pool of talent was very shallow this season, which enabled him to get to the top 4.
This season has really been all Korto & LeeAnn - which I'm guessing drove the producers crazy because they both have quiet personalities. I think that if either Korto or LeeAnn had more boisterous personalities the final 4 would have looked very different.
"This season has really been all Korto & LeeAnn - which I'm guessing drove the producers crazy because they both have quiet personalities. I think that if either Korto or LeeAnn had more boisterous personalities the final 4 would have looked very different."
Very interesting point, GT. I think you've hit on something.
"It's also likely that Jerell's final collection--which had some great stuff--didn't fit quite so well because he didn't have the opportunity to adjust the dresses to the models, something else given to the finalists. He likely just had a casting and no fittings"
Really, some great stuff? The first outfit was kind of good, and then from there ... a hot mess, which got hotter and messier with each new look. As for fit, hasn't he had this problem throughout the season? I mean he's had the same model for weeks, and he keeps designing these outfits that do weird/unflattering things to her boobs.
I hated to see Jerell auf'd but I knew it was coming when I saw the bridesmaid dress, and, as much I love Miss J., I also desperately wanted to see Korto go to BP.
Jerell, you'll be missed, but you are still fabulousssssss!!!!!
channeling Suede, bitchybitchybitchy is sad today...
I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest". Perhaps I didn't hear it correctly.
Carry on.
Given how unattractive and older he was compared to Jerell, I assume he meant "sugar daddy." Sad that he can't even feign a real relationship for the cameras.
He deserved to be gone since day two; sorry, I can never get behind someone who thinks throwing sequins all over a dress makes it opulent. Less=more, Jerell.
So agree. I enjoy over-the-top and opulent, but only when it's done well. Jerell was mostly tacky and had a lot of construction issues. I liked the bridesmaid's dress more than the wedding dress, as it was simpler, but even that needed editing. It was puckery, it should have been shortened to tea length, and the flowers needed to be added more organically instead of just shoved into the waistband.
I don't know how anyone is surprised to see producer manipulation. Wasn't that obvious with the advancement of designated bitch Wendy Pepper or "he has a point of view: RAGAMUFFIN!" Santino? Or the weird season with Kayne, the meistro of tacky, and other losers moving ahead while the talented Allyson got aufed? (And I totally believe that the producers probably staged that one guy's illegal pattern book situation.)
What draws me to PR is that we see what's set up as a talent competition for designers. I'm more than happy to see soft-spoken types like Judy Noodles and Jillian, because they make good TV not by being sparkly or bitchy but by BEING TALENTED. But the producers will never understand that, and I'm sure the new producers -- of Real World infamy -- won't get it, either.
If it's about emotions and genuine love, I think most people really, really like Jerrell as a person. That's why Tim was crying-he knew.
If it's based on the quality of the presented product, Jerrell had to go.
Jerrell, (and Korto for that matter) apparently did worse with time and aloneness, while Kenley and Leanne did better with time and aloneness.
I do think Jerrell has something, but he definitely got in his own way with this whole collection. He did get cockier on his own, and I can't believe he didn't listen to Tim. He had won so many challenges and got cocky.
Jerrell-move to NY. Go to Parsons. Learn editing, and immerse yourself in fashion. You have a 'Tim Burton goes clubbing' aestheyic, but you need discipline and self control-you learn that at school. Enroll now.
Oh, and did anyone else see the resemblance of Jerell's wedding dress to that awful Carrie Bradshaw gown in the SATC movie? Hers didn't have the sparkly inner bra, but the ridiculous cups were similar.
Yes! I thought the bust on that Vivienne Westwood gown was so odd-and the huge skirt...no wonder Big bailed on the wedding!
The producers did what they had to do. Jerell deserved a "shot" at Bryant Park, but didn't really deserve to show there. That's exactly how it ended up playing out.
His fabric choice for the bridesmaid dress was again terrible. Jerell...stop making saggy boob dresses!
Amen to that whole damn post. Poor Jerrell...but ew for real on the dress. It's just like when Michael came back from Hotlanta with a bunch of nasty shit and we said, "Wha?"
Anonymous said... If it's about emotions and genuine love, I think most people really, really like Jerrell as a person. That's why Tim was crying-he knew.
=============================
That's actually an interesting theory. Honestly, I thought Mama was playing to the cameras, but I now remember the comments she had for Miss J at the beginning of the season. Tim genuinely liked her as a person.
Jerrell-move to NY. Go to Parsons. Learn editing, and immerse yourself in fashion. You have a 'Tim Burton goes clubbing' aestheyic, but you need discipline and self control-you learn that at school. Enroll now.
11:19 AM
============================
Another really good point. If she learns to be more conscientious about what she's doing, she can really knock it out.
On a side note... I would love to see Miss J and SissyBear working together. Can you imagine the crazy shit those two could concoct?
I have to say, I thought the bridesmaid's dress was elegant. The wedding dress -- not so much. If he'd fixed those vomiting boobs when Tim commented on them, I think he'd still be around. Korto's dresses were ugly.
Patrick said:"Bravo wants female winners this season. Actually, Bravo/NBC want female winners."
winkleperi said... I don't think this is even remotely a possibility. Don't forget that Chloe Dao won PR. And there were male finalists in Top Chef; it just happened to be the case that the male chef BLEW the final, just as Jerell blew his wedding and bridesmaid dresses. 9:54 AM
Insightful post as always. Jerrell got cocky AND set up.
It's just like season 3 -- Uli won the challenge, so they couldn't dump her so she got to show at BP with Laura, Jeffrey and Michael.
Now Jerrell wins the last group-of-four challenge but this time they sabotage him by getting him to sabotage himself. His designs were the worst last night though, by far. His attitude about ugly bridesmaid dresses only confirmed his aufing.
When the judges make decisions we agree with they are judging. When judges makes decisions we disagree with they are 'manipulating.'
I like Jerrell as much as everybody else. However, we are talking about BP here, and the reputation of all of the judges. The judge's taste will be judged. This is the pinnacle of fashion elite in the US. They knew Jerrell had some potentially fatal flaws, which were one thing in the competitions.....something else entirely at BP. If they had allowed Jerrell through with that collection, they would have been laughing stocks, and reputations would have been tarnished.
The judges knew what they were doing, and had to do it. On a personal level they liked Jerrell, (although I saw saw grave disappointment in their eyes when they cut him) but this is business.
I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest". Perhaps I didn't hear it correctly. Carry on.
*anonymous said...
Given how unattractive and older he was compared to Jerell, I assume he meant "sugar daddy." Sad that he can't even feign a real relationship for the cameras.
Ouch. But thanks for clearing that one up. I totally missed the dialogue for that scene. I'll have to catch it tonight. Ugly, older, sugardaddy or not, Jerrell's character shined this season and made for a much more amusing, witty and snarktastic season than many season's past on PR. With the exception of Christian and his exhaustive wit, have we all forgotten how funeral parlor dull last season's designers were? Sheesh.
No pitchforks here, poodles. Kenley's bridal pieces may have been derivative, but they were far and away better than Jerell's AND Korto's.
In fact, I was really worried for Korto, since I thought her dresses were just as bad as Jerell's. But I guess last week's shenanigans made it clear that TPTB didn't want Jerell to make it...and either they manipulated this episode as well to make it seem like they were right...or, they were just right. It is sad though.
I didn’t find it unfair that Jerell was still on the chopping block this episode. Some other designers have been screwed being sent home before him, too. It’s vexing enough that he got to show his heinous collection at BP.
Many have said that this is a design competition, not a sewing competition. I disagree--the designers are required to do all their sewing personally for BP (as everyone who remembers Season 4 can attest). While there have been some truly horrible people who made it to Bryant Park, every single PR collection was at least sewn very well. Maybe the producers were afraid that Jerrell was just too iffy, especially based on the last few challenges.
Also, I'm trying to remember if we, as viewers, ever heard "the rules" --Did we ever hear that whoever wins the final challenge is guaranteed a spot at BP? I don't think so.
We probably all would be much less pissy if last week the judges didn't declare a winner at all.
I also agree with the person who said the manipulation was to keep Korto, not Kenley, in.
Finally, I think the fact that Wendy was in at the end of Season 1was a fluke. But after the producers saw what a hoopla it produced, it set the pattern for future seasons.
i liked his bridesmaid's dress. i thought the colors were lovely, i liked the style of it. it was puckery and wrinkley, and that's a problem. but the flowers, etc, i didn't mind. and i was freakishly mesmerized by the flowers on the "bride's" head. I thought the wedding gown was good in a thoroughly over-the-top way; as the judges seem to love saying this year "it's a fantasy." I even liked the off-white colors; they didn't look dirty to me, just subdued. then again, I LOVE grey.
kenley's bridesmaid's dress I hated. HATED. hated the color, the cut, the silhouette, everything about it.
poor jerell - his family were adorable! and he's a total doll!
I've read all of the above comments so now I've just about forgotten how I wanted to say what I was going to say.
Anyway, Jerrell created one big mess last night. I didn't like the wedding gown when I saw it a few weeks ago and I still don't like it. It looks like it was slept in.
The bridesmaid gown was atrocious and put the final nail in the coffin.
Leanne won the season the minute the Judges saw her wedding dress and bridesmaid dress. the looks on their faces was pure awe. Leanne is an introvert, and shone when allowed to work alone, with the luxury of time to think.
Going back to the decision that all four would be competing for a spot after the last episode. NONE of the Botanical Garden dresses were great. They were all fairly mediocre and it wasn't a strong win. If Jerrell had produced a spectacular dress, I seriously doubt if he would have had to compete. That dress really had a crummy fit, can you imagine if the model actually had breasts. Life isn't fair but to me this decision wasn't as bizarro as my fellow-bloggers seem to think.
I admit to finding Korto's designs unremarkable and forgettable. She's a great dressmaker with some taste issues but no vision. Jerell, Kenley and especially Leanne have the latter, even if Jerell's sewing skills are not as strong (and this is about design, not sewing--in the real business of fashion, those two are separate).
The tone of your post indicates you are using dressmaker as kind of a put down to Korto. Do you know what a "dressmaker" is and what they do? A true dressmaker is self employeed (usually a woman) who do makes dresses for private clients. Sometimes original designs, sometimes copies (but not exact), sometimes with client input (but but never just). She usually is doing everything from draping, patterningmaking, fitting , and sewing the garment. Since the opening of many more professions to women and the relative cheapness of clothing now days, this is a very rare way to make a living these days and if someone does, they are talented indeed.
In general a designer in the employment of a firm or corporation. They are generally not resposible for the sewing of the sample the person who does that is a "Sample Hand". Sometimes they are involved in the draping or pattenmaking. And they certainly should be knowledgable of all the crafts that go into it. And if you think they never copy anything that's already in the market, you know less about the "business" of fashion than you think.
A person who sews branded patterns for private clients is a "Seamstress".Because ready made clothing is so cheap now, you rarely see women do this for a living either.
A person who sews in a factory is a sewing machine operator or "Operator", they do not sew complete garments, just repeatedly do the same operation over and over all day long.
In some aspects of the fashion buisness sewing skills are not necessary, but to compete on a reality TV show they certainly are.
Ouch. But thanks for clearing that one up. I totally missed the dialogue for that scene. I'll have to catch it tonight. Ugly, older, sugardaddy or not, Jerrell's character shined this season and made for a much more amusing, witty and snarktastic season than many season's past on PR. With the exception of Christian and his exhaustive wit, have we all forgotten how funeral parlor dull last season's designers were? Sheesh.
- edina -
Sorry, I didn't mean that as bitchy as it sounded, but I've known a lot of lot of guys like Jerell, and they wouldn't be dating an average, older guy unless there was some incentive. I wasn't a fan of Jerell's and have no opinion of his "character," but I agree at least this season's designers weren't all terribly dull.
After the end results (final collections) though, I think I'd take 15 talented-but-quiet Jillians over this bunch.
I agree with you T-Lo. It was bullshit but with that said those dresses were hideous. UGH that dingy dishwater gray tulle! I am clutching my pearls! I am all for fashion forward wedding dresses but fug is fug. The flayed autopsy boobs were pretty bad too.
I have to say that my heart broke for him though. On another note I have been keeping away from the posts of the final collections till the finale but since Jarell is out I took a peak at his and OH LORD WHAT A MESS. It truly is awefull. Overworked and bejewelled and just...tacky! Poor Jarell
Jerrell-move to NY. Go to Parsons. Learn editing, and immerse yourself in fashion." Excellent advice. If not that, then go get a job with Kevan Hall who'll teach him oodles.
As far as him personally, there's something very warm and genuine about Jerrell. He's very much a product of a family that loves him. I hope all of them were able to make it to his show in NY.
And for all of Kenley's babbling about Daddy being a tug boat captain, Jerrell can say, "BIG RIG!"
Korto has impeccable sewing skills, but I agree, she has very limited vision, and her taste scares me. I honestly feel that Wedding dress being seen by so many people, could kill any chance of a 'design' career for her. As a sewer, she can get lots of work. Everybody, judges included, has been pushing for her success, but she's pretty mediocre.
I also liked the idea of Jerrell's dress, only with a better color choice for the tulle and with the 'wings' pulled in a lot closer. If he had thought a little more about what looks good and a little less about trying to be couture he could have gotten it. The bridesmaid dress looked ok enough - the fabric was one that doesn't react well to cameras unfortunately (used the same for my own bridesmaid dresses with disastrous results!) I didn't see what Michael Kors's problem was with Kenley's - I checked out the Alexander McQueen show and didn't see much of a resemblance. The AM show was actually quite reminiscent of the Balenciaga how that Kenley also picked up on, but I didn't feel that warranted Kenley getting the criticism. I also thought it was funny to see the other contestants start snapping back at the judges, considering how they had bashed Kenley for doing the same. Looking forward to next week - and being no 7 in the winner list instead of no 8!
I liked the idea of the ripped open bodice, just not the execution. If he'd left off the bling and done the dress in more traditional wedding colors AND had better finishing on the details, I think it might have been lovely. But yeah, my first thought last night was the same as yours--he's gone Michael Knight on us! As it was, it was bad.
Going to NY is GREAT idea for Jerrell. If he can't afford it, I guarantee there WILL be money provided for him. He needs to get out of LA, which will be hard, but he needs to be challenged. He got too loose and comfy back home, and his work slipped.
Sewing Siren--it wasn't a put down (FYI, I am in the industry). I know what they do, and I think it is amazing and requires huge talent. But in fashion, sewing and design are different jobs (think ateliers where the embroiderers make the real couture gowns). Korto--and Leanne and Kenley--are amazing dressmakers. But Leanne is also a great designer. Jerell is a designer but not such a great dressmaker; Korto is a great dressmaker but she isn't such a great designer. PR tries to fudge the two, and my point was that to praise Korto's sewing skills is not to say that she has any vision when it comes to design. Talented, yes, design not so much.
By the way, I sew, make patterns, drape, visit Mood myself and respect dressmakers a lot--I often think the difficulty of sewing and the ways in which different fabrics represent far greater challenges than others has not been covered on PR since the first two seasons. I made my comments, in other words, not to put down sewers but to point to a very real difference that the show ignores.
Sewing Siren said about dressmakers: "they are talented indeed."
You're so right. My mother was a dressmaker. I have very strong memories of jars of buttons, the smell of bolts of fabrics, and the sound of the machine. This was in the days when it was cheaper to sew clothes than buy them. And store bought clothes for me --were a rare thing.
It's such a change from today, where if you go into fabric stores, most people are buying little scraps for quilting or scrapbooking. There aren't very many who really know how to sew these days.
"Anonymous said... I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest"."
What should he say?
After a certain age, 'boyfriend' starts to sound silly; 'Lover' is too Harlequin Romance; and I think 'love interest' actually sounds better than 'significant other', which is really kind of insurance agenty.
i'm still mad at the producers for manipulating everything so that mean girl could stay in -- she should have been eliminated a couple of episodes ago; and for sure last week. it was completely unfair to make jerrell compete for bp, although i agree that those 2 dresses were really bad. his problem all season was the inability to edit - when he did edit, his stuff came out great but too often he didn't and we got the look we had last night. girl has talent, but needs to really step back and learn to critique better.
yeah, kenley's stuff was nice, although i really didn't care for the wedding dress. i was really miffed to hear her bitch about korto & leanne "ripping me off" because they were doing short bridesmaids dresses. did it ever occur to her that she ripped christian siriano off with her feather wedding dress? i'm sure she would deny it, but it sure looks that way to me.....
GothamTomato said... "Anonymous said... I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest"."
What should he say?
After a certain age, 'boyfriend' starts to sound silly; 'Lover' is too Harlequin Romance; and I think 'love interest' actually sounds better than 'significant other', which is really kind of insurance agenty.
--GothamTomato
I think "partner" is a good option, or if he was going for cutesy, which I think he was, "better half".
Jerell should NOT move to New York City. His design sensibility is SOOOOO much more LA than NYC. NYC might be 'the fashion capital of the US' or whatever but it also tends to be a lot more streamlined and uptight, which Jerell is obviously not. He will have much more success in LA, and he won't have to compromise his design beliefs.
Anonymous said... Sewing Siren--it wasn't a put down (FYI, I am in the industry). I know what they do, and I think it is amazing and requires huge talent. But in fashion, sewing and design are different jobs (think ateliers where the embroiderers make the real couture gowns). Korto--and Leanne and Kenley--are amazing dressmakers. But Leanne is also a great designer. Jerell is a designer but not such a great dressmaker; Korto is a great dressmaker but she isn't such a great designer. PR tries to fudge the two, and my point was that to praise Korto's sewing skills is not to say that she has any vision when it comes to design. Talented, yes, design not so much.
Okay, but part of my (very long ;)) point is that dressmakers exist out side of the industry and designing is one of the many skills that they possess and use. Designers that are working in the US fashion industry (saddly) are rarely designing original visionary garments. The bottom line is and always has been- what is going to sell. I do think Korto and Kenley are designers, their vision is just different (and perhaps more commercially viable )than Jerrell or Leanne.
PS I believe you are in" the industry" and I appreciate your well thought out reply.Perhaps we just see things differently and will have to agree to disagree.
Okay fine, as much as I adore Jerrel I have to admit that yes, his dresses were fugly. However, surely it is more desirable to have a designer in the finale with a unique, defined aesthetic as opposed to one who completely ripped of another designer's garment? Also it is ridiculous that all the judges saw was the stupid wedding & bridesmaid dresses. I know it is all about drama & ratings & differentiating from last season but surely it is more fair for the judges to see the actual creative vision of the contestants than some wedding dress they were forced to make & incorporate into the collection & a last minute rush job of a bridesmaid dress which was subsequently crticised for being either not impeccably made or too simple?! I don't know about anyone else but I think that I would much rather watch a show where the most talented reach Bryant Park & we see 3 amazing collections. Plus it is one more freaking episode, making them do a stupid unfair uninspired last minute challenge is not going to draw in anymore viewers! If anything it will kill them off. I am so mad! Plus if you are judging based just on the wedding & bridesmaid dresses, Korto's were a lot more fugly! At least Jerrel's could have been mistaken for embellished askew elegance, hers was just plain overworked, unflatting & yuck. But then she would have cried & talked about letting down her family & killing her dream. At least Jerrel took it with some dignity. Love you Jerrel, I'll buy your dresses!
Considering Jerrel's collection at BP is horrible, he didn't deserve to compete at BP.
His last dress that he won with wasn't that great. If he was head and shoulders above everyone else I can see him being guaranteed a spot at BP, but they said he barely won and wanted the designers to compete again.
He still got to show at BP, but he would have been eliminated first had he been the final three.
What would have been a crime is if Korto was eliminated. I really didn't like either of her dresses, but her collection is gorgeous.
I dunno, I suppose the end shouldn't justify the means, but the top 3 collections are competing. Imagine if Jerrel stayed last night and Korto was a decoy. That would have been disgusting.
Jerrel has trouble with taste and probably should have been eliminated sooner. I can think of at least 2 designers more talented than him. The final 3 ladies could all be argued as the three most talented of the season.
Like her or not, kenley had some pretty nice designs in the competition.
I didn't see this mentioned in the comments yet, but I was shocked that Jerell didn't know what a ham was until he was on the show as he stated in his exit interview.
How can you sew and be a designer without using one? How could you possibly shape a sleeve cap or press out a hem correctly without one?
I know that I'm on tbe opposite side of most. But I loved Jerrell's wedding dress. Yes, it could've been edited a bit with the bling. But I loved the movement, the structure, the "opulence" as he said (twice, lol)
But what the eff was up with Korto? I thought she showed a white sleeveless with a big ruffle & silver beading? She must've taken the wedding dress out of her collection after the judging, possibly???
GothamTomato said... "Anonymous said... I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest"."
What should he say?
After a certain age, 'boyfriend' starts to sound silly; 'Lover' is too Harlequin Romance; and I think 'love interest' actually sounds better than 'significant other', which is really kind of insurance agenty.
--GothamTomato
I think "partner" is a good option, or if he was going for cutesy, which I think he was, "better half".
Remember Jerell's location. "Love Interest" is widely used in film & television as an indicator of emotional connection (potential & otherwise) between characters. I thought it was rather cute. A few of my friends who are in their 30's & 40's also use the term because "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" sounds corny. Considering Jerell's genuineness I don't think the reference was cynical, but I don't personally know the man...
PS: I think I've seen Jerell's honey around town. An actor, maybe? Or Producer? Anybody else think that? Gotta go back to my DVR...
In my opinion, all this challenge shows is that Kenley can make a pattern and sew. I don't see her point of view in either of her dresses. Jerrell takes risks, and he does sometimes miss the mark, but he's not boring. Kenley is at best, mediocre. Her reward for mediocrity is showing at BP. Unbelievable.
>>>>It was bullshitty in the first place that Jerell even had to compete for a spot in Bryant Park. He won that last challenge and by the rules of the competition that should have guaranteed him a spot.
F**K Bravo, they let this show go down the shitter. its such a shame. boys, i can't even read past the above comment bc i'm going to get highly enraged - i agree with what you said 110%!!! bullshit.
Anonymous said... Leanne won the season the minute the Judges saw her wedding dress and bridesmaid dress. the looks on their faces was pure awe. Leanne is an introvert, and shone when allowed to work alone, with the luxury of time to think.
11:47 AM ***********************************
Yeah, but they may also say she is too 'one note' because of her BP collection. I think they may find Mean Girl's collection to be more 'innovative'. While it isn't my taste, I think Kenley has a very real shot at winning.
Anonymous said... Korto has impeccable sewing skills, but I agree, she has very limited vision, and her taste scares me. I honestly feel that Wedding dress being seen by so many people, could kill any chance of a 'design' career for her. As a sewer, she can get lots of work. Everybody, judges included, has been pushing for her success, but she's pretty mediocre. ***********************************
I think she fell prey to what so many of them do...try to design what they think the judges like instead of sticking to their vision & folding in the critique. She wanted to show them that she can do what LeeAnn does and it bombed because that isn't who she is.
By the way I also thought that Jerrell's dress wasn't as bad as everyone is making it seem, it was his point of view it was a look and it was a little avant garde-ish. It was definately orginal as well so I can't see why he wouldn't stay. If anything like some of you have said all 4 should have competed at BP
It can hardly be surprising that of all the additional "challenges" PR could have created, they would pick a wedding dress challenge, pretty much guaranteeing the maximum opportunity for Miss Jerrell to go over (WAY over) the top. Which she did. With a Bedazzler in the left hand and a glue gun in the right. Those poor dresses looked like refugees from Old Time Pottery or Garden Ridge or Michael's, or something. And what was up with Kenley's Bridesmaid dress? I'm all for short dresses, but is it really appropriate to have your attendants wearing dresses up to their hoo-hoos? You might as well slap on some embroidered "for rent" signs just above the crotch. Gives a whole new spin to the idea of the bride's "girls" working the reception...
Like everyone else, I would have much preferred Miss J to Ken-I-Win-NOW???-ly, even if just on personality alone. But I'd be lying if I said I haven't found much of Jerell's creations poorly manufactured. Hardly any of them goes down the runway without strings hanging or seams gaping or hems unfinished or some tacky shit hot-glued on. Still, you gotta admire the guy for doing his thing week after week.
At this point, all I can hope for is that Kenley's father, in enthusiastic support for her BP appearance, loses control of his tugboat on the way to the tent and mows her and her models down, flinging them off the runway like 50s bowling pins while tooting his little horn like Steamboat Willie. Now THAT would be some drama!
The judges should have just not declared a winner for the last challenge, which would have been fair. No one did really well. And say that because of that, they were having everyone make a collection and the wedding dress etc., and that would be the determining factor. Becuase saying that Jerell had won the last one, just set up this whole ugly mess.
Which speaking of ugly messes, that's what Jerell produced for the wedding dress, brides maid outfit and sadly, most of his collection. So I was fine with his ultimately being aut, but with just a small tweak, it wouldn't have been the bullshyte move it ended up being.
I agree with everyone else that Jerrell should have won his place outright in the last regular challenge. Why not? Even if all the contestants didn't do "A" level work, the bottom line is that the final 6 showed collections at Bryant Park. So the producers couldn't have feared showing something not up to their high standards. They must have wanted to find a way to eliminate Jerrell from competition for the big $$, which sucks. I hope the future is bright for him.
COMPLETELY off topic (I agree with everyone else) but would you two cuties please consider blogging Dirty Sexy Money on TLO? It's completely aces and the fashion is to die for...
[i]... they may also say she is too 'one note' because of her BP collection. I think they may find Mean Girl's collection to be more 'innovative'. While it isn't my taste, I think Kenley has a very real shot at winning.[/i] This frightens me, a winning Kenley would be unendurable for those around her (is anyone around her??) But Leanne's "waves" look like "gills" to me. Maybe Korto will pull it out!!
I agree 100%. There's no way to defend what he put on the runway but FPS he should not have been put in that position; Sure, he won a shitty final challenge but that's the way it is and he should have had his shot.
Not that his collection had a shot, but I wish they would have just sucked it up and let all 4 compete.
I'm just glad he had a chance to show at all, even if not for the "official" competition- He will be seen.
Actually from what I saw of Korto's and Leanne's collection on this episode I very interested! I loved that Green Dress Koroto had and Tim said looked obsence, and Leanne's noodled skirts made me hungry for more I would wear those today!
I don't understand Miss Jerelldine with the breast issue.
I know that some of you guys think that she just cannot fit them properly. I thought that fatigue could explain the poor fit on these last two challenges. She was just very inconsistent with that.
But if you look at the "Bright Lights" challenge, she did it splendidly.
If only she whipped THAT dress out this last challenge, or the challenge before. Because THAT dress was stunning! (I know TLo begs to differ, but I loved it.)
Yeah, too much, too much! on the bridal gown (though I did like the skirt, even the "dirty" tulle). Actually, the wedding dress reminded me of that ugly wedding dress Carrie wore for the SATC movie this year---all wrinkly and bust-flappy, topped with a ridiculous headpiece. Once again, some editing and better execution, and he coulda been a contender.
The bridesmaid's dress was horrible, straight down to the silk flowers pasted onto the front.
Definitely the dog of the four ensembles, but it's a shame because I think "Too Much" Jerrell deserved to go to BP.
I like him on a personal level PLUS he's really got a nice "touch". That feeling of a light brushstroke is something the 3 other designers lack (and can't particularly learn).
Based on the (always bad) show videography, I think Korto's wedding dress was the worst effort. And I love Korto!
Her wedding dress looked unfinished, the color was somewhere between dung and dust, and it didn't reflected Korto's vibrant, full-bodied design aesthetic. I noticed that this dress did not make it to Bryant Park -- a different (and much, much better) white dress took its place, apparently.
The bridesmaid's dress was even worse, and other than the fug color, reflected nothing of the wedding dress.
I liked the colors Jarrell chose MUCH better, and even if his 2 designs were not exactly successful, at least they both looked like Jarrell. I think if he simply would have yanked those stupid orchids off of his models, things may have gone much better for him.
All that being said, to me there's no doubt Korto's BP collection was waaaay better than Jerrell's.
I like him on a personal level PLUS he's really got a nice "touch". That feeling of a light brushstroke is something the 3 other designers lack (and can't particularly learn).
It's a shame.
What is so "light" about Jerell's work? His constant use of metallics? The 8 pounds of jewels, feathers, braids, trimmings, etc. that he puts on everything?
I'm not trying to be mean, and it's ok if we disagree, I'm just kinda aghast. If anything, I think he has the HEAVIEST touch out of all of them, by far.
What happened to Jerrell when he went home for two months? He seemed so different when got back to NY. He lost perspective.
If I were in this competition, I would be hanging on Tim's EVERY WORD. I would write down ALL of his comments. I would try to remember ALL of the Judges comments, and use them as TOOLS to refine MY vision.
Too many of these 'designers' think that listening to the judges is selling out, or giving something up. Given the circumstances, I'm also sure paranoia runs deep regarding the advice they're given, ie: 'Does Tim say that because he wants to sabatoge me so Leanne can win?' or 'Does Nina say that because she's jealous of my youth and energy?' etc...
Jerrell came back from LA thinking he was untouchable. Not being given a spot at BP with his win didn't tip him off? So strange.
anon 2:20 said: This frightens me, a winning Kenley would be unendurable for those around her (is anyone around her??) ______
Seriously. Can you imagine the screencaps from her win? It'd look like William Shatner in Family Guy.
Kenley winning this competition would be the equivalent of flushing $100K down the drain. Would love to know where she is going to find people to employ that will deal with her attitude- maybe under a rock??
I liked the bridesmaid's dress. Other than the fact that it was kind of wrinkly. Gorgeous color.
I'm with TLo on this one--he shouldn't have had to jump through this flaming hoop to get to BP, but when he did, he sure caught his cute little ass on fire.
What a fascinating, creative personality. I think he'll make an excellent eccentric old man in 55 years or so.
Ahight, let's do a timeline to see how "influenced" Kenley was on AMcQ's bridal gown. She protested waaaay too much on the runway.
Michael: "It's too Alexander McQueen" Kenley: "No! No! No! I came up with this ON MY OWN!"
Season 1 MC threw Kara Saun under the bus when he said that her line was too Valentino. Kenley should have had the same fate. I'm afraid she's really going in for the top prize. What bullshit!
And what's with Tim Gunn & those Heidi kisses? Everyone looked uncomfortable getting them, like they didn't know what to expect.
Speaking of Tim, is it possible that he isn't going to lifetime? Is he under contract with Bravo with his "Guide to Style"? Is that why he got emotional last night? I wanna know!
This would have blown if his BP collection was great, but it wasn't. He wouldn't have been a contender. I never did get Jerell's design aesthetic. More is often less and he doesn't see that. He says he learned a lot, like technical stuff, but the virtues of editing don't seem to have penetrated his psyche. If he'd take half of his personal style and apply it to women's clothes, he'd be so much better off.
i liked Jerrell's wedding dress. that's right, i liked it.
yes, i would have liked it better with a different color tulle. yes, the flowers in her hair were ass. BUT: tim was a complete Negative Nancy to him, Nina's face as the wedding dress came down the runway was dispicable (and I usually like her), Korto's wedding dress fit like ass on a size zero model, and Kenley's dresses didn't appear to be from the same collection (in fact the wedding dress was from another designer's collection).
so i don't feel badly about not watching next season.
I am really annoyed for Jerell for not listening to Tim. I have said it before but I will say it again--SweetP is the perfect example of why listening to Tim is a good thing. He knows, he knows, he knows. The things Tim told Jerell to fix are what hurt him. You just know that Tim was in the back thinking something similar.
I loved that Tim expressed emotion with the designers. I have lost all respect for this show this season. I really have. I feel like Weinstein and Co. wanted to destroy the show before it left Bravo and they succeeded. The judges were....inconsistent. The producer's input clearly outweighed the judges. Heidi came across as a real almost-cootch-baring bitch . But Tim kept his integrity. I admire him for that.
As fugly as Jerrel's wedding dress might be (and I beg to differ, for like Michael Kors , I liked his dress from the waist down), Koto's was way fuglier. Jerrel should have won the spot for the final show simply by winning the previous competition. In my opinion, when I compared his fugly dresses to Koto's even fuglier gowns: Jerrel should have moved on. No contest. I am bummed.
BTW: this is not a popularity contest. Even with Kenley's Alexander McQueen ripoff, she deserved to move on. That bridesmaid gown rocked.
Based on the design, Jerell deserved the boot. Actually, based on the collections, Kenley definitely deserved to be there over Jerell. His collection was pretty ghastly, TBH. Her collection was a bit of the same ole same ole but it had some beautiful pieces and great craftsmanship. Jerell's just looked so sloppy. So in retrospect, yea Kenley sucks at life but Jerell's collection was terrible and had no place in the final 3. Sorry, nice chap but...yea.
However, he shouldn't have been up for elimination. It really should have come down to Korto and Kenley, if fairness counts for anything anymore.
"BUT: tim was a complete Negative Nancy to him, Nina's face as the wedding dress came down the runway was dispicable (and I usually like her)"
Different strokes for different folks but you're on a very very small minority who'd think Jerell's dress was good. What else was Tim supposed to say? Oh I love this rumpled mess with some dirty-looking tulle and some flowers sprouting off the model's head? It's a matter of taste, like Tim loves to say, and Jerell's taste was absent.
Fucked up, but so were those dresses. Seriously, I laughed my tits off when that bridal monster came down the runway. And really, every time it was shown after that.
A part of me thinks that Bravo is trying to kill this show in anticipation of the Lifetime move. Choose a boring cast. Refuse to send the contestants to Paris or anyplace interesting. Recycle old (boring) challenges. Push along one of the most annoying contestants to show up in ages - and set her up to win. Harumph!
With all this discussion of taste, are we sure that Jerell is even gay? I'm starting to have my doubts.
____________________________
Yes he is definitely gay, he introduced one of the people at his house as his 'love interest'!
I have to add that Jerrel's model SUCKED. She made his dress look even more awful, with her sickly pallor & sloping shoulders. If she had the beautiful posture, poise & colouring of Tia then the dress would have looked a million times better.
Is it just me or is this the worse season of Proj Runway ever? I feel like the contestants are these big Wall St firms & the judges are the politicians giving handouts to the least talented, most snobby people possible with producers putting together the most uninspired challenges. Ok, maybe just 1 contestant in particular who keeps thumbing her nose at the judges. Like watching politician debates, the only thing that gets me through is the SNL parodies, the only thing getting me through this season is Project Rungay.
10/9/08, 8:56 AM
Unbelievable bullshit! they really turnedthis show to work out the way they wanted. It was like all the episodes before it did not count.
10/9/08, 9:00 AM
Based on the challenges laid out last night, I agree that by far, Jerell deserved to go. I'm not even that mad about it. Out of the remaining 4, he was clearly the least talented, and it's not like he had a shot at winning anyway. At least he still got to show at Bryant Park.
10/9/08, 9:02 AM
When they didn't give Jerrell a spot after winning last week, I had a feeling that he'd get the auf this week. So sad, I really liked a lot of his work this year. The manipulations this year have really turned me off of this show. Was it Bravo's goal to kill the show before it left for Lifetime? Mission accomplished.
10/9/08, 9:03 AM
Yeah I was a bit sad to see him go instead of Kenley but at the end of the day it was about design and not about attitude. I agree the judges did the right thing and honestly his whole collection was not that cute. So glad Korto is still there! I'm on team Korto and it she doesn't win then I'm on team Leanne!!
10/9/08, 9:04 AM
Sad to see Jerell go, but it was obvious that his dresses weren't on par. It was a bullshit move on the part of the show to even have him up for elimination, but you are right: that bridesmaid gown was a bullshit gown.
10/9/08, 9:05 AM
You know, I don't really feel all that bad for Jerrell. He probably should have gotten to go to the final 3, but given the way his collection looked, there was no way he was going to win anyway.
So I'm a bit "meh" on the matter. Especially since I don't really like him. He was very guilty of "I think I'm taking the high road, but I'm really being catty and bitchy" for the last 2 episodes in regards to Kenley.
Yes, Kenley's mean, but you can't really talk about how mean she is and how awful when you're doing the exact same thing.
10/9/08, 9:05 AM
It's funny .. I don't even care enough to get upset anymore. I feel so manipulated by this show. Some series there are 4 finalists, some just 3. Sometimes they get help, sometimes not.
I've decided I like the first half of the season, when there are a boatload of designers, and you're just trying to figure out who is who. But by the end, I start to care about them, and then I just get frustrated!!
10/9/08, 9:05 AM
I hate to say it, but this outcome was predictable since Terri got booted off. BUT Jerrell should have known better then to make a tacky piece of shit and throw it down the runway. That wedding dress was so tacky with the boobies, and he should have listened to Tim about it or asked a female. They would have told him what's up.
That brides made dress was just sad, like he knew he wasn't going to make it and said fuck it. Then again, looking at his collection, I think the judges made the correct choice. Sure, it was manipulation of the finest caliber, but at the end of the day, Jerrell could have made an awesome dress and he didn't. End of story.
Now the others, I'm going to wait until they have their own seperate posts before I say anything more about them.
10/9/08, 9:07 AM
Totally unfair that Jerell had to compete again, but he did get cocky and once again got carried away with his design . . . and execution . . . and styling. I feel really bad for him.
10/9/08, 9:08 AM
I loved the "idea of Jerrell's gown but the color of that tulle! Yikes! Had it been a darker cream color, it wouldn't have been so bad. And those flowers? WTF?
And as much as I hate to admit it, after I haven't liked much of what she has done throughout the season, I LOVED Kenley's bridesmaid dress. It could have been a bit longer, but it was a beautiful color.
LeeAnn's was the best and I was disappointed in Korto's. I think they actually got it right.
SisterZip
10/9/08, 9:08 AM
Agreed. It was bullshit that Jerrell even HAD to compete for a spot after winning the final challenge before the runway. HOWEVER, those two dresses were complete ass, so in a way, I'm glad that they made him jump through that last flaming hoop. Having see the BP collections, I thought that Korto, Leanne, and Kenley made the three best collections, and can't really shed too many tears over Jerrell's collection not being a contender. It was a shitty decision on behalf of the judges/producers/whatever, but I can't really say that based on these two dresses that he deserved to be there.
Love you, Jerrell, but these were not good.
10/9/08, 9:08 AM
I'm with Mimi in not caring that much anymore... I do wonder why everyone seemed wound so tightly given that they knew they would still show at Bryant Park. I mean, who gives an eff about "competing" at that point; I would think BP is the big prize.
10/9/08, 9:11 AM
even though i have to agree its still sad. jerell is just a doll.
sad...........
10/9/08, 9:12 AM
Thanks for the post TLO. I just decided not to watch this episode and quit watching Project Runway.
This is too much bullshit. I never liked being manipulated and I'm done with this show.
Maybe you guys could blog Project Runway Australia next season? The first season was fabulous, very talented designers, a lot less drama, great designs and the judges made the decision, not the producers.
10/9/08, 9:12 AM
I agree wholeheartedly.
I haven't loved Jerrell as a designer. I think I would have picked Leanne for the win last week, and that way the producers wouldn't have looked like such absolute jerks for having him win last week when everyone knew he was the one who would get kicked off this week.
However, it was so cut and dry. I'm a 25 year old woman. Although I thought the whole wedding dress/bridesmaids dress was kind of lame and pedestrian, I'm still a sucker for that stuff. And Leanne and Kenley did produce four fabulous garments (even though Kenley seemed to be channeling other designers quite a lot- I even recalled Christian Soriano a bit).
But... Leanne and Kenley did such beautiful jobs, and Kortos and Jerrell's were rough.
10/9/08, 9:13 AM
You guys all called it. Poor Jerreldine!
It doesn't help that that damn Kenley put out a couple nice frocks. My boyfriend & I were like, "uh-oh, they don't suck, dammit.Now we have to give the mean girl props"
We were atually just as worried for Korto. The fit on that wedding dress was baaaaad.
10/9/08, 9:15 AM
I like Jerrell. I think he seems like a fun guy with a hell of a sense of humor. And I have liked some of his designs on the show. His poptart dress for Kenley, his outfit for the dress a girl going to work, and the Brook Shields dress were all fantastic. That said, I really didn't think he was Bryant Park bound. His work can be inconsistent, and when he floundered, he really floundered (the green, Olympics), and when he was okay, there were big issues with fit and finishing. After all those challenges, he still couldn't fit Nicole's bust.
So long story short, the manipulation IS ass. In a way, it DOES seem unfair. But I can't complain about the outcome.
And besides, its just fashion!
10/9/08, 9:15 AM
I'm with you about how unfair it was to Jerrell to have to compete again when he won last night; and I agree that his dresses were not anything I'd want to wear at a wedding (my own or someone elses). Good Luck Jerrell. It's great that you have such a supportive family, and I'm sure you'll do well.
Oh, and yeah, BULLSHIT RIGGING THIS YEAR!
10/9/08, 9:16 AM
Bravo wants female winners this season. Actually, Bravo/NBC want female winners. They've had them on:
Biggest Loser (first female winner ever!)
Last Comic Standing (first female winner ever!)
Top Chef (first female winner ever!)
Shear Genius (first female winner ever, though it's only season 2, so that's not as blatant)
The fact that there CAN'T be a male winner now for Project Runway makes it kind of bloody obvious that that's what NBC/Bravo is doing. They used to avoid female winners like the plague, but now they're going overboard to make up for it.
10/9/08, 9:16 AM
On the other hand, I can see Helena Bonham-Carter choosing these for her wedding to Tim Burton. Only darker, without the flowers.
10/9/08, 9:17 AM
Oh, and did anyone else see the resemblance of Jerell's wedding dress to that awful Carrie Bradshaw gown in the SATC movie? Hers didn't have the sparkly inner bra, but the ridiculous cups were similar.
10/9/08, 9:19 AM
I'm sad because I thought Jerrell had some beautiful pieces in his collection, but glad Korto is still in. That was a coin flip last night. Call me an 80s girl with tacky taste but I could see Miss Jerrell's gowns on b-list (They're generally prettier than the top-tier) European royals at some dusky castle wedding illuminated by thousands of candles... Maybe I saw that on Dynasty ...Jerrell, if I had the money and the bod, I'd shop in your store every day!
10/9/08, 9:19 AM
How adorable were the pictures of baby/pre-school Jerrell?! Gotta say, I think growing up in South Central was probably rougher than being raised on a tugboat, too ;)
10/9/08, 9:23 AM
Eh. I actually Korto's dresses were the ugliest ones last night, but she deserves to go to BP wayyy before Jerell's tacky ass. Not everything needs to be metallic and encrusted with jewels. Barf. I felt a little bad for him but he's been quite the nasty bitch lately, so eh. I was tired of all his grandstanding and pronouncements of being the best. Let your work speak for itself, like Leanne does. If it can't, well...I guess this is what happens. Better luck next time.
10/9/08, 9:25 AM
I do feel that the producers pulled a switcheroo on Jerrell . . . and us.
But I really disliked the dresses he showed in the bride/bridesmaid challenge, for the same reasons that you, the judges, and the other commenters here have listed.
As much as I like Jerrell, I don't think that the decision last night was wrong.
And because I like Jerrell, I am so glad that I don't have to live through a critique of that runway show.
I like deep rich colors, rich textures, but I REALLY don't like what he sent down the runway. It's too much, it's too unedited. I'd really love it if he could work with someone on editing his color and trim choices. All of those saturated colors in such deep hues just end up looking so weighted down. With a little smart editing, Jerrell could really be fantastic.
- Windy City Wendy
10/9/08, 9:25 AM
When both Korto and Jerell decided to do wedding gowns in non-traditional palettes (i.e. not white), I knew they were in trouble.
It didn't help that Jerell junked his up with every bit of tinsel he could find, and Korto decided to put everything she knows about construction into one dress.
As for the manipulations of the producers: I'm with whoever said "meh." It's a "reality" show. It's all manipulation. Jerell was rightly auf'ed, although based on Korto's gowns, I would not have been shocked to see her go.
10/9/08, 9:25 AM
It is not Kenleys fault that the judges or producers chose not to honor the rules/tradition and award a spot at Bryant Park to the winner of the final challenge. I think it was cruel, but the blame should be place on the judges.
I thought is wedding gown was a little too far over the top, but the bodice the judges had problems with was remarkably similar to the bodice of his winning gown in "Nature Calls". So it is understandable that he would return there. Again the judges are at fault, if they had problems with that type of embelishment/fit they should have let him know THEN. I don't see why they didn't just allow all 4 to compete at BP. They already had collections and everything.
Ps: I like the bridesmaid dress, flowers and all. But Jerrell a word for ya: Interface.
10/9/08, 9:26 AM
I am not saying anything original, here.
Miss J's dresses were ass. The bridesmaid one could have been really great if it weren't for the wrinkles.
And those flowers! I knew he was gone when I saw those tacky things.
But Heidi, Harvey and the magical elves really screwed her over big time, for mean girl and manufactured drama. If the previews are what they seem (although they rarely are), she's back to her old obnoxious self next week.
However, I'm sure Miss J will be okay. She actually took it better that I thought she would have, even with the Duchess snark.
I KNOW that I wouldn't have been that tame about it.
10/9/08, 9:28 AM
last night's challenge was nothing but an excuse to kick jerell out of the game and keep the ratings up with Kenely. I just watched season one for my first time and have never been so outraged by the auf'ing of Austin to keep Wendy Pepper. I was so upset, in fact, that there's no way I say Kenely getting the boot last night...I was almost numb to what the producers were doing. Unreal.
10/9/08, 9:29 AM
I completely agree, based on what what shown last night, the judging was exactly right. But it should never have gone there in the first place. However, Jerrell failed to step it up, and frankly his final collection was a giant mess.
10/9/08, 9:31 AM
Agreed, total bullshit that he can't compete. But his BP collection was really off and I think he would have come in fourth anyway. So he gets to show at BP, he was on Regis yesterday - all he's really missing is the chance to show his collection on tv and appear in the final episode. But hasn't everyone seen the collections online already? So it's not a total bust for him.
The bridesmaid's dress was shockingly bad. And I do see the many problems with the wedding dress but even knowing that the dress should have been edited I think it looks kind of spectacular - from a distance. Up close you see some of the problems but floating down the aisle, it could look pretty amazing. Not really my taste - I would never wear that - but I liked the silhouette and concept. I thought Korto's wedding dress was worse but her bridesmaid's dress was better. So Jerell had to go, I guess. Loved his family, friends, and "love interest." Good luck, Miss Thang!
10/9/08, 9:31 AM
His dresses were fug, but I love Jerell. His exit interview was a class act. He was graceous towards the judges and the other contestants. He never mentioned the unfairness of the whole thing. Imagine what Kenley would have to say if she had won the last challenge and then had to compete for the final three!! OMG the whining would be unbearable!!
Jamibythebay
10/9/08, 9:33 AM
When I saw what Jerell was cooking during Tims visit, I was worried.
I like Jerell as a person, but as a designer, he left me wondering what I was looking at. He always over styled the models, and got such high praise. I bet he thought he could do it again this one last time.
As far as him winning the last challenge, he barely won. Since the judges didnt think anyone was that great, they prolly felt Jerell didnt deserve to automatically make it to the end. Hence why he didnt.
10/9/08, 9:36 AM
What I'm wondering at this point is why they threw him the bone of a win last week at all. His wedding dress is reminiscent of that dress, and they didn't even need to pick a winner at all last week if they were all going to keep on competing. Whatever.
I can see y'alls point, but in Jerell's defense, at least both dresses looked like what they were supposed to be, and they related to one another.
Go Jerell. You're a gentleman and you're talented and I'm sure you'll go far.
10/9/08, 9:37 AM
Wow, I agree with everyone here.
1. The manipulations of the producers sucked. (So maybe it's a good thing after all that a new team is producing the next season, don't you think?)
2. But then ... so did Jerell's two outfits. Why does he think that a droopy, ill-fitting bust is attractive? (He's had the same model all season and seems to have paid next to no attention to her body.)
3. These two designs, as it turned out, were really a preview of the (decoy) show to come: ill fit, sloppy execution, over embellishments, and heavy-handed whimsy. (When the judges saw his decoy collection at BP I'm sure they felt they'd made the right decision - and they did.)
10/9/08, 9:38 AM
His dresses were fug, but I love Jerell. His exit interview was a class act. He was graceous towards the judges and the other contestants. He never mentioned the unfairness of the whole thing. Imagine what Kenley would have to say if she had won the last challenge and then had to compete for the final three!! OMG the whining would be unbearable!!
Jamibythebay
Are you serious? Do you not recall his snark regarding not designing white t-shirts like Michael Kors? Going on and on about how "opulent" (read: tacky and cheap) his look his? Yeah, so gracious. Psssh.
10/9/08, 9:39 AM
I'm probably alone in this opinion, but I thought Korto should have been the one to go. Jerell has some fabulously original ideas: he just doesn't have the construction chops at this point to translate them pristinely. But I thought his ideas last night were coherent and interesting. There was a buoyant energy to his two dresses. A wrinkly buoyant energy, but energy nonetheless.
And I applaud him for so obviously deflecting one after another "how would you trash Kenley now" questions in his post-auf interview. He was robbed but he handled it with class.
10/9/08, 9:40 AM
I admit, I hated his wedding dress and I hated his bridesmaid dress. But he won the final challenge, he should have had to compete in this challenge at all. It should have been a Korto/Kenley face-off for that last spot. (Which would have also broken my heart, because Korto's designs were just as fug.)
Maybe the producers were trying to make the transition to Lifetime easier by turning the finale of this season into a giant pile of suck?
10/9/08, 9:43 AM
I agree that strictly on the strength or weakness of last night's challenge Miss Jerell was the one who should have gone.
However he won the challenge that was supposed to decide the issue. The only ones who should have had a style off - if indeed it was really even necessary - was Korto and Kenley.
Blows, blows big, just blows.
BLOWS!
10/9/08, 9:43 AM
I agree with you TLo about the Danny V./Michael Knight syndrome. It was clear at the challenge last week that Jerell was firmly of the 'more is more' fashion philosophy, and as Duchess said he went hog wild. He only seemed to edit himself in the competition within the confines of particular challenges.
Merde. I hate it when designers drop the ball like this and we end up with someone with a crappy attitude in the final.
If Judy Noodles gets the Jillian treatment and ends up third, I really am going to scream to the high heavens and rail against the producer machinations on this show!
Loved Jerell's snark at Duchess though....
10/9/08, 9:43 AM
After looking at the photos of Jerrell's final collections on line as it turns out- and I think a lot of readers here agree- the judges made the right choice. As hilarious and cute as hell I think Miss J is, his collection was not as good as the other 3. Not to say he didn't work hard or didn't have a point of view, but from here it simply didn't look as polished as the others.
Anyway he still got to go to Bryant Park and show a collection so all last night meant was that he wasn't in contention for the win. No big surprise there.
10/9/08, 9:43 AM
Kate and Brett: When I was watching I was like, what is he making outfits for a Tim Burton movie?! :p
I know its been said but based on the challenge, Jerrell's was a big fail. The bottom of the dress looked dirty and that bridesmaid dress fabric looked dated/wrinkly.
Not a fan of Mean Girl -- but the color of the bridesmaid dress was beautiful and I really like that white dress in her collection with the flowers down the front. But seriously, we get, father was a tug boat captain.
10/9/08, 9:45 AM
I am so tired of hearing people complain about "rules" and "manipulations." This is reality TV!!! The producers (people that actually put up money to have the show made) can do whatever the hell they want. Do you want governmental oversight or something? Is there something in the Bible that claims the winner of the last challenge MUST go to BP? Get. Over. It.
10/9/08, 9:46 AM
Oh come on. This was so obvious. From the second they showed the previews with the Duchess saying "it's garish" EVERYONE who reads this blog knew this was going down.
As much as I love Jerell and it was bullshit that he didn't get a guarantee, we all saw that collection. Enough said.
10/9/08, 9:46 AM
kate and brett said....
On the other hand, I can see Helena Bonham-Carter choosing these for her wedding to Tim Burton. Only darker, without the flowers.
That's it!!! Helena Bonham Carter!
I can totally see her in this dress either for her own Bonham Carter/Burton wedding or for a "Bride of Frankenstein" remake. I admit, I like parts of the dress, but Jerrell just had to go and embellish that poor gown within an inch of its life.
TLo, you're so right about Jerrell suffering from the same malady as Dan V. and the other (?) designer who rode the waves of praise too long and forgot about the undertow
of constructive criticism.
Anyways, I'm ecstatic it's an all-girl showing at BP. Can't wait to see the drama. I'm now numbe to BRAVO's manipulation and mind control, so they can bring the tears, tugboats and tantrums for the finale. I'm ready.
- edina -
10/9/08, 9:47 AM
Agnes, you're not alone. I was shocked that Korto didn't get the boot last night. I thought both of her were much worse than Jerrels.
Myra
10/9/08, 9:48 AM
Damn, y'all, Jerrell's dresses sucked, but Korto's were AWFUL...don't know how so many of you are coming to this conclusion.
I loved Jerrell...he handled his aufing like a man, didn't he?
Anyway, Leanne's garments were beautiful, and I am so pleased that she's the clear winner. I share Alex's crush on her. She is just the hottest little nerd girl ever...
10/9/08, 9:48 AM
After the way the series was manipulated in Season 3 to let Jeffrey win, nothing surprises me anymore. The producers want "drama" and are willing to manufacture it wherever and whenever they can.
Too bad. It would still be a very compelling show without being totally rigged.
10/9/08, 9:50 AM
Alas, after the oducer-pray anipulation-may of last week, I couldn't get up the emotion to care about this challenge. Sad to see him go, but, well, just don't care that much.
10/9/08, 9:51 AM
The satellite said I could see the episode (repeat) at midnight. Sat down to watch, on screen info said Project Runway, on air was the HORRENDOUS Skanks Of Atlanta!
Bastages!
Meh. From looking at BP pics weeks ago I didn't expect he was in the running.
Best to you Jerrell.
10/9/08, 9:51 AM
I agree the last win, should have put him in the finals, but with that horrible dress it wouldn't have done much good.
Why or why did he put fake ass flowers sprouting out the dress, it was horrid. I could almost forgive the headpiece but not the dress.
Looks like someone took a little too much for granted.
Noodles - on the hand was FAB. Loved it.
10/9/08, 9:52 AM
I hate that he had to go. I hate that Mean Girl had to stay.
This kid came from nothing, fought his whole life to get where he is right now, won the last challenge; Mean Girl lived on a freaking tugboat. End of her story. Not fair.
Based on producers' coldly calculated and manipulative move to justify his auffing and keep Mean Girl, yeah, his was the worst. So yeah, mission accomplished.
10/9/08, 9:53 AM
I thought Kenley's wedding gown was absolutely gorgeous. A dream gown. but I thought her bridesmaid dress was awful. It looked uncomfortable, and I think it was just an awkward length for that amount of fullness and for a bridesmaid dress.
Maybe I don't really understand the way the shows are set up, but didn't the top 6 show at bryant park? So when they say I wanted to show at the tents, that just means they wanted they're show to be televised by Bravo right? I say who cares. It was seen by the people most likely to be interested in furthering your career. jerrell should have been in the top three, but congratulations on showing!
10/9/08, 9:53 AM
Oh and I forgot to mention: he won the last challenge, not to mention that he won three challenges; Korto is bottom two TWICE in a row and gets to go to Bryant Park.
10/9/08, 9:54 AM
Patrick said:
"Bravo wants female winners this season. Actually, Bravo/NBC want female winners."
I don't think this is even remotely a possibility. Don't forget that Chloe Dao won PR. And there were male finalists in Top Chef; it just happened to be the case that the male chef BLEW the final, just as Jerell blew his wedding and bridesmaid dresses.
These kinds of claims really are sexist and unwarranted. The women won last night fair and square. Jerell won challenges this season with some shoddy offerings, mostly because others did so poorly (as in the Zodiac) challenge that he had to be given the win. I agree with someone else that the producers should have cut the drama and given Leanne the win last week.
10/9/08, 9:54 AM
As probably the lone Kenley supporter, I thought the judges were spot on in their decision. Did I think Jerrell was shat on? Sure...but like TLo said...Bravo's (and the producers) show, so their rules.
10/9/08, 9:55 AM
I was worried during the last few minutes-I thought that the producers might have decided to REALLY piss everyone off by aufing Korto, since everyone expected Jerrell to be off. But I agree-looking at Jerrell's collection, there was no chance of winning. In completely unrelated news, I just read Bad Mommy's column on The Daily Beast, and I'm still wincing over the Cocoa Puffs story. Read it here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-09/theres-no-good-time-to-potty-train-a-rabbit/
10/9/08, 9:55 AM
What everyone else said.
10/9/08, 9:57 AM
paul said...
Damn, y'all, Jerrell's dresses sucked, but Korto's were AWFUL...don't know how so many of you are coming to this conclusion.
paul, take my word for it, once TLo review Korto's bridal gown and bridesmaid's gown, I'm certain you'll read comments on this blog that will make Jerrell's dresses look like the best garments designed since the dawn of creation.
- edina -
10/9/08, 9:58 AM
Isabella said...
I hate that he had to go. I hate that Mean Girl had to stay.
This kid came from nothing, fought his whole life to get where he is right now, won the last challenge; Mean Girl lived on a freaking tugboat. End of her story. Not fair.
Oh please, like you know either of them. How can you judge which had it harder? Besides, isn't this supposed to be Project Runway, not a charity? If we're all about helping people with hard lives, let's leave Parsons, find a bum on the street, and give HIM the win rather than an egomaniacal douche who had a poor childhood (and really, how many of us had poor childhoods? Ok then).
10/9/08, 9:59 AM
I absolutely adore him on the show and I can't believe that he's gone, but judging solely off this week, yow. That is a lot of fug.
10/9/08, 10:01 AM
Anonymous said...
I am so tired of hearing people complain about "rules" and "manipulations." This is reality TV!!! The producers (people that actually put up money to have the show made) can do whatever the hell they want. Do you want governmental oversight or something? Is there something in the Bible that claims the winner of the last challenge MUST go to BP? Get. Over. It.
9:45 AM
========================
whatever.
10/9/08, 10:03 AM
I guess, having already seen his collection, I felt his auf was deserved. I think he's adorable, and talented, but his...taste level...is not there. Kenely's collection is pretty shit, too, but based on last night's show, she deserved to stay.
You guys are right to make the point--this is not life, it is a TV show. And every season, at some point, it breaks our hearts. I'd have wept far more bitterly for Korto, so at least they gave me that.
10/9/08, 10:03 AM
"Garish" in the previews--now who the heck else would that have been? Nope, not a fan of these 2 dresses, nor the BP collection, but I still like Jerell. Another nope: NOT a reality show, but a game show. That realization changed my anger into bemusement.
10/9/08, 10:04 AM
I hope those bravo producers read this. shame on them for manipulating the show.
10/9/08, 10:06 AM
Just read Laura's article...
EEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!
10/9/08, 10:07 AM
I must be the only Kenley fan left (judging by the comments here and the "text to vote" during the show last night.
This young woman is fun to watch. Watching Leanne is about as interesting as watching beige paint drying. It's TV, y'all. Ditto for Korto.
And Wendy Pepper is a truly horrible person. I made a special trip to Middleburg, VA, (not far from home) to laugh at her designs. Then, for more fun, I almost bought a Christmas ornament from Linda Tripp (but I wouldn't give her a damned dime, either). What a town!
If I recall correctly, Kenley's laugh started the whole "I can't stand her" drama this season. Happy people always piss off the sulk masters.
I'll bet it was the yarn idea that sealed J's fate. Tim G. probably screamed all the way back to the judges' table with that one.
Laura B. and Austin S. proved without a doubt that you don't have to win to be successful.
At this point, I don't care who wins. I just happen to like Kenley, and I like her designs. She's young, and she'll mature. And she'll never tell Tim G. confidently, "I'm thinking about sewing some yarn around this tacky embellishment shit."
Rant over.
10/9/08, 10:07 AM
I don't know about "rigged" or "fixed", but I do have my theories on the lameness of this edition of PR. I think the producers made it the lamest they could, before sending it off to LA and the Golden Girls channel.
That being said, much as I love Jerrell, the gowns were just awful.
The bridal gown did look dirty, and the bridesmaid gown was literally thrown together. And the "flower pot" on the bride's head was purely, tastelessly ridiculous.
If Jerrell can tone down his love of bling and "stuff" on his designs, I think he just might be successful.
PS: Korto's gowns were every bit as fugly as Jerrells. Blech
10/9/08, 10:14 AM
They really should have declared 'no winner' in the Nature Challenge to be fair and not put Jerrel through the hoops like they did.
10/9/08, 10:16 AM
It would have been great to have all four of them in the judging at BP, but they knew what they had to do going into the last challenge, and Korto and Jerell blew it. Korto's wedding dress was worse than Jerell's and both of them put out sad, sad bridesmaid's dresses.
I like the little twists the producers put in at the end every year--it makes it more interesting.
10/9/08, 10:16 AM
Jerell biffed it last night. I could see what he was going for, much like his dress in the last challenge, but he biffed it. Moreso than Korto did. And I'm with russell, Jerell was being as mean and bitchy as Kenley was. His whole "kewl kidz" attitude went into overdrive and it bugged the hell out of me.
10/9/08, 10:16 AM
delilahboyd said...
If I recall correctly, Kenley's laugh started the whole "I can't stand her" drama this season. Happy people always piss off the sulk masters.
================================
Um, okay...Just a question...
Would you say the same thing if this "happy" person was laughing at your expense?
Especially when you've worked your hardest on a project to have it ripped to shreads in front of your collegues?
Just asking...
10/9/08, 10:21 AM
Does anyone else find it ironic that all of Heidi's final criticisms of Jerrell last night also apply to the mess now known as Project Runway?
Overdone, overwrought, overworked. And Just. Too. Much.
You take something perfectly wonderful and, season by season, you add the beads, the sequins, the fake flowers on the head, the miles of tulle, the ridiculous nonjudging judging, the rules changes to get the finalists you want, and the jewels under the boobs?
Nina Garcia is so bored you could iron on her. I loved Jerrell's final catty comment about Michael Kors too. Way to go out with your head held high, Miss J!
Does anyone have a link to a photo of the McQueen dress KopyKat Mean Girl copied for this challenge?
I am grateful for four wonderful years of PR (not including this year). My Wednesday nights are no longer sacred.
10/9/08, 10:23 AM
I think we all saw it coming - when they showed the dresses I was not surprised. I do feel bad for him.
At least everyone kissed and made up but for how long?
Based on the previews,is Kenley going to be shitting in her granny panties when she finds out Tim is the guest judge?
We'll just have to wait and see!
10/9/08, 10:23 AM
I got about half way down before I had to get back to work...so I don't know if anyone commented on it yet....
But come on I laughed so hard at the end when Jerrell took a dig at Kors basic white t-shirts! - I've seen Kors stuff at TJMaxx and even Ross - and in many cases they've been pretty blah and on the clearance rack at those stores.
;0)
That said, while I have like Jerrell as a person, I have not thought that some of his work was the absolute worst!! (Olympic and green) HOWEVER, while his execution was bad - his were actually HIS DESIGNS! He is a DESIGNER - plenty of people have ripped on earlier contestants calling them "dress-makers not designers". You cannot say that about Jerrell. I liked his designs for both of these dresses.
Didn't several others posters agree that in the screen shots of BP that Kenley's dress looked a bit like Bjork's infamous award dress?
10/9/08, 10:25 AM
They totally set Jerell up, and that's sad. But that wedding dress looked like a Cindy Lou Who nightmare.
10/9/08, 10:25 AM
10/9/08, 10:26 AM
It is turning out as I have expected all along only now everyone else is seeing the fine Italian hand behind this "reality" show. There is more manipulation than just the material and the audience. I wonder what reward some contestants get for taking a dive or creating drama? Surely they get something out of collaborating with their captors? Surely just being on TV does not make them willing to prostitute themselves?
There is a mindset whereby grown people will become highly emotional discussing the events of a soap opera as if, AS IF, the characters were really dying, cheating, lying, killing, etc. It is called the willing suspension of disbelief. It exists in "reality" show audiences also. And it exists in audiences in regard to news--both actual and slanted. People tend to believe what they are told and shown sooner than they use their brains to discover the emperor has on no clothes. But as what is shown becomes more and more incredible and more and more onerous, those with brains become less and less credulous and less and less willing to burden themselves with watching or going along.
Now in reality, the real kind, real designers take a long time to design a garment. Some have scads of people to help them make the garment. They do not make them out of garbage--even if the result is garbage. They do not have to have so many false constraints put on them. And the resulting garments sent down runways will be judged individually as wonderful or as ass just the same way we do here. A designer will not have his or her career ruined because a few people hate one or two garments.
10/9/08, 10:28 AM
Totally agree with you, boys. The PR producers completely their lost credibility this year - first with the travesty of Terri (Suede deserves to show at Bryant Park over her? WTF?) and now last weeks' crap with Jerell. You know what? I'm almost glad Bravo lost the show to Lifetime because they clearly have lost their minds. Oooh, guess I'm bitter.
10/9/08, 10:29 AM
60isthenew55 said...
speaks for me.
10/9/08, 10:30 AM
First of all, Boys, you need not defend yourselves or assure us you're not in anyone's pocket. Those of us who love you know that.
Throughout the season, all the designers had some real stinkers -- except maybe Leanne, who had a couple of duds but no real stinkers (except perhaps as Blayne's lieutenant during the Brooke Shields challenge). Jerell made some wonderful outfits but had some real bombs, too.
The wedding gown looked like he spent some time draping and then once the draping was done, he threw wickety wack at it. I thought the bridesmaid's dress worked really well with the bridal gown, but again, it looked like he didn't make it with care and a lot of thought.
The irony is that Korto clearly spent hours and hours folding and sewing perfect pleats. . . and yet I thought hers looked worse. Both sent disasters down the runway last night, but, based I think hers was worse.
On the other hand, I must say that Jerell looked very dashing with the beard.
10/9/08, 10:31 AM
I agree with you 100%. Jerell shouldn't have been on the chopping block. But, since he was, the judges were right to send him home. I am curious to go look at the rest of his collection now and see if the other looks are of a piece with the bridal ones.
10/9/08, 10:32 AM
Anonymous 10:26 AM said...
...There is more manipulation than just the material and the audience. I wonder what reward some contestants get for taking a dive or creating drama?
===========================
They get crap like this:
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1595514&vid=279237
10/9/08, 10:33 AM
I didn't really mind this twist last week, but now it really ticks me off. They essentially called a mulligan on the last challenge because the winner and loser weren't who they wanted--if the object were just to decide who got to compete at Bryant Park, the flower challenge could have sufficed perfectly well. But no, since that challenge was "inconclusive," they had to make everyone sweat it out and create a line that might never be seen on the show, then judge them on the basis of work they had to do at the last minute, and work that they wouldn't have put into their collections by choice to boot. At least Rami and Chris got to show off their best looks.
All that said...what a wreck, Jerell. It looked a bit like the dress that got Alison Kelly aufed, just a shapeless mound of tulle with a sheet thrown over it. Had this been the last regular challenge I'd have had no regrets about this decision.
10/9/08, 10:34 AM
Had he edited himself, say 30%, and tightened up the look (like trimming some of the fullness in the bottom and losing or changing the color of the tulle), it could have been quite interesting. But there was no getting over the bridesmaid's dress ... it's what every bridesmaid fears.
10/9/08, 10:35 AM
Had a feeling when Tim saw the bridal gown. Got a real vibe when I saw the fabric he picked for the bridesmaid dress. Knew it was coming at the runway show. Craaaaapppp.
10/9/08, 10:35 AM
ask said...
I got about half way down before I had to get back to work...so I don't know if anyone commented on it yet....
But come on I laughed so hard at the end when Jerrell took a dig at Kors basic white t-shirts! - I've seen Kors stuff at TJMaxx and even Ross - and in many cases they've been pretty blah and on the clearance rack at those stores.
Ugh, that is so disingenuous. As if that's all Michael Kors does. I'm no fan of his, but tons of designers have low-end, affordable stuff for the masses. This doesn't mean he just designs t-shirts, and Jerell knows it. Too bad he couldn't really defend his work or aesthetic, he had to make it the JUDGES' fault somehow. I guess it's ok not to take responsibility as long as you're Jerell and not Kenley. Oh, and places like TJ Maxx are still on a higher tier than the tacky QVC collections you all drool over whenever Laura or Emmett release their newsest garbage. *snort*
10/9/08, 10:36 AM
I LOVE LOVE LOVE KORTO!!! I think her BP collection is a total contender fro TOP PRIZE! But I thought she should have been sent home last night.
It was such a joyless episode. Judging from the collections (which is unfair but is what it is) she was the right one to stay, but based on the dresses last night it's clear she completely over-thought, and over stressed on the Bridal gown and was completely thrown off her game by the last minute bridesmaid's challenge. Yet based on the challenge...she failed and should have been aufed. =( =( =(
I HATED Kenley's dress BUT it was undeniable bridal and would be a "Dream" for somebody (a fool in my opinion )to wear.
But at this point since everyone's been predicting this outcome for months now. Can we just declare Leanne the winner and call it a day?!?!!
10/9/08, 10:38 AM
Now, regarding Jerell's dress...
Wedding dress--
I completely understand what he was trying to do and I think the look could have been magnificently stunning had the bodice been simpler and better fitted. He has big trouble fitting bodices and after his almost disaster in the last competition, he returned to a bustier look. After taking a good look at that bodice, I really had questions about Jerell's taste level.
I do not believe that wedding dresses need to be white and I applaud his risk-taking.
The Bridesmaid's Dress--
They are always ugly because they are usually poorly designed! This is a design competition and Jerell's aside seemed to reveal a bit of disdain he had for the contest at that point. That attitude carried into the dress. The dress needs to fit women of all shapes, sizes and ages. His didn't. It needs to be of material that would hide flaws and hold up to a ceremony and a party afterwords. His wouldn't.
On the plus side, I actually liked his styling ideas. I liked the flowers in the sash matching the bride's flowers in the hair. It's an economical alternative to carrying bouquets. I also liked the color story. Very complex.
10/9/08, 10:40 AM
http://www.televisioninternet.com/news/pictures/alexander-mcqueen-feather-wedding-dress4.jpg
Othe Alexander McQueen Feather dress
http://www.televisioninternet.com/news/pictures/alexander-mcqueen-feather-wedding-dress2.jpg
And THIS ONE - looks like several of Kenley's is shape and asymmetry
http://www.televisioninternet.com/news/pictures/alexander-mcqueen-feather-wedding-dress3.jpg
10/9/08, 10:41 AM
Anonymous said...
Ugh, that is so disingenuous. As if that's all Michael Kors does. I'm no fan of his, but tons of designers have low-end, affordable stuff for the masses. This doesn't mean he just designs t-shirts, and Jerell knows it. Too bad he couldn't really defend his work or aesthetic, he had to make it the JUDGES' fault somehow. I guess it's ok not to take responsibility as long as you're Jerell and not Kenley. Oh, and places like TJ Maxx are still on a higher tier than the tacky QVC collections you all drool over whenever Laura or Emmett release their newsest garbage. *snort*
10:35 AM
==========================
Here we go with this same old shit.
If we all can't judge, or TLo can arrange the blog in you oh-so-hoity-toity standards, then why are you here?
And what's with the Jerell hate?
10/9/08, 10:41 AM
Everyone is insisting the producers wanted Kenley in and Jerell out, and that's why they had the holdover from the last challenge. Isn't it conceivable that they simply wanted to add "suspense" by adding an additional challenge (that really turned into 2 additional challenge) and an elimination to a show that is otherwise pretty boring every year, with all the saccharine home visits and fleeting shots of people's collections? There's really no incentive on the producers' part to favor Kenley over Jerell, both who have bitchy attitudes and ardent fans as well as detractors. If they'd wanted drama, Leanne would be gone and Suede would still be there.
10/9/08, 10:44 AM
Anon 10:35 -
DUH - I SHOP at TJMAXX. Was that not clear?
Damn. I was saying that I thought that was a witty comeback. AND that I have not been impressed with most of the Kors stuff I've seen. I have a couple of his things - but much of what I've seen qualifies as BASICS, not FASHION.
10/9/08, 10:44 AM
Oh, we knew this was how it was gonna shake down this season, so I wanted to see Jerell go out in a blaze of glory. And he kind of did.
I actually liked the bridesmaid's dress better than the bride's, but then again I was really tired by the time I finally got to see the episode.
I will say that as much as I loved Miss J., he was the one who needed the most self-editing of the final four. Still, I think he has so many good ideas...
Love you, Jerell!
10/9/08, 10:45 AM
I agree that it was bullshit that Jerell had to compete at this late stage. But the exploding boob dress was SO much worse than everything else on the runway. And he completely ignored Tim's concern about the wrinkles on the bridesmaid's dress. He just wasn't as rude or defiant as Kenley would have been.
The producers really need to rethink their approach. After three seasons of yanking the contestants's chain to stretch out the finale, they should just admit that the final four challenge before the break is just so much bullshit. They could just make the final four challenge after the break, as they did this year, or go with last season's format of having two compete for the final slot, but the last minute rule changes are just bullshit. If they want to avoid charges of rigging, the producers have to stop screwing around like this.
10/9/08, 10:46 AM
I think Jerell was robbed--he won the last challenge and two others. I liked his BP collection a lot and thought the wedding dress was beautiful.
I sense producer manipulation but not to keep Kenley on. As a couple of other comments noted, it was to keep Korto on the show. Kenley may have squeaked by last time, but she deserved to go through based on this challenge. Korto did not. Her dresses were terrible and her bride's dress even made the model look fat. It was hideous.
The redo was all about keeping Korto on the show. I think they did want Jerell to go home but they wanted her to stay all the more. She was bottom two in the last two challenges and yet they kept her despite there being nothing nice about either dress.
I admit to finding Korto's designs unremarkable and forgettable. She's a great dressmaker with some taste issues but no vision. Jerell, Kenley and especially Leanne have the latter, even if Jerell's sewing skills are not as strong (and this is about design, not sewing--in the real business of fashion, those two are separate).
It's also likely that Jerell's final collection--which had some great stuff--didn't fit quite so well because he didn't have the opportunity to adjust the dresses to the models, something else given to the finalists. He likely just had a casting and no fittings.
While Leanne deserves to win this--she is the best designer ever on PR, this season has been ruined by even more heavy handed interference and bizarre decisions than any of the previous ones. I don't think the talent was necessarily worse--there have always been many clunkers on the show--but the ones with great potential like Wesley and Jerry were cast out immediately.
10/9/08, 10:47 AM
"It's just too much."
He deserved to be gone since day two; sorry, I can never get behind someone who thinks throwing sequins all over a dress makes it opulent. Less=more, Jerell.
10/9/08, 10:47 AM
"can you deny that this dress is a mess?"
Sigh, no. But the final challenge was a bullshitty manipulation by the producers, regardless.
Jerell looked like he was channeling that wedding dress monstrosity that Carrie Bradshaw wore in the SATC movie. (But then Kenley's was an almost exact copy of an Alexander McQueen).
And to me, there was humor in his wedding dress, in that the skirt looked just like Heidi's hairdoo.
--GothamTomato
10/9/08, 10:48 AM
I know we'll get to it later, but kittens, I just WINCED when Korto's wedding dress came around the corner, while this one? I thought was salvagable. Take away the orchid on her head (?) and change the color of the tulle, and it was bridal-y.
Sorry to say it, but based on the dresses shown last night, Korto should have gone home. Love her, but ick.
10/9/08, 10:48 AM
This post is pretty much the exact conversation I had with my sister last night about the show. We both agreed that it was bullshit that Jerrell had to compete for a spot after winning the last challenge, but based PURELY on the wedding dress/bridesmaid challenge, Kenley deserves her spot. I still don't like her, I still think her being there is a gift almost on a par with Wendy Pepper being in the final three -- I think she has more talent, but she should have been out after that hip-hop travesty, and she should have been out AGAIN over last week's horrible dress.
That said... oh, Jerrell. I'm sorry. You got robbed in a number of different ways, but I did not like these dresses at all. I wish you would have listened to Tim.
10/9/08, 10:52 AM
Total crap! Crap that Jerrell had to compete for a spot after winning the last challenge.
Unfortunately what he created to try to secure that spot was also total crap.
I was so dissapointed with his bridesmaid's dress. I actually liked his wedding dress better than Korto's, but that's not saying much.
10/9/08, 10:52 AM
Sad as I am, I have to agree. I could not believe he thought this was an appropriate response to the challenge. That dress had NO relation to a bridal gown whatsoever. And the headpiece? WTF? Love ya, mean it, Jerrell. Good luck always!
10/9/08, 10:54 AM
On the other hand...As much as I adore Jerell, he (and a few others) were very lucky in that the pool of talent was very shallow this season, which enabled him to get to the top 4.
This season has really been all Korto & LeeAnn - which I'm guessing drove the producers crazy because they both have quiet personalities. I think that if either Korto or LeeAnn had more boisterous personalities the final 4 would have looked very different.
--GothamTomato
10/9/08, 10:56 AM
Gotham Tomato wrote:
"This season has really been all Korto & LeeAnn - which I'm guessing drove the producers crazy because they both have quiet personalities. I think that if either Korto or LeeAnn had more boisterous personalities the final 4 would have looked very different."
Very interesting point, GT. I think you've hit on something.
10/9/08, 10:58 AM
I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest". Perhaps I didn't hear it correctly.
Carry on.
10/9/08, 11:05 AM
"It's also likely that Jerell's final collection--which had some great stuff--didn't fit quite so well because he didn't have the opportunity to adjust the dresses to the models, something else given to the finalists. He likely just had a casting and no fittings"
Really, some great stuff? The first outfit was kind of good, and then from there ... a hot mess, which got hotter and messier with each new look.
As for fit, hasn't he had this problem throughout the season? I mean he's had the same model for weeks, and he keeps designing these outfits that do weird/unflattering things to her boobs.
10/9/08, 11:06 AM
I hated to see Jerell auf'd but I knew it was coming when I saw the bridesmaid dress, and, as much I love Miss J., I also desperately wanted to see Korto go to BP.
Jerell, you'll be missed, but you are still fabulousssssss!!!!!
channeling Suede, bitchybitchybitchy is sad today...
10/9/08, 11:07 AM
Anonymous said...
I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest". Perhaps I didn't hear it correctly.
Carry on.
Given how unattractive and older he was compared to Jerell, I assume he meant "sugar daddy." Sad that he can't even feign a real relationship for the cameras.
10/9/08, 11:10 AM
TheNYCourier said...
He deserved to be gone since day two; sorry, I can never get behind someone who thinks throwing sequins all over a dress makes it opulent. Less=more, Jerell.
So agree. I enjoy over-the-top and opulent, but only when it's done well. Jerell was mostly tacky and had a lot of construction issues. I liked the bridesmaid's dress more than the wedding dress, as it was simpler, but even that needed editing. It was puckery, it should have been shortened to tea length, and the flowers needed to be added more organically instead of just shoved into the waistband.
10/9/08, 11:17 AM
I don't know how anyone is surprised to see producer manipulation. Wasn't that obvious with the advancement of designated bitch Wendy Pepper or "he has a point of view: RAGAMUFFIN!" Santino? Or the weird season with Kayne, the meistro of tacky, and other losers moving ahead while the talented Allyson got aufed? (And I totally believe that the producers probably staged that one guy's illegal pattern book situation.)
What draws me to PR is that we see what's set up as a talent competition for designers. I'm more than happy to see soft-spoken types like Judy Noodles and Jillian, because they make good TV not by being sparkly or bitchy but by BEING TALENTED. But the producers will never understand that, and I'm sure the new producers -- of Real World infamy -- won't get it, either.
10/9/08, 11:19 AM
If it's about emotions and genuine love, I think most people really, really like Jerrell as a person. That's why Tim was crying-he knew.
If it's based on the quality of the presented product, Jerrell had to go.
Jerrell, (and Korto for that matter) apparently did worse with time and aloneness, while Kenley and Leanne did better with time and aloneness.
I do think Jerrell has something, but he definitely got in his own way with this whole collection. He did get cockier on his own, and I can't believe he didn't listen to Tim. He had won so many challenges and got cocky.
Jerrell-move to NY. Go to Parsons. Learn editing, and immerse yourself in fashion. You have a 'Tim Burton goes clubbing' aestheyic, but you need discipline and self control-you learn that at school. Enroll now.
10/9/08, 11:20 AM
sigh....sadness about the producer manipulation.
Your assessment, as always, is spot on.
Thanks, boys
10/9/08, 11:22 AM
jen in philly said:
Oh, and did anyone else see the resemblance of Jerell's wedding dress to that awful Carrie Bradshaw gown in the SATC movie? Hers didn't have the sparkly inner bra, but the ridiculous cups were similar.
Yes! I thought the bust on that Vivienne Westwood gown was so odd-and the huge skirt...no wonder Big bailed on the wedding!
10/9/08, 11:25 AM
The producers did what they had to do. Jerell deserved a "shot" at Bryant Park, but didn't really deserve to show there. That's exactly how it ended up playing out.
His fabric choice for the bridesmaid dress was again terrible. Jerell...stop making saggy boob dresses!
10/9/08, 11:27 AM
Amen to that whole damn post. Poor Jerrell...but ew for real on the dress. It's just like when Michael came back from Hotlanta with a bunch of nasty shit and we said, "Wha?"
10/9/08, 11:27 AM
Anonymous said...
If it's about emotions and genuine love, I think most people really, really like Jerrell as a person. That's why Tim was crying-he knew.
=============================
That's actually an interesting theory. Honestly, I thought Mama was playing to the cameras, but I now remember the comments she had for Miss J at the beginning of the season. Tim genuinely liked her as a person.
Jerrell-move to NY. Go to Parsons. Learn editing, and immerse yourself in fashion. You have a 'Tim Burton goes clubbing' aestheyic, but you need discipline and self control-you learn that at school. Enroll now.
11:19 AM
============================
Another really good point. If she learns to be more conscientious about what she's doing, she can really knock it out.
On a side note...
I would love to see Miss J and SissyBear working together. Can you imagine the crazy shit those two could concoct?
10/9/08, 11:28 AM
I have to say, I thought the bridesmaid's dress was elegant. The wedding dress -- not so much. If he'd fixed those vomiting boobs when Tim commented on them, I think he'd still be around. Korto's dresses were ugly.
10/9/08, 11:29 AM
Patrick said:"Bravo wants female winners this season. Actually, Bravo/NBC want female winners."
winkleperi said... I don't think this is even remotely a possibility. Don't forget that Chloe Dao won PR. And there were male finalists in Top Chef; it just happened to be the case that the male chef BLEW the final, just as Jerell blew his wedding and bridesmaid dresses. 9:54 AM
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
WORD! WORD! WORD!
Snap! Snap! Snap!
10/9/08, 11:29 AM
Jerrell has no concept of edit. He needs time to learn how to dial it down.
10/9/08, 11:31 AM
Insightful post as always. Jerrell got cocky AND set up.
It's just like season 3 -- Uli won the challenge, so they couldn't dump her so she got to show at BP with Laura, Jeffrey and Michael.
Now Jerrell wins the last group-of-four challenge but this time they sabotage him by getting him to sabotage himself. His designs were the worst last night though, by far. His attitude about ugly bridesmaid dresses only confirmed his aufing.
I'm kinda over this season.
10/9/08, 11:33 AM
When the judges make decisions we agree with they are judging. When judges makes decisions we disagree with they are 'manipulating.'
I like Jerrell as much as everybody else. However, we are talking about BP here, and the reputation of all of the judges. The judge's taste will be judged. This is the pinnacle of fashion elite in the US. They knew Jerrell had some potentially fatal flaws, which were one thing in the competitions.....something else entirely at BP. If they had allowed Jerrell through with that collection, they would have been laughing stocks, and reputations would have been tarnished.
The judges knew what they were doing, and had to do it. On a personal level they liked Jerrell, (although I saw saw grave disappointment in their eyes when they cut him) but this is business.
10/9/08, 11:34 AM
*Anonymous said...
I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend,
significant other introduced as "my love interest". Perhaps I didn't hear it correctly.
Carry on.
*anonymous said...
Given how unattractive and older he was compared to Jerell, I assume he meant "sugar daddy." Sad that he can't even feign a real relationship for the cameras.
Ouch. But thanks for clearing that one up. I totally missed the dialogue for that scene. I'll have to catch it tonight. Ugly, older, sugardaddy or not, Jerrell's character shined this season and made for a much more amusing, witty and snarktastic season than many season's past on PR. With the exception of Christian and his exhaustive wit, have we all forgotten how funeral parlor dull last season's designers were? Sheesh.
- edina -
10/9/08, 11:34 AM
No pitchforks here, poodles. Kenley's bridal pieces may have been derivative, but they were far and away better than Jerell's AND Korto's.
In fact, I was really worried for Korto, since I thought her dresses were just as bad as Jerell's. But I guess last week's shenanigans made it clear that TPTB didn't want Jerell to make it...and either they manipulated this episode as well to make it seem like they were right...or, they were just right. It is sad though.
It's definitely anyone's game now.
10/9/08, 11:35 AM
I didn’t find it unfair that Jerell was still on the chopping block this episode. Some other designers have been screwed being sent home before him, too. It’s vexing enough that he got to show his heinous collection at BP.
10/9/08, 11:37 AM
Many have said that this is a design competition, not a sewing competition. I disagree--the designers are required to do all their sewing personally for BP (as everyone who remembers Season 4 can attest). While there have been some truly horrible people who made it to Bryant Park, every single PR collection was at least sewn very well. Maybe the producers were afraid that Jerrell was just too iffy, especially based on the last few challenges.
Also, I'm trying to remember if we, as viewers, ever heard "the rules" --Did we ever hear that whoever wins the final challenge is guaranteed a spot at BP? I don't think so.
We probably all would be much less pissy if last week the judges didn't declare a winner at all.
I also agree with the person who said the manipulation was to keep Korto, not Kenley, in.
Finally, I think the fact that Wendy was in at the end of Season 1was a fluke. But after the producers saw what a hoopla it produced, it set the pattern for future seasons.
10/9/08, 11:40 AM
i liked his bridesmaid's dress. i thought the colors were lovely, i liked the style of it. it was puckery and wrinkley, and that's a problem. but the flowers, etc, i didn't mind. and i was freakishly mesmerized by the flowers on the "bride's" head. I thought the wedding gown was good in a thoroughly over-the-top way; as the judges seem to love saying this year "it's a fantasy." I even liked the off-white colors; they didn't look dirty to me, just subdued. then again, I LOVE grey.
kenley's bridesmaid's dress I hated. HATED. hated the color, the cut, the silhouette, everything about it.
poor jerell - his family were adorable! and he's a total doll!
10/9/08, 11:41 AM
BTW, Tim saying "I don't want a snatch shot!" almost made it all worth it. I see a t-shirt in our future.
10/9/08, 11:46 AM
I've read all of the above comments so now I've just about forgotten how I wanted to say what I was going to say.
Anyway, Jerrell created one big mess last night. I didn't like the wedding gown when I saw it a few weeks ago and I still don't like it. It looks like it was slept in.
The bridesmaid gown was atrocious and put the final nail in the coffin.
Korto's was worse.
10/9/08, 11:47 AM
There's something very unfinished and very "Michael's" about Jerrell's work that goes beyond whether or not I like him.
10/9/08, 11:47 AM
Leanne won the season the minute the Judges saw her wedding dress and bridesmaid dress. the looks on their faces was pure awe. Leanne is an introvert, and shone when allowed to work alone, with the luxury of time to think.
10/9/08, 11:48 AM
Going back to the decision that all four would be competing for a spot after the last episode. NONE of the Botanical Garden dresses were great. They were all fairly mediocre and it wasn't a strong win. If Jerrell had produced a spectacular dress, I seriously doubt if he would have had to compete. That dress really had a crummy fit, can you imagine if the model actually had breasts. Life isn't fair but to me this decision wasn't as bizarro as my fellow-bloggers seem to think.
10/9/08, 11:49 AM
Anonymous said...
I admit to finding Korto's designs unremarkable and forgettable. She's a great dressmaker with some taste issues but no vision. Jerell, Kenley and especially Leanne have the latter, even if Jerell's sewing skills are not as strong (and this is about design, not sewing--in the real business of fashion, those two are separate).
The tone of your post indicates you are using dressmaker as kind of a put down to Korto.
Do you know what a "dressmaker" is and what they do?
A true dressmaker is self employeed (usually a woman) who do makes dresses for private clients. Sometimes original designs, sometimes copies (but not exact), sometimes with client input (but but never just). She usually is doing everything from draping, patterningmaking, fitting , and sewing the garment. Since the opening of many more professions to women and the relative cheapness of clothing now days, this is a very rare way to make a living these days and if someone does, they are talented indeed.
In general a designer in the employment of a firm or corporation. They are generally not resposible for the sewing of the sample the person who does that is a "Sample Hand". Sometimes they are involved in the draping or pattenmaking. And they certainly should be knowledgable of all the crafts that go into it. And if you think they never copy anything that's already in the market, you know less about the "business" of fashion than you think.
A person who sews branded patterns for private clients is a "Seamstress".Because ready made clothing is so cheap now, you rarely see women do this for a living either.
A person who sews in a factory is a sewing machine operator or "Operator", they do not sew complete garments, just repeatedly do the same operation over and over all day long.
In some aspects of the fashion buisness sewing skills are not necessary, but to compete on a reality TV show they certainly are.
10/9/08, 11:50 AM
I thought it was obvious that Tim carried a torch for Jerrell. They need to get together at the after party.
10/9/08, 11:50 AM
Ouch. But thanks for clearing that one up. I totally missed the dialogue for that scene. I'll have to catch it tonight. Ugly, older, sugardaddy or not, Jerrell's character shined this season and made for a much more amusing, witty and snarktastic season than many season's past on PR. With the exception of Christian and his exhaustive wit, have we all forgotten how funeral parlor dull last season's designers were? Sheesh.
- edina -
Sorry, I didn't mean that as bitchy as it sounded, but I've known a lot of lot of guys like Jerell, and they wouldn't be dating an average, older guy unless there was some incentive. I wasn't a fan of Jerell's and have no opinion of his "character," but I agree at least this season's designers weren't all terribly dull.
After the end results (final collections) though, I think I'd take 15 talented-but-quiet Jillians over this bunch.
10/9/08, 11:53 AM
Jerell was never able to edit himself and that was his downfall. I love how he mixes fabrics and texture. He is talented and has a future in fashion.
10/9/08, 11:53 AM
Sewing Siren: Thanks for that lesson!
Now could you please explain how the Bailout wil work?
--GothamTomato
10/9/08, 11:54 AM
I agree with you T-Lo. It was bullshit but with that said those dresses were hideous. UGH that dingy dishwater gray tulle! I am clutching my pearls! I am all for fashion forward wedding dresses but fug is fug. The flayed autopsy boobs were pretty bad too.
I have to say that my heart broke for him though. On another note I have been keeping away from the posts of the final collections till the finale but since Jarell is out I took a peak at his and OH LORD WHAT A MESS. It truly is awefull. Overworked and bejewelled and just...tacky! Poor Jarell
10/9/08, 11:54 AM
Jerrell-move to NY. Go to Parsons. Learn editing, and immerse yourself in fashion."
Excellent advice. If not that, then go get a job with Kevan Hall who'll teach him oodles.
As far as him personally, there's something very warm and genuine about Jerrell. He's very much a product of a family that loves him. I hope all of them were able to make it to his show in NY.
And for all of Kenley's babbling about Daddy being a tug boat captain, Jerrell can say, "BIG RIG!"
10/9/08, 11:55 AM
Korto has impeccable sewing skills, but I agree, she has very limited vision, and her taste scares me. I honestly feel that Wedding dress being seen by so many people, could kill any chance of a 'design' career for her. As a sewer, she can get lots of work. Everybody, judges included, has been pushing for her success, but she's pretty mediocre.
10/9/08, 11:56 AM
I also liked the idea of Jerrell's dress, only with a better color choice for the tulle and with the 'wings' pulled in a lot closer. If he had thought a little more about what looks good and a little less about trying to be couture he could have gotten it. The bridesmaid dress looked ok enough - the fabric was one that doesn't react well to cameras unfortunately (used the same for my own bridesmaid dresses with disastrous results!)
I didn't see what Michael Kors's problem was with Kenley's - I checked out the Alexander McQueen show and didn't see much of a resemblance. The AM show was actually quite reminiscent of the Balenciaga how that Kenley also picked up on, but I didn't feel that warranted Kenley getting the criticism.
I also thought it was funny to see the other contestants start snapping back at the judges, considering how they had bashed Kenley for doing the same.
Looking forward to next week - and being no 7 in the winner list instead of no 8!
10/9/08, 11:57 AM
I liked the idea of the ripped open bodice, just not the execution. If he'd left off the bling and done the dress in more traditional wedding colors AND had better finishing on the details, I think it might have been lovely. But yeah, my first thought last night was the same as yours--he's gone Michael Knight on us! As it was, it was bad.
10/9/08, 11:58 AM
Going to NY is GREAT idea for Jerrell. If he can't afford it, I guarantee there WILL be money provided for him. He needs to get out of LA, which will be hard, but he needs to be challenged. He got too loose and comfy back home, and his work slipped.
10/9/08, 11:58 AM
Sewing Siren--it wasn't a put down (FYI, I am in the industry). I know what they do, and I think it is amazing and requires huge talent. But in fashion, sewing and design are different jobs (think ateliers where the embroiderers make the real couture gowns). Korto--and Leanne and Kenley--are amazing dressmakers. But Leanne is also a great designer. Jerell is a designer but not such a great dressmaker; Korto is a great dressmaker but she isn't such a great designer. PR tries to fudge the two, and my point was that to praise Korto's sewing skills is not to say that she has any vision when it comes to design. Talented, yes, design not so much.
By the way, I sew, make patterns, drape, visit Mood myself and respect dressmakers a lot--I often think the difficulty of sewing and the ways in which different fabrics represent far greater challenges than others has not been covered on PR since the first two seasons. I made my comments, in other words, not to put down sewers but to point to a very real difference that the show ignores.
10/9/08, 11:59 AM
GothamTomato said...
Sewing Siren: Thanks for that lesson!
Now could you please explain how the Bailout wil work?
--GothamTomato
The rich will get richer. The rest of us get screwed.
10/9/08, 12:00 PM
Alexander McQueen stole that dress from the ballet Swan Lake. It's not even originally his.
10/9/08, 12:01 PM
Sewing Siren said about dressmakers: "they are talented indeed."
You're so right. My mother was a dressmaker. I have very strong memories of jars of buttons, the smell of bolts of fabrics, and the sound of the machine. This was in the days when it was cheaper to sew clothes than buy them. And store bought clothes for me --were a rare thing.
It's such a change from today, where if you go into fabric stores, most people are buying little scraps for quilting or scrapbooking. There aren't very many who really know how to sew these days.
10/9/08, 12:07 PM
"Anonymous said...
I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest"."
What should he say?
After a certain age, 'boyfriend' starts to sound silly; 'Lover' is too Harlequin Romance; and I think 'love interest' actually sounds better than 'significant other', which is really kind of insurance agenty.
--GothamTomato
10/9/08, 12:07 PM
i'm still mad at the producers for manipulating everything so that mean girl could stay in -- she should have been eliminated a couple of episodes ago; and for sure last week. it was completely unfair to make jerrell compete for bp, although i agree that those 2 dresses were really bad. his problem all season was the inability to edit - when he did edit, his stuff came out great but too often he didn't and we got the look we had last night. girl has talent, but needs to really step back and learn to critique better.
yeah, kenley's stuff was nice, although i really didn't care for the wedding dress. i was really miffed to hear her bitch about korto & leanne "ripping me off" because they were doing short bridesmaids dresses. did it ever occur to her that she ripped christian siriano off with her feather wedding dress? i'm sure she would deny it, but it sure looks that way to me.....
10/9/08, 12:07 PM
10/9/08, 12:11 PM
"Sewing Siren said...
GothamTomato said...
Now could you please explain how the Bailout wil work?
--GothamTomato
The rich will get richer. The rest of us get screwed.
As yes, one of the great ironies of life: The politicians who screw the most people, are always the most unfuckable.
--GothamTomato
10/9/08, 12:14 PM
GothamTomato said...
"Anonymous said...
I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest"."
What should he say?
After a certain age, 'boyfriend' starts to sound silly; 'Lover' is too Harlequin Romance; and I think 'love interest' actually sounds better than 'significant other', which is really kind of insurance agenty.
--GothamTomato
I think "partner" is a good option, or if he was going for cutesy, which I think he was, "better half".
10/9/08, 12:14 PM
Jerell should NOT move to New York City. His design sensibility is SOOOOO much more LA than NYC. NYC might be 'the fashion capital of the US' or whatever but it also tends to be a lot more streamlined and uptight, which Jerell is obviously not. He will have much more success in LA, and he won't have to compromise his design beliefs.
10/9/08, 12:37 PM
Anonymous said...
Sewing Siren--it wasn't a put down (FYI, I am in the industry). I know what they do, and I think it is amazing and requires huge talent. But in fashion, sewing and design are different jobs (think ateliers where the embroiderers make the real couture gowns). Korto--and Leanne and Kenley--are amazing dressmakers. But Leanne is also a great designer. Jerell is a designer but not such a great dressmaker; Korto is a great dressmaker but she isn't such a great designer. PR tries to fudge the two, and my point was that to praise Korto's sewing skills is not to say that she has any vision when it comes to design. Talented, yes, design not so much.
Okay, but part of my (very long ;)) point is that dressmakers exist out side of the industry and designing is one of the many skills that they possess and use.
Designers that are working in the US fashion industry (saddly) are rarely designing original visionary garments. The bottom line is and always has been- what is going to sell.
I do think Korto and Kenley are designers, their vision is just different (and perhaps more commercially viable )than Jerrell or Leanne.
PS I believe you are in" the industry" and I appreciate your well thought out reply.Perhaps we just see things differently and will have to agree to disagree.
10/9/08, 12:41 PM
Okay fine, as much as I adore Jerrel I have to admit that yes, his dresses were fugly.
However, surely it is more desirable to have a designer in the finale with a unique, defined aesthetic as opposed to one who completely ripped of another designer's garment?
Also it is ridiculous that all the judges saw was the stupid wedding & bridesmaid dresses. I know it is all about drama & ratings & differentiating from last season but surely it is more fair for the judges to see the actual creative vision of the contestants than some wedding dress they were forced to make & incorporate into the collection & a last minute rush job of a bridesmaid dress which was subsequently crticised for being either not impeccably made or too simple?!
I don't know about anyone else but I think that I would much rather watch a show where the most talented reach Bryant Park & we see 3 amazing collections. Plus it is one more freaking episode, making them do a stupid unfair uninspired last minute challenge is not going to draw in anymore viewers! If anything it will kill them off. I am so mad!
Plus if you are judging based just on the wedding & bridesmaid dresses, Korto's were a lot more fugly! At least Jerrel's could have been mistaken for embellished askew elegance, hers was just plain overworked, unflatting & yuck.
But then she would have cried & talked about letting down her family & killing her dream. At least Jerrel took it with some dignity.
Love you Jerrel, I'll buy your dresses!
10/9/08, 12:42 PM
Considering Jerrel's collection at BP is horrible, he didn't deserve to compete at BP.
His last dress that he won with wasn't that great. If he was head and shoulders above everyone else I can see him being guaranteed a spot at BP, but they said he barely won and wanted the designers to compete again.
He still got to show at BP, but he would have been eliminated first had he been the final three.
What would have been a crime is if Korto was eliminated. I really didn't like either of her dresses, but her collection is gorgeous.
I dunno, I suppose the end shouldn't justify the means, but the top 3 collections are competing. Imagine if Jerrel stayed last night and Korto was a decoy. That would have been disgusting.
Jerrel has trouble with taste and probably should have been eliminated sooner. I can think of at least 2 designers more talented than him. The final 3 ladies could all be argued as the three most talented of the season.
Like her or not, kenley had some pretty nice designs in the competition.
10/9/08, 12:44 PM
Two months and a warning from Tim... learn to press!
10/9/08, 12:47 PM
I didn't see this mentioned in the comments yet, but I was shocked that Jerell didn't know what a ham was until he was on the show as he stated in his exit interview.
How can you sew and be a designer without using one? How could you possibly shape a sleeve cap or press out a hem correctly without one?
10/9/08, 12:56 PM
Well, at least we now all know what really happened to the tulle.
10/9/08, 12:56 PM
Well, at least we now all know what really happened to the tulle.
10/9/08, 12:58 PM
I know that I'm on tbe opposite side of most. But I loved Jerrell's wedding dress. Yes, it could've been edited a bit with the bling. But I loved the movement, the structure, the "opulence" as he said (twice, lol)
But what the eff was up with Korto? I thought she showed a white sleeveless with a big ruffle & silver beading? She must've taken the wedding dress out of her collection after the judging, possibly???
10/9/08, 1:00 PM
Jackie said...
GothamTomato said...
"Anonymous said...
I have never heard someone's lover, partner, boyfriend, significant other introduced as "my love interest"."
What should he say?
After a certain age, 'boyfriend' starts to sound silly; 'Lover' is too Harlequin Romance; and I think 'love interest' actually sounds better than 'significant other', which is really kind of insurance agenty.
--GothamTomato
I think "partner" is a good option, or if he was going for cutesy, which I think he was, "better half".
Remember Jerell's location.
"Love Interest" is widely used in film & television as an indicator of emotional connection (potential & otherwise) between characters.
I thought it was rather cute.
A few of my friends who are in their 30's & 40's also use the term because "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" sounds corny.
Considering Jerell's genuineness I don't think the reference was cynical, but I don't personally know the man...
PS: I think I've seen Jerell's honey around town.
An actor, maybe? Or Producer?
Anybody else think that?
Gotta go back to my DVR...
10/9/08, 1:03 PM
In my opinion, all this challenge shows is that Kenley can make a pattern and sew. I don't see her point of view in either of her dresses. Jerrell takes risks, and he does sometimes miss the mark, but he's not boring. Kenley is at best, mediocre. Her reward for mediocrity is showing at BP. Unbelievable.
10/9/08, 1:05 PM
>>>>It was bullshitty in the first place that Jerell even had to compete for a spot in Bryant Park. He won that last challenge and by the rules of the competition that should have guaranteed him a spot.
F**K Bravo, they let this show go down the shitter. its such a shame. boys, i can't even read past the above comment bc i'm going to get highly enraged - i agree with what you said 110%!!! bullshit.
10/9/08, 1:15 PM
Anonymous said...
Leanne won the season the minute the Judges saw her wedding dress and bridesmaid dress. the looks on their faces was pure awe. Leanne is an introvert, and shone when allowed to work alone, with the luxury of time to think.
11:47 AM
***********************************
Yeah, but they may also say she is too 'one note' because of her BP collection. I think they may find Mean Girl's collection to be more 'innovative'. While it isn't my taste, I think Kenley has a very real shot at winning.
SisterZip
10/9/08, 1:20 PM
With all this discussion of taste, are we sure that Jerell is even gay? I'm starting to have my doubts.
10/9/08, 1:20 PM
Anonymous said...
Korto has impeccable sewing skills, but I agree, she has very limited vision, and her taste scares me. I honestly feel that Wedding dress being seen by so many people, could kill any chance of a 'design' career for her. As a sewer, she can get lots of work. Everybody, judges included, has been pushing for her success, but she's pretty mediocre.
***********************************
I think she fell prey to what so many of them do...try to design what they think the judges like instead of sticking to their vision & folding in the critique. She wanted to show them that she can do what LeeAnn does and it bombed because that isn't who she is.
SisterZip
10/9/08, 1:29 PM
Yeah his dress wasn't the best, but it was also totally Jerrell and if the Judges didn't like Jerrell they should have let him go a long time ago!
Like Jerrell said "If you want a basic white tee you can get that from Michael Kors"
Two snaps in a circle bitches!
10/9/08, 1:35 PM
By the way I also thought that Jerrell's dress wasn't as bad as everyone is making it seem, it was his point of view it was a look and it was a little avant garde-ish. It was definately orginal as well so I can't see why he wouldn't stay. If anything like some of you have said all 4 should have competed at BP
10/9/08, 1:36 PM
It can hardly be surprising that of all the additional "challenges" PR could have created, they would pick a wedding dress challenge, pretty much guaranteeing the maximum opportunity for Miss Jerrell to go over (WAY over) the top. Which she did. With a Bedazzler in the left hand and a glue gun in the right. Those poor dresses looked like refugees from Old Time Pottery or Garden Ridge or Michael's, or something. And what was up with Kenley's Bridesmaid dress? I'm all for short dresses, but is it really appropriate to have your attendants wearing dresses up to their hoo-hoos? You might as well slap on some embroidered "for rent" signs just above the crotch. Gives a whole new spin to the idea of the bride's "girls" working the reception...
Like everyone else, I would have much preferred Miss J to Ken-I-Win-NOW???-ly, even if just on personality alone. But I'd be lying if I said I haven't found much of Jerell's creations poorly manufactured. Hardly any of them goes down the runway without strings hanging or seams gaping or hems unfinished or some tacky shit hot-glued on. Still, you gotta admire the guy for doing his thing week after week.
At this point, all I can hope for is that Kenley's father, in enthusiastic support for her BP appearance, loses control of his tugboat on the way to the tent and mows her and her models down, flinging them off the runway like 50s bowling pins while tooting his little horn like Steamboat Willie. Now THAT would be some drama!
10/9/08, 1:39 PM
The judges should have just not declared a winner for the last challenge, which would have been fair. No one did really well. And say that because of that, they were having everyone make a collection and the wedding dress etc., and that would be the determining factor. Becuase saying that Jerell had won the last one, just set up this whole ugly mess.
Which speaking of ugly messes, that's what Jerell produced for the wedding dress, brides maid outfit and sadly, most of his collection. So I was fine with his ultimately being aut, but with just a small tweak, it wouldn't have been the bullshyte move it ended up being.
10/9/08, 1:47 PM
Jerrell = The Michael Knight of this season
10/9/08, 2:15 PM
I agree with everyone else that Jerrell should have won his place outright in the last regular challenge. Why not? Even if all the contestants didn't do "A" level work, the bottom line is that the final 6 showed collections at Bryant Park. So the producers couldn't have feared showing something not up to their high standards.
They must have wanted to find a way to eliminate Jerrell from competition for the big $$, which sucks.
I hope the future is bright for him.
10/9/08, 2:17 PM
COMPLETELY off topic (I agree with everyone else) but would you two cuties please consider blogging Dirty Sexy Money on TLO? It's completely aces and the fashion is to die for...
10/9/08, 2:20 PM
[i]... they may also say she is too 'one note' because of her BP collection. I think they may find Mean Girl's collection to be more 'innovative'. While it isn't my taste, I think Kenley has a very real shot at winning.[/i] This frightens me, a winning Kenley would be unendurable for those around her (is anyone around her??) But Leanne's "waves" look like "gills" to me. Maybe Korto will pull it out!!
10/9/08, 2:49 PM
I agree 100%. There's no way to defend what he put on the runway but FPS he should not have been put in that position; Sure, he won a shitty final challenge but that's the way it is and he should have had his shot.
Not that his collection had a shot, but I wish they would have just sucked it up and let all 4 compete.
I'm just glad he had a chance to show at all, even if not for the "official" competition- He will be seen.
10/9/08, 3:01 PM
Actually from what I saw of Korto's and Leanne's collection on this episode I very interested! I loved that Green Dress Koroto had and Tim said looked obsence, and Leanne's noodled skirts made me hungry for more I would wear those today!
10/9/08, 3:01 PM
I don't understand Miss Jerelldine with the breast issue.
I know that some of you guys think that she just cannot fit them properly. I thought that fatigue could explain the poor fit on these last two challenges. She was just very inconsistent with that.
But if you look at the "Bright Lights" challenge, she did it splendidly.
If only she whipped THAT dress out this last challenge, or the challenge before. Because THAT dress was stunning! (I know TLo begs to differ, but I loved it.)
http://bp0.blogger.com/_FW86_jO7k_A/
SJRubkDcOfI/AAAAAAAAc60/Fc-Bz_fBZK0/s1600-h/E3_Jerell.jpg
PS, how can I rename these links so that they go to the proper webpage? So instead of all of that, I can just type this?
10/9/08, 3:06 PM
a retrospective of his life at the MET?? haha. someone needs to come down off his high horse.
10/9/08, 3:06 PM
Yeah, too much, too much! on the bridal gown (though I did like the skirt, even the "dirty" tulle). Actually, the wedding dress reminded me of that ugly wedding dress Carrie wore for the SATC movie this year---all wrinkly and bust-flappy, topped with a ridiculous headpiece. Once again, some editing and better execution, and he coulda been a contender.
The bridesmaid's dress was horrible, straight down to the silk flowers pasted onto the front.
Definitely the dog of the four ensembles, but it's a shame because I think "Too Much" Jerrell deserved to go to BP.
10/9/08, 3:09 PM
After that painful to look at wedding dress from Korto, she is out of the running for the win.
It's between Kenley and Leanne now. Leanne will win.
10/9/08, 3:23 PM
Jerrell sabotaged himself.
Why did he do it? Damn.
I like him on a personal level PLUS he's really got a nice "touch". That feeling of a light brushstroke is something the 3 other designers lack (and can't particularly learn).
It's a shame.
10/9/08, 3:50 PM
jerrell reminded me too much of kayne from about two seasons ago. taste level just wasn't there.
10/9/08, 4:15 PM
Based on the (always bad) show videography, I think Korto's wedding dress was the worst effort. And I love Korto!
Her wedding dress looked unfinished, the color was somewhere between dung and dust, and it didn't reflected Korto's vibrant, full-bodied design aesthetic. I noticed that this dress did not make it to Bryant Park -- a different (and much, much better) white dress took its place, apparently.
The bridesmaid's dress was even worse, and other than the fug color, reflected nothing of the wedding dress.
I liked the colors Jarrell chose MUCH better, and even if his 2 designs were not exactly successful, at least they both looked like Jarrell. I think if he simply would have yanked those stupid orchids off of his models, things may have gone much better for him.
All that being said, to me there's no doubt Korto's BP collection was waaaay better than Jerrell's.
10/9/08, 4:18 PM
desertwind said...
Jerrell sabotaged himself.
Why did he do it? Damn.
I like him on a personal level PLUS he's really got a nice "touch". That feeling of a light brushstroke is something the 3 other designers lack (and can't particularly learn).
It's a shame.
What is so "light" about Jerell's work? His constant use of metallics? The 8 pounds of jewels, feathers, braids, trimmings, etc. that he puts on everything?
I'm not trying to be mean, and it's ok if we disagree, I'm just kinda aghast. If anything, I think he has the HEAVIEST touch out of all of them, by far.
10/9/08, 4:20 PM
What happened to Jerrell when he went home for two months? He seemed so different when got back to NY. He lost perspective.
If I were in this competition, I would be hanging on Tim's EVERY WORD. I would write down ALL of his comments. I would try to remember ALL of the Judges comments, and use them as TOOLS to refine MY vision.
Too many of these 'designers' think that listening to the judges is selling out, or giving something up. Given the circumstances, I'm also sure paranoia runs deep regarding the advice they're given, ie: 'Does Tim say that because he wants to sabatoge me so Leanne can win?' or 'Does Nina say that because she's jealous of my youth and energy?'
etc...
Jerrell came back from LA thinking he was untouchable. Not being given a spot at BP with his win didn't tip him off? So strange.
10/9/08, 4:29 PM
anon 2:20 said: This frightens me, a winning Kenley would be unendurable for those around her (is anyone around her??)
______
Seriously. Can you imagine the screencaps from her win? It'd look like William Shatner in Family Guy.
Kenley winning this competition would be the equivalent of flushing $100K down the drain. Would love to know where she is going to find people to employ that will deal with her attitude- maybe under a rock??
10/9/08, 4:47 PM
I liked the bridesmaid's dress. Other than the fact that it was kind of wrinkly. Gorgeous color.
I'm with TLo on this one--he shouldn't have had to jump through this flaming hoop to get to BP, but when he did, he sure caught his cute little ass on fire.
What a fascinating, creative personality. I think he'll make an excellent eccentric old man in 55 years or so.
10/9/08, 6:13 PM
Ahight, let's do a timeline to see how "influenced" Kenley was on AMcQ's bridal gown. She protested waaaay too much on the runway.
Michael: "It's too Alexander McQueen"
Kenley: "No! No! No! I came up with this ON MY OWN!"
Season 1 MC threw Kara Saun under the bus when he said that her line was too Valentino. Kenley should have had the same fate. I'm afraid she's really going in for the top prize. What bullshit!
10/9/08, 7:10 PM
And what's with Tim Gunn & those Heidi kisses? Everyone looked uncomfortable getting them, like they didn't know what to expect.
Speaking of Tim, is it possible that he isn't going to lifetime? Is he under contract with Bravo with his "Guide to Style"? Is that why he got emotional last night? I wanna know!
10/9/08, 8:13 PM
This would have blown if his BP collection was great, but it wasn't. He wouldn't have been a contender. I never did get Jerell's design aesthetic. More is often less and he doesn't see that. He says he learned a lot, like technical stuff, but the virtues of editing don't seem to have penetrated his psyche. If he'd take half of his personal style and apply it to women's clothes, he'd be so much better off.
10/9/08, 8:15 PM
i liked Jerrell's wedding dress. that's right, i liked it.
yes, i would have liked it better with a different color tulle.
yes, the flowers in her hair were ass. BUT: tim was a complete Negative Nancy to him, Nina's face as the wedding dress came down the runway was dispicable (and I usually like her), Korto's wedding dress fit like ass on a size zero model, and Kenley's dresses didn't appear to be from the same collection (in fact the wedding dress was from another designer's collection).
so i don't feel badly about not watching next season.
10/9/08, 8:30 PM
I am really annoyed for Jerell for not listening to Tim. I have said it before but I will say it again--SweetP is the perfect example of why listening to Tim is a good thing. He knows, he knows, he knows. The things Tim told Jerell to fix are what hurt him. You just know that Tim was in the back thinking something similar.
I loved that Tim expressed emotion with the designers. I have lost all respect for this show this season. I really have. I feel like Weinstein and Co. wanted to destroy the show before it left Bravo and they succeeded. The judges were....inconsistent. The producer's input clearly outweighed the judges. Heidi came across as a real almost-cootch-baring bitch . But Tim kept his integrity. I admire him for that.
10/9/08, 8:30 PM
As fugly as Jerrel's wedding dress might be (and I beg to differ, for like Michael Kors , I liked his dress from the waist down), Koto's was way fuglier. Jerrel should have won the spot for the final show simply by winning the previous competition. In my opinion, when I compared his fugly dresses to Koto's even fuglier gowns: Jerrel should have moved on. No contest. I am bummed.
BTW: this is not a popularity contest. Even with Kenley's Alexander McQueen ripoff, she deserved to move on. That bridesmaid gown rocked.
10/9/08, 8:34 PM
Based on the design, Jerell deserved the boot. Actually, based on the collections, Kenley definitely deserved to be there over Jerell. His collection was pretty ghastly, TBH. Her collection was a bit of the same ole same ole but it had some beautiful pieces and great craftsmanship. Jerell's just looked so sloppy. So in retrospect, yea Kenley sucks at life but Jerell's collection was terrible and had no place in the final 3. Sorry, nice chap but...yea.
However, he shouldn't have been up for elimination. It really should have come down to Korto and Kenley, if fairness counts for anything anymore.
10/9/08, 8:39 PM
"BUT: tim was a complete Negative Nancy to him, Nina's face as the wedding dress came down the runway was dispicable (and I usually like her)"
Different strokes for different folks but you're on a very very small minority who'd think Jerell's dress was good. What else was Tim supposed to say? Oh I love this rumpled mess with some dirty-looking tulle and some flowers sprouting off the model's head? It's a matter of taste, like Tim loves to say, and Jerell's taste was absent.
10/9/08, 8:50 PM
Fucked up, but so were those dresses. Seriously, I laughed my tits off when that bridal monster came down the runway. And really, every time it was shown after that.
10/9/08, 9:34 PM
A part of me thinks that Bravo is trying to kill this show in anticipation of the Lifetime move. Choose a boring cast. Refuse to send the contestants to Paris or anyplace interesting. Recycle old (boring) challenges. Push along one of the most annoying contestants to show up in ages - and set her up to win. Harumph!
10/9/08, 9:52 PM
With all this discussion of taste, are we sure that Jerell is even gay? I'm starting to have my doubts.
____________________________
Yes he is definitely gay, he introduced one of the people at his house as his 'love interest'!
I have to add that Jerrel's model SUCKED. She made his dress look even more awful, with her sickly pallor & sloping shoulders. If she had the beautiful posture, poise & colouring of Tia then the dress would have looked a million times better.
10/9/08, 10:04 PM
Is it just me or is this the worse season of Proj Runway ever? I feel like the contestants are these big Wall St firms & the judges are the politicians giving handouts to the least talented, most snobby people possible with producers putting together the most uninspired challenges. Ok, maybe just 1 contestant in particular who keeps thumbing her nose at the judges. Like watching politician debates, the only thing that gets me through is the SNL parodies, the only thing getting me through this season is Project Rungay.
10/9/08, 10:16 PM
First Jerell, then Wisit! Last night sucked :(
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