SO glad it over! Thanks TLo for all the commentary. You made it all worthwhile.

I'm glad they picked Johanna not DyShaun. Thank you for hanging in there, boys, and blogging the entire season : )

I don't know about walking into an interview acting like it's "the most important thing in your life." A place like Elle is not going to want staffers that come off as desperate. I think Megan meant something more along the lines of "I'm going to try to relax, it's an interview" rather than "I don't care." (She did come off that way in the interview though, with her "I dropped out after a year" and "I sold it because I was bored" comments.) I thought she did better than Johanna at least, who did indeed come off as desperate. "Why should you get the job?" "Because I really want it, and am going to cry if I go back!!!" Lame.

Robbie Meyers is hideously deformed, and that 'hairstyle' is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

Johanna's cover looked better than Dyshaun's (and absolutely identical to every cover of Elle in history). At one point I was actually even prepared to root for Dyshaun over Johanna, who I found absolutely insufferable and pretentious...but then Dyshaun had to go and be himself with the whole "Are you nervous? Oh, sucks to be you" thing. What. An. ASSHOLE! Maybe if Dyshaun had been more worried, he might have produced better work and actually won. Hmmm.

Congratulations, Johanna! Megan was my choice but I'm glad you won.

Eve looked GORGEOUS on that cover. Great Job!!

I do hope they bring the show back. With some serious editing this could be a great show.

I'm glad Johanna won. The attitudes on Megan and Dyshaun really turned me off.If I were doing the hiring, I'd much rather have someone that showed real desire for the position than someone who acted as if this was all beneath them. Congratulations, Johanna! Hope you love it as much as you think you will.

Bailey said...

I don't know about walking into an interview acting like it's "the most important thing in your life." A place like Elle is not going to want staffers that come off as desperate.


There's a difference between confident and desperate. Why would someone hire you if you don't think that interview is a big deal?

So question: Since I can't bear to watch the show, what happened with Megan when they brought her back?

I don't know why ELLE wants to trash up it's covers with all that writing. Back in the early 90's they used to do beautiful covers with very little text on them, very artistic and different. Now they look like some $1 womens magazine that you pick up at the check out when you buy groceries.

Isabella said...

Bailey said...

I don't know about walking into an interview acting like it's "the most important thing in your life." A place like Elle is not going to want staffers that come off as desperate.


There's a difference between confident and desperate. Why would someone hire you if you don't think that interview is a big deal?

Yes, and there's a difference between being non-desperate and uninterested. Why would someone hire you if you're going to drool over every designer like a retarded Fangurl?

Sewing Siren said...

I don't know why ELLE wants to trash up it's covers with all that writing. Back in the early 90's they used to do beautiful covers with very little text on them, very artistic and different. Now they look like some $1 womens magazine that you pick up at the check out when you buy groceries.


I agree 100%. It has gotten worse in the past few years, especially in the US. The European covers are not that bad, at least not yet.

Bailey said...

Isabella said...

Bailey said...

I don't know about walking into an interview acting like it's "the most important thing in your life." A place like Elle is not going to want staffers that come off as desperate.


There's a difference between confident and desperate. Why would someone hire you if you don't think that interview is a big deal?

Yes, and there's a difference between being non-desperate and uninterested. Why would someone hire you if you're going to drool over every designer like a retarded Fangurl?


Bailey,

You just hate Johanna.

Yeah, I knew Megan would be the first one aufed when she admitted she sat down and seemed blasé.

I totally agree that not one of them would have gotten hired after their interviews. In fact, not one of them would have made it past the phone screen from HR if it hadn't been for the show.

And did anyone notice that Johanna styled Eve's hair on the cover to look exactly like hers (Johanna's)?

So glad it's over as well! Did I really watch an entire season of this snoozefest? All I can say is thank God Dyshaun didn't win. I was pleasantly surprised by Johanna'a cover, and I love purple. Kudos and can't wait for PR to start again. Or TD, or SG -- anything but this show!

Lol, I do hate Johanna...but I wasn't really referring to her with that example. I still stand by what I said - there's a balance between being interested and being desperate. A place like Elle has no need for poseur hangers-on like most of the contestants on this show seemed to be. Like I said regarding the question they were all asked...it's much more about what they can do for Elle than what Elle can do for them.

And YES, GothamTomato! I noticed IMMEDIATELY Johanna styled Eve like herself! Lol. Must be the wide-range of fashion Johanna is so into.

I'm at peace with Joanna winning, she showed great potenital and seems to be a very fast learner. She also already has the strings attached so it will be easy to make her perform.

Megan . . . don't you think that tantrum was intended to put the focus back on her for a while? From what we saw, she hurled the first insult at Kate and then seemed to crumble when it was slung back.

The boss lady . . . please, someone feed her!

Now let me get this straight:
You stuck with this show, watched it and blogged it, agreeing it was bad. But you can't get into "Top Chef"? T.C. is way more entertaining. you should be blogging that show instead. I just couldn't keep watching Stylista. I tried, I honestly tried. But I had things to do, like vacuum, and darn socks, and....

-TLo Addict-

I didn't really want any of them to win, but of the three I found Johanna the least offensive. Being in publishing, I have no idea how DyShaun lasted as long as he did with all his editorial mistakes. I was watching last nights "finale" with my college age daughter who is looking for jobs and she was totally befuddled by the fact that Megan was bored by owning her own boutique and decided that being an editorial assistant at Elle would be more exciting. What's up with that?

"Now let me get this straight:
You stuck with this show, watched it and blogged it, agreeing it was bad. But you can't get into "Top Chef"?"

No, we can't. We just don't watch that show with any regularity.

At least DyShaun's copious editorial mistakes FINALLY came back to haunt him. Seriously, who would hire an editor who can't frippin' write?

And Megan, I think you were probably the most qualified for the job, but you can't go into an interview and act like you are doing them a favor by being there. Ever. No matter how qualified you are (or think you are) you have to sell yourself.

Now let me get this straight:
You stuck with this show, watched it and blogged it, agreeing it was bad. But you can't get into "Top Chef"? T.C. is way more entertaining. you should be blogging that show instead. I just couldn't keep watching Stylista. I tried, I honestly tried. But I had things to do, like vacuum, and darn socks, and....

-TLo Addict-

---------
I could not agree with you more!!!
TLo, after all, Top Chef IS a type of styling, is it not? I sincerely tried making it through Stylista, but the show was just a dud from the beginning to end.
TLo, think of the FAB possibilities of blogging TC...critiquing Padma's and Gayle's, and the guest judge's wardrobes and snide remarks alone would make for some great comments and screen caps!!!!

I like the format of Top Chef...but it is hard to get into when you can't taste the food. At least with PR (and even Stylista, to a certain extent) you can see the final product and make some kind of judgment. How can you compare who is the better cook when they're all making different things and you can taste any of them?

""Now let me get this straight:
You stuck with this show, watched it and blogged it, agreeing it was bad. But you can't get into "Top Chef"?"

No, we can't. We just don't watch that show with any regularity."

I agree, TLo -- and I am REALLY into cooking -- was going to go to chef's school until i became pregnant with triplets.....

the problem with a cooking competition is that other than the presentation, the real decisive factor is the taste and texture of the food -- something that can't possibly be conveyed on the tv, other than through judges' comments. ...snore......

Woohoo--this lump o' coal show is finally over. I was hoping last night's would only be 1/2 hour, but stuck through till the end. Johanna won. Yawn.

P.S. I also noted that she turned Eve into a mini-me with the hair and structured styling!

i'm glad this show is over -- i still haven't had a chance to see the finale (went to see A Christmas Carol last night), but i have to admit i really didn't care that much who won. i'm kind of glad it was johanna if for no other reason than i can't stand dyshaun and although i don't dislike megan as much, she's still got a pretty entitled attitude and doesn't work well with anyone she can't boss around.

i agree with your assessment that in the real world NONE of them would have been given the job. none were qualified.

oh well, i enjoyed the blogs -- the best part of the show. thanks, tlo for slogging through it for us!!!!

Does anyone know when this happened..in real time? Didn't you give us a preview of this show, TLo, well over a year ago?

They filmed it last march/april I think. Johanna wanted the win- so that is good, but Megan really had the chops.

Trouble is brewing over at megabitchmegan.com, as Kate is telling Megan that she is the "bait" and why people are going to that blog at all. Kate could not be more delusional and heinously obsessed with herself. Megan's blog is hysterical, insightful, well written, and not meant to sound that she is a real celebrity. Kate's on the other hand is about paint, and she talks down to her audience as though she is blessing us all by walking down from her ivory tower to fraternize with the commoners. Simply, she's pissed and jealous that people like Megan, and therefore- heads are gonna roll.

I don't think Megan is coming here and pimping her blog by any means, as she doesn't really seem to be that type...but I find it more than a little suspicious that so many Anons keep throwing her blog URL into their comments and singing its praises to the heavens...

dear sweet TLO

what is up next on your agenda for you to blog? i am feeling desperate already.

kisses

The only reason this show was tolerable was bec of TLo's comments the next day. Even so, it was torture.

It never ceases to amaze just how freaking stupid some people are about interviews. Some people need a good kick in the head.

Carol said...

The only reason this show was tolerable was bec of TLo's comments the next day. Even so, it was torture.

It never ceases to amaze just how freaking stupid some people are about interviews. Some people need a good kick in the head.

Carol, it's funny how you say that in almost every Stylista recap thread. If you can't stand the show so much, why are you here acting like you're so above it all? Lame. Either admit the show is a guilty pleasure or stop posting. Nobody is forcing you to watch the show or come here.

I love how Megan picks up her blue box and says, "Oh, I don't even have anything!" THANK YOU for that little aside, I knew there was no way those desks were full. The blue boxes are a fake!! Goes with the rest of the show I guess...

Yay, the long national nightmare is over. Thanks for the recaps, boys!

I've been researching Robbie Myers' birthdate on Google, but finding nothing. She's probably not as old as she looks, but not as young as she's trying to look. Maybe Johanna can discover a plastic surgery hidden gem for her.

Bailey,
How can you hate some random girl on a TV show you've never met? Just curious.

The Stylista finale is by far the most lackluster reality show finale ever.

Anne: Johanna, you won.
Johanna: Huzzah.
Dyshaun: Damn, bitch, chlamydia, etc.
Robbie: Congrats. Here is your office. Now get to work.
*everyone leaves*

Maybe five seasons of America's Next Top Model has spoiled me as far as having campy and over-the-top finales, and maybe all the botox just made it impossible for Anne, Joe, and Robbie to show any actual emotion, but really? That's the end? *yawn*

Anti-climax indeed. I got home late, was fumbling with the remote when I heard, "Megan you're just NOT the right fit." Noooooo!

TLo said:
"We're assuming they waved her contract in her face while the word "lawyer" was uttered."

EXACTLY!

So darlings, I turned the channel to find solace in the prince's leotards during "The Nutcracker" last night. And unlike Stylista, the prince did not disappoint!

So yeah, congrats to Johanna, but where's Robert Best to utter "Booorrrriiinnng! And honey, I KNOW boring!"

Thank you TLo for having the stomach to blog the show for the whole stint. If I had money, I'd give you double battle pay.

mjude said...
"dear sweet TLO

what is up next on your agenda for you to blog? i am feeling desperate already."

Yes TLo, we anxiously await your next endeavor . . .

This article, from The Huffington Post, makes, I think, a good point as to why Top Chef isn't as engaging as many other reality shows.

The author's view is that TC takes itself too seriously.

It would have been a much funnier editing if I could have scripted it for them. Dyshaun would have spelled Eve's name as Eev.

To Lilithcat:

Top Chef should NOT CHANGE A THIING. While i totally respect TLo's decision not to blog about it, I don't think there's anything wrong with the show. Thank GOD it takes itself seriously. Heaven forfend we should have a TC season peopled by some half-assed Stylista -like chefs.

I think it appeals to those geeks like me with acute visual/taste recall senses. It also helps if you've eaten a wide variety of foods with different herbs and spices to help you "Go There" with Padma and the rest.

TC is definitely the show for the people who not only love to cook but love to experiment when they cook! For those folks; Top Chef challenges you to expand your pallet and skills even more!

MEGAN POSTED HER COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!! Its official...I love her.

megabitchmegan.com

Anon @ 2:31...ok so hate is a strong word. I disliked her extremely within the context of the show. Oh noez, I'm the first persin on da internetz to exaggrate@!##@#$@#$ Sue me.

(And really, why would you necessarily assume I haven't met her? I haven't, but living in NYC I've run into and met more than a few reality show stars...none of whom were all that interesting. Not to mention these threads have been filled with people who knew Katie, Megan, Johanna, etc. Sounds like JOANNE must have been your bff fave...)

Thank you, TLo!

I've found that I liked "watching" a TV show this way. Can't wait to see what you're going to treat us to next!

Congratulations Johanna, you were my favorite person on the show, although I agree with TLO that Megan was probably more qualified. I'm just glad they didn't hire Dyshaun or Kate who would have been fired for mouthing off within a week

"bailey said: A place like Elle has no need for poseur hangers-on like most of the contestants on this show seemed to be."




Who do you think works at Elle?

(Just who you described, that's who.)

--GothamTomato

I dunno GothamTomato, I assumed one of America's top fashion magazines hired people who actually know something about fashion, rather than just pretty people who know how to dress themselves and nothing else, like most of the contestants on the show and all of the people I meet who are "trying to get into fashion."

Then again, they chose Johanna, so maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps I should defer to your 'expertise' - you seem to definitively know so much about any kind of work environment anyone ever mentions.

I haven't seen the finale yet. I meant to but I forgot. Which I guess says it all. I wasn't crazy about Megan in the beginning and I had a feeling that for some reason or another she wouldn't win it, but she really started to grow on me over time. She could always spot something that was working well, even if it was the other team's doing.

I don't dislike Johanna though. She came across a little bland and rough around the edges. I thought the faux pas with the designer last week was a way bigger offense than giving a bad interview this week, for example. But she seems smart, motivated, and will no doubt work hard. She seemed like the biggest team player of the 3 remaining at least. The picture of that Eve cover was hot too.

Farewell, trainwreck show!

"baailey said: Perhaps I should defer to your 'expertise' - you seem to definitively know so much about any kind of work environment anyone ever mentions."



That's true. I AM the world's formost authority on everything. But aside from that, I did time working at one of Elle's sister publications.

A magazine is nothing more than an ego with pages. The people who work at these types of consumer/cosumable magazines are not necessarily the biggest experts on anything.

--GothamTomato

No dissing TC. I wouldn't expect TLo to blog it cause their thing is fashion and besides Padma and Gail there isn't much there fashion-wise (though I'm surprised they don't watch for Colichio)

Like Eric said, if you enjjoy food, cooking and experimenting. It's the show for you. I've tried a lot o stuff in the kitchen because of TC.

Now Stylista: I missed the first half, found out Megan was eliminated, shrugged then kept it on in the background and shrugged when Johanna won. There was nothing exciting or surprising about that finale. Especially after Megan was eliminated. I still can't believe Dyshaun made it to the final two.

I hope Elle can come back from this travesty. At least Johanna can proofread.

TLo - there is going to be a new show called GlamGods (i think) on VH1. It's going to be a contest to style celebrities for the red carpet. Maybe that can be your new show to blog...

(Rubbing my eyes) Hunh? It's over? You mean like a bad dream is over?
You mean no more "instructive" postings from what's-her-name who was thrown off the show?

Yet there IS a downside...no more snark from TLo and company...until the next train wreck is televised!

Thanks, all!

Meh, bleh, feh. Thank gawd it's over.

I hope Johanna is happy with her career change and learns the ways of Elle in a environment without camera men poking into her every move.

Question here, though. How big of a fashion influence does Elle have? Even though I watch Project Runway and related shows (plus read everything posted here) I'm very ignorant about most of the fashion world.

And in closing, I will repeat: Thank God It's Over!

Two thoughts --

I bet Megan has never had a "real" job interview before. She's 22 and had her own boutique. Where has she interviewed? McDonalds? Doubt it.

When they were deliberating, Anne pointed to the pink tights with the yellow and black dress as evidence of Johanna's taste -- but Dyshaun styled that shoot. I'm not saying I wanted him to win, but that was BS.

"Hope they don't fire you after a year."

Year, hell. Try "week."

I think maybe I lost a few (several?) brain cells along the way, because I'm sort of sad that it's over!

Since I don't know the woman, this is only a speculation on my part, but it seems she had almosts a visceral reaction to Megan's demeanor. Really, being with someone at the top of the field of which you'd like to become a part, and you have no questions??? Huge mistake.

Ding dong the biatch is dead!

It's called karma, Megan, and it has a way of biting you in the ass.

Initially I wasn't going to post since TLO wrote what I had thought about the TOTAL CRAP interview skills and Bailey posted noted several more cmts I strongly agreed with.

... But FF - WTH?
FF - I do hope they bring the show back. With some serious editing this could be a great show.
You know that Titantic cruise really wasn't THAT bad except for the fact it sunk and many people died.

Isabella - Bailey,
You just hate Johanna.


well if he doesn't, plenty of us come close. BIG tip - when you interview, they do NOT want to hire you because "otherwise I will just DIE". A job interview is not about what the org can do for you, it is about selling what you can do for THEM! (ala Bailey 12:34pm)

And to Ding dong the byotch s dead - wouldn't that also apply to Dyshaun?

"ask said: A job interview is not about what the org can do for you, it is about selling what you can do for THEM!"



True. None of them did well at the interview. But, of the 3, who would an employer want?:

1. One who didn't care enough to have any questions, had a history of not following through with no apparent explanation of why (other than boredom).

2. One who didn't know much about the mag before 'the show' (which said that Elle itself was just a means to his end).

3. One who wanted it so badly that she said she'd just die if she didn't get it.

The job they were competing for is one at the bottom of the food chain, where they'll be overworked doing lots of grunt work; That job requires someone who has enthusiasm for the job and the magazine - not someone who is arrogant and easily bored. Johanna was the only real choice there.

--GothamTomato

Oh, I don't know about that, GothamTomato. If you want to be crazy technical and think you have to hear the actual words "I would die for Elle" to make sure they want the job, ok then, but any real hiring manager worth their salt can tell through their demeanor and interview questions. But let's ignore all that (and the fact that they all endured weeks of bitchy hell and no sleep for this job) and give it to the girl who breaks down and cries and begs in the interview. Riiiiiight....

This show was taped back in April, so does anyone know if Johanna is still working there? So glad Megan the Megabitch and the boob-envy Dyshaun didn't win. If Dyshaun was so fixated by Kate's boobies, he should get a pair himself!! Kate (stylistakate, you still here?), you were cool but why were you so PETTY a few episodes ago - calling Johanna insecure, trashing the other teams repeatedly.

At lunch today, I looked at this month's Elle, and the covers and pages that Dyshaun and Johanna did are very "Elle"--cluttered, uninspired, devoid of color, hard to read, etc. And, even though I wasn't crazy about either of the final two (let's be honest the entire cast), I suppose desperate, Flock of Seagulls-coiffed, structured-clothing lover Johanna was probably the best choice. She'll fit right in with the rest of Elle's seemingly brittle, pseudo-intellectual staff. So, Congrats, Johannna, you rufffle-loving bitch.

Yay! Megan is spilling some stories on her blog!!!!! HYSTERICAL!!!!

Stylista was a huge BOMB. Let's hope there is no Season 2. Total disaster.

"but any real hiring manager worth their salt can tell through their demeanor and interview questions"





Well, the Editor clearly COULD tell that. When she said she had the sense that Megan couldn't play well with others, I thought that was very perceptive (if she'd gotten that just from her demeanor in the interview). Both she & DyShaun botched their interviews to the greatest degrees.

--GothamTomato

Yes anon I read everything. I'm happy it's over too.

Velvet said...
It would have been a much funnier editing if I could have scripted it for them. Dyshaun would have spelled Eve's name as Eev.

3:23 PM

This would have been hysterical!

Johanna deserved to win. She developed a concept, selected the supporting items, got buy in from Eve, organized her photo shot, managed her "handful" assistants without bullying them, and produced a product that ranged from outstanding to acceptable. No other candidate was able to do that. I guess while the others may have passion, Johanna has managerial ability on top of it. I'd bet she'd meet a deadline. Not too sure about the rest.

I beg to differ. The last two episodes of Sylista was actually good.

I'm also a fan of TOP CHEF, but I don't see what's "gay" about it. Therefore, it doesn't constitute as a good enough reason to blog about it here on PROJECT RUNGAY.

Yawn. The end of this show was such a non-event. Johanna is perfect for this job and that is definitely not a compliment to her. Pretentious, brittle and anorexic just like Anne, Roberta and the rest. If the point of this show was to promote Elle and sell more magazines, it seems like it failed miserably. This made Elle seem amateurish, desperate and sad. Viva la Nina - I just renewed my subscription to Marie Claire. Hopefully they'll stay reality show free in 2009. Can't wait to see how long Johanna lasts in her new job before she has a nervous breakdown.

The interviewer must be who the "Patsy" character in AB FAB is based on. Why are these fashion people all such freaky looking dogs - Donatalla, Donna Karan, Vera Wang, Anna Wintour. Blecchhh

"nepalese_princess said: I'm also a fan of TOP CHEF, but I don't see what's "gay" about it. Therefore, it doesn't constitute as a good enough reason to blog about it here on PROJECT RUNGAY."




Oh, please. The entire world is Gay, and thus Tlo's snarky little oyster (not that I'm suggesting they need oysters, I'm only saying).

--GothamTomato

You seriousliy couldn't care who won the prize? I cannot believe you wouldn't be rooting for Johanna! She sooooo wanted it soooo badly that I knew I was going to feel horrible if she didn't win. She's actually smart, has life experiences, loves fashion, and has done tons of research about Elle and the industry. Megan couldn't even be bothered to think of a question to ask during her interview as if she's never been to a job interview before! Plus Megan is obviously fickle and could easily quit six weeks later after winning while Johanna wanted that job with every fiber of her being to the point it made her cry on more than once. DyShaun was a total bitchy twerp who was clueless about the Elle brand; a sure sign he didn't take the job serious or he would have been reading back issues until he was dreaming about Elle pages.

Granted, compared to Runway or even Shear Genius the contestant challenges were lame but I still ended up cheering Johanna all the way through; partially because I am a pacificist and dearly hoped she'd be able to get out of the military industrial complex and also because she not only wanted it but needed it. DyShaun saw this job as an oppurtunitiy to make himself famous and Megan thought it wouldn't be as boring as her previous work. Johanna, I imagine, would've probably given a few years off of her life to win. Hopefully, if there is a second season, they will come up with better challenges that engage the contestants and the viewers and--please!!!--reduce the number of editorial team challenges and expand the amount of time they have to work on their projects. How many Elle editors actually slop together a page in 90 minutes? Plus, the team challenges made it easy for certain contestants to shove their own or tthe group's collective failures onto one person who didn't deserve such singling out. Individual editorial challenges would allow each person to stand or fall on their own merits. Of course, individual challenges would mean Anne would have to expend more than ten minutes a week on the judging process.

All in all, I enjoyed the season but I am quite adept at turning off that inner critic that makes such average shows difficult for some people to enjoy.

I hate to get in on this b/c it's just stupid arguing about a stupid reality show, but I actually read Johanna's blog before she went on the show. I don't understand why everyone's claiming she can't handle the job - she has amazing academic credentials, which actually does require handling some pressure, I think she lived in Mongolia or something for a while, and held a very "serious job" for several years. Further, whatever you might think of her interview technique, she's obviously impressed a few interviewers in the past.

But you're right - Johanna did style Eve to look just like Johanna. Then again, the cover looked amazing, so maybe that was a good decision.

How do we find out if she's still working for Elle?