True that nobody has ever been more original on this show than Jay! I'd wear so many of the clothes from his show even now. They were innovative and interesting, with an astounding color sense, and wearable by models and by not-model bodies, too. Good choice, you guys!

You always make me think. And that's always good.

I like your reasoning here.

We loyal minions may not always agree, but you give us a lot to chew over and then voice (in various sound levels!) our opinions.

As always, you're the cat's pajamas.

All the best,

NDC

Perfect choice! I was thinking of either the quilted coat, or this one - but the common thread is the quilting. And I wasn't even thinking about his crocheting, but you're right, it is a big part of his look. As is COLOR!

And I don't think a look has to be a gown, or something wildly (and obviously) complicated to be a wow. I remember, at the time, wishing I could buy this look. I was hoping it would end up in stores.

One of the things that has made Jay's final collection the Gold Standard, is his use of color. So many contestants have taken the easy way out and gone either black or all muted; they either have no sense of color or they are afraid of it. Jay has a great color sense, and just dives right in to the deep end (actually, belly-flops!), and the results are a fabulously big splash.

--GothamTomato

I am so glad that you picked that outfit - it has long been my favorite! I love the color blocked skirt and the cape!

I love love love this outfit. I would pay good money for his fabulous ensemble. I usually can't stand crocheting but this is so young and it's such a fresh take on two old traditions: crocheting and quilting.

I would love to see what's under the crocheted piece. Are the sleeves attached to the dress?

Wow! That's a shocker - not for any bad reason. I was expecting either his final gown or the quilted coat. But this is a wonderful example of Jay in all his creative glory.

Does anyone know what the deal is with the clothes and rights to the clothes that are made during the challenges and the BP finale? I was pleasantly surprised to have seen a couple of Rami's BP looks on the red carpet. Have we seen other regular season or finale looks "on the street" after the PR season aired, other than what Bluefly sold?

Gorgeous Things said...

Wow! That's a shocker - not for any bad reason. I was expecting either his final gown or the quilted coat. But this is a wonderful example of Jay in all his creative glory.

The quilted coat was our second choice. As Heidi would say, "It was a very hard decision." : )

I can't argue with your top pick; in fact, I was debating between that look and his electric blue sweater & skirt (that look blows my mind, but I think there's no top under the sweater, which is a bit problematic). Yes, in a way it may seem a surprising choice compared to all the gowns. . . but this look had great impact and really defines its designer's aesthetic and singular vision.

I was glad to see Korto's blue dress in the HM's. . . it was high on my list, but maybe not quite top 10. And I might've selected a different Uli, but certainly understand that one.

My number one from Jay was the opening outfit of gold and yellow, quilted wrap and signature circle applique on the skirt. Mostly because yellow is a hard color to wear and everybody wanted it anyway :). I also liked the blue. It isn't that hard to make a big impact evening dress, but sportswear is a different story. Making it fresh and wearable is hard. Jay has the knack.
I had pegged Leanne's wedding dress for the top spot.
I agree with your honorable mentions, but also the top 10 and several more garments that could be honorable mentioned as well.

What? You don't mention Suede's masterful collection at all? I was SURE you were saving the top honors for him.

Yeah. Right.

Fantastic list. I would love to own that number 1 look. Always wanted it, always will.

Re Honarable Mentions:

I am so glad that you selected that look of Korto's it fit like a dream.

I understand that particular choice of Uli's especially since she is one of the few that did a swimsuit well (although I secretly like Michael Knight's white swimsuit except for the leopard collar). I like Uli's shirtwaist and halter-y dresses better. I also liked the strapless that was tethered with a rhino tusk (or something like that) - sexxxxxy!!!

What? You don't mention Suede's masterful collection at all? I was SURE you were saving the top honors for him.

Don't even get me started on all of the prejudice that this blog has displayed against Suede!!!

;-D

Good choice. Yeah, I thought it would have been between this number and the quilted coat.

Personally, I would have put Kara Saun on the list and made Jillian an Honorable Mention.

Also, as much as I love Korto's dress, the white number with the pants still blows my mind. My own favorite #1 BP look, btw. :0)

I'd probably have gone with the quilted coat, and I'd definitely have chosen a different Uli. BUT I read this blog for your opinions and snark, and it was a very satisfying top ten-plus extras.

As always, thanks for all the time and work you put into your blogs.

I knew it was going to be this look. And I'm glad that it is this one because this is the only look out of his collection that I don't find ugly.

I don't really like Jay's style.

Excellent picks! What a fun list!

I wish a new season would begin though!

I had thought Jay's quilted coat or the pink feather evening gown would be number one, but I always loved this design, too. This look always stuck in my mind as well as the other two. Any of the three could have been number one.
This was absolutely the right choice!!
On to the HR's:
Never cared for Uli's swimsuit, but from a design and construction standpoint, I see why you picked it.
Korto's gown and jewelry, absolutely beautiful. One of my favorites.

Can't in any way agree with the pick of Kara Saun's.

Thanks so much for the wakeup. I despise this time change...arghhhh!!!

Falling over in shock at the #1 pick...all a matter of opinion I suppose. Now that I've collected myself, thanks for the honorable mention for Uli. She was very true to her aesthetic throughout the season and in her final show and it deserved recognition.

I liked Jay's look, but not my favorite. I don't like the sparkle in the crochet, and the messiness of it for the number one spot, but I would buy it and wear it!! Definitely top ten!!

And the Honorable Mentions were great! All could have slipped into the Top Ten with no argument from me!

BTW, and I know it is a lot of work, is there any way you can link to, or archive all of the finalists' collections? Whenever someone mentions this look of Austin's or that look of Jays', I try to find them here, but don't think they are indexed, and it is a nightmare googling for them.

I would love to see them all side by side, and have it as a reference, also. Thanks, I love this blog!

Actually, did Austin make the finals? I don't remember, and now will have to go google it to try to find out!!
Nancy Lee

Not that anyone asked, but my favorite looks, in chronological (not ranked) order:

• Jay's Argyle Sweater
• Jay's Electric Blue
• Kara Janx's Aqua & Brown Dress
• Jeffrey's White Pants & Vest
• Mychael's White Shorts Ensemble
• Uli's Long Tiger Stripe Dress
• Jillian's Wrap Coat
• Jillian's Gray Sweater w/ 3 "Eyes"
• Rami's Gold Lace Gown
• Leanne's Pale Aqua Skirt w/ White Top
• Leanne's Wedding Gown
• Korto's Blue Dress with Necklace


Honorable Mentions:
• Austin's Scarlet Gown
• 3 more of Jay's!
• Jeffrey's Green Striped Dress
• Laura's Beaded w/ Yellow Belt
• Korto's Print Sundress


Top 3 For Styling:
• Jay
• Kara Janx
• Korto

Nancy Lee, go to the Project Rungay main page and under each season, scroll to Finale. You'll see everything there.

no one is surprised that our Number One is from Jay's collection

Raises hand.

I am. There is nothing in Jay's final collection worthy of the top ten, much less the #1 spot. Any of your three Honorable Mentions, not to mention myriad other looks, deserve it more.

The emperor has not clothes.

Not much new to add. I love seeing these looks again as it remonds me of how fresh his collection was, before everyone became to self-aware of the TV component.

I'd probably have chosen a different Uli and Kara Saun, but great choices all around. Thanks for more fun!

That's "no clothes", of course!

My typing fingers haven't yet adjusted to DST.

I knew it!!!!!!

Im definately in the minority here, but this would not be my #1 pick. Top five, but not #1. The Laura Bennett dress you have at #3 is the my favorite look to ever grace Bryant park! But then, what fun is fashion without differing opinions?

I think my opinion of Jays work may change if I saw the show. Since I've only ever seen stills, its a little hard to imagine how some of his work moves....it just seems so, well, bulky.

And, while the color story is breath taking, i do have a hard time imagining how any of it would look on a woman over the age of 20.

(This from a 24 year old still trying to break her Forever 21 slutty skirt addiction.)

Ah well, vive la difference!

Brooklyn, I'm with you on bumping down Jeffery's lawn chair asethetic in favor of Korto or Uli. Korto's color story - those drenched, gorgeously rich colors - is my favorite in PR history.

Guys, you know I love you, but I gotta disagree with you here. Yes, Jay's collection was awesome, but this wasn't a list of the best collections. It was a list of the best looks. Jay may have the best Bryant Park collection, but doesn't mean the #1 Bryant Park look has to come from his collection. That's why you had some trouble coming up with the look that should have the #1 spot. It shouldn't be, "Jay's collection was our favorite, so which of his looks should have the #1 spot?"

Vegan said...

Guys, you know I love you, but I gotta disagree with you here. Yes, Jay's collection was awesome, but this wasn't a list of the best collections. It was a list of the best looks. Jay may have the best Bryant Park collection, but doesn't mean the #1 Bryant Park look has to come from his collection. That's why you had some trouble coming up with the look that should have the #1 spot. It shouldn't be, "Jay's collection was our favorite, so which of his looks should have the #1 spot?"

But it wasn't. It was "Any of Jay's looks could go in the top slot, so how do we narrow it down to one?"

It doesn't look very well-fitted, it looks too big on her. I don't like the tulle sticking out from the bottom either. I do love his color story and the styling is fresh and fun, but like a few other posters I am a bit stumped by the slavish devotion to Jay's collection. And at least one of Uli's looks should've made top ten.

Thank you so much for doing this. It was a wonderful stroll down memory lane--and you hit most of my highlights.

Jay's stuff -- with the notable exception of his Chrysler building dress -- was never much to my taste, and I just can't help thinking that this look would be a good wardrobe choice for the second act of Grey Gardens.

I do love all the honorable mentions, though.

If any of Jay's looks could have gone in the #1 spot, doesn't that mean that the entire top 10 list should be from Jay's collection?

Yaaaay! You done good, guys.

I thought you might select (a very hard decision) the quilted coat, as well, but I am so happy that you chose this beautiful ensemble. I love every single piece in his collection, but this is also my favorite. Jay is a genius, one of the greatest designers that has hit the runway in over 60 years. hands down. Every piece in his runway show was amazing, unique and filled with brilliant color, style, whimsy, and complexity~just like Jay himself! Thanks TLo, you made my day. If I close my eyes, I can still see the models coming down the catwalk and I get chills up my spine even with the memory...

I seem to be alone here. Really? All of the other fabulous looks and you showed a girl scout outfit? I actually like this look, but it's sooooo not no. 1. I'm kinda disappointed.

I always thought Jay was a little overrated. But this was a great look. The colors are gorgeous, all those shades of blue. His collection wasn't perfect, but I'd say 3-4 looks could contend for top 10 of all time.

Jillian's use of knits is far more to my taste, and I can see people wearing her clothes.

Jay's collection seemed more couture to me, which is fine, because Christian did a couture collection which also was filled with stunning looks.

This look is great because it seemed really wearable, particularly the skirt. I'm surprised it hasn't been ripped off somewhere and sold. The top, while beautiful is something I doubt many women would wear as few would be able to pull off such a look without seeming matronly.

I should say couture-like as neither Christian's or Jay's are couture collections, but they aren't exactly ready to wear in much of either collection.

Who thinks TLo should do an in depth blogging over the season three looks while we wait for the new season ??? -raises hand-

Of course, it's all a matter of opinion, but I don't think this would be my #1 choice. Jay's collection was amazing, but I don't think that any one individual look is worthy of the top spot.

TLo,
Any idea whats going on with Uli?
IMO, she was one of the few contestants who seemed to really be herself and not play a role. laura and daniel V were others. I miss Uli :)

"Anonymous said: I should say couture-like as neither Christian's or Jay's are couture collections, but they aren't exactly ready to wear in much of either collection."




There was A LOT that was Ready To Wear in Jay's collection. It depends on where you live. In an urban setting, just about everything in Jay's collection would be perfectly at home out on the town, day or evening.

--GothamTomato

Yawn. That whole collection was so dated even at the original airing and screamed rural Pennsylvania. It just had the feel of an Amish womans punch being spiked with acid. Living in Penn probably has something to do with your aesthetic and love for Jay. The Chrysler dress was also terribly tacky.

Close, but no cigar. You should have chosen the quilted coat. Period.

Close, but no cigar. You should have chosen the quilted coat. Period.

Oops! Sorry 'bout the double post. Damned slow laptop!

And despite my disagreement with your #1 choice, I love you PRGayboys!

I am a bit confused by how the top ten looks were selected: were these really the top ten (in order) or representations of the best look from ten different collections.

By this, I mean, you guys said that a couple of looks from Jays collection could have been #1. Then, shouldn't these looks be numbers 1-4?

Anyways, I still like Jay's banging electric blue sweater with the huge roll collar the best! Its a look thats actually seared into my memory -- like so many of the other looks that merit top ten placement (Jeff's green dress, Laura's final dress, Uli's bikini, etc.)

Jay's stuff still looks fresh.

It's one of the few collections that look like a real show & includes clothes one can imagine in store.

All that color! Gawd, we need that now.

Here's a YouTube clip of the collection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJbh2M1hoc

It just had the feel of an Amish womans punch being spiked with acid.

That's just as valid of an inspiration as anything else. Sounds just as, if not more, interesting than Hollywood glamor, Manhattan socialites or Exotic Locale X inspirations.

And... another clip of the Spring 07 RTW show he put on in Sept 2006. The one featured in "Eleven Minutes" doc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLRcIR1Akh4&feature=related

I'm totally in the tank for Jay.

Jay and his finale collection made PR a success in the first season. As TLo noted about his Chrysler Building dress, Jay made you sit up and take notice that this show had talented people and revealed the creative process like no other tv show had before. I remember watching Jay's collection on the edge of my seat with my jaw hanging open. And I thought Kara Saun had it in the bag up until that. So to all the whiners on here, it may not be your personal taste, but the #1 rating is well deserved.

Blanche

I know you are friends with Jay but no way NO WAY is this number one. Laura's and Christians are much better than this.

And here I thought you were going to go with Ms. Wendy's lovely see through top or her "delightful" asymetrical take on Ladies Who Lunch wear.

;)

Anonymous said...

I know you are friends with Jay but no way NO WAY is this number one. Laura's and Christians are much better than this.

I though they were friends with Laura. Too many friends. I can't keep track anymore.

Are they friends with Nicolas Ghesquiere too? 'Cause those skirts are hideous and they are defending them.

Absofuckinglutely! I LOVE this outfit. Go Jay! I also love Kara's and Uli's.

Vegan said...

If any of Jay's looks could have gone in the #1 spot, doesn't that mean that the entire top 10 list should be from Jay's collection?

Haha, exactly. Notice how they didn't respond?

Everyone knows a top 10 list is just an opinion, and nobody really even cares about how it was formulated (it is just a blog post, after all...or a series of them rather), but it does seem a little ridiculous that you have to fib about the decisions you made. If you were truly proud of your choices and stood by your list, I should think being honest about how you came to those decisions would be easy.

I think these are very good examples of their aesthetic and point of view. Jay has an amazing color sense, and Uli always picks the most beautiful fabrics. Korto was one my favorite designers from season 5 and her roots add so much to her color palette and inspirations. I love all her designs. I would love to buy her jewelry.

guys, if you don't like the blog, don't read it. TLo seem fine with disagreement, but why comment just to bash them?

I'm in full agreement that any one of Jay's could have made the top ten - but the idea of a top ten list is to show a range of greats. Same reason why top ten lists aren't all songs by Billie Holiday or David Bowie. A good list has the best of the best. Not all of one of the best.

And there's a lot of Jay fans - so clearly it's not just about being his buddy. His collection is the reason I became an obsessive PR fan - and I'm still waiting for another designer to move me the way he did.

WindRider said...
Everyone knows a top 10 list is just an opinion...

Instead of bitching about TLo's choices for top ten, why don't you present us with your list and your reasoning behind it? I think that would be far more interesting than you irrational reaction to strong disagreement.

hmmm...the skirt is really beautiful, but I can't believe you guys would really love that poncho without the skirt if you saw it on a real person, or say, on Debra Messing.

My favorite too! I was hoping this was going to be the number look. I never forgot this beautiful combo of blues and grays.

Anonymous said...

hmmm...the skirt is really beautiful, but I can't believe you guys would really love that poncho without the skirt if you saw it on a real person, or say, on Debra Messing.


I think that's why this looks is so great. Separate, those pieces might look even boring, but together is pure magic, in my humble opinion, of course.

AMEN, boys. That entire runway show was drop-dead gorgeous. I coveted every one of them. He's still my favorite designer.

i agreed with most of your other decisions, but i just can't understand this one.

Eh, not what I would have picked, but I see where you're coming from.

loved the whole post...never a fan of jay's but i am becoming attached to you two...thanks for keeping it coming...too much fun.

My choice too. I love this look.

Anonymous said...

i agreed with most of your other decisions, but i just can't understand this one.

Then tell us why.

Joanie said...

Eh, not what I would have picked, but I see where you're coming from.

Then tell us who you would've picked.

That's the whole point of the post.

Love that outfit!

Thank you-- I loved everything in Jay's collection--
but my favorite is the circle skirt.

I would love to buy it somewhere...

I KNEW IT! I knew that would be your number 1!! (It's mine as well.)

yeah, except the crochet poncho - sorry, I have just made way too many baby blankets, and that is what it looks like. love the rest of it though.

Anonymous said...
hmmm...the skirt is really beautiful, but I can't believe you guys would really love that poncho without the skirt if you saw it on a real person, or say, on Debra Messing.

Hahahahahahaha ... I disagree with you, I love the poncho, but that post made me laugh! She's really been on the Not list a lot these days ... still looks way better than I do!

actually, the blue poncho might go great with her coloring!

I agreed with you on almost all your choices but for some reason I cant get behind Jay's asthetic.

I remember watching the finale of PR1, and being amazed by Jay's collection-not because I particularly like his aesthetic, but this collection so clearly expressed his point of view, and what he brought to fashion.
I can understand that TLo chose one of Jay's looks for their personal no.1 for PR Bryant Park collections.

P.S. thanks for including Korto's blue gown as an honorable mention- I love that one!

It is a measure of your incredible success that you've attracted trolls. Congratulations. And I agree that Jay's collection remains the most awesome ever in part because of the color, but also because of his use of textures. Moreso than anyone else, he mixed it up, and produced beautiful garments that you want to touch as well as wear. Not exactly my look, but pieces of it would be, and I admire it the most of any PR designer's since. (Uli would be my second favorite, Jillian and Leanne a tie for third. Not that you asked, but hell, I'm a sharer.)

Love you guys.

Anonymous wrote:
"His collection is the reason I became an obsessive PR fan - and I'm still waiting for another designer to move me the way he did."

And see for me and many others I know, the anger around the fact that Jay's collection won over another that was quite good is why I became an obsessive PR fan. Although I know this blog's readership seems to lean heavily towards favoring Jay, but there is a whole segment of people out there who think he is underwhelming. Great designer, but not necessarily of all the glory folks heap on him. While his work is beautiful to look at, I'm not sure it would catch on in clothing stores. Museums and art galleries, yes...Saks not so much.

Another thing I must say about Jay is that for having garnered the most national attention, he hasn't really made as many strides in the fashion world as some of the other designers who won and/or came in 2nd, 3rd, or even 5th place. I sometimes wonder what's holding him up. Yeah he's had some nominal success, but two collections, a small online boutique and a documentary ain't exactly hitting it big time. I've been far more impressed with the post-runway careers of other contestants.

To a degree, I think Jay struggles a bit with his own self-doubt and or ability to market himself.

I'm neither a Jay-lover or Jay-hater, I think more of his designs are underwhelming than stunning, but I am not myself good with color and I am over and over impressed with how well he works with varied colors (and textures).

And it bugs me that how he exploited the publicity of winning PR should be cited as a way to judge him. Leaving aside that the terms of his contract were apparently different than those of subsequent winners, leading to him NOT getting the financial bonus, and that the current PR publicity machine and fan base were not in place - gosh, let the man make his way in the creative & business world as best he can on his own terms!!!

Not everyone wants (or is able to) juggle their creative, professional and personal goals in the context of a public relations machine-fueled fish bowl. (yeah, I'm looking at you, PPS) And Jay never did seem to be someone whose aesthetic might be best nurtured while being photographed posing next to quasi-celebrities.

The point of being on PR seems to me to be equal parts a professional adventure, a way of testing oneself, and a step in developing one's career. You don't have to "hit the big time" to do all three.

Jay? Fug.

If you were 15 and this was 1994, this outfit would be rockin'. Otherwise... ugh, no.

To formerly anon, your whole assessment of Jay's plight and why he's less successful than future PR cntestants is bull duckey. So what if he refused the money, etc. He supposedly did that to give himself more creative control. That still doesn't explain why other designers who didn't even show at BP have had more success.

Let us keep in mind that PR is still a reality show based around the talent of the contestants. Let's stack other similar talent/craft based reality shows against one another and guess what we usually find as a trend? Regardless of how popular the show was at the time, the first winner tends to be either the most successful and/or biggest celebrity.

Case and point: American Idol, ANTM, Top Chef, whatever that dumb Bravo hair show was called, thelist goes on.

I don't think "Ambra" was trying to imply that because Jay's found less success, he's not a good designer. But it is worth noting that the adoration of Jay has not found its way to the business side. Which actually begs the question of was that one judge right (can't remember her name) when she asked Jay if in his exuberant personality, he could actually see fashion as a business, to which he hesitated and then replied, "yeah I guess, as long as there's a booster seat at the table so I can act like a child." Hilarious retort, but geez I wonder if that judge whoever she is wasn't on to something.

I would have gone with the quilted coat but this ones fabulous too. There's something so sexy and powerful about a short skirt with a long coat which is maybe why I liked that look so much.
Jay remains, easily, one of my my fave designers from the show to this day. Oh and I also love pretty much everything Uli did so glad she got an hon mention.

Can I just say also that I hope Jay is doing well here in Philadelphia where we have, I think, an amazingly vibrant, and dare I say, less pretentious art scene ?

PS to Brooklyn Bomber LOVE your list grrl !

Pagli Regardless of how popular the show was at the time, the first winner tends to be either the most successful and/or biggest celebrity.

Really? I'll give you Kelly Clarkson, but the first top model not only didn't make it big in the industry, Tyra pretty much wrote her off as a loss. Is the first Top Chef successful? He might be, but I can't remember who he is. And as for the dumb Bravo hair show, you can't even remember the name of the show, let alone the name of the first winner, so I'm not sure you've proved your point, there.

Oh, and btw: it's "case in point". In. Not and.

Sorry. Pet peeve.

Actually, Pagli, I think that "you say to-may-toe & I say to-mah-toe."

Meaning that while I do assign some relevance to whether or not he got big bucks, I think that my assessment & yours of why he's not more prominent are not so different. I just choose to believe (or hope, maybe) that he's finding a success that he can enjoy & live comfortably with, rather than deeming his performance as disappointing, with the clear implication that he has failed to capitalize on his great opportunity. Getting into business deals one is not prepared to handle sounds more like a nightmare than a dream fulfilled, to me. Success is not a one-size-fits-all concept, though those who package the images that sell soap may portray it as such.

Of course, I don't know the man and he might be in deep frustration and despair that he's failed to follow the path that other designers have. I hope not, but I certainly don't know.

The fun here is barely even tangential to these designers' real lives. Thanks for engaging.

As a crochet designer, I love that a crochet piece made it to the top slot. Jay's crochet stuff was fabulous and so spot on. We loved him for highlighting our beloved craft as Art.

If I don't agree, I can usually at least appreciate TLo's opinion.
But not when it comes to Jay.
(I'm also thinking about the post about his fabrics.)

Here I have to agree with Anon 4:51 PM and Usman. This just looks like junk to me, like much of his other work. Just MO, but looking like a homeless person is not fashionable to me. (And that is how much of his stuff looks to me. I went back and looked again at his runway collection and I still maintain this opinion. However, I do like his Chrysler dress.)