The third dress down on the left, the model looks like (I think it might be) Mountaha from Make Me A Supermodel

Fern kept saying..."Color! Color! Color!' and undoubtly Merlin listened and got the message. I think it is a very cohesive and well executed collection. I am sure it will be a good show as it apppears Merlin was able to merge art, commerece and entertainment into fashion.

Merlin will go far.

TampaBay

Dammit, I wanted to make a collection based on "The Robing of the Bride". That's one of my favorite paintings.

This was the best interview yet. Merlin should've been on Project Runway. TFS was the wrong venue for him. His work screams avantgarde, and I love it. I'll be watching for him.

I love his inspiration for the collection. The orange finale dress is fantastic.
He is very talented and hard working. I hope he gets the chances that he deserves.

Long Live Chicken Diva!

But one question:

Which president of Honduras is he having dinner with?

"My business partner says that I got presence wherever I go. I love it, I like to be like that."

And you do, darling. Viva La Chicken Diva!!!

I have to agree Merlin was not meant to be on this show, he should have tried out for Project Runay where his style and approach would have been more conducive with their challenges. Plus he would have had the benefit of Tim in terms of helping him edit.
It finally dawned on me though TFS' format really doesn't help the designers grow and be nutured in the same as PR's format does.

However Merlin may be a very charming fellow but I feel he is being a little unfair looking down on some of the others for playing it a little safer at this point. There's nothing wrong with that approach in a contest like TFS.

As far as his collection. It is colorful, well made and very spirited like him. But honestly they look like costumes for a stage show. I could see him conjuring somehting fabulously for Cirque du Soleil without breaking a sweat based on this

FRank

I loved the story about Merlin's life being changed when he received a Vogue magazine at the age of 7, which he still has.

Also, LOVE Merlin's final collection. It's wild and beautiful. I think he'll go far.

Thank you Tom and Lorenzo for an exceptional interview. You know how to ask the right questions. You really made Merlin shine.

Gary Berry President/CEO
Merlin Castell,LLC.

There is a wondersful saying regarding being passionate in what you do: "It's good to wake up in the morning feeling like your hair's on fire." I never thought I would see a visual image of that - but look at those last pictures. That boys hair is ON FIRE. All the best to you Merlin - you will certainly go far!!

That final picture still makes me start singing "Heat Miser"

Viva Chicken Diva!

The collection looks a little 'drag queen' in my mind. Colours were great, designs over the top and the fit .. not so much.

KnitWitNurse

Gloria you nailed it. The full spirit that does not acept the restraint of others will, in the long run, make him stornger.

I enjoyed his spirit, one of the few good things about this show

I agree with the other comments here. Aside from the production issues with TFS, the main thing lacking is a mentor. Tim is very good at what he does, and even when he may not be terribly fond of a designer he still succeeds in putting the growth of each designer first. I can't wait for August! I miss my Project Runway!

Upupaepops - your answer gave me chills "the full spririt that does not accept the restraint of others"

Brilliant.

Thank you.

I'd really like to believe that Merlin forgot that James-Paul told him about Madame Gres and her style and that it was all on camera and included in the show, and that he just didn't watch when it aired a few days ago so his memory wasn't jogged.

I really thought I was going to hate Merlin, the way I hated Jeffrey, the mother killer. But I was surprised to like him more and more; he and Anna are my favorites, would have been happy with a win for either of them.

Now, Daniella - Merlin had her pegged from the beginning.

I agree with the anon right before me. When I read Merlin say NO ONE HELPED him with info ond the Madame Gres - I thought, I wonder what else he said it not 100% true?

So what other divine inspirations are BS?

I also expected to dislike Merlin, at first it seemed he was cast to be "the kooky guy" just there to be outrageous. But it became clear that he was being true to himself, and his talent. It was so endearing that I wound up loving him! I'm glad he was okay with leaving the show when he did, but I was not. I wanted more Merlin! Thanks, TLo, for this fantastic interview.

Merlin was on the wrong show. He is not commercial enough for the Fashion Show but he would have had a better chance to make it to the finals on Project Runway. I like his decoy collection very much. Great choice of colours, very interesting looks. I had fun looking at the pictures.

ASK and Anonymous are on the ball. Not only did he lie in the interview about his Madame Gres dress, he spins tales as appropriate for the viewing audience on a dime! His TFS bio says nothing about studying in Milan, but other bios talk about his time there. If it were true, why wouldn't something like THAT be included in his TFS bio? Then there's that Vogue magazine he's had since he was a kid. In other version of that story, he claims that the American lady told him it was a comic book. He claimed that he knew his destiny when he got his hands on that magazine... at the age of 7. But I guess he forgot about that, because when he was 10 he realized he was passionate about fashion when he converted a table cloth into a dress for his mother. So if he knew that he was destined to be a fashion designer when he was 7 ... or 10... LONG before going to college, why did he go to school for architecture? And why did it take a professor to convince him that he was a fashion designer? I thought he knew it all his life? One thing we know is consistent is Merlin is all about the theatrics! That applies to everything from his day to day drama queen lifestyle to the essence of his designs. Merlin Castel is to fashion what Bobby Trendy is to interior design. They're cut from the same mold.

Relax, anon. It's an interview not a prosecution.

Who gives a shit where or why or when Merlin decided to become a fashion designer? That collection is AMAZING! It is fantasy, it is Agatha Ruiz. If he makes his life as fantastic as his art so what?
He should do a collection in green and call it ENVY, since it seems to be what he brings out in others.

Agreed - Merlin grows on you. Yes, he may have had a better time on PR, and very likely could reach the final. His unique style isn't really editable. His final collection on TFS is him - probably would have appeared similarly on PR too. Don't worry - you will be seeing more from him. I wish more designers had a dose of his g*d-given enthusiasm.

I wish more designers had a set of balls like his to do whatever the hell you feel like doing as opposed to bow to conformity. Great interview, guys, as usual.

Merlin, te deseo buena suerta y que tu vida cambie siempre para mejor!

Love. Him.

I want to take a Polaroid : )

Wow Anon 2:28, you did it! You exposed the fraud! Now go back to examining Area 51 and let the rest of us enjoy an entertaining person who has a sense of flair.

I do think he's a fraud and I'm very glad to see him go. He makes great costumes, but he is not a great designer. He criticized and belittled his peers throughout the show, and *most* of his creations didn't fare well compared to the others. He is too self-centered and self-absorbed to be truly talented in my opinion and I think his constant story-telling is just his way of covering up the sham that he is!

Merlin is awesome! Thank you for the interview, Tlo! I'm sitting here trying to relax after such a hectic weekend :)

I'm looking for a talented designer, not a Supreme Court justice. I adored him from the moment I laid eyes on his little jockey costume. He has a sparkle, a clear love of clothes and color and texture; I find that so much more interesting than an intellectual interest in shape and draping.

When I first saw pix of Merlin's collection last week, I was not impressed. But seeing the inspiration picture, The Robing of the Bride, really gave me a better sense of who Merlin is and what inspires him. His collection nailed the emotional response that piece of art evoked. And regardless of whether or not he is rewriting/reinventing his own past, I think his collection was vibrant and original, and his talent cannot be denied. Well done, TLo. Great interview.

warmheartedgirl in Seattle

Would have been nice to ask him where he got his sexist attitude and if he thinks it'll fly in the Real World, off the banana farm.

Love love love his collection. Get so tired of dreary taupe-y clothes.

"Which president of Honduras is he having dinner with?"

That's what I'm wondering too. Maybe he doesn't know the President has been ousted.

NahnCee said...
Would have been nice to ask him where he got his sexist attitude and if he thinks it'll fly in the Real World, off the banana farm.

I hate to be the one to inform you, but bannana plantations and Honduras are part of the real world.
And futhermore, unfortunately sexist and racist attitudes are as prevalent in the fashion world , as in just about every other North American industry.

He has a personality that might drive one mad in a good or a bad way - but he brought life to the show and his decoy collection was alive with his joy in the experience.

Insightful interview boys.

I started off disliking Merlin and ended by being very sad when he was offed. Every episode he gave us "I wonder what Merlin will make today?" No one else on TFS came close to the drama (manufactured or not) and fun that he brought.

It is fascinating to learn the inspiration for his collection. As far as the inconsistency of his stories, many very talented, eccentric individuals weave a tale that varies on every telling, but in the end it doesn't take away from the visual evidence. I think we CAN believe that much of what he brings is from being self-taught at an early age and inspired by a wide range of art, fashion, architecture and design, and more. And his sewing skills are top-notch. You can't fake that.

—"You know, everybody in this life has a destiny and it was my time to go. I could’ve done the best outfit, an outrageous dress, it doesn’t matter. I knew I was out. It was part of the plan [laughs]. You just have to accept it. I take everything that comes to my life, I take it and I transform it into something positive for me." What a fabulous attitude!

I echo the other posters in saying he will go far. Whether it's costumes or haute couture.

NahnCee said...Would have been nice to ask him where he got his sexist attitude and if he thinks it'll fly in the Real World, off the banana farm.

I think Merlin's attitude was nothing more than playing for the cameras and also that he did like his partner who if I remember correctly was Daniella.


Anonymous on 7/5/09 at 1:18 AM said... Long Live Chicken Diva! But one question: Which president of Honduras is he having dinner with?

Iam sure any President of Honduras would suffice for Melin as long as he got to bring his collection.

TampaBay

One of my favorite interviews thus far! Merlin is definitely fulfilling his destiny.

I love the color and the lines of this collection. I sure as hell hope the real finalists bring it to the runway, otherwise they'll get lost under Chicken Diva's work.

The Little Chicken has the Diva part down and it only makes him more interesting and eccentric. I still would love to have seen his suitcase and what he packed to wear while on the show. He had so many costumes and hats for each week. What a character.

His collection was fantastical and he stole my heart with all the preening and posing in the stilettos. He leaves me wanting more, whether it be on the red carpet or costumes in a sci fi / fantasy movie.

Is anyone else having problem getting on his website, I wanna see his other stuff and I can't get to it.

Regarding Merlin, James Paul and Madame Gres; James Paul told Merlin that Madame Gres was influenced by Greek sculpture and that drapery was a signature. Yes it would be nice if Merlin remembered and acknowledged that part, but a lot of Merlin was put into the creation between JP's description and the dress that we saw on the runway.

um, is it just me, or did his dress have basically the exam same skirt as the madame gres dress?

I wonder which President of Honduras he is planning on dining with ? Did you interview him before or after the military coup in Honduras ?

In response to the first comment by Anonymous.... I too think it's Mountaha. I loved her.

momica

To both anons - i am CERTAIN that is Mountaha! I know her face like the back of my hand. what a fabulous woman.

"um, is it just me, or did his dress have basically the exam same skirt as the madame gres dress?"

I think that both Merlin and Johnny stuck pretty close to the inspiration dress (Johnny, arguably, much closer). It was the safer way to go, since some of the others really got burned for adding their own touches to their designs.

I do believe it was mentioned that Mountaha and some of the girls from MMASM and Project Runway walked in these shows. She looks great.

I'd love to see one of these shows have the designers do mixed collections (men also). Maybe that could be something that this show could do to differentiate itself from PR. Several of these designers would have been able to do it, and it seems that many designers do both men's and women's lines.

I'd love to see Merlin's!

Merlie Sue I may have to take you over my knee and give you a few whaps. Now, wait a minute. You are not a young thang lookin' for a break. (I did not think you were young from the 1st intro, but whatever.) Now, I firmly believe that ANY reason for doing something you want to do is a good reason, the TFS was about as needed by you as guilding is to the lily. What made you bother? Except of course, publicity. Today, first time, I looked at your web site. Amazing. I loved and would wish to own or wear every piece in it, not including the Dancing with the Stars frou frou. I feel like an uber psychic, having no clue Merlie was anywhere near as advanced in his portfolio and TASTEFUL as all this proves him to be. I saw NONE if it on TFS, (well, on this blog to be exact since ep 5), except the blue toga dress and the infamous yellow coat ensemble, which were perfection. I saw drek and more drek, I mean I thought his inner voice was in big trouble. Now I realize Merlie was just having a cult experience trying out Fernwood, Heather and the mean thang gang. Certainly, he was a mean widdle kid himself! He lifted his leg and sprayed on the girls as soon as humanly practicable and I for one, did not dig it. I got used to Merlie only b/c TLo so obviously sympathized and I am not a hard case. I am fair, always, it is my life work -- no joke.

It might only be clothes, just like the anthem, it's only rock 'n roll, but I LIKE IT.

Keep up the wonderful work and go nighty night knowing you tricked me out totally, one caring blogger. Merlie, you need to fly and land on the mothership more often. The trick aesthetic is weird.

Fly, my darling, fly. You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great interview guys! Isn't Chicken Diva adorable? I wish him the best.

wasn't the president from merlin's country just overthrown?

i foresee hedda lettuce donning that green dress with the "aura" on RuPaul's drag race season 2!!

And I forgot to mention that I love the Heat Miser wig on the last look!!!

El Pollo Loco definitely needs a warehouse to store his coo-coo cojones.

More power to him!

If I didn't already love Merlin, anyone who is inspired by Max Ernst is OK in my book.

Thank you, Tom and Lorenzo, for a great interview (as usual).

In the first episode I didn't like Merlin: When I heard that, 'it's male domination, get used to it', I thought ugh, another Jeffrey - that's the last thing I want to watch.

But fortunately, it turned out that Merlin wasn't like Jeffrey at all. First, he has genuine talent. But more important that that, there is a sense of humor and a heart there in Merlin that makes him likable and compelling.

He has also added color to what has been a very dreary show. It's too bad he was on this show in stead of PR because just the thought of him bouncing up against Tim Gunn makes me crack up.

--GothamTomato

Also agreed that Merlin would have been way better on Project Runway. He's about innovation, not saleability.

Love the decoy collection.

I think that if I had a decoy collection to make I would also go over the top since I had nothing to lose, but in a good way.

I love Merlin's collection and I liked it more after I saw his inspiration. I do also agree with a previous anonymous person. IT LOOKS LIKE A DRAG QUEEN COLLECTION. I , however, am someone who missed the over-the-topness (ala Boy George) of the
80's

Could you guys imaging how BORING TFS would be without the 'Chicken Diva' ?

To BarbH - I hope you brought enough of whatever drug(s) you're on for the entire class, because it's impolite not to share.

I recognized Mountaha as well as soon as I saw that picture. She'll have a fabulous modeling career, I'm certain.

I'm glad he told you boys the inspiration for his collection. It makes it make a lot more sense. Chicken Diva will be missed.

Oh my gosh, I haven't even been watching the show, but Chicken Diva just got a million points from me for basing a collection off "Robing of the Bride." One of my favorite paintings, and a really cool place to draw inspiration from!

It's clear from the collection that he studied architecture. It's quite like Hundertwasser's buildings, bright and a bit outrageous, but still somehow cohesive.

That is Monthaha. Good for her. I think Merlin's collection would been better without the bumper pad collars. For me that is what took the collection to more of a Drag Queen feel. The colors were pretty, he would have been so much better on Project Runway.

I can't say I've been a loyal viewer. I only saw two episodes, actually. But, I've worked with Merlin before and from what I saw, this probably wasn't the right competition for Merlin to begin with. We're comparing apples and oranges.

Merlin/Gary - we should create an editorial for your final collection!

Chris

Merlin is as colorful as his collection.

By the way, "Chicken Diva" is one of the best PRG nicknames you guys have ever come up with. Love you bitches!

To the few who took Anon 2:28 (and I guess me) to task....

Calling the guy out for TALL TALES, does not mean we were attacking ALL of his designs, we were posting about HIS INTERVIEW with TLO, not his entire body of work. So why would it not be appropriate to call him out on HIS OWN WORDS?

Syndrome from "The Incredibles" is the hair at the end. WOW! Can sure tell it is Merlin.

SisterZip

I enjoyed watching you! Good luck, good skill!

"ASK said...

To the few who took Anon 2:28 (and I guess me) to task....

Calling the guy out for TALL TALES, does not mean we were attacking ALL of his designs, we were posting about HIS INTERVIEW with TLO, not his entire body of work. So why would it not be appropriate to call him out on HIS OWN WORDS?"

It's not inappropriate. It's just a little ridiculous and obsessive. We're talking about a reality show contestant on a show no one watches. Who cares if he tells a few tall tales?

Merlin, you're a lot of fun! You should have your own show.

I'll miss our little Chicken Diva-he brought a lot of color and humor to TFS.

I didn't think his last outfit deserved auf-ing. In fact, I'd venture to say it was one of his better ones other than the weird legging detail. But, that collection is serious ugly and unwearable-and I like Max Ernst.

Not a fan of his collection but Merlin is a true original. The world needs more chicken divas!!!

Thanks for this great interview TLo!

Merlin is one of a kind and I wish him the best of luck with his career!

OMG, I just saw the post showing Daniella and Johnny's dresses from last week - how on EARTH was Merlin sent home for his outfit?!?!?!?

I admire his artistry.

That's cool that he used the painting, "The Robing of the Bride", as inspiration, at first I thought it was based on the Heatmeiser from "The Year Without a Santa Claus". ;)

here's a visual on my last post: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=QUI&ei=B4ZSSsCTB4mKsgO2l8WLBw&resnum=0&q=heatmiser&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=H4ZSSvutAYrgtgOliOX7Bg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5

Great interview. I liked him. This guy can sew and certainly knows construction. He has a dream, he is dramatic and cries. " Whats not to love?." He will do well. He becomes reinvention of the American dream, a Honduras gay Horatio Alger. Good on ya mate.

Merlin was one of only two reasons I bothered tuning in each week. Reco was the other. The rest are all blandly beige.
Merlin has chutzpah, bless his heart.
I guess I am just a sucker for people like Merlin and Reco who come from so little and want so badly to succeed. Both obviously have some talent and despite being a bit abrasive seem to be genuine about their craft.

la envidia is like a punal a quien se lo boy a clavar insultar y criticar no es nada nuevo asi esque hay que empezar POR FANGORIA que pena que ya no estes ese show a knoc off disigners show y que bueno porque no hera para ti u are a visionary of fashion and you show-it baby and you let them parados de tetas con la boca avierta a todos thus they call disigners and if they are saying some-thin bad about you is because they are jealous they are green flaquito y con tu talento les distes por devajo de la boca y todavia estan soar deep in love you MERLIN i know you will built your own empire you are the POP of fashion darling

I always felt that Merlin was made more for PR then TFS.

I guess he probably couldn't try out for it now, but if they took Daniel Franco TWICE...

As tho PR could tame him! What is this, a Jacqueline Suzanne novel..."Once Is Never Enough"? Hey, I thank g*d we SURVIVED Merlie. He was one cockaddoodledoo! And, I don't want TG to have cardiac arrest, he has a little better karma, I hope & believe. Merlie has his own deal and is MORE than competent to achieve plan "A". Just puruse his web site. This person is not auditioning.

Yay, Mountaha! She looks great.
I can't believe El Pollo Loco went home before that talentless gluestress Johnny!

@ Anonymous 3:08 PM:

Daniella? Is that you, girl?

Is it just me or does the third dress on the right look like the shoulder and sleeve make a penis???

no GG. maybe is is because you are hungry for penis thats why you see it everywhere this is not a sex house get a dildo is satisfaction guarantee GO MERLIN your the best. Do listen to theses perverts.