Laurology

Saturday, September 30, 2006 by

Okay, we admit it.

When we saw where Laura was heading, we were underwhelmed. Granted, "wow the judges" is about as articulate a design challenge as "make something pretty," but we were afraid that "doing what I do, better than I've ever done it," while plucky, probably wasn't what the judges wanted to see.

On the one hand, we were right; on the other hand, so was Laura. She didn't win it, but it seemed that she made a conscious choice to produce something that she knew would get her to OFW and lo and behold, it did. Her mama didn't raise no fool.

As for the dress, it's beautiful and probably one of the most perfectly executed garments in all 3 seasons of the show. While we agreed somewhat with the judges that Laura needs to widen her point of view slightly, we also think they overstated the point.

For one, up to now, Laura has not had any professional experience in fashion, which means she's never produced a collection. That she is focussed on a particular aesthetic right now doesn't necessarily mean that she only has one point of view.


Second, we started thinking about it and realized she's not as repetitive as some (including us) have been saying. Look at what she's produced during the competition:


For all the talk from the Duchess of never wanting to see another one from her again, she only ever produced two garments with what could be called "plunging" necklines. Looking at her garments all together like this, it's interesting how much it looks like a collection. She has a concise point of view and there are certain design elements she returns to again and again (lace, beading, "exuberant" collars), but she doesn't make the same dress over and over and she doesn't design only for herself.

As a point of comparison, look at Uli's competition work:


There 's a hell of a lot more similarity of form going on there. Ironically, even though this grouping is far more repetitive, it somehow looks less like a collection than Laura's does. We don't mean to be ragging on Uli. She also has a strong point of view that she executes masterfully, so it's practically inevitable that she and Laura get compared so often.

It struck us that part of the reason the "narrow" placard gets hung on Laura's neck has as much to do with what she wore during the competition as it did with what she produced for the competition.


That's a consequence of having a strong point of view and the force of personality to consistently and fabulously express it, which our girl has in spades. Right Laura?


"Fuck, yeah!"

93 comments:

Lisette said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE LAURA!!!!!!! Long may she reign!

Anonymous said...

wow that picture is priceless!

Anonymous said...

Fuck Yeah!!
Excellent post, guys.

Anonymous said...

And this, IMO, is where we go beyond the usual "blog what happened on the show last night, but funny" to the actual something that makes PRG head and shoulders above any other blog.

Because I just read that, looked at the pictures, and changed my point of view of Laura as a designer. Her clothes all strongly express her design aesthetic of clean, classic, chic. But they're not nearly as repetetive as I thought either. That's a really good piece of analysis there.

Although, of course, I'm always ready to read a good "gay as a pink Christmas tree" crack any day either.

Anne

Anonymous said...

Wow. Thanks for reminding me how sad I am that I can't afford to dress in Laura's stuff.

Most of the plunging necklines were on what she was wearing, not what she put on her model.

Sewhat? said...

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!

You have articulated and illustrated exactly what I have been feeling and trying to say for weeks now. Laura makes real grown-up clothes. They look fabulous on younger women because they are sexy without looking slutty and they can be worn by women with more life experience because they are beautifully conceived and made.
If that is not the scope of a real, big time designer, I don't know what is. And as far as her OFW collection being all evening wear, that sure didn't put a crimp in Vera Wang's career when she got started.

Anonymous said...

Laura was very lucky that Camilla chose her during the Icon challenge, as (IMHO) Camilla is the *BEST* model, far above the sanctified Nazri in terms of confidence, elegance, and command of the runway. Poor Katie was far too ingenue-like to carry of Laura's designs; however, Camilla is able to present Laura's strong POV in a way that looks knowing and mature, rather than like a teeny-bopper bimbo from that awful Tyra Banks show.

Emily said...

GENIUS, boys! THANK YOU for being savvy enough to recognize the erroneous confusing of what Laura DESIGNS vs. what Laura WEARS as a big culprit in the unfair accusation that she is - gasp! - a one-note designer. There's a big difference between having a POV and having one one note, and sometimes I fear the judges aren't quite sure where the line is...hats off to you, boys, for having the good sense to agree with me :-). LOVE YOU!!! Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

"THANK YOU for being savvy enough to recognize the erroneous confusing of what Laura DESIGNS vs. what Laura WEARS as a big culprit in the unfair accusation that she is - gasp! - a one-note designer. There's a big difference between having a POV and having one one note."

Amen, sister. I agree 100%. You boys did it again.

Anonymous said...

Too bad Mr. Kors couldn't have realized this and kept his mouth shut. I wonder how much his opinion influenced the final judging.

eric3000 said...

I agree that Laura is not nearly as "one note" as people have said. The women also have the disadvantage of dealing with the complaint that they are just designing for themselves (Laura, Uli, and even Angela), while the men don't have to worry about this.

And I hadn't noticed it, but you are right, Laura's work so far DOES really look like a collection. I have to say, though, that perhaps the only thing keeping Uli's from looking like a collection is the fact that the fabrics all clash with each other. If the fabrication had been thought out as a collection, the looks might have worked more cohesively.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting!

Count me in on Team Laura.

Anonymous said...

So now you boys are just making excuses for Laura. If you love her so much, why don't you marry her? LOL

Much of what she has designed for the show is just boring..little color, little flair or pizzazz. The first two were interesting but the rest were JCPenny...except for the dreadful ruffled collar gown. If hers is "fashion," include me out. What is repetitive is the yawn that is her style.

Anonymous said...

"We don't mean to be ragging on Uli."

No, go right ahead, really. She deserves to be ragged on. If it wasn't for all 3 of the other designers fucking up beyond belief this week she never would have won....
I firmly believe that they were just WAITING to ditch Uli, but when they saw the 3 other yawners they had to give it to her, but then didn't want to see the other three not get ot show a collection.

Uli got damn lucky, plain and simple.

Anonymous said...

Great analysis, guys. The only "problem" I see with Laura aesthetic is her limited use of color (not a primary hue in the whole bunch). But that's just me.

And looking at Uli's work all at once like that hurts my eyes. Her only outfit I loved was the Mom challenge, and that seems so long ago.

K

Anonymous said...

Laura is a washed up mom, trying to play a big kids game, her lifestyle would never promote the time needed to actually make it in the fashion world, and it is a shame that feelings for a mom ruled this season, rather than forward style......

Anonymous said...

Great post, thanks for putting all that together because that really helps me see. You're right, Laura's got alot of talent going on.

Anonymous said...

Thank you boys for the post and pictures. Given the fact that Laura has never taken a design class, is an architect, mother of 5 kids, has has gotten this far, I think she's done great.
I think a lot of hater are jealous of her, they probably think she has too much in her life already.
Laura has a clear POV, which is truely elegant and she is learning how to design with other people in mind.
Thanks for showing that Laura does have a range, and shut up snarky
Michael Kors.

Eric said...

Wow! Laura's stuff probably does look the most like a collection when you see it all together. Maybe the judges just don't like her "point of view." Bastards.

Anonymous said...

hmmm.. sounds like defensive strategy at work to prepare for the final round. Ok, so lets see: Laura's images really do look fine together!

But to be honest, so do Uli's.

They have equal amount of variety - the pants, tops, dresses, etc.. just Uli likes loose, and warm weather parties, and Laura likes tailored fit and calm, urban cocktails.

And Laura doesnt want any kind of woman except a slim one. Uli's styles can go in many directions - as one sees with the mothers competition.

I just think the real problem remains: none are showing a sense of inhabiting the realm of a designer, the spirit, the chance and risk-taking. Its all "oh I have to figure out how to do this so I can do my favorite dress that I always do...my "signature" - like they are already designers..."

Lots of atitude, but that isnt real spirit of a designer who wants to go out and make an impression.

Sorry, but in general, its been a shallow season, and perhaps that was the highlight of Michael - he was actually listening and learning and improving and surprising! And that is spirit at work - and I think why viewers like him somehow, he stands in for their own learning curve. I mean, Laura as mama- lecturing the others, well...sorry, but she should cool it, especially to Uli. I mean, Laura takes zero chances then ranks on the others for trying.
Being technically proficient isnt the point, not the high stakes here really.

And I just didnt get this competition, when they could do something and they need the three words, it was so...ad copy bad. so..shallow really.

No, Michael should have won for his ability to grow and design beautiful ideas, but not for that final fashion show. And the rest just passed through Project Runway without really learning or discovering anything - and that aint good.

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Uli should have been auf'd a while ago. How she made it this far is a mystery to me. I've been an avid Runway fan since the very beginning, and, IMO, Uli making it to OFO is a joke.

Love your blog!!

Gail said...

Good point, guys. I think there is a lot of confusion on the part of the judges as well as the viewers on the difference between what Laura wears and what Laura designs.

She does have a style and a POV, both of which I love. Too bad I'm dumpy middle-aged librarian. No way I could ever wear her stuff!

junior_goddess said...

Oh, no, you are absolutely FUCKIN' A right! Laura's work has the look of a collection. The PROBLEM with her collection is that it's a rehash of Oscar de la Renta's collection. Have a look at my 12 Sept post at http://you-cant-read-my-mind-i-scribble.blogspot.com and you will see what I mean!
Fierce-HAH!

Anonymous said...

Thank you. I have no idea which show some of these people have been watching - and that includes La Kors. The "Laura is boring" contingent would very likely not have been impressed by Chanel or Vionnet, either. Exploring a theme IS the mark of a creative designer - one who has ideas that need to be worked out and expressed. I don't believe many who watch and comment have much knowledge of the history and art of haute couture; it's wonderful that this show is reaching out to a wider audience, but some of the comments reveal a deep ignorance of the subject.

Anonymous said...

Yeah! Right On!!! I want to follow where you lead.....

PRG Bois for PRESIDENT and LAURA for FIRST LADY!! Or better yet PRG Bois for FIRST LADIES and LAURA for PRESIDENT!!! Yeah, that's the ticket!!!

Anonymous said...

oh please - those who want us to believe that all those contestants - Laura included - belong on the side of the history of haute couture rather than with us "ignorant" viewers, just where were you when there was exactly that challenge in Paris, and Laura did her...er... special number in honor of said couture?

Us ignorants were there. And Tim's opinion seemed to match up pretty well with our dumb ideas.

Chill out with the hating "popular culture" crap - Project Runway IS a tv show, and it asked something simple: RISE to the OCCASION, not just pose and make soundbytes "I am fabulous and going to win". SHOW you have it. And not just show you know history.

The show made it clear every time these people - designers - were asked to rise to the occasion, it was sort of ok, but never something to be surprised about.

And then as we can find here in the comments, the very clear references were easy to relate as to their "original spark", whether Jeffreys painted belt buckle thang or so on and so forth.

Fashion doesnt sell because of the history of fashion - its sells because of the ignorance that allows people to identify with something new in something old. Live with it. And yeah, sorry, Laura is still just fashionable, not fashion.

Anonymous said...

Not sure where all the Uli hate comes from. She hasn't produced a single bad design this whole season. That can't be said of most of the designers. I dont even know if she's been in the bottom two.

She created a great garment for the final challenge. I think people just like the personalities of the other contestants more. It's too bad we didn't get to know Uli better, I bet she's a blast to hang out with and "get vasted".

I love Laura too, but I'm tired of seeing all the Uli bashing. As you can see in her OFW, she stepped outside the flowy dresses and thought her collection was pretty good. However, I don't think she'll win. But I think she'll have a lot of success because she can create a hell of a garment.

Anonymous said...

Have to disagree with your post here. I think Laura's pretty damn fabulous as a person from her interview, but she does repeat her themes with much regularity, which can be seen as lack of variety and one note-ism. In fact, most of her themes were on her very first entry.

The themes are:
1)deep necklines (plunging v or otherwise)
2)empire waistlines
3)collar and cuff trim
4)dangly, spangley trim towards lower hemline.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Look 1: deep v, collar and cuff fur trim
Look 2: deep v (albeit wider) collar and cuff fur trim, empire waistline, spangly trim at the lower half
Look 3: deep v, empire waist
Look 4: deep v, empire waist
Look 5: empire waist (only because this woman would probably never wear a deep v-neck)
Look 6 - the only one that doesn't seem as formulaic, although I seem to recall it had a v-neck and high waist with the cummberbund detail
Look 7: deep v, cuff and collar trim
Look 8: empire waistline, spangly beaded trim on lower half

and her last look from the latest show:
Look 9: deep v, empire waist and spangly beaded trim on the lower half.

You have to admit: seeing it all together and analyzing it, she's pretty repetitive. It's like a fashion Mr.Potatohead. Uli is even moreso because it's hard to escape those prints, but Laura's clean looks, muted colors and sharp tailoring just make things seem less creative.

Still love her though. There's definitely a market for that kind of work. But since this is a reality show contest and subject to criticism, I just wanted to say that the one-note criticism is valid. But one could do worse than to look as glamourous as Laura!

Anonymous said...

"Much of what she has designed for the show is just boring..little color, little flair or pizzazz. The first two were interesting but the rest were JCPenny...except for the dreadful ruffled collar gown. If hers is "fashion," include me out. What is repetitive is the yawn that is her style."

You're out then. The bottom line is that Laura's "collection"-meaning the pieces she's already shown and the PRG boys so astutely assembled and pointed out- are wearable, saleable, work for more than a season, and would fit beautifully into the wardrobes of damn near any woman who has a professional life. She has a very "Town and Country" aesthetic and there most certainly is a market for that as generation X ages.

Right on Laura; I can relate.

Anonymous said...

Oops! I misplaced the spangly trim on look 2 instead of 1, but like I said, it is kind of a mix & match way of designing!

Anonymous said...

yawn yawn, she's bo-ring!

Anonymous said...

Excellent comparison. Thanks for helping to put this unfair criticism of Laura to rest.

Too bad its to late for the judges to take it into consideration.

Anonymous said...

Way to break it down. I pretty much had the exact same thoughts to people's previous reactions and criticisms.

Most designers have similar elements in their lines, it's what makes them distinctive.

Laura's got more mad skillz than Peanut, no contest.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder. I am guilty of calling her a one-note. But as you have so eloquently state, it's because she has a very strong point of view not just with what her model is wearing, but also with what she wears herself. The accusation of too many plunging necklines comes from her own wardrobe choices for the show.

I would gladly trust Laura to dress me if only she would do men's suits, tuxedos, that sort of thing.

She is one fabulous Mommy.

Brian in KY

Anonymous said...

hahahahaha, that last pic was perfect. and great point about uli/laura, even though i love them both. :)

Anonymous said...

""Much of what she has designed for the show is just boring..little color, little flair or pizzazz""

Whatever. Perhaps you'd be happier with something that looks like a pinata after a birthday party. Fine. Go find Santino. Just don't come crying to me when you get stabbed in the eye with a wayward sequin.

When I'm flipping through GQ or Details (I'm a guy), I am drawn to the ads of clothes that I would actually BUY the next time I'm in NYC. Laura is that kind of designer, and I'm glad of it.

Brilliant post, guys. I'm impressed.

Anonymous said...

boring, old.

Anonymous said...

I'll take classic dressing over trendy bullshit any day.

Jilli said...

Guys! Where is Laura's stunning Miss USA dress? Love the Fab Glam Mom - I hope she takes it all.

Have to agree about Uli. Wake me when she's over...ZZzzzzz

Gigi said...

Wow, how interesting to see it all laid out for us. You guys rock!

Anonymous said...

make love to me laura!!!

Anonymous said...

On a sad note...

Looking at Uli's work on PR, we see how long the way Lindsay worked with her.... Poor gal... Dropped on the last step.. :-(


PS: I'm with Fergus! I LOVE Camilla and, personally, preffer her 10X more than Nazri. Not to understimante her, but if you take away the hair, I don't think she's better than Camilla at all.

Also, I loved Alexandra, being "zaftig" or not..she is freaking GORGEOUS! And I glad Michael got her for his OFW collection...

bungle said...

Even though I had an idea, like everybody else, what the sources of her 1st challenge materials were, I still couldn't wrap my mind around that whole look being made of found stuff. Unreal. I swear it appeared to be the sorta thing where if you have to ask the price you can't afford it. Rugs! I figured she's a genius and that she'd win the challenge that time. Imagine my surprise.

Anonymous said...

Dearest Albert - I don't have any idea where you got the "hating popular culture" idea; perhaps from your own insecurities? And your reply is precisely the kind of reaction to which I was referring - you are more than entitled to your own opinion; I am entitled to think it's uninformed and ignorant. See? Free speech at work. You are pointing out one designer's missteps; I was referring to the inability of some people to understand the value of subtlety rather than flash and the glories of beautiful construction.

Next time, drop the defensiveness and read the post ... or don't. Oooh, free speech again! Ain't it grand?

Unknown said...

I don't remember that purple dress of Uli's at all... when I saw it here I thought for a second that it was Michael's last-challenge evening gown... what challenge was this?

Nancy the NE Newlywed

TLo said...

Hi Nancy,

That's the Iconic Statement episode. Uli designed for Diana Ross.

XO
T&L

Anonymous said...

Oh, Eric3000, Kayne absolutely designed for himself... ;)


Uli's problem is that she essentially made the same dress over and over. That's not quite the same thing as using similar elements.

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU!

As a diehard Laura fan, I'm happy to see this discussed. I agree that the judges have been looking at the clothing that Laura wears almost as closely as the garments that she has made for each challenge, and that's really not fair. "I've seen this dress from her SO many times" is NOT a valid complaint if the judges are including Laura's own wardrobe. I wonder if Laura had worn jeans and a t-shirt during the judging, would Heidi, Michael and Nina have sung the "one-note" song so loudly? I don't think so.

Uli, on the other hand, hardly ever wears her own outfits during judging, so in her case it's clear that it is the designs themselves that are repetitive (no offense to Uli -- I love her stuff, but she's far more one-note than Laura.)

Anonymous said...

And Laura what is all this about "Uli not being who she appears to be".

You guys were all roomates and she was all coming home with you and moving in....


Spill it.
Inquiring minds want to know.

Anonymous said...

laura's clothes remind me of what we used to see in Victoria magazine. not for everyone, but elegant and gorgeous.

it's funny that you made the comment about her own personal garments influencing the perception of her creations, because i was thinking that very thing.

oh my god!! maybe I am a fabulous Project Rungay Boy!!!!! omg omg omg!!!! ;-) smooches, cupcakes.

Anonymous said...

I think "Town and Country" analogy is right on. I love clean, classic, timeless, and well fitting clothes. I would wear everyone of Laura's designs season after season. I would have to demure with the plunging naval look, but this redhead would just feel plain fabulous in any of Laura's garments.

To quote Fernando, "To look good is to fell good!"

Anonymous said...

I totally agree and have been thinking the same way. Also Laura being pregnant has limited what she can wear when presenting and that has added the the impression of everything she does and is being one-note.

Somewhat off topic:

You guys really need to start a "Ask Laura" section. I have a lot of questions and inquiring minds want to know......

How and when did she finally tell her husband that she was pregnant and was his reaction any better than her mother's was? Did she have to wait until the show was over or tell him in a video message?

Also, in one of the bonus videos, when Laura gets a package from home, Uli is heard to say, "Maybe it is more diamonds?" which makes one wonder if Laura had prevously gotten a gift of diamonds from her husband?
Kane's good-bye note also mentioned that Laura should will him her 9 karat diamond and name her child after him.
And then there was that odd Harry Winston comment from Vincent.....

Anyone else interested in hearing some dish on Laura? I could read about her fabulouslness all day long!

anapestic said...

Laura's success or lack thereof on the show this season says more about the fashion world than it says about Laura's talent. The rap on Laura has been that she's "one note," but what that seems to mean in her case is that she almost always produces clothing that she'd wear herself. Quelle horreur! Creating chic clothing that a real, fabulously glamorous woman would wear. What on Earth was she thinking?

I would certainly like to see Laura broaden her design horizons somewhat, most notably to embrace color, but if she's producing fabulous, wearable clothing, then it's reasonable to assume that with time she'd produce fabulous, wearable clothing in a wider variety of styles. It is far better to do a few things well than to do many things poorly. Few people are going to want to wear only Laura Bennett, but lots of people are going to want some Laura Bennett in their wardrobes.

People who don't like Laura say that she isn't forward thinking or doesn't have enough creativity, that she doesn't stretch the boundaries. It's fine that a lot of designers feel that they have to be on the edge, even if that means designing clothing that a lot of people wouldn't wear. But there also has to be a place for designers who care more about designing real clothing for real people than about creating unwearable icons.

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU! Finally, someone other than me realizes that Laura is not the one note people make her out to be.

katiecoo said...

So interesting! They are remembering what she's WEARING over what she's MAKING! Leave it up to you guys to solve the riddle! Excellent! It's such a close call of who will win...and the Jeffrey controversy. Love the DRAMA! Oh and LMAO on the last photo! hahaha!

Anonymous said...

Laura is just "happy hands at home" for the NY society set. She is a very good seamstress, but her designs are not original. You gays only love her because she puts in all those beads and feathers and crap that you love. I think she's as tacky as kayne, in her way.

She's awesome, tho, as a personality. Love her interview!

Kate said...

The collections of Laura and Uli's designs all in one place,and your analysis, and the resultant chatter, are all very interesting. Could you please put together pics of Michael and Jeffrey's designs in a similar fashion? Fascinating stuff. Thanks, GayBoys!

Meg said...

Guys, this is seriously brilliant. Now I have a place I can send all the Laura-haters to, and insist that they give her a fair shake.

Laura for the win!

Also, as a tangent and as a twenty two year old "rocker" with a mohawk, piercings, and a tattoo, I'd take Laura over the peanut any day, even though the peanut is theoretically closest to my aesthetic. That article in the LA times (maybe? something recent) that argued that Jeffrey was probably the only one that could successly "cross over" completely into the fashion world and become a designer? Yeah, maybe as a personality, but Laura, Michael, and Uli will probably all outsell him in the long run.

Anonymous said...

What is so terrible about being one-note? Uli's stuff is totally niche. I think she could easily open up a boutique in South Beach showcasing the same range of clothes she's made on the show. She definitely has a pleasing aesthetic, and I am not the only one to think that.

Same with Laura.

The horse is dead; I wish they'd stop making such a huge deal about it on the show. Maybe they can more carefully construct the challenges if they want to see range. Use some plus models here and there.

Anonymous said...

Great analysis!

Are there any marketing people out there in the blogosphere? Did anyone else notice the THREE WORDS formula and immediately think of "BRAND MANTRA?" I really really doubt this competition is all about design aesthetic when there is a not-so-hidden nod to the marketability of the designers. And we have four different designers who may represent four distinct marketing segments:

Jeffrey: young, rocker, LA
Uli: hippy, trippy, Miami beachwear
Laura: classic, sophistocated, NY
Michael: hip-hop, urban, phat

Who says this competition is about design? It's about BRANDING.

Anonymous said...

P.S. (previous anonymous comment)

LOVE LAURA, but I'm an older, upscale women, who, like Madame Ovary would buy Laura's stuff but would have to cut off my boobs to wear it (and get liposuction).

Anonymous said...

Looking back at the designers' outputs over the course of the season, I quickly remembered why Kayne was my early favorite. Everything up to the Marilyn dress was FABULOUS. When he stumbled with the garbage dress and the judges started to tag his designs as "tacky," he never really recovered.

I guess Laura's good enough at what she does, but the coat from the first challenge is the only design she made that was interesting at all to me.

Anonymous said...

"Uli, on the other hand, hardly ever wears her own outfits during judging"

Is this true? The green schmatta with the yellow diagonal stripes that she wore for the judging this past week looks very "her".

Michael said...

Very astute observation, guys. I'm a big Laura ran, too! I think one of the reasons the judges think Laura designs the same thing over and over again is because of what she wears herself, all of which I'm sure she's designed. SHE wears a lot of plunging necklines, etc, so they think that's all she does. Thanks for the pics of her "collection"-I wish the judges were as smart as you!

Anonymous said...

Very nice, guys. That's how I felt about Laura and the way the judges kept saying the same thing over and over again.

Anonymous said...

Just like Carolina Herrera, and many other great designers, Laura has a way of effortlessly combining classic style with a hint of couture. I think she'll have a great career. I would buy her outfits in a heartbeat.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it's true. Laura's work really looks like a collection. Thank you for putting it together.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait till she opens a store and I can buy something. For now, I'll settle for getting my project runway shirt that she designed.

It's only going to get better from here for Laura, she is so fabulous!

Anonymous said...

you raise some great points. i never considered laura repetitive at all. uli is the only that has done similar designs. it's like having the same shirt in different colors, essentially.

regardless i think the top 4 is the best yet, and i'm happy with whoever wins as long as it isn't uli.

Anonymous said...

New anonymous here. I have thought more and more as this season went along that all the designers are making clothes for themselves. I can really see both Michael and Jeffery wearing the clothes they design if they were women. Or Jeffery wearing them now too.

Anonymous said...

Fergus: LOL. Yes, the green kaleidoscopic dress thing she was wearing last time around must have been her own creation.

But I think we mostly see Uli in jeans, and she has this white strapless dress thing she seems to like...in her "to the camera" shots as well, she's dressed pretty casually. Whereas Laura seems to ALWAYS wear her own stuff. Certainly the overall impression we get is "seen that before SO MANY TIMES."

Gidget Bananas said...

Hee -- I wonder if the judges would call Diane von Furstenberg a one-note. After all, she's been making those wrap print dresses for thirty years!

I think Uli is the most commercial designer -- that doesn't make her the winner, though.

Anonymous said...

Laura is a FABULOUS designer! I agree, the judges see her as always designing the same thing because Laura wears so many outfits with a plunging neckline, not because she designs them.
Laura is fierce. There is just no denying it.

Anonymous said...

thanks PR guys for posting the entire collection of lauras from this season. i noticed two plunging necklines (from the post)and remember a third in the last challenge. so what. it's all a lot like anything else in life. if you like something you do it again and again.....that's probably how she got pregnant. so what. but, i digress. laura has a point of view. as does uli, jeffrey and michael. however, laura has been consistent in her POV. her tailoring and her attention to detail. remember back to her "for nuts only" dress. that takes a clever mind. period.
no designer goes without making a few gafaws along the way. i am sure mr. kors has had a few foibles in his career. that does not discount his creativity.
the designers were told by nina (and who gave her a bedazzler), to use 250 bucks and and use their individual design esthetic. off they went. michael obviously needs to be told what to design. jeffrey had a couple of st. pauli's and uli was thinking beach-blanket-bingo.
laura's dress rocked. repleat with impeccable tailoring and beading. now who had the whole thing thought out?
is laura an icon? no. she is a simple woman from manhatten with a delux apartment in the sky and a dream. a dream we all would like to follow.
fini

Anonymous said...

You forgot her team dress for Miss America.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you called that out guys. Remember how everybody commented about how Laura's breastplate was showing early on? It was not received well by viewers. Perhaps the judges didn't like it either and decided they hated it when the plunging neckline started showing up on models. But really I think it can be flattering (except when her boob was popping out as she chewed Vincent out at the end of the stupid recyclable challenge).

Like the anonymous poster mentioned about 20 posts back: what is so bad about being one-note? And as another put it, this just might be the aesthetic they are currently interested in. I think they have been making way too big a deal about the whole one-note thing. Vive Laura, and Uli with their signature features in their designs!

Anonymous said...

I'm just sorry there wasn't a challenge where we could see what Ms. Bennet could do with menswear (I would have loved to have seen what she would have sewn for Michael ... or even TALP). I am very intruiged by the prospect of Laura Bennet menswear line and would definitely buy that "one good suit" every guy has to have, whether he likes it or, from her.

Anonymous said...

pc said...
"Laura, if you're reading this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do everything in your power to put out a line. I will be there lined up with my money saved (because I'm guessing you won't price it cheap, you byotch!--i say that with the utmost love) to buy 1 or 2 or however many pieces i can afford. If you're only going to sell in some high falutin boutiques, please make sure those friggin' places have online shopping for a non-New Yorker like me!"

I 2nd that! I have a cashmere Gucci coat that I purchased more than 10 years ago that I still lovingly wear. I don't see myself wearing anything of TALP's past a (Halloween) season (if that!). If timeless, sophisticated clothes that will stand the test of time are 1 note, I'll happily stand in line at Laura's store for hours to be that boring(!).

Signed,
Doctoral Candidate in Laurology!

Anonymous said...

Jeffrey's MySpace page has pictures of all of his PR creations together. You can find the link on BPR.
For Michael, you will have to page through the challenges because I haven't seen his designs grouped together.
I think you will find that Uli's creations are the most similar. They are beautiful but I would have liked to see her create something else. She could have wowed the judges by doing pants for the jet setter challenge.

Anonymous said...

lots of interesting thoughts.

what i can maybe add to this conversation is, PRGay boys, if you were hosting this show it would be a gazillion times more interesting, fair and creative.

If you were hosting any reality show it would be better than what's on TV. Think about it!!





extreme side note - since they've been playing Studio 60 on Sunset Strip after PR I've been watching it and have been really impressed. Good show.

Anonymous said...

See, here's the thing about Laura. She designs stuff that WOMEN want to wear. A girl isn't going to be able to "get" these clothes - regardless of her chronological age. (Some girls are 50.) And Laura can also design for women whose body types are not like hers - I am built like Mae West, for Chrissake, and I could see myself in about half of her final collection. (Okay, with size adjustments. But you see what I mean.) Laura also makes pieces that can be swapped out, dressed up or down, and WORN.FOR.YEARS. And in three or even four seasons. That's what women want. Quality. Aesthetics. Finish. Wearability.

Anonymous said...

You sweet boys are so observant. Fabulous Bad Mommie has been number one in my book since the second competition. Glad you noticed her versatility and impeccable tailoring. It's hard to hide bad sewing behind clean, simple, and elegant lines.

JM said...

LOVE this post almost as much as I LOVE Laura!! If she doesn't win... I don't know what I'll do.

Regarding your "plunging neckline" epiphany, that is EXACTLY what I was shouting at the television during last week's show. Repetition? Gimme a break, Kors. You've worn the exact same outfit to every PR taping FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS!!!

Anonymous said...

Oy. You boys may well have outdone yourselves with this one. Fuck yeah. Oh. My. God. I'm wetting myself.

Thank you for a giggle in an otherwise suckfest of a day.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Suzanne -- you read my mind about the "Uli not being who she appears to be."

Especially because in another interview (or was it at a different point in the same interview?) you said the editing portrayed people fairly.

My take on Uli was that she appeared to be clever, talented, fun and friendly. Was she not?

Tundrababe said...

Yes! Great post. I also have thought she was being picked on more for what she wore than what she made, and seeing all her pieced together proves that. I love Laura, I hope she wins!

Anonymous said...

Ok, I totally heart Laura. She's classy, elegant and curses like a teamster, that's everything I look for in a lady. But in the last few episodes I wanted to reach through the TV and blend her make-up. During her interviews I was hypnotized by the orange face and white neck combination. Don't stop at the jawline ladies, Blend Blend Blend.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I have tried not to like Laura throughout the whole season....but, damn. Maybe she "loves the gays" well enough to change teams ~ I can see her clad in black leather, high, high, high heels, fishnets... "I'm so sorry I've been naughty, Mistress Laura...please punish me!"

Anonymous said...

"THANK YOU for being savvy enough to recognize the erroneous confusing of what Laura DESIGNS vs. what Laura WEARS as a big culprit in the unfair accusation that she is - gasp! - a one-note designer."

Laura designed all those deep V-neck, empire waisted dresses she always wears on the show, and the judges knew that. It is valid to consider them and conclude that she is a "one-note designer."

Anonymous said...

I think Camilla and Laura wear the same size shoes. The shoes in the recycle challenge and the shoes in the Elle challenge are ones weve seen Laura wear before (such as the jet-setter challenge)

Anonymous said...

Karen, this maybe because I dont wear much makeup but I thought my girl had just got some color on the Paris trip....ahhh who am I kidding, Yup youre probably right

ASK said...

Seeing all of these looks by Laura together - just emphasizes how she never made any big missteps - and how lovely her clothes were.

ask said...

Seeing of these looks together further emphasizes how good Laura's work was and how she was one of the designers without major missteps.