Monday, November 19, 2007 by
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Poor Chris.
Bad enough they figured out a way to make sewing into an Olympic Track & Field event, but then they had to go and edit it to make it look like it took him twenty minutes to get to the other side of Bryant Park.
We're not entirely on the same page with this dress.
Lorenzo absolutely loves it and thinks it could have been a contender for the win, but Tom has a couple complaints.
First, there's just too much going on up around her face and neck: wild print, twists, big floppy bow. It just gives the dress an off-balance feel to it.
Secondly, it's a very theatrical dress - in the literal sense. It looks almost like stagewear. Very Diana Ross "Touch me in the morning, Then just walk away."
But Lorenzo thinks it looks sexy and chic and that it was perfectly executed. He also thinks the model did a sassalicious job.
So far, we're getting a tap-shoes vibe off of everything Jillian does. Pair her up with 40 more girls in identical outfits, top them off with little sequined caps that look like fruit and we've got ourselves a Salute to Tangerines! Boop Boop Be-Doo!
It was technically accomplished and even a little striking, but it just looked way too much like a dance costume. Maybe because that wasn't so much a skirt as it was a tutu. We hated the proportions on this one.
And it also gave off way too much of a "rich bitch resortwear" vibe to us. Just not an aesthetic we respond to all that much.
Don't get us wrong, it was a well-made dress done in what we suspect is Jillian's signature style, but to us it was too stiff and a shade too costume-y.
[Photos: Barbara Nitke/Bravotv.com - Screencaps: Project RunGay]
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80 comments:
Agreeeeeeeeeeeeeeed on the tap-dancey-ness of Jillian's dress. WTF? Good dare on the color, though.
However, Tom, you say Chris' look is too costumey? Well, at least he made a statement of WHO HE IS AS A DESIGNER. He comes from a costumey background. It may have had sort of a Diana Ross feel to it, but I thought it was FAB. It was probably VERY edited compared to what he does for stage and drag. I say good for him for using rich colors and taking a dare to put a new twist on an elegant shilouette. I loved it.
I also loved Chris' gown. I hadn't noticed all the fabric around the neck, but I still think it was chic and elegant.
Jillian's I thought was OK, far from the worst.
two were both lovely dresses, and while i thought jillians skutu may have been a little stiff and the bow on big chris' gown a little over the top, i feel like "stiff" and "over the top" sums those two up pretty well. verdict: not boring.
I agree with Lorenzo - I loved, loved loved Chris' dress and thought the model was one of the best. (Though admittedly, there seem to be some real clunkers among the models' ranks this year). I would have had this dress in my top three.
Hated everything about Jillian's dress. This might have worked as a dance or ice skating costume but that color - who looks good in orange? This might not have deserved to be in the bottom three but it would have definitely been in my bottom five. Her technical skills seem good but her design esthetic, based on this and that culotte romper thing she was wearing, is highly questionable. And I'm not sure why, since she hardly got any screen time, but she just annoys me.
Of these two, I like Chris's best. They both did a good job showing who they were as a designer, though. I think they were good enough to be "in".
Don't you think Jillian styled her model to look like herself, or did the model already look like Jillian?
I wasn't pleased by the whole "Let's make the fat guy run across Bryant Park and then have some great editorial fun at his expense" thing going on in this challenge.
Really? There was nowhere closer they could have put the stupid tents? Of *course* that wasn't planned.
LOVED that Chris got there last and got the last laugh by making SUCH a great dress. I loved the color and the top of the front. Definitely not wild about the huge bow at the back, but it seemed to me that what a lot of people were saying "about me as a designer" was, "I'm safe and boring and middle of the road." At least Ricky, Chris, Jack and Elisa went for it!
Anne
Jillian gives off a bitchy vibe. i don't like her aesthetic. and i don't think i'm going to like her.
I thought Chris' gown was gorgeous! (This was the gown that someone should have made for Iman in Season 2.)
And I never understand the 'too costumey' criticism. All clothes are costumes really: The only difference is what the designers costume you up as (ie; a mall walker, a street walker, a parade float, etc).
Still not sure what to think about Jillian though. That audition tape was Cukoo for Cocoa Puffs, but she MIGHT be OK, and just simply desperate to escape Long Island. What I'm wondering is, why was her model wearing sunglasses? Was she incognito?
--Gotham Tomato
....then again, wasn't Jillian wearing white shoes & white sunglasses? A little too high on the Boca Scale.
And making Chris run...I was watching that thinking-- what are they going to do if everyone takes all the fabric before he gets there?
And who had the idea for that sprint for the fabric anyway? Whadya wanna bet, it came from some PA who was getting high while watching news reports of that annual Filene's Basement Wedding Gown Smack Down??
--Gotham Tomato
I thought the flow of the fabric on Chris's dress was just mesmerizing. It could have been a nightmare of puckering, but it floooowed beautifully. And I could totally picture the sort of event one would wear such a dramatic gown to. Loved it.
Jillian. She is either overshooting the runway (pardon the pun) on trying to be a Very Memorable Reality TV Character, or she's the bitchiest, most self-absorbed brat they've cast yet. And that would be saying something. So, unless she has planned an "evolvement arc" for herself as Jeffrey supposedly did, she'll get called out on her very narrow design aesthetic sooner rather than later.
I'm with Lorenzo on this one--I thought Chris' dress was gorgeous. Sure, it's a red carpet or performance piece, rather than every-day-wear, but I don't see why that's a problem.
I thought Jillian's looked fine on the runway, but you guys are spot on. All I see now is a tap-dancing tangerine.
love chris! for some reason i really liked the bow, maybe cause it was a nice suprise. also thought jillian's dress was just a bit different. but on the other hand i am so sick of strapless -halter dresses.
-I hate to admit this (and I am a loonngg way from ever being considered a fashion expert!), but I actually heard a sound in my house when Chris' dress came down the runway........and then I realized that it was me sucking in my breath over that gown! Beautiful colors, gorgeous fabric movement, and a model that could walk the walk! The gods were smiling down on Chris when he got that beautiful Neubian Queen as his model....I don't think the dress would have translated as well if it was a pale redhead!
Bubble skirt. Oh Jesus!
Chris' was lovely; shows that his aesthetic comes from costume without being too much. He better hope & pray to keep that model. He definitely got the pick of the litter there.
There's an element of
bullying in what Bravo did
to Chris. Just plain mean.
Chris's dress was GORGEOUS!
He was the clear winner at our house. (Jack was second). We couldn't believe that he wasn't even in the top three!
That dress was chic and elegant as all get out.
And the bow? Too much? I lived in Dallas too long to think that little thing is "too much". Seemed just right to me.
I also thought Chris' dress was a little Costumey ...shades of things to come...trust me.
The bow on Chris's dress was a little much, but in general the dress was so gorgeous I forgive him the extra much, and it was one of my two favorites.
Jillian made her model look like her. It was technically ept (hey, it OUGHT to be a word) but it was not very pretty.
The "dash-across-the-park" sequence was just shameful. What was the point, other than to mock Chris's weight? His demeanor and his ability to make the best out of a crappy situation won him big points in my book.
The whole thing left a terrible taste in my mouth, though. Booo, Bravo.
I loved Chris's gown. Felt that it expressed him and really not too much around the face, for me - colors, gorgeous!
Oh my god, Jillian - can't wait to see her get into blank stare-offs with Madame Tangerine and La Garcia when asked to defend her work
I did love Chris' look- and agree that it represents the type of design background he comes from. Hate the Not So Magical Elves for their editing of "Oh, look here's the fat designer waddling across the field".
Jillian - Every clip I see of her reminds me too much of the Long Island and NYC girls who attended my college (University of Maryland) who spent the first month of each semester scrunching up their little faces and whining because nothing was like NYC, blah, blah, blah...
I loved most of Chris' gown. That deep purple color could have been too bridesmaidy, but that printed top really saved it. The detailing in the front didn't bother me as much as the one on the back. I think it covered up too much of the model's gorgeous back and those beautiful straps.
For Jillian, it seems to be missing one of those big, fake fruit hats to really finish the look.
Did Jillian model her own dress? Cause that mirror thing is spooky. It was okay, but you boyz got it right -- it's another Jillian USO special. "Buy war bonds, make me a star!"
Chris' dress I did love. Yes, there's some stuff going on, but I thought it was balanced -- the print is balanced by twisting it in a way where it occupies less visual space in the front, and the flop in the back does contribute interest to what might otherwise be a bland view. Nicely executed, and he maintained his dignity throughout that "fat boy sprints to the tent!" business. He seems a centered person, with a little adoptive queeny outrageousness on the side. Like him.
Jillian's outfit looked much, much more like a costume than did Chris'. Perhaps because it was made clear that Chris is a costume design, it was easy to lock and load that criticism - "COSTUMEY!" But that's just too easy, no? We thought it WAS chic, sleek, and magnifique! Not a costume.
Jillian's was cute - in a Shirley Temple "cute" kind of way - which is, like you said, remenicent of the Radio City Rockettes - i.e., "COSTUMEY!!!"
Funny......Just thinking......
Laura got criticized for making rich bitch-vibe clothes that looked like what she was already wearing.
But she did it on a whole other level than Jillian. End of comparison.
The bow on Chris's dress was a little much, but in general the dress was so gorgeous I forgive him the extra much, and it was one of my two favorites.
Who was your other fav? Just curious....
I hope they don't make Chris run again - not nice.
Chris' dress had so much more life (and youth!) than that concrete thing of Rami's. Perfect for a Christmas Ball, don't you think? Lovely movement and color.
(Can you tell I don't like Rami? Just rewatched on YouTube. The look on his face when Christian is getting complimented! Ha!)
Jillian's dress was refreshing to see in the middle of all the "heavy" and black. Tap dance on!
-- desertwind
Desertwind -
You are so right about Rami ...snarky, pompous ass. I can't wait until he actually gets an unflattering comment.
I felt very bad for Chris and I'm glad that, despite the mad rush towards the "best" fabrics, he made a fabulous dress.
Jillian...I don't know...that audition tape still haunts me.
"GothamTomato said...
Still not sure what to think about Jillian though. That audition tape was Cukoo for Cocoa Puffs, but she MIGHT be OK, and just simply desperate to escape Long Island."
ROFL. Too funny, GothamTomato.
I adored Chris' gown. The colors were so lush, and the fabric just flowed like a river. Beautiful. I could see this one at opening night of the Met.
jillian's dress was horrendous, OMG.
It looked like Jillian's model was wearing a pumpkin. Chris' dress? GORGEOUS!
I thought Chris gown was too something... maybed dated or old. I couldn't see anyone young wearing it. I don't know. My boyfriend loved it though.
I liked Jillian's a lot, actually. I thought it was fun. Maybe because I wish I was a rich bitch at a resort :)
Jillian's dress stands out because of the bright color. I thought it looked like the model was trying too hard to look chic, as opposed to Chris' effortless chic look.
"PinkPrincess said...
It looked like Jillian's model was wearing a pumpkin."
Yes, yes, yes!!! Why couldn't I see THAT!?!
THIS is who Linus has been waiting for all these years! Still not surre about the dress, but she is better than a bag full of rocks.
--Gotham Tomato
" Lilithcat said...
I adored Chris' gown. The colors were so lush, and the fabric just flowed like a river. Beautiful. I could see this one at opening night of the Met."
My thoughts exactly!
I actually like both dresses.
I like Chris because he didn't get PISSED at the running. I wouldn't have handled it gracefully. I thought the color of his gown looked lovely...and his model could be the only one who knows how to walk.
I agree with the previous 50 posters re: Jillian. Her presence annoys me. And she had on freakin' culottes with white sandals. Really? Really.
um jillians model was styled to look EXACTLY LIKE JILLIAN!
The hair, the cut of the dress, they were twins.
I laughed.
I have to disagree about there being too much stuff going on at the top of Chris' dress. I think drawing the attention upward to a nice rack and shoulders would go wonders for those of us with the above assets while distracting from the (ahem) normal-sized hip area. In other words, in a real woman, that top balances out the lower half.
My only qualm about the dress is that it appears a smidge too short in the photo.
Jillian, Jillian, Jillian.... the girl dresses like a stuck up bitch and designs like one too.... the dress screamed, " i will rip you a new asshole if you ever look me in the eye AGAIN!" but it matched who i think she is... so I think from the perspective of the challenged, it worked.
poor chris, running like that. I feel bad for him. His dress was my favorite. I love that it was theatrical but not over the top. Loved it! he should have one the challenge, in my opinion, because it should who he was, it was spectacularly made, and totally wearable.
I don't even remember Jillian's dress, heh.
But I <3ed Chris' dress.
Agreed, agreed, agreed all around (including the post of Victorya and "Maria" previous to this one). Minor note of dissension for Chris, though - I can see "stagewear", but I can also see a fab bitch rockin' it at a gala. Well, after they trim the bow down a few notches - DAMN.
While watching Chris run to the tents my husband kept shouting at the TV, "that's not fair"!! Luckily he showed them all with a classy attitude and an excellent design. He's definitely one of my favs right now....
I still think that Chris should have won this challenge. His dress was STUNNING on the runway, and the bow in the back completely made the dress.
my chubby brother Chris dashed for the tent and came out last, with a fabulous dress and charming to boot.
he's a keeper.
and the dress ~ absolutely luscious, delicious, sexy, sensuous, a treat of a dress that i'd wear in an instant.
and then i'd have to fondle myself all night because i LOVE the fabric. it was divine. glorious. fabulous. dramatic. elegant. beautiful.
it should have been #1. compare and contrast, shall we: toga dress v. this purely elegant confection.
and then there's jillian ~ pffffft. i sense she's going to become a stroppy cow.
I am SOOOOO with Lorenzo on Chris's dress. It's Laura Bennett steps into the 21st century. I LOVE everything going on up around her neck. Stunning. I also thought it could have won.
As much as I love this show, I think it was downright wrong that they made the designers run to the fabric. Jesus, they are designers.... Really. What the fuck was that about?? Let's get back to fashion shall we???
The only thing Jillian's dress had going for it were the pockets. They were a cute touch.
Chris' was a work of art. Just Heaven.
Saskia said...
The "dash-across-the-park" sequence was just shameful. What was the point, other than to mock Chris's weight? His demeanor and his ability to make the best out of a crappy situation won him big points in my book.
The whole thing left a terrible taste in my mouth, though. Booo, Bravo.
My feelings exactly. What if there was a PR contestant who was disabled? Elderly? Still funny? Didn't think so. Fuck off Bravo.
I loved the color of Jillian's dress, but her whole aesthetic veers dangerously towards the Rockettes. Also she's kind of a bitch.
Chris ROCKED!!! Fabulous dress!
Loved Chris's dress, hated what they did to him with the running.
As for the next Mrs. Seinfeld, I liked her dress better in the brief flash on my TV screen than in the still photos. The deflating pumpkin aspect really is quite noticeable when you get a good look.
-- rain brain
I loved Chris' dress. I thought it should have been in the top 3. I think the neckline treatment (specifically the several wrap-arounds at the neck) probably put it in the middle of the pack.
I don't even remember Jillian's dress, which tells you something right there.
anne:I wasn't pleased by the whole "Let's make the fat guy run across Bryant Park and then have some great editorial fun at his expense" thing going on in this challenge.
I agree. And that it was so obviously edited to make it seem like he took foreeeever to get there made it even worse.
I liked his dress a lot--it moved beautifully on the runway, and I loved the colors. He really took full advantage of the fabrics at his disposal. I didn't care for the bow, but overall I thought it should have been a contender for the win.
And you boys have identified exactly what I don't like about Jillian's designs--they all look like she's costuming a 1980s remake of a WW II-era musical. The proper accessories for the dress she sent down the runway would have been a little pillbox hat on an elastic strap and a tray loaded with gum and cigarettes.
Oh, well--at least when someone decides to remake Xanadu they will know who to call on for costumes...
I adored Chris' gown, but I agree that there was too much going on around the face. I liked the bow on the back but not the criss-crossy thing on the back.
I don't think I like Jillian yet. She's.. got a weird vibe.
I'm with Lorenzo too. I really liked the dress Chris designed (not wild about the bow in the back) but I thought it was really beautiful coming down the runway. I was surprised it wasn't a finalist.
Totally agree with Lorenzo on Chris' dress. Plus it moved beautifully down the runway and I loved the drama slinking down the back. Jillian's dress might be fun for one night, but as one of my coworkers said, "This trend was over almost as soon as it began."
Chris's dress was one of the first times I gasped, literally gasped, while watching PR. OK, maybe I gasped a little when Santino yelled at Nina, but that's different.
I NEED Chris's dress. First, I need a back that could wear that dress, but we're talking about my fantasy world here. I even liked the bow, and I don't normally like bows. The bow worked because of the fabric, which was just so rich and lush and soft and elegant. I don't think it would have worked with any other fabric. And the colors! *swoon*
Bravo editors are just shitheads for the editing of Chris running. Seriously? This is entertainment? They really underestimate their audience.
My second favorite dress was Jack's. The black and white combined with the turquoise was just too freakin cute. I really, really want that dress also. I rarely feel like I would want to wear a dress that I see on PR, but I would wear Chris's and Jack's in a second (if I had the back to pull them off, like I said).
i think the shot where you can see the rest of designers' faces when chris' dress goes by is worth a post of its own.
These were two of my favorites and I thought they should have been in the top three along with Jack. These two USED COLOR, took risks, and I understood their design point of view, and even though the dresses were a bit dramatic and costumey, at least they were not drab or in black.
Also I definitely prefer Jilian's USO influenced version of the 1980s to Christian's drab, asymmetrical version.
Then again, the judges and I rarely agree. In season 2 Santino would have been out in the figure skating challenge (that feather explosion dress was a monstrosity) or the makeover challenge (poor Kara Janx), and Jeffrey would have been out in the Everyday Woman challenge (the dress was UGLY and not interesting, he was vicious and dismissive to Angela's mother, and he made her cry). But of course the judges or the producers love the cruel (not delightfully bitchy, but just plain mean) men.
I don't generally like clothes that remind me of lollipop colors that would make me puke, but I do love Chris. Jillian - not so much. Jillians model?! Forget about it.
Chris' dress was stunning. I love the fabrics, the silhouette....everything about it. Go, Chris!
I LOVE Chris...he looks EXACTLY like a friend of mine(but he's straight)...he's a big guy just like Chris and he owns it like Chris did.
And I loved his dress!
I hope he lasts for awhile...
Chris's dress? Put me on the love train. That thing was gorge. I actually liked the floppy bow. Yes, I *did* think about Diana Ross, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The dress was dramatic, it was well made, the colors were fabulous -- altogether it was my favorite of all the designs this week. Was very surprised that it got no love from the judges.
I go back and forth on Jillian's dress. Overall I was pretty impressed by it, although I certainly can't imagine wearing it. Liked the color a lot.
love chris - liked his dress quite a bit. Hated the stupid stunt bravo pulled with the "oh look at the fat guy running". As another poster put it "Fuck off Bravo".
Oh and Jillian is the new Angela in terms of annoying, albeit in a different vein of irritating.
CP
speaking from the perspective of a brown girl who loves rich colors and lush fabrics, i adored chris's dress. esp. when you consider how chris arrived after the other designers had greedily snagged every fabric in their sights, yet he still found beautiful fabrics that made a unique statement. magnificent.
although i personally don't find the bow obtrusive (better there than anywhere below the hips, at the waist, or in the front of the dress), i think part of it had to do with the model's hairstyle. imagine the dress with her hair in an elegant up-do, instead of hanging down to meet the bow. this would have freed up a lot of space, and made the area look less cohesive.
i also liked the clever way chris “bustled” the dress with that bracelet. elisa should take note—this is how you can use longer fabric and not have your model tripping all over the dress while walking down the runway!
gotham tomato, i completely agree that this is the dress someone should have made for iman--she would have rocked that dress! :)
~~zoë
btw, does anyone know where to find tim’s podcasts for season 4? i’ve searched all over the bravo site, to no avail. i need to know tim’s every thought! ;) thanks!
Chris' beautiful creation was gorgeous, it really was my favourite thing on the runway this week.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no prude but so far, everything I've seen Jillian wear (and design) seems a bit on the short, skimpy side...she does have lovely legs, but... I don't know, something about her outfits bother me a great deal.
I have a problem with designers who design for themselves, like Jillian, for example. Something weird about that, I think.
"gothamtomato said...
And I never understand the 'too costumey' criticism. All clothes are costumes really: The only difference is what the designers costume you up as (ie; a mall walker, a street walker, a parade float, etc)."
What? That makes no sense, unless you dress like a clown every morning to go to work. There is a MAJOR difference between fashionable clothes and costumes. Even Galliano understands that.
I was fine with Chris' dress until I saw the model holding the skirt as if she was stepping into a ball room. I was just waiting for her to bow to the queen. That's the theatrical, costume-y aspect of his garments that he will have to let go of if he wants to continue in this competition.
"gothamtomato said...
And I never understand the 'too costumey' criticism. All clothes are costumes really: The only difference is what the designers costume you up as (ie; a mall walker, a street walker, a parade float, etc)."
"Cinthia said...
What? That makes no sense, unless you dress like a clown every morning to go to work.
Well, funny you should mention it...
--Gotham Tomato
"fruits*milk said..
Don't get me wrong, I'm no prude but so far, everything I've seen Jillian wear (and design) seems a bit on the short, skimpy side..."
Might that be because it was summertime & very hot? In her portfolio runway show she I recall htat very heavy, layered Stevie Nick-style coat ensemble.
--Gotham Tomato
MMMM-wasn't Jillian wearing a very similar Skutu? In light blue? Big design stretch there????
I liked Chris'. He's flamoboyant. He used the print appropriately. Hell, he USED a print. It caught my eye on screen-its a dress with presence. And the girl WORKED it.
I watched the prelim PR3 show on DVD recently, and I think Jillian was in it - saying that she may just bust wide open with all these ideas she had....blah..blah. Pretty intense. It's the same show Steven talked about where the magic happened in his apartment.
Jillian's dress made me think of Angela and her addiction to bubble skirts. Just awful. Chris' dress was just wonderful.
The editing of chris running across bryant park made me really sad =(
he's one of my favorites, and that was just in bad taste.
Chris's dress was gorgeous! I agree with Lorenzo
i have to agree with lorenzo about chris's dress. it was totally chic and beautiful. an excellent dress that lived up to the luxury of the fabrics provided. and in the end, it looked *expensive*.
but i get tom's point about it being a touch too top heavy. maybe if her hair had been a bit sleeker, it would have come off more polished.
As a fan of "rich bitch resortwear," I liked Jillian's dress. Remember, she's out of the Ralph Lifschitz oka Ralph Lauren stable.
When I first saw it, I was unsure of the color -- it looked more true red, and I don't wear red.
Tangerine is more my speed.
Chris' dress was lovely, though the bow on the back neck was too, ah, voluminous (read: costumey) for my tastes. But the rest of it- gorgeous, well made, beautifully fit and chic.
But Jilliane... oh dear... the sugar plum fairy was over for coffee earlier and she wants to wear that in this year's Nutcracker... give her a call, sweetie.
Ms. Ross would SO wear that dress! She's probably got her publicist on the phone right now securing the rights, so NO ONE ELSE can wear it.
Fear The Ross
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