Wednesday, February 13, 2008 by
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Something occurred to us when we got to the end of the outfits for this episode. The designers who did the best in this challenge (Chris, Jillian, Christian) were the ones who dressed the character that their diva was playing while the ones who did the worst (Sweet P, Rami, Ricky) just put them in generic slutwear.
Say what you will about this look (and we will)...
...but you can't deny she is definitely a character. A scary, whip-wielding dominatrix of a character, but at least she's got more going on than just "girl next door" or "I rip open my robe."
Let's get right to it: Lorenzo HATES this look. Tom doesn't exactly love it, but he feels that, for the challenge, it was appropriate and even creative. We both kind of like the jacket, although Lorenzo thinks it goes too far...
...and sure, the shirt's a little skanktastic, but that IS the point and we thought the black lace was a great touch.
One thing we both agree on is that this look was just too much. It's kind of hard to go over-the-top on a challenge like this but Christian managed. There's a razor-thin line between sexy stagewear and hooker fetish gear and unfortunately, this leaps right over it.
It's the chaps, kittens. They sounded like a fabulous idea when he first mentioned them paired with lace, but they're just pointing a big ol' bullseye on her girl area (which is kind of the idea, admittedly) and it's just too...
...we hate to say it.
Vulgar.
There we said it. It's vulgar! You can see too much tootie, ALRIGHT? HAPPY NOW? We're Sloweying all over the place here! Slap some panties on that poor girl!
[Photo: Barbara Nitke/Bravotv.com - Screencaps: Project RunGay]
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89 comments:
MY EYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
your close-up screencaps reveal too much!
i really liked this on tv, but looking at this pictures - I kind of agree with you: too much. it's vulgar.
I also agree that "I rip open my robe" is not much of a character.
this challenge is not much fun to revisit and look at.
I thought he was at least inventive with the whole look; for what it was (and it wasn't much, mind you) I thought it wa a good little outfit for the challenge.
bwahaha! agreed!
I love when Princess Chicken doesn't win. Best facial expressions this side of Andrae.
Too much Tooty is right!
To quote Andrae: "Wow, I... disagree." This was amazing and fit the challenge perfectly. The chaps were quite inspired.
I'm sorry, but I loved it. It's like that 7 of 9 suit - if I had the bod that goes with it I'd wear that thing to the supermarket. This too.
But... are those her nipples there?
Anne
Now, see, I didn't mind the chaps per se, but ruffles at the ankles? Oh, please.
And those puffy sleeves again . . .
Here's an idea for a challenge, about halfway through the episodes. By that time, it's obvious what each designer's schtick is, so the challenge is to design an outfit without using it. Christian would be barred from puffy sleeves and pleating, Rami couldn't drape, Angela's fleurchons would be verboten, as would Uli's prints, Laura's necklines would have to be above the sternum, and so on.
Other than the "we've seen it already 3 times in different fabric" jacket, this was generic Fredricks gear. Didn't understand all the furor, or why Jillian wasn't on stage with Chris for the "let's announce the winner" portion.
And PPS has gone from annoying to entertaining to really annoying in my book. I finally figured out the problem - he's every bitch of a seventh grade girl who terrorized me in middle school. Plus, since all his designs are from 1981-83, he's basically making me relive HS in fashion. I blocked all that stuff out for a reason, damnit. And considering Jillian is barely older than he is, the youth card doesn' play too well anymore, either. In short, the boy needs to grow the &%^$ up.
"Anne said...
...if I had the bod that goes with it I'd wear that thing to the supermarket. This too.
But... are those her nipples there?
Anne"
Wow, and where do you buy your groceries? At the SuperWhore?
I thought it was slutty, vulgar, trashy looking, sooo not fierce, but wasn't that the point?
The bracelets seem a little out of nowhere and yeah, the chaps are a bit too far. Vince McMahon would love it, especially if she got in a fight and somebody ripped her extensions out or something.
But my favorite part is how Christian is quietly holding himself in the last shot. He's totally going to his happy place right there.
She was wearing chaps when they were introduced in the ring. They had a slightly different design, but still.
I can not get past the stretch lace mono-sleeve. Apolliana, Shelia E. or Vanity?
It fits her character I guess, and he is the only one that seemed to realize the silicone breasts are self supporting.
I thought this look was pretty cool and appropriate, but the jacket was totally drab -- I liked it better with it off. (Yes, it's just the puffy sleeves again. Sigh.) Maybe something with a little more color or detail would have communicated the "gold digger" concept a little better. Love the lace dominatrix top, though. Just very sexy.
On looking again, though, my feelings are more mixed about the chaps. It's primarily the close-up portion where it straddles her crotch. I don't necessarily want to say "vulgar" because well, look at the challenge. But there's something just sort of strange about it. Maybe it's the roundness of it compared to the sharpness of the other portions of the outfit.
I really loved the fact that Christian was raving about this challenge by the end, but I was sort of irritated by the way he took it back in his Burning Questions interview on Bravotv.com, saying that he was "just joking" and that the challenge was ridiculous and had nothing to do with fashion. Sounded kind of like he saw how the more high fashion-oriented fans were reacting to the episode and was just trying to cover his ass.
(Ironic, seeing as he didn't cover hers.)
Oh for the love of puffy sleeves! Has he yet sent anything down that runway without them? Did I somehow miss it? Honestly, it's been bordering on the comedic, but now it's just ridiculous.
Vulgar?!
You better watch the WWE. It exists to be vulgar. His design was perfect, and I actually felt he could have won that challenge as much as Chris.
It isn't bad, but it's a little too costumey.
I thought the chaps, inspired. But the full-lace onesie definitely takes it over into hooker-wear a bit.
And look! Puffy sleeves! Whoever would've thought of that! sarcasm
I used to LOVE shopping at SuperWhore! That is, until I wooed over by the WhoreMart.
Question about the nipples though--where are they? This shirt confuses me.
tee hee. you said "tootie."
Christian has actually done quite a few looks without puffy sleeves. The problem is that most of them have been awful or forgettable -- notably, his Hershey's dress, and his prom dress (which I believe did have sleeves in one early incarnation we saw of it). He also didn't put sleeves on his Fashion No-Nos looks, but god, how forgettable was that episode?
So his only really noteworthy non-puffysleevedness has been his looks during avant-garde week, and although the RTW look was ruffly and Christian-y enough (and also had sleeves in an early incarnation), I think we can all agree that that his A-G dress was pretty impeachable in its fabulousity.
So in the end it's not so much that Christian puts puffy sleeves on all garments. It's just that that whenever he makes a garment with sleeves, the sleeves are always puffy.
I think this lost to Chris on the grounds of not being practical. It looks almost impossible to wrestle in, particularly with all the studs on it.
The chaps or the vulgarity didn't bother me. What bothered me was all the stuff around the ankles & the jacket: Too frou-frou. I think that's what made it too much.
I wouldn't call it hookerware though. It would be too impractical for a hooker. I used to live in a neighborhood swarming with streetwalkers, and they didn't dress like that.
Plus, with all of these women, I wish that when they rolled the credits, they listed where those bodies came from (ie; silicone, growth hormone, etc.) I just wonder how much is excercise and how much is artificial means. Just out of curiosity.
--GothamTomato
Christian is officially boring me now.
He put too much stuff on his 'diva', and ended up sending her out a little *too* fully clothed.
This outfit doesn't look like it would be very useful in a ring: the chaps look like they'd limit mobility, and all the puffs and ruffles are just things an opponent can grab on to.
More is not more better, PPS!
Dear TLo -
Yet another breath of bitchiness to make me grin and chortle on another day from the Gatling Gun. Thanks, as always.
I think I will agree with first poster CB that, whoa Nellie, those closeups are...CLOSE.
All the best,
NDC
I too thought it resembled her original outfit but Vulgar, not for this sport(sport?).
Ice Skating = Too much Tootie
WWE = Not enough Tootie
Tootie, Tootie, Tootie!
Love that word.
I think Christian answered to what his client wanted (leather & lace) while maintaining Christian's design aesthetic (puffy sleeved jacket and ruffles). Glad he turned around and seemed to enjoy the challenge instead of dying of barfness this time.
I think we should all take a moment to acknowledge the tireless fabulousity it takes for TLo to keep drudging through this stripper-wear for us. I mean, they're so exhausted they couldn't even muster up a witty title for this post and who can blame them? Boys, you deserve a visit to the spa to recover from this challenge! Soak in some mud and try to free your minds from the tackiness that has been and hopefully never will be again.
tehkou said...
I really loved the fact that Christian was raving about this challenge by the end, but I was sort of irritated by the way he took it back in his Burning Questions interview on Bravotv.com, saying that he was "just joking" and that the challenge was ridiculous and had nothing to do with fashion. Sounded kind of like he saw how the more high fashion-oriented fans were reacting to the episode and was just trying to cover his ass.
He is a sour little thing isn't he? I try not to make any judgements about what they say on the show, because it is so heavily edited and the producers try to manipulate the audiences feelings about the various designers, but interviews are revealing.
As someone who enjoys a well fitted pair of chaps (at least on a guy) I thought it a good concept, but these seem to ride a little too low for the proper effect. The opening created by the leggings and belting should frame the goodies, not rudely point to them.
Hated the ruffles at the ankles. They made no sense to me. As for the PPS signature jacket, I didn't mind this one. I actually found it to be my favorite of any that he has done before, faux fur and pleather be damned. A solid third place showing in my estimation. Too derivitive of Apollonia for me to really love though.
I like that he's inspired by the decade of my youth, but when will he update the looks?
You okay TLo? You've had to examine more girly parts, girly bits and general girly areas than you ever have before in your entire lives combined before this season aired.
As for the puffy sleeves, count me in with the "it's become annoying" group.
"GothamTomato said...
Plus, with all of these women, I wish that when they rolled the credits, they listed where those bodies came from (ie; silicone, growth hormone, etc.) I just wonder how much is excercise and how much is artificial means. Just out of curiosity."
LOL, they should have a list of ingredients on their packaging...
Botox, silicone, reduced fat (liposuction), acrylic, collagen.
And you know the organically raised girls would just look puny in comparison.
Yes, there was a whole lot of tootie going on this episode. Christian's was one of the most egregious. But he wasn't alone.
Yep Sewing Siren, that was 100% vintage Apollonia---in a patented PPS jacket! The more challenges I watch this season, the more I realize that Sarah J-P was right on in the Bitten challenge: Christian is recreating '80s looks without the wink and nod ('cause he wasn't around back then).
Well, if he doesn't win Project Runway, Princess could always design stagewear for Prince!
Certainly, he was in the top three, but of those three, this was my least favorite. I think the ruffles at the bottom of the chaps look ridiculous, not to mention they seem really impractical for wrestling. I assume the jacket is meant to be removed in the ring (if not, the puffy sleeves likewise seem really impractical for wrestling), but what's the point? Yes, Christian, we know you know how to make black puffy-sleeved jackets. But the more of them I see, the less fierce they are. And it's hard to tell without examining the actual fabric, but is that stretch lace really going to hold up to the thrashing that goes on in the ring? And I'm really tired of the judges' failure to criticize Christian for doing the same outfit over and over in different fabrics.
Strange that the girl wearing the most fabric is the most vulgar.
By the way, if you want to have some fun, go to wwe.com and actually read up on the divas they did. Yes, they are characters, but in a fun, one dimensional soap opera sort of way, and it is better than the 5 word descriptions they had to give of themselves
Maybe it's cause I'm younger, but I thought this was a hot look. I mean, with the closeups, it probably revealed too much, but the black lace still covers everything up pretty well.
These people are wwe divas, they are not demure. They flaunt their sexuality on stage. Vulgarity and wwe divas go together.
Oh poor TLo, to look at these pictures again after uploading the DVF collection!
I thought Christian would win with this but was happy that Chris did.
Totally match made in heaven, leather and lace and Christian. Puffy sleeves his 'signature' even though I hate them, hate hate hate. He put his little stampette on the outfit and embraced the challenge.
In fact maybe my favorite little bit from the episode was seeing Christian tell Tim how much he ended up loving this challenge.
PR5 contestants, take notice!
I had a love/hate relationship with this outfit. I really hated it alone, as any type of fashion. But I loved it for what it was, a WWE wrestler's outfit. It went with the spirit of the challenge.
Personally, I think the thing is tacky as shit and didn't deserve to win at all. I don't even think it was that great. It seemed well made and Christian loved it, but it was just cheap looking and trampy. But I think that is the look she was going for.
All in all, I think it is horrible as an outfit, but it is ok for the challenge. If that makes any sense.
anonymous 2:47:
"I think we should all take a moment to acknowledge the tireless fabulousity it takes for TLo to keep drudging through this stripper-wear for us."
Tireless fabulosity! too true! Let's hear it!
yayyyyyyy!
I liked this outfit but it was not very practical especially the chaps. But it fit her persona. Even the jacket. I groan when i heard another jacket but it suited her for drama.
Actually what I liked about Christian in this challenge is how much he dug his client and refer to as 1 of the most firece people he ever met then followed it up by saying "And girl! I met a LOT of firece bitches"
Frank
i didn't think it was vulgar. and you couldn't see any lady bits. they were covered by a big leather panel. granted there was studded V lining her crotch...but i got "vamp" more than "vulgar."
sewing siren said ...he is the only one that seemed to realize the silicone breasts are self supporting.
Excellent point, siren! Funny, too.
Being a Broadway boy, not a WWE guy, I thought Christian's outfit was very reminiscent of Anita Morris playing Carla in the original production of "Nine."
And doesn't that fit perfectly because it's from back in 1982 which seems to be Christian's era of reference.
Talk about "robe & reveal" -- that 3rd picture, yowza!
So, does making an outfit that displays too much tootie mean that the designer is guilty of "tootering", while said display constitutes "tootaledge"?
Sorry, long day here.
A good design, but there was just too much going on. There was so much to look at that it didn't have quite the visual impact Chris' did.
I could never wear Christian's designs. Puffed sleeves make me look like Patty Playpal.
I felt like PPS almost missed the point of the challenge. This isn't a wrestling outfit, at all.
My first reaction to the outfit was "no one is going to have any idea what she is wearing from far away". I can just imagine squinting and saying "what is all that shit on her? Is that a coat??"
I have a little fantasy that Anne Slowey secretly dresses this way during her drunken "Salute To Tootie" theme weekends.
(And Bill...Anita Morris...what a loss. Jane Krakowski was fine in the revival, but no one can ever top Anita's "Call From the Vatican.")
Wait...I just went back and looked at the photos and REALLY can't figure out what all that shit is on her...extra lace at the ankle? fringe? was that furry trim on the front of the coat? I didn't see all of the components clearly when I was watching, just that it was hella busy.
Damn...PPS would have put the kitchen sink on this woman if it was black.
It fit like a dream, and you could tell she really liked it, but I didn't like this outfit, at all. I couldn't really articulate why, at the time; I just knew I didn't like it.
I suppose it could be an innate reaction to "vulgarity", but I found the shorts riding up into the woman's crack on Jillian's model to be just as vulgar as the peek-a-boo tootie, so I'm not sure that really explains my distaste for this ensemble.
and there are only two Tooties I want to see.
This one.
And the one found here with a Rooty in front of it and a Fresh & Fruity after it.
I raised 3 sons who went through the WWE phase, and trust me, this outfit was PERFECT for the challenge. Christian did a great job. You're right though, the people who did the best on this challenge were the ones who dressed a character, not a person. It's a whole different set of criteria for judging. The more outrageous, and hooker-ish the better in that world!
Babies,
What on earth can one do when asked to dress strippers with superhero delusions?
Right, not much.
He did what he knew what to do and despite the quasi-female-codpiece, even the chaps were stylized.
I mean the challnege was about a free for all in tackiness and t and a so, mission accomplished.
Love,
Milla
"What bothered me was all the stuff around the ankles & the jacket: Too frou-frou. I think that's what made it too much."
I know, right? I mean, Sweet Jesus, did you see his "collection"???
Insane!
Chris's look, to me, seemed wittily vulgar. This was aggressively vulgar. If I must choose one type of vulgar over another, I'll go with wit every time.
I'm surprised you guys didn't show the back of that outfit when she was walking away down the runway. Her entire butt-crack was out. The HOLE thing. It was VERY vulgar. That is a very good word for it.
She also looks like she gets "it" a lot - with all that easy access. lol.
I'm guessing Christian is playing the Michael Knight / Daniel Vosovic role this season. He's young, unseasoned, talented -- and destined to implode in the finals.
Thus Rami (yawn) will win in the Jeffrey / Chloe role (designer with already-established business who really doesn't need this at all when you come right down to it).
Which means:
* Jillian is this season's Laura
* Sweet P is gone next (c'mon...)
* Chris is then, um, Uli.
Hmm. Now I'm having visions of crazy prints, "hot vether" and over-the-top dragwear....
Did y'all know to correctly pronounce chaps it is actually "shaps?" Anyway, did Christian use the extra pleather on his shirt?
For what it was, it worked for the challenge. And my budding fashionista said "Mama, he scares me!" I wasn't sure if she meant Christian or the diva.
I was hoping for a "Pleather and Lace" title for this post (or maybe "Christian di Bore").
But considering the final design PPS gave us, you should be commended "just" for posting anything at all on this. Bravo, gentlemen.
Hell's Kitten-- I noticed it too. Crack is whack. That, to me, was the worst part of the look. I'm surprised the MK didn't mention it. He so hates seeing girl parts.
Girl parts we didn't see were the nips. To understand why, you'd have to take another close look at the pictures. You'll see little rounded pieces of material, just a little darker than the liner under the lace. It looks to me as if he had two layers of liner in the chest area.
TD--too many of us have seen the spoiler pictures from the Bryant Park show. Hate to say it, but this year, nobody really embarassed themselves like Mychael did last year.
Bill said...
And the one found here with a Rooty in front of it and a Fresh & Fruity after it.
4:04 PM
Hey Bill,
I'm buying! LOL
Princess Fru-fru is killing me. He's been killing me since Day One, really. Those puffy sleeves and frilly bits and pleating and all are...
Well, I hate to say it, but the word that leaps to mind is "faggy." They are the things some gay men think women should want to wear, but relatively few grown women actually do. TLo, you guys startle me that you sometimes seem to like that crap, because you have fabulous taste otherwise.
Christian's aesthetic burns double because his personal style is great. I'm sick of his haircut now, but post-PR interview photos of him show a new hairstyle and natty outfits. So why does he want to dress women in ruffles? I hope it's just a phase.
Does anyone know of a bar in Minneapolis that would be up for showing the Project Runway finale? One where, preferably, the crowd would not collectively roll their eyes if a couple of straight women walked in?
Could be a great party!
Christian's aesthetic burns double because his personal style is great
Really? You really think that? With his Han Solo vests, cowboy boots (how urban cowboy), and those cheap t shirts. He dresses horrible for someone who is a designer.
I thought it was great that he got in the spirit of things. He started out hating the challenge, but then he got really into it. Plus he listened to what his "client" said, and she really seemed to love it.
Yeah it's trashy and vulgar, but it IS a character. And it fit perfectly with the character his client wanted.
I think Chris deserved the win, but Christian definilty did a great job.
" JonDo said...
Christian's aesthetic burns double because his personal style is great
Really? You really think that? With his Han Solo vests, cowboy boots (how urban cowboy), and those cheap t shirts. He dresses horrible for someone who is a designer."
I design clothes, and I absolutely love Christian's style. He makes it his own.
Ok. 1) I'm not sure "vulgar" is necessarily a bad thing in this case. Also, 2) aren't these women wresters? Is she supposed to wrestle in that thing? Does the leather modesty skirt come off? Because I see it getting in the way.
Sloweying! ROFL!
The whole look of the "Divas" is vulgar! He aimed for that target and he didn't miss at all. Go Princess Puffysleeves!
I kinda like this getup. PP fully embraced the tack-o-slutwear aesthetic of this gross challenge, and executed his concept beautifully.
Can this next challenge be halfway classy...PLEASE?!?
Vanity wouldn't be caught dead in that!
But Appollonia might'a dug it.
-- desertwind
PS I hate Blogger's new choose an identity.
You guys are nuts! She's a wrestler! Her character is the Slutty S&M one! Of course she's going to be vulgar, she isn't Jackie O.
Stop the war against Christian!!!!
Agreed on all points.
I was really glad Princess met the challenge head-on and made it work for him. In many ways, he stepped outside himself to capture the essence of the character while still maintaining his aesthetic. Kinda said, to me, that he's capable of more than just "one thing".
Never thought I'd see the day you two turn into a bunch of prudes :)
But I know what you mean :)
I love how Christian embraced it though, and I love that his client loved it :)
The chaps were my favorite party! Different, interesting, fitting, I thought pretty neat looking, very dark, very cool. Looked well made.
A bit sick of these jackets, though!
I love you, Tom & Lorenzo, but I must respectfully say I thought this thing ROCKED. I could never pull it off myself, but I'm glad there's someone in the world who can.
Word!
Wow, and where do you buy your groceries? At the SuperWhore?
At the T&A&P, where do you buy yours?!
(Yes, it took me all day to come up with it. What's your point?)
:)
Anne
"Anne said...
Wow, and where do you buy your groceries? At the SuperWhore?
At the T&A&P, where do you buy yours?!
(Yes, it took me all day to come up with it. What's your point?)
:)
Anne"
LOL. That's hilarious, Anne. : )
Christian is FIERCE!! You bitches are wrong : )
Here's what Christian said:
"Were you worried that you wouldn't be able to put your high fashion mark on this garment?
I think that the challenge has nothing to do with fashion! It's costume, which is fine but not for a challenge that comes so close to the finale challenge! If this is what decides who makes it to Fashion Week, I thought it was a joke.
What did you think of the other designers' work?
I thought the other designers just are not well-rounded enough in their abilities for this challenge! I think there were really only two great designs!
You said that this was one of your favorite challenges -- what were your expectations going in?
I hated the challenge at first but after working on it for a day, I felt that it was fun ... just fun! I said that in a joking way!"
Hmmmm.
LOL! So, today's word-of-the-day is "vulgar"!
I think Christian did a great job packaging her attributes. Her wrestling character comes off as strong, sexy and snarlin' fierce.
I think she's wearing a flesh-colored bra and a thong under all that lace. At least I hope she's wearing a thong... otherwise that's _really_ too much tootie.
--nycowgirl
looking at that outfit made we want to die of barfness.
for sure...
I'm so shocked you beat The Duchess to the V word!
Bwah, suddenly I am reminded of the Duchess's reaction to Wendy Pepper's boobie baring sheer top. But, errr, um, TLo, to paraphrase an ancient Wendy's commercial...where's the tootie? I don't really see it. Unless you mean it in a Barbie doll unanatomically correct kinda way. Seriously, I'm pretty sure that lace is lined in the general tootie vicinity, or girlfriend has on a thong.
I thought the full on butt cheeks hanging out the back of Jillian's Sporty Spice booty shorts was more vulgar. In fact, to me, Christian's model was the the one who appeared to be the most covered up while still being sexy. I've got to go with Tim on this...Sistah worked this one out.
I loved that Christian really got into this challenge, and created a look that really suited his client's character.
I loved that outfit. It's everything the PR GayBoys said it was, but so what? I used to watch entertainment wrestling (male) when I was younger, in the heyday of Hulkmania, Jesse Ventura, Rowdy Roddy Piper (my favorite), etc. and the crazier the costume, the more popular the star.
Christian created a tacky, sexy, over-the-top, slutty costume that yes, hinted at the woman's "secret garden". So what? He embraced the spirit of the challenge all right! I'd expect to see a costume like that in adult-only cartoons featuring fearsome half-dressed catwomen. He did a great job, and I'm not moaning just because in his own way, Chris did just as well. The judges rewarded the slightly more tasteful one, so, okay.
I just love to watch Christian's face when another contestant gets a fave review and he starts wondering if he'll get the coveted win. And the way the camera always goes over him when the win is announced is hilarious. He has the same slightly disgusted look on his face every time!
Am I dreaming or did he do his patented tongue half out of left cheek when the group was hugging Ricky? At least he isnt' a hypocrite since he didn't join in the group hug. Rami was all over Ricky like a cheap suit and he could barely contain his contempt when Hat-boy won last time.
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