Oh, Kittens.
We do NOT agree on this dress.
The short version:
Lorenzo: PRO-dress
Tom: Decidedly NOT pro-dress
Tom is waiting to receive your catcalls and offerings of ripe fruit at high velocity.
Longer version: well, it's a little more complicated than that. We do agree on some things.
For instance, we both agree that the collar's too damn much.
On the other hand, we disagree on the judges' reaction to it. It is similar to the collar he made for the avant garde challenge, we'll grant them that. But Lorenzo thinks the judges over-reacted to that as if Chris has been pulling these exuberant asymmetrical collars out every week. Like, say Christian with his puffy sleeves and Rami with his draping. His point is, THOSE two designers are for more deserving of that criticism than Chris and Tom definitely agrees with that.
But.
It's a pretty distinctive, over-the-top look. We're not talking about a design element that can be interpreted for a range of clothing (like draping or styles of sleeves), we're talking about a big, Virgin-Queen-sized collar obscuring poor Marcia's right peripheral vision once again.
It's a bit of a red flag to the judges to pull such a distinct look out once again. She looks like her airbag deployed.
Marie Françoise de La Cropte de St. Abre, Marquise d'Argence by Jean Marc Nattier
And in a strange way, it didn't seem to call back to the original painting much. He went for exactly the same colors and fabrics and then went off and made something that doesn't really feel so much like an inspiration as a declaration of "Here's a dress I can make in those same colors."
Lorenzo does love the colors and thinks it's an interesting take on the original dress, but Tom's not totally with him on every point. It IS a beautiful and striking dress, but...
...is it us or does it look a little sloppy and wrinkly? Like, the execution is fine, but there's something a little off with the presentation?
Armchair psychoanalysts that we are, it just looked like Chris was over the whole thing this week. He just seemed tired and fed up, so he pulled a strong, striking design out of his trickbag and put it together. It didn't feel like inspiration, it felt like a survival technique. Which, hey, you do what you gotta do if you're exhausted and still want to stay in the game.
There's a reason Signor Cavalli loved it more than the others. Unlike the sitting judges, who've been there with Chris since day one and are certain to have preconceptions at this point, he took the dress on its own merits and declared it a work of art.
And it was, in its own way a stunning and dramatic dress, but it just didn't feel like Chris put 100% into it and we think that's what the sitting judges were responding to.
[Photos: Metmuseum.org - Barbara Nitke/Bravotv.com - Screencaps: Project RunGay]
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122 comments:
Chris definitely pulled out a dress he knew would be dramatic enough to keep him around without him having to try too hard, and it worked. It got him to the finals.
Kudos to him! He played the game right.
And to think, he had gotten kicked off.
I think this dress looks as if C&C's Avant Garde dress mated with Allison's Recycling Challenge dress from PR3.
The picture on Bravo's Rate the Runway has a calmer version of the collar, and looks much more--really!--wearable. Still think it's a beautiful and sexy dress. Just pull that tab and it unravels... The colours are stunning. The judges wanted Chris gone, but couldn't get that past Cavalli. So maybe the producers don't have quite so much pull.
"And to think, he had gotten kicked off."
Shhh! Jack might hear you! ;)
Yes, I think Sissybear took an unnecessary risk by doing that collar, BUT I think the judges are smoking crack again. How can they drool over Princess Puffysleeves ruffles and puffy sleeves EVERY DAMN WEEK and criticize Chris for doing something that looks a LITTLE like a previous collar?
I'm also on board with the sloppy finishing comment, but based on what I picked up in the subtle details of the show, he's probably sleep deprived. The group was up before 7:00 AM that morning (every morning?) and they've been regularly working until midnight. So my guess is that they're getting 5 - 6 hours of sleep per night at best. No wonder our bear needed to hibernate a little!
"She looks like her airbag deployed."
LOL.
I thought the dress looked sophisticated, but I can't look at it and not think of the other dress he designed with Christian.
I think you are right on point with the parts you DO agree on, although I am in the Lorenzo camp as far as the end result. I love the color and choice of fabric. The execution of the collar is fabulous, although not necessarily as a design element with that dress. They just seem a little disparate to me. The dress itself looks a little, well, unfinished to me. Although I am hard pressed to say what he should have changed.
Nevertheless, I am glad to see that Chris is not out of it yet.
Also glad to see his artistic flair getting some props.
And the runway tears were endearing.
LOVE the airbag line!! Ees most arteesteec line of di post!
If he had just downplayed the collar a little bit, it would have been less criticized but also less artistic, so who knows? I'm just glad he is getting the chance to show.
Others like to criticize Christian for his attitude but Sissybear was quite defiant in his disregard for Tim's comments this week, wasn't he? I believe Tim had a point - it did (especially in the photos provided by the gayboys) look unfinished and even more so when ignoring the collar and just looking at the dress. Chris owes Cavalli big time.
nycjgf said, "The picture on Bravo's Rate the Runway has a calmer version of the collar, and looks much more--really!--wearable."
Are you saying you think there are TWO versions of this dress?! I don't think so. The angle of the Rate the Runway picture is different, that's all. And maybe it de-poufed a bit, much like Laura's fancy collar did on the trip from Paris to NY.
i loved it. even though i agree a bit with your review. loved cavelli too.
I liked it.
Yes, it had it's flaws, but I applaud Chris for the fact that he *drew inspiration from* the painting instead of coming too close to copying it outright.
Totally agree with the comments that he took too much flack for doing a collar reminiscent of the AG challenge...
I nearly choked when I heard that particular criticism coming from PPS's mouth!
I think the judges just had it in their heads that they can't see Chris winning, but couldn't completely ignore Signor Cavalli's comments. They decided that Christian is the real deal (which I agree with) and Rami is the hot deal (eh..) and so they are willing to overlook their repetitive elements and instead pounced on Chris'. He doesn't fit the stereotype of the high fashion designer and that's that.
Meanwhile, I think the beautiful thing about Chris' dress was the juxtaposition of the overdone collar with the almost haphazard wrap styling of the dress. He took the buttoned up nature of the inspiration art and freed it up for today's standards. I loved it. Bravo Chris!
Well, I'm okay with the dress if it means that Chris remains part of the competition. However, with TLo's screencaps I do agree with the reasoning that the garment looked unfinished. I also wonder about Chris thinking more about being "safe" with a look he knew he could pull off. He should send Cavalli a nice thank-you letter.
And note to Tim: be very careful waking Sissybears! Didn't he see Grizzly Man?
As to the wrinkly look: Look at the original painting again. It's totally wrinkled all over. That's the look that carries through to the modern dress, that, the color palette and the bow in the front. I think it's right on the money.
The dress wasn't a tragedy, and actually, if you notice, the dress in the painting is wrinkly as well. Did he choose a painting with a wrinkly dress so he wouldn't have to iron? I'm sure conspiracy theories abound.
I would have prefered to see it in a more dramatic color (like a rich emerald green), though I understand he couldn't, because he was limited by the painting.
I don't see it as being derivative of the avant garde dress as much as the judges. It's all relative. And at least he didn't make the model strike that 'gimme some Midol' pose that Christian did.
The Jiffy Pop collar would be useful when attending the Oscars or some other drawn out event where you need to smuggle snacks in. But truthfully, if I paid a lot of mony for tickets to an event, and I got stuck sitting behind a woman in that fercoct collar, I would scream (or at least, want too).
--GothamTomato
Wait a minute why are they giving Chris credit for the past Coture dress??!?? When Christian is the one that won the challenge. (should have been Chris)
So it really wasn't Chris copying Chris it was Chris copying Christian!
Go Chris - Win it all!!
I'm pulling for ya.
I really liked this dress! I have minor quibbles with it (echoing some things that Tom and Lorenzo said), and I don't think that it should have won, but it's a good dress and I'm happy Chris is still in the game.
That collar looked interesting from just about every vantage point (as opposed to the avant garde dress). The wrinkles in the fabric didn't bother me because they were also in the original painting, just as Fritterfae stated (though they didn't look intentional, methinks Jillian was hogging the steamer).
It was nice to see good garments at the end of the competition. The two previous seasons saw some disappointing outfits in the last challenges.
I didn't like the dress but I was glad Chris was still in the competition. Jack, darling, eat your heart out!
is there only one way to lift a face?
goodness gracious, that wide-eyed, big mouthed look is everywhere.
even when they stick cheek implants under it, the result is still . . . the same. the only thing surgeons seem to be able to is make everyone look just alike post-work.
that being said, Signor Cavalli is precious. j'adore, darling!
and chris, my beloved, my angel, my soulmate: the dress. lovely. the collar. technically pretty amazing, but just a little messy. nevertheless, you have more talent in the tip of your wee pinky than i have in my entire body, so carry on, sweetness.
I thought it was a beautiful, dramatic gown. Not without some flaws but, all in all, a very satisfying offering.
The comments made by the judges ticked me off. Rami, Christian, and even Jillian, have shown very similar garments through out the season. Yet that is considered their "point of view". It felt like the judges were reaching for something to criticize.
Thank goodness Cavalli was there to prevent Chris' departure. His comments were so kind and encouraging. What a confidence booster for these designers.
I liked how he both respected the crinkly fabric AND did the contrast with the wrinkles and puckers in the collar (looked like a brain to me). I could see Queen Latifah wearing this (although, I'd hope she sat on an aisle seat so as not to bonk the person next to her). I wish he had expanded his color pallette, just as I wish PPS and the fembot had. And I also wish he had included some sort of a trim to both liven it up AND pay tribute to the pearls in the painting.
- Donna
Yes, the dress is not perfect at all. From the waist up it is gorgeous. The bottom part was to stiff for me, it needed like more flow or something.
But I do think is a beautiful and dramatic dress and definitely you can see the where the inspiration came from. Of course what bothered me a lot was the judges reaction to the collar... oy vey... bunch of drama queens.
It was clear to me that Rami was the loser along with Sweet P, but, since Chris had a second chance is just fair that Rami gets a chance as well.
I am very happy that Chris got to show at Bryant Park. I liked this collection a lot (second after Christian). Hey, for a costume designer I think he did pretty good. My best wishes to you Sissybear, you have lots of fans!
I liked the dress. Part of the sloppiness is that he didn't have time to underline it with something that would keep the taffeta from wrinkling. But you're right - his heart didn't seem into it this week.
Thank GOD Cavalli!!! Grazie Mille!!!
Chris is capable of some memorable work and he has the skills. I thought this dress was gorgeous.
I don't think it's as bad as Rami making the same dress over and over and over again but I was still shocked that Chris made almost that exact same collar a second time. It's just too distinctive to do it twice. I feel that if he had put effort into this challenge he could have come up with something just as dramatic but fresh.
When I saw him working with that beautiful fabric I was excited to see what he would do but I was disappointed. And I agree that, other than the fabric, there wasn't really any connection to the painting.
He said he wanted to do "an updated, couture version of the dress from the portrait" I think he achieved his goal. It's a beautiful dress. Too evocative of the avant-garde piece he and Christian made? Probably, but who cares?
Sorry, same collection, different dress.
First off that materials lends itself to being crinkly. Second, I believe it's a good interpretation of the painting, Third, the collar has nothing in common, except the size. It's not circles of organza, nor is it of the same color or way it lays.
Tom, you owe Lorenzo a nice dinner, okay?
I actually think this dress is more flattering than the AG challenge one, but that being said it is pure costume (as was Christian's). For me what makes it costume is the constuction under the collar. How would you get to your gala in this dress? I don't think you could even get in a car.
I can sort of see what the judges are saying about the collar being too derivative - it's too distinctive and dramatic, and it really does look exactly, design-wise, like the AG collar. No, Chris doesn't do it every week, and their critique is unreasonable. Victorya and Jillian both got raked over the coals for doing trenches two weeks in a row, and while Jillian's might have harkened to her aesthetic, Victorya's most definitely did not. However, she was still aufed - the girl who had never made a coat and stuck to frilly dresses.
As for Chris' dress, I want to hate it, but I just can't. Love the fabric, love the colors, love the beautiful and seductive design (if it's too interprative of the painting). I think Marcia might be selling it for me, but this would have looked gorgeous, if less striking, on one of the others.
(Although, re-reading the post again, I completely agree with the criticism that it was more of a dress that Chris could make in those colors.)
"It was clear to me that Rami was the loser along with Sweet P, but, since Chris had a second chance is just fair that Rami gets a chance as well."
That's what I thought at first, Anon. 12:07. But, then, Sweet P. had never been auf'ed, so by that thinking she'd have had a second chance, too. I think what happened is that it was a draw: 2 wanted Chris to stay and 2 wanted Rami, and no one would give in, so neither was auf'ed.
I think Chris' dress just wasn't reminiscent of the painting. The painted dress combined a fitted element (the corset) with volume (the huge bow collar and the skirt). The painted dress suggests an exaggerated hourglass shape.
In contrast, Chris' dress seems designed to lengthen and cover. Instead of pinching the center of the hourglass, he uses a bow to add volume. His silhouette is tall and more or less straight, blooming at the top, just at the point at which the painted dress reveals. Chris' silhouette strays so far from the painting, and uses the elements to such opposite effect, that I think he misses the point of the exercise.
The palettes are similar, but is color alone striking enough to evoke the painting? Perhaps Chris' dress would have been more successful if it had used more form-fitting elements, more suggestive of an exaggerated hourglass?
I love how the judges said they were deadlocked. I interpreted that as, "we three wanted to kick Chris out, but we couldn't after Cavalli praised his dress so much." This dress, while similar to the other one, wasn't the same -- at least no more than Rami's was to the many drapes he's done, or the many puffy sleeves, tight pants, black/white combos he's done.
That being said, I HATED the bow, and think it needed more work to work.
Hello Sweet Babies,
I actually LOVED this dress.
To me this and Rami's were the most aesthetically pleasing and more importantly, universally flattering.
Christian's and Jillian's were great as far as exmaples of fine constructions and tailoring skills.
But Christian, as much as I worship him , was five edits from wearable. And I have been known to wear puffy sleeved and jodphurs. Just not toghether.
Jillian's jacket was pretty and well amde. The dress.... BLAH! I am TIRED of short, short, short dresses. Knees, much like naughty bits, are fairly unnatractive body parts. It is time designers start covering them for a respite. I mean knees are even uglier on thin folk!
Yes, Chris' dress is a little reminiscent of the AG dress, but it's still beautiful.
Riff Raff's is still predictable but it is extremely pretty and VERY wearable.
Love,
Milla
I loved Chris' dress way more than Christian's but the judges are determined to make the bold and the beautiful the next American fashion designer.
I thought Christian accusing Chris of making a dress too similar to the one from their couture challenge a shitty thing to do. The dresses are NOT the same, the collar yes, but CHRIS MADE the collar, so he's not stealing anything from anybody.
It looks like he wrapped her in a bedsheet. I didn't get the judges' praise on this one at all.
I'm just happy he got to show at Bryant Park because you know the judges are going to choose Rami. We'll get to Mr. Origami later.
I agree more with Lorenzo and really liked the dress. I disagree with both of you boys though about whether Chris's dress evoked the painting. I think his dress was a modern interpretation of the one in the painting - the colors, the fabrics, the bow, the volume. I wish he hadn't made the collar an asymmetrical, one-shoulder thing because it is too reminiscent of his contribution to the AG dress. He didn't need to use that same silhouette. The dress could still have been stunning with a big poufed collar that was a little less tall and covered both shoulders. (Maybe he was still running scared of his shoulder pads aufing).
I also believe Cavalli and the duchess together saved Sissybear and it was a deadlock between them and the women. Kors's comment about how Chris would put on a dramatic show, plus probably wanting to run with the big dog in the designer pack. Nina has been keen on Rami all season and Heidi said she would wear his Met dress so we know where they stood. It looked like a 2-2 split along gender lines and that's why they sent both Chris and Rami home to sew.
rainwood fka rain brain
Kudos to Chris. We at home (and of course Papa Tim) know that Chris needed a snooze--but are the judges to hold his confidence against him? No. And Chris was indeed confident enough to leave his work at what he himself considered the finishing point, despite Tim's warnings. So Tim is annoyed--should the judges be annoyed? Again, no.
I find it ironic that Christian was credited with the win using Chris's collar for AG then accused Chris of stealing his design on the final challenge. Christian can't have it both ways, now, can he?
I really wanted to like this dress, so I'd be fine with Rami just be auf'ed...but I'm not. It looks stiff, and too much like the dress he'd already done with Christian. I'm glad they are doing the face off btw Chris and Rami, because, between the two of them, neither of the dresses was a clear winner.
I love the dress amd really hate the collar. I didn't like the giant collar on the avant guard challenge wither. Both dresses would have been nicer without.
I sat up with a jolt when I saw the painting Chris selected because it's the same one I brought to the tailor I hired to make my wedding dress (more than 30 years ago). What I loved about it wasn't the collar stuff though -- it was the bodice, with the tapering that really tucked the waist in. I also liked the way the top of the dress is poised on the shoulders without being strapless.
I was disappointed that Chris didn't use the trim bodice as part of his design, but thought what he came up with was beautiful anyway. If the avant-garde challenge hadn't happened, this would have been the winner.
Given the way this show is edited, it's dangerous to read too much into the behavior of the contestants, but here goes: I think Chris has sleep apnea. It's rampant in the bear community. Maybe he has a CPAP machine and they just haven't showed it, or maybe he's never been diagnosed. Regardless, I think Chris' exhaustion is probably partly medical and partly the insane schedule. Cut him some slack, Tim! *wags finger*
You're my favorite, Chris! I hope you win / won the fan favorite prize. Go Sissybear!
True, I did think that Chris was ready for the whole experience to end. The fact that he just upped and went to sleep said a lot. I'm not in love with the collar either. It kind of looks like he bunched up a trash bag and stuck it on as an afterthought. There are so many ways he could have gone with this dress- given that painting for inspiration, but I think by this point in the competition, his brain was probably fried.
I also agree that Cavalli kept him in the competition, because clearly, he's not the judges favorite, but they couldn't invite Cavalli to do the show and then insult him by aufing the designer of his favorite garment.My guess is that he's the second decoy at Bryant Park.
TLo,
Just for fun, can you post side-by-side photos of this gown and the Avante Garde gown?
I don't think they're quite as alike as all that.
I liked this gown a lot better than the avant garde gown, and Cavalli's reaction justifies how much Chris' contribution to the AG gown helped it win.
The bow on this gown perfectly mimicked the bow on the stole in the painting, and I liked that he transfered the bow from one to the other.
This entire episode confused me.
I read somewhere and agree that it was not a repeat of the Avante Garde challenge.
I think this dress is just OK, but it does feel very similar to Christian's and his design - especially since the painting doesn't really suggest that same collar. Would have wished he did something else.
Rainwood, I have to agree. When I saw the show, I thought (and still think) that if he had made that collar symmetrical instead of perching it on one shoulder like a scrunchie/parrot hybrid, he would have been lionized. Signor Cavalli was right: his dress WAS the most artistic of the five.
I forgot to say that I think that Christian has kicked the competition up to a different level this year, especially after the AG challenge. I can't imagine clothes like Christian's or Chris' final design on the runway in previous years--even the haute coutoure designs from S3 were timid compared to this year's creations.
This is a great thing, but it pits designers making "art" against designers making beautiful RTW fashion, and the judging criteria are not the same.
Ms Sangrail said...
TLo,
Just for fun, can you post side-by-side photos of this gown and the Avante Garde gown?
Sure, here it is. Enjoy!
XO
T&L
Poor Bear. He looked exhausted.
It's a cool dress and I like that it's sort of wrinkly and has a "thrown together" look.
I think Roberto was responding to Chris' light touch. In comparison, everything Christian and Rami make looks just soooooo belabored and over-worked.
However, it was very, very stupid to do that collar. Was he trying to get himself aufed?
-- desertwind
TWC said: I sat up with a jolt when I saw the painting Chris selected because it's the same one I brought to the tailor I hired to make my wedding dress
Would love to see your dress! Thanks
Steve said: I think Chris has sleep apnea.
Yes. I do think Chris has been a benevolent presence on the show - and despite his gentle nature he does know how to play the game. He took a huge risk and good for him.
That said, I wish with all my heart that he would take better care of himself. Sleep apnea is sometimes a byproduct of excess weight - and the fact that he always looks on the edge of exhaustion is scary to those who want him to live out his dreams.
I really liked this dress. Agree with other posters that without Cavalli Chris would have been (undeservedly) aufed. The excuse that he made another dress with a big assymetrical collar was pathetic. The fixture on the AG dress was a wired wing-like structure, where this was I though very reminiscent of the dress he was referring to. Or perhaps, that he used to justify his previously made decision to make this type of dress. But he was not alone here - I thought that they just ran to find a piece of art that fit what they could do best.
Chris did seem tired and I wouldn't be surprised if he does have sleep issues. Not fair of the producers to intrude that far and catch him snoring in the green room at least twice - that's just rude and not very funny, either. Must be young people who like to tease their folks about snoring, like I used to do with my father when I was, oh, maybe, TWELVE....
Although the collar looks very dramatic and impressive from some angles, it doesn't look so hot from the back, does it? Something I'd have never noticed without your screen caps. Not a big fan of the stiffness of taffeta, but I still think he created a stunning garment--much better than Rami's, given that the point of the challenge was to be inspired by a work of art. At least Chris, Jillian and even Sweet P tried to take inspiration from the artwork. Rami and Christian just went and found a work that portrayed the exact clothing style that they've been making all along.
Sure, the collar on the avant garde dress was very distinctive, but the only similarity this collar had to it was that it was big and assymetrical and on the right side. By complaining that Chris's dress was too similar to the avant garde dress, the judges were obviously trying to come up with some criticism which wouldn't insult Mr. Cavalli. I'm sure the judges were predisposed to send both Chris and Sweet P home, and they were probably determined to find fault with whatever he did. However, since the legendary Cavalli spoke first, and said what he said, the other judges were not about to directly contradict him and criticise the dress itself. So they jumped on the one criticism they could make without insulting Cavalli. The wimps.
The hypocrisy of making that criticism, given their complete failure to lodge the same complaint to Christian, makes the judges' biases so transparent as to be laughable.
I liked, not loved this dress. My biggest issue isn't so much of the collar copying, is that I don't like the fabric. Whereas the AG challenge was in organza and looked soft, this dress looked very stiff, and the more I look at the collar, the more it does seem like an airbag.
The drama in this dress and the focal point is the collar. While PP loves to use design elements over and over again, I can't really say on look is very reminiscent of the other. The only two looks that I thought were comparable was the denim and weight loss challenge. Those both had skinny jeans and cropped jackets as the main part of the silhouette. I think that's the distinction the judges are making. Chris is trying to create a dramatic look, but is using a giant collar to achieve it. The judges wanted something different. And the collar isn't even that well done. The rest of the dress is a lot lovelier.
Thanks for the side-by-side!
The two dresses have more differences than similarities.
I prefer the collar on the dress from this challenge to the *wing* on the AG challenge gown. It's more integrated into the bodice.
I'm thinking that, had Chris built up the collar/shoulder on this gown in *any* way, the judges would have been all over him.
PS - What I really like is how the "unwrap me!" sensibility of the painting is reflected in the bow and the feel of the dress.
-- desertwind
With a tie, there should have been a sew-off in which Rami and Chris were each handed the other's portfolio and given two days to create a design that captures the other designer's essence yet expresses his own style.
Aside from the sheer, sadistic joy of that challenge, we'd get to see which designer is more capable of stepping outside his box. My money would be on Chris, but Rami surprised me with the Hershey challenge, so who knows?
Ok, to do a little armchair psychoanalysis. On the AG dress, only one member of the team actually "won". For Chris and Christian, that was Christian (he was team captain). I'm thinking that Christian felt fully justified that HE was the only one that "won" the challenge. Of course he would, he's Christian after all. Chris? Chris who??
I'm thinking that maybe Chris felt like he was getting some of his back with this dress. It's almost like he was saying "Actually, bitch, I can do AG too and here's MY version and it's just as good so suck it." But, maybe that's just me. :)
nso said...
The hypocrisy of making that criticism, given their complete failure to lodge the same complaint to Christian, makes the judges' biases so transparent as to be laughable.
I actually think they did a disservice to Christian by not giving him a little constructive critisim on the theatrical nature of his design.
Had I been judging with the fabulous Signor Cavalli, there would have been another vote for Chris. The dress was beautiful, and I can see the inspiration from the painting - oversized bow replaced by oversized collar. While the back view of the collar is not as pleasing as the front, the overall effect is very high fashion.
I think Chris had internalized the criticism judges leveled against being costumy, to the extent that some of his pieces were boring. That is, until the WWE challenge where he could introduce an element of whimsey into his garment. Coming out of that challenge, he created a an interesting, high fashion garment. Fly free, Sissy Bear! Don't let your spirit be crushed by judges who veer wildly between bemoaning clothing for being commercially viable and whining that it is over the top.
I think it's a beautiful dress. Rami did nothing but drape drape drape this season and same for Christian with his signature puffy sleeves. Why the double standard with Chris? Tres annoying!
I thought the dress was beautiful. And it was the most artistic as Cavalli said. Certainly better than Rami's.
Rain Brain said...
I also believe Cavalli and the duchess together saved Sissybear and it was a deadlock between them and the women. Kors' comment about how Chris would put on a dramatic show, plus probably wanting to run with the big dog in the designer pack. Nina has been keen on Rami all season and Heidi said she would wear his Met dress so we know where they stood. It looked like a 2-2 split along gender lines and that's why they sent both Chris and Rami home to sew.
That resolution still has me seething; last season the judges couldn't bear to auf Michael Knight, so the compromise was to have four designers show at Bryant Park. Would it have killed them to do that again? Instead we get this ridiculous 'Zoolander' style walk off a day before the Bryant Park show. What a complete cluster f*ck.
I'm with npboy74 in that I do think Chris wanted to show what he did as part of the avant garde challenge - that he could do AG too. It wasn't all Christian.
I also think like some of the above commenters that he was tired for real and of playing the game. The dress seems "in your face" to me. He's trying to make a statement to the judges. A little "oppositional" designing.
I love Chris, but this didn't do much for me. I agree that Christian should have been given the same criticism for his puffy sleeves and Rami for his so predictable draping, but it was too close to the dress that won him the challenge.
hmm seems like some of you may be going a but easy on Chris becasue you like him. I like him too :)
Not the dress so much though. I like he other 4 designers interpretation better. This is almost like a re-make (same color and everything) just with the similar collar from Christian's challenge.
I think I've seen better from Chrissy :)
I really appreciated Chris's interpretation of that painting. I just thought he nailed it and made it modern. Loved the colors too. Don't think we'd see this on a red carpet though...but I'd pay to see Cate Blanchett (she could pull it off) whip around and knock Joan River's head into a whiplash with the color (and I like Joan Rivers..lol).
Obviously I meant to write "collar" vs. "color". I'm brain dead from breathing paint fumes all day.
This dress took my breath away. It's gorgeous.
Thanks for the side-by-side. You take such good care of us.
But seeing them side-by-side is interesting, and it confirms that Chris' is a much better dress when you see them go toe to toe.
--GothamTomato
he took the dress on its own merits
Which, of course, all the judges should be doing for each challenge. And, of course, because they know whose garment is whose, they can't. I wish they would figure out a way to do blind judging.
I liked this dress. Had I the height and the money, I'd buy it to wear to opening night of the opera. (Unlike Christian's, which I swear to god I saw onstage, though a bit toned down, at a recent production of Falstaff!)
I agree with what Gloria said. Chris, take care of yourself! We love you!
I LOVED the dress, much more than the avant garde one. If I were rich and thin, and were going to a charity event, or a museum benefit, I would wear this dress, just have Chris tone down the collar a bit.
The judges, in my humble view, were reacting to their disdain for Chris who is an overweight, snoring costume designer. Snobbery. As another poster said, here or elsewhere, he is "not our type, darling."
Cavalli said Chris is the most artistic of the group (and I LOVED Christian's face when he said that!) and that Chris could have a Parisian couture show, because Cavalli wasn't blinded by snobbery and prejudice. So whether Chris gets into the top 3, or wins, or not, I thought Cavalli's critique of him, and Christian's pissy face, were the best moments I have ever seen on Project Runway!
I was so excited when Chris chose his inspiration and thought he would have gone a bit closer to the style in the painting. I have to admit disappointment in his choice of collar. The dress was lovely, but I just thought he would/could have kept more of the lovely details from the painting.
p.s.-I'm tickled pink that he did get to show at Bryant Park though!
I voted Chris for Fan Favorite. Crossing my fingers that he wins!
"The Jiffy Pop collar would be useful when attending the Oscars or some other drawn out event where you need to smuggle snacks in."
... or as a pillow!
liked the dress -- glad he's still in!
I love Chris to death and really liked this dress, but I think it's pretty plain that had Roberto Cavalli not loved this dress Sissybear would be out on this bum. So, I guess, heres to Cavalli!
Liked the dress. Wish he had done something more creative with the collar that was NOT so reminiscent of the Chris/Christian collaboration. Perhaps something smooth and structured and flowing, like Gehry architecture.
What would really have been a hoot is if one of the designers had chosen a picture of one of those Dutch dudes with the itsy-bitsy teensy madly detailed ruffs. Surely that could be re-imagined in lace or some other detail so that it's au courant with today, but not so poofily reminiscent of what had already been done in the PR competition.
Chris! Us old, fat people have enough trouble convincing the overlords we can keep up with the young'uns without you sleeping on basic cable. Give us a break, will ya?
I didn't think the dress was anything like the AG dress except it had a big (but completely different) collar. Put four of'em out at the end of a runway show and call it a collection. Geez.
I thought colors were uninteresting, and the collar looked like a meteor that had hit and slid halfway on the dress.
Not a fan of the dress at all.
But I am a fan of sissybear, and I'm please he made it into showing at Bryant Park.
corn husk sash.
Gloria: The wedding dress was OK, not fabulous (very tight budget!), but was mostly about the detail on the bodice and the tapering to make me look skinnier. It was a 70s wedding in a park -- fun but not too fancy. Still, I found a photo of that painting and thought it was great. Funny to see it again!
Not a fan. Far too derivative of the AG design (I don't care if he ripped of Christian or himself, it was a half-assed effort) and while Rami is frequently derivative, at least he always does his style well. At least his shit looks finished.
And I like Chris, but I'm going to call bullshit on people defending his decision to SLEEP during the final challenge just because he is their favorite. Fine, whatever - but if anyone else had pulled that shit, you guys woud be going nuts. I'm sure every single designer is exhausted - only one slept.
Like his personality, but I don't think he's in the same league as the other three designers and it's a joke to pretend otherwise.
Chris rocks!!! Glad he's still in.
I love me some Sissy Bear but I must agree that the dress is reminiscent of the C&C dress, if not duplicate an easy correlation between the two. Having said that, I still love me some Sissy Bear and, in my best lounge chair psychoanalysis, he seems tired. Damn tired. Also, given his facial expressions at times, I think he needs some Lex; Lexapro, that is. He's a snarky, sassy guy but I feel his sadness. Lex helps take that sadness away.
Also, has anyone thought that our Bear might have gained a little more weight over the weeks? I find that attributable to his tiredness and sadness.
For TWC: A wedding in a park with a beautiful painting as inspiration for a dress...sounds lovely!
You KNOW SissyBear won the $10K fan favorite....in the coming attractions Heidi said it was "by a landslide".
I actually liked the dress.. the AG dress they deemed was Christian's (after all he was thw winner) and it did not have all the wire frame underneath.. I agree that he should not have done it all to one side on this challenge. At least he did not do that in most of the challenges (as PPS and Rami did)
OK, This is a bit critical, but not at all meant to sound bitchy.
You are still my fav PR blog, although project stunway is also tickling my fancy lately.
But what happened to you guys and the humor I've come to expect?
No comments on heidi's crazy HUGE hair this week. No comments about Christian calling Tim "LADY", No comments about Roberto talking of "Peacock Tail"...etc..
Those were some of the best parts of your blogs on the other seasons.
Sorry to say but the format is getting a bit dull and expected. I miss the commenting on EVERYTHING about the episodes, not just each outfit.
No funny stuff about Christian and ferosh, ferosha coutoura, a little gif. of his runway walking about bringing it back and to the side.
That type of stuff i used to love about this blog.
You boys didn't even comment much or have any hilarious stuff about Tim in the ring with WWE fake titted, orange women who could kick his ass.
Also I don't think Chris made a copy of his other dress. That was a huge piece that stuck straight up and totally unwearable in reality, where as this weeks was more of a wrap around off shoulder type deal.
Also Elisa slept the VERY FIRST CHALLENGE!!! NO ONE MADE A BIG DEAL ABOUT THAT.
AGAIN. NOT BITCHING, I JUST MISS THE OLDER BLOGS THAT MADE ME LAUGH HISTERICALLY ABOUT STUFF THAT WASN'T NECESSARILY JUST THE OUTFITS OF THE EPISODE.
I really have to defend Chris on sleeping too--Some people cannot function without naps. My partner is one of those. For as long as I have known him, he has had to take a 20 minute nap at the points where he hits a wall, and then he is fine.
I think Chris told Tim he was done because he was annoyed at being woken up! When he left the workroom he said he knew how much he had to do and how long it would take, and thought he could rest a little.
I really like Chris' design, I just wish he had chosen to embody the painting's grey wrap in another form other than an over-tall collar.
Elisa took a nap and nobody said anything. What's the big deal?
Chris is very tacky and hit and miss and I honestly can't remember any of his designs except the huge floppy collar one.
I'm rooting for Chris the Big-Boned Underdog. He's a nice guy, and made a beautiful dress :)
NahnCee said...
What would really have been a hoot is if one of the designers had chosen a picture of one of those Dutch dudes with the itsy-bitsy teensy madly detailed ruffs.
It's totally shocking that Princess Puffysleeves didn't pick an image like that. Perhaps Mood was running low on organza?
christina said...
I'm sure every single designer is exhausted - only one slept.
Soooooooo... what? I don't recall everyone going batshit when Elisa slept.
Me? I'm a sleep despot. I know myself and my limits. When I'm tired, I sleep or nap (but never for more than an hour or I'm hooped for the rest of the night).
I'm strong on the point, too. If I'm really tired, I'll cancel a dinner appointment, I'll put off doing household tasks, I'll skip playing volleyball for a night, I'll call and tell a friend who's expecting a call that we'll have to do a reschedule.
I will not do an all-nighter unless you put a lot of money in bills in front of my face and you have a damned good reason for making me do it in the first place.
But this self-acknowledgement comes from crotchety age and wisdom and I think Chris has both. After all, did he do *anything* after he was woken up that changed the look of the dress? I don't think so. So what would be the point of staying up and staring at the wall for a few hours?
If you're too tired, you do stupid mistakes.
Why, just look at Christian did one night long ago: got tired and ironed his hair the wrong way while trying for those oh-so-trendy British mohawk thangs :-)
its funny what you mention about the Judges having preconceptions and i do agree. The reason i find it funny is because i remember a particular interview with MIchael Kors on the bravotv website where he said that they take every challenge and they only judge it on that week.....as you can see....not so much
Chris delivered the funniest moments that I have seen so far this season. Compared to some of the others’, Chris’ designs weren’t cutting edge, but they were fabulous and dramatic.
The judges are prejudiced against Chris, they don't take him seriously; they have written him off as a costume designer...He is more than a costume designer!
The challenge was not about who slept, it was about what they sent down the runway. And yes, some people do need to catch a nap in order to function. I'm one of them!
Here is a wacky video of Chris in drag as Louella Parsons!
My first impression was...wow, that's some fancy bathrobe. Something about the draping of the gown from the collar down seems so bulky and haphazard, like stepping out of the shower and wrapping your bathrobe around you. Sans collar, that dress aint much to look at. And what's up with the wind tunnel 'do that points in the opposite direction of the collar?
I actually have a different theory about the "deadlock." I think Rami was being set up as the second auf'ee. I mean, who didn't know he'd pick something from that room o' draping? It's like giving matches to a pyromaniac and saying, don't burn the house down. Couple that with all of the Rami get out of your box talkback from week to week, and it seemed like a done deal. Conversely, this challenge screamed "license to be costumey" and should have been right up Chris March's alley. But then Chris got lazy, threw together a mediocre gown with a copycat collar and took a snooze, and they had a dilemma. Rami's dress was of course grecian and draped, but unlike Chris's piece, it was also impeccably crafted. Rami's stubborness vs. Chris's lack of effort...who gets the smackdown? It really was a toss up.
It's pretty late to be asking a question, but here goes:
Several times Tim said something about 'doing more' with this dress. This comment was made in the ep as well as in "Tim's Take", so obviously Tim thought it was important.
OK...this is from a total neophyte, so be kind: what could he have been TALKING about?
Thanks for any insights; this one has me scratching my head.
-Ignatz
My thoughts re this season's resolution via designers' duel: it's just for the DRAMA.
Sure, they could have just opted for four in the finale, but they'd already done that, so they decided to create a new twist to give us all something to buzz about. Even an angry buzz is better than a snore in media land, isn't it?
-Ignatz
Anonymous 2:48 a.m. said, I think Rami was being set up as the second auf'ee. I mean, who didn't know he'd pick something from that room o' draping?
Unlikely in the extreme. This all happens in about one month's time. All the challenges must be planned and scheduled beforehand. They could not suddenly decide in the middle of the production, "Hey, Rami, likes to drape! Let's go to the Greek and Roman galleries tomorrow!"
To "set up" Rami, they would have needed to know before filming started that: a) he would drape everything, b) he would be in the final five, and c) Nina et.al. would want to auf him.
I love a good conspiracy theory as much as the next person, but this one won't wash.
I am really over this season,Chris's dress was beautiful and the only literal interpretation of the challenge. The wrinkles were an integral part of the look,taffeta often has that look in couture. The more I look at Christopher's design the more I hate it. I think he stole the win from Chris when they partnered,the dress was clearly Chris's design. I don't think Chris has a chance of winning because the judges are so biased, so my hopes are on Jillian.
I'm glad some of you others have thought about the possiblity of Chris having Sleep Apnea. Before I was diagnosed, I was falling asleep at work, at home, at my partner's parent's at dinner... everywhere. We can't know for sure, but given his size (he's larger than me), I can't imagine him not having it.
The only thing similar between this dress and the avant garde dress is the drama. The collar (for lack of a better word) on this gown, other than being big, isn't anything like the couture backdrop (which can't, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered a "collar"). The structure is different, the color is different, the fabric is different, the profile is different, and the effect is different. The couture backdrop was essentially a flat, layered halo that framed the model's entire head. This collar is a billowing, three-dimensional cloud out of which the model's head and face emerges.
And it was a great interpretation of the painting, even though I could have done without the self-tied bow. I understand that it was a nod to the bow in the painting, but it looked a little sloppy, compared to that amazing collar.
Can you tell I was really pissed off at the judges' comments? Except for you, Signor Cavalli. I genuflect in your general direction. :-)
phantomminuet, I completely agree. I'm looking at the side-by-side image and I really can't see how they're similar. At all. There are so many differences. You can't even argue a similar silhouette; it's just not there. I'm head-scratching right now over so many people saying the dresses look exactly the same.
Also, the self-tied bow was totally messy. My only complaint about the dress, and Tim did point it out. No one likes listening to Tim anymore. :(
This dress is so tacky. Hate the color. And the design is so derivative of the dress he did with Christian. And the guy fell asleep! It's kind of funny
You know that picture of Marcia with the megacollar from behind? It looks like she has a gigantic growth on her shoulder. This crinkly gray collar just isn't as pretty as the rows of cream organza collar. As for Chris's dress below the collar vs. Christian's avant garde dress below the collar....Christian's was gorgeous, Chris's is pretty but nothing extraordinary.
You know I've been thinking about this alot. How Fabulous is it that Chris can proudly proclaim 'Robert Cavelli saved my career on Project Runway"!!! I mean isn't that a dream come true for any designer. And the praise he received from from dear ole Roberta was the most extreme compliment. Screw Duchess and Nina, screw them all!!!
GO CHRIS. Loved your dres.
Apparently I was so tired when I commented last time that I forgot to post it. C'est la vie.
I don't know that it matters much whether Chris is the decoy or not, or if he's not a decoy, if he won, because I honestly believe he had a great diversity in his clothing, a delightful personality, and a wonderful perspective that made people talk. He'll be remembered.
I loved this dress. If I had to pick one aspect to criticize, I'd have to say I wished the collar had continued with the waves and folds all around the back. However, I do kind of understand why the puff works. Ah, well...there you have it. BEAUTIFUL gown.
But isn't it kind of amazing that, that is what he produces when he's NOT inspired? He is an artist. Those costumes he can make, he's like a drag-queen-dress-making-civil-engineer.
Hey, once you've been seen snoozing during the final challenge, the one that gets you into Bryant Park, or not, you're pretty much toast.
I can just see Tim tiptoeing up to Michael Kors and whispering in his ear: "He took a NAP!"
I thought it was a stunning reinterpretation of the painting. The point of the painting, to me, isn't the construction of the dress, it's the texture and shaping of the fabric, and that's what Chris's dress was all about.
When I was watching it move down the runway, though, I felt the base of the dress was too stiff. I loved the constructed waist folds that fabric allowed him, but I could wish for something softer underneath or between to flow as she walked (and contrast with the stiff gorgeousness of the top).
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