Should've won it/Could've lost it

Friday, July 25, 2008 by

Let's face it, kittens.

This should've won. Once again, the judges are letting their crack dependencies make decisions for them.


Honestly? We don't have much to say here. It was a really pretty dress and, unlike the other contenders, it was executed near flawlessly.


We say "near" because there is one glaring issue: the bust. It's really poorly fitted and it's giving Shannone a titshelf.


It's possible that was a reason for her not getting the win, but we never heard the judges say anything to that effect.


Aside from that, we love it. Love the collar, love the belt.


It's kind of a shame it was rendered in such a shitty fabric, though. We'd love to see this in a richer color.

One more thing:

Flawless! Love her. We were kind of surprised that she wasn't snatched up first in the model selection because from where we're sitting, she's head and shoulders above most of them.

Oh, Korto.

Korto, Korto, Korto. What happened, doll? Last week's dress was so gorgeous, so striking, that we were sure you were going to be one of the ones to sail through the competition, racking up wins and near-wins on the way to Bryant Park.

Now?


We're not so sure. When it was on the dressform, we had a similar reaction to Tim's.


A sort of "Okaaaay. That might work." And if she'd done a little editing and if it had been executed perfectly, it could have really been an interesting dress.


First, the editing: those gigantic mermaid fins on the side of the skirt - lose them. From a design perspective they achieve nothing. Also, while we liked the idea of the exposed darts, did they have to be so thick? A thinner line running down the body could have been sleek and chic.


Second, the execution. Honey, WHAT is gone on there? That's a MESS.


She also seemed to be having some fit issues around the bust, which is odd, because that model has practically no bust at all. Those cups look they're sitting too low on her.


Conceptually, we thought the dress had a lot of potential. We don't know what happened to her this week, but she was seriously thrown off her game.

Oh, and remember when we said that she was low-drama, no bullshit?





Guess we can toss that idea out the window.


[Photos: Bravo/Barbara Nitke - Screencaps: Projectrungay.blogspot.com]

121 comments:

Donny B said...

I really want to like Kenley's dress, and it does look pretty on the runway, but can you imagine someone actually at a cocktail party wearing that dress? I look at that collar and all I see is Bozo the Clown.

Bill said...

I thought Kenley had the win with her dress. It was gorgeous and reminded me of a Laura Bennett design.

Korto's dressed looked like she was responding to a challenge called: What If a Paper Airplane was a Dress

The tears for working so hard (on some serious fug) when she was not eliminated made me laugh.

Little Miss Obsessive said...

I really thought Kenley should've won. I could not stand Suede's dress, I don't get what all the fuss was about!

Anonymous said...

Kelli and Kenley = Betty and Veronica!

Anonymous said...

kenley's was near perfect and had class.

suede's was interesting to look at.

don't bore nina, bitches.

Anonymous said...

Kenley's dress actually reminded me of the outfit Daniel V designed from the inspiration of the orchid plant in the Duchess' office. Insane neckline, but it really worked, just as this dress does.
I was so surprised at Korto's design. It had real possibilities, but was just so poorly executed, what with the fins and all. Whatever was she thinking?
----StkrShock

Anonymous said...

Kenley's reminds me of Laura's couture dress, and it was weird of her to almost remind the judges of it. When they saw it, the collar had fallen and Laura was almost auf'd.

Could Korto have been any more self-absorbed? That was the winner who was consoling her. How about a congratulations? (then again, this could be editing.)

Anonymous said...

Wasn't Shannone the model who almost passed out in the first episode? No designer wants to pick a girl who may not have the energy to show up and walk, so that may be why she wasn't snapped up first... because I agree that she probably has the best look of the whole group.

And props to Bushlife: Betty and Veronica it is!!!

-TLo Addict -

Anonymous said...

I'm certainly with you on Korto's effort, but I'm still in the Suede camp (yiii, what a statement) as to his being the winner for this competition. Kenley's dres was very elegant, especially as to the skirt length (refreshing compared to the short-short-SHORT that is ubiquitous), so it was sort of a toss-up between it and the frozen pizza bodice.

Korto, had you reworked those darts, you'd have had a compelling garment. I'm still rooting for you, sister.

All the best,

NDC

Anonymous said...

"titshelf"

Ha! It's the new 'titscrepancy'!

I have to say, there wasn't any one dress that wowed me this week, but on further investigation, Kenley does deserve some props for a well-executed design. I personally don't care for the collar, however.

Korto, Korto, Korto...
I have curves too, but I don't need my ass looking like the back end of a '57 Chevy. What happened girl? Did you get salmonella from the kale and tomatoes of the last challenge?

Slightly off topic, but is it just me or do Tim's suits seem to fit him a whole lot better this season?
Just wondering if anybody else picked up on that...

Brooklyn Bomber said...

Kenley's design is a winner, but 2 things: without the collar it would've been just a plain sheath dress, and, more importantly, how would Bluefly recreate that "couture" collar---and would enough people feel bold enough to wear (i.e. buy) it?

Shannone's got a great classic look -- really gorgeous.

I wish Korto had turned her dress inside out, the way Tim thought it was supposed to be. I think I remember something in a preview where they were talking about the model's head sitting on spikes, so it seems there were objections to the styling, too -- not "the right look on the right girl," as Duchess is so fond of saying.

veruca salt said...

Kenley's dress was very nice and she certainly lucked out with that model. Best of the lot. Although, we did comment that overall the models this season seem more attractive than the last two season. Loved all the pissy expressions when facing the judges wearing something they obviously hated, though.

Have to agree that I was expecting better from Korto. And the drama of thinking Wesley was "copying" her and then crying when she wasn't even in the bottom two was a bit much.

FashionFanatic said...

First, the editing: those gigantic mermaid fins on the side of the skirt - lose them. From a design perspective they achieve nothing. Also, while we liked the idea of the exposed darts, did they have to be so thick? A thinner line running down the body could have been sleek and chic.

Exactly. Thinner lines, maybe a little shorter. It looked awful, it was a big 'look-at-my-ass' dress. Kenley's dress was simple and elegant. Considering that they didn't pick the fabric or color, I think she did an amazing job with what she had. The neckline is beautiful, you see that in any fashion magazine, I don't understand the comments calling it insane or clownish.

Anonymous said...

Actually, Kenley's dress reminds me of Daniel Vosovic's flower creation--compare the tops. I didn't like it all that much except that it was sewn so much better than the other "shiny" fabrics up there. I loved Terri's (I know, I know, we'll get to that!).

Still, I think I liked it better than Suede's and definitely better than Stella's. At least Kenley's dress had some length, which is much better than the peep shows we were almost granted with most of the dresses this week. So yeah, of the top three, I think should've won.

Anonymous said...

Except for this champagne color, these fabric choices were insane. I guess this is just what happens when you send models into a fabric store looking for green fabric for a cocktail dress. I'm no expert, but I'll bet there were some beautiful, non-satiny green fabrics and they could have made some beautiful things; granted, maybe not a 20-year old's idea of cocktail wear, but jesu criste, most of these fabrics were gawdawful!

I thought Kenley's dress had tons going for it, but somehow made Shannone look high-waisted and droopy-breasted - i.e., not so great. So while yes, it wasn't puckering and slathered with bits of crap, it was one of the best of a bad bunch.

Korto? What a s**t dress, and girl had better pull herself together. Can't blame Korto for the disgusting color but oh my, that was ghastly.

From the group shot on the runway, unfortunately, Suede's dress was the one that stood out, in a positive way. I actually rather like the idea but how to manufacture? Well, that was definitely covered yesterday.

Anonymous said...

If I saw a woman wearing Kenley's dress at a cocktail party, I'd be in awe. It's gorgeous! But, not for everyone. And I agrree, TLo, if it had been done in a richer, more saturated color, it would've been absolutely stunning. And don't even get me started on how beautiful, the model, Shannone appears in the dress. Girl crush alert!

I'm willing to give Korto a pass because I actually do get what she was trying to achieve. The darts are way too damned big and the fabric selection was not good for this particular design. In the end, it came out like a very sexy "Creaturette From the Black Lagoon."

Anonymous said...

StkrShock: I, too, thought of Daniel V's Orchid Dress - except his had much better proportions.

Kenley's collar was a little too Bozo the clownish.

Also, I don't like Kenley. What's with the comment that designers want to design for starlets? Ugh.

Blushlife: Betty and Veronica: Excellent!

LAK

Anonymous said...

I'm with StkrShock: the top definitely reminded me of the Daniel V. "inspriation" dress. I wonder if Heidi, Nina, and espeically Kors, from whose office the "inspriration" came, remembered the collar, considered it unoriginal, and gave Suede the win?

Potty Mouth Princess can't see any other reason why Kenley didn't win over Suede. Potty Mouth Princess thought Suede's dress was middle-of-the-pack, and other than the cute little skirt, a bit sloppy. Talk to that kid from PRC about strips and weaving, or the appearance of a woven texture.

Can't wait to hear what TLo have to say about Cheroin.

aimee said...

I agree with those who saw Daniel V's orchid-inspired outfit in Kenley's collar. I bet the judges saw it, too, and that's why she didn't win. Also, I don't think describing her collar as couture helped (at least in terms of Bluefly mass-producing it), though I don't see how Suede's dress would be any easier. Still, a pretty dress except for the titshelf.

Korto? Oh, Korto. I really wanted to like the dress, but I so. did. not.

yawningdog said...

Titshelf? I thought that was called 'mono-breast'?

lovemesomeuli said...

Shannone is the bomb! I agree she should've been snatched up quicker by the designers. Kenley definitely underestimated her breast size, which is strage considering it was her model last week.

And Korto? Is she this season's Ricky? She falls apart pretty easily!

Anonymous said...

Delurking to say that Tim's reaction to Korto's design was my favorite moment of the episode. It was one of the most genteel WTF takes I have ever witnessed. Love him!

Anonymous said...

Looking at it again here, Kenley's dress seems to be a variation on Daniel V's orchid "inspiration" dress

Unknown said...

Kenley's dress was FAB for the runway, but consider that the winning dress was going to be sold on Bluefly.com... I bet that influenced the judges' decision to pick Suede as the winner. It has more universal appeal than one with a very exaggerated collar. I think that if tye Bluefly.com element wasn't there, Kenley would have gotten the win for sure.

Bailey said...

Korto really pissed me off with her histrionics. It was like she started freaking just because Michael Kors said even big girls don't want fins on their ass. Then, she didn't even have to endure the pressure of being in the bottom 2 and started bawling in the green room "I worked sooooo hard!" Like the other designers didn't? She really needs to learn to take some criticism in stride. The fashion industry isn't exactly known for being forgiving. Develop a thicker skin, bitch. Did you think it was going to be some magical fairytale with the judges gushing over everything you do? Get over yourself.

Mike B. said...

Kenley's reminded me less of Laura's couture dress than of Daniel V.'s tulip dress, actually. Both lovely...but both eclipsed, in my view, by a bolder dress on the runway. (Andrae's water dress, in that instance.)

Korto has me concerned. I was confident about her chances because she clearly thought the challenge through--the ethnic look she was going for dovetailed with the brief, challenging Western standards of beauty alongside Western values of consumption and waste. And the dress might have been interesting if executed better. But it was not, and the fact that she responded so poorly is troubling. How do you make it through a dozen challenges if this is how you take criticism?

Anonymous said...

cakeordeath, your name is making me laugh this morning, thanks! Love Eddie Izzard!!

lovemesomeuli said...

I love the name cakeordeath as well!

Anonymous said...

Korto continues on her way to the Mychael dilemma. More Tim Gunn more good... we'll see it as the crowd clears a bit. I still imagine she is in it to the last 5 at least.

The fit on the Suede giftwrap-dress was good?? It kept leaving her body around the middle...

Kenley's dress wasn't resolved on the top - the collar was a bolt-on, to draw attention away from the lack of work on the bust.

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine any real woman wanting to wear Kenley's dress with that collar.

It's a nice runway dress, but not a really practical everyday dress.

Anonymous said...

I adored Tim's reaction:

"Wait...so the dress ISN'T inside out? Holy shit."

Anonymous said...

Oh! Oh! Imaginary Project Runway Challenge: Designers come up with an outfit for Eddie Izzard to wear during filming of his next stand-up special. Eddie Izzard as guest judge, of course. Sigh... Like THAT will ever happen on Lifetime.

Anonymous said...

i'm sorry, but i thought kenley's dress was booooo-ring. i don't think we're holding the designers up to high enough standards...yes, kenley's was well-sewn (relatively), but that should be expected! it's the design that matters, and i saw nothing innovative or even particularly creative in that dress. suede (even though i can't STAND him) at least did something beyond "just a dress," as tim would say. but maybe i'm biased against kenley for 1. having a dog's name and 2. doing the bettie page thing that's SO PLAYED OUT.

Mom said...

I thought Kenley's model did a lot to make that dress dazzle on the runway. She's worth every ounce of her high maintenance.

And Korto's behavior disappointed me immensely. That was just weird.

amy! said...

I can't believe no one has commented on the fact that Tim told she had to fix it or it would be a "hot mess". Yes, he borrowed that from Princess Puffysleeves. I had to rewind to be sure.

Joanie said...

Korto's dress had so much potential! Yes, the fins were not so great. Yes, the external darts COULD have been less prominent and more interesting. And yes, the back of that dress had some big fug to it. I hope to God she pulls her head out and makes it work next week.

Kenley's dress and Terri's were the ones I most wanted in the top three. There was something very appealing about each.

With Kenley's, it was the way she worked with the fabric and the color, working it to her advantage. The belt? She cut that down from something bigger (if I remember correctly) and while Tim thought it might be too harsh a contrast, the belt totally worked once that collar was added. It was a little slash of brilliance that gave the look the finish it needed. And titshelf aside, the construction was leaps and bounds better than Suede's from where I sat.

Fnarf said...

I'm with Donny B: Bozo the Clown. I didn't like that collar at all. I believe my reaction was "No. No. No. No. No." It makes her look like a display item, not a person, and certainly not a person you'd converse with at a cocktail party. More like a flower arrangement than a guest.

Suede still wins. Vote dress, not personality.

I'm not writing Korto off either. It's an interesting idea, it just didn't work out. She DID work hard, and it's creative as hell -- just wrong. Sometimes things turn out wrong. She's still here, and I think she's still a favorite.

"Betty and Veronica" -- fantastic!

mjude said...

this is one of the few i really liked (daniel v has something to do with that). over the choices they had, she should have one.

i too have/had high hopes for korto. it aint over till its over.

Bailey said...

Kenley...oh Kenley. I like you and both your dresses this season, but I'm not a fan of the "My dress is boring, let me put on an insane collar" school of design. And it wasn't couture at all, your comment wasn't cute. We're also not impressed you can sew by hand - I'd hope all the contestants would have that skill to some degree. The dress was pretty and chic, but I don't know that it deserved the win. Without the collar is was total Simplicity pattern and the bust was wonky. Simple designs require flawless execution.

I want to hate her for the Bettie Page pinup style, but I can't. It really does work well on her and doesn't seem to come off as an affectation, such as Suede's whole...persona. And I totally understand her comment about catering to young stars. That IS who they want their clients to be. There is no faster way to get your name out there as a designer than having a star wear your clothing on the red carpet, and I'm sure it brings much more legit fashion cred than being a contestant on Project Runway. She wasn't being snooty, just honest. Is she supposed to make $2 pieces for orphans her whole career or something?

Korto's paranoia about Wesley's dress was straight-up ridiculous. I watched the re-run last night and those dresses didn't look similar in the slightest....unless Korto meant Wes copied her by using fabric. What the fuck? Korto is totally going to be crazy this season.

Miz Shoes said...

Totally agree about Shannone. I can't believe she sat there until Korto was able to reclaim her. I also agree about Suede's dress. Frozen pizza it is. Or, maybe, mummy bandages. And that neckline?! Puh-leeze. That was utter crap.

SUS said...

Actually, I'm very sure that Tim Gunn used the term "hot mess" in S3, maybe earlier. It was not invented by Christian.

Bailey said...

Um, neither Tim Gunn nor Christian invented the term "hot mess." I have said it for years, as have most of the gay guys I know. It's nothing new, although it was fun to hear Tim say it. That is all.

Michelle & Cas said...

Is it just me or did anyone think the collar was similar to the two dresses Chris did (one with Princess puffy sleeves and one for the art challenge?) That's what I thought of....

Sewing Siren said...

I thought Betty Page (her name really should be something like Patty, Maxine, or LaVerne, she just doen't seem like a Kenley) was going to win for sure, when they stated that the winning dress would be sold on Bluefly.com. I guess none of the judges know anything about production (except Kors and maybe he doesn't give a shit about production headaches for Bluefly). So the difficultly of the opperations didn't matter. Or maybe Betty sunk herself when she said The collar had to be hand sewn? Anyhoo she did an excellent job handling the fabric it must have been a pill considering the poor workmanship of a lot of the others.

I kind of like Korto's dress, but I don't understand why she put the extra wide "fins" on the sides. In my opinion if she had evenly distruibuted the fullness it would have been cool. Or put the fins in the back like a Therry Mugler. I loved the dress Korto herself was wearing. I wonder if she designed that.

K said...

When I saw Kenley's dress come out all I could think of was Daniel Vosovic's dress from the inspiration challenge of season 2.

Anonymous said...

Kenley's couture statement seemed to me like a off-handed comment she wanted to take it back as soon as she said it.

This is one seriously emotional group and well-bonded, apparently. Peter Pan was in tears on the block and then again saying goodbye to Wes.

Fnarf said...

I can't imagine that any of the judges give two shits and a train whistle about production headaches at Bluefly.

Anonymous said...

yawningdog said...
Titshelf? I thought that was called 'mono-breast'?

I prefer 'uniboob'.

Also, blushlife's idea for the EDDIE IZZARD challenge?
Slice of fried gold.

Anonymous said...

Maybe after S4 the judges had seen one too many neck collars. I know I thought "Baby watched S4" . Outside of that I liked the dress even with the fit issues. Elegant and subtle.
I was impressed with Suede's idea if not the execution. And Korto ~ oh my!

Anonymous said...

I am not getting all the Korto love from last week with that "Bea Arthur at the Sunday Brunch Buffet" yellow tablecloth dress.

And the inside out "fin" dress was a monstrosity ESPECIALLY in light of her saying she designs for women with curves.

Last week she puts her model in a mumu, this week a strapless horrorshow of fisheye darts.

This one talks a good game but I'm thinkin' she's good for about two more episodes.

Daxx said...

I thought Kenley's garment was great, but as mentioned by others, simple design needs to be flawless and the top was off. The only similarity I see with Daniel's orchid outfit was a slight resemblance in the collar. Daniel’s was blousy, shiny, sleeveless and only a top.

Anyway, I have to agree that Korto had a great idea that tanked in the execution. Smaller darts would have saved this and could have turned out hot. She does seem to need to gain a thicker skin though or else she’s gonna get chewed up and spit out.

Oh, and I screamed when I saw “cakeordeath”! “Death please, No! Wait, I mean cake!” Classic! I thought the other poster’s idea of a challenge for Eddie Izzard was inspired. Combination of high glamour and men’s cuts, that’d put these bitches through their paces!

Anonymous said...

"I want to hate her for the Bettie Page pinup style, but I can't. It really does work well on her and doesn't seem to come off as an affectation"

The first thing I thought of when I saw her look was that her style is very much that of (I'm dating myself) a young Norma Kamali. I think she wears it well.

Anonymous said...

I don't think it was obvious that kenley should have won. It was a great dress, but suede really pulled it out. Was his perfectly made, no. was it to everyone's taste, no. But it worked and was a creative design. Suede rightfully won the challenge.

Anonymous said...

If the point was that you can make great dresses with green fabric, why send the models to buy it? That "twist" should have been saved for another episode. As it was, this week's proved the opposite.

Anonymous said...

Kenley's dress could translate really well into RTW with a less-pronounced collar ruff--still a standup collar, but not the Bozo volume. This is nice couture that I could definitely see out and about!

Korto, can't wait to see how you do next week. Everyone has an off day, right? I like where she was going with the dress, but not where she arrived. Maybe she ran out of time. Better things next week, I hope.

Myra Flection said...

Former favorite duchessism,
"That crotch is INSANE !'

New favorite duchessism,
"Trust me, even curvy girls dont want fins off their butts."

Anonymous said...

Kenley's dress was gorgeous! I would wear that in a second.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I didn't understand the whole crying game with Korto. It wasn't like she was bottom two you know. she needs to be toughened up to survive in this competition.

Gorgeous Things said...

Kenley's dress was amazing. She should have won it. Maybe our little Betty Page has the goods...

Anonymous said...

Korto disappointed me big-time, both with the dress and the blubbering. Get a grip, lady! I'm glad she got to stay.

Kenley's dress was super-chic but I just wasn't a fan of the collar. Plus as it has been mentioned ad-naseum it reminded me too much of Daniel V's orchid dress (which I didn't like either).

DolceLorenzo said...

I thought Kenley was going to win, especially when they announced that the winning dress would be sold on Bluefly. It looks Korto doesn't take criticism well. We shall see. Her dress was very unflattering.

Karmander said...

Yeah, it's a toss up. On the one hand, the challenge was to design for THEIR CLIENT, and Kenley mastered the design for Shannone...the way the collar lifted and her hair lifted...it was energetic and electric and not, i don't think, in a silly way.

Suede's dress looked like frozen pizza LMFAO!But seriously, I didn't like how it bunched around the arm holes whenever she cocked her hips...it was distracting and ugly. Kenley's dress had no oddities like that.

GothamTomato said...

I would have chosen Kenley's dress over Suede's as well. Even though it has some fit and construction issues, so does his. Maybe they just thought it was too simple (with the exception of the collar).

It seems like there are two completely different voices on the show: Tim, who (rightly) wants the designers to edit; and the judges who consistantly reward the ones who go apeshit.

Korto's model looks like she's been decapitated and her head put on a stake. I don't know where she went wrong. Maybe she was thinking too hard about not boring Nina and it overtook the sense of style she demonstrated last week.

--GothamTomato

Anonymous said...

Agreed, boys.

Kenley shoulda won.

Korto had an interesting idea if she'd executed right, would've been a wow. Shame.

-- desertwind

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the Izzard challenge. He is a self-proclaimed "executive transvestite" and may not be at all interested in wearing what these bitches would turn out.

Myra Flection said...

It would be sort of interesting (not that they'd ever do it)
to see how Tim would be as a guest judge.

K said...

Agreed it would be great to see Tim judge. However it would be bad to see him guest judge on PR USA. They tried having the designer's mentor on the judges panel for Project Catwalk last season. It made the mentor seem two faced. Now, it would be excellent to see Tim guest judge on PR Canada, PR Australia, Project Catwalk or even all 3.

Anonymous said...

I really liked Kenley's dress but it's more a runway or red carpet dress than a cocktail dress. The collar is way over the top and I can't see myself wearing it anywhere. And I really didn't like the fit on the bust.

Korto's dress on the other hand looked horrible, a desaster.

Myra Flection said...

Right, you couldn't confuse the mentor/judge roles. I'd just be curious how he'd be as judge. What would be his point of view and taste level ? Hell, I'd just love to see his facial expressions!

Anonymous said...

I'm torn about Kenley's dress. On the one hand, it's elegant and chic and is something a grown-up could wear. On the other hand it's a simple sheath dress with a poorly fitted bodice and a silly collar. Terri's dress was much better and should have had the win. I also loved Daniel's little black dress which was adorable on his model.

Korto's dress was one of the ugliest things I've seen on PR. Girl, you need to man up. And lost the paranoia while you're at it.

Alicia said...

Korto just strikes me as someone who is wonderfully sweet, quiet, and breaks at a touch. In other words NOT someone who should be on reality TV. Yes, you worked your tail off. Yes you're sleep deprived. Yes, you're forced to live and work with a bunch of strangers who are varying shades of drama-llama, crazy, and outright insane. Yes, the assignments have all the subtlety of Marine training Hell Week.

To bad.

If you can't handle that (and lord knows I can't) then don't sign up. My guess is she'll pull a VictorYa and throw some crap together without caring, practically wearing an ELIMINATE ME sign. Hopefully for her sake she'll do that sooner rather than later. Or toughen up. One of the two.

Anonymous said...

KENLEY has to thank her model for working it. Her model made the dress what it was designed to do; look sophisticated and catch eyes.

I don't like KORTO, KENLEY or JERRY's personalities. KORTO is perpetually ungrateful and angry. KENLEY is someone who seems nice until one does something she doesn't like and then she explodes and overracts. JERRY is arrogant and deluded. The other 13 designers I like on a personal basis so far.

Washington Cube said...

Like the other Laura, I wondered why so many of the models went with the shiny slick fabrics. You just know there had to be better in that shop, and suitable as "green," and "cocktail dress." In truth, I didn't like any of them this past week. Onward.

Anonymous said...

I thought Kenley's design was borderline boring, but yes, it's still a beautifully made sheath dress.

Korto's design made me think of the Nina Ricci Fall 2008 collection, but those fin shapes were instead behind the shoulders. Otherwise, yeah, it was all about the seaming, and the seaming went off-course across her butt. That was failure.

Anonymous said...

She was probably just pmsing, she'll get back to normall. Just give her time.

Anonymous said...

I really thought that Kenley's dress should've won.

Anonymous said...

KENLEY WAS ROBBED!!! HER DRESS KICKED ASS!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I agree with you guys, I loved Kenley's dress but it didn't have enough room for her model's breasts. Korto? Big disappointment and I wasn't very pleased with her whining.

Anonymous said...

Kenley's dress should've won IMO, the neck was a great detail to the simple but yet chic dress, the two seams in the front are lovely and the belt was a great touch.

Anonymous said...

I love when designs go 'she has beautiful curves' so I'm going to add more bulk to her hips. How delusional is that? That's the part that bothered me so much, she would NOT listened to Tim or anyone.

Anonymous said...

sorry...I love when designERS...damn keyboard.

Trish said...

I think Korto is a worrier and she had a stress release reaction. She was all tied up thinking she was going the worse was going to happen and when she was safe the tears flowed. Been there!
I do like her. It may not have been an attractive dress but I would have never thought of doing inside out. I think if it had been planned from the start, it might have worked. I do think she needs to just focus on her designs and don't let the other's work influence her. Don't get so tied up in second guessing yourself.

Idea for a challenge. It would have to be late in the season, but how about the designers having to fix a design that almost got them eliminated. There have not been many designers that did not have at least one WTF design by the 8 or 9th week.

CroqueMonsieur said...

Kenley's dress was my favorite too. I like simple lines. I;m not a fan of too many bells and whistles on a garment.

Anonymous said...

I'm still rooting for Korto though. I know she can do better than that.

Anonymous said...

I hated Korto's dress, very unflattering. Kenley's collar was a little too much like Daniel V's orchid-inspired creation.

Rachel said...

Kenley's was lovely, but... from a production point of view, that collar would be hard to make and hard to sell to a lot of people. Kenley's dress worked in large part because of the styling of her model's hair, which was great, but I don't know how many other people would buy the dress and pull it off.

I think if the seam allowances were smaller on Korto's dress, it would have minimized the "fin" look of it.

Anonymous said...

If Korto hadn't added those two thick fins on the side I think the dress would've looked much better. It's not flattering and nobody wants to wear something that won't make them look good.

Anonymous said...

I don't know, when you look at Korto's and go back and look at Wesley's, I'm not so sure he was the one supposed to go home. I find hers worse than his. Kenley's was elegant and sophisticated all the way. I don't understand the judges' decision to give it to Suede. His was cute but not the best.

Anonymous said...

It's so weird that they decided to have the show where "THE NATALIE PORTMAN is a judge" to be the one where they have the models pick the fabric. Talk about a sh-tty idea. If they REALLY wanted to impress Natalie, they should have let the designers pick the fabric, but restrict it all to the "green" section.

This is one of those "great ideas on paper" that went horribly wrong. I didn't even find anything fun or entertaining about seeing the models shop -- I just felt bad for the designers -- specifically the Ugly Brown camp who got stuck with that hot mess of a fabric. if they were going to do this idea, they should have waited till at least episode 5 or 6 -- where the designers and models have gotten to know each other's aesthetics.

Besides Kenley's and possibly Suede's, I didn't find ANY of the designs to be interesting, -- letting the models pick the fabric should NEVER be done again, and i dare say, WON'T.

I think they went with Suede because of two reasons:

1) The guest judge. Of the two of those outfits, which one would you see Natalie Portman in? She was GUSHING over Suede. She would look like a princess in that outfit. In Kenley's, she woudl look.....erm......

2) He took the most risk AND delivered. He imagined the fabric
beyond what it was. You may hate it, or love it, but he WENT for it.

And give Korto a break -- at least she didn't just cut a simple sillouette out and breeze by into the next round. She took a risk, and she fell flat. I remember Christian and Jeffrey being in the BOTTOM -- they took risks. it happens.

I can't believe Wesley is out. Sh-t. Couldn't they have gotten rid of the 4 girls who all look the same and kept the Hottie-Patattie?

-Brent

Kelly Marie said...

Poor Korto. I just think she got a little to imaginative for this one. That's okay sweetheart, you live to see another day!

Suzanne said...

You guys are right- the uniboob might have been the deal breaker for Kenley. I was thinking they would have chosen Cheroin's dress simply because it was the easiest one for Bluefly to reproduce and sell but alas....wrong again.

Anonymous said...

Runway Fan Said:

"KORTO is perpetually ungrateful and angry."

Wow! "Perpetually"??? You can tell that much from all of 2 episodes, huh?

Yep, nothin' shouts ANGRY like weeping into your hands and covering your face like a 5yr old on the 1st day of school. I don't think so...at least not yet!

Then again maybe she wept after reading our perpetually angry and ungrateful blog entries! =b

kittens not kids said...

i don't think Korto is nuts (yet, anyway) - I can imagine that it's horrible and stressful and painful to stand on that runway and have your work shredded, especially after being praised so highly last week. it's only the second week, for christsake - this has GOT to be an emotionally intense experience for ALL the designers. I have no doubt there's plenty of crying and shaking and weird emotional responses once the designers leave the runway; we just don't always get to see it.

This dress reminded me of Christian's and Chris's high-collar dresses. It also reminded me of the collar Kenley did last week. Then, Daniel V's gorgeous orchid dress came to mind.

I can't feel good about Kenley - i think it's the bettie page faux hipster thing. to me, that's as much of an affectation as Suede's blue fauxhawk. it's just one that I like, aesthetically speaking, a little more.

Cedar said...

I didn't like Kenley's, or Suede's, or Stella's dress. Kenley's was attractive, but too simply, and, like Suede's, extremely sloppy looking. Maybe it was the fabric (which she had no control over), but it looked poorly fitted and wrinkly. I thought Terri's was by far the most attractive, most flattering, and well made.

eggs mayonnaise said...

I wasn't as taken with Kenley's dress. Compared to the rest of the pack it's definitely top 3-worthy, but I don't know about "best".

The proportion of the neck ruffles bugged me. They were oversized, but for no reason. Daniel V was evoking a flower, so the look made sense. Here, I don't see the necessity of the BIGness. Still a very nice dress, though.

As for Korto, here's what I think happened: The judges saw the darts, and were instantly transported in their minds to Wendy Pepper's inverted pleats on her Postal Service shorts, which of course made them go postal. But Korto does need to get a grip. was she thinking they were going to hand her lollipops every time she stood up there? I love you K, but it's time to grow a pair.

Anonymous said...

i really wanted kenley's dress to win. to me, it was by far the most chic, classy piece out there. simple & elegant. yes, it had some of the look of daniel v's s2 dress, but it was a little lower in front, thereby didn't seem to be as voluminous.

i was quite disappointed in korto's design. it really looked pretty awful. she should have had the good sense to step back from it, especially after tim's reaction and edit!!! oh well, she's safe for another week and hopefully will step it up for the next challege.

Anonymous said...

frogboots said:

"I can't feel good about Kenley - i think it's the bettie page faux hipster thing. to me, that's as much of an affectation as Suede's blue fauxhawk."

THANK YOU! that's exactly how i feel. i almost feel guilty about being so incredibly irritated by her...almost.

Anonymous said...

"uncle vanya said...
...was she thinking they were going to hand her lollipops every time she stood up there? I love you K, but it's time to grow a pair."


LOL. I have to say I was a little taken aback by her reaction.

Anonymous said...

I think the judges were a little bit too harsh on Korto. It wasn't that bad.

Anonymous said...

i didn't like korto's dress, and that was a surprise considering last week her dress was so well done.

Anonymous said...

Korto's dress was over the top, but not half as bad as some of the others, like Keith's or Jerell's. If the darts had been trimmed down a little I think it would have probably been one of the best dresses on the runway. Kenley's was the one I liked the best.

Unknown said...

I love reading these comments... you kittens rock.

The judges may be on crack, but they chose right this time. this gives me pain, but Suede's design was innovative, fresh, flirty, fun, young and at least erred on the side of too-loose instead of too-tight.

Anonymous said...

Korto seems to be an extreme A-type personality, a perfectionist. That's the type that would cry in that situation. I still get a good vibe from her though, and i hope she turns out some interesting things.

Anonymous said...

I think the only potential Korto's dress had was if she had turned it inside out...with all the magical secret stuff that makes a dress fit properly HIDDEN. Those exposed darts looked stupid. And the seam allowance fins were even stupider. I am not an expert on fashion but I know what looks stupid and it was that dress. Sorry Korto...love ya!

Anonymous said...

Sure, I would agree that Kenley's persona is affected, but gosh she doesn't RAM it in your face like Blayne or Suede. And frankly having an affection for broads from the forties (Rosie the Riveter!) is far more appealing than wanting to be the poster child for Coppertone, or continuing to dress like you did when you were a "cool" teenager even though you are 37 years old.
Kenley also happens to be one of the few designers who has actually now made two dresses in a row that DO NOT SUCK. The others? Daniel and Terri.

Stubenville said...

Okay boys and girls: what is the first rule on Project Runway?

Don't bore Nina.

Kenley sent a dress down the runway which looked WAY too similar to Daniel V's blouse. Nina's score was probably a negative number.

As for Korto, the tears were unexpected. She made a number of bad decisions but had she perfected the fit up top, eliminated the "tail fins" and finished the exposed darts as piping, it could have been a winner.

Jenn said...

Recalling S3 Alison's avant garde dress and the hysterics it sent the judges into, I thought Korto may be booted. The judges peed their pants about Alison's dress being unflattering and fattening. Are ass-fins not fattening in the worst possible area for most women?
I like Korto and didn't want her to go, but that dress was crap!

Anonymous said...

I don't know if this has been mentioned or not. But did anyone notice that Betty Page's dress looks AWFULLY similar to Daniel V's dress in the challenge during this season when he drew inspiration from flowers in Michael Kors's office?

Sorry for the run on setence.

Anonymous said...

Overall, the dresses were disappointing. And sending the models to pick out fabric was just cruel. I wasn't wowed by Kenley's dress but I do think she should have won over the hot-frozen-pizza-mess.

But what disappointed me most about the show was the fact that the judges had more to say about Kenley's personal style than her dress. Sorry but that's just not relevant. Also, I love Natalie Portman but I expected a lot more from her than the Queen Victoria Beckham School of Judging (i.e. "I want. It wins.").

Sigh. I really hope this season gets better.

Anonymous said...

Terri should have won the challenge - she had the better dress

Anonymous said...

Boys, not sure why you thought Korto was going to be low-drama since the previews at the end of episode one have her announcing "I'm freakin' out, like I'm about to have a breakdown." Girl is going to bring some serious Nina Simone-style drama to the show! Me thinks she will around for some time (despite this week's mishap) and I'm kinda looking forward to sista gettin' her freak on.

Anonymous said...

And ONE MORE thing. ENOUGH with throwing around "couture"! Whatever, Kenley, you had to stitch it by hand, doesn't make you a Parisian atelier.

Anonymous said...

I think Kenley is a cutie pie. A word of caution though, from one whose schtick was also working the second hand retro/vintage look: Think it through! The vintage look works on a young woman, mostly because of the juxtaposition of old against young and fresh and nubile. Old juxtaposed against tired and encroaching middle age is just sad-sack, or crazy cat lady.

Anonymous said...

-and I think Kenley's crack about "couture" was certainly meant to be tongue-in-cheek.

Unknown said...

Korto so should have gone home-i'd rather wear something wrinkled than something that makes me look like a fish. and the neck thing? fug.

Unknown said...

also, it's not that big a deal that kenley didn't win, suede's was up there. lorenzo has just had too many frozen pizzas.

Kasey said...

Kenley's dress was nice, but didn't reek of Christian Siriano/Chris March Season 4?

Roxy said...

I loved Kenley's dress and it should have won. I was as surprised as the PRGayboys that Shannone wasn't snatched off the runway very quickly. Bet she gets "stolen" somewhere along the way, although there doesn't seem to be any zaftig models this time around, the size 10-12 the designers can't wait to get rid of because their clothes don't sit as well as them.

Are they going to have a normal challenge? You know, with normal materials they get to choose themselves? If I was one of the designers, I'd be getting pretty p**ssed by now.

And what was with Korto? Geez, lighten up! She looked like a primary school student who's just gotten her first bad report card!

Roxy said...

I loved Kenley's dress and it should have won. I was as surprised as the PRGayboys that Shannone wasn't snatched off the runway very quickly. Bet she gets "stolen" somewhere along the way, although there doesn't seem to be any zaftig models this time around, the size 10-12 the designers can't wait to get rid of because their clothes don't sit as well as them.

Are they going to have a normal challenge? You know, with normal materials they get to choose themselves? If I was one of the designers, I'd be getting pretty p**ssed by now.

And what was with Korto? Geez, lighten up! She looked like a primary school student who's just gotten her first bad report card!

Anonymous said...

Kenley's dress didn't win because the neckpiece douldn't be manufactured. And the zipper is brown because Karalyn gave it to Shannone when she realized she'd forgotten to buy one.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone else noticed that when the "ethnic" designers turn to their ethnic roots, they tend to lose their talent? The finalist from S1 who went all urban is the best example. Here a woman gets all excited about how her genetic group has curves and a butt and she makes a poorly designed inside-out sheath.

I think it's because the pressure involved in being consciously a representative of one's entire "group" leads to cliche-thinking and that snuffs out the designer's individual nature.

Here's to the individual! No group think -- ever!