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Project Runway: The Graduates
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The high: Overbearing mamas who have more to say than, “You’re not going to wear THAT, are you?”
The low: Nice guy Joe gets canned.
Now that this episode is out of the way, I’m going to do a little speculating on what the remaining designers’ strengths and weaknesses are. Full disclosure — I couldn’t stand the suspense: I have already seen the collections of the finalists who went to Bryant Park, though I don’t know who won. I promise not to give anything way, but I will also say that if you can’t wait till the finale and you MUST see what all the fuss is about, you can see the collections here at www.BravoTV.com. (After the finale, they’ll be posted here as well.)
The loser, Joe: Poor Joe, I think he really believed in his design. He was wearing pinstripes, after all. I personally haven’t considered pinstripes since the ‘80s, but Brooks Brothers still sells women’s pinstriped suit separates (and not cheaply, I might add!) so there must be market for them, though not among 21-year-olds.
Strengths and weaknesses based on tonight’s and past episodes:
Below right: I’m here about the job. (Photo: www.BravoTV.com)
Jerell: Strength: Not afraid to experiment with design elements. He’s coming on strong after tonight’s win (right).Weakness: Doesn’t seem to know how to hold back. He needs an editor.
Kenley: Strength: Is consistently capable of turning out a cute dress. Weakness: Her look is informed by midcentury fashion, but IMO she doesn’t seem to be able to interpret it into a modern design.
Korto: Strength: Knows how to handle a variety of fabrics, including unruly burlap. Weakness: Doesn’t seem to be having any fun, and sometimes you need that extra edge to win.
Leanne: Strength: Has an eye for great lines. (I consider tonight’s jacket an anomaly.) Weakness: Her sense of restraint is as great as Jerell’s sense of freedom. She needs to break free of her super-feminine aesthetic.
Suede: Strength: Seems to put a lot of thought into his designs. He means well. Weakness: May be taste challenged, and his designs frequently look amateurish.
The last word: Demode. Used to be, any job interview called for a matched (remember Kasper?) suit, flesh-toned pantyhose and closed-toe shoes. There are probably some law firms and banks that still stick to the uniform.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Project Runway
Comments
By j
September 18, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..yawn……yawn…..YAWN!!!!!
By PR Fan
September 18, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
As much as I dislike Suede, I just didn’t get all the harshing over his outfit. Was it really THAT bad? You’re right, too, in that Jerell continues to surprise. I had written him off early on as too inconsistent, but he seems to improve with each challenge. I figured Joe’s days were numbered, and last night’s outfit, while not horrid, was Dullsville. I’m just glad Leeanne’s flub didn’t get her axed. She and Korto have been the most consistent. And hey, not for nothing, but Kenley can bite me. Her constant attitude doesn’t even make great TV anymore, and that cackling on the runway for the SECOND TIME is beyond rude. Her hotness became a non-issue like four issues ago; get over yourself.
By Rod
September 18, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
j - why don’t you go back to sleep, we’ll all be happier.
Kenley is a one-act pony. She doesn’t have the skill to deviate off of the one thing she can do. And her crying over EVERY little thing is pathetic.
By Tiredofit
September 18, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
????Project Runway????
I would rather read the Winter 2007 Arbitron ratings -AGAIN.
By Kenley's #1 Anti-Fan
September 18, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
I am so sorry to see Joe go - no doubt his designs weren’t as exciting as some of the others - but he seemed to truly be a nice person. Kenley is a braying donkey and should be kicked off for attitude - and Korto needs an infusion of enthusiasm and Leeanne just needs some personality! Jerrell’s outfit rocked last night- and I thought Suede’s was second best - not second worst!
By pj
September 18, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
I was pleasantly surprised by Jerrell’s garment. I though the skirt was a little tight, but overall, the look turned out nice. i was initially a Kenley fan. NO MORE! Her constant whining, belittling others’ creations, and refusal to listen to ANY criticism (constructive or otherwise) have let me with little ability to stomach her anymore. While her garments are usually flattering (not always), she appears to be a one-trick-pony that has worn out her welcome with me.
By kar
September 18, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
I knew he wasn’t going to be a finalist but like last year’s Chris March, Joe was my favorite. Less bitchy than a lot of the designers he gave off a vibe that like Korto, he was a grown-up. Clearly an underdog his pieces were consistently marketable but in the middle.
I’m hoping that Kenley will drop off next. Her alternating crying and frenzied confidence are becoming increasingly grating.
Suede will probably be next. While the “Suede …” is still annoying for someone who can’t legitimately use the royal third person, he just doesn’t have the talent.
Korto’s never been in the bottom three and Jerrell seems to be the best at breaking out of the box. Leanne’s a dark horse who always has clean lines and different silhouettes so she has more of a chance than a woman who consistently does a retro print dress.
By Lala
September 18, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
The comments about Kenley here have definitely changed. I wanted to pull for her since I love most of her dresses even still, but when you insult Tim Gunn, you’ve gone too far and it’s time to go. I’m sticking to Leanne’s earlier comment that she is, indeed, the “silent fashion assassin.”
And what the hell, this is a “radio & TV” blog, so why is it so hard to talk one day about Project Runway instead of the completely sad state of Atlanta radio? Please get over yourselves.
By mothgirl
September 18, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
I wore what I believed to be a very cute pinstriped skirt suit (black with white and pink pin stripes; a-line skirt) from Banana Republic to a job interview at the AJC a few years ago. I’m beginning to wonder whether my fashion choice is what sunk me. I didn’t get the job.
I’ll miss Joe.
I think Kenley should make it to Bryant Park based on her talent, but I don’t know that I can take her much longer.
By DebbieDoRight
September 18, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Kenley is just young — she’ll mature with time. Jerrell, WOW!! what a surprise!! I’m beginning to really like his designs! Korto — she is a survivor of a country that was torn apart by a WAR; if she’s a little quiet and to herself, she has every right to be.
No disrespect but I think that Suede should’ve been canned last night. He’s been on the bottom at least 4 times and Joe had at least won once!! Suede should go!
By lisa
September 18, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
Best show so far… Artists designing for artists Opinions flying everywhere Jerrel’s Green Leaf Hat Kenley’s Mini Me Leanne’s client’s mom: Head of Lettuce
and finally… the dog “Swatch” at Mood.
By PR Fan
September 18, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Suede is so very ready to go. I think it’ll come down to the two most volatile personalities for the third slot: Kenley and Jerell. But Jerell keeps improving, so… Korto and Leeane have been the steadiest.
By Wankine
September 18, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
IIRC, Korto has consistently ranked in the top few, but never won a challenge. She and Leanne keep quietly turning out good designs, and Leanne has won with a few of hers. I expect them both to make the final three.
Jerrell deserved to win last night. Not only was the outfit the best one up there, but he really got the concept of the challenge, which was makeover. His girl looked great and presented a confident attitude. Total A+ makeover!
Kenley has managed to stay in the competition by making the same dress over and over, with the possible exception of that monstrosity that she did for the avante garde episode. Would the judges keep her on just because of her awful behavior? Probably. It is TV, after all.
Suede is out of his league, but manages to hold on despite consistently finishing near the bottom.
Poor Joe. He’s a nice guy, but he made the fatal mistake of doing something boring and trite. If he had a nasty or bizarre personality like Kenley, he might still be around.
By Wankine
September 18, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
IIRC, Korto has consistently ranked in the top few, but never won a challenge. She and Leanne keep quietly turning out good designs, and Leanne has won with a few of hers. I expect them both to make the final three.
Jerrell deserved to win last night. Not only was the outfit the best one up there, but he really got the concept of the challenge, which was makeover. His girl looked great and presented a confident attitude. Total A+ makeover!
Kenley has managed to stay in the competition by making the same dress over and over, with the possible exception of that monstrosity that she did for the avante garde episode. Would the judges keep her on just because of her awful behavior? Probably. It is TV, after all.
Suede is out of his league, but manages to hold on despite consistently finishing near the bottom.
Poor Joe. He’s a nice guy, but he made the fatal mistake of doing something boring and trite. If he had a nasty or bizarre personality like Kenley, he might still be around.
By lisa
September 18, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Why don’t we all send “J” the Winter 2007 Arbitron readings…and Tiredofit could read to him.
By FAITH DAWSON
September 18, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Hey there Wankine: Thanks for your post. Korto has one win to her credit, the Olympic challenge. I remember that because I thought sure Terri would win. And I agree, Jerell was the only one to really embrace the makeover concept.
By almh
September 18, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Leanne and Korto are my favorites. I like Jerrell more and more. I liked Kenley when it started but now I just think she’s a rude brat. I think Suede is next to go.