Notes from the Runway: Week 4

August 08, 2008 10:20 am

— Week 4: Wednesday, Aug. 6

Won: Korto
Out: Jennifer

Daniel, you scared me. What kind of “Project Runway” blogger would I be if I was one of the first to be out of the running in The Free Press’ “Who Will Win ‘Project Runway’?” contest?
No, I of course am not eligible to win the $50 gift certificate for picking the designer who will win. I am running the contest, after all. But this is about pride. My pick at least has to make it past Week 4, for Pete’s sake.
Anyhow, Daniel made it through by the skin of his teeth last night, having designed a 1940s style cocktail dress made of shiny indigo fabric with red piping and buttons. It was a cross between a stewardess and Wonder Woman and his answer to the challenge to design an outfit for U.S. Olympians to wear as they introduce themselves in the Olympic games.
The designers had some leeway. The outfits weren’t meant to compete in, just to be worn to make their first impression at the Olympics, to put a chic and stylish visage on the U.S.A. athletes.
As with any challenge, there were those who delivered, and there were those who made very odd choices. But at least the person who was auf’d and the person who won made sense this week.
Leaving us was the dowdy designer Jennifer. Nice enough girl, but her description of her clothing as being “surreal” seemed only to convince herself. She was on the chopping block last week and was definitely the one who should have gone home instead of Emily for that weird blowsy navy blue dress.
This week, her take on Olympics wear was a 1960s bedazzled cardigan over a white shirt with a white and cream striped skirt made of what appeared to be couch-cover material. It was very Sunday Afternoon Tea, and I couldn’t quite figure out how she thought U.S. athletes would look tough and confident in something so prim and proper. Neither could the judges.
But, if judging based on this challenge only, I thought Jerell deserved to go home. There were ruffles at the neck. There was purple fabric. There was a large hat ... I don’t know what else to say. Just look to the left at the picture and try to take it all in.
Korto came through like a champ, so to speak, although I wouldn’t say she had the best design. Hers was made of three pieces: flared white linen pants, a white form-fitting sleeveless shirt, and a vest with red and black leather trim. It was chic and wearable, but didn’t make much of a statement. Too casual.
I thought Joe would be the winner with his skort and half-length sleeved shirt made with leather. The colors were red, white and blue with the words U.S.A. sewn on the skirt. In this case, I thought a literal translation of the assignment was the right way to go. The outfit looked, dare I say, fierce and would draw attention to the team.
And in Stella news — my muse this season with her Queens accent and refusal to design outside her rocker-inspired background — she only said “leathah” once or twice this episode and seems to have learned how to pronounce her Rs. I was a little bit saddened. “Leathuh” is my new favorite word. Maybe she'll come through for me next week.

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