THE REMAINING NINE (back row from left to right) Jeremy, Brandon, Alexander, Alexandria (front row from left to right) Kate, Ken, Dom, Helen, Justin
Heidi: “Are you impressed that you’re still here?”
All of the designers: “Yes!” *nodding their heads*
Southern style brunch on Project Runway Season 12 Episode 9.
Hey y’all!–imagine my saying this in my most genuine Southern Belle accent–Are y’all ready for the VIP’s weekly recap of Project Runway?
Tim Gunn: “She is a modern Southern woman…She is the Belk customer…She dresses vibrantly and impressively. She is always fashionably put together. She knows how to use accessories, and she loves color and anything with feminine detail.”
Me: “Mom, I think Tim Gunn just described me perfectly!”
Mom: “Sweetheart, he just described every true Southern lady perfectly.”
Ken purchasing his fabric at Mood with his GoBank card. Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
After their classy Southern brunch and thirty-minute sketching time, the designers were given thirty minutes in Mood to find their fabric and were given a suggested GoBank spending budget of $200–$250. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have a $200–$250 GoBank shopping budget at Belk? I can imagine myself walking out of those doors with bags of fabulous attire, accessories, and sweet high heels. Do I have a shopping addiction? Sure, some would call it that…now, back to Project Runway!
With one day to create their looks, the designers were antsy about creating something that a modern Southern woman would wear.
Helen: “I do not design for the modern Southern woman…this is way out of my comfort zone.”
Alexander: “I do not dress like a modern Southern woman…just like a modern 80s woman.”
When time was up in the workroom, Tim Gunn (looking dashing as always) escorted the designers and models to the runway.
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The winner of this challenge was Brandon. I liked the concept of his design; however, I am not too crazy about the plaid. I can definitely see this dress in vibrant colors and a pretty, flowy fabric…perhaps then…the true modern Southern woman would snatch it off the rack at Belk. Kudos for the fabulous design concept, Brandon! Boo on the plaid!
Heidi: “We think you all did not fully understand the concept of this challenge, and you all could benefit from a little bit more time…For the first time in Project Runway history, I’m going to send you back to the workroom. Right now—you will have one hour to work on your look, and to give you a little help, each of you can choose one fellow designer. You have access to all of the fabrics in the workroom….”
So…Designers Dom, Jeremy, and Ken were sent back to the workroom…all I could think was good luck, my darlings!
Designer Dom’s second look. The second winning look of this challenge. Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
I LOVE THIS DRESS! Just so all of you know….when this dress arrives at Belk, I will be running to get it!
Designer Jeremy’s first look. Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
Bless his heart…Despite Jeremy’s valiant effort, he was sent home. I was very sad to see him go because I am going to miss his wonderful designs and especially his British accent.
Ken Laurence’s first look. Image provided by The Weinstein Company.Ken Laurence’s second look. Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
After watching Episode 9, I chatted with Ken about the challenge and his two spectacular garments.
Me: “If you could have created a completely new garment, what would you have created?”
Ken: “I would have created the exact same dress in a different fabric. My goal was to find a lighter, more flowy fabric, but I ran out of time in Mood…and the color was most important.”
Me: “What was the concept behind your first design?”
Ken: “I wanted to design something that I witnessed selling on a day-to-day basis when I worked as a stylist at BCBG–before Project Runway. Southern women came in looking for maxi dresses that were simple, easy-to-wear, and could be accessorized for all occasions. Another factor I tried to think about was the climate here in Alabama, and that was why I wanted to go with a lighter fabric.”
Me: “What was your goal when you went back to the workroom to modify your look?”
Ken: “My main goal was to just have a dress…I was not thinking about the modern Southern woman anymore…I was just thinking about giving the judges a different look. In my original sketch, I actually created a silhouette similar to the one in my second look so I just went with it.
Personally, I loved designer Ken’s first look the most! I loved the fact that it could be easily accessorized…we all know how much the VIP loves her accessories!
Phew…this episode was quite the humdinger! I cannot wait to see what Episode 10 has to offer!
Don’t forget to live tweet with YOUR favorite designer by using the hashtags below!
Hello, my fabulouses and welcome back to the blog! Today, I want to chat about Project Runway Season 12 Episode 8. How did the designers start off the challenge? Well, with Tim Gunn waking them up in a referee outfit! What? Tim Gunn in a referee outfit rather than a tux? Let me tell y’all, Tim Gunn worked that referee outfit like a pro!
Tossing on some snazzy sports apparel, the designers were off to have a Project Runway field day with the winning team being rewarded with one extra hour of sewing and first pick at fabric.
Project Runway added a new twist to the show this week by asking the designers to create performance wear for Heidi Klum’s New Balance collection that was not only fashionable but functional. The winning runway look was to be manufactured and sold at select New Balance stores under Heidi Klum’s collection. Phew…talk about motivation!
Ken using his GoBank card at Mood! Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
With a $50.00 GoBank spending budget, designers Dom and Justin had first pick at fabric because they won the Project Runway field day challenge.
After the designers chose their 10 yards of fabric and paid with their GoBank mobile phone apps and debit cards, it was time to head back to the workroom! Go, team, go! Give me a P-R-O-J-E-C-T R-U-N-W-A-Y…What’s that spell? PROJECT RUNWAY! Go, Team!
Lessons I Learned From the Workroom on Season 12 Episode 8:
Secrets and Name Calling are Never Good:
Secrets and name calling are never good…especially in high-pressure situations. “Pressure pushing down on me. Pressing down on you, no man ask for under pressure…” (Under Pressure by Queen)
It is good to have a mentor, spiritual mom, and/or Tim Gunn to talk to and give you advice.
D. Green (Ken’s mentor/spiritual mom): “You can’t give up now. Do you hear me?”
Ken: “Yes, ma’am.”
D. Green: “Ken, you were born for this.”
Tim Gunn (talking to Ken): “You wouldn’t be here, if we didn’t believe you’ve got the stuff not just to sustain this but to win.”
Ken: “Yes, sir.”
Pep talks refresh the memory.
Ken: “After speaking with Tim Gunn, it refreshed my memory of why I am here and, in that moment, I just really needed to hear that.”
Nonverbal actions speak just as loud as verbal actions…sometimes louder.
Is Helen smiling like a Cheshire cat while tattling on Designer Ken? You tell me…
When under pressure, it is not uncommon to lash out at someone and say things one later regrets.
Some people will do anything to win…even ruffling a few feathers.
Helen: “It is a competition. I cannot comprehend what set Ken off. This is all about strategy; and if you’re going to win this competition, like I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to ruffle a few feathers.”
Don’t judge.
Ken: “You should never actually judge a person because you don’t know what they are going through….That struggle [see explanation below] has made me a very, very, very independent person.”
In an exclusive interview, Ken and I chatted about his struggle and how he arrived to where he is today.
Ken: “I have been designing clothes since I was about 10 years old…and the dream has come true with Project Runway….I have been homeless before…having to live in my car…and all of the struggles I have been through have made me into the person I am today. I am very independent because of what I have been through. If there is one thing I have learned from these struggles is that it is important to have faith in God that your dreams will come true…don’t let the distractions stop you from reaching your dream.”
It takes a strong person to apologize.
Ken (talking to Helen): “I’ve been frustrated all day–”
Helen: “I know.”
Ken: “–I like you, and I flipped out on you for no reason, honestly.”
Helen: “Okay, no worries.”
Ken: “I just needed to apologize. Can I have a hug?”
Tim Gunn: “I feel like a proud dad!”
Designer Dom (commenting on Ken’s apology): “It felt genuine. I think he just got really stressed out.”
Okay…that’s enough with the life lessons. Let’s get back to the runway!
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
What do you wear when you work out? Are you sleek and chic or comfy and casual? I completely understand what Heidi Klum’s vision for this challenge was…but when the VIP works out, I like to dress very basic and carefree. I do not care if my outfit could hit the runway after an hour of booty-kicking Insanity with Shaun T…Oh, Shaun T is such a motivating cutie.
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
Designer Ken’s athletic wear outfit is something I could wear during my work out–while being covered up and feeling confident. I like the approach with the longer shirt because let’s face it…we all worry about what our booties look like when we are running or doing squats in front of an entire gym of hot guys.
Designer Ken’s look was basic and wearable for the everyday woman; however, Helen took home the win with this challenge because her performance wear jacket exemplified Heidi Klum’s concept of bringing the runway to the treadmill.
Man…Episode 8 was quite the doozy! Now, I feel like I should go throw on my slouchy work out clothes and go for a run with my precious Giant Schnauzer, Ziva! See y’all next week for yet another VIP Project Runway recap post!
Hello, my fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog! Today, I am going to chat about Project Runway Season 12 Episode 7, and the absolutely breathtaking and “man-eating” LBD that designer Ken created. Come on, let’s get to conversing about Project Runway!
When Heidi Klum announced that the designers would be taking a field trip to the Marie Claire fashion closet…my jaw dropped because I wanna go to the Marie Claire fashion closet!
Upon their arrival, Tim Gunn and Anne Fulenwider (Editor-and-Chief of Marie Claire) informed the designers that they were to pick a pair of shoes from the closet to be their inspiration for this challenge. Sounds simple…what’s the catch?
Designer Dom: “What are those buzzers for?”
Me: “Ah…there’s the catch.”
Yep, you guessed it…a fashion quiz. When the designer that pressed the buzzer answered the question correctly, he/she got to choose his/her favorite pair of shoes from the pre-selected group.
“As a self-taught fashion designer against all of these educated individuals, I’m very nervous, and hopefully I’m not the last person to pick my shoes,” stated Ken Laurence on Episode 7 before the fashion quiz began. Now…what was the first question…and who answered it?
Anne: “Christian Louis Vuitton’s famous red shoe soul was inspired by one of his employee’s what?”
Ken: *clicking his buzzer quickly* “fingernail polish”
Me: *shouting at the television* “WHOOP WHOOP! Way to go Ken!”
Occasionally, I do yell at the TV while watching Project Runway…my neighbors probably think I am crazy…or perhaps they just think I get excited about the 9 o’clock news. Speaking of news, the new weather guy is a cutie….Anyway, back to the recap.
After all of the designers had shoes in hand, they were given twenty minutes to sketch their garments.
Ken: “I feel like for these last challenges I keep referring back to the same silhouette. So, I want to switch it up and sew something completely different. I plan on creating this jacket dress with volume around the hips and in the sleeves.”
Fashion Quiz passed: Check.
Shoes picked: Check.
Garment sketched: Check.
Now, off to Mood!
Designers using their GoBank smartphone apps at Mood! Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
With a suggested GoBank spending budget of $250 and thirty minutes to shop, the designers raced to find fabric. Man….I would love to have to have a $250 GoBank budget to shop at Belk…Mhmm…every Southern fashionista’s dream.
Tim Gunn made his way around the work room talking to each designer about his/her garment. Every episode…I fall more and more in love with Tim Gunn’s fabulous fashion taste…I love you Tim!
Ken: “These are the shoes I picked.”
Tim: “Yes, they’re great!”
Ken: “I love them…So, the first thing that came to my mind was this coat dress…it’s going to be fitted and balloon out towards the bottom.”
Tim: “Here’s what concerns me–it is looking dated.”
Ken: “I’m taking Tim’s advice.”
Even though I loved Ken’s original design concept (I am a sucker for anything big and overstated…my hair is a prime example of this); however, taking Tim Gunn’s advice was the best thing Ken could have done.
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
When designer Ken’s model hit the runway…I yelled at the TV once more.
Me: “OH MY GRACIOUS! It is so very perfect! I need this!”
Mom: “Abby, calm down. You’re going to disturb the neighbors.”
Me: “Maybe they should watch Project Runway…they would also yell at the TV.”
After I calmed down, I had to rewind to see what designer Ken had said about his design–thank goodness for DVR.
Ken: “I just want to scream at the top of my lungs because it’s perfect for the shoes I chose…it’s bon chic. I love it.”
Image provided by The Weinstein Company.
Ken played a magnificent wild card in the Uno game of Project Runway by making his LBD modern and sleek with a little touch of sultry mystery. The textured fabric and oversized peplum were his garments powerful weapons on this challenge.
Ken’s “man-eater” dress impressed the Creative Director AND the Editor-and-Chief of Marie Claire magazine…talk about a hard thing to do. Even if Ken did not take home the win for this challenge, those compliments are trophies in themselves.
Maria: “You struck a great balance here!”
Anne: “She can take over the world in that dress!”
I have to agree with Anee…if I had that magnificently constructed LBD in my wardrobe…I could totally rule the world. *cue Beyoncé’s “Run the World”*
To conclude this VIP Project Runway recap blog, I ventured into the Twittersphere to see what positive things people were saying about #DesignerKen…
Phew….can you believe it? Episode 8 is almost here…Oh, I just cannot wait to see what fabulous things the designers will be bringing to the table!
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