Swagger Style: Donna Karan Creates Fashion Along with
Womens
Posted by russrob on July 20, 2009
The last five designers meet Kelly and Isaac at the studio for the Harpers Bazaar Mini Challenge. Isaac advises the designer that this week’s mini-challenge is going to be the ULTIMATE TEST; one that will test everything they know about fashion: fabric, construction and the human body. They will have to show their draping skills. Each designer would be given 2 yards of silk chameuse fabric and 12 safety pins to create a draping design that would be judged by Glenda Bailey, Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine and Isabel Toledo, the designer that designed First Lady Michelle Obama’s inaugural dress. I figured that Reco would do well with this challenge, because he is really good with draping; however, the judges felt that he channelled his inner-1980’s when creating his design. James-Paul felt really comfortable, because he said that he draped himself in his mother’s curtains when he was younger. Anna created an interesting piece, but Johnny did poorly…as usual! He rapped the fabric and according to Glenda Bailey he also ‘assassinated the fabric’ with his straight pins. In the end it was, Daniella won. WE REALLY DON’T LIKE HER! Anywho, the judges praised Daniella’s design because she created a youthful, modern draping piece. As a reward, she was given the a ‘huge advantage’ in the elimination challenge.
The elimination challenge entailed the designers creating an evening gown. Needless to say, Reco was ecstatic. Isaac charged the designers to be creative and to showcase their supreme sewing skills. But there were two caveat’s the first was that the designer’s had to incorporate $30K in Swarvoski Crystals in their exquisite evening gowns. The second caveat they were informed of when Kelly met the designers at the fabric store. Each designer was given one of five eliminated designers to serve as their assistants. Since, Daniella won the mini-challenge, she was able to choose first, and she chose Haven. Anna chose Keith, James-Paul chose Merlin, Reco chose Andrew and Johnny was left with his nemisis Angel. Of course, he sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes at that one.
Personally, I was glad that Merlin would be working with James-Paul, and he proved to be a great assistant for him. On the contrary, Johnny and Angel had NO chemistry and Angel stood back and allowed James-Paul to dig himself a ditch that ultimately would bury him. Though Haven and Daniella are besties, Haven did not like Daniella’s design and told her it reminded her of a Nun’s outfit. Anna loved her ‘Vagina Dress’ -her words, not mine- from last week so much, that she decided to incorporate the cups and the draping effect into this weeks design. Reco worked on his design and it was clear where he was going, a fitted dress…his specially.
It was time for Kelly and Isaac to visit the designers. They were surprised to see Angel working with Johnny, giving Johnny the opportunity to sarcasticly admit that he did not want to work with Isaac. Kelly seemed to not like Anna’s design or fabric choice and questioned why she chose to make the cups again. Isaac praised James-Paul for having chose Merlin as his assistant, because Merlin clearly understands dress construction. When Kelly and Isaac arrived at Daniella’s workstation, Haven threw Daniella under the bus, calling Daniella’s design ‘gloomy’. Isaac raised his eyebrows and said, ‘Wow! Well, gloomy is never good’. Finally, they arrived at Reco’s table, and they asked Reco how was he planning to utilize the crystals in his design, Reco showed 6 bracelet’s that he had created. Isaac separated three of the bracelets and set the rest aside. Needless to say, Reco took that as a design and ditched the bracelets that Isaac removed from the stack. The other designers wondered why Andrew seemed to not be helping with Reco’s design, and Reco admitted that he chose Andrew because he was ‘cute and fun to look at’.
The next day, Kelly called James-Paul and told him to remember to tell the assistants good-bye before The Fashion Show and to be sure to be ‘dressed to the nines’ when they arrived. James-Paul shared relayed the information, and the designers left for the studio.
When Daniella arrived, she made the decision to change her design back to its original concept. Merlin continued working diligently for James-Paul. Isaac came in and told the assistants that it was time to leave, and everyone bidded their farewells to one another.
As the show began, the first model wore Johnny creation, a green leopard off the shoulder dress, which happened to be a knock-off of Jeanne Lanvin’s design that Actress Maggie Gynnenhall wore to the Golden Globe Awards. Next up was James-Paul’s creation, which was a black velvet dress, with gold satin facing. Simple, but ugly. Following that, was Anna’s floral, off the shoulder bow and cup dress. I simply hated the design, but it would be appopriate for an afternoon garden party. Next, was Reco’s design. It was an interesting creation, purple fitted bodice with a flowing handkerchief style skirt and one fuschia stripe. down the right side. Closing the show was Daniella’s stormy gray matron Nike of Samothcrice dress. The audience seemed to have mixed reviews about the show.
Time for judging. Isaac praised the designers for their hardwork, but the Top Two Designer’s were: Anna and Daniella….DRATS! Kelly advised Anna that the audience members felt that her dress was stunning, elegant, and one person felt it would be perfect for a “Hampton’s Weekend Party”. Then, Daniella was informed that 82% of the audience said that they would buy her gown, and they felt that Kate Winslet could be seen wearing her dress. Needless to say, Daniella was ecstatic when Kelly informed her that the judges were “sold” on her design.
The remaining five designers were asked to come up on the stage. James-Paul, Reco and Johnny stood in fear as they waited to hear who would be the last two designers that would have the opportunity to create a collection that would be judged by the world. Isaac stated that the third designer would be Reco. Clearly upset, Johnny whispered that Reco’s design was ’so ugly’. Reco stretched his eyes, rolled his neck, pouted his lips and took a seat.
So the Bottom Two Designers were James-Paul and Johnny. Kelly advised James-Paul that 80% of the audience said they would not buy his dress, because ‘it reminded them of a Velvet Elvis Painting’. Harper’s Bazaar’s Editor-in-Cheif, Glenda Bailey, said that the dress looked like the scene in Gone With The Wind, when Scarlet O’hara yanked the drapes down from the window and draped herself in them. That was kind of ironic, considering James-Paul had said earlier that as a child he did the same thing with his mother’s curtains. Then it was time for Johnny. Glenda told Johnny that she loved his design, it was something that she would love to see on The Red Carpet, and as Johnny began to smile and burst with pride, she stated that the only problem with his design was that she had seen the dress on The Red Carpet. Johnny began to defend himself saying that he designed the dress for Maggie Gynnenhall and Isaac stated that it was funny he said that, because it reminded them of her as well. Then, Isaac pulled out a picture Maggie Gynnenhall wearing an almost identical creation. Isaac was clearly disgusted with Johnny.
As the judges left to deliberate, Johnny tried to blame Angel for allowing him to make a cheap knock-off. In her absence, Reco defended Angel reminding Johnny of the several times that he had bragged about knocking off famed designer, Lanvin. Daniella and Anna tried to defend Johnny and Reco was not having it.
The judges returned, and informed Johnny that he “had the chance to produce a knockout, but produced a knock-off” and they simply weren’t buying it. Johnny was sent home, leaving James-Paul hanging by a thread…again. With tears in his eyes, he thanked the judges for believing in him and his vision.
Now, it is time for the final show. Next week, the Top Four Designers will be challenged to create a 10-piece collection that will be presented to many, but judged by millions.
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