Sweet Redemption plus More-Episode 3 Recap

HOLA!

I just returned from spending three wonderful days in San Francisco where I was asked to host a fashion show/event (more on that in a later post) and literally dropped my suitcase and turned on the TV to watch this third episode of Season 4 Project Runway. Thank God for TiVo, since I got home after the episode aired and therefore could not have my weekly "Viewing Party" with Andrae, lots of champagne and cookies. For this particular episode, I decided to just put down several "thoughts". Hope you enjoy it and would love to read your feedback and thoughts on this episode.

1) Sweet Redemption:
While the episode unfolded--along with all the drama and frustrations--the words sweet redemption kept cropping up in my head, like little "Pop Up Video" bubbles. Now, let me preface my explanation by saying that I have had nothing but amazing opportunities as well as feel blessed by everything that has occurred in my life and my business as a result of being on the show. However, as you may remember, I was voted off Season 2 for making Daniel Vosovic a suit that was deemed "too feminine", as well as for a lack of pockets and jacket button/closures.

Yet, after seeing some of the creations in this episode, I could not help but feel a bit redeemed. Especially, since I remember at the time reading a lot of viewer comments saying something to the effect of "How could Nick not put buttons or pockets?" But somehow, I got to finish a fully lined jacket, a collared dress shirt, a silk scarf and skinny pants with a waistband and zip-fly in the SAME AMOUNT OF TIME as these designers. Go figure. Several of this season's designers could barely finish TWO pieces. It ain't that easy kids. Therefore, again, I have to ask the question I asked in my first recap: Are these really the most talented group of designers ever? (as Tim and Heidi proudly announced in the premiere episode).


Chloe Dao, the winner of Season 2, made a fabulous--and Challenge-winning--three-piece outfit for me, which included hand sewn buttonholes , mitered stripes and a fully lined vest. Season 3 winner, Jeffrey Sebelia made a great "Rock Star" outfit, which was (as far as I remember) fully finished also. So why couldn't these designers, who are supposed be more talented and have far more expertise than us, just finish a shirt or close the lining of a jacket? Just saying...

Now, back to the best and worst of the lot. Like the judges, I also had a difficult time trying to decide which outfit was the worst: Ricky's safety-pinned concoction, Sweet Pea's askew dress shirt or Carmen's 1920's Golf caddie go-go boy. In the end, Carmen 's badly fitting crotch was the one to go.

I did have a couple of favorites, most notably, Rami's, which looked straight out of the third floor at Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Store: Elegant, stylish and very Italian-looking. I also liked Kit's cardigan-like creation. He looked like a sexy "Mr. Rodgers". But the judges chose Jack's safe,well cut shirt and pants. It looked very much like it came from the Macy's I.N.C. brand.


2) Where did all those Men's Forms come from?
If I remember correctly , we didn't even have men's forms when we did our challenge. I actually had to fit it on one of the ladies forms in the room. Daniel Vosovic was a woman's 4, in case you are wondering, without the breasts of course! But, all of a sudden, when they return from the NBC Today Studios, there are a dozen men's forms at the Parsons Workroom. No explanation. Unfair and a bit bizarre.

3) Jack: It's called "Knocking Off"
Congratulations for winning this challenge, Jack. We loved your outfit as well as seeing your GINORMOUS pecs every other second, but there was no need to actually ruin your shorts and cut them to get the pattern. It's on page 535 of "Patternmaking for Fashion Design" by Helen Joseph-Armstrong, and is usually taught to every second year fashion design student. So, next time, no need to cut, just get that old tracing wheel out and some tissue paper and you are ready to go...

4) Speaking of GINORMOUS pecs...
Did a Bravo executive just write a big yellow "Post It" to the show's editors and say More Male Nude Skin? (I'm speaking to you Andy Cohen!!) What was going on? There was so much gratuitous display of male skin, I thought I was standing in front of an Abrecrombie and Fitch store! First, Jack was half naked through the entire episode. Then, after the constant parade of male models with their .00005 % fat content showcasing their taut bodies, I had to check my remote to see if the channel had changed to LOGO. But the sight of "I have the whitest teeth in all the United States of America", Tiki Barber (whom I admit I had no idea who he was) reassured me otherwise. Bravo knows its market demographic: It not only wants to make the gays and their girlfriends happy, but also the girlfriend's beer-drinking, football-watching husbands.
And finally:

5) Open Letter To Carmen:
Dear Carmen: There is a light at the end of the Project Runway Menswear Challenge Tunnel. I guarantee you will get a request (or two) to make your auf'ed ensemble for someone. Proof: Just ONE WEEK AGO, I received the following letter on my website regarding my "way too feminine suit" that I created for Daniel Vosovic TWO YEARS AGO, in which I was booted off the show for:


Dear Mr. Verreos, I actually just saw one of the episodes of Project Runway, and I am very interested in a suit that you constructed for another contestant, Daniel. I have been looking for a suit exactly like that forever. Do you still design men's suits, or is there someplace where you sell suits in that same style? If not, would you be interested in creating one? Please let me know.

PRAYING TO BUDDHA (BAR)

PRAYING TO BUDDHA (BAR)

Tuesday night was the New York Premiere for Season 3 of "Project Runway". I came to New York prepared with my "premiere outfit", which I dutifully bought at Zara consisting of creme-colored slacks and a striped off-white dress shirt, which I was either going to leave unbuttoned or wear with a tie. I was sort of going for a "St. Tropez" look. Well, needless to say, when I got up on Tuesday, I had a change of heart: I wanted SKINNY JEANS! Even though I do not have the cracked-out look of Kate Moss' former paramour, Pete Dougherty, that was sort of the look I was going for, sans the crack thank you very much!
I met up with Season 1 winner, Jay McCarroll (who is working on his Spring '07 Collection as we speak) and his friend, Season 1 designer Nora, for some pre-drinks at The Double Seven Bar on West 14th. Before we knew it, we realized we were running late, so we walked down the street in the sweltering heat of the Meatpacking District to the new Buddha Bar.
Before walking inside , we ran into another Season 1 fave, Austin Scarlett, along with Wedding Gown designer, Amsale, Austin's new boss. I did the "Red Carpet" , along with Jay, doing interviews for Access Hollywood and TV Guide Channel. I walked in , through the stunning entry hall of the Buddha Bar, immediately wanting to do a runway walk , amongst the impressive statues looking on.
Speaking of runway, as soon as I walked in, I immediately recognized one of Yves Saint Laurent's African muses. She is from Senegal and was the couturier's house model , featured in the Sundance Documentary "Avenue Marceau 75116". I even told her that I remembered the white silk charmeuese Haute Couture gown she wore in one of his last Couture shows. She was simply stunning and exotic as a Gazelle as she posed for a photo with me.
Of course, I saw my former "castmates", including Daniel Vosovic, Marla and Diana (both looking sexy and very pretty), Emmett(passing announcements to the Trunk Show we were having the day after and featuring the Tim Gunn "Gun" T-shirt)as well as winner, Chloe Dao(who was there with her sister, Sydney). I got to meet several of the new season's designers, including Keith Michael and also befriended one of the new season's models, the statuesque(6 feet tall!), Amanda. We later enjoyed a nice dinner at Pastis with David and several of my friends. The party was fun and I was able to greet many fans of the show (mostly beautiful young girls), saying "Thank You" to their compliments and kind comments. At one point I glanced over and saw Tim Gunn who was off to the side, almost getting mobbed! I did not even get to say "Hello" , because there seemed to be a line 10 people deep wanting to greet him. I do not know how he does it, never breaking into a sweat.
Right before we were getting ready to leave, I decided to grab Chloe, and some of the Season 3 Models, and we actually had a "Walk Off", in the middle of the fabulous club, with a 20 foot statue of Buddha looking on! Thank God most of the guests had left by then, otherwise, I think we would not have done it! I could not have left the Buddha Bar without leaving my "Runway" imprint. Another great moment was when Amanda(model), pulled an Elle Magazine out of her gift bag, and showed Chloe her spread for the very first time. Chloe subsequently screamed and ran to show her sister, Sydney, the wonderful photo spread with her and her model, Grace.
We ended the the night dancing at Beige and Happy Valley, where we reconnected with Keith Michael, and the beautiful Allison, who were rightly celebrating the debut of their show.
I would have stayed but as I looked around at all the 22 year old club kids, I realized that A) I felt WAY TOO OLD, and B) I had to be up "bright and early" to do the Trunk Show at EMc2 the following day.