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| Jay, pleased. |
I’ve been very frustrated by
Project Runway because I’ve had zillions of things going on on Friday’s when it’s on and kept forgetting to tape it.
I managed to catch two episodes of the eleven episode series, enjoyed both, knew the finale was this past Friday, got panicked at the thought of missing it and to my delight found myself happily able to snuggle on my couch, glued to every minute.
Hehe – I don't think I’ve ever seen such genuine, long-lasting and ultra juicy loathing between Reailty show contestants ever.
Not having seen everything, the trippiest thing was seeing the extent to which everyone detested Wendy Pepper when she didn't seem too bad in her boring, freaky-haired, motherly sort of way.
Whatever she did must have been seriously Pig to drive Kara to the edge of lunacy like that and also - the audience at the finale Fashion Week showdown – there wasn’t one clap nor even a whisper of support for her – except from that druggy back-of-the-que schmodel.
I was on Kara’s side for the first day of them being back together in New York - I agree that making someone suffer if they've made you suffer is a good thing - but by the time it got to the second day I’d had enough and got bored - which is obviously what happened to Jay. Him during their catfight was hysterical, espesh with how he was enjoying it so much, but also not.
He was spot-on with what he said about Wendy’s final designs – she defs tried to create outfits based on what she thought young people wanted instead of expressing herself. Also, the way she didn’t give a smidgen of thought to how she could improve the crap shoes they got was ridiculous.
The way each of their shoes ended up reflecting the final order the three of them finished in was fascinating.
Kara’s second place because of her perfectionism and need to be in control came through in how she
had to design her own shoes – even if it meant going against what she believes in by being unfair.
Wendy’s last minute sifting through the box of shoes without trying to spruce them up showed her third-place boring lack of understanding of just how important shoes are and Jay’s taking them and using whatever he could find to turn them into those excellent fur feet were exactly why he won.
Before the fashion show I had the rigour for all three of them - it really was a huge event – much huger than what they imagined when they started the show I’m sure. The interesting thing is that the show's been called a “sleeper hit” - which refers to a show that wasn’t expected to do well when it launched exceeding all expectations during its run.
Over the weeks of it’s broadcast in the US, the audience increased by a whopping 400% between the first and final episode - which is why it must have been both awesome and terrifying for the final three.
Once they’d shown their fashions and the judges were deliberating I didn’t for a moment think that Wendy would win and was convinced Kara would for her beautifully crafted dresses. Her attention to detail, the way her theme extended through everything and the femininity of her clothes was perfect.
Jay’s clothes on the hand were much more haphazzard – particularly that horrible mess of a lilac jacket thing and the quilted custard eiderdown his first model was smothered in.
Even when the judges were chatting to them I thought Kara would win easily, had a chuckle that Jay’s albino-cerise model wouldn’t be getting the Elle spread and then next thing – he’d won – and it made it total sense.
It was brilliant because I really thought Kara was better until they announced Jay’s win and I realised why the judges preferred him and agreed.
The way everything he does comes from only himself without the restrictions of needing to be perfect or to control every aspect of it really did give his clothes the ultimate edge.
What the one judge said about Kara’s clothes looking like Gucci’s was very true – I know zilch about Gucci but it was the same thing with her The Aviator film theme. While she adapted it – it wasn’t uniquely hers the way Jay’s clothing was originally him.
Once I understood this I was thrilled, not only for him but that the judges actually decided to let him win. I thought a reason they'd have chosen Kara was because she’s so “professional” and works so hard etc whereas he’s a smoking, swearing, eccentric. My best was his sister when she said that she hoped him being on the show meant he’d eventually get a job.
I can just imagine how freaked she must have been after the competition because, get this – the overall prize was:
1. $100 000 towards starting his own fashion label
2. A mentorship with the design team from the Banana Republic clothing label
3. A photo-spread of his clothes in the US version of Elle
Out of those three things he only accepted the Elle spread and turned down the money and mentorship. He gave some vague reasons about it being because there were too many strings attached to them and that he’d rather go for it alone.
Other post-show info is that BravoTV (who makes the show) did a spin-off called Project Jay which followed his adventures as he moved from Pennsylvania to New York to pursue his new life in fashion. The story that made news with this show is that Heidi Klum asked him to design a dress for her to wear to the Oscars and once he’d made it she refused to wear it.
It’s a pity we’re not gonna get to see what the spin-off’s like but the consolation is that we won’t have to wait too long for a second season of Project Runway.
Season II starts on the Series Channel on June 30 and there’s no ways I’m gonna be missing an episode.
In the coming weeks keep your peepers peeled for a spoiler-free PR 2 showpage with all the contestant bio’s and other important info.
If you caught the show, give your opinion on it by rating it:
Project Runway.Chat about the Finale on the TVSA forums.
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