PR 17 Ep 3: The Fabrics Formally Known As Prints

I’d say SPOILER ALERT, but I won’t mention a name yet, so I’ll save the spoils for later …

It seems every reality show has an episode where one contestant tells us how hard the show is, and how much they miss their family, and they didn’t expect this much stress …after auditioning for the show, watching the show, being taken from your family like an immigrant child, being forced to room, albeit in a New York penthouse, with strangers!

My heart bleeds.

We start off with Bishme congratulating Hottie Sebastian on his win and telling him that Sebastian’s work makes Bishme step up his game. That was a nice moment. Also nice, and Zen, was Kovid mediating on the terrace; after last week’s near miss at going home, he needs to step it up, put last week behind him, and move on … to dancing and singing and butterflies.

On the runway Karlie Kloss delivers the challenge: patterns and prints are all the rage, she says, in head-to-toe looks. So, this week, the designtestants must create a print outfit, ab editorial print outfit, from one print, in a head-to-toe, put that print everywhere, kind of way.

Most designtestants are thrilled, but Tessa leads the “I don’t work in prints” whine, which doesn’t bode well. Also sent to terrify her is this week’s Mentor Part 2, stylist Marni Senofonte, who has never met a mixed fabric she didn’t want to wear all at once. And so, she will be helping the designers to style their looks, making sure the print theme is the only theme.

Let’s rip ….

THE SAFES

Top Row, left to right: Afa was smart using both sides of the print. It’s not so editorial but it’s cool and well made. Bishme called the hat a Pringle and now I’m hungry. I liked the look, but I wish the cape had been lined. Jamall’s print screams blanket, but I like the design, though, again, it’s not so editorial. Lela’s look was giving me matron in the psych ward in a 50’s melodrama starring a C-list actress.

Bottom Row, left to right; Renee’s look was the winter coat version of Lela’s. Sonia’s print was so cool, though the look was not; her model, however, earned raves from Nina and Brandon. Tessa is a minimalist and doesn’t do prints and so she chose a minimal print. I just wish she’d done something with the shoes. Venny’s look is sleek and elegant and, while covered up, sexy as heck. But is it editorial? No, honey, no.

THE BOTTOMS

NADINE

At the outset, Nadine is pissed off … dishes in the sink, nobody cleans up and she got a plus-sized model. And you know, prints on a plus-sized model are the worst, according to Nadine. My issue, though, is she’s a designer, and as such, wouldn’t she know the right print to pick, and shouldn’t she be able to create a print garment that is flattering on a curvy girl? Isn’t that her actual job?

But still she vents …and model blames, and shames. She says she loves her outfit but doesn’t like it on her model … “You’re tall enough. You’ve got long legs. You’re supposed to be able to take some long strides. You’re moving your shoulders too much” … and goes all drill instructor, ordering the model to practice at home. But, is it the model …?

Christian says she needs to make it encourages her to make it "modern Golden Girls" and he calls it “waist heavy” but Nadine disagrees and then says “curvy girl” for the thousandth time, while Christian suggests she celebrate the curves.

WHAT SHE SAID

Here I come … it could have been better, with the way the pants fall over the shoes [but] she’s not a very good walker.

WHAT I SAID

Don’t blame the model, blame that hideous print and those hideous pants and that why-is-it-there hood.

‘WHAT THE JUDGES SAID

Brandon calls out Nadine for explaining her own look, her own design, her own print choices, on a curvy girl. Nina hates the balloon pant and the leggings and thinks the look seems “improvised”; she also questions Nadine’s taste. Karlie was also offended that Nadine blamed it all on her model, who agreed, saying, “It did feel like was insinuating that since she had a curvy model, she couldn’t reach her full potential as a designer.” Guest judge, designer Adam Selman says none of it works and he gets dizzy looking at it. As Nadine grows defensive, Elaine reminds her that the critiques are there to help, and they want to lift the designer up … and perhaps off the show?

RAKAN

He’s a mind made up guy; at Mood he picks a boring houndstooth print and when Christian says he might want to go bolder, Rakan rebuffs him and sticks with his first choice. And it might have worked except for the design. But Rakan says the fabric reminiscent of his grandmother and for that reason it stays.

And becomes a very long jumpsuit with ruched legs and arms and the idea of it all overwhelms Christian … “There’s a jacket happening?” He also worries that the look seems a little, um, old. And, as with Christians concerns about the print, Rakan is not having this critique and it ends up looking like two people with nothing in common sharing a meal.

WHAT HE SAID

She looks fabulous. I love the volume of the pants and the drape.

WHAT I SAID

It just looks patched together. I know there aren’t safety pins but I’m feeling like this is a pinned together mess.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID

Elaine wondered why that print, if it was, in fact, an actual print, and Adam was onboard with the whole Not A Print line. Brandon was confused by the messiness of it all and gave us a Michael Kors-worthy quote: IT looks like the cat got lost in the drapes.” Nina thinks there are “stellar”—like the back of the jacket but calls the pants “unexplainable.” Karlie thinks the knees are odd—safety pins?—and calls the whole look “monotone.”

GARO

Garo loves this challenge since he used to be into the rave scene where everyone was in “stripes and crazy prints” and he’s the New York designer, and he’s picking a bold stripe while the others are going mellow, and he has this.

Which is PR code for, he does not have this. But his ideas seemed valid; he was going to match the stripes, miter the stripes, and create a whole new pattern, but then I think he kinda fell short.

WHAT HE SAID

I think it looks pretty good … the corkscrew sleeve. I know I’m not in the bottom.

WHAT I SAID

The stripes could have been good, and cool and edgy, but these look like prison stripes washed in hot water with a red sweater that bleeds.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID

Elaine hates the print, though she wasn’t so mad at the superhero pants. Adam thought the fact that it was the boldest, though most dated, print on the runway worked against Garo because there was so much going on. Brandon thinks it’s less raver and more “jazzercise” and if it is from a rave, he wants the drugs to wear off as he stares at the mitered crotch. Nina thinks it crossed the line from kitsch to costume but admits that Garo has ideas.

THE TOPS

SEBASTIAN

Sebastian has immunity, but he wants a win nonetheless, and so he came to slay. He picked a somewhat “safe” print, and a flimsy one at that, but he’s created structure and folds and flowiness to the look.

And, to be fair, I find him delicious. His smile and his accent; he’s like Carlos, with fashion sense.

WHAT HE SAID

My model looks perfect.

WHAT I SAID

It’s really very good; sexy and chic, and the way he put the fabrics on the shoes was the best out of all the designers.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID

When the look comes out, Brandon says, “He can make a damn garment” and thinks it’s “technically perfect.” Nina loved that he had immunity and yet still delivered a “wow,” “sophisticated,” “elegant” look; she said all it needed was a price tag and it could be sold in stores. Karlie loved the detail, and the revealing removal of the skirted piece. Elaine thought it floated down the runway and looked like a “queen.” Adam thinks its “drag and glam in the best way” and is really major; Sidenote: I hate the use of the word major like this, but I’m’a let it slide because … Sebastian. And they’re all astounded that Sebastian is actually a housekeeper to support his design work.

HESTER

Like Garo, Hester thinks this is her challenge to lose, because she is all about the editorial look and the editorial print. But, as we learn, she has been smacked down in the industry by teachers and others who don’t like her madcap style. I was one of those people because I think the way she dresses and styles herself is kind of a mask to keep people at bay. But her style is how she designed this week and it was a smart choice.

Mentor Marini likes the idea—which Hester calls “City girl Little Red Riding Hood punk rock picnic basket"—but suggests Hester put fabric on the think boots so they don’t distract from the look. Christian also likes it, likes that it’s definitely Hester, but warns her that it needs to be refined and not subjected to last minute sewing.

WHAT SHE SAID

It’s one of my proudest moments ever.

WHAT I SAID

It’s a little My Italian Restaurant table cloth, but, damn, it’s fun.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID

Elaine raves, “This is you! This is the girl I’ve been waiting for since I met you. It is quirky, playful and fun.” Nina thought it was “pure sunshine” and could be featured in Elle right now. Adam is “gagged” and “blown away” and loves that it’s real clothes. Brandon tells her to shut out the naysayers and “lean into” her own style. And Brandon encourages her to lean into who she is and not to let the haters get her down.

KOVID

After his meditation, Kovid is back, singing, dancing, chirping, as usual. And he’s ready for a print challenge and at Mood he goes really bold. Marni loves his aesthetic and his ideas—Korean and Japanese style—and suggests he create a hospital mask reminiscent of what many people in Japan wear in public. It’d be that editorial edge the look needs. Christian’s only complaint/worry is that Kovid needs to work faster to make sure he’s done.

I suggest a wee bit less singing and prancing, and more time at the Brother sewing machine?

WHAT HE SAID

I’m feeling so, so energized … so satisfied. It’s exactly what I envisioned.

WHAT I SAID

It’s my favorite print, but the mask is a look. My one complaint, though, and it’s with most of the looks, with so much print it’s hard to see the design.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID

Nina loves the bold of the print and the 3D appliques you can see close-up. Karlie called it a great comeback after last week. Brandon’s first thought was that the model was sick, but sick in a good way, in a sick outfit; he calls “the whole thing is perfect.” Adam loved Kovid’s enthusiasm in both mannerisms and design.

Y’all know I was rooting for Sebastian, for both good reasons and hot reasons, but the win this week went to Hester, who I think deserved it.

As for the loser, clearly, based on attitude and design and model blaming, it was Nadine’s time to go. And she knew it, too, because after the critique her first words were:

“I don’t give a f*ck … Them bitches can send me home, I really don’t care.”

And now neither do we Nadine. Bye Felicia.

Nadine saying she wanted to leave, and that she doesn’t care, was pure bull shiz. She played the “miss my kids” moment…the “do the dishes” card … the “my model ruins everything” attitude, but in the end, it was her own design that sent her packing.

I almost miss Cavanagh. I kid.

Also, Karlie trying to say Goodbye while Nadine just walks off. Oh, girl your lack or professionalism is showing on effing television. Good luck you’re your future endeavors.

And we all know Brandon loves a reveal on the runway, but can we pare them down so not every look has one?

I’m thinking that Christian’s line:

“You’re killing me.”

Might be the new ‘Make it work.’

In case you didn’t know, Adam Selman designed Rihanna's stunning nekkid dress.

And, not just because of the crush, I’m high on Sebastian, Tessa, Afa and Kovid. Hester is on the rise if she stays true to herself. I think Lela and Sonia, who get the Invisible Edit a lot, might be going soon, along with Rakan. Garo needs to step up; Renee needs to settle; Venny and Jamall and Bishme need a win.

Next week, the designtestants go camping, have an outdoor runway show, and it’s an Unconventional Challenge.

I see crashing and burning.

What did YOU think?