Hey, that's my fabric

The Magnificent 7 get the latest "challenge of a lifetime" this week as they get to design their own fabric print (using HP computers, of course).

The designers design their print, and shop at Mood for some supplemental pieces. Once they get their fabric the next day, they need some alone time with their fabrics.....

Now that the alone time is out of the way, the designers carry on. I got very worried this episode, because my favorite, Seth Aaron, did the imminent going home phone call home! Was it going to be Seth Aaron, Emilio or Anthony in the top? Which one would be going home? Let's move on to the runway and see....


Jay is the only safe designer this week. I like where Jay was going with this design. His print is not that innovative but he used it in a smart way. It's interesting that Jay makes pants a lot, but I'm not sure he is the best at tailoring them. I do like the straps on the jacket.


Seth Aaron was not sent home, nor was he the winner this week. His print seemed Betsey Johnson-ish and although he makes a lot of jackets and pants looks, he does them well. He makes pants in a different way, that Jay can only dream of doing. Overall, this look has a little too much going on, like they usually do, but his looks definitely make you look. If he can keep up this work, and then stand back and edit a la Tim Gunn, he will be the winner.

Check out how he lined up his print in the back, just beautiful.



Maya had a great overall look, with the styling, how she used her print and even down to her print, which Michael Kors called electric. For someone who was scared to design and use a print, she did a fierce job. I could see Rihanna working this with some more intense shoes and maybe some metal jewelry on her forearms.


Emilio got the winning look this week. I'm sure he expects to win every week, so this just adds to his over-inflated ego. When this first walked down the runway, I thought it looked a little too bulky and not what I was expecting him to do with his print.

Then the jacket came off, and you can see his print, (which made no sense). I did like how the initials made a wave like pattern. How SASE means Emilio Sosa, I couldn't understand, no matter how many times they edited it to explain. (I did love how Tim Gunn thought it was SA for Seth Aaron) Emilio made a chic look with a cute print, but I don't know if it was worthy of another win.


Onto the unsuccessful designers:


The judges have a love/hate relationship with Mila. They were not impressed with her "70's mom" beach look. I thought her print was very boring, but still Mila-like. There's nothing much to say about this look, it's large and not that interesting.
Did she mean for the print to wrap around and meet like that? With just a little more time and planning, it seems (to my untrained eye) that she could have met them up, like my dad lines up the wrapping paper print when he wraps presents.

The judges really ganged up on Jonathan this week. Jon does have a lot going on with his designs, and he could usually do with some editing, but was this look really that bad? I do agree that his print came out quite bland and would have done better in a bolder style, so that the circles on there didn't look like grease spots. However, the judges have praised his muted tones in the past. And yes, the jacket was like a strait jacket...but I felt the judges were particularly vicious to him. Shame on you judges for being bullies this week!
And he did stay true to his style aesthetic.


Friends, I love me some Anthony to death. He's so fun, and you can tell he enjoys making clothes for women. You could tell early on that he was not going to make it to the top, but stayed around more for entertainment factor. I just really can't justify this outfit he made. As soon as it walked out, I just knew he was going to get the Auf. Poor Anthony! At least he has bragging rights with his Marie Clare win.

Anthony, I'm sure this won't be the last we see of you. Your personality brightened up that dull workroom. If there had been a prom challenge this season, you would have killed it! Mwah!

Takin it to the streets....of fug

It's down to the Top 8 designers, and there's no more squeaking by at this point. Go big, or go home! This weeks' challenge is a New York challenge and a team challenge to boot....which means...uncomfortable drama.

Well, yawn this week, as most of the designers got along and their designs were nothing to write home about.

As Tim explained the challenge, everyone prayed that they would not get Mila as a partner. $300 to create a day look and evening look based on various parts of New York. And blah blah Collier Strong will do makeup. Actually, I like Collier Strong on the show, but the makeup is not a big deal for me when they have fun designs happening.


Starting with the Top 2 teams, here they are.

Team Anthony/Maya got Chinatown and made these 2 looks. Maya worked on this well made day look. I can see the structure in the top, it's got that pagoda style look. I think the skirt could have been more interesting, since the top is a muted color, maybe they could have done some more red cutouts and made it look a bit more like a chinese lantern?


Anthony was in charge of the night look, and it's just "eh" for me here. I like how he started with the basic dress and a plunging neckline, however I don't like the 3D look on top. It's distracting and is not so attractive. Nina liked how it looked like a dragon shape, so they were fine this week, but not quite the winners.


The winning team ended up being Emilio/Seth Aaron's Harlem looks. We all know that Seth can sew and tailor very fast, and this week was no different. I love, love this look. Love this denim high waist with the spots of color and bold lines.
Emilio was in charge of this night look, and it's really because of how amazing the day look is, and how bad the other ones are that they were the winning team. This look is cute, but pretty safe. How crazy is Emilio getting? What a crazy ass laugh that man has.


The bottom teams:

Mila's look is pretty cool actually. I love the black and white here for a change. The red really makes it pop, and it's a bold look, and I love the hint of black and white fabric that's poking through there. I really wonder what a Mila/Seth Aaron team would have produced... Here are their East Village looks.



Jay brings out some pants with the volume on the thighs, so you know it's not gonna fly. However, had he done the pants in a dark navy or black look with a prettier top or a hot jacket, this could have been a hit. Instead he did this insult of a tank top (Nina was apalled), and foldover tabbed waist line. Egad, wasn't he noticing how bad last week's pants went over? Quite possibly, the partner he was not happy to have, could have been his saving grace this week.

The over-work-a-look twins Jonathan and Amy get paired up and they seemed to be off to a nice start. They visited the Upper East Side, and Jonathan showed her around the drab, quiet area. However, they just didn't know how to stop themselves, or each other. Tim gave them a warning, but it was too late, they were on a cut-out, pleating technique train and couldn't stop. Jonathan did this night look.



However, this day look was the auf'd look. The judges did not like the colors of the top, which, we know by know that Amy is not good at picking rich colors. Lucky for Amy we didn't hear Michael Kors' disdain for leggings again. Unfortunately, Amy has made some poor choices and this week's didn't help that. I didn't feel it was as ugly as the judges thought, but it really wasn't doing anything, it was just a random look in a bland orange. It's not quite a top, not quite a dress, so lets throw leggings under it and hope for the best?

Goodbye our Oakland girl! You're beautiful and you're not afraid to take risks! I'm sure Amy will do great out there, but she needs a little more learning to get everything just right.

Amy, we're sorry, but you're Out.

Earth Wind and Fire

This week the designers are asked to pick an element of either Earth, Air, Water or Fire. This challenge reminds me of the Zodiac challenge they did a couple of seasons ago. Basically a challenge where the designers are asked to make up some crazy story of why they chose to make the garment they made. The designers are also asked to work with a Garnier Fructis hairdresser "Hello product placement!" and incorporate the model's hair into the look. (Amy only heard that last part, apparently)

They could not have been more Obvious this week on who was going to win and who was going home. Maybe they thought we would guess it wasn't them because they were focusing so much on 2 designers (the top and bottom choices) that haven't been much of a focus thus far.

The last couple of shows, I have caught the runway show, and then rewatched the whole way through to see how the designers got to the runway with their designs and of course, see Tim Gunn and a little of drama thrown in. It definitely changes your opinion of the garment when you don't see the behind the scenes of the show. The clothes are the only thing speaking to you, and that's what the judges see.

Very muted colors this week: black, gray and white. Interesting know one went with much color.


So, let's just move right into it shall we?


The safe ones:

Anthony got fire, and his story was about a pastor from his home town burned his house down and so instead of going for the obvious reds and oranges, he went for the ashes and soot of the fire, which is what he says he remembered about it.
I do like this gown, with some exceptions. The top part needs to be cleaned up, it looks a bit sloppy. I see it's designed much like his winning Heidi Klum look. I did like the idea, and there's a long slit up the dress to give it some sexy flair.


Emilio had earth and he did a great job, it does look earthy and it works wonderful with his model's look. If you can look any closer, the scrunched up side of the skirt looks more intricate than first glance. It just wasn't quite wow enough to be in the top, but Emilio is probably very happy being in a safe spot, after last week's barely there look.


Jay's look is kind of a wtf look. As in, wtf were you doing here? She looks like a swirl ice cream cone....
The nice thing is, Jay had immunity, so he could do wtf ever he wanted to do. So good on you! I feel like this could have been a fine "Air" look, but the hair piece is a no, and it just needs some good old fashioned Gunn editing.


The TOPS:

Maya's look moved very lovely on the runway. It flowed like water, and it was interesting to look at without being overwhelming.


Ok, stop the show. I want to hire Seth Aaron as my designer. Sorry everyone, but he's working for me now. I was unsure about him in the beginning, I thought he might be arrogant or try to hard to be the punk rock guy, but his stuff is amazing, and the man can sew and tailor like, well, like Christian Siriano from Season 4. I love it, I love it. His look was air, and he decided to do New York night air to work in his black piece with his signature metal wear on it, like stars.
The back was also so interesting, and everyone loved what he did with the trousers, they were so unique. Yes, I officially have a favorite on the show.


However, Jonathan had the winning look this week with his Air look. His air was the air of laughter. His story was very silly, but his look took the prize. I have to say, what I don't like about this look, is what the judges did like about it. And seeing this picture, my thoughts are confirmed; I don't like this pale of colors on this pale of a model. He had so much detail in his look, he layered different fabrics, and cut into them to make his own unique print. Genius idea, but how much can you see on this lily white model? This look on a darker model, preferably dark as night, and wouldn't you see the great design of this better? Congratulations to Jon, his look last week, at the very least, deserved to be in the Top 3, so it's great he was recognized for a piece.


The BOTTOMS:

Mila* had earth for her look, and I have to say, I didn't hate this look at all. The judges called it a "mall look". So apparently, you want something that every woman would want to buy, but not a look they would wear to a mall. Hmmm.....those cwazy judges can get confusing. The only thing I can say, is that it's getting down to the nitty gritty, and every week you have to be on your game. This is not a winning look, and this week it wasn't even safe. I laughed when the judges called the pants and under shirt a basic track suit, because her winning peguiny look was a track suit look as well. Go figure....


Oh Amy. Oh Amy. She is trying so hard every week to stand out and be different. She also has a thing for getting your attention in the bust area. Well, attention granted this time. For some reason, I guess from watching this show so obsessively, I was not that weirded out by the hair. I think she spent too long with the concept of the hair (the fire in the look), and didn't spend enough time on the rest of the look. I have more of a problem with how poor and boring the rest of the garment is. Amy was lucky this week.
Amy's garment was, however, great entertainment with the judges. Heidi twisting up her face and saying "bizarre" was so great, and then having her look get called "a cat in a baby sling" is just so classic.


Ben. We have to say goodbye. This "Shark" water look just didn't make the cut. It doesn't look so bad in this picture, but the pants have a very strange seaming on them, so it looks like she's wearing her chonies on the outside, or wearing fencing pants. So strange, I didn't understand what his reasoning was. And has he never seen this show!?!?!! Hmmm, I want to impress the judges, I'm going to make a 3-piece suit in a day, when I've NEVER MADE A SUIT BEFORE. For that reason, and put together with his horrible, horrible look last week, I am ok with him getting the auf. I do like where he was going with this look, I'm sorry he didn't pull it off. The hair was pretty cool, and I like the non-literal idea he had for water. It was down to the ill fit of the garment, the cheesiness of the shark teeth buttons on the jacket and the crotch on those pants! Sorry Jon, your Heidi Klum look was great, but you just didn't make it this week.

To quote Michael Kors "The crotch on those pants is insane!"

Tune in next week, when the designers have the dreaded team challenge!

Hard to Wear

This week the designers meet up with Michael Kors, probably thinking they are going to do a fabulous challenge using expensive fabrics. Enhh wrong! They are told to go to a hardware store to make an innovative look and part of the look must be an accessory they make. The accessory from hardware stuff could be really fun, unfortunately many of the designers didn't spend as much time as others.

Jesse, in true Jesse style, wishes everyone else will crash and burn.
Emilio, in true Emilio style, thinks everyone else is doing the challenge the wrong way.
We'll get to the 2 of you and your superiority in a little bit!

All the designers freak out on using the unique items to make a runway look. And rightly so.....



Someone I thought who would do great in this challenge, being as he uses "hardware" in most of his designs, failed miserably. How disappointing was this? Luckily, he had immunity, and could not be eliminated this week. Bondage Judy Jetson? Why all silver with not much of a shape? And chains on the heels like that? Just don't do it again.


In my opinion, this could have been a bottom 3 look. Yes, he spent a lot of time hammering out this copper to make a garment, and up closer there are what appear to be seams(?) but the overall look is boring and shapeless. Ben was lucky this week.

Amy's look was pretty cute! This garment was made out of sand paper and the top is so lovely. The bottom part is not quite there, but considering this is not made out of fabric, it's a solid design.

Jonathan absolutely nailed it this week. Such a hot look! He's got to be disappointed that he wasn't part of the Top 3 in this challenge. The way he mixed these colors and textures together was great and his accessory is killer too.


The judges' Top 3:


Maya made this cute shift dress with gothic style netting overcoat and an amazing necklace made out of keys. The overall look really works. I don't know what she got to make the dress with, it looks like fabric. She spent a lot of time and thought into making the coat stay in the form and not drooping. A solid effort here.

Here's Mila and her color blocking mod piece. I have to say, I "get" her look this time around. It kind of looks like a Seth Aaron piece even. The way the skirt moved on the runway was fabulous and I was digging the hair styling too. Great, innovative design.
Mila, in true Mila fashion, is uber-pissed that she didn't win the challenge

Jay wowed the judges with this piece made out of garbage bags. I have to admit, that is pretty amazing. Also looks like a "Jay" design, similar to his "mommy" look last week. I don't think many people can pull off that top, which is thickest around the waist, but it's overall pretty hot. Another win for Jay!
(Jay also wowed me with those wide leg yellow pants he wore to the runway.....could not miss him in those....)


Bottoms:


I don't know if Anthony deserved to be in the bottom this week. It's close with this one and Ben's. Yes, it's a pretty look, and the judges were thinking more "innovative". However, he was going for a soft look using "hard" materials, and I think he succeeded in that. It's not the most interesting, and I would have liked to see the belt have more design to it, than just a band type of thing.


Last week, Emilio's looks were very conservative. This week, he went the complete opposite route and went....well.....Anthony put it nicely and said "not only is it naked...but it's not in the best of taste...."

I can see where he was going with this, and his model has the body to pull it off. He apparently bought all the twine, string and washers he could get for $50 and this is what it got him. I do like that he was going for something out of the ordinary, and he owned it on the runway, instead of blaming something else like most designers would have done. From far away, it is very interesting- I could see Lady Gaga wearing this- although I don't like that some spots just looked tangled up and sloppy. Hey, all her lady bits were covered though!

The judges could see he was going for something that could have been really fantastic, and he was spared.
Did anyone else think Wendy Pepper's Gristedes look from Season 1?


Jesse was not so lucky this week. When this look first came out, I figured it would be a middle safe look, if not a poor ballerina style design- but once Michael Kors said she looked like a Hershey kiss, that's all I could see from then on. Let's face it, Jesse talks a lot about his greatness, but he usually can't back it up, and this week was no different. This look was originally copper, but once he saw so many other designers using the copper, he decided for some crazy reason, to spray it all silver.

Jesse, we're sorry, but you're Out. Ok, I'm not that sorry, you had kind of a crappy attitude and not that amazing of pieces. Maybe stick to wool coats. Byeeeeeeeee

No one is a real loser in this group; they all got to show at Fashion Week (save for one designer, which we don't know why yet...it's a spoiler if you don't who it is....I won't tell) These guys have all shown some great work, so whoever has a bad week is the one to be Auf'd. No pressure sweeties!