Shannon's Blog

By Shannon Sturgis

Project Runway, Episode 9

Posted January 28, 2008

I apologize for the delay. I was deathly ill last week.

On with it then.

My whole life I've been surrounded by denim. My father works for V.F., specifically Wrangler-- that's right little dogies. At the tender age of 4, my wardrobe consisted mostly of jean skirts and jackets. With that in mind, and adding on about 20 years of denim wearing experience... this episode touched my heart. I must also say that I wasn't allowed to wear Levi's while living at home (the "big" competition to V.F.) and to this day I have never owned anything with that little red tag on it. I don't begrudge Project Runway of course (how could I?) for using Levi's in this episode.

If you'd like to look at the designs while reading this, copy and paste this into your browser:

http://bp2.blogger.com/_N2GwfFRCkGA/R5gUytXypII/AAAAAAAABOs/RMsT_fw9rbo/s1600-h/PollEpisode9.jpg

The episode:

Tim takes the designers on a field trip to some docks, completely keeping them off the scent of the challenge. I love how random PR can be.. okay, I know, let's rent a warehouse at the docks and set up clotheslines full of Levi's jeans. THEN, let's make them run and fight for the pieces they want to work with. Poor Chris... running... it's hard to watch. After they gather all the jeans they can, the designers head back to the workroom. They're given doodads from Levi's to work with and they're supposed to use these supplies to create an iconic piece of clothing (i.e. little black dress, your "going out" jeans, etc.)

Top Designs:

Ricky:

(strapless dress with buttons down the middle and ruffled bottom)

Finally Ricky, you are recognized as someone who should be in this competition. Sure, you've been struggling, but I've been there with you Ricky. I believe in you and your phoenix tears. The silhouette of this dress is gorgeous. Congratulations on winning this challenge. It's unfortunate that you cried and made a roller coaster comparison... but I forgive you as always. This dress was adorable and the flaps on the bust of this dress are a good example of how to pull off a cute detail without making it look extraneous... Chris... Chris? Are you listening? Chris's attempt at the same thing looks silly. Check it out.

Christian:

(motorcycle jeans and jacket)

Christian, surprised that he didn't win as always, was the only one who made a pant! I like that about him. His jeans were fabulous, with the jean jacket arm as the bottom half and his additional puff in the sleeve he added to the jacket... he put together different denims without making the pieces look patchwork-y. Christian most definitely has a point of view and a serious ego. Hate on Ricky all you want Christian, he did well this challenge.

Sweet P:

(sweetheart top dress with three dif. denims)

A wedding dress, Sweet P? You crazy. Sweet P began making a denim wedding dress, but quickly dropped the idea when Tim Gunn turned his nose up at it... good choice. Sweet P consistently makes pretty little dresses and I will forever love her for it. This dress fit so nicely and the dark pieces are in the perfect places. Bravo.

Rami:

(sailor skirt with double set of buttons and ruffles with zipper detail... big asymmetrical collar)

I thought this piece was... amazing. The collar is gorgeous and the BUTTONS! The judges barely talked about it which completely surprised me. Perhaps they're simply bored with Rami and his asymmetrical aesthetic and his better than thou attitude. Rami, I liked it and I don't like you anymore so there.

Bottom Designs:

Victorya:

(nondescript jacket that just looks like a jean jacket with a mismatched skirt)

Victorya, you've been AUFED. Yessssssss. Not only am I grateful that she's gone, I'm grateful that she made a horrible jacket that was worse than Jillian's. Did I mention that I love Jillian and if she were ever to go I don't know how I'd handle it? Seriously though, this jacket is so boring.

Jillian:

(light denim jacket with high collar)

Jillian, how about you stop trying to make triple lined coats with a million details that you can barely finish in time? How about you stop scaring the living daylights out of me every episode? I wish instead of making a coat that looked almost just like the coat she made last episode, she had made some cute high waisted pants... similar to the bringing-back-old-trends collection she was in charge of that WON the challenge. See:

http://bp3.blogger.com/_N2GwfFRCkGA/R1fXZCbGjjI/AAAAAAAABEE/y6eSvoh2VOM/s1600-h/PollEpisode4.jpg

When you get to the final three Jillian, I'm going to want to see all of your beautiful, detailed coats, but hold off for a while, k?

Chris:

(cocktail dress with halter strap and flappy things over the bust)

Chris, it's simply a matter of time before you go home. You're getting too close to the finals for my comfort. Your style and taste is outdated. Thanks, but no thanks. This dress looks like something that someone who is out of touch would think that someone in touch would want to wear.

Olympus Fashion Week is coming up.

The Project Runway show is on February 8 at 9 a.m.

Last year PR sent 4 designers. I'm not sure how many they'll be sending this year, but I have a feeling it will only be 3. Who knows. Oh the mystery, the pull, the passion of Project Runway.