Project Runway Season 5 Premiere!

So, what do we think of this seasons cast? It looks like we’re in for more drama than last year, but in such a contrived way. Jerell = total wannabe Santino. And what’s up with Blayne trying to make his catch phrase the new “Fierce”? Heck, I can’t even remember what the catch phrase was. So let’s pretend it was “fetch”. Blayne, stop trying to make Fetch happen. It isn’t going to happen. (sorry, I just really wanted to use that quote.)

This weeks challenge went right back to the beginning with the designers having to buy all their materials from a grocery store. I was hyped when I found that out! I loved that challenge in S1, or any challenge that forces them to use odd materials, and I was so glad to see them go back to it. But it was such a huge turnoff seeing designer after designer go straight for TABLECLOTHS. Seriously? How many years has this show been on the air? You’d think people would watch and learn.

(Kenley, Jennifer, Leanne, Wesley)

Correct me if I’m wrong (it’s been a while since this aired!) but all three of these were made using table cloths, except the skirt on the first one is a lawn chair, I believe. That first look I like a lot. Great use of colors, pattern and silhoutte. It’s wearable if you’re a daring fashionista. Second look is snoreworthy. Cute, but we’ve all seen that at Jay Cee Pennay (it’s French).

Up close, Leanne’s look was kind of adorable except for those ruffles going down the skirt. Too bus. I got worried when she started piling on all that candy because usually any time a designer tries to overcompensate by adding more trim it’s usually a disaster. But Wesley did the best job of trimming if you ask me. That dress would totally be in my closet and in my store. I wish I had a close up but he used his materials so well.

And then there’s Korto. When I saw this kimono sitting in the design room on the mannequin I was VERY impressed at the construction and the design. Now when she started to add stuff to it, once again, nerves. But the girl really made it work (no pun intended). She cut up that little tossed salad and really made it look like a set of broaches and what not. And I like that she didn’t go the sexy mini dress route that most of the designers did, that shows that she has a completely different aesthetic.

And I can’t say I was impressed by Terri’s complete look but I thought the idea of making an crochet top out of a mop was such a genius idea! I never would’ve thought about it and apparently, neither would any of the other designer.

(Blayne, Jerry, Stella)

Then there’s the worst of the bunch. And saying these three looks are bad is an understatement. I don’t know WHAT Blayne was thinking with that bodysuit. It obviously doesn’t mesh together so it was ridiculous for him to send it out on the run way in the first place. I did like that he used that netted material, but he could’ve done so much better with it.

Nw, fi you ask me, the only thing worse than using a table cloth is using a trash bag. I was SCREAMING at the TV when Stella went towards them (not out loud though, only in my head). Who is that stupid?? She should’ve been eliminated the moment she even contemplated using a trash bag, it’s just the biggest scapegoat and the most obvious material. And on top of that, there really wasn’t any design to the look she created, it just looks like something a pole dancer would wear. She should be on he knees thanking her lucky stars that she was spared!

Jerry, who may have been the most successful designer out of the bunch, ended up being the first to get eliminated for his serial killer chic ensemble. Embarrassment major. It was a lopsided, ill fitted rain coat made out of, you guessed it, a shower curtain, an ugly sheer minidress underneath, dish washing gloves cut in half (now THAT’S creative) and ugly boots. Nothing about this look makes any sense. The use of color is pretty much terrible and the tailoring, or lack there of, offends me. The gloves are just the icing on the cake; completely laughable.

And still, I think Stella deserved to get the boot.

I told my FIDM girls to represent, and one of them totally did! Kelli won the first challenge with her dress made out of stained vacuum bags and burnt coffee filters. She also used push pins as grommets around the waist and she molded the metal from a three ring binder into hooks in the back. How on earth did the girl get all this done in so little time? I don’t know, but her outfit is exactly what this challenge is about. The skirt totally looks like a real print, and it’s one of those ugly/pretty prints, love that. The bust is the only part I’m not raving about but I definitely can’t fault her for that. The judges definitely picked the right design.

For a minute there it looked like Daniel was going to win for a dress he made out of melted down plastic cups. This kind of reminds me of that poorly fitted candy dress Julianne (wait, was that her name??) made last season. He was creative and used the hardest material to work with but that was at the sake of design, so I think the judges made the right choice here. And I know some people didn’t like this dress because it looks so rigid; I actually like that, it reminds me of some of the futuristic stuff Balenciaga and Versace did last year.

Next week the designers have to “think green”…does this mean they’re using eco friendly fabrics or do they actually have to use plants or something? The former would be cool! Natalie Portman is the guest judge.