November 6, 2015

CAN WE TALK ABOUT...

...
SEASON 14 
just a little bit before the subject runs cold?  You may remember that me and my Mom are the self proclaimed GREATEST Project Runway fans.  I didn't get involved with the show when it first premiered.  I watched one or two shows during the first season, but just didn't connect even though I love sewing.  However; I have been a die hard fan since since season 3.  I've since gone back and watched the two seasons that I missed.  During it's 14 seasons I've seen a lot, laughed a lot, judged and basically enjoyed some real sewing related drama.

During the course of the show's history I've had friends who have become so dismayed by what seems to be bias that they have stopped watching altogether.  Although there have been seasons where I totally disagreed with the the outcome, I still wait patiently, well not so patiently until it's time for the new season to begins.  Since I am one of the biggest fans (my Mother is the other one) - I'd like to express a few of my thoughts about Thursday's ending show.


  •  Many people think that the show is highly policital; but really, what isn't these days?
  • Ashley was my favorite from the very start, however; as the show progressed her whining and inability to make a decision GOT ON MY NERVES!  
  • It amazes me how the finalists can be given $9,000 and seven weeks to do a 10 piece collection and in week 5 have barely gotten started on the work.
  • Why do some of them return to New York with collections that are not even half done?  What were they doing all that time?
  • The finalists have so much sucess during the challenges, then go home and forget ALL ABOUT their design aesthetic (did I spell this correctly?).  They return to New York with a collection that doesn't resemble them AT ALL.
  •  Many people think that the show is highly policital; but really, what isn't these days?
 Like I mentioned that Ashley was my favorite from the start, and even though she didn't end up in that position with me, I'm not mad that she won.  However, I really do think that that it was all based on politicts:
  • She was the shows first real plus sized designer.
  • She was asked to create a plus sized collection.
  • This was a FIRST for Project Runway, so how could they not choose her as the winner.
 I must add that this is the first time that I really could not decide who I thought should have won.  
Will I wait patiently or not so patiently for Season 15??? Oh yes I will!  Where else can I watch real sewing related drama???
 



24 comments:

  1. I do love me some Project Runway! I loved Ashley from the beginning too! But Kelly worked her magic on me and at the end it was a tough choice between the two! My 13 year old daughter and I loved watching and now they are advertising a Teen versions she is very excited! Great post!

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    1. That's exactly the way it went for me too Bonnie. I'll be watching the Teen version also.

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  2. I'm in the same boat as you regarding Ashley. Exactly the same. She cried entirely too much for me. Bleh. I feel like giving her the win was a politically correct move so I disagree with it.

    I like how far Kelly came. THAT is fantastic. And she never strayed, unlike the other 3 finalist, from her design aesthetic (yes you spelled it right!). Not once. No matter what the judges said. When she got criticism she put that into her work and turned out something even more fantastic.

    About midway through I was really rooting for Edmond. But he totally dropped the ball.

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    1. I agree, I can't be mad that he didn't win. I felt that he lost himself if that makes sense.

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  3. I only watched a few times this season, but have to totally agree with you! I lost interest a few seasons ago. In fact, couldn't tell you who won season before this one.

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    1. I understand Linda. The season is so long. But it does afford me and my Mom entertainment in a world where there is not much decent to watch on television - so we continue to be excited about Thursday nights.

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  4. I enjoy Project Runway, but I think it doesn't really help the designers find their own way. Every week the contestants are given an assignment or direction to begin, and Tim Gunn to tweak their thinking. That's all well and good, but when left on their own sometimes the designers don't know which direction to take IMHO.

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    1. I agree and think that's just what happens to them when they go home for that 7 week period - they don't know what direction to go.

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  5. Hi Faye! I'm so glad you are one of the remaining few that still watch this series (you AND your Mom)...(smile)...
    The seasons are more and more disappointing, I know....and, I still have a remaining question....that is...Who should be chosen as the best (and winning) designer? The best sewer or the best 'idea' person?
    I watched all of this season and felt I knew which individual's garments were finished professionally and fitted perfectly. These are the individuals I root for. Somehow, Ashley did not fit into this category, yet she won the overall contest. And, I know that it is because she (as a designer) can always pay others to implement her ideas and fit her garments accurately. (I STILL think one winner paid someone to make his runway garments). Yet, I am still of the Zac Posen designer enthusiast; I am most ready to support the designer who can sew and (at least) recognize when a garment is sewn and fitted properly from first-hand experience. Zac could sit at a machine and create his ideas (perhaps not as expertly as those he now employs, but close). By comparison, it is hard for me to respect Heidi's opinion because it is just her opinion based on what she has worn and her individual taste level. I wish Edmond had not fallen apart at the end....if he had won, his story would have been fairy-tale, wouldn't it? Kelly wasn't bad, for self taught....she did paint outside the lines, though. Candace was a great technician, too....but, like Edmond, she self-destructed, too.
    Next week's reunion will be interesting, won't it? Swapnil vs Tim Gunn will be one of the things I will watch for. Did you notice Swapnil was the only one Tim did not hug on his way out the door. Interesting....
    Thanks for posting this thread and giving me the opportunity to vent. I still read your blog every time you post! Hi to your Mom!

    Cynthia

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    1. I vent about the show too, but I mainly think of it as sewing entertainment and I need some clean cut entertainment. There is almost nothing else on TV for me to watch.

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  6. What I enjoyed this season was the lack of nasty back stabbing. We need viper-mouthed divas like a hole in the head. The vast majority of this season's participants expressed opinions about the work, not the participants. I do think that this season's participants did not maintain the creative level of previous seasons, but not every swing sails over the wall.

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    1. Yes it was quite a low key season on PR. Everyone for the most part got along well.

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  7. I have followed faithfully since season 2. My favorite designers were Christian Siriano (genius), Lee Ann Marshall and Laura Bennett. I had great hopes for Ashley when the show began but she seemed to fall apart soon after. They all did, once they got home. I was rooting for Edmond, not that I have anywhere to go wearing his style of clothing. I am a plus-sized senior citizen and while I am glad the show seemed genunely glad to have someone designing for the plus-sized market, and while I loved the colors in her runway looks, there certainly wasn't anything I could wear. No midriff baring here. I do admire her spunk and hope she does well. There definitely is a need. The only store where I can find anything I actually like is Dress Barn Women and then, most are polyester. Whoever decided polyester was a good thing? Certainly not someone with hot flashes. Back to PR. About half way through I began to wonder if the show was fixed, this season at least. That would make me really unhappy. However, no one really seemed to shine this year. Candace was too goth for the majority of people. Kelly is a genius with creating textiles but her look is very young, in my opinion. Edmond had a chance to shine but lost it with that multi-colored, sequinned thing in the last challenge. Definitely not the best season but I do wish Ashley well and hope she succeeds and maybe creates for older ladies like me. I will continue to watch as long as the show is on. I watch all the spin-offs too and am looking forward to PR Junior which starts this week.

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    1. You gave a great season review here!

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  8. PS: Did anyone see Ashley on the Rachel Zoe show afterwards?

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    1. Yes I saw it. She was still acting as though she was surprised at the win.

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  9. Great post Faye! I agree whole-heartedly about Ashley's win! She's good but not that good! I was hoping it would be Kelly or Edmond, but of course he deficit dropped the ball! One thing I really enjoyed that was different from previous seasons was the lack of constant "bitching"! (Please excuse my language!). I really didn't miss that at all! I too will be watching the "junior" show and like the new format! I sure hope they have a bit more respect for their elders! You are so correct, it's just entertainment Faye, because they already know who the winner will be!

    Nancy no, I do not watch Rachel Zoe.

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    1. I'm not liking the Rachel Zoe show so much. I think they are just using it as a filler. Just my opinion because I know there are those who like her. I tried not to get too upset about the verdict cause I know I will be looking forward to the next season for sewing entertainment.

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  10. Myra, I only watched Rachel Zoe this week because I knew the winner of PR would be on. Ashley gave those awful flower things to Rachel, the man on the show, Kelly Osborne (who just gushed and gushed over the need for what Ashley is doing) and also one to Rachel's husband. I know it sounds snarky but I had to wonder what they all said among themselves after the show, once Ashley was gone.

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    1. Just entertainment for someone. Rachel Zoe show is not my cup of tea.

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  11. Anonymous11/07/2015

    Certainly fashion needs clothing for larger women, but Ashley's runway designs would not flatter any body. I would rather have seen all the designers' work executed in larger sizes. It's not like women with some flesh on their bodies are another species. Take a well-designed garment and tweak it a bit. This season was an insult to larger women, kind of like saying they're never going to be attractive, so it doesn't matter what we pick, let's just get these body image people off our backs. Perhaps some of the designers who lost their momentum at the end saw this coming and gave up.

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    1. I think it would be wonderful if they did an entire season based on plus sizes!

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  12. I like Ashley's use of color and the overall message of the runway show. To me, she was saying that plus-size women do not have to wear all black or tents to cover their bodies. They can wear color and a variety of shapes as well. Ashley's runway show was the first runway in the history of NY Fashion Week to focus on plus size women. Not only that, her models look like they eat and are healthy. It seems to me like some barriers were broken and some walls came tumbling down....that always makes me smile.

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  13. Anonymous11/09/2015

    So sad that in 2015 this is still such a big deal that even iffy designs are celebrated. I've never worn a big size (though I have other fitting challenges that necessitate my sewing), so I guess I've been somewhat insensitive to how frustrating it is to shop in the plus-size department. Sounds worse than trying to find something for my aging body. It's amazing that the unmet need hasn't inspired results from somebody who wants to get rich.

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