Project Runway All Stars recap: The designers are challenged to create their most vaguely offensive outfits yet!
I guess the producers of Project Runway All Stars got tired of my constant emails asking them to inject a little more cultural and/or racial indiscretion into the mix, because I was thrilled to see that this week’s challenge was the most vaguely offensive yet!
The Ridiculous Challenge
Standing before a clutch of gaily fluttering flags on the United Nations’ lawn, Angela explains to the group how the UN is devoted to finding lasting solutions to some of our toughest challenges, such as: climate change and how to accessorize accordingly. The All Stars nod in appreciation. With this stuff in mind, they’re instructed to make a bee-yootiful dress inspired by human rights violations one of those fabulous flags! This Makes Me So Nervous -4
Dear the Seychelles: this is the man assigned to make a dress based on your flag and culture. Déjeuner sur l’herbe, avec shin guards. To Be Fair, The Flag is Already Pretty Gay +3
It’s funny—you’d think that they might actually go inside the UN or meet some kind of representative, but they don’t. No points either which way… just observing.
In the Workroom
Off the bat, Austin looks to be in trouble. As a problem solver, his strengths lie in cutting something nice out of beautiful materials. His fabrics don’t have the opulent loveliness of his usual stuff, but I have faith in that golden prince of a man-boy.
Michael has, of course, made a glorified toga, which will no doubt be praised wildly for its curtain-like draping.
Joanna pops in to harass the designers about their making backless dresses. Come now, Joanna—is that really all you can needle them about when you’re looking at something like this? Jerrell’s dress form is literally draped in a Christmas tree skirt.
I was going to make some comment about Mila’s dress looking like a Star Trek castoff, and then I discovered that Mila is a costume buyer for J.J. Abrams’ Untitled Star Trek Sequel. It makes sense! She also worked on Tron, btw, fyi.
All the gowns look awful and workroom conversation highlights include a boneheaded discussion about that damned seashells tongue twister. I’ve Lost Respect For Them All -10
And Joanna only cares about whether it can be worn with a bra! That’s Not Good Mentorship! Tell Her She Looks Like a Villain From Babylon 5! -10
“She’s gonna look Indian chic,” says Jerrell. Eugghhhghhgrrrr -1,000
On The Runway
Watching her dress flounce down the catwalk, Kenley remarks that “She could go to a party in Chile,” which is exactly what she said about her six-hour challenge dress, minus the Chile bit. She’s Consistent? +2
Austin’s model looks like she’s wearing a deflated beach ball. She also seems especially grumpy today, but maybe that’s just her regular face?
Every time the camera pans over Jerrell, I want to die a little bit. To claim that one loves the “ethnicity” of Indian dress by draping her in a saggy piece of green fabric and calling it a sari? More like a sorry.
Wha- Happened?
Did anyone really deserve to win or lose this round? Mondo’s elegant black gown won by an inch, and Mila’s proletarian space dress was given the lowest score, sending her back from whence she came.
Arguably, Austin had the most unsuccessful and poorly executed dress today, but it’s obvious that the judges want to keep him around (whew!). Angela’s judicious last word on his dress was that it’s not the worst she’s seen on Project Runway All Stars. What I wouldn’t have given to see her take a pie in the face just then.
Isaac is wearing tartan loafers! Those are very Austin Scarlett. Oh Wow, Love +10
This episode was low on laughs but high on cultural insensitivity. I half-expected Jerrell’s model to start speaking gibberish Hindi during his critique. But I don’t blame the designers—I think the challenge was a dud right from the get-go. And why no guest judge? Seriously, I have high expectations for next week… although judging from the preview it looks like I shouldn’t.
Total: An Unprecedented -1,009
. Angela’s judicious last word on his dress was that it’s not the worst she’s seen on Project Runway All Stars. What I wouldn’t have given to see her take a pie in the face just then.
Isaac is wearing tartan loafers! Those are very Austin Scarlett. Oh Wow, Love +10
This episode was low on laughs but high on cultural insensitivity. I half-expected Jerrell’s model to start speaking gibberish Hindi during his critique. But I don’t blame the designers—I think the challenge was a dud right from the get-go. And why no guest judge? Seriously, I have high expectations for next week… although judging from the preview it looks like I shouldn’t.
Total: An Unprecedented -1,009){kind=link}