On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were introduced to “friends.” These friends had asked for makeovers for people in their lives who they felt needed new looks or looks that more accurately represented who they are. Without going into detail, I’ll say this episode provided an eye-opening view of some of the contestants. Formerly unlikeable designers embraced the challenge, and other designers–not so much.
Tim Gunn brought Christopher and his friend Priscilla to my work room.
Tim: What’s the story with Priscilla? What are you hoping a makeover will do for her?
Christopher: Priscilla is my best friend, and I love her, but we have a situation. Priscilla has a successful nightclub act performing Elvis songs. She’s not an Elvis impersonator exactly–
Priscilla: I do it my way.
Christopher: –but the problem is, Elvis has taken over the rest of her life! Look at how she’s dressed today!
Priscilla: Don’t be cruel.
Tim: I see what you mean.
Christopher: Next weekend, a group of us are going to the boardwalk for an ice cream date and introducing Priscilla to a friend. The guys will be wearing shorts. The girls will be in shorts or sundresses. We want our friend to see Priscilla’s playful personality–not an Elvis clone.
Tim: What do you think, Becks?
Wise men say only fools rush in; I guess I’m a fool. I couldn’t wait to get started on Priscilla’s makeover.
Priscilla: You can do anything, but just stay off of my poof.
All right. The hair can stay. I thought red would give it a striking contrast.
With a touch of blue on the peasant bodice to pick up the blue flowers of the dress.
The hat meant the pompadour wasn’t the first thing her “potential boyfriend” would notice.
So what does Christopher think?
Christopher: I love it! I’m so happy with it I brought an ice cream cone for Becks.
And Priscilla?
Priscilla: I can’t help falling in love with my new dress. And the hat.
Elvis has left the building. See you next time on the runway!
To see previous challenges from this season:
Episode 5: It’s My Way On the Runway (PR 10:5)
Episode 4: Women On the Go (PR 10:4)
Episode 3: Welcome Back (or not) to the Runway (PR 10:3)
Episode 2: Candy Couture
Episode 1: A Times Square Anniversary Party
That’s a cute outfit. I don’t think she’ll be lonesome tonight.
Thank you. Thank you very much. 😉
Well done! Ven was such an A-hole, and that industrial zipper running down the front of the skirt was a total insult. I was hoping they would let a real designer do a makeover of her makeover.
Thanks!
Michael Costello from previous seasons of PR has offered (via Twitter) to do a dress for Terri, and she’s accepted. When that happens, I’ll probably link to it. Ven continues to defend himself and says he was set up to fail.
No way … he just doesn’t know how to design or communicate for or with “real” women. Never trust a man who buys his clothing at the BIG Men’s Store.
I suggested the other night that his fashion line will be called “Venorexics.” He seems to be interested in only size zero women.
… okay to “weigh” in on this, what gets me is that Ven ain’t so svelte himself… what an a-hole. Whether or not it was arranged for him to get a girl that does not fit “fashion standards” This was a real opportunity for him. the whole point of Fashion is to transform and to make someone feel like the person they are in their heart. He could have made something great – and sent her down down the runway. A fabulous outfit makes a person feel fabulous … and he could have made something special and sent out the statement “this is how people wearing my designs FEEL.” And he messed it up.
Gunnar’s dress was lackluster, but he made that girl feel special and she sashayed him into the top three … Snape’s dress was nothing new, but it was new to his model … I think that this episode was all about how fashion makes people feel not what was actually on the runway… Since Ven’s client’s friend CRIED he should have been sent home.
I also think Tim saying that Nathan had CHARACTER was a dig at Ven.
All good points. The main thing is, once Ven got called out, he needed to MAN UP, apologize, and be graceful. Instead, he made it worse and continues to do so publicly. Not the best way to represent himself as a designer.
Okay, on to YOUR fashion … First I love the dress, especially the collar. It’s a cute summer dress! HOWEVER, who the heck is Chris with that bed head to turn Prissy in to the fashion cops? Priscelvis, don’t let him step on your blue suede shoes …
By the way, an Elvis Impersonator makes an appearance in PKII … kinda awesome how a few of your entries have mentioned something in PKII … it’s like you’re in my head.
Chris, get a haircut!
Thanks!
If I were in your head, I would not let you call my characters Prissy and Chris.
After writing a little about her Priscelvis seems so formal …
Forget all that. Look at the bottom of my site. Less than 80 days until the final movie with Cheaters Never Win Pattinson and You Don’t Have to Put on the Red Light Stewart is seeable.
I think the dress looks great at a distance, because it makes people try to connect the dots to see if there is a pattern. However, I am confused by how this is supposed to alleviate her jail house rock symptoms for ice cream.
Thanks! I liked the dots because they made me think of bubbles, so a little playful, as her friend described her personality.
I suppose one question to ask, to see if there’s been a transformation in her appearance: Does the dress look like something Elvis would wear?
I’ll have to draw upon my very limited knowledge of Elvis, and say not unless he’s into drag. I have seen a few pictures of him wearing red shirts, but not of this fabric.
Not to clash with the impending
Halloween78 days to Twilight, I did find this little number with a zombie Elvis on red polka dots. :pHa ha at Zombie Elvis! I’m always surprised to see anything unlicensed using his image or name, because probably more than any other estate, the Presley protectors are relentless in stopping anyone (other than themselves) from profiting from his name and reputation.
What a cute dress. I really like the fabric. I can add nothing to what has already been said, except that I agree with you. Even worse than the way he treated her was his attitude when called out. Like marika, I think if you make your client cry, it’s an automatc ticket home.
Thanks, Gary.
It’ll be interesting to see how Ven does in future challenges. I think they gave him another chance because his early designs were good, but he’s become a little one note. The pressure is on him now.