Project Runway Season 8 Finale Recap
This finale promised to be one of the most predictable in Project Runway History…
(if you haven’t seen the episode yet, STOP READING NOW.)
… until it wasn’t!!
Love or Hate the outcome, you cannot deny it kept this episode from also being the most boring in PR History (see: predictable = boring.)
Can anyone forget the nail-biting finale episodes of Seasons 2 or 3, when it really was a toss up as to who would win? Although Mondo is my favorite designer in PR History, I will admit that the cards were stacked very very highy in his favour to win, which might have made his win a bit of a letdown purely in terms of Entertainment Value. Personal preference aside, lets get on with the recap, shall we dahlings?
Over brekkie the designers are invited to ‘the reunion’ which is pretty tame by PR standards.
I have three things to say about the ‘reunion.’
1. WHY EVEN BOTHER IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO SHOW US ANYTHING WE HAVEN’T SEEN BEFORE?
The #1 best thing about past reunions was seeing footage that we hadn’t before and the fun little montages they put together, often for people who were strong personalities or front-runners but didn’t ultimately make it to the end. To me this looks like laziness mixed with the likely reality that with the 90-minute format, they already used everything that was of any value. Ergo, don’t do a lame reunion.
2. WHERE WERE THE HARD QUESTIONS? WHERE WERE THE FAN QUESTIONS?
Why didn’t they actually address some of the issues the fans have been waiting for in the reunion? The Ivy-Michael drama? The accusations? When I think back to previous reunions they almost always addressed the really uncomfortable questions: Who drew the moustache on Wendy’s picture? How did you feel (Diana, Marla) about what other designers said about you behind your back? Did you think it was fair you were eliminated when another designer plagiarized (Guadalupe)? Did you feel your disqualification was justified? (Keith) and so on. This is the whole point of the reunion, which is to see how relationships change based on new information being revealed to them… This one seemed more about forcing everyone to cry (showing the moms coming to visit, Mondo’s confession, tears on the runway, etc.)
3. Anyone else think it is weird that McKell is there since she didn’t ‘officially make it on the show.” (12 episodes later I still haven’t figured out what this means.)
Anyways, the only remotely juicy moment was when Ivy rolled her eyes when Gretchen defended herself as not being a bitch. It brought out the RAWR in April too, who called Gretchen out for saying she didn’t like Christopher’s work but telling him she liked it to his face. Interestingly, April was the only designer in the final 5 that said Gretchen should go to Fashion Week. I was surprised to find myself siding with Gretchen.
Although I, like many of you out there, think of Gretchen as the big-head designer who thought of herself as Tim Jr. in the workroom… I remember that comment and what Gretchen said was, “I love Christopher, I just don’t love what he does.” This isn’t even really a typical ‘Gretchen-criticism.’ It is just a statement of opinion. If it was you and you had a best friend who was an author, but you didn’t like their book – it doesn’t make you a bad person just because you tell them to their face that its good. It just makes you a human who doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of someone you care about. Plus, this is a competition. It is in her best interest not to tell people their work sucks which in theory gives them a chance to improve it. And in fact, most of the time she told people directly to their face what she liked or didn’t like. Andy’s ‘dominatrix’ dress, for example. Every designer on the show is guilty of talking shit about other people’s designs during interviews. And the more I think back on Gretchen i think that a lot of the time she really was just offering her OPINION. Its up to the designers to take it or leave it. She isn’t a judge and they didn’t have to listen to her.
The final three are finally released back to the workroom and there is all the typical pre-show stuff – model fittings, hair and makeup consultations, editing and talks with Tim.
Did anyone else think the shots of the designers in bed were a little creepy? Kind of stalker-y? yeah…
Runway Day!
Everyone is dressed up and sprayed to perfection, including Mondo’s socks. (wtf, right?) There are the usual backstage shenanigans: sewing, missing models, hair and makeup issues, blah blah blah.
GRETCHEN
Gretchen’s collection in a word: Depressed. Gretchen’s ten looks were a real toss–up for me. Although I liked a couple of pieces – the second look (a dress) was nice, the ‘patchwork pants’ were cool, there was an interesting sweater in there – overall I found myself underwhelmed by her choice of prints and colors – so muted and subdued, almost sad. The shiny forest green stuff seemed so odd, like an oil slick in the middle of all those desert colors. I just didn’t get it. I don’t understand how a woman actually wears all these hot pants (ahem, diapers?) Her title ‘Running Through Thunder’ doesn’t seem to fit the collection either. My suggestion? Desert Apocalypse.
ANDY
Andy’s ten looks in a word: Repetitive. Monotone. Boring. I hate the hat things as well as his color palette so he pretty much lost me before I could even look at the clothes. The entire collection except for 4 pieces was gray or silver. I have to agree with Mondo that with that limited color palette, the entire collection just gets flat for me. No pieces stood out unless they were surprisingly blah. There were pretty things in there, sure, but they faded into the background and overall the collection was just not strong. And it certainly wasn’t as strong as his individual pieces during the course of the show.
MONDO
Mondo’s collection in a word: Whimsical. Joyful. Mondo was my favorite to win (whose wasn’t?) and he reminded me why. His use of prints and color are fun and I felt he showed a great range of pieces that could be separated out and worn differently but shown together gave it a little oomph and flash. I would love even a simple t-shirt with that Day of the Dead skull/clown thing, even without the beading and studs – it was just cool. And I LOVED the printed leggings. Some looks definitely had a younger feel, like the checkered bubble dress and the 11th look but I think that would go away once styled into a person’s closet with basics. I.e. the pieces could go young or old depending on what they were worn with. His had the most showmanship, which has constantly been praised in the past seasons.
JUDGING
In a word: Psycho! I don’t know what was going on but it felt like I was watching Bizzarro Project Runway!
Andy was out pretty quickly, and the judges didn’t even try to pretend that was a difficult decision. On the runway they praised a few of his pieces for their simplicity and softness but overall they felt that he lost too much of himself and that he played it too safe. They also hate the hats, a good precursor of how important styling has become to deciding the winner…
The judges immediately began comparing Gretchen and Mondo, despite the fact that they later claim its like ‘comparing salt and sugar.’ They praised both collections for being Editorial, Cohesive, and for being true collections.
Their (Nina and Michael) primary arguments for why Gretchen should win:
STYLING
ON TREND
WEARABLE AND SELLABLE
SEPARATES AND SPORTSWEAR
Problems
NOT DRAMATIC
MONOTONE
TOO READY TO WEAR (Heidi and Jessica)
Their (Heidi and Jessica) primary arguments for why Mondo should win:
TALENTED/ CREATIVE
UNIQUE/ MEMORABLE/ SPECIAL
SHOWMANSHIP/ EXCITING/ RISK-TAKING
Problems
OVERWHELMING DECORATIVE/PROPORTION of PRINTS
TOO YOUNG
WHO IS THE CUSTOMER?
NEEDS TO EDIT FOR REAL LIFE
So does anyone else see what is so wrong/weird/psycho about the above reasons?
Who wants wearable and on trend over exciting, unique and creative? Ok, I guess a certain customer wants that, but is that what Project Runway is about? I found myself heartily agreeing with Heidi – Isn’t this show about Fashion?
It was only a few episodes ago that Nina was talking about wanting to see ‘Fashion, Not Clothes’ on the runway… and now she is defending stuff that is wearable and sell-able? I question even that argument – tell me who is going to wear those dirty granny panties? Sheesh.
They repeatedly praised Gretchen’s styling ability despite the fact that the last FOUR challenges, plus the 11th look challenge they criticized her styling choices! If she hadn’t changed the hair and makeup and thrown a few pairs of heels in there, would Mondo have won? Doesn’t that seem a little odd since they had to TELL her to do that? Does that make her a great designer or a great stylist? And what is this show about again? Design.
I just find myself so baffled by the whole thing. Although Gretchen’s aesthetic probably appeals to a lot of women (even I liked some of her stuff) I just find myself going back to the wearable vs. unique argument over and over. Looking back at every single season past, it just doesn’t feel right. Every other winner (Jay, Chloe, Jeffrey, Christian, Leanne, Irina, Seth Aaron) was praised not only for a strong and clear vision but for showmanship and creativity. They have NEVER chosen a winner with the primary criteria being ‘wearable.’
It makes no sense.
Anyways, regardless of the outcome I think that Mondo will be successful. He has a hugely loyal fan-base out there and it probably ballooned even bigger with him not actually winning. He did get the 20,000 so hopefully he uses that to get some pieces made and available online or in stores and he will just have to make his own career happen. I do wish Gretchen well. It felt like her collection was a reflection of her struggles and sadness so maybe winning will give her a boost of positive energy that will translate into happier clothing. We can only hope right?
I am going to pick up my ANTM blogging next week now that Project Runway is over for the season (*tear) – so please check back!
Also, has anyone heard anything about Bravo’s new show: The Fashion Show? It looks like their PR replacement but I don’t really know anything about it, when it airs, etc.
Cheerio! Thanks for reading!
Shahidah
I didn’t see the show but woke up to see Gretchen as winner on People.com WTH???? I’m not even going to watch it now.
As for Mondo-the comment edit for real life. are they insane? A fashion show is supposed to be about drama and you edit for real life later. Most of the stuff we see on the runway we would not wear in its presentation and the designer tones it down a bit for real life…
I’m so disgusted
sophie
Interesting to see that Ivy is not finished throwing people under the bus. She’s now attacking her ‘friends’ in order to deflect attention from her own misbehavior.
And April? Guilty of the same behavior she now accuses Gretchen of. Face it, these three are all cut from the same cloth. They all think exceedingly highly of themselves, and will run over anyone in their way.
If they’re gonna dish it out, they should be able to take it.
Sour grapes on Ivy and April’s part.
I wish that Gretchen could at least be a gracious winner, but she’s still spewing arrogance and conceit and trying to define it as “confidence.”
Mondo will succeed, and Gretchen will fade into the background like so many other prior winners.
melbatoastjones
Agreed. Wholeheartedly!
epppie
Predictable isn’t always boring, not at all, because someone as good as Mondo can be predictable and yet not predictable at the same time.
epppie
Gretchen wasn’t just opinionated. She was clearly working the other designers, and it was not likely a coincidence that those she ‘helped’ often ended up being eliminated. She isn’t just a strong personality. She is a bully and she turned Project Runway into The Lord of the Flies, singling Michael C out for season-long torment, along with her junior partner in bullying, Ivy. Gretchen is cleverer than most bullies in that she puts on a nice face when she thinks it is strategically desirable, a veritable hug machine at times. But she is someone who needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror. She ‘won’ Project Runway, but what did she win as a person? I think she lost a lot.
melbatoastjones
I agree with you about Gretchen and Ivy. I think that as time went by on the show, I started getting more disgusted with Ivy and it made me forget what awful things Gretchen said in the earlier episodes. But its true – no one gets anything from bullying but a darkness in their own heart in the long run. And for Gretchen, it was visible in her collection. Mondo’s joy was infectious and evident in HIS clothes and everyone wants to benefit from that joy.
Studio Concrete
FYI Mondo is now selling the skull t-shirt, sans beading as you described, on Etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60367165/medium-day-of-the-dead-circus-printed
Kim
Found your blog from the Blogging Project Runway page and I love your recap. I totally agree! Also, you mentioned that you wished there were t-shirts with Mondo’s skull/clown design… Well, you’re in luck! Found out about this from a commenter on TLo’s site… http://www.lovemondotrasho.com/store-2/#ecwid:category=463674&mode=product&product=1659503
melbatoastjones
Thanks! Also thanks for the link…. methinks he will have a lot of purchases the next few days…
jensen
this was a joke…and the joke is on the viewers. look at how much press and reaction they got by giving the title to a collection of garbage and a girl who can’t design and has not taste.
makes me wonder if they did this to stir the pot and actually increase ratings????
obviously gretchen’s clothes are pathetic. I was educated at a top NYC design school, The Fashion Institute of Technology, and no student of that internationally recognized school would design the garbage that gretchen put down the runway. Mondo’s work, most of Andy’s work and even Michael C’s work far surpassed gretchen’s poor excuse for clothing.
As a whole, her collection was reminiscent of what orphans get for hand me downs…dark, desperate and the stuff nobody else wants.
Mondo’s incredibly joyous, celebratory, uplifting lighthearted collection has something for everyone and more…I hope we will see his work available for purchase soon!!!!!
There were actually some lovely pieces in Andy’s collection altho I agree, he lost his edge but still…I liked his work far better than the “g” person…she was so very horrid to everyone I feel slimed and dirty just mentioning her.
If you go back and look at all the collections, even Ivy had a far superior showing than did “g”
Michael C was robbed too…he should have been in the final 3. We all know that “g” was there for all the wrong reasons.
AND…SHAME On YOU HEIDI! Allowing so much bullying by “g” and by kors and garcia who have obviously gone over the edge of dimentia…you were trumped by your underlings????
Heidi, get new judges who get it because kors and garcia are over the hill and out of their minds…or kissing some corporate AdoubleSS
so…let’s all return to bravo and catch the fashion show…maybe there is hope for fashion back there.
oh, by the way “g” has a line called mothlove…give me a break…does this mean that the moth’s have agreed to eat holes in all her stuff so none of us will ever have to see it again? google her and you will find a link with contact info so you can let her know first hand how horrible her clothes and her behavior are!
gretchen@mothlove.com
Diane
I leave this season with the hope that Wrentchen’s clothing doesn’t sell.
Tazzy
I’m not as shocked about April and Ivy coming after Gretchen (April said that Gretchen told her before the New York landmark episode,that she shouldn’t expect to be in the final 4 because of her age.) but that Michael C DEFENDED Gretchen. That blows me away!
cece
You are right c(h)oco… it makes no sense.
So after pondering this late into the night it all went down, the only thing we can conclude is that the Queens of Mean Judging got their panties in a wad because Mondo did not follow their instructions from the week before, but Gretchen did.
It is the ONLY thing that does make sense.
They told Mondo they did not like the polka dot dreess… and what did he do? He put it as his finale piece (kind of sort like and “up yours” moment)…. and I guess they told him they didn’t like the headpieces which he also kept. The audacity! His actions obviously pissed them off… how dare he follow his own gut!….
But angelic Gretchen (cue the heavenly chorus) followed their instructions to a TEE. (well, except for the granny diapers… honestly…. and funny that they didn’t even mention them altho they comprised 1/3 of her “collection”).
It was disgusting… and honestly showed their diva sides… and as someone said on BPR… they think they’ve become the stars of the show.
First and last time of watching PR for moi… I couldn’t listen to either one of them one more moment… esp MK’s whiny nasally bitching.
Also… one last thing… re this blog post… best quote of all of the things I have read: “leather oil slicks in the desert” (loose paraphrase) Perfect!
melbatoastjones
Thanks! I totally agree with you. Gretchen listened to the judges and Mondo listened to his own voice as a designer… and guess who was punished? I heard that Mondo’s collection sold out and Gretchen only sold one piece!
Roxanne
I am SOOOO discusted with the ending. Mondo was robbed. The judges repeatedly praised his bold, joyful choices, then to give the prize to clothes that looked like—-like they were stolen from the dark dreary days of the great depression. Her clothes made me depressed JUST LOOKING at them. I am still pissed that G made it over Michael C. As far as styling and beauty, Andy’s and Michael’s clothes far outshined G.