Episode Report Card Jeff Long: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Love and Fear
By Jeff Long | Season AS2 | Episode 9 | Aired on 12.27.2012
In a hurry? Read the recaplet for a nutshell description! Finished? Click here to close.This week, the designers meet at Elie Tahari's offices. He and Carolyn tell them that they will be designing ready-to-wear looks to be sold at their stores and on their website. The proceeds will go to the Save the Garment Center charity. Apparently, Mondo's design that won this challenge last year made a bunch of money for them. They have to be conscious of price point, as these dresses will be selling for the bargain price of 400 to 700 dollars. They pick their fabrics from a giant archive of fabrics at the office.
Ivy picks this really dramatic print, which is different for her. Anthony Ryan also chooses a dramatic print. Uli chooses a white fabric, which she recognizes as a mistake as soon as they get back to the work room. She's worried that it will not pop on the runway, so she tries to get creative with her design. She admits that she's having a hard time.
Joanna and Elie are both consultants this week. Elie thinks that Ivy's dress should be shorter. He tells Josh that his combo of fuchsia and lace might be a little too much. They think that Emilio's color combination of gold and orange may be too much. They tell Uli that she shouldn't be afraid of her white dress. Elie tells Anthony Ryan that you appreciate things more when you have to fight for it. It moved Joanna and she actually hugs him! She even says that she is never moved. Before he leaves, he tells everyone to act with love and not fear. He's fantastic.
Anthony Ryan's boyfriend, Matthew, skipped Beer Thursday at work so that he could video chat with Anthony Ryan. He's also adorable. Ivy chats with Casanova and it's very sweet. She cries and tells him that she's feeling discouraged. He tells her that she's a fighter and she bucks up a little.
Later, we hear that Elie Tahari was homeless when he first came to the US. Along with Georgina and Isaac the guest judges are Elie Tahari and model/actress Stacy Keibler. I am a definite "whatever" with her. Anthony Ryan's dress seems fine. Josh's is a little over the top. I think Emilio's is really pretty. I think Ivy's dress is gorgeous. Uli's is pretty too, though maybe a little simple.
Uli gets raves. Ivy gets in trouble for the length of her dress. Isaac loves it, but thinks it looks awkward standing still. They are disappointed in Emilio, because they expected to see more from him. Isaac loves what Anthony Ryan did with his print. Josh can't really win, though he gets praise for his fabric choice. Carolyn and he kind of get into it regarding his zipper in the back. She says that it cheapens the dress.
Anthony Ryan wins the challenge! Uli is in. Emilio is safe. That means it's Josh and Ivy. Ivy is...out. Oh well. I think she was sent home because she has been in the bottom so many times, because Josh's was definitely the worse dress.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously: The designers had to make designs inspired by the 1920's, plus they were paired into little duels. Laura Kathleen got shuffled off to Buffalo. That's not even the right period, I don't think. Whatever. Anthony Ryan won the challenge, because he can't stop winning.
So, has Mondo made any revolutionary statements as guest editor at Marie Claire? I haven't heard anything. I'm wondering how hands-on the guest editors are asked/required to be. On the outside, it looks like an opportunity that one would be crazy not to take full advantage of, but I don't know. The prizes on this show must have some big hidden stipulations, because they sound so huge but it's obvious that the fame is more valuable to people in the end. I want to hear that someone is running like a multi-national fashion megabus off their HP/Intel workshop or whatever in their tiny Cleveland cottage. But, no. Instead, you hear that they were at a party with Adam Lambert and a Kardashian. I refuse to see if I spelled Kardashian correctly or even the same way twice. I just feel like it would do a lot for the brand of the show and the seriousness of their purpose if you saw a winner super utilize the prizes in a way that made them a more successful fashion designer.
We begin with the designers trudging down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, looking like a bunch of street urchins. I'm so glad that Laura Kathleen is gone for this, because I love that they all look like they just popped out of a gay production of Oliver (redundant?). She would have contaminated the mis en scene. Anthony Ryan interviews that he has never been here. There's a Bentley. Stores. We're supposed to get that this is real fancy. Josh explains, because of course it's Josh explaining, that Fifth Avenue is the home of some swank fashion houses. It's the home base to many high-end fashion retailers. They arrive at Elie Tahari's offices and there's the Project Runway logo. So, they know they're in the right place.
Uli tells us that Elie Tahari is currently one of the powerhouses in fashion. Apparently, his design studio takes up like an entire building. Damn. Uli is amazed at how clean and bright the space is. It's amazing what some Mr. Clean and light bulbs can do.
Carolyn is waiting for the designers inside of the building. She explains that a true all-star designer needs to be able to design ready-to-wear clothing. Then, she introduces Elie Tahari. He welcomes them and says that they will be creating ready-to-wear looks for a modern, feminine and sophisticated lady. Carolyn says that they have to consider the manufacturing price of their garments, so that when sold at a retail price of $500-700, a profit is made. That seems expensive. Elie explains that the winning garment will be sold in Elie Tahari stores and online. The proceeds from the sale of the garment will go to Save The Garment Center. Carolyn says that the design that Mondo created for the similar challenge last season raised HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS for the charity. Wow. Everything seems huge right now. Elie will be on hand to make sure that the designers choose the correct fabric and design for the retail target. They have an entire fabric floor and the designers can choose anything they want! The designers are appropriately stoked.