| Season AS1 | Episode 5 | Aired on 02.02.2012
Angela meets the designers in Central Park to give them their challenge. She tells them that they will have to find a muse in the park and convince them to give up their clothing which the designers will then use to create a fashion-forward new look. Anthony points out that, while he has gotten some heat for having too much personality, it will take personality to get people to give up their threads. They have to go up to people and get them to change out of their clothes and wear a white t-shirt or some nonsense instead. It's so painful to watch. I love it. Anthony even gets some underwear model to take his pants off and it's all very remarkable. Money was tight because they had to use part of it to buy the clothes from the people and ya'll know New Yorkers wear some expensive clothes.
No one really has an easy time in the workroom. It ended up where a lot of the designers' first instincts were to just adorn the shit out of the clothes that they had. Wow, speaking of which- Jerell really, really goes over the top. His look is something so... fully insane that I'm surprised he wasn't subjected to immediate consultation with mental health care professionals. Anthony feels that Kenley is too loud. Then, Michael whispers in Mila's ear that Kenley helped Kara finish her sewing and Mila's all up-in-arms. Seriously though, I'm so happy that Kenley is not being a surly and hateful person all of the time that I really can't be bothered by this. I mean, fine, Kenley is obviously going through a manic phase right now which is manifesting itself in her blindingly sunny disposition, one that reminds me of Burgess Meredith in The Day of the Locust, but isn't this softer? I like soft. She's like the Snuggle teddy bear on coke.
Sean Avery, of hot rabblerousing hockey player fame, is our guest judge. He is handsome and vacuous, always a delicious combination. This show is certainly the best so far of the season. It was really rigorous creatively while giving them time to really do some nice craftsmanship. So, when you were offended (i.e. JERELL), it wasn't because something was made for shit, it was because it was damn tacky. The top are Mondo, Rami and Austin. The bottom are Anthony, Michael (whose super-skimpy onesie I actually thought was pretty cute) and Jerell. What's interesting is it really wasn't poorly made. It was just so completely ugly. I don't even really have words for it right now. Rami is safe. Mondo is the winner of the challenge! Austin is safe. So is Jerell!! I can't believe it. It's down to Michael and Anthony -- Michael for poorish construction and Anthony for being lazy. And, Anthony is out. Michael gives him the biggest cry face hug. But, Anthony goes out with his head held high.
Previously: Hateful Diane Von Furstenberg required that the designers make a dress for her in six hours or no going to the ball. CinderApril lost the challenge and is now a pumpkin. Michael won his second challenge in a row. Crazy.
It's a lovely day in New York and the designers are walking through Central Park. They have been summoned by Angela Lindvall, who is a wood nymph and you know they live in the park. She greets them with a handful of pixie dust and tells them about their challenge. It's about designers and their muses. They have to find a muse and it could be anyone. Mila wonders aloud how they're going to find something interesting amidst all the peeps in their "park attire." Not a bad point. Angela adds that the "all-star twist" is that they have to convince their muse to give them the clothes off their back. Wow. This is interesting. The power of television, my friends. We're about to see some people get naked just because they've been told to by some people who have been on television, because they're on television. The designers are nonplussed. Kara reiterates. Yes, it involves getting a stranger to take their clothes off.
Anthony interviews that this is great. He says that he has taken "so many daggers" during this competition because of the fact that he has a personality, but it will ultimately take a designer with personality in order to succeed in this challenge. He sounds a little more bitter than I'm used to hearing from him. Who's giving Anthony daggers? They get $150 for the challenge. They can use it to convince people to give up their clothing and the rest will be used at Mood. That's really interesting. It's all about economy and resourcefulness. This is neat. Angela adds that half of their look must come from their muse's clothing, which makes Kara's jaw drop. Sister was already thinking she'd get somebody to give her a bracelet or something and she would make whatever she wanted then say she was inspired by the bracelet. Nice try. Everybody seems stunned so Angela gives them some good news. They have two days for the challenge. They are indeed happy.
So, it's off into the park (actually Union Square 40 blocks away), the designers immediately start talking to people. Anthony interviews that it appears that Mila has suddenly grown a personality while him having a personality is just being Anthony. OK, that makes me think that maybe Mila has given him a dagger at some point? The girl that Anthony talks to has maybe one of the cutest faces in the history of mankind and I'm pretty serious. She is full stop adorbs. Her liberal arts education in Vermont has fully prepared her for this moment. She'd probably shave her head if he asked her to. Because he's a Creative. She? She's of the earth right now. Farming and loving mulch and cheese. But, you don't make it out of a New England liberal arts education without a personal pact that you will do WHATEVER to help the Creatives. Anthony wants to use her top and she's fine with that. The real problem with this challenge is that people in New York pay a lot of money for their clothes and can't necessarily afford to give them away. And, for most interesting stuff, anything within $150 would still be like giving it away. Kenley's noticing that a lot of people are like "Get the eff away from me" and she's mortified. That's where I'd be.
| Season AS1 | Episode 5 | Aired on 02.02.2012
Austin finds the perfect young girl in a feminine punk look. Kenley finds a really cool looking mom with a pretty striped top and a kid with a blurry face. Both agree to be muses. Do I need to go to a doctor if I say that Kenley really doesn't bother me much this season? I kind of like her? Mondo seems really forced asking this girl for her dress, but she totally goes for it! This dude totally macks on Kara. I love flirting in the daytime. He takes off his shirt for her and they are in love.
Anthony goes up to this seriously stacked shirtless guy and gets him to take off his pants. The guy was probably some sort of plant, but he and his body seriously brightened my day. I don't look a gift underwear model in the...you see, that joke doesn't work because I look at a gift underwear model everywhere. Anthony says, "Ladies, that's how you get a man," which for some reason sets off some offended sensors in me but I'm not in the mood to listen to them too much.
At Mood, Anthony goes straight for wool crepes. Jerell doesn't buy any fabric, because he doesn't want to end up not having enough of the original garment in the design. Everybody is short on cash, which is interesting, right? Rami had like one penny left. Everybody shares and helps Kara get the supplies that she needs. Anthony makes a joke about always giving back to the community, which gives me chuckles!
At the workroom, everybody starts breaking down the clothes from their muses. Mondo says that's how he learned to design in the first place. Austin is excited about his muse, because he finds her actually inspiring. It looks like Jerell asks Anthony if he's using enough of the muse's clothing in his look and he's sure that he is. Michael doesn't know what to do. He's not inspired.
Everyone is working hard and Kara thinks that Rami's look is very pretty. And, the day is over! The morning, at the Flatotel, Austin is blowing his hair out. He tells us that everyone's excited to get back to the workroom. Michael tells Austin that he's most excited about a crocheted element of his muse's look.
Anthony is having problems deciding what to do. Once they start working, Michael feels much better. Jerell says that he's going to expose some skin on his model. Joanna shows up and says that the streets of NYC are her favorite place to find inspiration. She starts talking with Mondo and says that he already has great street style. She asks him if this is a challenge he could finally win. PRESSURE. Jerell's look is crazy and Joanna says that it scares her a little bit. Anthony thinks that it looks like Coming to America. Mila thinks that Austin's look is overworked and cheap. Ouch.
| Season AS1 | Episode 5 | Aired on 02.02.2012
Anthony has a hard time discussing his look with Joanna. The print on the shirt that he got from sweet Maeve is unlike his usual aesthetic. Michael is a baby about having problems designing. Joanna thinks it looks like there are doilies on his outfit. You see, no one wants to hear that. By God, Michael totally revamps his look after she leaves. It's the thing I remember and admire most about him from his original season. He always sort of got labeled a copycat because he's not walking around with a militant AESTHETIC, but the truth is, he's gifted with enough technical facility that he can make changes to his aesthetic upon suggestion. I love that about him. He's piecing a look together in a way that he says he hasn't done before and it looks a little overwrought right now, but bravo to him for not just forging ahead with something that he has already been told isn't working.
The models come in for their fittings. Mila says that Mondo has a great way with combining different styles, colors and fabrics. She adds that not everyone can do that. Cue the presence of the craziest thing that I've ever seen on my television, to a Regis and Kelly-style talk show starring Jim J. Bullock and the late Tammy Faye Bakker. That fucking happened, people. A tiny part of me wonders if that's actually true. Anyway, Jerell has made what Austin calls one of the most tasteless things he has ever seen in his life. And, that about sums it up. It's like if Donatella Versace were zapped with some sort of ray that made her 6-years old, but we still let her design and stuff. Holy JESUS, this is so fucking ugly. It's like this striped bikini top with some crazy ass print SHRUG over it. The shrug is high-necked and puffy-sleeved. You want more? Can you handle it? Jerell thinks that he's going to be in the top two. I believe that he is in danger of actually losing his mind. Anthony asks his model if she and her model friends have talked about who they think is going home . She just says, "Hopefully not us!" That's not a giant vote of confidence.
After the fitting, Anthony is still struggling. With two hours remaining, Kara points out to us that she, Kenley and Mila are the only remaining girls. Anthony makes some nice changes...that don't include using Maeve's shirt. Hmm. And, that's the workday!
The morning, they all get to work. Rami says that he feels confident about how his look has come together. Kenley puts on some glasses and says, "This is my edgy bitch look" and laughs. Anthony replies in an interview that Kenley is loud and if a black person tells you you're loud, you're loud. Anthony said that. I did not say that. The models are back for their final fitting. So, Michael's look is very revealing. Kara says that she admires it because she thinks it's daring and his girl looks hot. She throws her hat in the ring for some diplomacy job when she says about Jerell's look that there's a lot of woman in it and she's trying to figure out who the woman is. The woman is a shoplifter is who she is. She's a shoplifter who's not particularly good and goes to the mall kinda naked and thinks that she can just put on more clothes as her shoplifting spree continues. But, she got caught pretty early, after putting on just a few ugly garments.
| Season AS1 | Episode 5 | Aired on 02.02.2012
Drama alert: Kenley helps Kara finish her pants and Michael goes to buzz in Mila's ear about it. Mila interviews that she doesn't think that's right because this is a competition. Then, she says to Michael that she doesn't understand why Kenley is in everybody's business this morning, like some sort of teacher. We see what appears to be Kenley goofing, but whatever. Mila doesn't understand why she would be giving advice, since she's assuming that she wants to win. You know though, I've said something before about the zero-sum success idea. Maybe Kenley is just trying to have some good karma by helping others? Seriously, I prefer this Kenley SO MUCH more than what we've had before.
It's hair and make-up time. Michael has the nerve to say to hot make-up daddy that he's looking for "Sarah Jessica Parker circa 1999 meets 2002 but futuristic." And, sweet hot make-up dude does not counter with, "Exactly what do you mean? Because I'm not sure you actually know what you mean. I think you're just talking right now and thinking that maybe what you just said makes you sound like you have some sort of knowledge and I'm here -- as the hottest man that has ever put make-up on a bitch -- I'm here to tell you that you just said one of the lamest things I've ever heard. Now get the eff out of here before I pull some Brazilian jujitsu out and school your ass." It's time to go the runway!
On the runway, Angela introduces Georgina, Isaac and Sean Avery. Yes! He's a hockey star and former Vogue intern. I've waited on him a couple of times and he's a total stud. Right now, he's wearing glasses that I'm pretty sure don't magnify anything. The first look is Michael's. It's a one-piece strapless number with hot pants. I think it's pretty sexy. Totes unrealistic. I mean, no one could really wear this, but I could almost see it happening enough that I like it. Mila says aloud that his girl is very elegant.
Austin's look is and it's very cute. It's sort of a structured version of his muse's look. She's wearing a little military-style jacket in a Chanel cut. The skirt is short and flared, with panels of leather and black and white stripes. It's really sexy and fun. Maybe a touch over-styled. Austin is thrilled with it.
Here comes Kara's look. It's some high-waisted super-fitted slacks with what is essentially a tube top with one strap. But, it's not stretchy. It's cute. Kara hopes that the judges notice clean lines and effortlessness.
| Season AS1 | Episode 5 | Aired on 02.02.2012
Mila made a look that is very Mila -- how lucky that her muse inspired her to be more herself. It's a striped white and gray top, cotton but cut on some sort of bias. I think it's cotton. It's topped by a black vest with leather lapels. The real accomplishment are the black and gray slacks that fit like a glove. Mila says that she did what she set out to do, which was present a girl who was cool and wearing something that she put together herself in a cool way.
Oh God- here's Jerell's look. What THE FUCK? I, um, wow. So, along with that crazy stuff up top, there's a low-rider skirt of the most disgusting tie-dyed fabric and some sort of waistband that has some interest to it, but it's too late for that. There's also like eight miles of skin between the top of the skirt and the bottom of the bikini top. It's like she is being prepped for surgery. And, Jerell? Is. Psyched. And psycho apparently. There's nowhere to go from here.
Rami's inspiration was a dude in a tie and he made some tailored shorts with a sleeveless bow-neck lady's business top sort of thing. There's a sleeveless vest as well. It's really pretty cute, except for the fedora that he used to top the look. Not into that.
Kenley's look is . It's a very fitted black and white striped dress, with patches of color on the sides of the bust (yellow) and at the hips (pink). Kenley thinks that this is a very fun and versatile look. You know what I've noticed about this season? The models are seriously LEGIT. These girls all have the sickest bodies. Not that they were dogs before or anything, but they're truly pretty special this year. For instance, the fact that the model has such a knockout figure probably makes me like this dress a little more than I should. It's cute, but it looks just a little bit homemade.
Here's Anthony's look, straight from Studio 54. It's a pantsuit with a black halter top that is open in the middle all the way to the waist. The pants are fuschia and wide-legged and there's a voluminous sash at the waist. She's wearing some sort of mini-turban and carrying a tiny clutch made from the fabric that Maeve was wearing. This is what Maeve's sacrifice got for her. Somebody's not re-upping their donation to NPR this year. Anthony feels that it's tasteful and beautiful, which it is. What it is not is an accurate manifestation of the guidelines of the challenge.
Mondo's up! His girl is wearing a little bikini top of white and black, along with short shorts that, along with some black and white stripes, have a really graphic and colorful print on the sides. Best of all, he has made this cool little denim jacket with 3/4 sleeves. He says that it is made of 22 pieces, so there was a ton of seamwork. It's masterful. I can't believe it looks that good. He's really happy with the energy that his model is bringing to the runway and I second that. This girl has got it.
| Season AS1 | Episode 5 | Aired on 02.02.2012
After the show, Angela calls Kara, Mila and Kenley. They're safe. They leave the stage as the others' models return. They start with Rami. Everybody thinks that his tailoring is pretty impeccable. Angela says that she wishes that women in business suits worked this kind of style.
They're not happy with Michael's look. Angela and Georgina point out that women aren't really wearing stuff that's quite so skimpy. Isaac has a problem with the sagging at the bodice. You see, I didn't even notice that because his girl's so hot. Sean thinks that it might have been better had it been paired with something that made it less bare.
We Need To Talk About Jerell. Isaac says it looks like his girl should be in The Lion King, which Angela struggles not to laugh at. Sean says that his initial comment was "Lady Gaga meets Gwen Stefani at Burning Man on acid." Wow. That's pretty spot-on and actually does the look more service than it's worth. The lower silhouette, belly baring and all that, is reminiscent of Gwen Stefani and the super-busy top area reminds me of Gaga and it's all horribly hippie and gross. Bravo, Mr. Avery. Georgina says that she "absolutely LOVES" what he's done on the top. What? WHAT? I'm on another planet right now. She thinks the problem is that there are too many elements. Isaac thinks that the "big stomach" showing is not sexy. Sean says that he should never call a woman's stomach big. Touché.
Angela loves Mondo's look. She thinks that his muse would be really proud. Georgina remarks on the detailing in the jacket. Sean says that he could see girls wearing that look all over NYC.
Angela asks Anthony how much of his inspiration garments are in his final look. He says everything above the waist and the bag. Hmm. Sean says that he would take a double look at a woman wearing this outfit and asks Isaac if he would. "Don't ask him that," says Anthony. That's pretty funny. Neither Georgina nor Isaac thinks that his work really answers the challenge, though they both like the look.
Austin says that he was really inspired by the punk/glam/girly qualities of his muse. Georgina loves the proportion. Sean wonders if there's too much happening on the left shoulder of his jacket (there's some Goth corsage thing going on). Isaac says that when he saw all of the styling (i.e. ripped stockings, corsage, etc.) he wondered if this girl was out of control, but he actually really likes it. Angela says that she thinks his muse would be really happy to wear this look.
| Season AS1 | Episode 5 | Aired on 02.02.2012
The judges confer. Isaac really liked that Rami focused on tailoring, but he was turned off by the hat. Sean agrees. He felt that the hat was forced. Angela likes the shirt, as does Georgina, though she wasn't crazy about the print. They agree that it was all well made. They had minor quibbles about Austin's design, but Isaac points out that he loves a girl and loves to make her look girly. Isaac feels that Mondo has a great eye and can look at the big picture and the details simultaneously. Georgina adds that girls are totally doing that thing right now, that thing that is his look. Isaac makes a good point. He says that his one criticism is that the look is a little too stylish. There's not much room for the girl.
Georgina liked Jerell's thought process. She was excited by it. You know, you can vomit when you get too excited. Isaac agrees! Seriously, where am I? Isaac is still turned off by all of the belly showing. Sean gives it up to Jerell for really going for it and, in that regard, I guess I have to agree, though it was seriously maybe the ugliest thing of all time. They are really disappointed by the construction in Michael's look. Sean felt that he and his model lacked confidence in the look. Isaac wonders if maybe Anthony is lazy, though NO ONE loves a jumpsuit more than him. Wait! Georgina loves them too! She thinks they're so chic! There will be blood. They've made a decision!
The designers return to the stage. Rami is safe. The winner is Mondo! Applause. He's wearing a skirt. I didn't realize that. Austin is in. Jerell isn't even in the bottom two. Wowza. It's down to Michael and Anthony. Angela says that Anthony played it too safe and didn't embrace the spirit of the challenge. Anthony is out. Michael is safe and he starts to bawl, thoroughly stealing Anthony's moment. Angela seems truly bothered when she tells people they're out. I love her. She says that he's truly an all-star. He thanks everyone and leaves the runway.
He interviews that he wanted to push himself and he has "superseded" his expectations. OK. With what? Heh, vocab humor. As we see him getting hugs backstage, he says that he will miss the other designers. He goes to Michael, who is sulking on the couch, and tells him to dry his tears and "try harder." Wow, implying that he's not trying hard enough. Big advice coming from the lazy one. Anthony tells the guys that he will miss the competition, but he doesn't think he needed to stay there until the end to do what he needed to do, which was put smallpox infected blankets on EVERY BED. We'll miss you, Anthony!
| Season AS1 | Episode 5 | Aired on 02.02.2012
Jeff Long is afraid that soon he may actually like Jerell's look. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @jblong.