| Season AS1 | Episode 11 | Aired on 03.15.2012
It's down to the final three. Angela greets the designers and comments on Austin having shaved. Mondo says that he went from Errol Flynn to Kermit the Frog. It's funny because Mondo's body actually does resemble Kermit's. Austin's more Miss Piggy, wouldn't you say? Georgina and Isaac come onstage and tell the designers that they have to create a mini-collection of five looks. In four days. They have a budget of three grand to shop for fabric at Mood. They're invited to join Joanna Coles at Marie Claire headquarters. The executive assistant is a really cute dude in a baseball cap named Sergio Kletnoy. I want to dress like that at work. They wait in a boardroom for Joanna. They ask her for advice and she says that she doesn't need a lot of drama from a fashion show.
They all spend some time sketching in Central Park. Austin decides that he's going to make a bridal gown for his collection. Mondo decides that he really wants to win and he proceeds to be a regular horse's ass from that moment on. He's so mean to Austin, blaming him for wanting the models that he wants and essentially asserting himself successfully. Austin, meanwhile, tries to be of assistance to the freaking smog of negative energy that is Mondo and only gets abused in return. Mondo doesn't like what fabrics he bought and wants to quit and is rude to Austin in the process. At some point, he tells Michael that this is a lot of pressure. Um, wouldn't Michael know that? Yes, he would and finds it disrespectful that Mondo thinks he's the only person under pressure. Austin reminds Michael that his freaking mother is homeless and he needs to provide for her as well. Georgina drops by to talk to the designers. She says that she likes to see original ideas. Mondo bitches about not wanting to live up to expectations and she relays having had breakdowns before her collections. She's adorable.
There's a moment where the designers are having dinner together and Mondo makes it really uncomfortable and ditches before dessert. All of the eliminated designers are brought in and the finalists get to choose one each as an assistant. Mondo chooses Mila, Michael chooses April and Austin chooses Anthony. They all seem to work well together, with the traditional grousing by the assistant about how they don't share the aesthetic of the person they're helping but they'll do their best. Yeah. The designers have their hair and make-up consultations and are ready for the big day!
Previously: The designers created a cost-conscious design for Nanette Lepore. Kenley proved that she is as stubborn as ever and wouldn't accept even the most gentle advice, which left the door open for Other Michael to have a place in the finals. Suddenly, I recall that Wendy Pepper made it to the finals of her season. Man, where's Wendy Pepper (don't tell me if it involves hospitals or jail)? I mean, this is happening. Michael Costello is one of three people considered to be the most talented "all-stars" on this program. Am I just being a snob or is this actually stunning?
Angela greets the designers on the runway and remarks that Austin has shaved his mustache. You mean, the mustache that disappeared and reappeared throughout this season? Yeah, I'm familiar. He interviews that he shaved in order to have a fresh start and "a renaissance, as it were." I really do love Austin. Mondo, who seems to be revolted by every single move that Austin makes, says that he went from looking like Errol Flynn to Kermit the Frog. That's funny because Mondo really does have the body of Kermit, right? And, Austin really does have the soul of Miss Piggy. What does it all MEAN?
Angela welcomes Georgina and Isaac to the stage and Georgina announces that the final challenge is to create a mini collection of five looks. In four days. Crazy. Later, the designers go to the Hearst Building to meet with Joanna. This dude, Sergio Kletnoy, greets them. He is an executive assistant at Marie Claire. He seems way cool and totally OVER everything. He's like, "Hey guys." He's wearing a baseball cap and is just generally really chill. I'd like to have his job. Someone? Work on that for me. Internet headhunters, I'd like to be Anne Hathaway in that movie about Satan, but I want it to be super casual and I'd like to be able to wear whatever I want and be like "Hey guys" to people who are visiting the office. And, I'd like health insurance. And, I'd like there to be company snacks. It can even be my job to order them.
Sergio leads the designers through the office. They pass, and this is probably totally a coincidence, Joanna in an office leading a meeting. How serendipitous? How lucky are we? Now we have this real insider view of what goes on inside the offices of Marie Claire. I could practically run the place now. Sleep with one eye open, Sergio. I'm coming for you. They are led to a meeting room with a really beautiful view of the city. Everyone talks about how this is such a huge experience and all that. Yeah, yeah. I want to know what they think about Sergio.
| Season AS1 | Episode 11 | Aired on 03.15.2012
Joanna finally arrives and she's wearing this sick yellow dress and super sexy pumps. Thing is, she can make the sexiest dress look severe. She just has this special talent for that. She hugs everyone. She asks how they feel about the challenge and Austin says that he feels scared and frantic. Michael asks what she, as an editor, looks for in a collection. She says that she looks for a shift from the season. Then, within each collection, you try to look for themes. And, all of the time, everywhere, you look for leprechauns. You never know where those fuckers might be. Mondo asks her how she feels about theatricality in a runway show, because they've been accused of being over the top. She says that she feels that it depends on who the designer is. She tells them that the guest editor position that is one of the prizes will include helping the editorial team divine the themes of the season and translating runway looks for the readers. They'll be working with Nina Garcia. Mondo says that guest editorship is his dream job. He tells Joanna that he loves being a part of a team and collaboration. You know, that would be a good way for designers to see the competition. Instead of thinking that they're being asked to forget who they are as designers or whatever, they should think of the challenges as collaborations. At least, that seems like a good idea to me.
The boys head to Central Park to sketch for their collection. Michael wants to incorporate green into his looks. Austin wants to end his collection with a wedding dress. Mondo says that it's just time for him to focus. Michael thinks that he wants this prize more than the others. Commercial break -- have you guys seen ads for this showing Coming Home where they bring back soldiers and spring them on their loved ones? I can't think of anything that could make me bawl quicker than such a show and I'm staying FAR away from it. I just don't need that sort of drama in my life. Then, they head to Mood. Austin seems on track, except his internal muse is a "modern day rock star meets Hasidic gentleman." I can't say that I don't love that, but it's terrifying.
They go to the workroom and the set-up is totally different and they have their own private work spaces now. While they're together for lunch, Austin asks Mondo if he likes what he got from Mood. He doesn't. He's being really cold right now. He says he's happy that he can close his door now. RUDE. Austin says, very generously if you ask me -- you did, right?, that he wants Mondo's input on his work. He also says that he understands if Mondo needs space. He's not stupid though, he acknowledges in an interview that Mondo really rebuffs a lot of his shows of friendship.
1 2 3 4
| Season AS1 | Episode 11 | Aired on 03.15.2012
They get to work. Michael is using a safari look. He says that his customer is going on a crusade with Indiana Jones. OK. Mondo is being the biggest fucking baby. He tells Michael that he feels dead inside and is feeling no inspiration whatsoever. Then, he closes his door. Michael tells Austin about an earlier exchange he had with Mondo and Austin points out that they are all under stress, not just whiny boohiney Mondo. Michael even has kids -- at least that's what he says. I thought he just had one. Austin reminds us that his freaking mother is homeless right now and it's selfish for Mondo to think he's the only person with hardships.
Georgina pays them all a visit in the workroom! She's there to give them a pep talk and Mondo says that he's tired of people expecting things from him and he has been moping all day and hasn't gotten any work done at all. Georgina says that's fine. Everybody has their freak out time. She used to freak out before her shows and has since learned to stay calm. That, of course, made her nervous because she wondered if her creativity needed the freak out in order to thrive. She's essentially giving a "you live, you learn" lesson for Hamlet over here. Mondo declares it a free day for himself and doesn't do any work at all. Later, they go out for dinner and he's SUCH a drag. He leaves before dessert and it's just generally really uncomfortable. Michael points out that Mondo does his best work when he's in that sort of funk.
The day, they're all back to work. Mondo says that the experience has made him crazy and he has decided that his collection will be "therapy." They have a model casting and Austin is super involved. Of course, Mondo is bothered. He says that Austin doesn't think about others when he's going after what he wants. At one point, they flip a coin to see who will get a model. Mondo wins. They argue over another model and Austin wins that toss and Mondo is just furious. "Good for Austin" has become his motto. Seriously, what a fucking baby?
Mondo is using things like shock therapy and Rorschach testing (I just spelled that right on the first try!!) as his inspiration. Austin is really intrigued by the manner of dress of Hasidic men. Isaac shows up in the workroom! Mondo says that he has a crush on Isaac, which is super fun. He says that the psychology of runway is as follows: you show your most contemporary look first and your grandest look last. Austin asks if he ever showed something that no one really got, but he believed in it anyway. He says that there's a look like that for him every season. He says that you have to have the balls to do your own thing. He tells them to have a good time in the process, because it will be evident on the runway if they did. They choose their music and Mondo and Michael just give Austin the music that is leftover. He interviews with mustache that the other designers do that to him frequently and he doesn't know whether to be insulted or flattered that they think he's tough competition. Poor Austin. They're seriously being very unfriendly to him. Mondo says that Austin's collection is predictably glamorous. Austin says that Michael's clothes are hard to wear if you're not a model.
1 2 3 4
By Jeff Long | Season AS1 | Episode 11 | Aired on 2012.03.15
The day, they're all back to work. Mondo says that the experience has made him crazy and he has decided that his collection will be "therapy." They have a model casting and Austin is super involved. Of course, Mondo is bothered. He says that Austin doesn't think about others when he's going after what he wants. At one point, they flip a coin to see who will get a model. Mondo wins. They argue over another model and Austin wins that toss and Mondo is just furious. "Good for Austin" has become his motto. Seriously, what a fucking baby?
Mondo is using things like shock therapy and Rorschach testing (I just spelled that right on the first try!!) as his inspiration. Austin is really intrigued by the manner of dress of Hasidic men. Isaac shows up in the workroom! Mondo says that he has a crush on Isaac, which is super fun. He says that the psychology of runway is as follows: you show your most contemporary look first and your grandest look last. Austin asks if he ever showed something that no one really got, but he believed in it anyway. He says that there's a look like that for him every season. He says that you have to have the balls to do your own thing. He tells them to have a good time in the process, because it will be evident on the runway if they did. They choose their music and Mondo and Michael just give Austin the music that is leftover. He interviews with mustache that the other designers do that to him frequently and he doesn't know whether to be insulted or flattered that they think he's tough competition. Poor Austin. They're seriously being very unfriendly to him. Mondo says that Austin's collection is predictably glamorous. Austin says that Michael's clothes are hard to wear if you're not a model.
The day, they're busy at work when Angela pays a visit. She says that there is a twist. They have to make another look from all of the leftover fabric they have had throughout the season. BUT, they get help in the form of one of the eliminated designers! Fun! Austin chooses his "fellow aristocrat" Anthony. Mondo chooses Mila and Michael chooses April. They all immediately get to work. April says that her style is different from Michael's, but the look that she puts together is going to be good. Mila says that she's happy to support Mondo. Austin's description of his collection is epic and Anthony just laughs at it in his interview. April appears to be making the only bra-friendly look in Michael's collection.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
By Jeff Long | Season AS1 | Episode 11 | Aired on 2012.03.15
Mondo seems to be in a much better place now. Mila says that Mondo uses different textiles than she would, but she respects his vision. Anthony is impressed that Austin is taking his notes. He says that he's going to be honest with Austin, who interviews that Anthony told him that the lace on one of his looks resembled "dead white lady." This makes him laugh. With six hours to go in the day, they're all really making a lot of progress. Austin thinks that Mondo is a little scattered though. He does have a lot to finish. Austin prays that he's going to be able to pull this off.
The day, it's the last day before the finale. Mondo's feeling anxious. Joanna comes in to visit and says that the 24 hours with the helpers is over and the eliminated designers leave. Joanna talks to each of the designers. She asks Austin what he's doing that seems fresh. Mondo explains his theme to Joanna and she likes the sense of humor in it. She tells Michael that she can feel that his clothes are part of the same collection. She also thinks that the resort wear aspect is really commercial. They have hair and makeup consultations with Johnny Lavoy, who is a L'Oreal big shot.
The rest of the day is spent scrambling. Michael thinks that Austin is more competition than Mondo. Mondo, however, doesn't "get" Austin's collection. Austin thinks that there's some good stuff in Mondo's collection, but he thinks it's frantic. They end the day and go back to the Flatotel. We look back on their work from the season and prepare for the final finale!
Jeff Long is a writer/performer living in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @jblong.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5