Project Runway Recap | Season 14, Ep. 1

I realized I've been watching Project Runway since 2008 and I haven't really ever blogged about it or talked about it at length.  That's all changing this season.  PR is the highlight of my Thursdays and I'd love to share my thoughts with you!!

EPISODE 1:

In this challenge, the designers had to race through Madison Square Garden to choose their fabrics, which they would use to create looks that represented them as a designer.  Lots of creative freedom on this one!

My Top Three:

1.  Ashley Neil Tipton

I totally agree with the judges on this one.  Ashley absolutely deserved to win!!  Her look had fun pattern and texture, it showed skin but not too much, it represented Ashley's aesthetic, and it was well made.  I mean, she made TWO of the skirts in two different fabrics, and she LINED THEM!  In one day.  What even.  I would totally wear this look in a second and I'm so proud of her.

2.  David Giampiccolo

Super bummed this look was only "safe."  The mix of patterns was so smart and the result is super cool - definitely reminds me of Amanda's maxi dresses from last season.  It has a really unique vibe and I'm very into it.  Plus I love me a good Italian boy...I need him to come over and say "couture" to me over and overrrr.

3.  Merline Labissiere

I have no idea how she whipped this out in the 11th hour, but the result is fantastic.  It's an ageless work look and I can't believe she made it in a day.  I even like the pumpkin color.  How.

Honorable Mention:  Swapnil Shinde

The top on this is FLAWLESS.  I love all the piecing and the intricacy, but I don't think you can see it as well being in a pattern.  If he had made the skirt in the print and the top in the solid blue, it would have been perfect.


My Bottom Three:

1. Hanmio Yang

Yeahhh not too much can help this look.  If your aesthetic is boxy, poorly made, and shiny orange, you should go home.

2.  Blake Patterson

Not that bad as a silhouette, but entirely the wrong fabric.  If he had made the outside in the yellow fabric and the inside the blocky print, that might have been helpful.  Nina said she would prefer a designer with too many ideas vs. one who had too few, but I disagree - the history of this show has proven that those with cukoo crazy ideas CANNOT be reigned in enough to be successful.  Aint gonna happen.

3. Gabrielle Arruda

The design isn't awful, but it's a boring fabric and the execution is awful.  Your first impression to the judges shouldn't be a plain grey dress. 


Duncan Chambers-Watson should NOT have gone home.  Yeah, his styling was bad, and yeah, he should have made it a more open back and it probably could have been better as a calf-length to give a breath of skin.  But it was his FIRST TIME DRAPING!!  Cut him a break.  The fabric was totally not that bad.  He tried something new and it didn't work out.  That's worthy of a second chance, at least.

I'm sorry, Duncan.  I liked you.  Your portfolio was great, you were humble, and your accent was cute.  I would have liked to see more of you.


But CONGRATULATIONS, ASHLEY!!!! 

Honestly, I would love to see a curvy girl take this whole thing.  Throw some plus size models on this runwaaayyyyy!

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All photos from mylifetime.com
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