Project Runway All Stars Recap: Clothes off Your Back
Last Week: A theme involving ice cream was shadowed by the fact that designers only had about five hours to work, so it turned into "well, I got the color right...right?" Mondo made a literal cantaloupe and was praised, but it was Michael's "drapefruit" dress that got him a win.
Instead of starting the episode on the runway, Angela greeted our favorite contestants to Central Park for their next challenge. She announced that the designers had to find a muse in Central Park to create a "Fashion Forward" look. The All-Stars twist was to convince the stranger to give them the clothes off their back. The budget was $150, which they could use any (or all) of their money to bribe the random people. Angela emphasized that half of the design had to be part of the stolen clothes. Angela then made sure that the contestants could actually think and announced a two day challenge.
The contestants made a run to find a muse and while everyone ran in one direction, Kenley totally went a different direction. Several contestants headed to Union Square and Anthony grabbed one person off their back. Rami got some agreement but rejection from others. Michael was depressed after there was a lot of rejection. Kenley got a lot of rejection, probably because people still remember her as a bitch. She managed to get a striped shirt off of a mom with a kid. Austin found a "funky" artist girl that was open for everything. Mondo found a young Asian girl named Grace and got the positive feedback. He got the whole outfit for $60. Kara tried to use her accent to win over people. Eventually Michael found the right girl. Anthony tried to get a guy to take off his shorts for free.
The contestants had a little bit of money left and 30 minutes to run around Mood to supplement their materials they received at Central Park/Union Square. Jerell, being the smart person grabbed nothing so he wouldn't be penalized. As time was up, Austin seemed like he had to return some thread, while Kara was over by three dollars. She asked around for the other contestants to help her out when Mood didn't like the idea of returning already cut fabrics. I guess there's no Anya around to donate money, last season was quite generous. After the commercial, Michael, Anthony, and Kenley each donated a dollar. It was funny that Jerell, who claimed to have not used any fabric at Mood didn't give anything to Kara.
The contestants returned to 1407 for day one of construction. Mila had to deconstruct size 34 jeans and magically transform them into 2-4 women's clothes. Mondo felt at home with turning clothes, because that was what he used to do at childhood learning from construction of the dresses. Anthony wanted to make separates with hot pants; he reassured Jerell that he was still using 50% of his fabrics. Michael didn't understand how to use his knit elements that he got and lacked inspiration.
After some disassembling, day one ended. Day two began as Austin blew his hair out to create those light waves that he always has; he checked up with Michael and it seemed like he was a bit more confident. Mondo lay on his lap hoping that Michael would absorb some of Mondo's magical luck and talent.
Anthony talked to Austin because he didn't know how to brainstorm. He tried to give random ideas to Austin, but still all the separates didn't make sense. Michael woke up with confidence. Jerell wanted to make separates to show his range. Joanna arrived for "interrogation" starting with Mondo. The muse was all about Tokyo street ware; he needed to prioritize. Jerell's inspiration was a bit confusing to Joanna where none of the pieces mixed perfectly; Anthony compared it to Coming to America. Austin's girl needed glamour. The epaulets seemed like it needed to be plastered down correctly. Anthony had no clue what to do because of all his materials came from everywhere. His jacket and print was a bit confusing. Michael explained to Joanna in a mopey sound the dress and Joanna compared the dress to doilies.
After a montage of sewing and cutting, Michael decided to piece a top together and ditched the lace/fabric that he wasted all his time on. I have no clue where the fabric disappeared to. The girls came for fittings and while Mondo could mix fabrics correctly, Jerell's mixing could be a bit questionable. Anthony had so many questions that he didn't know what to do.
Anthony continued to struggle with his outfit, confused about trying to turn his dress from 70s to today. Kara talked to Kenley about her dress and like every episode, waited for some praise. Mondo knew there was a lot of seam work but he was doing great. Austin spent some time accessorizing as Rami grabbed a hat during his lunch, which actually made it to the final runway look. Anthony magically created something that he was proud of, but sadly didn't use the print he emphasized.
It was the day of the runway show and most of the contestants were happy with what they created. Kenley's annoying laugh and increasing volume started to annoy Anthony. As the girls got dressed, Michael noticed that Kenley did all the work for finishing Kara's pants. After telling Mila, we were given a montage of Kenley sounding a bit like a teacher critiquing the other contestants as if she was Tim Gunn. Michael mentioned to the hair team that he was looking for "Sara Jessica Parker" so I was expecting a horse mane.
Angela welcomed the contestants to their challenge and emphasized that the looks were supposed to be "Fashion Forward." Along with Georgina Chapman and Isaac Mizrahi was the guest judge Sean Avery, "NHL Star." I'm not sure exactly why though other than the fact that he interned at a men's magazine. I really don't understand how he helped outside of "this girl looked pretty."
Michael - I like the sexiness and summery look if the thing was a swimsuit. The problem was that it wasn't and part of the knit fabric could have helped create almost a towel/skirt to really emphasize the beachy style.
Austin - Outside of the models awkward decent from the stairs, I liked the edge to the dress and her hip actions worked well to emphasize how much the skirt bounced.
Kara - Kenley's pants were nice and I thought the top was decent.
Mila - The look looks exactly like something that Mila would make any week, she's returned to her black ensembles.
Jerell - It's like international Lady Gaga, but not in a good way at all.
Rami - I loved the accessorizing and the ruffle on the top. I thought the brown print was a bit sleepy.
Kenley - The dress looks cool and I like how the stripes went in different directions to really play with the eye.
Anthony - I think the inspiration wasn't gleaned from the print that Anthony had. You almost knew that Anthony would be disqualified for not using enough fabric.
Mondo - I really liked the top and how the zipper was removed. The patters were perfect together and unlike Jerell who made a bra-top, Mondo's was correctly covered by a very creative jacket.
Angela announced that Kenley, Mila, and Kara were all safe. That left the men to be the high and low scorers. The top scorers were Rami (Nice trim, great overall look), Mondo (Great look, flattering lines), and Austin (Great proportions, worked well even with too many elements). The bottom scorers were Michael (Swimsuit, Sagging top, needed a top), Jerell (Too stage, too many elements), and Anthony (Not 50%, didn’t answer the challenge). The winner of the challenge was Mondo, even though the judges didn't think the dress could translate in the real world. The eliminated contestant was Anthony, which meant Michael was safe. Michael had his crying fit like he always did during his season.
Next Week: A "Fashion Face-Off." From the preview it looked like Mondo and Kenley, Austin and Kara, and Jerell and Michael were paired up.
Michael Pascua - TVLatest.com
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