Project Runway recap 1: part 1

It’s off and running! I have to tell you: I don’t have high hopes for this season. It’s not that I have anything against the show, it’s that seeing designers who already know the ins-and-outs of the business are boring. Maybe their creativity is shot, maybe they just don’t care, but either way, I like fresh meat when watching reality TV.

For starters, the tanned guy (Blaine) is creeping me out. Besides that, his style mimics that of every gay man in LA, so calling himself a designer based on the fact that he likes to rip up clothing is a bit much.

I’m also not feeling Kelli. I mean, just because you abuse plaid doesn’t mean you borrow for the Westwood school of thought. I think Jerry’s label, Form was featured on an old episode of Make Me a Supermodel, no? One thing I am loving is all of the indie chicks! Anne, the designer from Portland is adorable and calling herself, “the silent fashion assassin” is only adding to her cool factor. Emily looks SO much like Winona Ryder, imho. I am also digging Wesley…maybe not so much him, but his style, which I feel is pretty prevalant in the industry right now.

The gang meets rooftop with Heidi and Tim, and I always love how everyone is so enthused this first episode. Everyone raises a glass, and the next day the madness starts.

The next morning Tim wakes everyone up and they meet downstairs for the very first challenge. They head to the grocery store and realize that the challenge is to spend $75 on supplies and create a garment made from market goods. The guest judge is Austin Scarlett, and he’s as adorable as ever. Jerry knows he’s making a rain jacket, there’s the mention of, “mop heads, mop heads, mop heads,” and a lot of kale. Kale…ew. I hope she knows that stuff shrinks up when wet.

I think Stella has the right idea: since you’re working with materials you don’t know, design something that you DO. The group heads back to Parsons and makes their way to the workroom. Before starting, Tim tells them whoever wins this challenge will have immunity for the next. Apparently a lot rides on these vegetable-and-trash garments. Stella’s garbage bag pants are going to turn out just like garbage, thanks to the crappy trash bags she purchased. The material is far too thin and crunchy to function as wearable pants. She had $75! Why not go with a name brand box of knowingly durable trash bags?!

Tim pops in to check on the designers. Blaine needs to seriously cut it out with the, “girlicious!” bull. Give me a break, kid. Could you try any harder to be the one with the catchphrase? Hang it up, tan man.

The guy who made the checkered blue-and-white dress…please. Anyone can do that. Everyone using a piece of cloth to create a strapless dress with a few details is a “design.” I sort of like what Keith did with his tablecloth, but still, it’s clear it’s a tablecloth. Blayne’s done first, and it looks HORRIBLE. Jeez malou! Also, I wish everyone would can this encouragement for Stella. She knows she’s in deep, the audience knows she’s in deep, but apparently her fellow competitors want to make it seem like things aren’t that bad. She has no fabric to work with, and since the purpose of the show is designing, I’d say she’s screwed.

The next morning things seem better, and they look it too. The only one that is looking horrible (other than Blayne’s one-piece thing) is Jerry’s raincoat. Kenley is DEAD ON when she says it looks like something out of American Psycho! Remember Christian Bale’s psycho scene when he slaughters Jared Leto…this is practically the girl-version of what he wears!

With five minutes left, Korto runs to check on her veggies, which, lucky for her, have held up overnight.

Click here for recap 1: part 2 of Project Runway 5!