Project Runway: Lights, Camera, Sew! Recap

by Ruth Anne Boulet

One of the more consistent elements of Project Runway is the idea that creating a costume is a kiss of death. Project Runway is not about costumes — it’s about couture. Costumes are what children wear on Halloween or budding community theatre girls wear to prom. Costumes have no place on the runway.

So, by all means, let’s base an entire episodes challenge around making a costume. Or using the idea of a costume to influence a high-fashion piece. That distinction is never made clear in this latest episode of Project Runway, and it’s a darn shame. I have a feeling things would’ve turned out differently if the designers were more clear on what they were creating. I know I as a viewer would’ve felt better about what I was watching.

The designers had to select a film genre & create something that would work in that genre. They also had to whip up some BS story about the woman wearing this creation & be prepared to blah, blah, blah about it on the runway. Two problems — one, designers got to select their genre, and two, the designers didn’t seem to know if they were designing for a movie or for the real world.

Regardless of my issues, the judges didn’t seem to care one way or the other. Some designers had definite costumes; other designers did modern versions of ‘period’ pieces that couldn’t be used as a costume because they were completely historically inaccurate. Who cares! We never defined the challenge, so whatever!

I don’t think Michael Kors or Nina Garcia would have stood for that kind of ambiguity. I’m sure both of them would’ve preferred the modern, non-actual costumes. That preference would’ve drastically influenced the winner of the challenge, but possibly not Ra’mon’s elimination.

Well, we’ll see what happens next week when Michael Kors FINALLY makes his triumphant return. Thank the good Lord above. We’re seriously down on our gay quotient on Project Runway.

1 Comment

  1. I completely agree! Costume-y is one of the worst criticisms designers have received in the past. I mean, Chris March never would’ve been kicked off had “costume” not been a PR four-letter word. (They brought him back on, but still…) That said, Ra’mon’s design, even from the initial stage, disappointed. It’s a shame because everyone knows he’s better than that.

    One thing I can’t understand is how Lucas isn’t in the bottom more often. His designs aren’t interesting and never look as if they fit right. Do the judges keep him in because they, like the models, think he’s soooo cute? We need you Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. Bring some point-blank honesty back to the runway.

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