This “moving manga cartoon” is produced by BeeTV. It features voice actors Chika Anzai and Wataru Hatano, with a theme song by Tsuchiya Anna. It will have 19 episodes total. The style uses original manga panels, voiceovers, and animations to enhance the story.
Project Runway All Stars Season 4 - Episode 9: Sketching with Sharks
Never an episode name was so literal: the designers sketched with sharks for real. Well, actually it was just one designer. But let’s start from the very beginning.
Contestants were brought to Long Island Aquarium to find inspiration for their next challenge: AVANT-GARDE, BITCH! :D They were also given the chance to nearly double their budget to spend at Mood if one of them accepted to dive into the shark tank and design UNDERWATER. Helen immediately accepted - I wouldn’t be afraid of sharks either with those nails - and I didn’t realise she was really going to design underwater until I saw her with a sort of pen and a whiteboard - but was she designing for real? While sketching I was looking at the board but couldn’t see any sign whatsoever.
At the end of the episode the judges congratulated all the designers for the good job they did, but I was actually not impressed, I expected much more from a group of people who started the season very well and are now doing just ordinary things.
However, I agreed with the judges on Dmitry’s win (finally!). It’s true that his dress was not very avant-garde, and it’s also true we’ve already seen this technique from him (even if not this season, but on the runway finale of the season he won) but after all, who cares! It was just BEAUTIFUL, all the pieces went together like a puzzle, I loved the black sheer panel on the waist adding a little sexiness, I absolutely loved the colour (white was perfect for this coat) and I was crazy - at least as crazy as Isaac - about the length. I quote him for saying a very true thing “This length is something that is not happening in fashion right now, AND I WANT IT TO HAPPEN!”.
Jay, Jay, Jay. I was happy to hear the judges didn’t like his design either - I was pretty sure they would have loved the black and white, the movement of the dress and bla bla bla. It was boring. The dress was just a normal - uglyish - dress in front, and behind it was an art and craft project with all those bits and pieces and stripes. I didn’t mind the jacket, it was probably the most interesting piece of the whole look.
It was just because I found Jay’s look extremely boring that I didn’t choose Justin’s as the loser. His look was a sort of Lady Gaga meets Gwen Stefani during the What you waiting for? era. Which is not a bad thing, but in general there were too many ideas going on, and the fabrics he chose were hideous - this is the proof he’s unable to choose fabric. Yes, it was his time to go home.
I wouldn’t have put Fabio in the bottom two - Alyssa also said he was really close to going home - and I was really shocked the judges did, because I was pretty sure they would have - they should have - appreciated at least the concept. Fabio really had the best concept of all the designers, doing a ‘reverse’ suit. The execution was poor, this is true, and the fabric he chose was really bad, I would have probably put him as third bottom, but he didn’t deserve so many negative comments.
I loved Helen’s look because it looked like a little simple dress gone avant-garde with all the ruffles. For all the others, it was just a nice job, nothing more.
There are only six designers left. Next designer to leave? I think it’s Jay.
Project Runway All Stars Season 4 - Episode 8: Making a Splash
I want to start my review by saying that I’m really enjoying all the challenges the designers have to face during this season of All Stars, because it seems to me the producers want them to really explore every single aspect and style in fashion. For episode 8 the contestants had a sort of double challenge: design a resort look paired with - of course - a swimsuit. It’s been ages since the last time I saw Project Runway designers making swimwear.
Sonjia was again my favourite. It’s not the first time she uses lace (is it her favourite fabric or what?) but I’m always amazed at how interesting and new the fabrics she chooses are. This time she picked an electric blue lace with maxi flowers (very resort) and paired it with a shiny blue jeans. Of course I was crazy about the juxtaposition of different materials but I also loved loved loved the silhouette, very simple and yet strong, with a sort of kimono-like jacket with a maxi zipper and a pair of perfectly fitted trousers. She also thought about the whole concept as she used a fabric which allows you to see underneath it and kinda reveals the hip swimsuit she paired with the outfit. I thought the fact the model didn’t have any boobs at all made the swimsuit lose some of its appeal, but overall it was young, very graphic and different from the usual bikini. Extremely good job.
Yes, it was time for Samantha to go home. I liked her jumpsuit (guess I would have made a jumpsuit as well if someone asked me to design a resortwear look) and I liked the colour of the fabric she chose, even if I would have preferred something brighter or something more towards a pink or orange palette. The swimsuit paired with it was DISASTROUS. I recognise the fact she wanted to make something of a 90s style, which is really cool at the moment - and I can clearly see it as totally Samantha style - but it wasn’t well-executed. It looked really cheap and the proportions were odd. Samantha was a sort of disappointment, I have to say, because I expected a lot from her as I thought her elimination during her season as being unfair and wanted to see more from her, but her overall performance during All Star was really mediocre.
I liked Justin’s winning looks, although flowy gowns are, in my opinion, too predictable for a resortwear look. I also liked Helen’s (guess lace was right for this challenge then) and Dmitry nailed it AGAIN - and again, he didn’t win.
I didn’t like Fabio’s though, the problem wasn’t that it was too simple but that it was a little bit old and made me think of a cheap Primark look; he’s going like a roller-coaster, one day he’s on top and one day he’s among the worst designers, but I guess that’s what you call ‘taking risks’. Michelle’s dress was HORRIBLE but she made the most beautiful swimsuit among all, I loved the colour, the optical quality she added by using the elastic band, I loved the cut, the deep cleavage, the strap aroung the neck. It was really perfect.
For now, I’ve made up my mind about who’s going to the finale, and I’m pretty sure that the three names will be Dmitry, Sonjia and Fabio, but let’s keep an eye on Justin because judges love him (I just think his looks are boring most of the times) and Michelle, who always manages to save herself by doing something very right at the very right moment.
For now, let’s just wait for the next episode - avant-garde challenge! - and let’s keep in mind that in Project Runway EVERYTHING CAN HAPPEN :D
xxx
P.S: Hope to be as busy as I would like to be with the blog these days, as menswear collections for Fall 2015 started - and finished yesterday - in London some days ago, Milan and Paris menswear fashion weeks are coming, as well as Pitti Uomo and - how could I forget! - there’s the Golden Globe Red Carpet from January 11th to comment! Just stay tuned!
Project Runway All Stars Season 4 - Episode 6: Luck Be a Lady
Just in time before the new episode airs - phewww - I can post my review about the last one. I finally took the exam which was driving me crazy so now I have much more time for you guys while I prepare my Fashion History exam :D
The concept of the last episode was probably the most hilarious I’ve seen in a long time: Fashion Gamble! The designers had to roll the dice which were going to decide what fabric and for what occasion each designer had to work. The matchings were as follows:
- Dmitry: Velvet and Gallery Opening —> Velvet is basically always a bad choice - Fabio: Denim and Masquerade Ball —> the first thing I thought about was Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears at 2001 AMAs - Gunnar: Brocade and Masquerade Ball —> I thought a masquerade ball could be the only thing which could save Gunnar from doing really really badly. I was wrong. - Helen: Brocade and Awards Ceremony —> good combo after all - Jay: Denim and Sunday Brunch —> Boring. - Justin: Silk and Gallery Opening —> The best matching of all, he completely missed this opportunity. I was already imagining a beautiful flowy powdery pink shirt, I got an ugly and common little dress. - Michelle: Lace and Gallery Opening —> not bad - Samantha: Brocade and Awards Ceremony —> same as Helen - Sonjia: Brocade and Bachelorette Party —> maybe brocade was not the best choice for a party, but it could work out
You’re probably going to get shocked at this, but my favourite was Fabio, who was instead between the bottom two for the judges. I would like to start by saying that I wasn’t impressed by anyone this time, and it was a pity as I thought they were doing pretty well during the whole season. This time I was bored by more than one of them. There are different reasons why I chose Fabio as my favourite this week: first of all, apart from colour and material, I thought the dress was really nice, elegant and simple but at the same time very powerful and head-turning. I like the way it was constructed and draped in the front. Then, despite what the judges said - which was pretty predictable - I thought the colour was fine for the challenge. Let’s not forget he was designing for a MASQUERADE BALL, I don’t know, do you think someone would wear a grey cocktail dress to a fancy dress ball? I thought the colour really gave that extra feel to a dress which would just be a very nice dress in another colour; shocking pink made it a fancy dress - and anyway I hate the fact the judges always have such prejudices against bright colours, boring people. What’s more, the dress didn’t look costumy at all to my eyes, despite the heavy styling, which I liked as well - I thought the idea to use the necklace as a headpiece was really a stroke of genius. It’s true that he chose the least denim fabric he could find, but at the same time I cannot help thinking it was a smart choice: as I wrote above, a denim which looked like a denim would have immediately conveyed Britney and Justin in 2001. And we don’t want to see that anymore.
Jay was the worst instead, and I don’t understand how the judges could just save him. First of all, Helen was totally right when she told him it looked more like something a girl - a hooker, I would say - would wear to go to a club - even if I agree with Jay when he says that she’d better mind her own business. I HATE the shiny denim he chose - how could you on earth think that a SHINY fabric is suitable for a BRUNCH? - and the overall impression is that of a girl who is more interested to find her one night stand more than attending a brunch. Moreover, the dress - or is it separates? - is something that I’ve already seen, nothing new, nothing fresh.
Sonjia’s dress, the winning look, was a nice dress, but nothing more than something you can usually find in H&M. I praise her for making an entire dress out of golden fabric without making her model look like a whore though, it was sexy but not vulgar. What I was shocked about was imagining Alyssa Milano’s fat thighs coming out of that tiny tiny tiny dress. Let’s not find excuses saying that she’s pregnant, so it’s normal she’s fatter and bla bla bla. No. No way those thighs are going to get to an acceptable shape. Thank god there’s photoshop.
Gunnar was eliminated, so I was right the last time when I said he was the next one. It was definitely the worst after Jay’s, messy and schizophrenic, as the top didn’t really connect to the bottom. Once again I had the impression Gunnar doesn’t have any clue about what he’s doing.
I liked Helen’s dress, it was simple and traditional but fresh at the same time, and I didn’t mind the very deep slit, but it seems she can only do good when she creates something in red. I ADORED Michelle’s look, it was a pity for the shape of the skirt, which was not very flattering in my opinion; if it wasn’t for that, she would have been my favourite absolutely. I was stunned by how she manipulated the fabric and the colour choice was divine. Very chic.
Next episode airs tonight, and I hope to be able to post my review immediately while I’m preparing to go back to my lovely homeland Sardinia to spend Christmas holidays with my lovely friends and family :D
Project Runway All Stars Season 4 - Episode 5: Designing for the Duchess
I’m again late for my review - thank you for not having sent me any threatening message to have me write the post - but I’m basically doing nothing but studying for my philosophy exam - it’s a nightmare.
Anyway I’m here and I’m now ready to fill you in with all my opinions and thoughts about last episode of our favourite show.
The Duchess of the title is - of course - Sarah Ferguson, I guess the most famous member of the royal family after, of course, the MAIN royal family (and after Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, sadly remembered for their awful outfits at the Royal Wedding some years ago). Project Runway producers finally decided to ask designers to create my favourite piece of clothing: A COAT. I was really excited because I truly adore coats and they never had any challenge in which they were specifically asked to design one. Of course the winner’s design was going to be worn by the Duchess in person, so this was another great opportunity for all the contestants.
Sonjia hit the mark again in my opinion. It’s true, the Duchess is not a young girl anymore, so her look was maybe a little bit too girly for her, but hey, basically everyone went very young with their designs. First of all, I loved the fact she used neoprene (yes ok, I’m aware I have a problem with it) in grey, I loved the length of the coat and the fact it was asymmetric with the slit behind. It was elegant and sporty at the same time, and this is a very great achievement. I didn’t particularly like the print she used for the sleeves (I hadn’t noticed it until now) but I’m obsessed by the maxi-zipper she put in front, it’s just A M A Z I N G.
Benjamin’s outfit was not good at all, but Gunnar’s was definitely worse, and I don’t understand why he wasn’t even among the bottom 3. It’s a sort of Frankenstein coat made by using different style which can even work on their own, but that together make an awful match. The tweed print could make a nice trench-coat, but then it would have been too classic and predictable; at the same time, trying to insert an extremely different style in the sleeve part really wasn’t a good idea. As soon as I saw the two silver bands on the model’s elbows I understood it was the worst of the bunch. I say it again: Gunnar is the next one to deserve to go home. Please, kick him out.
I’ve already said Benjamin’s coat was really bad as well, and the judges already expressed everything I think about, which can be summed up in two points: it was too junior and the pockets were something as awful as can’t be described. For someone who started the episode saying coat is his creative field that’s not a very successful result.
I definitely LOVED Dmitry’s coat, it was minimal without being too simplistic, everything about it was unique. I really appreciate how Dmitry can always turn things in his favour even when he’s in a bad situation, that’s an extremely important quality for a designer. I’m remembering why he used to be my favourite during his season <3
Fabio was the winner, I recognise his coat was extremely detailed and had a very good mixture of styles, but the overall impression didn’t really win me over. Jay, instead, could have edited a little bit, but I thought his creation was a good idea and I loved the fact he was one of the few to play with colours - I wouldn’t have put him among the bottom 3. Samantha was good as well, I like her style, I think it’s really cool taking inspiration from the past as she does and making something which can be really sellable without being boring. And I love oversize, so you can understand why I really liked her look for this last episode; it wasn’t maybe perfectly constructed, but the idea was extremely fresh.
Seeing the sneak peek for next episode I expect it to be HILARIOUS: fashion gambling this time. When I start thinking the producers have run out of ideas, they surprise me with something new and crazy. I love this show.
I finally get to talk to you about the last collections presented by the three finalists of Project Runway All Stars. Needless to say that Dmitry was the - deserving - winner, followed by Sonjia and, as second runner-up, Helen - we all knew she wasn’t going to win. I have to say I couldn’t decide between Dmitry and Sonjia as the winner, but after thinking about it Dmitry’s collection was much more mature and ‘ready’ for the fashion business, much more than Sonjia’s, that anyway had a really marketable and wearable collection, young, hip and fresh. Let’s see the three finalists one by one.
HelenAs she did on the episode before the finale of her Project Runway season, she spoiled it all. The collection was completely uninspired, not cohesive at all, not interesting. Some single dresses were nice - I really liked the champagne little dress with the thin straps - and some materials were top choice - loved the black and white print and the furry-plasticky fabric of the white separates - but in general it wasn’t all stars at all. She put some red just because Zanna was worried about her collection only being black and white, and anyway this pop of colour wasn’t relevant and, in my opinion, it was visible that she added after conceiving the whole collection - just like a patch you sew on your old jeans to cover the holes.
SonjiaShe did a great job during the whole season, and this time as well she proved she has a great eye for colours and exciting and new materials. I usually don’t like pencil skirts with ruffles tail, but the papaya yellow she sported with the navy blue bouclé top was just so cool I couldn’t help falling in love with it. The multicoloured print inspired by Ancient Egypt was perfect for her young, hip style and was enhanced by the silhouette of the jumpsuit. In general it was an exciting collection, where she also found space for a beautiful bikini - even if it was too similar to the swimsuit challenge they had during this season.
DmitryHe is a master, we all know this, and this collection stated this fact again very strongly. It was conceptual, it was all about form, very artistic, and yet it felt wearable anyway. His manipulation of print is just exquisite, and I loved the fact he experimented on very simple and basic pieces, like a sweater paired with a pencil skirt, making colours and print as the focus of the whole look, rather than concentrating on the clothes in themselves. Asymmetry was there to serve as a signature feature of his aesthetic and I could totally see the woman he wanted to depict: a strong art lover who likes collecting unique pieces of clothing. His clothes were absolutely unique, just like his point of view. In his clothes I see something which only great artists can achieve: self-confidence, he doesn’t feel the need to show he’s good, because he knows he is, and that’s all. His clothes speak for themselves.
I say bye to my readers for having been with me during this season of Project Runway All Stars, and I can’t wait to start again, maybe with the new upcoming season of PR :D Auf Wiedersehen!
This episode shows how much of a loyal team Eli has, but particularly for me emphasizes that even though Eli and Trixie aren’t a couple, they have a closer friendship and stronger bond than with Kord or Pronto.
This episode of 6teen is, hands down, the funniest episode of 6teen I have watched. Everything that happens in this episode is just so ridiculous & funny, I mean
