I saw part of the show last night after missing the last two… this is never my favorite challenge but I will agree that Ashley’s fabric was hideous and the design with the peplum really unflattering. If she had made it either totally in the lavender or the print it might have been better but why choose lavender or that ugly print? It she had made a peplum in a dark green or burgundy or navy, perhaps or even a houndstooth…
Swapnil seemed to me like a spoiled brat. I thought he was talented at the beginning of the season but maybe he lost interest in the competition aspect …
Agreed that Candace’s was pretty weak and I did agree that Kelly’s was the winner of the evening.
I think the key to surviving the real woman challenge is to design a look that is creative and very flattering to the woman and pretty much ignore any of her negative input. If Swapnil’s dress had been stunning–and we know he’s capable of stunning work–his model’s sour opinion would have meant little to the judges. I can just hear Heidi, “You don’t like it? But you look gorgeous in it!” Since the staff members never have to wear the outfits again after leaving the runway and know full well they are part of an entertainment show, the bitching and moaning from Swapnil’s model was ridiculous. I have to wonder if she wasn’t instructed by the producers to bellyache about everything (and if Tim wasn’t instructed to pitch a fit) to add drama and lay the groundwork for Swapnil’s aufing. The judges seemed to have had enough of him by last week and were probably determined to cut him loose this week one way or the other–not that I blame them.
Am I wrong that this is the worst season in the show’s history? Dominatrix hooker clothes, Walmart clearance bin prints, dreadful sewing, and there aren’t even any fun or outrageous personalities to compensate for the lack of talent.
MommaJ, so true! My 2 fav shows are this one and Top Chef. I guess I like getting to know the people no watching the creativity. I’m tired of the Walmart clothes, the leather biker look, etc.
It never occurred to me that the staffer could have been instructed to irritate Swapnil. Still, if she asked for long sleeves, why give her 3/4 sleeves?
It’s been about four years since I last watched the show, but I agree that the talent level – which had already been in serious decline compared to the first five or six seasons – is very low this year.
Yuck. I thought every outfit on the runway was terrible. The only thing I kind of liked was the raincoat (without the trim). I thought the overalls were kind of dumb, and Merline’s skirt looked horrible on the model even though it was a custom-made garment.
But I thought the outfit that was by far the worst was Ashley’s. It was terrible in every way, shape or form. Just bad. And Candice’s outfit was horrible, too – but I’ve liked many if her other looks (even though they are not for me at all!)
I actually thought that of all the looks on the runway, Swapnil’s had the most potential in some ways. Or maybe the second most potential. But it was so poorly executed, and his attitude had gotten so bad, they had to send him home. The whole gang of judges, and, most notably Tim, seemed totally and completely fed up with him. I think they viewed him as by far the most talented but not on the show to win. He seemed to be using the show just to get exposure.
Based on design, I would have sent Ashley home but they really couldn’t do it with the one plus-sized model on the runway.
I liked Swapnil’s better than Ashley’s. Maybe it was edited out but Swapnil didn’t have a chance to stick up for himself that he tried making 2 other outfits for Mis Picky. Weird that blue cape wrap shirt girl wanted even more arm coverage.
I don’t think the talent of the groups in the seasons since Lifetime acquired the show can be compared to the Bravo seasons because the designers got way more time during the Bravo years. It is a completely different challenge to do daily challenges all in a row, compared to what the schedule was like during the Bravo years.
I actually think this is a fairly talented group, especially when it comes to technical skills.
I don’t think Swapnil’s model was so bad–normal sized and very pretty. She wanted to stay covered up so why didn’t he just make some fancy pants and a jacket or blouse? He just wanted to do some sexy evening wear and he couldn’t get over that vision to think further. He ended up with grandma clothes that he TIED on–that was horrible. That cape thing made me think of Superman.
Ashley just loves purple and lavender and pastels and it is just plain awful most times.She keeps using prints that have no style in them at all. “I love plus size–let’s use pleats, peblums, hideous prints–that’ll be the most flattering” NOBODY would look good in that outfit. I’d be crying too.
I liked Edmund’s dress and the jacket too (except for the unfortunate trim).
The overalls were okay but not sure where the design was–let’s remake what you wear everyday but make it in really impractical fabric.
As I’ve thought about it, I realize I have no idea how or why Ashley considers herself a designer for plus size women. It seems to me that such a specialty would require the ability to flatter the heavier woman by de-emphasizing/disguising problem areas, tricking the eye with color and cut, etc. Otherwise, designing for plus size women would just be a matter of using more fabric! Ashley seems to have no ability to make a plus size woman–neither herself nor her staff member-model–look presentable, much less attractive. I haven’t a clue why she’s on the show.
I finally watched it last night and I was sorely disappointed. What the heck is going on this season? I’ve never seen so many designers with “designer block”. I’m tired of Ashley’s tears. She used to be one of my faves but no more. Merlines model specifically said no boxy shoulders and what does she do? Boxy shoulders initially! I hope Candace , Edmund and Kelly are the finalists. I really liked edmunds dress and his model was pleased.
i was dumbfounded over the judges gushing over Merlines outfit…the vest was so poorly constructed it looked like a home ec project. I really don’t understand their thought processes–I do get that its not a sewing show, but it was a VEST, not some complicated draped project. if you ask me, the judges are as much of the problem as the designers are this season. and if you ask me, I feel like tims constructive criticism is so cryptic I have no idea what a designer should take away from it. but that’s me.
Remember that it’s usually the top 5 or so that show at Fashion Week so as to not give away any top 3 results from the show - so even if there was a plus size collection, and if it was Ashley’s it just might mean she made top 5.
Ugh just watched and I’m so disappointed. I won’t disagree that Swapnil designed an ugly outfit. I DO think his staff member was a whiner - what DID she want? Cover her arms and her legs and don’t make me look sexy? And I love Tim to death but he was AWFUL - I feel like he really unloaded on Swapnil. The guy tried 3 times to make her an outfit and all she could do was pout and complain. Probably best that he went - he was totally defeated.
BUT. Ashley? That dress was tacky, cheap and awful looking. She is totally UNCONFIDENT. I’m SICK of the purple outfits. She has made a couple cool outfits, but her attitude - I am so over her crying and can’t find the right fabric and can’t take criticism…ugh.
I don’t know who or when Tim is going to use that save.
I’m rooting for Kelly or Candace all the way. Edmond is ok, but a little cocky. Merline is a hoot but I don’t think she is a winning designer at all.
My DVR cut off before Tim came in the room so I didn’t see the end.
I don’t know, I think the judges and Tim were really out of line in how they treated Swapnil. I also think the challenges this season are not lending themselves to truly good design.
I, too, had the time to watch the episode last night. Oh my goodness, Ashley’s dress looked like something from the little girls Easter dress collection from KMart (although I might be slandering KMart.) I liked Edmund’s looks the best.
I also agree that the challenge is very difficult for both designer and customer. If a customer is going to have a designer make a custom outfit for her, she is going to choose a designer whose work she already loves. (So no Earlene and the boxy shoulders issues.) Swapnill’s client was impossible.
Does Tim have to use the save, or is it only an option if he feels like it? And if he does use it, I would think it has to be in the next challenge? There are 5 designers left and we don’t know if there is a final 4 or final 3, right?
I still don’t know why Swapnil just didn’t make sportswear for his client. Pants and jacket–done. She whined because he didn’t listen ONE time to what she asked for. He gave her sleeveless–twice really and sleeves was what she asked for. He didn’t have ANYTHING for her to even try on for the first fitting–the show gave them a second chance because of that. He deserved to get reamed–Tim was embarrassed to even have his crew member have to put up with him.
And now we have a better idea of why the “mean girls” didn’t pick Ashley for their team awhile back.
Yeah, Swapnil definitely seemed to be procrastinating again, but I swear the judges and Tim just had it out for him as well. If he would have given her pants and jacket they would have said, “Swapnil, where are YOU in this outfit?”
I don’t get it. They chose to portray him as quite serious and hard working at the beginning. Then they just seemed to throw him under the bus with what they showed. I doubt that he did a 180 in terms of attitude right in the middle of the series.
I think they show counts on having a certain number of episodes so they likely count on Tim using his save. So far though no amazing designer has been sent home. I’m guessing Tim is holding onto it in case a favorite like Edmund has a melt-down on a challenge before the final 3 ir 4 are established.
I don’t think there is anyone Tim would have saved thus far, even if he had more than one. He seems to have been more or less in agreement with the judges’ decisions as to who should go.
