<p>I’ve believed forever (well, since I caught the small print in the closing credits about winners each week being chosen in consultation between judges and producers) that it’s all scripted… even if not word for word.</p>
<p>But I never thought the final outcome was or would be scripted.</p>
<p>What annoys me most is how throughout the season the word “wearable” was veritably sneered by the judges as a put-down/damning-with-faint-praise. “Well, (sniff) it’s wearable.” Then at the end it trumps all other considerations.</p>
<p>Decoy designer: Because of when the episodes are aired, and the timing of Fashion Week, designers who have been eliminated end up showing at Fashion Week. Basically, Fashion Week occurs in real time while Project Runway still has 6 or 7 or more designers in the running. Because they don’t want to announce who the final 3 really are ahead of time, all these designers show at Fashion Week – and the ones not in the top 3 are the decoys. (Photos of all the collections were available on the Internet weeks ago.)</p>
<p>It’s lame that they can’t get the timing right. And it’s also lame that these decoy designers groan and moan on the air that they aren’t showing at Fashion Week, when they are. Take Michael C. – he burst into tears when he was eliminated because he wasn’t going to be at Fashion Week – but he did show at Fashion Week, and he must have known that.</p>
<p>Except that his parents weren’t coming to Fashion Week, and he knew that being in the finals was the only way they’d be able to see his collection. And his entire breakdown was all about his parents, and his desire to prove himself in the face of their disapproval. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he’s ended up being such good friends with Mondo.</p>
<p>I finally actually watched last night (after reading the result controversy for a few days!) I thought Heidi did try to talk some sense into Nina and MK - really, she seemed ticked off! I about attacked the television when Nina kept praising Gretchen’s jewerly/accessories like that was what carried her along - in a design show?!!! </p>
<p>And BTW, where have I been - Jessica Simpson looks really different to me - botox of course (or whatever was not letting her move her mouth) and just overall appearance - guess I haven’t seen her for a few years. </p>
<p>I would love the link to the decoy designer fashions if anyone has it - so it was Michael C and who else???</p>
<p>Also thought the little reunion camera time (with the other contestants) was kind of odd before we knew the results. No one was shy letting their feelings be known about Gretchen!!! I have to say, I love when reality shows bring back the other contestants to dish on each other. I am so terrible…</p>
<p>I always think it’s pretty poignant when they show the gay male designers with their dads…it’s pretty obvious that most of those dads would not have chosen to have an openly gay fashion designer for a son and it seems like some are still struggling to accept them (and then there are the parents you never see and you figure that the acceptance hasn’t come.)</p>
<p>“I would love the link to the decoy designer fashions if anyone has it - so it was Michael C and who else???”</p>
<p>Due to how early Lifetime starts taping, everyone from Casanova forward showed their collections at fashion week. Blogging Project Runway had all collections, but I can’t find it anymore. I decided to take a look at them earlier in the year and there were some very obvious decoy collections.</p>
<p>They create the collections, hire models, style models, walk out on the runway at the show, everything. I assume they receive the same budget. If you google Project Rungay, you can find a blog on each collection. The only “decoy” designer’s collection that I really loved was Ivy’s (as much as it hurts me to admit that.)</p>
<p>I may have to take cover, but I liked Gretchen’s collection. That said, I thought Mondo should have won. Although it was kind of worth it to watch Heidi swallow her vomit and congratulate Gretchen. Maybe Nina and Michael are tired of judging and this is their way of getting out of their contract?</p>
<p>I liked Andy’s line. Those were the clothes I would have worn when younger and what I can see my 18 y.o in and are the clothes I’d like to find and buy. I agree with another poster who said she has seen Gretchen’s clothes time and again on Butterick patterns. Mondo should have won, but it would take a special person and figure to wear his clothes.</p>
<p>Thanks for the links, Donna - finally finally I get to see the collections and I think the commentary is spot on. I think Mondo’s styling cost him the win. And I hate like poison to admit it, by I agree that his styling was not as good as Gretchen’s. I guess this season it was a style competition, not a fashion competition.</p>
<p>I think it is reminiscent of Elizabeth Hurley and her paper clip dress. I did like many of April’s looks, surprisingly, but she is so young and overly literal. I can picture her saying, “what metal device can I use to punk up my clothes?”</p>
<p>The only collection I really hate is Valerie’s. Those clothes just don’t speak me.</p>
<p>I do like Andy’s and Ivy’s. </p>
<p>They are pretty clothes.</p>
<p>I no longer have the figure for any of them, and at 5’2", I really never did.</p>
<p>Project rungay has links to all the decoy collections. (That blog, btw, is one of my absolute favorites – the writers are very amusing, and they do spot-on and in-depth commentaries about several TV shows, Glee and Mad Men, for example.)</p>
<p>Rungay?
I would not wear all of Mondo’s clothes because I think they are for younger women, but I would wear pieces and I like the way he combines different patterns Funny as I get older I want to experiment more and I really dont care. i would choose a toned down version. I could never wear those pants , too short, didnt like the tee shirt skull thing, but really thought he should have won. he was the most original and had taste. Really who is going to wear those panties???</p>