Project Runway All Stars: Episode 2
Hooray! A high-end, full on glamour challenge! I love when the designers have the chance to go all out, it makes for a much better runway. The challenge is to create an elegant, classic opera gown in one day with $350. Designers Badgley Mischka are the guest judges this week and everyone is pointing pressure eyes at Austin, who is the only designer anyone thinks can make a glamourous gown. If I were the other designers, I'd be a bit insulted rather than worried about Mr. Scarlett. Who says he's the only one with the glamour gene?
Lots of April time this week makes me think she's either going to wow the judges with her self-dyed ombre dress or disappoint them (who knew B&M "hate red and black together?"). I liked how quickly Anthony thought on his feet when Joanna asked him how he was going to make his white dress non-bridal. A plunging neckline will usually deter most brides!
On to the runway...
Kenley's pink and black polka-dotted ball gown was pretty, but very young and more suited to a socialite's garden party than the opera, I thought. I could see Charlize Theron slinking around in Gordana's creation, though it also didn't seem opera-appropriate. I liked the print of Sweet P's ballgown skirt, but the bodice was messy.
Personally, though I'm not a fan of Mondo's attitude (he doesn't seem to be enjoying the experience so far, what do you think?), I did enjoy his throwback '60s opera gown and it was the first appearance of gloves (!). Kara's print was pretty, but as with Kenley's I felt it was more suited to a young girl's spring fete.
Anthony's white column and emerald belt seemed very Angelina Jolie, don't you think? And while Michael's black gown was incredibly constructed and definitely gorgeous, the jewelled, dramatic neck rather reminded this fashion-lover of Beyonce's Met Gala gown by Emilio Pucci. It wasn't exact by any means, but it didn't feel new. That said, I thought it was beautiful!
When AngieL called out Anthony, April, Sweet P, Michael, Kara and Austin, I wasn't sure at first who would be high or low. Austin gets points for working with gold lame, even I know that's a difficult material to work with, especially in such a short time. But...is it just me or was it just a little tame? Badgley Mischka and Issac called it "tasteful" and it definitely was. I was just hoping for a bit more drama from Mr. Scarlett and I didn't think the judges would place it so high. How high? He won the challenge!
The bottom three were Kara, April and Sweet P: Sweet P's "messy" bodice was ultimately her downfall.
I talked to Sweet P to get her thoughts on the elimination and who she's rooting for now.
Slice: How did you find out that you were being asked back and how did you feel about it then?
Sweet P: The had to kind of talk me into it to be honest with you. They were pretty great at wooing me and I knew I would meet really great designers.You know it was fun!
Slice: I loved the print you choose and I can see wearing that skirt with a simple white T to a lovely garden event! When Georgina said that she rather the bodice was the print, you said that you had considered that -- what made you move from having the dress be the whole print to having the bodice be a different colour?
Sweet P: Actually I started out with the bodice being the colour and I was tempted to change it to the print because what I did on the bodice was so time-consuming and very difficult, sheering all the chiffon. I don't think anyone understands what kind of work that is, I mean honestly, I was going to change it because I thought, This is insane I'm never going to finish it. The reason I didn't change, to be honest with you is Kara and I, I mean our dresses were the same shape. So if I had gone with the all over print, I feel that our dresses would have been too similar. I loved Kara's dress, PS. I thought she should have been in the top... I really don't think I should have gone home.
Slice: Which gown was your favourite?
Sweet P: Kara's -- it was a ballgown! Everyone Google ballgown , it's usually a fitted bodice and a giant skirt. And I love Austin, too. Kara, Kenley and I thought ballgown. I thought kenley's was gorgeous, too, and she didn't get any play.
Slice: What message do you have for your fans?
Sweet P: I'd love to say thank you and I love you guys, too. The show's not looking for garments that will sell to 1 million people, they're looking for what Kim Kardashian wears. That's not what I've ever done.
Slice: What's next for you?
Sweet P: I actually quit designing about a year and a half ago and I went to makeup school. I'm doing makeup for television and commercials. I don't love the business of fashion.
What did you think of Sweet P's elimination? Let's chat in the comments!
Read the Episode 1 Recap & Eliminated Designer Interview
Watch Episode 2