Michael Kors Meets Us In Manhasset

His Highness, Michael Kors, turned up in Manhasset tonight at the opening of the newly expanded Michael Kors store -- (beyond gorgeous, the store that is, and Michael looked pretty darn good too) -- located at the Americana shopping center there. It must have been fated - we spent some one-on-one time with the designer-cum-Project Runway judge right on the heels of the finale episode.

We had to ask. How's the new season going? "The commute could kill you," he said laughing and referring to the fact that the show is being filmed in LA. He says the shooting progresses despite contract disputes between the show, Lifetime and Bravo, and he's actually wowed by the new scene. "Oh my God, we have dressing rooms," Kors said. "And there are flowers, and bottled water." Compared to the no-frills aura of Parsons School of Design, which Kors has spent many hours around and in, well, let's just hope it hasn't all gone too, too Hollywood. There is something to fashion and our gritty NY city. Are you ever coming back Michael? "Well, of course we'll be back for New York Fashion Week," he said.

In the meantime, you'll all just have to get your dose of him at the store. Trust us. It's going to cost you. -
Anne Bratskeir

5/13 Tim Gunn For President

First off, just when we thought that Bravo had totally turned their backs on the show – the new season already being filmed in L.A. for Lifetime – well, they pull out one of the best episodes of the season. Bravo, Bravo.

The four finalists, Jerell, Kenley, Korto and Leanne, are sent home with an $8,000 budget and two months time to create their own collections, which, Heidi dictates, must include a wedding gown that represents them as a designer. Tim Gunn visits each one, and quite frankly, is more charming, more diplomatic, more helpful and more informed on his issues than any candidate for president we’ve seen buzzing around lately. At Korto’s home in Arkansas, he sweetly engages her shy daughter and seems enchanted by Korto’s African drumming. In Portland, he warns Leanne that her wedding dress might miss, and then, despite his formal demeanor, rides a bicycle built for two with her, and (heavens) sits on the grass. With Jerell, he counsels that the overwrought collection has a “lot of look,” and then mingles easily with Jerell’s friends and family who are obviously nervous. His greatest feat may have occurred in Brooklyn, where he meets with Kenley, who has been incredibly rude to him. Here, he leaves it all behind, encouraging and praising her. And then, before the going gets really tough, he sheds tears – he’s embarrassed but tells them all, “I care deeply about each of you.” And you believe him. This is an extraordinarily graceful and gracious person. He’d be an asset in the White House.

Okay, so back to the show. The kids think they’re home free but alas, there’s one more challenge… make a bridesmaid’s dress to go with the wedding dress. Leanne, who totally redid her collection’s wedding dress, aces it with a pale turquoise and cream short strapless number that repeats her wave motif at the top. The judges are swooning. Kenley, too, does a fabulous job. Her navy blue poufy mini dress is the perfect combo with her “crazy good,” as Heidi puts it, feathered wedding dress. Jerell’s stuff – scary – we told you once before – too tricked out, including some styling errors such as “a flower pot growing out of her head,” says Michael Kors. We didn’t much like Korto’s gown either – over-pleated and kind of bulbous or her bridesmaid’s dress…Banana Republic sale rack.

Allow us, for one brief moment, to gloat…we called it…Jerell goes, the women dominate. And now, we’ll go out on a limb. We think it comes down to Leanne and Kenley, and we think that Leanne will take it all. Stay tuned.

5/12 NATURE CALLS, NO ONE ANSWERS

Yay. Boo. Once again Project Runway judges, who tonight included Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman -- her dramatic evening gowns virtually rule the red carpet these days -- could not make a decision. It’s déjà vu all over again – remember last season when they couldn’t auf Chris March?

So here it is Runway followers: Jerell, Leanne, Korto and Kenley will all make final collections (we know this because we’ve already shown them to you), but one of them will be out before the show at New York Fashion Week. We always feel sad when someone goes…but you gotta make a choice and that should have been tonight.

This show did nothing to enhance our opinions of any of the designers. As Michael Kors noted, “I don’t think this was their best moment.” The challenge was to create an evening gown inspired by flowers at the New York Botanical Garden. They had a budget of $250 and two days to work their magic. And honestly, if this had been last year’s crew, Rami, Jillian, Christian and even Chris, it would have been a total wow. But instead it was mediocre at best.

Jerell won the challenge with an empire gown of plums and purples that was badly constructed though somewhat interesting. Trust us, anybody with more than A-cup would have had to figure out another way to harness the girls. Leanne came in second with a lavender and blue job that had a pleated embellishment. The judges thought was soft and pretty but again, not well made (as in what the heck was the blue dust cloth aka bustle hanging off the model’s rear?) Korto’s gold and lace number seemed inspired at the start but turned out to be what Kors called a pageant dress, not even good. Kenley, who refused to take any mentoring from Tim Gunn, created an old-fashioned siren dress of snakeskin fabric with leaves hanging off the bottom…the Muppets meets creepy.


The underlying theme of the night? Hate-fest. Leanne, Korto and Jerell ganged up on Kenley, whose nasal whine, annoying cackle and inappropriate defensiveness almost, but not quite, made her deserving of their abuse. She’s an easy target, and we would hope that since they’ve all fought their own life battles (they all cried at one time or another), maybe they could have shown a little restraint in the meanness department. That said, she is hard to like. She behaved so horribly on the runway that Heidi chastised her, and Michael wondered allowed, “Imagine if a buyer says, ‘I don’t like that sleeve. What will she do? Take out a knife and kill them?” In the end, Kenley broke down too and you had to feel a little bit sorry for her, like when all the finalists had a group hug with Tim…except her. She sat in a chair by herself and watched them. Fashion can be pretty ugly. – Anne Bratskeir

VIDEO: Michael Kors' Spring 2009 collection

"Project Runway" judge Michael Kors presented his Spring 2009 collection at New York Fashion Week, where the theme was Triple A: "Architectural, Athletic and American. Kors' terrific runway line up was, natch, mostly red, white and blue and had us thinking the designer was both inspired by streamlined Olympic wear -- a black Lycra wet suit, gunmetal crushed lame track pants--and on a more curvaceous note, the hip '60s based TV series "Mad Men," where retro rules," wrote Anne Bratskeir.

You be the judge -- watch video from the runway and tell us what you think.

5/7 It’s Saturn Time: Car Clothes

Hey, it’s not prudent to be a major sponsor of a hit TV show and get only a tiny bit of airtime, no way. Hence, tonight was Saturn night (as in the automobile), so instead of the winner of the whole Project Runway shebang getting the car as part of package…well, tonight the designers actually had to make a garment out of Saturn car parts…for real. The notion was that Saturn uses recyclable materials, and the designers’ challenge was to recycle car parts into a garment creating an innovative look with a twist.

Terri was worried that she didn’t have a blow torch to disassemble one of the half dozen or so cars parked on top of a 24-hour parking garage at 142 W. 31 Street. So it was very kind of the people at Saturn to fill the vehicles with car parts such as headlights, seatbelts, seat covers and floor mats. The designers made off with as much as their little rolling shopping carts could carry.

Let’s face it, there was an obvious bias to the edit tonight and Keith was a goner.
He was incredibly mean, pompous, kvetchy and blaming everyone but himself for failure. His bland outfit was less the culprit than his attitude. Michael Kors gave him a little something to remember about criticism: “You got to let it roll off your back.” but the guy is out. And yet, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for him – he wept and worried about going back to Utah. Truth told, we were glad it was him and not Stella who was also on the chopping block with him for creating something too safe and not cohesive. She said it had a “Planet of the Apes” quality. You have to like her…she’s so darn real and her boyfriend's name is Rat Bones. Blayne’s carwash dress of seatbelts dappled with broken mirrors prompted Heidi to reinvent the mirror superstition, “Seven years no sex.” We don’t think Blayne was a bit scaredlicious.

We wish they could have awarded two wins tonight because Korto’s coat of seatbelts was 100% killer. Guest judge Rachel Zoe wanted it for her own wardrobe … it was simply stunning. She didn’t win. Instead Leanne took top honors for her shapely, couture style dress of seat covers that looked to be embellished with peacock feathers, though they were really shredded seatbelt. Zoe said she was “blown away” by the look and that Leanne could go straight to Paris, as in France, with it.

So where was the Nina tonight? We don’t know, but Laura Bennett, the redhead from Season Three sat in and was a very good judge as was Zoe.

Early on, Terri calls Korto’s gorgeous coat a “scarecrow,” and literally rolls on the floor, laughing hysterically. Korto responds, and we think maybe jokingly, with, “I’m hating on you.”

And there wasn’t a whole lotta love tonight. Kenley misses BFF Daniel – weird, because she basically dissed him big time on the runway in an earlier episode. She has a mini-freak out session when she learns her model bailed and she was going to have to refit her air filter skirt. Also, speaking of models, it’s kind of weird that they have to stand there barefoot in stark black shmatas to be eliminated at the beginning of each show. - Anne Bratskeir

5/6 THE TRANNY DIARIES

Talk about a niche market. Tonight’s challenge? Create a new look for a drag queen. Hearty boy and owner of perhaps our favorite guffaw in the universe, Chris March (from Season Four), presented the mission -- you must remember the wonderful laugh and in the finale, his human hair adorned clothes – yes? In Viking garb complete with sci-fi sequin bosoms and horns, well, our fellow Chris was quite a sight.

The “models,” too, were something else with names like Hedda Lettuce, Farrah Moans, Sweetie, LeMay, Miss Understood and Annida Greenkard but far more bizarre than how they looked in drag, was seeing them sans costumes. Yeesh, they aren’t the prettiest gals, and without the glitz they’re regular, in some cases, nebbishy, guys.

Winner Joe got it right on the money when he decided to design a Halloween costume – like he would for his daughters -- though he went totally Pepto-Bismol pink on his model Varla Jean. His gal was going for an Ann-Margret meets Love Boat vibe and his cute sequined jumpsuit with belt that guest judge RuPaul said, um, “hid the candy,” was really charming and fit the persona. “It was a match made in heaven,” said RuPaul. Look, sometimes fashion must entertain, and this well-fitting bon bon did it.

As for Daniel, who was aufed for his dullard, normal, bad dress shop Flamenco style gown, well, we haven’t loved his attitude one bit during the show – hence the moniker Prima-Daniel – but we felt sorry for him in this particular challenge. He withers when criticized and had he been a little open to suggestion – well, it could have been Keith who got the axe for his tangled, sloppy Tina Turner wannabe rag that once again featured patches and strips. Michael Kors called it a “sad chicken.” Keith weeps uncontrollably when Daniel is booted, but we had to wonder if perhaps these were tears of joy, because he was saved for another day. Daniel is probably a sweet guy; hope he lightens up in real life.

We think Jerell’s sequin dress for LeMay with its fab pop-up lizard collar was clever, but the judges said it was a “yawn.” They kvelled over Terri’s Gene Simmons-meets-Diana Ross Kabuki job – for us, not so great. Korto really captured fire for Sweetie in her boom-laka-laka red confection – there was a real Divine quality there, and Stella’s Vivienne Westwood-dominatrix number was great.

The gang is getting sickalicious of Blayne’s overused suffix, and he was lucky to be spared tonight for his malfunctioning ensemble which Tim said looked like a “pterodactyl out of gay Jurassic park.”

It’s nice that these dresses will be auctioned off for charity by Broadway Cares and the proceeds will go to fight AIDS, but we’re wondering who’s buying.

Here’s the question of the night posed by Bravo. Who would you rather see in drag?
Michael Kors (he got 46% of the votes) or Tim Gunn (54%). We’re absolutely dying to know what you think. Let us know.

– Anne Bratskeir

5/5 DRESS BROOKE SHIELDS FOR “LIPSTICK JUNGLE”

Ooh. Project Runway producers pulled out some serious stops for the challenge tonight: design a look that goes from desk to dinner for a high powered and professional woman. And who would that classy lassie be? None other than Brooke Shields, who in her “Lipstick Jungle” TV role as Wendy Healy, top movie executive, wife and mom, will actually wear the garment in the second season of the nationally televised fashion focused show. Huge for the winner.

Brooke consults with the designers -- picks six of the twelve based on their proposal sketches, and, here comes trouble -- they have to work in teams. There were egos, haters and a few surprisingly sweet moments.

First up, the massive “Jungle” bungles. Loser Kelli who teams with Prima-Daniel produced a hoochie mama leopard ensemble accented with royal blue. Michael Kors called it, "slutty, slutty, slutty." Brooke, who is not a meanie, is almost wincing when she comments on how cheap it looked. To be frank, it put the “w” in “working girl.” Team leader Kelli tells the judges that her partner Daniel should be aufed…they beg to differ.

Then, there’s Blayne's disastrous capri pant, with halter and jacket, that is so crazy wrong for Brooke and the character that it’s hard to fathom.
But if loving him is wrong, we don’t want to be right. Even though he is off the mark and as the Nina puts it “shows a reluctance to listen that is very bratty,” the kid is a stand-up guy. When asked by the judges if he or Leanne should go, he says, “This is an integrity issue... it should be me.” Very fine, but please Blayne, listenlicious next time.

The winner? A drop dead gorgeous frock – floral on top with a fish scale like skirt -- designed by Keith who is assisted by strong-willed Kenley. There was a J.Mendel meets Prada vibe about it – cool, sophisticated and expensive looking. Brooke could wear it and so could a lot of other women. We are wishing Keith would exude a touch more humility. And though Kenley is one bossy broad, she’s talented and adds some levity to the night when she cracks up on the runway as Daniel proclaims he has “impeccable taste.” Seeing is believing bud.

We’re happy that Jerell and Stella almost snare the win with their swanky silk animal print ensemble wrapped by a buttery leather cummerbund-like belt. Poor Stella was picked last – what a lousy feeling -- and Jerell was fantastically gracious about getting last pick. Their design blew many others out of the water. Yay, team.

In the attitude department – Terri, on camera, graphically questions Suede’s sexuality and was incredibly negative towards him until Tim said he liked the work. Not nice, Missy. Korto thought Joe was backstabbing her but in fact, we think he was gently and appropriately trying to get her to modify her overly voluminous silhouette.


It was no love fest tonight. Cannot wait for next week’s challenge…design an outfit for a drag queen. No kidding. – Anne Bratskeir

5/Episode 4 The Olympic Games People Play

So it’s another field trip and quite a timely challenge: Create an outfit for the U.S. athletes to wear to the opening ceremony of the Olympic games. The kids are hustled off to the Armory Track & Field Center where a lone skater powers down the track, and hello, here comes Apolo Ohno, five time Olympic medal winner (no one mentioned Dancing with the Stars) who laid out the challenge and later judged, and man, he is one cool cat.

The designers get 30 minutes to examine archival Olympic looks at the Armory, and $150 to spend on fabric.

Was there brilliance buried within this episode? Would we score it a 10? Hmm, not so much. But Korto kept it lean and clean with her white ensemble featuring red and blue accents. She used lightweight leather as a vest, and her pants silhouette was fitted yet fluid. All in all, very handsome. And she won it, graciously declaring, “It’s about freaking time.”

The loser is sort of a sad sack case…poor, poor Jennifer. Her outfit, a gold pleated skirt with short embellished dark sweater didn’t emit a whiff of the Olympic games, but it wasn’t hideous – in fact, rather cute, but oh-so-off the mark. Daniel, whose prima-Daniel personality is really ruffling some feathers in the fashion coop, created a 40’s style fancy frock that was supposed to be blue but read purple. “Where is she from?” queried Michael Kors. “The Republic of Cocktail Land?” Later he added, “If her sport is drinking, this is a good dress.” God we love him.

Jerell was in the bottom this week for a mad look that involved multiple ascot ties, a floppy dotted hat and pinstriped skirt.

In our notes, we wrote, "ungapatchked" referring to the ungainly, overwrought, ridiculously weird look. Kors went Yiddish too, but he called it “meshugene,” as in really crazy. Even the Nina let him have it describing the outfit as “Mary had a little lamb.” Imagine, then, our athletic team marching en mass into the arena in this costume with every other country in the world looking on…baaaaa U.S.A. Back to the judges for a moment, Apolo was fabulous, thoughtful and knowledgeable – probably one of the best guest judges we’ve ever seen on the show.

So, the individuality medal goes to, once again, Stella, who is no phony. She buys black stretch fabric as the basis for her look and everyone thinks she’s nuts. She wants it to be, “bold, progressive, dynamic, like gladiators.” And if the judges didn’t like it, she planned to tell them, “A lot of bikers in this country watch the Olympics.” Jerell did Mary, Stella wanted “bad ass.”

Blayne does not know who the Beatles are much to Tim's chagrin. On the sorta’ funny side, his tanning issues, and the fact that he considered himself an Olympic athlete at tanning…though it only goes to the - ha, ha - bronze medal.

The annoying meter was going haywire on Kenley’s cackle, people were going insane. Also, did she or did she not throw her little boy Daniel to the wolves by instructing him not to add the cape to his look? Hmmm, we must ponder.

Finally, off the subject, you’ve all probably heard that mighty Heidi’s legs have been insured for some $2.2 million. Didn’t they look great tonight?

-- Anne Bratskeir

(Photo from BravoTV.com/runway)

Season 5/Episode 3 NEW YORK CITY IS THE MUSE

Who is in and who is out?

The judges, and if you beg to differ, please do, got it wrong on both counts.

Not the most original of challenges: create a look of your choice inspired by New York for a night out on the town. Er, anyone ever heard of Donna Karan, who each season pays homage to the concrete, glass, steel, graffiti and electricity of New York?

Comedian Sandra Bernhard, um, funny yes, fashionista, questionable, sat in as guest judge. So, okay the winner, Kenley for what Michael Kors described as an 80’s, Joan Collins, power bitch dress. The Nina thought it was “adorable.” But it was a weird little pouf – part fabric, part tulle. Fun – one night on the town only -- then back to the dress-up box. Bernhard pointed out, not many girls could wear it.

What they could wear was Leanne’s architectural little skirt inspired by the lines in a metal planter paired with an easy top. “I would wear that in a heartbeat,” Heidi said.

But Leanne isn’t a colorful character . . . Kenley whose style, she says, evokes modern day calendar girls, is. High marks went to Terri for her backless dress-over-pants ensemble inspired by walls of posters and graffiti. Bernhard called it “fierce, sexy and in control." It was spicy but also evoked a Baby Phat/Kimora Lee Simmons vibe.

Out is waify Emily for her dress inspired by lights. Granted the ruffled neon appliqué was fairly bad, though the simple black dress was okay. Far, far worse was Keith’s scrappy (and we mean scraps) shmata that Kors said, “literally looked like toilet paper caught in a windstorm.” C’mon guys, it was a no-brainer. But again, Keith is more fun than Emily.

Show highlights

• The kids in ponchos and rain boots following Tim like a line of duckies onto a double-decker bus to view the city. Even jaded New Yorkers Stella and Suede dig it. Suede’s third person problem continues.

• Blayne’s “Timlicious,” greeting. His quest for a tanning salon in Times Square. And finally, him teaching Tim a new phrase, “Holla at your boy.” Intrigued and amused, Tim bids adieu to the group in a new way. “Make it work. Carry on. Holla’ at your boy.”

Other notes


• Blayne’s dress is clowny
• Jerell’s sort of Rami-ish (remember Rami?)
• Joe’s stunning
• Stella’s total and complete Stella.

In the category of too much information: Stella in the morning, Jerell in a sleep mask.

– Anne Bratskeir

Photos from BravoTV.com/runway

Season 5/Episode 2 IT AIN'T EASY BEING GREEN

The challenge: use environmentally responsible textiles to create cocktail dresses for clients who are…the models. The bummer: The models, armed with $75, shop for fabric and trim and have absolutely no idea what the heck they’re doing.

A bunch bought this vile, glossy brown organic satin, which was the undoing of one contestant. Poor, sweet Wesley got the boot for his overwrought, ill fitting number that Michael Kors said looked like 27 hands had been all over it. Leanne’s loopy, too-many-tricks mini was second to worst. So sad… speaking of which…the water works were on tonight with Korto’s near breakdown when her darty dress was criticized, to Leanne’s girlish sobs, when her model didn’t back her up, saying that the dress she created was not really what she wanted.

Onward to happier fashions and moments: Kenley’s lean, ladylike cocktail number in champagne was elegant, but Suede’s girlish tulle skirted frock of ivory satin and red strips won. Guest judge Natalie Portman, who is an environmental activist and a designer for vegan shoe line Te Casan (pricey but very stylish) as well as a fashionista (and did we mention, a Long Island girl), loved, loved Suede’s confection. Beneath the blue Mohawk and the overuse of the third person, “Suede is a bisexual Sagittarius…. Suede rocks…” well, we sorta’ like him, and thought the dress was really cute.

Stella redeemed herself tonight imbuing her rocker chic attitude into an asymmetrical shoulder silky mini. Her model loved it. But, um, Long Islanders, was it us? Or were the contestants making fun of our famous accents? We forgive, because Stella of Astoria speaking the Queen’s English is sort of hard on the ear as in “letha” this, “letha” that (yes, that would be leather). But Blayne really went to town…you don’t hear us speaking Leprechaun, do you Blayne? Stella was a good sport about the ribbing.

Truth told, we’re kind of liking Blayne too – what a character – but we must question his judgment. Is it wise to call Heidi Darth Vader? As he put it “all shiny on the outside, but Darthlicious inside.” Hats off to him, Terri, Daniel, Joe and Emily for the good work, while we’re thinking Jennifer did shmata and Jerrell did hoochie mama.

– Anne Bratskeir

(Photos from BravoTV.com/runway)

Holla at some geographic designer lovin!

"All of the great American designers are from Long Island,” Jillian said on tonight's episode.

And the Selden native is out to prove she’s one of them. Lewis, who, along with Christian Siriano, 21, of Annapolis, Md., clinched one of three finalist spots weeks ago, is in the final stretch of Project Runway. If Ms. Lewis wins it, she scores $100,000, a Saturn Astra, a spread in Elle Magazine, and a chance to sell clothes on Bluefly.com.

Rami Kashou, 31, of Jerusalem, and Chris March, 44, of San Francisco, Calif., had a bit more stress to deal with in this episode. They waged a fierce designer brawl to claim the remaining finalist slot. It didn’t surprise us a bit that Rami trumped Chris.

Rami’s collection had “a lot of ingenuity, was organic and had commercial viability,” agreed judges Michael Kors, Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia. On the other hand, Chris, a costume designer by trade, produced several pieces that incorporated real human hair . . . scary. He’s definitely “auf.”

Who wins the whole shebang? The final episode airs March 5 at 10 p.m. and we'll be there with pens, pads and video cameras.

– Anne Bratskeir

Project Runway Fashion Show photos

While we're editing all the videos, six to be precise, have a look at some photos from the Project Runway Season 4 finale at Bryant Park. It's mostly just guest celebrity judge Posh Spice, with a few other celebs and maybe a shot of some designs.

Click the pic for pics.

Michael Kors talks about Jillian Lewis

Last week, I pleaded with Journalista friend Lauren to shoot the Malan Breton show at Fashion Week so I could post it here in the blog for our dear readers.

She was all set to do it, then the Michael Kors reps gave her pre-show backstage access. Breton's show started at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Kors at 11. So, even the intrepid Journalista friend Lauren couldn't be in two places at the same time.

Nonetheless, I made her do some work for me (and for you!) for this little "Project Runway" blog of ours. I had her ask Michael Kors his thoughts on fellow Long Island native Jillian Lewis and her work on "Project Runway" so far. Watch the video to see what he had to say about fave gal.

- Mark La Monica

Video: Michael Kors Fall 2008 collection

We know you all love Michael Kors. (Our favorite judge poll question from a weeks ago helped us out.)

So here's video of his Fall 2008 collection from Fashion Week, shot and produced today by Journalista friend Lauren. Enjoy.

Michael Kors strikes again!

I knew there had to be a good reason why our readers voted Michael Kors as their favorite judge a few weeks ago.

That good reason revealed itself on Episode 8. In hammering the pants made by Sweet P for the Rami Kashou avant garde piece, Kors said:

"She looks like her ass is in her front."

Dear lord, that's brutal. Even the model had to cringe at that one.

Stellar work, Mr. Kors, stellar work.

Project Runway Episode 8: It Gets Hairy

“If I were a diva,” my name would be ‘Ferosh,’ ” (as in ferocious) pronounced Christian. And indeed, our favorite drama queen teamed up with belly laughing Chris of costume designing fame, and handily won this week with a look that was the embodiment of guts and glamour.

The challenge was hairy. Models wearing an array of extreme hairstyles – a faux hawk, a beehive, a bird’s nest – were to serve as the inspiration for an avant-garde look. “It does not have to be practical or even wearable,” said Tim Gunn who paired up the designers randomly.

Christian and Chris’ model wore a Grecian, ropey swirl of hair, and Christian’s concept was to create a gown of swirls. Using 45-yards – that’s a lot -- of rosy-taupe fabric, the sculptural knockout was “couture,” pronounced guest judge Alberta Ferretti, the Milan-based designer.

Gunn caused a panic when he added a second look, mid-challenge -- an interpretation of the avant-garde outfit but saleable as ready-to-wear. The duo did this reasonably well, a simple skirt, and lovely blouse that featured modified swirls. The prize was a goody: a Tresemme hair products ad in Elle Magazine featuring the hair, the designs and the designers. Yay, boys.

Ferretti was less enthralled with Kit and Ricky’s grouping. Inspired by their model’s bird nest hair the apron-like design with tiers of lumpy satin looked “cheap,” she declared. Michael Kors took it a tad further saying it was like Scarlett O’Hara, but instead of using drapes, they ripped the sheets off the bed. Ouch. Ricky’s little day dress was also lowbrow. It was all unsophisticated to say the least, but Kit took the heat and was aufed. Alas, hair today, gone tomorrow.

Jillian and Victorya were tense partners. Victorya had immunity for winning last week. Jillian had a meltdown. But that girl is good – her blond model wearing a fierce faux hawk stalked the runway in her vision of “an apocalyptic trench coat.” Shiny black and lined with plaid, it topped mod jodhpurs and an arty blouse. It was sort of Ralph Lauren on acid, if you will, and beyond fabulous.

Shame on Rami for being such a bully and get over your draping, fella. He brought Sweet P, who is not particularly assertive, to tears with his relentless nagging. But, ha, the judges liked her cute little day dress, and his flowing, corseted, draped (natch) job to match the model’s flowing hair was deemed boring and in our eyes, ungapatchkaed. Too much stuff going on, and too little teamwork bud. The judges called him on it. Yet he lives to drape another day. Let’s see if he changes it up a bit next week.

– Anne Bratskeir

Project Runway Week 7 diary

I got a late start on "Project Runway" this week, but thanks to the wonders of technology, my DVR recorded it. So, we decided to still put my plan into action for this week and keep a running reactionary diary for the show.

And away we go watching/blogging (note: time is based on minutes into the show, so when you see :04, that means four minutes into the show.

:01 – “Bottom line, I’m the best.” OK, Carmen, whatever you say. You were better than Simone, that's it.

:02 – Wedding dresses?

:03 – Nope. Prom dresses. Interesting.

:04 - “Oh God, I don’t know what the poor girl who chose me must have been thinking because my portfolio is full of crazy stuff.” Well done, Mr. March.

:05 – And the models get to pick the designers. Nice switcheroo, Heidi!

:06 – “I know that whole Jersey high school thing.” OK, Kevin, now let’s see you design some really big hair!

:08 -- Christian is funny. Christian with flat hair is funnier.

:09 - $250 to shop for materials for one article of clothing? Mix in the labor, the supplies, the overhead and no wonder why clothes are so damn expensive these days.

:10 – What the heck was that? God bless DVR.

:10.30 -- Wow, that was Christian in high school. That photo is something off a Classmates.com banner ad.

:12 – Check out those hooptie earrings on Kit. Dang, yo. Last time I saw hoops that big, they were on fire and a mascot was jumping through them.

:13 -- Maddie vs. Christian in celebrity deathmatch? Tough call. I'll put my money on Caddy Chris.

:14 – Commercial. Time to rewind and see that pic of Christian from high school.

:15 -- He looks like a gang member from “The Warriors” and a character from any John Landis 1980s movie had a kid.

:19 – Here comes Tim Gunn!

:21 -- Sweet P is the voice of reason. Thanks for not dressing your girl like a little hoochie mama.

:22 – Uh oh, is this Comeuppance Day for Christian?

:23 – Hey, how come Ricky hasn’t cried yet?

:24 – Tim to Rami: “Can I just make one comment? She’s going to look like she’s wearing her mother’s dress!” Wow. And there we have this week’s Tim Gunn highlight. It doesn’t matter what happens after this. Tim Gunn won’t top that verbal groin kick.

:26 -- Anyone have Tim Gunn’s cell phone number? I’m going to need a pick-me-up one of these days and he’s the best motivator since Herm Edwards.

:32 -- "When I had a girlfriend, I actually made her prom dress," Ricky said. "That should have a clue right there, right?" Great line, Ricky. Sorry about that crying comment nine minutes ago.

:36 – Pre-runway predictions: Sweet P will win, Christian stays. The show editor would be fired otherwise for making it way too obvious. You can't fool me, Mr. Red Herring.

:41 – I spoke 29 minutes too soon on Kit. Those hoopties are the biggest ones I’ve ever seen, and I grew up in the '80s.

:42 - Victorya’s dress is whack.

:42 - Chris' design is pretty good.

:43 - OK, maybe Siriano will lose.

:44 - Good thing for Rami he’s got immunity this week.

:46 -- Nina is not crazy about the red on Kevin’s dress? Uh, unless my TV screen is all whacked out, isn’t Nina wearing red?

:47 – This is why I’ll never be a guest judge on Project Runway: they all seem to love Victorya’s dress.

:48 – Christian sells out his model. Good for him.

:49 – Kors to Rami: “When I look at that dress, she’s a 35-year-old woman in New York going out to dinner.” Great line. Looks like our boy Tim Gunn was right 25 minutes ago.

:52 - Here comes the over-production music and sound effects. That must mean the commercial break is approaching and it’s time to decide who gets whacked. I’ll guess Kevin.

:58 – Victorya wins. Sweet P gets hosed!

:59 – Sweet mother of mercy! Guess whose DVR just cut out before Heidi could torment Kevin and Christian a bit more and then whack one of them!

:59.10 – For the love of Pete!

:59.20 – Damn you, Cablevision satellite clocks! Fire Isiah!

:59.30 – I hate technology!

:59.45 – Deep breaths, go find out online who won.

1:00 – Kevin gets whacked. Glad I was right about one thing tonight. Too bad I missed the actual reaction. I hope he didn't raise a ruckus.

- Mark La Monica

Photo from BravoTV.com

You love Michael Kors

This week's poll results are in. And Michael Kors won a commanding victory for your favorite judge on "Project Runway."

Poor Nina Garcia. She came in fourth, one spot behind "whoever the guest judge is." Ouch. She's harsh but fair in her comments. And funny, too. And she lost to the wild card.

The final tally

42% Michael Kors
29% Heidi Klum
15% Whoever the guest judge is
12% Nina Garcia

As a special bonus, here's a look at Kors' Spring 2008 collection from Fashion Week, thanks to Newsday's own Annie Mac.

Project Runway Episode Five

In what may have been the best challenge yet, the designers get to makeover the favorite outfits of everyday women who have lost serious amounts of weight – we’re talking anywhere from 48- to, yikes, 160-lbs. Natch, the women, with their new and improved bods, want to flaunt it but their old duds are giant frights ranging from a scary, beaded polyester wedding gown, to an atrocious evergreen moo-moo.

Finally, kvetchy Christian nails the win with his fab remake of a black shirt and jeans. Guest judge, the talented Patrick Robinson, who hails from the likes of Giorgio Armani, Perry Ellis and Paco Rabanne, and is now is the head of design at the Gap, raves calling it "young and cool." Of course, Christian always has something outrageous to say. In this episode, he tells his client who has a less than ample derriere, “I’m not a miracle worker lady. I can’t make you have an ass.”

Steven is, uuucch, deservedly the biggest loser. He calls his client’s bad wedding gown “death on a stick.” He produces a grim frock made of black fabric that he purchases and then trims with bits of the dress. The judges describe the transformation as taking a joyful wedding dress and turning it into something a French maid would wear…to a funeral. It is really a dog, so goodbye to you, Steven.

The real loss on the show revolves around Jack, who, announced last week that he was HIV-positive, and this week gets sick with a raging staph infection that distorts his normally beautiful face. It’s beyond sad, and, there is a bit of cheap shot editing. That said, the show salves the pain by bringing back the fun, fabulous and yes, fat Chris. He understands the plight of the women because he has done his share of yo-yo dieting. Unfortunately, his inner costume designer cannot be tamped down and he designs a sailor suit that almost sinks like a stone on the runway.

Sexual innuendo of the night comes, remarkably from the dignified Tim Gunn. He urges Chris, who has to work through the night, to get his design elements down before sewing. “I’ve made more bad decisions at three in the morning than I can list.” Chris cracks up and others call out, “I want names.” Tim, embarrassed, says, “I really am an old fart. I didn’t even think of that.”

Victorya is soulless and isn’t even nice to her client. Ricky weeps . . . again. His client vaguely reminds us of Adriana on the Sopranos. Kudos to Kevin who makes his client looks like, “one of Charlie’s Angels.” As for our girl Jillian: great dress, but she didn’t use her client’s old clothes, replacing them with fabric of the same color. Michael Kors called it, “impeccable.” If she followed directions, she might have taken it.

– Anne Bratskeir

Exclusive: Q & A with 'Project Runway's' Jillian Lewis

It isn’t often that you get behind the scenes of a reality show while the competition rages on and actually talk to one of the active players, but we managed to wrangle a few minutes with Selden’s own Jillian Lewis, who rocked the runway on Episode 4 of Project Runway winning the challenge hands down.

Newsday fashion writer Anne Bratskeir gets the answers to questions we’ve all been, um, sew dying to know.

AB: How great do you feel about winning this challenge?
JL: Well, because it was a group challenge, and I was the leader, it was an especially huge moment for me, probably the best moment of my life.


AB: What’s been your toughest challenge to date?
JL: By far the menswear. It was really tough and I would not want to relive it. There was a lot of pressure. And you’re so clouded by the pressure and exhaustion that I couldn’t see that I had done a good job. I felt that it prepared me for the challenge I won. I felt it got me ready, If I could do that, I could do anything and that made me feel a lot better.

AB: Who’s your BFF on the show?
JL: It’s kind of evident by now. Rami and I worked together twice, and because of the fact that my boyfriend is from the same region (Her boyfriend, Lewaa Abdulkhalek, is from Lebanon; Rami is from Jerusalem), I’m comfortable with him. Rami is a down-to-earth, nice real person. I like spending my time with people who are real. Even when we disagree, we agree to disagree, and that’s the beauty of nice friendship.

AB: In the same vein, which contestant is the most annoying?
JL: Well, I try to avoid bad-mouthing anyone; I don’t necessarily want to go there. I think that people who are annoying have redeeming qualities; Christian has a bit of that side to him. He likes to be the bitchy one. When he gets a little older he might regret that.

AB: Is there a point on the show that you forget about the cameras?
JL: I think by the fourth episode I can safely say I was feeling a little more comfortable. The first three I was conscious of them. Even in the fourth episode, when Rami and I were feeling the tension we were prone to whispering because of the cameras. We didn’t want to make a big scene about what makes a good leader.

AB: Anything else?
JL: Yes. I noticed that my Long Island accent comes out on the TV more than I thought that I had one. I say ‘awl’ instead of all.

AB: Who are your roomies on the show?
JL: Carmen. Since she’s gone I have my own room.

AB: Be honest, who’s the scariest judge?
JL: I guess I would say, Nina, she’s a strong, intimidating female. I’m always intimidated around her, though Michael is pretty intimidating too, but I’m leaning more towards Nina.

AB: Is Tim Gunn really the sweet, gentle mentor he seems to be?
JL: He is completely what you see, I found myself thinking that he must think he’s conducting a class in a classroom, He’s so natural and genuine.

AB: Is Heidi all that gorgeous?
JL: Absolutely. She looks fake because she’s so pretty, you do not believe she’s a real person.


AB: We love your coif. Are you naturally curly or do you have to er, make it work?
JL: My hair is so curly that I actually have to use a curling iron to relax the curls. Jay McCarroll [Project Runway winner first season] calls me Captain Crunch because of my curls.

AB: Your bod is as good as some of the models. What did you have for breakfast today?
JL: I eat whatever I want, I never consider calories. Today I had cookies and coffee. I need something sweet when I wake up. My sister said when I went to the show, everybody is going to hate you because you’re so skinny. My family always makes fun of me for it.

AB: What’s the one article of clothing you can’t live without?
JL: To me, it’s really important, to look a little different every day, so there’s not one article of clothing I depend on. I like to at least feel like I haven’t worn the same thing for two weeks. There is a fleece cardigan I wear with a big shawl collar a lot because I get cold a lot. Also I rely on jeans. I know those are typical obvious answers but everyday I try to switch it up.

AB: What do you think of Hillary Clinton’s style?
JL: I think Condoleezza Rice is a notch above. Hillary can use some work but she’s not bad for her age. In the political world Condoleezza is better dressed. But these are my fashion views, not necessarily my political views.