Thursday, October 09, 2008

Project Runway Season Five, Finale Part One: A Very Eric Wedding!

What does that title mean, you ask? Well, it was just a coincidence that this episode was about a wedding dress challenge because Other Eric and I just went down to the Beverly Hills courthouse this morning and picked up our marriage license. I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that there is a ballot initiative on the November ballot in California to take away the right to marry from same-sex couples. I think most people reading this blog would agree that gays and lesbians should have equal rights. But just in case some of you think using the word "marriage" sounds weird because we aren't used to it, ask yourself this: Is the fact that a word sounds weird because we aren't used to it a valid reason to discriminate against people? The answer is clearly no. If you live in California, please vote no on Proposition 8. Whether or not you live in California, please consider donating money to help defeat this ballot initiative. The No on 8 campaign is running excellent television commercials but they need more money. You can donate online at Equality California. Thank you!

Heidi: "Wow, now I almost feel silly asking Tim if my skirt is too short."

Last week nobody was eliminated and Jerell got no advantage for winning. Oh, and everyone hates Kenley.

This week we learn that the four finalists will go home for two months to create collections and, as part of those collections, they will each be designing a wedding gown that will judged in order to pick the final three.

Everyone goes outside and catches taxis:

Jerell: "I don't know what the other girls will be doing with their eight thousand dollars but I will be buying some high-grade cocaine!"

Tim visits Korto in Little Rock:

Tim: "I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be in Arkansas."

Korto: "Well, who wouldn't be?"

I love the colors in Korto's collection but the shapes are not as exciting as I would have liked. And, apparently, Arkansas has some weird-ass wildlife:

Korto: "I'm using the colors of the florescent lime-green trees outside and I've been killing and skinning these gold-lamé snakes."

Tim: "Well, I think it's fabulous. I'm just a little concerned about the fact that this one dress looks like a gigantic vagina."

We meet Korto's lovely family, she performs for us on the drums, and she tells us how her family had to flee the civil war in Liberia and start over in the United States.

Next, Tim visits Leanne in Portland:

Leanne: "Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be on Project Runway. This is a dream come true."

I really like the flaps on Leanne's collection. I'm liking it much more than I liked anything she did in the competitions. Her wedding dress is awful. She's going to change it.

Tim visits Jerell in Los Angeles:

Jerell really specializes in separates so obviously he is doing a collection of hideous evening gowns. I'm really not liking what he's showing Tim.

We meet Jerell's "love interest":

Jerell: "We aren't dating; we're just interested."

OK, I don't think I've ever heard anyone use that term before but I just realized that's how you describe characters in a story:

Jerell: "Right; this is a story about the world-famous fashion designer Jerell, who has a retrospective of his life at the Metropolitan Museum. Oh, and of course there is also a love interest."

Whatever. We also meet Jerell's mom:

Tim: "What did you think Jerell would be when he grew up?"

Jerell's Mom: "Well, I had no idea but I knew it would be something gay. I'm so proud of him."

Jerell also tells us about growing up in South Central during the riots. I can't immagine. It was scary enough being an adult and living in Hollywood during the riots.

Tim visits Kenley in Brooklyn. I don't see enough of Kenley's collection to form an opinion. She tells us about her grandmother and that she died really recently. Like right about the time they were finishing filming of the main part of the show. I'm assuming it happened right after they left to start making their collections because she didn't leave during filming to attend a funeral. That's so sad.

Pleather: "Oh, yeah, Kenley's grandmother visited me in my dreams and told me to wear my underpants on my head."

Oh, shut up, Pleather. That is so rude.

For some reason, we don't meet any of Kenley's family or friends. She must have at least one friend, right? Right?

The designers meet up in New York. The designers give Kenley a little bit of a cold shoulder but Jerell is at least polite to her and after she apologizes for being a bitch, people start to relax and are a little friendlier. The champagne probably helped, too.

The for final surprise challenge they have to design a bridesmaid's dress to go with their wedding dresses.

Jerell: "My bridesmaid's dress is perfect because it's really ugly."

Korto: "My bridesmaid's dress is going to look exactly like the wedding dress."

Sure, what bride wants to be the center of attention?

Tim cries.

On to the runway with no special guest judge:

Jerell's wedding dress is almost pretty. I completely agree with Nina that the warm gold of the satin and the cool grey of the tulle doesn't look right. It looks accidental. I don't like his bridesmaid's dress. It isn't terrible and I see the connection to the wedding dress but I just don't like it.

Kenley's wedding dress is gorgeous! It's nothing original but it's very cute. Her little blue bridesmaid's dress is also very cute.

Korto's wedding dress is pretty hideous. I really don't like it. Her bridesmaid's dress is OK but the judges find it inexcusably boring.

Leanne's wedding dress is pretty amazing. It's both pretty and interesting. It perfectly represents her collection. Her bridesmaid's dress is very pretty and works perfectly with the wedding dress. The flaps are really dramatic without looking gimmicky.

The judges love Leanne's and she will be competing at Bryant Park.

The judges think Kenley's dress is a copy of an Alexander McQueen but they love it anyway. She will be competing at Bryant Park.

They hate both of Korto's dresses and both of Jerell's dresses. Jerell is out!

I was a Korto supporter from the first episode but I think the judges made the wrong decision on this one. Korto completely blew this challenge and should have been out. Jerell screwed up too but slightly less than Korto.

Next week we get to meet a dear old drunk, er, I mean, a dear old friend.

20 comments:

lovemesomeuli said...

Is it wrong that I thought of Suede too when Kenley mentioned her dead grandmother? I know, I know. It's not nice.

I felt so sorry for Jerell. He won three challenges and still didn't get to compete for the big prize. Sucks for him. Well, he got to show his collection anyway. I'm glad Korto got to compete because she was one of the strongest designers all season long.

Christin said...

Congratulations, you two! I'm super-happy for you.

Did you hear about Dan Savage's No On Prop 8 campaign? Essentially: if you send a question to Savage Love along with proof of donation of $25 or more to the No On Prop 8 campaign, you're guaranteed that he'll answer it. It's pretty much awesome.

eric3000 said...

Thanks, Christin! Yeah, I'm a regular reader of Savage Love (that's Dan Savage's column, for anyone unfamiliar). It's a great idea and I hope lots of people send in money!

Sewing Siren said...

Congratulation Eric 3000 and The Other Eric.
Are you going to have a big party and wear really cool vests?

TLo said...

Congratulations, guys! You two are so cute together. Best wishes!

XO
T Lo

Mama T said...

Coming out of lurkdom to wish you and Other Eric best wishes on your upcoming nuptials!

Yes, vote NO on Prop. 8!

mumblesalot (Laura A) said...

Congratulations Eric and Eric! The best of everything to you both! That is very exciting.

I am looking for gold lame alligators down here.

eric3000 said...

Yes, Laura, watch out for those gold lame aligators! I'm glad you are settling into your new house.

And, no, Sewing Siren, I know it's what all the kids are doing these days but we don't have plans for any Real-Cool-Vest parties. Ha ha!

Anonymous said...

You're getting married? I owe toddNY 50 bucks.

Linda Merrill said...

Hey there - so happy for you both! We'll want pics and details!

Cliff O'Neill said...

Cograts, fellas! (And I'm asking all my friends around the country to donate to No on 8 after having made my contribution.)
Man, a wedding with you guys is something I'd LOVE to go to! (And I normally HATE weddings).

That aside, delicious recap, Eric. (Oh, and I get the sneaking suspicion that one of the other bloggers thought Jerell's beau looked like you. ... Whatever.)

And lastly, the vagina dress.

I can't help recall a scene from NYPD Blue where Medavoy has been invited to the home of a lesbian couple and is constantly distracted by a large art piece on the wall. After a few drinks, he just blurts out, "Is that a vagina on the wall?"

Always a nice icebreaker for conversation, I think.

Well off to bed! Top Design blogging to do in the A.M.

Anonymous said...

Many, many congratulations to Eric and Other Eric.

I hope you'll consider a bridal registry... maybe at Target or Home Depot?... I'd love to make a little gesture.

Ya'all gonna have a party?

Anonymous said...

All the best to you and the Other Eric! I'm no longer in California, but I'm sending wishes that Prop 8 doesn't pass.

theminx said...

Congratulations, Erics! May you have many years of wedded bliss. :)

Vic said...

So happy for you two. Such great news! Be sure to register at some really cool places so you get cool stuff.

And yes, this week especially the wrong designer was auf'd. I've liked Korto's work, but her creations were poorly designed. Besides, Jerell's win last week should have guaranteed him a slot.

Vic said...

Oops, I left this comment in another place. Well, it's worth saying twice:

Erm, as for Ballot 8. I don't live in California, but don't those politicians out west have more urgent things to worry about besides blocking the happiness of a few committed and harmless people? Like balancing the budget, and paying school teachers, police men and fire men? Just saying.

Anonymous said...

Well tons of congrats to you two. And regarding Proposition 8, in the words of someone wittier than me, "Living well is the best revenge." So just keep on living well and happy, guys. And we will all keep our fingers crossed about the vote.
Good comments, as always!

eric3000 said...

Thank you all so much!

No, I'm sorry but we aren't registered anywhere. I thought about registering on the Equality California Website but I decided to just ask people to donate money instead.

Thanks!

wildflower38 said...

I'm still mad from last week.... wtf is wrong with the producers of this show?

wildflower38 said...

Congradulations Erics :-)