PR4: Boogie Nights Edition

[octothorpe]

Wow!

First, I think it's great that they decided to do a menswear challenge. It's tough, very tough. Not to pun myself into oblivion, but I think it caught a lot of people with their pants down.

As for the designs, most were a total disaster. Others were just plain boring. I think the finalists were just the ones that had completed designs.

Oh, and Kevin is straight. Totally straight. If he keeps saying that, perhaps one day it will come true.

What are the odds that Tiki actually wears the outfit?

Discuss!!

Comments

[cubdaddy.livejournal.com]

I actually liked Kit's best and thought she should have one. Jeff was kinda nellier than usual, and what's up with the piggybacking hobbit? As I've said before, if Kevin is straight, then I'm Warren Buffett's illegitimate son.

[timcub.livejournal.com]

I know! EVERY time Kevin is on camera, he's all like, "I'm straight, dudes! So don't try to get me to have the butt sex with you, cause that would... be... I'm STRAIGHT!"

I *almost* didn't want to see anyone eliminated in this challenge, simply because almost none of them had ever done menswear, but in the end, I'm glad it was Carmen. If you do a jacket and don't bother to do a shirt, you kind of deserve to be eliminated.

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

Well, four people who've worked in television much more than I have didn't seem to think that Jack's stripes would moire on screen (they did on mine) and I agree his winning outfit was well constructed.

Kevin is clearly having one of those "If I sleep with girls, I must be straight, because there's only two choices, right" years. Been there. The minute he figures out concepts like "gay who likes girls" or "bi" or whatever, he'll be fabulous. But I think he needs to powder his face a little more. Or exfoliate. Or something. Some serious oily skin sheen there.

Christian really needs to be rescued from his hairdo. It's not a nice thing to do to a tribble.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Flock of Seagulls called and wants their hair back.

Yikes!

[reslbear.livejournal.com]

My friend calls him "3 cats fighting" for his hair.

[inbhirnis.livejournal.com]

It was interesting that they did menswear, but I have to say that I think it was a bad move for the show on the whole. The show really is about women's fashion, and they recruit women's clothing designers. While it's good to throw them a curveball, this was a ball too far, IMO. They were all adrift, and what they produced was pretty poor.

I was not satisfied with the show because none of the designers really seemed to be enjoying it, nor were they inspired by the challenge. It was a chore to get through, and that came through to the viewer. A challenge is one thing, but this was just an impossible task for them, on the whole.

What I did like was how this episode was, in a way, a complement to the Sarah Jessica Parker one from last week. When the designers came into the TV studio and Tiki was standing there, there were total blank looks on everyone's face - with the exception of Kevin who appeared to know who he was (unless he was fed the voiceover bit by the Bravo producers). Contrast with last week where all the boys were peeing themselves when SJP walked in the door.

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

My take on the choice of menswear is informed by what they used to say about height and other physical restrictions for Air Force pilots. There were real reasons (like room in the cockpit and size of seats) why prospective pilots had to be within certain height ranges. And then there were arbitrary limits put in place merely because they'd have had too many people trying to be pilots without such restrictions.

It's only Week 3, and they need good ways of winnowing chaff. Menswear as a curveball is *exactly* what you want. A good designer, even if they haven't done it before, will figure out some way to work within their limitations (as a designer) and the time-and-materials constraints, and still produce something good enough.

Indeed, you can always hope that one or two designers, by being shocked out of their usual zone, will make a really interesting left-field choice, *and* execute it well, and show you something that sets them ahead of the rest of the pack that week. That didn't happen this time, but in terms of what the producers might have been hoping for ....

[inbhirnis.livejournal.com]

I think I'll put it down to an idea of the producers that looked good on paper, but in reality....

It was fun a couple of seasons ago when near the end of one of the PR series, the remaining contestants had to dress each other up, so some of the designers had to make menswear. The results, once again, were generally so-so/poor (if I recall correctly, the only 'hit' was Chloe's outfit for the swishy Greek guy whose name escapes me right now), but it was a much more successful implementation of the concept than last night.

Maybe menswear is something that should be left to the more competent designers who survive toward the end of a series.

edit: my middle-aged memory fired up - the name I was hunting for was NICK...

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I was thinking their designs could have worked if they were either less ambitious, or had more time to finish their outfits. However, I do agree that this challenge would have worked better if it were later in the show.

[inbhirnis.livejournal.com]

Was it ever stated how much time they had? They did seem to be terribly rushed this time. I didn't hear a budget, either (but since I watch this in bed, I may have zoned out for a second).

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Admittedly, I was doing (ahem) "other things" while also watching PR4, so I didn't catch it either.

[inbhirnis.livejournal.com]

Wow - I had no idea you found "mad hair" Christian so alluring that you had to take care of business while watching the show.... ;-)

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I can assure you, I wasn't thinking of Christian's hair, but rather the Hot Desert Knights video I was watching on my computer.

[delmarmar.livejournal.com]

I missed the beginning but I think they said two days and one hundred and fifty dollars.

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

Scaling back their goals would definitely have worked better, but I guess it would also have been significantly less stressful and thereby less “dramatic.”  Bummer.  Something in me wanted to see everyone present a complete look and be judged, at least in that much, on equal footing.

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

Winnowing chaff is one thing, but I feel that it didn’t make for such a good episode to see so many of the designers fare so poorly.  Marion and Christian at least delivering complete garments to SJP, even if they weren’t anywhere near appropriate for the task was far more satisfying than seeing three designers not completing looks at all.

my 2 cents on a point worth making

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

The show really is about women's fashion, and they recruit women's clothing designers. While it's good to throw them a curveball, this was a ball too far, IMO - Actually, this isn't true. There's no such thing as a women's wear designer, and a men's wear designer. There is such a thing as a BAD women's or menswear designer. But no real designer can only do ONE thing - and one thing only. That's like saying "I can cut hair, but I can only cut women's hair". Further, even barbers nowadays know how to perm or color hair which used to belong almost exclusively in women's salons.

They were all adrift, and what they produced was pretty poor. - That's just proof of their incompetence, or lack of experience. Some of the most dominating looks in womenswear today are borrowed from menswear: i.e. the shirt and pantsuit look. You almost don't even see skirts in the streets anymore these days.

Remember the terrific "white look" borrowed from 80's Katherine Hamnett/Wham UK that what's-his-name did for himself last season which everybody uh-ahed over? Now, he was a designer! Consistently sound from one outfit to another, esp. the red hot pants and matching jacket. There was a signature feel to his clothes.

. It's not hard to do menswear. But whoever knows menswear knows clothing. The very 1st Armani womens' jackets were taken from his menswear collections!

. Womenswear is mostly fluff-fluff. Tie a sweater on her head and you're done. A bikini takes 5 minutes to do, but can sell for $500.00 +! Not so with meanswear: pockets, belt loops, details... CAMEL TOE CROTCH! :-)

But, no matter. Hip-hop saves the day! LOL

. Off-subject, but I'm on a roll: Jessica Parker is a perfect example of today's cluelessness re: style. One is not a fashion icon just because one is willing to wear every single foolishness under the sun - on and off screen. That is called a fashion maven - which is a step up from a fashion victim.

Thank you! :-)

Re: my 2 cents on a point worth making

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

One is not a fashion icon just because one is willing to wear every single foolishness under the sun - on and off screen. That is called a fashion maven - which is a step up from a fashion victim.

Hear hear!!

[ptownnyc.livejournal.com]

Yes, what is UP with Kevin and the constant reinforcement of his non-sausage-loving status? My hubby works in fashion - I know straight men in fashion - and none of them are as anxious as this guy is!

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

One has to wonder if Bravo isn’t editing Kevin that way intentionally specifically to make him seem as closeted as humanly possible, or at least to emphasize his otherness as negatively as they can manage.

That said, if he gets any more defensive about his sexuality, I think we’re going to have to insist that he fuck Heidi and Seal up their asses to prove his point.

[danbearnyc.livejournal.com]

And am I mistaken, or has the Oompah Loompah gotten smaller this season?

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

You mean Orange Fashion Designer Michael Kors?

[danbearnyc.livejournal.com]

Oh? Does he design fashion, too?

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

It's an orange, *full* of fashion.

[danbearnyc.livejournal.com]

Evidence. You need to provide evidence for your assertion.

[arcane-nitehawk.livejournal.com]

What are the odds that Tiki actually wears the outfit?

That he actually wears the outfit that was on the runway? I'd say 9 standard deviations away from the norm. There is no way Tiki could squeeze himself into what that model was wearing.

However I'd say there is a good chance that an actual mens wear designer/tailor will take the cut and materials and will make something that will actually see airtime. I'm more interested in swinging by a Steve & Barry's to see if last week's winner is there.

The prescient is there. I ate a "Bada-Bing Betty" the last time I was was at TGI Fridays. (the very last time)

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

There is no reason *ever* to eat at a TGIFridays

Is Steve and Barry's the place they're putting up the winning outfits this year? I'll have to check it out. Although I hated the Macy's sponsorship of last year, it was at least near my office =)

[arcane-nitehawk.livejournal.com]

Well Steve and Barry's is where they are going to put the winner of the SJP challenge. The winner of the whole thing will be featured @ bluefly.com

And the pix?

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

My lord, what a tease you are! Now, i have to go look up the reruns :-(

fashionista

[badgerpdx.livejournal.com]

I rather liked the outfits that Elisa and Jack produced, although I think that only Jack's was wearable for the show... I really liked the shirt. I would totally wear that.

I liked the shot of Jack and Kevin in the loo in their skivvies. How charming. Kevin looks way better than I expected. Jack, I already knew had a killer body. When do we get to see Rami in his jockies, that's what I WANT TO KNOW!

I need more streaming video!

[redbearmark.livejournal.com]

sigh! now that you have me addicted to PR4, I can only see the last episode. I have watched it twice. I have wandered the other outfits and have some idea of the what and why but the episodes do help.

(it was amusing to see the reactions from the cast and from Tiki - he was terribly disappointed that he wasn't a God in their eyes - what did he expect?)

Kevin is a delightful eyeful and does make some wearable clothes.
Christian is there for the Drahmah!
Rami does good work and Jillian is delightfully playfully modern.
Sweet P is interesting to me as a person.
Kit is so avant garde - but does it well.
I will tune in for more! (

Re: I need more streaming video!

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Hehehehehe. Yeah, you should be able to get the episodes via Bittorrent or possibly on YouTube in clips. I don't think Bravo is cool enough to have the prior eps downloadable.