Since 5 a.m. the phone begins to ring. It’s a sign that it’s going to be one of those days: full of tension and adventure, in the world of the “mini-challenge” and the unknown. Cameras arrive at our doors and it’s a sign of exit. And for some of us without return because today is elimination day. The challenge this time is to create a jacket that has a hidden surprise, a trick that facilitates or satisfies the needs of who wears it.
But before the challenge we had a min challenge which was to repair a part of a jacket or skirt. Each of us had only a few minutes to fix the section we were given of the jacket or skirt.
I had to fix the zipper. And I have to accept that it didn’t go well for me. Well, Lidia was lucky, she had to fix the shoulder pads, James Paul, the buttons and Angel had to fix the hems, which he did flawlessly.
My team were the winners again of the mini challenge. We chose Lidia as a leader. Lidia is very organized I have to admit and put us all on check. We all agreed on the colors of the collection and the concept. (Angel) felt bad because when we had 15 minutes to discuss the concept he wanted to lead the conversation, and I didn’t let her, and told her that was Lidia’s job. I respect Angel because I consider her very talented but she has not discovered her own creativity. I feel that she is under a lot of pressure, and that she demands too much of herself for her capacity, in regards to execution. I think that frustrates her and irritable when she is under pressure.
Well, the thing is when we are buying the fabrics she attacked me directly without me knowing why and I had to put her on her place or as we say in Spanish “pintar mi raya y ponerla en su lugar.” Since then, I realized this is not going to work and will not have a happy ending.
In my team I have noticed the difference in our style, which is good. Therefore, we should not worry about competing amongst ourselves. What I worry about understanding the objective of the challenge, and all agreeing on tones and textures for the collection.
Why did our collection ended up being so separated without cohesiveness? The reason is that my teammates do not discuss the elements and materials amongst themselves, and do not make a connection among projects to at least create a story. On the runway, I noticed it the first time, everything was nicely created but each one with their own thing, and Lidia did not notice that disaster. On my mind, we are on death row. James’ materials are not included in my project. Lidia’s material is no where near ours .. HELLO!!!! James-Paul's project was very interesting and funny, with a very good sense of humor. Angel as always doesn’t know if the sleeve goes up or down, continues to be indecisive in the summer. My jacket didn’t even make it to the runway and that frustrated me because I put a lot of work into it, and it was not appreciated, not even evaluated. I felt discriminated, and I couldn’t do anything about it.
I am not worried about being on the elimination seat because this is a competition and sooner or later our end will come. What bothered me is that at the end my team was not connected in anything.
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Fashion Show - Bravo Takes Another Shot… Discovers Something Jamming Barrel
Merlin -
“After attending architecture school in his home country Honduras, Merlin became head designer of his own label. Celebrity clients include Paula Abdul, N’ Sync, Paris Hilton, and Marilyn Manson.”
Merlin is my favorite, because I swear to God he keeps standing like that. I can’t get past this wording though. Became head designer of his own label? What the hell does that mean? Why did he not just - start his own label? I can’t get over the suspicion that he started his own label and very nearly did NOT become the head designer. He’s so purposely odd that somehow that rings true to me, despite not knowing what it could mean.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
PETER DAVIS' STATUS UPDATE: THE MAGIC OF MERLIN CASTELL
On Tuesday night at around 1 a.m. I watched the premiere episode of Bravo's Project Runway-esque The Fashion Show. I'm hooked. Here's why: 1. My friend, Fashion Week guru/IMG honcho Fern Mallis is a judge and Fern knows what she's talking about. 2. I'm also old pals with host Isaac Mizrahi who is reliably hilarious. 3. My sister-in-law Tinsley Mortimer is an upcoming guest judge (the designer hopefuls make a dress for her). 4. And finally, one name: Merlin, the 38-year-old contestant who is a snappy tyrant in crazy costumes. Honduran Merlin Castell is magical to watch. Anyone who dons capes, feathered hats and carries a riding crop gets my vote.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Daniella vs. Merlin-"The Fashion Show" Episode 1
it's the first challenge and the drama doesn't wait to get intense.
It's an Embarrassment-Merlin has strong words for this week's losing team, and surprisingly not for Daniella.
Its 5 a.m. and the phone rings. I wake up dizzy, after sleeping for six hours and suddenly hear the mysterious voice on the phone that always wakes us up “It’s 5 a.m., time to get up, wake up the others.”
Its elimination day, we have to bring our luggage in case it’s our time.
This time the challenge is to design a dress for a social occasion. I have to design a dress for a socialite that I have never heard of, and don’t even know what she does. The dress is for a luncheon she is attending, I’m not really sure what that means, but I am making a dress for a cocktail event. Suddenly I find out that my dress is for a meeting at 2 p.m., a day party. I quickly destroy my dress and transform it into something simple yet well done with my personal touch.
I think none of these people that are in this competition have the creativity to make a dress with the details, patterns, and interior construction. It’s like the fit of a door in a Mercedes-Benz; firm and secure.
My dress fits my model to perfection, which is beautiful; I’m not concerned about the end results. But with all this, we came out in second place. I think the people judging our designs are basing their judgment in what’s commercial and what’s in, and they are not considering new innovative design options and new concepts. However, I feel that my challenge is to dress today’s woman with today’s style vs. the future. Because it's clear that it’s not understandable but I think the competition gets better with each day. Not the best one will win, but the one that deserves it.
Daniella won today “la metralleta parlanchina.” That gives me an idea that people are voting for things they have seen on magazines and TV. I think that anyone can put on a jumpsuit, a high wasted skirt, any black dress on any photo shoot or model that has already been seen. I personally didn’t see any creativity in the winning garment, but I think that’s the concept of this competition. Anyways, I think that is fantastic and personally I am glad that Daniella is happy in her new team, and I hope she enjoys it.
I think the losing team today was one big mess, and more than one person had to be eliminated starting with the leader. What they presented was an embarrassment in construction, creativity, and wearable was a disaster. And the worse is they don’t take it as a warning lesson instead they take it as a joke. It’s an insult to what we represent as designers. It’s an embarrassment.
Its elimination day, we have to bring our luggage in case it’s our time.
This time the challenge is to design a dress for a social occasion. I have to design a dress for a socialite that I have never heard of, and don’t even know what she does. The dress is for a luncheon she is attending, I’m not really sure what that means, but I am making a dress for a cocktail event. Suddenly I find out that my dress is for a meeting at 2 p.m., a day party. I quickly destroy my dress and transform it into something simple yet well done with my personal touch.
I think none of these people that are in this competition have the creativity to make a dress with the details, patterns, and interior construction. It’s like the fit of a door in a Mercedes-Benz; firm and secure.
My dress fits my model to perfection, which is beautiful; I’m not concerned about the end results. But with all this, we came out in second place. I think the people judging our designs are basing their judgment in what’s commercial and what’s in, and they are not considering new innovative design options and new concepts. However, I feel that my challenge is to dress today’s woman with today’s style vs. the future. Because it's clear that it’s not understandable but I think the competition gets better with each day. Not the best one will win, but the one that deserves it.
Daniella won today “la metralleta parlanchina.” That gives me an idea that people are voting for things they have seen on magazines and TV. I think that anyone can put on a jumpsuit, a high wasted skirt, any black dress on any photo shoot or model that has already been seen. I personally didn’t see any creativity in the winning garment, but I think that’s the concept of this competition. Anyways, I think that is fantastic and personally I am glad that Daniella is happy in her new team, and I hope she enjoys it.
I think the losing team today was one big mess, and more than one person had to be eliminated starting with the leader. What they presented was an embarrassment in construction, creativity, and wearable was a disaster. And the worse is they don’t take it as a warning lesson instead they take it as a joke. It’s an insult to what we represent as designers. It’s an embarrassment.
Talk of the Town
he First Day
Today was a marvelous day. My biggest surprise was when Izaac Mizrahi appeared. He’s incredible and I have always admired him. It feels very good to have him as a judge. I don’t know, but if you notice all other “designers” showed up with their best look that identifies them, and I busted out laughing: someone should tell them tsunami time is over.
My dress made with that cheap t-shirt wasn’t that bad. I came out in third place. I don’t accept it but I do think my dress looked more like a dress than any of the other dresses. It deserved the first place. That dress was very pretty and feminine; it deserved it, in comparison to the other dresses.
I imagine I am the talk of the town, people are jealous of what I wear, but what can I say I am an artist. And what? A little eccentric. Well, actually, a lot, God forgive me for that, but that’s me and specially for someone that comes from a place where style is not a big a deal – but please, someone tell these kids that having style doesn’t mean to copy from a magazine or wear something thinking that it’s the best.
Well, I’m having fun and with all these kids, the truth is that maybe they don’t have designer style but I do have to admit they do have talent.
The First Elimination
The one item that you must have in your closet is a jacket. Modern, simple and that goes with your personality. One that goes with everything.
I am very happy to have done a good job with my group. From the start I wasn’t too interested on my project. Maybe because I was safe, or because I didn’t understand the challenge. But oh well. I got it too late, when I had already screwed up and bought that horrible fabric.
In regards to Daniella, I can’t wait to see the time when she’s done and packs up her bags to go.
From the beginning she was a pain in the ass. A big mistake OR big disaster! All the time she was sabotaging my team just to call attention. But I, personally, don’t think she has talent. I think Lidia pretends to be weak in order to be unnoticed, but in reality she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She applies little sheep technique but in reality she is using the wrong strategy and it won’t surprise me if she is the next one to hang her last garment.
In regards to the judges. Honestly I agree with the decision they made and how Kelly handled the situation. In her position, I would’ve done the same. I think I was immature and I got caught up in the moment with emotions, and after everything happened, I felt really bad.
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