Project Runway Season 8 Finale - A preview of my favorite collection. I especially love this first look, it definitely grabbed my attention!
It’s time to reflect on the moment we’ve all been patiently been waiting for…The Project Runway Season 8 FINALE, which aired on Thursday, October 28th. I watched it a couple of times in order to fully gather my thoughts and share them to the world!
Before I discuss my review on the final runway show, I want to first share my personal judging criteria as to what I am looking for when I am judging the designers’ final collections for Fashion Week.
MY JUDGING CRITERIA:
- CREATVITY: There absolutely NEEDS to be creativity behind the designs. I am not impressed when I see things that I have already seen before. I want to see INNOVATIVE, CUTTING EDGE fashion.
- EXECUTION: The clothing all need to be constructed to perfection.
- EMOTIONAL RESPONSE: I need to FEEL the fashion. When I get chills from seeing a stunning look go down the runway, I know that it has touched my soul. This is a good feeling. This is what I mean by feeling the fashion and achieving an emotional response.
- COHESIVENESS: The collection has to look like they all belong together. I cannot stand when I watch a collection and it lacks cohesiveness. When I see random pieces that don’t look like they belong in the collection, it bothers me.
- SILHOUETTE: The clothing has to give the models a nice silhouette. I like when clothes flatter the body and do something to accentuate the body’s best features.
- COLOR: The collection needs to have a color story and it’s a plus when I am visually attracted to the color story behind the collection.
- TRUE TO DESIGNER: By this point of the competition, all the designers have shown us their design aesthetic and I want to see the designers stay true to their aesthetic and be true to themselves as designers.
- STYLING: This is a key element that captures the entire look from great hair to makeup to accessories. You can have a beautiful garment, but if it’s not styled from head to toe properly, it just doesn’t look right.
- MOVEMENT: I LOVE when clothing has a nice flow and movement to it when the model walks the runway. I understand that not all clothing will have movement, but when it does, it’s a styling plus in my book!
- WOW FACTOR: I want to be impressed. I want to see clothing that makes my mouth drop. I want to see something I have never seen before.
Nina Garcia, Jessica Simpson, Michael Kors, and Heidi Klum
GUEST JUDGE: Jessica Simpson
I will give Jessica Simpson credit for her music career, but it terms of her fashion expertise, I am not a big fan. I don’t even want to share my thoughts on the dress she is wearing above. I will just leave it at, no comment.
RUNWAY REVIEW:
Gretchen Jones design - This was Look 1 from her collection. The judges said she should have picked a stronger first look to leave a better first impression of the collection. This was actually the only look I thought was kind of interesting in a hipster sort of way.
Designer #1: Gretchen Jones
Her Inspiration: “Running Through Thunder”
My Thoughts When Watching Her Fashion Show:
- I have to admit, I definitely got chills from watching her show. Honestly, it wasn’t from the fashion, it was from her choice in music. I really liked the music she chose because it really matched the essence of her collection: quiet, calming, tranquil, and relaxing.
- GREAT hair and LIPS! I loved the hot pink lipstick she chose for her models and the loose flowy hair.
- The silhouettes were all pretty loose with good movement as the models walked down the runway. I personally do not like clothing that hangs too loose on the body, but that seems to be her style.
- Something about her collection had a 1970′s vibe to it.
- Very cohesive! The pieces all looked like they belonged in a collection.
- I was NOT a fan of the colors in the collection. The blend was unique, but I did not find them visually pleasing.
Overall Critique:
The collection was boring to watch and the clothing seemed outdated. I didn’t really like any of the clothing and there were no “wow factor” pieces. Then again, I like a lot of drama in clothing. Putting my personal design aesthetic aside, I have to say she really knew how to style her models.
Designer #2: Andy South
Andy South design - This was one of my favorite looks. I really liked the mix in textures and beautiful ruffle detailing.
- His collection provoked the strongest emotional reaction, but it was more so because he said the collection was for his mom. At the end of his show, when he walked with the models down the runway, he ran to his mom in the audience to give her a kiss. It brought tears of joy to my eyes!
- I LOVED the pops of chartreuse green that he had used in his collection.
- His collection was also very tranquil and I felt like I was floating into a dream universe during his show.
Overall Critique:
As much as I have loved Andy South throughout the course of the entire season, I was a bit disappointed with his collection. It was not a bad collection, it just wasn’t very “Andy.” I am used to seeing him put together more edgy clothing, that it was a surprise to see the clothing be much more relaxed. I just didn’t think he really captured his fashion voice and true design aesthetic with this final collection.
Mondo Guerra design - This was one of my favorite designs. I love the bright aqua top with the details at the sleeves paired with the skirt. The love the contrast between the pieces and it's just a hot combo.
Designer #3: Mondo Guerra
His Inspiration: “His Mexican heritage”
[He also shares, "My fashion is my drama world." I love that.]
My Thoughts When Watching His Fashion Show:
- I always love his color palette. He has a good eye for mixing bright colors and picking really interesting prints.
- His collection was memorable and eye-catching.
- GREAT proportions on the clothing. I loved the silhouettes.
- His collection was cohesive while still providing a nice mix of interesting pieces.
- His clothing was dramatic and full of fashion statement pieces.
Overall Critique:
His collection was hands down, my FAVORITE collection. I loved that he stayed very true to himself as a designer and really captured his fashion voice. His clothing had a lot of character to it and where all pieces of art. Although the clothing may not be the most practical, they were definitely the most fashion forward. I like the fact that the type of woman that would wear his clothing is NOT afraid to stand out. As I always say, ”Why blend in, when you’re meant to stand out?”
PROJECT RUNWAY SEASON 8 WINNER:
Gretchen Jones is Project Runway's Season 8 Winner
Initially, I was very upset with the outcome of the show. As days have gone by, my mind has cooled off a bit. I still believe that Mondo was the true winner this season and that it was a bad judgment call that he did not get chosen as the winner. The only thing that I think really gave Gretchen the upper edge was her eye for styling. I cannot stress enough how important styling is. I don’t think she ever put out amazing work, but because she knows how to pair it with the right things, it would enhance her work.
This season was definitely one of my favorite seasons of Project Runway despite all the negative critiques regarding the lack of talent this season. I personally saw the talent in a handful of the designers and I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the competition. The end result spoiled the show for me and I believe that it became a shock to many when Gretchen won. I know I wasn’t the only one who expected Mondo to be announced as the winner of Season 8 Project Runway. Despite the outcome, I know he will still be very successful in the fashion world and continue to take our breath away with his abstract works of art.
stylebymeli
