Rachel Roy can't Recall Who Gretchen is

Project Runway Season 8 Episode 10 judge admits in an interview with Heather Staible for Culture Map Houston that she doesn't recall who Gretchen Jones is:

Because of her schedule, Roy hadn�t seen the season finale and didn�t know who had won. When I told her it was Gretchen Jones, she had no reaction. Not because of any personal feelings about her, but because she had no memory of her on the runway. Ouch.

Roy also admits that April was her favorite designer and that she wasn't opposed to Valerie's design at all - BUT VALERIE WAS ELIMINATED ANYWAY:

Roy praised Mondo Guerra and confessed her favorite designer on the episode she guest judged was April Johnston, who favored dark and modern designs and a constant blonde top-knot. Surprisingly too, Roy says she wasn�t opposed at all to Valerie Mayen�s �napkin dress� the way the other judges were.

�I hadn�t seen the designers work like the other judges had, so I didn�t have anything to compare it to, but I like the way she worked with the fabric,� Roy says.

More support for our suggestions that guest judges be given portfolios of each designer's prior looks. Also more evidence of a lack of respect for guest judges. Seriously, why even have them if you aren't going to honor their opinions?

Top 5 Looks: 2nd Place

Sometimes the creative process takes us to places we never could imagine. Sometimes it reveals truths about the world in ways that cannot be spoken. And sometimes it can provide an avenue to reveal hidden truths about ourselves. For Mondo Guerra, creativity has been a sustaining life force.

In Episode 10 "There's a Pattern Here", the seven remaining designers were presented with a repeat of S7's popular HP challenge, designing a pattern to be printed on fabric that would be incorporated into their design. As inspiration, the designers had childhood photographs and visits from their family members to evoke a profound moment from their lives.

Mondo designed a cool black plus sign outlined in gold with magenta blocks in between. He used this pattern on a high waisted pant that was countered nicely with a black jacket and top. He scored his third consecutive solo win with this look ( a Project Runway first!) and solidified his growing dominance on the runway.

But for Mondo, this was much more than just another beautiful garment. It was a way to tell with his family and the world about his HIV status. "I feel better now", he said after sharing the secret he held for so long, "I feel free". It was a moment that reached beyond the silly competition and touched our hearts. What a privilege it has been to get to know this amazing designer.

Congratulations Mondo, that's two for you now in the BPR Top 5 Looks of Season 8!

Tomorrow is finale day! Tune back in as we reveal your choice for the Top Look of Season 8!

BPR Podcast with Christopher Collins

Project Runway Season 8 designer, Christopher Collins talks about his experience on the Lifetime show.

A highlight: Christopher's designs are sold in Nieman Marcus in San Francisco and in boutiques across the country.

Click here for Christopher's website.

Click here for Christopher's Finale Collection.

Click here for the podcast.

Amanda's Take - Season 8 - Episode 10

Oh my goodness, BPR's! I have been a busy bee in New York City as well as California! Here I am to offer up my humble opinions yet again!


The seven remaining designers did a fantastic job designing their prints. I believe, of course, that the deeper the inspiration, the more beautiful the design. Although California is beautiful and an incredible source of inspiration, it just didn't feel very personal in the way Christopher portrayed it. However, I am not here to critique design elements, I'm here to discuss the models.


Season eight has so many gorgeous, graceful, talented models, yet I couldn't tell you their names. Except for Eyen, Mondo's model and Rose, Christopher's model, because they have talked about them a little bit in their one-on-one interviews. Cassie is memorable too because she seems to allow more of her personality to come out on the runway. I like her little grin sometimes, but this week I felt it was because she knew her outfit wasn't flattering. Even though she may not have been very comfortable in Andy's design this week, she tried to appear as though she loved it, and may have helped him not get sent home.


April's model, Millana looked stunning in her dress. I really like the way she swayed her hips to create more movement in the bottom half of the dress. I also think it was smart of Millana to leave the printed sleeve arm straight for the walk down the runway, this way the judges were able to get a streamlined view of the print. I just wish she would have turned up the energy when the judges were critiquing the look. I am well aware of how much time the models and designers are up there during the taping of the judging, but when it is your designer getting the attention, you'd better perk up!


I really love the way the editors included the close-ups of the prints as each model made her way around the scrim. It was a beautiful reminder of not only the hard work they put into this challenge, but the inspiration and the additional element the designers would be judged on this week.


Mondo is such a brave soul. I am excited to see what else he creates, not only on the show, but in the years to come. I believe he is a designer who is here to stay, and a person with beautiful honesty. The way he bared his soul to the judges and to America is inspiring!


Stay tuned, my friends!


xoxo Amanda

Episode 10 Extended Scene and Download Info

Click here to download the episode 10 fabric designs to your desktop.

Episode 10 Trivia Contest

The prize for this week's contest is a talking Tim Gunn bobblehead. Please send your answers to Team BPR. Thanks Rachel P for providing many of these questions.

1. What is Tracey Trachta's title at HP?

2. Who has siblings nicknamed Spanky and Peaches?

3. What company manufactured the PR designs onto fabric?

4. According to Valerie's top, "Cleveland is for _____."

5. Who was the last designer to leave the workroom before the runway show?

6. What is the budget at Mood, "for supplemental fabric?"

7. Whose design does Tim Gunn say resembles a "Pupu Platter of construction methods?"

8. Seeing the design on the runway, which designer would have loved to "start all over?"

9. Whose design did the judges describe as "unwearable?"

10. The judges thought Valerie's look resembled her design from which episode?

Update: We have a winner! Congratulations, katnap. I will post the answers in the comments.

Tim Gunn: "It Gets Better" Video

Episode 10 Online - There's a Pattern Here

Click here to watch the full episode online.

BPR Interview with Valerie Mayen

Project Runway Season 8 designer, Valerie Mayen talks about her experience on the show. Thank you Valerie!

LK: Hi Valerie, are you familiar with BPR?

VM: Of course! And didn't we meet at Piperlime?

LK: Thank you for remembering!

Our readers disagree with your elimination.

VM: A lot of people do...

LK: Val, I loved your finale collection, tell us about your inspiration.

VM: Thank you very much. I plan to move forward with that. I said that my inspiration was "Rainbow Brite and David Bowie had a love child." In Art School and when I worked as an illustrator, I always loved colors and shapes. I tried to bring a playfulness into my collection and I'm glad that you liked it. Stay tuned for more!

Click here to continue.

Recapalooza!

It's all about Mondo this week, and rightly so:

Uncle Nick knows the real reason they had a day off...

Eric3000 gets an imaginary shout-out...

Laura Bennett nails it...

Miz Shoes gets personal...

Jordanbaker has quite a story about her grandmother...

Maxthegirl was a little verklempt...

Carol Hannah never had that much free time...

Democracy Diva is getting really good at this...

Katnap is looking for Heidi's leggings...

Brian wants to give Uncle Tim a hug...

We must call Bonnie from SCS callous...

Mellie does not sap, wallow or gush...

Red Poppy is still waiting for more cow bell...

And Toyuke is all about the Mondo-mania.

Update: Click here for Choco Chanel!
Thank you again recappers, we are hitting the home stretch. See you next week!

A Good Story Spoiled

Last night's Project Runway was filled with genuine emotion. From the family visits to Valerie's farewell there were tears all around. The highlight of course was Mondo's admission about his HIV status, a secret he has kept from his family for 10 years. Laura Bennett says it very well this morning on her blog:

"Mondo's brave revelation of his sexuality and his HIV status sheds light on many things about him � his fragile nature, his initial trouble connecting with the other designers, his eventual bond with the outcast Michael C., but most of all it sheds light on his clothing design. It was screaming to us the entire time. "I am colorful!" "I am young!" "I am alive!" It is a message more to him than the rest of us. If he can believe those things, he can overcome HIV. And he will. And we will all be rooting for him."

Mondo scored a deserved win with his fantastic design that told a story about who he was both as a designer and a person. But something just doesn't quite feel right about the way this episode played out. With such an inspirational storyline, why did I end up with such a bitter taste in my mouth?

Let's start with the preview. On the Lifetime website it was titled "Coming Up On Episode 10 Of Project Runway Season 8". Is it not reasonable to expect that what you are shown in such a preview would, you know, actually be seen on the episode? Where was the "scandal" that would "destroy the workroom"? And how could they dare tease an accusation of cheating and not deliver? We spent all week speculating about this and not to have a pay off makes me feel slighted. It was deceptive, plain and simple, and as a Project Runway fan I do not like to feel deceived. With such an incredible story to tell for this challenge, why did they even try to diminish it with this misdirection?

But there is even more reason for cynicism. Wasn't it a bit too convenient that Nina said to Mondo "I wish I knew what the story was"? And then that was immediately followed up by Rachel Roy saying "...the one thing that holds me up is the inspiration...". They might as well have said "C'mon Mondo, tell us about your story that the producers have already whispered into our ears". It felt manipulated. And I am not one who usually falls for these types of conspiracies but Bunim-Murray and Lifetime have hardly earned our trust with Project Runway.

The editing for this episode was also brutal. Just when we were getting to that "moment you'll never stop talking about" we were greeted with....a Garnier commercial. Yes, this touching moment has been brought to you by the Garnier Hair Studio, for a look you can even cry in. One of the reasons Episode 5 was so successful was that they let Gretchen carry on and on without interruption. They needed to let this story unfold on its own in the same way. Instead, it felt insincere and hollow with this corporate sponsorship plopped in the middle.

Lifetime has been quick to congratulate themselves over all of this already. This morning they have claimed it to be "Project Runway's Best Moment". Just because Lifetime tells us that doesn't make it so. It might have been, but the way it was handled left much to be desired.

I know, I know, this is not a very supportive position. Pick your cliche - I'm raining on Mondo's parade; I'm pooping on the picnic, whatever. But the fact of the matter is that we were unnecessarily deceived, manipulated and lied to about what this episode was about. And Project Runway, of all shows, owes its fans better.

Congratulations Mondo, you are an inspiration and an amazing designer. Your story is ultimately the best takeaway from this episode. I just wish it could have been given the proper respect and treatment from those who presented it.

Poll - Episode 10 - Your Turn to be the Judge

Photos: Andy, April, Christopher, Gretchen, Michael C., Mondo and Valerie
Photos courtesy of ProjectRunway.com. Click for a larger view.

You've seen the designs on the runway and now it's your turn to be the judges. This week you are Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and Rachel Roy.

Click here to tell us who you thought should have won the challenge.

Click here to tell us who you thought should have been auf'd.

Reactions To Episode 10

Photo: Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

It was an emotional night on Project Runway filled with drama and design. Some questions were answered and others were not. And with each elimination the stakes get higher as we edge closer to the Fashion Week finale. What did you think? Post your reactions to Episode 10 here.

BPR Live Play-By-Play/Party: Episode 10

Tonight On BPR

Photo: Barbara Nitke/Lifetime Television

See, the life of a Project Runway designer doesn't look all that difficult, does it? Enjoy it while you can April, because tonight should be a doozy.

If the previews for Episode 10 are any indication, this promises to be an evening filled with drama. Accusations of cheating, a heart wrenching confession and visits from home - its all so delicious. Oh, there might even be room for a little design in there somewhere as well. We can't wait! You know we are all over this one:

• Tbone and suzq will be hosting BPR's weekly play-by-play/party room beginning at 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in the fun as we snark our way through another new episode of Project Runway.
• After Heidi kisses another designer goodbye, tell us what you thought in our reactions thread, posted immediately after the show.

It should be a very interesting evening for Project Runway fans and you don't want to miss it. We'll see you tonight on BPR!

Episode 10 "Extended" Preview Video

Episode 10 Preview

The Episode 10 preview promises plenty of drama. "Heartwrenching confessions break the runway"; "Scandals destroy the workroom", an accusation about cheating and "one moment you'll never stop talking about". Also note the tie in to what is claimed to be "the most controversial season finale ever".

This ought to be interesting.

Amanda's Take - Season 7, Episode 10, Episode 11

Project Runway model Amanda Fields is back with her take on the last two episodes - thanks Amanda.


Take 1:

LOVE that the designers were able to create their own print to become their own fabric! Cerri was incredibly natural in the way she removed her jacket on the runway. It was definitely not the most flattering look, but she saved it by being so graceful and sweet. If I were ever on a runway in a dress like Brandise wore and I didn't feel that I could walk gracefully in it, I would pick it up too.

Kristina is beautiful and even though Anthony was eliminated, she was so confident in his design and you could see that on stage. She looked incredible in it and Anthony really knows how to fit it to her body so well!

I'm so happy Emilio won! His fabric design was so great because I could envision it immediately in other colors and on handbags, wallets, sunglasses, you name it!

Click here to continue.

Results In - You Were the Judge Episode 10

Our polls for Episode 10 are closed. You disagreed with the judges and felt that Seth Aaron Henderson deserved the win. Click here to see the results. You also clashed with the judges and felt that Mila should have been the 'auf.' Click here to see the results.

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 11 poll.

Photos courtesy of ProjectRunway.com

From The Mailbox

Project Runway Season Two designers reunite! Nick Verreos visits Chloe Dao's Houston Boutique. Click here for the story.



Which designer created the best fabric in episode 10? Click here for the poll.

Click here for JordanBaker's recap of episode 10.

Please check out Kenneth Fron's latest necklace designs. Everything is brand new!