Final Challenge: Designers had 2 months and $8,000 buckaroos to create 10 looks for NYFW. But PR just wouldn’t be PR with at least one surprise challenge. Miss Super Mo announced that designers would also have to create a wedding dress inspired by their line. This dress would be the IT look that decides their future fates. I love anything wedding! I was so excited when this challenged popped up, but, er, I think I was the only one judging by the doom-gloom faces on each contestant.

The gang minus Kenley had one last farewell before getting into their respective cabbies (which I think was staged BTW). Kenley with her “stanky” ‘tude hit the road without even looking back.

Home Sweet Home: A few weeks before D-day, Tim made his rounds and visited each designer at their home. I always love this part of PR. It’s so nice to actually see where all the designers are from and their fam, dontcha think?

First up, was Korto from Little Rock. On arrival, she told Tim her inspiration came from her culture and nature. Tim loved the beadwork and her color palette. After a few more critiques, Korto took Tim to her house to meet her A-dorable daughter and fam. She also gave Tim a little surprise by showin’ off her drumming skills. While Tim admired, Bravo proceeded to tell Korto’s tear-jerking childhood to the backdrop of the beats.

After we all blotted our eyes, we met my personal fave, Leanne in Portland. Did anyone else think, “Wow, Leanne and her BF are both really pale?” Do they not enjoy sunshine? Moving on, Leanne’s inspiration came from waves, and no surprise, I already loved the small glimpse that we got into her collection. And in true too-cute, ballerina fashion, she took Tim on a bike ride. Haha, oh Tim!
 
Next in line was crazy Jerell from Los Angeles. One look at Jerell’s numbers and Tim had to be honest and said that Jerell needed some major editing. I agreed. What was up with the top-to-bottom beading. Hola senior, no me gusto gaudy, old lady.

And last, the girl that we all love to hate, Kenley in Brooklyn. Okay Bravo, from Korto’s childhood tales to Jerell’s moving piece on his father to Kenley’s grandmother...really? A girl can only handle so many breakdowns.

I hate to say it, but one look at Kenley’s wedding dress and I actually liked her collection! Why?! Why?! Aren’t the villains supposed to get what’s coming to them? Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, she actually painted her own fabrics.

6 days until Fashion Week: Back in NYC, Korto and Leanne were first to meet and hugged it out. With Jerell to complete the pack, they seemed like one big happy family until Kenley walked through the doors. Silence. She received a very cold welcome, especially from the girls.

3 days until Fashion Week: Tim busted in with one more challenge! Designers would now have to design a bridesmaid dress to accompany their wedding dress. Eek! I was in heaven! More wedding stuff! They got a Benjamin and a Jackson and one day to complete the look. Ya know, it’s really amazing how these designers can just pump out GOWNS in one flippin’ day!

 

I see other girls wearing summer dresses to school these days but I would be wayyy too cold. Is there a way I can wear them and be warm at the same time?

Who wants to stash their sassy summer dresses just yet? Not us! Besides, fab florals and all kindsa colors are still hot for autumn, so why buy a whole new wardrobe?

Ya gotta learn to layer to make light jumpers work well for fall. T-shirts, cardis, leggings and boots will all help keep you warm, while still lookin’ cool.

Pulling on a plain tee (long or short sleeve—either will look awesome!) under your dress makes it totally fall-friendly.


Piling on a shrug, long cardi or knit vest will help keep the chill out. If your dress has a lot going on, keep your top layer sweet and simple.

Finishing it off with a pair of flat boots keeps it casual, while a pair of retro-cool heels takes it to new heights.
Blog it out… Are you still sportin’ your summer threads? Tell us how!  

 

 

By: Katie Abbondanza

 

Heidi gathered the four remaining (and super nervous) designers, Jerell, Leanne, Korto and Kenley, and told them they’d be taking a “field trip” with Tim. The contestants had no idea where they were off to and were totally in for a beautiful surprise! (By the way, Heidi looked totally hot in her leopard print dress! I wants!)

Tim and the designers arrived at the New York Botanical Garden, where they were met by familiar face Collier Strong, consulting make up artist for L’Oreal Paris. As the designers look around, they saw beautiful colors, flowers and also smelled the oncoming challenge to determine the three who would make it to Fashion Week! AAHHH!

This week’s challenge was to design an evening gown, using nature as inspiration. The contestants had an hour to explore the garden and take photos. Everyone was super excited and pumped for this challenge, already thinking up designs and themes as they snapped shots…and ran away from bees! Haha, I love Leanne!

Back at Parson’s they had 30 minutes to choose one inspirational photograph and with a $250 budget, scrambled to grab their necessities at MOOD. Jerell chose a deep purple rose-type flower, Korto went with a bright orange and yellow flamenco, Leanne worked with a lavender blue flower while Kenley chose a fuschia-colored set of scaly leaves.

With two days for the challenge, the designers went straight to work. Midway, Kenley realized she had left her tulle at MOOD. I thought it was kinda mean for Korto and Jerell not to offer their tulle to her, but with an attitude like Kenley’s who’d wanna anyways? Tim let her go back to the store to pick it up and also let the team know that he was really proud of them. I teared up!

So this week was really crucial because only three out of four of the designers would be chosen to display their work at Fashion Week New York. Everyone was totally stressed and emotional (as was I. Hehe. Can you tell I’m really into it?). Leanne, Jerell and Korto all broke down in front of the camera as they talked about how much they have wanted to achieve this dream. Oh man, I almost shed a few tears myself! I could tell these designers have worked really hard and long to make it this far!

As for Kenley…wow! This girl really needs a reality check, SOON! She pretty much badmouthed the other three designers and their work. I mean, come on, it’s one thing to be rude to everyone, including the judges (who decide the winners, BTW!) but to put down the designers’ hard work is waaay low.

The Judging: Georgina Chapman, cofounder and designer for Marchesa, joined the usual set of judges last night. They were not very impressed with the outcomes of the designs and neither was I! They felt the tension and stress from everyone and tried to put that into consideration while judging.