Project Runway, Season Five, Episode 5
Manolo says, ayyyy! Who knew Brooke Shields was so nice! She is like the giant, beautiful goddess of nice, radiating kindness and good humor everywhere.
Clutch us to your ample bosom, Giant Goddess Brooke! Teach us to be nice to annoying persons with consciously outre hairstyles and studied personality traits. We are your votaries!
Such is the power of Goddess Brooke’s graciousness, that last night, even the most contrived attempts at creating dramatic friction (between Korto and Joe, and Terri and Suede) resulted in the big nothing. And thus, for the first time all season, the clothes were the stars, and not the tediously strained fake personalities.
And for this we are thankful.
Yes, there was that unpleasant (but funny) moment on the runway when Kenley sniggered at Daniel’s protestation that he was possessed of “impeccable taste”, the moment that was sort of like Minnie Pearl making fun of Dolly Parton, ridiculous and ironic on more levels than one could care to count. And in truth, it just made the Manolo pity poor Daniel, self-deluded, his ship of self-image foundering on the rocks of reality.
Other than that, this was the drama-free episode. Indeed it was even one of the few episodes in recent memory when someone actually took Tim’s advice and used it to improve their outfit, as Korto did with her “giant sweet potato” jacket, belting it up and into some semblance of shape.
For the Manolo, the final runway show was the revelation, as it showed that there was more to Keith the Angry Gay Mormon than insecurity, self-regard, self-loathing, and that stuipd bandana. (Who does he think he is, the auxilary member of the 18th Street Locos? ) His final outfit was gorgeous and original, and completely appropriate for Brooke Shields. Bravo!
Likewise, the Manolo has gained new respect for Miss J. Jarell, who is much more intelligent and thoughtful than his silly personal costuming would indicate. His final outfit was the smart blending of textures and materials, and the Manolo preferred it ever so slightly to Keith’s. That belt was rocking.
As for the other outfits, the Manolo agrees that Kelli’s was the clear loser, tacky and cheap-looking as it was. Korto’s wasn’t bad, and ditto for Terri’s, although the Manolo grows weary of the pants thing.
And then there was Blayne, who truly seems to have little talent for original design. Didn’t the Manolo see this exact same grey Bermuda short set on Jennifer Aniston, circa Vince Vaughn? Worse, what is up with Speedy’s the Alka-Seltzer Boy’s hairdo? It does not seem so much styled as thatched.
Of the course, the Manolo now feels guilty for making the gentle fun of Blayne, for it is clear that whatever he lacsk as the designer, he more than makes up for in human decency. They way he behaved on the runway, when asked who should be sent away if his outfit were judged the worst, was the true lesson in grown-up adult behavior. The Manolo salutes him for this edifying display of Brooke Shield’s style graciousness, it deserves our respect.
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Comments
Joan H. 17 years ago
I think Brooke (and everyone else) was disappointed by Blayne’s fabric choice. If he had made the shorts in a more luxurious material, and styled the entire ensemble differently, he might have pulled it off. The twill killed him.
Jerrell and Stella’s dress was gorgeous, but Brooke didn’t like the belt! I loved it. I loved how they worked together. I think it was too much “evening”, and if they had designed a little jacket for day wear, it could have won.
I loved the movement in Keith’s skirt. Actually, I loved the whole dress. I’m built a lot like Brooke and I would buy that dress in a heartbeat (if I could afford it.) I still shudder every time I think of that floral that Kenley picked out, though!
Jennie 17 years ago
What I can’t wait for is next week! CHRIS MARCH & DRAG QUEENS!!!! Sorry for the caps but dammmmnnnn! Oh, there should be a real time live snark site for all the Manolosphere! I’m already practicing LMAO so I won’t be too sore next Wednesday!
valawhoo 17 years ago
Poor Blayne! I thought his outfit looked like something I would wear. In other words, completely doomed. I was kind of surprised Kelli went, although her dress was horrid, just because Daniel annoys me more. He looks perpetually startled. But that’s probably why they kept him around – dramatic tension.
Loved the belt. No idea what Brooke was talking about there. And loved the way Jerrell worked with Stella – patient and mature.
jlp 17 years ago
I thought Blayne’s was worse than Kelli’s. If the jacket were left on, a woman could wear Kelli’s to the office or to dinner, and all people would think is, “why is she shopping at Wal-Mart when she can afford Nieman-Marcus?” If she wore Blayne’s, on the other hand, people would be rolling on the floor in hysterical laughter and would never take her seriously again.
Jennie 17 years ago
Blayne is still there because he is good TV. The moron called New York “simulating” and went stupid about the Beatles including saying “too bad Rainbow”. He has irradiated his brain with tanning beds. He’s doing a male Jessica Simpson, all blond and simpering.
Demmi 17 years ago
The most annoying thing to me about Blayne is that his hair always looks so DIRTY!
Miz Shoes 17 years ago
I, too, was stunned that Blayne (or Oompa-Loompa-Licious as I call him) had the stones to admit that the failure of his team’s design was his personal responsibility and that, should someone have to go, that someone should be him. It gave me more respect for him than anything else he’s done or probably will do this season.
angelhair 17 years ago
A friend of mine once taught a class at Princeton and had Our Miss Brooke as a student. He was surprised to find that not only did she do well in the class but she was extremely polite and well-prepared. He was amazed that at the end of the class she came up and thanked him and told him how much she had enjoyed the class. She may even have sent a little note as well. So not only is she beautiful but she’s smart (an Ivy League grad!) and has beautiful manners. Not your typical Hollywood bimbo – and given that she came into the business at such an early age that’s kind of remarkable.
I much preferred Jerrell’s dress and I loved how gracious he was with Stella. They turned out to be a good team.
Blayne showed himself to be a mensch (who knew?) Both he and Jerrell went up a few notches in my book.
The rest of them and their mediocre clothes? Meh.
suzq 17 years ago
Where have I seen Blayne’s pants before…oh yeah. Season 3. On Angela. In Paris. Minus the fleurchons, of course.
rb 17 years ago
I really thought that strictly based on design, and yes, taste, Blayne should have gone home. I think the show keeps him because he is a character.
I would have had a hard time choosing between Keith’s and Jerrell’s finished products. I think sometimes the show gives points for difficulty, and that skirt on Keith’s dress looked to be a lot of work, and perfectly executed. I have also read, elsewhere, that Brooke might not have wanted that much emphasis on her post-baby waist.
I also noted that Jerrell’s finished design bore little resemblance to his original sketch, while Keith’s was spot-on. That may be worth something.
In either case, I’d kill to wear either of those dresses, were they a size or ten larger. :)
Melissa B. 17 years ago
Daniel bugs me, big-time. I can’t figure out why. Maybe it’s because he always looks like he’s about to break out into a world-class pout. Or maybe it’s because he acts as though the challenges are some horrible tragedy inflicted upon poor helpless him. I highly doubt that the PR producers had to kidnap him and force him to be on the show.
Behind Kenley’s pinup girl lipstick and girly style lies a Mean Girl with no class or taste. I’m still reeling from her hideous design winning the New York challenge.
eric3000 17 years ago
“like Minnie Pearl making fun of Dolly Parton”
Ha ha!
I was also impressed at how amazingly nice Brooke was! She actually seemed to enjoy her little meetings with the freaks, I mean designers. She almost treated them like they were her equals!
Cliff O'Neill 17 years ago
Yep. Blayne’s still a loon. And I still love Kelli. But her outfit really was unfortunate.
It’s funny how much goodwill Blayne earned in ten seconds by accepting responsibility for that (inappropriate) outfit!
But, damn, that Kenley has the passive-aggressive thing down pat!
pBeez 16 years ago
I was stunned when Blayne said he should go, that it was a matter of integrity! I was so pleased. Its hard to imagine the last boy-brat, last season’s winner, doing that. It showed a level of maturity I didn’t think Blayne had, and I know that Christan does not. Too bad Blayne’s shown none of the true creativity Christian possesses.
Jerrell also showed true class working with Mama Leather. Again, she showed how she can work her vision into different outfits.
Always In Style 16 years ago
This is quite possibly the funniest Project Runway recap ever.
When I die I want to come back as The Manolo.
xo
AIS