My understanding is they are indeed not supposed to use sticky tape or anything else to maintain the garment’s shape or positioning on the model. After reflection, I agree with that rule–using tape is about hiding flaws, and the judges need to be able to see the flaws to make an accurate assessment of the work. Taking away the tape lets them see whose dress is staying in place because it’s well-made and fits perfectly, versus whose is staying in place because it’s taped to hell and back.
And yes, I’m sure Mike C isn’t a little ray of sunshine wrapped in rainbows and unicorn farts. In fact, he kind of strikes me as something of a shit-stirrer. He’s just a touch too wide-eyed and innocent and wounded but gamely struggling on in the face of adversity. I’ve known a lot of people who like to pick and poke and tweak and that’s exactly how every last one of them talks about the eventual explosion they’ve created.
But I don’t know that the other contestants vocally dislike him. I’ve never heard anyone but Ivy say he’s an asshole, or dishonest, or a pain in the ass or anything else about him as a person. Just that they hate his clothes and don’t think he sews as well as they do. So I don’t know that you can hold their bitching and snotting as evidence that he sucks.