# Project Runway starts tonight **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2011, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674 "2011-07-28T22:45:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/201 "2011-10-28T06:06:08Z")
I though Anya’s lack of variety should have counted against her more. Kimberly’s collection was great, I thought- but her season was mediocre, so she never would have won. Josh’s green shorts struck me as an s&m diaper- horrid. But he did better overall than I thought he would. Viktor simply choked with that sheer stuff. Michael Kors was right- only 6’, 120 lb models look good in sheer. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/202 "2011-10-28T06:06:38Z")
Anya’s collection was very Uli. It looked good, but I thought it might be too “one note” for the judges’ taste. I thought Victor had it in the bag, just because the rest were not that great. Josh’s stuff looked awful. I can’t believe they liked it at all. Ditto for Kimberly. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/203 "2011-10-28T06:21:27Z")
Gretchen’s collection was better than that, and Gretchen’s was awful. There’s no way that, one note, badly sewn collection should have won. ETA: Here’s Uli’s final collection ([part 1](http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2006/10/ripping-the-collections-uli-part-eins-2.html), [part 2](http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2006/10/ripping-the-collections-uli-part-zwei-2.html)) and [here’s Anya’s](http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2011/09/pr-final-collections-anthony-anya-bert.html). Uli had much, much more range. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/204 "2011-10-28T14:38:24Z")
Career-wise, I predict the real winner is Victor. I also hope that Kimberly finds a support network because hers was the only really new and creative line. Josh - go to the theatre where you belong. You are a fantastic off-broadway costume designer. Embrace it and be joyful. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/205 "2011-10-28T15:41:19Z")
Looking at **amarinth** ’s link I thought Bert had a really nice professional looking collection. Anthony’s looked amateurish. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/206 "2011-10-28T16:18:39Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > Anya’s collection was very Uli. It looked good, but I thought it might be too “one note” for the judges’ taste. IIRC Ulli had a great deal more range, even though they both obviously have similar vibes. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/207 "2011-10-28T16:44:30Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I am just glad Josh didn’t win. Those green shorts were fugly. No woman would ever choose to wear those, and the long strings hanging down… > > Victor had it all and then choked. If he didn’t change some of his designs at the last minute from his patterned look to the sheer stuff he would have won easily. > > Anya’s collection was the nicest looking, though they were all basically the same thing - a long flowing patterned dress. Has she ever even made something with sleeves? But her stuff was at least wearable. I knew she would end up winning the whole thing when last week it became obvious that the judges had all 4 of them show just to keep her in the game. She was their least favorite that time but they did not want to send her home. > > Kimberly was nothing special. I agree with everything in this post. If Victor had lined those see-through sections with the patterns he created, instead of making that damn vest, he would have won the competition. Josh needs a slapping for those shorts. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/208 "2011-10-28T17:00:07Z")
> [@Noelq](#): > > I agIf Victor had lined those see-through sections with the patterns he created, instead of making that damn vest, he would have won the competition. No, he wouldn’t. Anya was going to win even if she cut fabric off the bolts in yard lengths, wrapped it around the models like a bath towel, and sent 'em down. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/209 "2011-10-28T17:11:00Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > No, he wouldn’t. Anya was going to win even if she cut fabric off the bolts in yard lengths, wrapped it around the models like a bath towel, and sent 'em down. So, you think it’s rigged? I liked Josh’s the best. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/210 "2011-10-28T18:40:37Z")
There does seem to be a “Prettiest girl wins” pattern developing. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/211 "2011-10-28T18:53:15Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > So, you think it’s rigged? > > I liked Josh’s the best. I think the judges have consistently bent over backwards to praise her for things they would have eviscerated other contestants for. Like those horrible, horrible pants she made the first challenge that looked like they were rejected by Walmart for being factory seconds. Or the pants she made on the Sheepdogs challenge where the poor guy’s ass was hanging out because they were falling apart. Or…well, a hell of a lot of things she sent down the runway. If she wasn’t pre-selected for the win, they would have gotten rid of her long ago. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/212 "2011-10-28T19:01:15Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > If she wasn’t pre-selected for the win, they would have gotten rid of her long ago. What about inserting another challenge and giving everyone extra money to go to Mood the day she lost her money? Also the extra $500 they gave each contestant to beef up their collections when it was so painfully obvious hers wasn’t up to snuff? Yeah, don’t tell me this wasn’t rigged in her favor. I will agree, though that she is quite the quick study. As Michael said, a designer needs that. She’s also more likable than Gretchen. OTOH Gretchen could actually design and sew… ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/213 "2011-10-28T19:51:23Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I am just glad Josh didn’t win. Those green shorts were fugly. No woman would ever choose to wear those, and the long strings hanging down… Just imagine if someone was wearing those and they had cats. :dubious: I was hoping Viktor would win. But once again he second guessed himself. If they hadn’t of tacked on that trip to Mood with the $500, he couldn’t have bought the sheer black bullet, to shoot himself in the foot. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/214 "2011-10-29T01:35:50Z")
I thought Anya’s collection all looked like they were all cut from the same Simplicity Sew Simple pattern, just different prints. Victor’s taste level in the collection was defintely questionable. Just like Michael said, you watched them go down and thought…hmmmm…looks like a size 2 haughty model. Kimberly’s clothes didn’t stick out, but I think they were marketable. THat last black dress was a stunner. I’m glad Josh didn’t win. I just so dislike him. I will say, the addition of $500 of fabric and no last-second challenge did seem to favor Anya. StG ---
**Author:** ![drillrod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@drillrod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drillrod)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/215 "2011-10-29T16:10:06Z")
I know that at times, the producers of Project Runway take steps to protect their preferred designers by eliminating another weaker one when their favorite has a bad week. But I think that this entire season was the most egregious example of favoritism yet. - Anya loses her money, so a second look is added just to give her a chance. - Anya brings a very weak final collection, so all four designers have to give a mini-show, with Anya’s work clearly the worst of the bunch - Yay! All four of you are showing at fashion week. - Ater lots of coaching/editing suggestions, the designers are given more money and days to prepare. - Anya produces a collection that shows absolutely no range and is mainly a showpiece for her admittedly wonderful eye for selecting and working with great prints. Designers have been eliminated for showing too much of the same thing during the weekly challenges. Anya should have been penalized for not showing any range at all in her runway show. What a horrible display of prejudgment and favoritism. Not to mention the fact that their editing suggestion and the additional time and money led Victor to push the envelope and shoot himself in the foot. I actually liked Anya’s work throughout the season and thought her runway show was very pretty, but she didn’t deserve the win. Heck, they even praised the pitiful initial collection as a testament to her ability to work under pressure. While at home, she waited entirely too long to begin work. She arrived in NY completely unprepared and was only able to put a passable collection on the runway due to their coaching and help. I don’t know if I’ll watch another season. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/216 "2011-10-29T17:30:38Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > There does seem to be a “Prettiest girl wins” pattern developing. Wow. Gretchen, pretty?:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/217 "2011-10-29T20:42:16Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > Wow. Gretchen, pretty?:dubious: Yeah, I wondered the same thing. I swore I wouldn’t watch this season, after Gretchen won last season. I caved, and I shouldn’t have. It wasn’t that great of a season, and I didn’t find any of the final collections to be inspiring. I thought Victor’s was the best overall, particularly his prints, but wasn’t surprised that they picked Anya. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/218 "2011-10-30T19:20:15Z")
I thought Anya deserved to win - not because she’s breathtaking, but because she’s the only one who has real potential, can dress herself properly, is likely to have a real business sense and (for the most part) creates wearable clothing. I don’t think we need to knock her because she has the flowy drapey airhead Michael from S8 going on. As usual, the judging was hit or miss. The season was pretty horirble, though. Nothing was inspiring - though I’m still impressed by the kid with the birdseed dress. edit: According to People, she’s [already getting calls from celebs](http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20540840,00.html). > [@](#): > > “I think that it was powerful and had a lot of appeal,” she shares. “But with a little more time, and more clarity, I would’ve had a little bit more variety in the shapes. I think it was a little repetitive in some of the necklines.” > > Now with $100,000 in the bank – plus an additional $10,000 she won when she was crowned “fan favorite” – Ayoung-Chee is busy setting up an Internet retail site in time for the holidays and helping those in need. “I will start a microfinance loan with the fan favorite money to support young, creative people in the Caribbean,” she says. “It’s an unsupported region of commerce, so I’m excited to start that.” > > In the meantime, she’s savoring time with her family and responding to celebrities, who are already calling her up to design some custom clothes. And as for those so-so sewing skills? “Yes, they’ve improved” she says, laughing. “Absolutely!” Can’t help it. I like the part time porn star slash fashion designer. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/219 "2011-10-30T19:42:20Z")
Her [website](http://www.anyaayoungchee.com/) impresses me. She may not have top-notch sewing skills, but she can design, and that’s what counts in the fashion business. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674/220 "2011-10-30T23:34:57Z")
Viktor’s collection was beautiful. Those prints were just stunning. Just because it is shown sheer on the runway, doesn’t mean it can’t be worn over a camisole and/or a bra in real life. Unlike Anya’s stuff- which is shown bra-less on the runway, and has to be worn that way because of the cut…which makes it unwearable for anyone over a 32A. Also, long, bias cut flowy gowns- not good for petite or plus sizes- drowning small ladies or tents for the zaftig. That kind of look actually only works on the tall and willowy, although one feels that it _should_ be more versatile, in reality, it isn’t. Kimberley’s was just…not to my taste. I’m sure some people liked it, but apart from the cream blouse/trouser ensemble, I just wasn’t onboard. Josh’s was Barbarella-Pucci-Dive school. Horrid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-runway-starts-tonight/590674.md?page=10)