Surprise! 'Project Runway' wants versatility

No, I am not going to become a Project Runway blogger. But I am a fan of the show, and this week I heard a Runway cliche one too many times. It was Daniel Feld, a self-proclaimed Mr. Haute Couture, who stared down his nose at last night's challenge and said, "This has nothing to do with what I'm used to."

Every time one of the designers pops a variation on this line, I want to whack them with a bolt of fabric and scream, "Have you ever watched the show?! It's been on four seasons, now. There are like a dozen competitors and 10 challenges. Of course not all of them will be right up your alley."

That's part of the game. That's what makes a reality/competition show like Project Runway fun. Look, I know nothing about fashion. I've been wearing the same combo of a short-sleeved button down shirt and khaki trousers to the office the last two months. But Project Runway lets us in on the creativity of fashion and how designers apply their visions  to different situations.

That's what last night's winner, Korto Momolu, did. She took her urban chic sense and applied it to the challenge of creating an outfit for United States women athletes in the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games -- are we surprised a Peacock network created an Olympic-themed challenge for this week? What Momolu delivered was a sporty outfit in soft leather with the funky touch of flowing bell bottoms.

Feld was rightly mocked by Michael Kors for looking like he'd created something for the "Republic of Cocktail Land." The only thing that saved him was competitor Jennifer Diederich understood the challenge even less, offering up a mousy outfit that didn't even incorporate red, white and blue.

But Feld was the one who uttered the old saw, they're not doing what I like to do. Waaaaah. Well, if you watch the show, you know part of the challenge is being relevant enough in those competitions that aren't pitched right in your wheelhouse that you can make it to a week where you'll shine. If you don't get that, and you're still inclined to look into the confessional camera and say, "This isn't what I do," maybe you don't belong there after all.

Photo above: Daniel Feld not getting it on Wednesday's episode of Project Runway. Copyrighted photo by Barbara Nitke | NBC-Universal.

Comments

[Bobbi's Book Nook]

I've never watched this show - I just don't get the appeal.

I am ashamed to say I watch America's Got Talent. Please don't tell anyone!:)

[Alicia]

Yeah, I was all about Daniel after he made that dress out of blue solo cups but now he's wearing on me. And as a PR junkie myself, I second Adam in that more blog reports on the show would be welcome :-).

[Adam Luckey]

Project Runway is a secret shame of mine that I am glad to admit. More blog reports on PR wouldn't be a terrible thing. I'm still sore that Chris didn't make it into the final 3 last season. I mean, c'mon, he used human hair on his outfits! Innovation and guts.