Project Runway Recap: 50 Shades of Cray

By Dashley | Friday, March 15, 2013 | 12:08 pm | 31 Comments

Tagged: 50 Shades of Cray, Did I say male strippers yet?!, Emmy Rossum, episode 8, heidi klum, male strippers, nina garcia, project runway, season 11, thunder from down under, tim gunn, zac posen

Posted in: Project Runway, Recaps

Hey Gasmii! This week’s episode has male strippers in it! So let’s get down to it! (See what I did there?)

Last week: The designtestants lived through a nightmare we all have, that we would have to go back to school. And get judged by the mean girls. They made prom dresses out of Duck Tape, and mostly fell flat on the “prom” side, but did pretty well on the “fashion-forward” side. Michelle won the challenge, while Kate and Tu fell flat (at least their dress looked a little too flat,) and in a surprise double-elimination, they both got Auf’d.

Tim and Heidi reappear on the runway, not long after the elimination. The designers are informed that the competition is going to get switched up: they will be 2 teams of 4, chosen by the judges. Team #1 begins with Daniel and Patricia. The judges claim it’s because the two will have a balance of styles, but it seems like they actually just placed the two kookiest designers on a team to be dark horses. The first members of Team #2 are Dick and Layana, so that her young, hip vibe can balance out his lack of taste. I can buy that reasoning, but it must suck for Layana that they gave her a teammate with no taste. Michelle is put on Team #1 to give it edge, and is none too happy about it. She whines that Daniel’s taste doesn’t mesh with hers because he is “Texas pink pageantry,” plus she hates working with Patricia.

Yeah, I wouldn’t want to work with someone who would design something like this, either.

Samantha has a “current fashion element” to add to Team #2. Stanley is put on Team #1 to test him in “staying strong to all the creative forces.” Is that Zac’s way of saying that Stanley rolls over in a group, and doesn’t have a point of view? If so, that’s pretty bitchy. That’s 2 whole episodes of bitchy in a row. Maybe he took a lecturing phone call from Michael Kors when he was on vacation a couple of episodes ago? As Heidi considers Amanda’s designs, they note that she’s either very good or very bad, and Nina translates that to “wallflower.” I don’t know what Nina thinks wallflower means, but I do not think it means what she thinks it means. Anyway, Amanda is directed to Team #2.

So what’s the challenge? Heidi is absolutely giddy to the point that Tim has to take over the duty of giving a description. When Tim tells the designers that they’re taking a field trip, Heidi begs to go with them, and Tim says that she cannot, because she has absolutely no self-discipline.

Sorry Tim, but you don’t get to looking like this with no self-discipline.

Anyway, the designers all pretty much guess that they’re going to have to design lingerie. But they realize it’s not that simple when they get to their rooftop stage destination, and a bunch of male strippers come dance for them. And it gets hot. I have to tell you, Gasmii, I had to stop watching there for a minute, and get some water. And each one of the contestants is super-excited, too.

Even Stanley cracked a smile!

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About Dashley

Loving pop culture since 1982. Loving TVGasm since 2012. I'd LOVE it if you followed me on twitter at @DashleyinCali.

31 Comments

1

timgunnssister

Posted March 15, 2013 at 12:18 pm

So, what happened to Stanleys ‘I just did tearaway clothes so I got this’ remark? His team should have lost for the simple reason that they failed to meet the major requirement for this challenge – the clothes must tearaway. They didn’t. So why did they win?

And where was the fantasy? Only one item had to be a suit. Where was a James Bond tux? They could have added a ninja and kung fu dude and the routine could have had elements from those types of characters while stirring in a little fantasy.

What an incredible waste of 90 minutes.
2

TallGirl

Posted March 15, 2013 at 12:52 pm

I want to rip Heidi and the other producers a new one.

Sooo, the history of this show is that menswear has always been difficult to pull off, and then you give them one day; make them work in teams where the looks have to be cohesive; and then throw in that they’re dressing very unusual (although gorgeous) body types AND it has to be tear-away??? Yeah, that’s a winning combination. I think I would have sasses Heidi back for every word of scolding she uttered. Felt embarrassed for both the dancers and contestants.
3

TallGirl

Posted March 15, 2013 at 12:55 pm

Have to note that my first security code was “It’s Super Delicious,” and now this one is “goody goody gumdrops.” Somehow appropriate for the hunky male dancers.
4

carol

Posted March 15, 2013 at 1:46 pm

Besides the eye candy this episode, the best part was where the editors included the flash-back to prove Layana was lying. Overall, this challenge should have been great but everything the designers made was awful. As the men were walking down the runway, I was actually cringing.

It also annoys me when the designers say ‘I’m not a men’s wear designer’. It is the same with the normal body challenges. So, what they are actually saying is they can only design for women of a size 0. Zac Posen was right when he said that the main difference is women have boobs. Women’s clothing does contain things with collars yet only one collar out of all 6 looks was acceptable. Also, pants are pants. Especially when they are working with girl models that don’t have hips.
5

Clair

Posted March 15, 2013 at 1:48 pm

I agree with TallGirl – this one-day challenge should have been a two or even 3-day challenge.
6

Aunt Dorsey

Posted March 15, 2013 at 3:19 pm

Oh my gawd! I was howling watching the Thundah from Down Undah wearing those fugly outfits walking the runway. The funniest episode evah. I actually saved it, because I HAVE to watch it again. That was criminal.

I must say, I think Michelle ‘My shit don’t stink’ is winning as the contestant I hate the most from all seasons. Her snotty little barb to Patricia….’Stanley’s making three outfits and I’m making three outfits’… could someone please tattoo a giant matching black dot over her smug face? Her vest needed a spork inserted with that napkin.
7

Aunt Dorsey

Posted March 15, 2013 at 4:42 pm

Just watched it again and my stomach hurts from laughing. Shades of Gray wins hands down on the laugh o’meter for me. The poor bastard on the end couldn’t get out of his shirt because Michelle hot glued the velcro on and the other poor bastard waddled off the stage with his pants around his ankles. Epic failure. Why the hell they’re the ‘winning’ team when their clothes didn’t even work is beyond me. And Michelle thinking her vest was her team’s *showpiece* is a scream.

The flood is over
The land is dry
So why you wearing your pants so high?

also applies to vests. He totally looked like a rube in that thing with his elephant pants, so no wonder Emma thought he looked like he worked at a gas station.
8

Laura Gill

Posted March 15, 2013 at 4:46 pm

I would have snotted Heidingo back the moment she said they were all terrible designers. No, they weren’t. You should have given them two days and one more fitting. I swear, she’s never sewn a thing in her life if she doesn’t get that.
9

cattyfan

Posted March 15, 2013 at 4:47 pm

“It also annoys me when the designers say ‘I’m not a men’s wear designer’. It is the same with the normal body challenges. So, what they are actually saying is they can only design for women of a size 0. Zac Posen was right when he said that the main difference is women have boobs.”

The size zero women usually don’t have boobs…and runway models don’t get implants like size zero Victoria Secret models.

This episode was hilarious…from the ghastly, ill-fitting clothes (especially Layana’s awful jacket for which she should have gotten the boot) to the train-wreck runway show which made me laugh so long and so loudly I woke up the entire household. (I was watching my DVR at midnight.) By the time they reached the tear-away clothes which wouldn’t (leaving the poor dancers with their pants around their ankles,) I was holding my sides.

I don’t care if someone has a different body shape. These designers have these funny little things called TAPE MEASURES that should (in theory) help someone who actually knows how to design and sew create a garment which fits. he nedless excuses for the continued failures should make the producer rethink the criteria for choosing contestants for this show.
10

lestermaddox

Posted March 15, 2013 at 6:20 pm

I wasn’t going to comment but the capcha is “grumpy cat” and I just can’t pass that up.

These designs were so unsexy as to be pitiful. The long shirts, the long jackets, the endless array of black. Ugh. Plus the whole tear away that didn’t work. How do you make velcro not work? How is that even possible?

I don’t think Amanda should have gone home – not that I think she is any kind of good designer, but Richard bugs me more than she does – especially with his whining, so I would have rather seen him leave.

Personally I wouldn’t have given either team a win – I would have made all of them eligible for being aufed and still sent Richard home.
11

Seepansy

Posted March 15, 2013 at 6:24 pm

I haven’t seen a runway that bad that didn’t feature Ramona Singer.
12

Sallymmmm

Posted March 15, 2013 at 6:51 pm

I can’t take Samantha seriously, my head keeps screaming “I’M RICK JAMES!”
13

amandalee27

Posted March 15, 2013 at 7:03 pm

LOVED:
Stanley cracking a big ole grin at the Thunder.
The producer flashback showing snotty Layana was a liar.
Finally letting thyroid know her designs are ugly 1st grade Thanksgiving lunch wear crafts.
Nina totally losing it.

HATED:
Michelle.
One day for this. Seriously??
But then again why do the designers decide on suits when they have one day?
The challenge concept. Stripper wear is not really fashion. Unless it’s a new elective at Parson’s. But then Tim would have been forced to say “The Thunder from Down Under Parson School of Design New Elective challenge helped by the Lord and Taylor for men accessory wall with suits held together by Duck tape and farts masked by Glade”
14

Jesse M

Posted March 16, 2013 at 7:59 am

These are obviously competent designers, as we’ve seen all the other weeks. They can be flexible about their comfort zones. If both teams were crippled by the challenge, to the point where they were obviously entirely focused on just figuring out how to tailor a fitted stuff, at the expense of any concept or cohesion, it indicates, to me, that the producers screwed the episode up. I don’t excuse bad design, but come on… new teams picked by the judges, totally unfamiliar design and construction territory, each team of four having to construct four full outfits, in ONE DAY?

This episode also drove home how much I hate the final swerve in each episode, where they ask all the designers to say who should go home. That’s obviously just cheap-ass drama-bait, and frankly, I’m hugely proud of the designers for being diplomatic about that, week after week. This is the first week they really cracked, and it took an INSANE challenge to make them do that. And all the judges have “OH MY GOODNESS I’M SHOCKED AT YOUR CONDUCT” faces on? Really?

I still love the show, but if they keep artificially manufacturing drama like that, it’ll drift closer and closer to Bachelor Pad territory, until a point when I just stop DVR’ing it. Anyway, thanks for recapping and listening to me rant.
15

timgunnssister

Posted March 16, 2013 at 9:39 am

Designing clothing that fits and is flattering on a muscle bound man is a major challenge for EVERY designer, no matter how long they’ve een in the biz. Had a friend who decided to majorly change himself through big nutrition changes and daily workouts. He didn’t end up quite as big as these guys, but close. And he struggled to find clothes that fit, not to mention that looked good. He sadly spent most of his time in t-shirts and sweatpants. So, that’s tough enough for it’s own challenge. Then to throw that it has to be stripper wear AND one has to at least look like a regular suit is ridiculous. These guys can’t wear ‘regular suits’.

Still, with a bit more imagination and perhaps some trompe l’oeil work (think of Darryl Hannahs trenchcoat in ‘Kill Bill’), they could have least looked like ‘real’ clothes.
16

sarcasatire

Posted March 16, 2013 at 9:49 am

Catty, menswear isn’t about a different body type. The tailoring and dart process is a whole lot more complex. I go to an acclaimed fashion college (Michael Kors graduated from here and just donated $1 million a few months ago) and Menswear is it’s own seperate major and degree. There’s a Fashion Design degree and then there’s Menswear. It may seem the same to the layman but it is not. Did you see how Tim tried to explain the pleats and darts to Layana? It isn’t second nature.. it requires prior knowledge which most of them don’t come to the show with. Hence, the hot messes we see on the runway.
17

cattyfan

Posted March 16, 2013 at 11:22 am

I understand the pleats and the darts go in different places (my mother was a killer seamstress. Unfortunately, I did not inherit her talent.) That, however does not explain not even cutting enough material to cover the arms and legs of the men. If they measured, cutting the pieces to account for seams should be no different for a man’s shirt or pants than for women’s.

Also, (and this is not unlike the complaints for the Hell’s Kitchen contestants,) have they never watched the show? Did they think the whole season would be sleeveless dresses? Coming on this show with no clue about sleeves, pants, or men’s wear is just asking to lose. They shouldn’t be so shocked when they’re asked to do something outside of their usual skill set.

If I was applying for the show, I would be dreaming up designs in my head and practicing different techniques I know are likely to be handed to me as a challenge. I would love to see someone smart enough and creative enough to be prepared. (Have you ever considered doing the show, sarcasatire? I have a feeling you are just the type of person I long to see on this show.)
18

sarcasatire

Posted March 16, 2013 at 11:52 am

Nope. I do fashion photography and documentary film. I prefer to be on the other side of the camera.

My mom was great at making clothes too. But she never taught me. Same goes for cooking.

I agree that they should know how to make certain things.. or do like Michelle and fore go sleeves altogether. Since it’s a team challenge, some of them should make pants and others shirts.

My guess is that when they took measurements for the pants they did it thinking the two pants pieces would be sewn together with seams like all the other garments they make. Instead, they needed to add velcro and ‘overlap’ the fabric which took precious inches from their measurement. Hence, the too tight clothes.
19

Julie

Posted March 16, 2013 at 4:37 pm

Wait, what did Layana lie about?
20

cattyfan

Posted March 16, 2013 at 6:15 pm

Richard told Layana her jacket wasn’t right, and that the vent in the back should be changed. She chose not to listen.
21

Daniel

Posted March 17, 2013 at 4:43 am

Actually, Layana asked Richard if what she had done was ok or if she should change it. He was barely listening to her and just impatiently said it was fine. She didn’t lie and I don’t remember Richard even disputing her claim. He admitted himself he didn’t really know what he was talking about when it comes to men’s wear.

I think some people just don’t like Layana.

Oh and the new captha is unreadable….I’ve failed over ten times and counting….
22

VelocityBird

Posted March 17, 2013 at 6:48 am

Geezus…I just couldn’t with this episode.

The minute the bullshyte started flying, I hit the remote and watched the whole thing in FF (with my hand half-covering my eyes). What a fiasco. Everybody failed – from Heidi to the “designers” to the producers/editors. How humiliating for those poor, gigantic men. Terrible, terrible show.

I miss the old days of PR. (Seth Aaron, where are you?????)
23

Lah198

Posted March 17, 2013 at 11:42 am

I loved how the Thunder Down Under guys were trying to tell the judges that the designs weren’t that bad, but you could read it all over their faces!!! Also I am so sick of Michelle, Amanda, and Patricia. When Michelle started bad mouthing Texas that was the final nail in her coffin, I won’t tolerate bashing of my home state!!
24

NotaNJHousewife

Posted March 17, 2013 at 12:05 pm

Seth Aaron? He’s busy helping to choose which crappy designers make the show…
25

msjacqmills

Posted March 18, 2013 at 10:56 am

I hate this whole team concept. It is stifling all of the designers abilities to show their own aesthetic. I like a team challenge here and there during a season. But, doing this every episode blows.

my captcha – “the bible”
26

juddfan

Posted March 18, 2013 at 11:37 am

not much to add. I’ve dabbled in sewing over the years, and whatever I was trying to do, I would just follow an example I had. Did no one bring a suit, or any men’s pants? I seem to recall someone taking off their pants to follow the pattern in the past.

One day was just stupid. Stretch fabric used liberally would have helped almost every look fit better, they’re stripper outfits, they don’t need to be linen. The shirts could have been dickeys sewn into the coats and or vests. And if they couldn’t tuck in those ridiculous long shirts, they should have folded them up inside so they at least looked it.

It was good they at least laughed it off. Michelle’s was still the closest to a stripper outfit anyone made. Why didn’t her team talk her out of the tissue hanging on it!? They could have emulated that diagonal look on the suits too, it did the best job of fitting men with such big upper bodies, IMHO.
27

Dashley

Posted March 18, 2013 at 3:43 pm

Oh how I love you guys- thanks for all the comments! I was off the grid this weekend having fun in Vegas, and unfortunately did not have the opportunity to stop by the Thunder Down Under show. I would have liked the chance to apologize to them for having to suffer the PR humiliation for our entertainment. I also would have liked to have a chance to ogle them in person. Oh well- next time!
28

AliceinPopLand

Posted March 18, 2013 at 9:28 pm

OK is no one else shocked that Michelle is straight?
29

Susan

Posted March 23, 2013 at 8:52 am

Aunt Dorsey — my stomach hurt from laughing so much, too. I remember I laughed the exact same way at last year’s men’s challenge. Please Project Runway — make a men’s challenge mandatory every season. It is comedy gold.
30

Aunt Dorsey

Posted March 25, 2013 at 2:08 pm

@AliceInPopLand

All the lesbians voted and they said NO.
31

chicagoslut

Posted March 27, 2013 at 8:01 am

Very late to the party. I didn’t watch the show. I was too afraid I worked with these guys. I have to agree with sarcastaire. Men’s wear is another planet entirely. I studied fashion design in college. We spent one semester making a tailored jacket. The challenge was astounding. I’m glad they have a new curriculum and major for men’s wear.

I make shirts and shorts for men but they are casual and don’t need to fit perfectly. I have made pants for male friends who were in bands and wanted to look cool (circa 1980′s). I literally stripped them naked and draped the pants onto their legs. Granted these were skinny guys with drug problems and the mostly dressed to the middle. But it was challenging and I don’t wan to do it again.

Having worked with male strippers, meaning up close and personal, I would never be able to make even one outfit in 12 hours for those bodies. I might have fun draping it to their naked form for a few days but in no way can I see anyone with a (woman’s) fashion degree or experience making tear off sexy clothes in 12 hours.

This was a ridiculous challenge designed for ratings and I am getting more and more frustrated with this show as the years go on. Tim should get out before Heidi eats him.

Project Runway Recap: 50 Shades of Cray

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