PR 7 Mamas In the House

Vincent Wins
Robert's Out

I don't know where to begin with this episode.  So much of it was disturbing.  I know what they were going for -- touchy gooey "show another side to the designers" sentiment.  Yeah, there was some of that.  But there was other disturbing stuff too.  Like the multiple backhanded compliments being paid to "normal sized" women.

Here are my assembled varied observations from the night (in no particular order):

I just knew the judges were ultimately going to reward a design for one of the smaller models.  I knew it going in.  Sure, they'd let the plus-sized women walk down the catwalk and get a nice homely chuckle out of the whole thing but Kors and Garcia couldn't move beyond it really. 

The designers weren't any better.  Robert's comments about feeling lost in the challenge -- "I don't know how to design for these creatures!!" (okay, not his words but certainly the tone) was over the top and bordered on damned offensive.  Jeffrey wasn't much better -- I'm not counting the comments that were clearly directed to Angela's mother.

I think Kaine was again given a pass for previous work.  If it's not a dress for prom the boy is lost.

I was delighted that the judges paid attention to Laura's predictability in her designs.  The cracks are beginning to form.  I think her stuff has looked the same throughout the season and her shtick is wearing a little thin.  The addition of the sixth pregnancy seemed ill-timed.  Or just strange.  I guess the editors couldn't ignore it really.  But it was like, "uh.. okay." 

I didn't believe Angela's mom.  Not for a minute.  I found her pretty transparent and that knife twist on the runway seemed to clinch it for me.  They said she cried but I never saw a tear.  I went back and looked.  Wasn't there.  I think Angela pulled her Mom aside on the walk to Tavern on the Green and gave her the lay of the land.  The thing was set up from then on.  I just wasn't buying it -- just smacked of crocodile tears to me.  It really did.

This isn't to say I liked Jeffrey's outfit.  I thought it had it's problems (it did result in the best Kors line of the night "It looked like Comme de Garcons Goes to Amish Country."  -- loved that even if it was a barely veiled dig at middle America).  That said, I thought Jeffrey's dress was more interesting then Angela's piece which no one liked including her model (Laura's mom).  But she got a pass.  I'm not sure why.  I guess there was more drama from Angela's mom and Jeffrey.

I did think the comments Jeffrey made at Robert's elimination were telling.  He seemed to be actually crying as he told his mother that a lot of the other contestants were awful but that Robert was really nice.  It seemed like an unguarded moment.  That's my read at least.

I think Uli deserved this win.  I think her design was more interesting then Vincent's and more of a challenge.  But like I previously stated, they weren't about to give the prize to a "plus size" dress, to use Kors' line. I don't think Vincent's dress was horrible but it seemed predictable.  The collar sticks out in my mind.  Hasn't he done that collar before?  Like multiple times?  Wasn't that the collar in the Twiggy outfit last week?  I just know I've seen it before.

I'm not surprised by Robert.  Pete wasn't surprised either.  He's been boring.  He's a nice guy, or seems to be, but he's been consistently boring.  He's been warned again and again and again he's boring.

Had I been a judge my final two would've been between Robert and Angela, but I would've chosen Robert to go.  It seemed clear by far.

Lastly, I love Michael.  I think he's a total sweetheart.  I think his design tonight was great and even if his model wasn't much of a challenge -- size-wise -- it was a great outfit.  I also think he's a peach of a guy.  I would've liked to have seen more of his mother and some interaction between the two.

Guess that's it for now.  Oh.  Except my Heidi Outfit rule has still yet to be broken (the outfit she first comes out in is usually okay or interesting but the outfit she comes out in for judging is usually awful, ugly, and/or strange).   I think the next challenge should be to dress Heidi.  Cause she needs it.  [Although I guess that challenge was called Project Jay and Heidi proved to be a horribly ungrateful celeb-nightmare--- so scratch that idea].  Is Kara Saun still designing her outfits?  She was to blame for some of Klum's worst looks last season.  Who could it be?  Maybe it's Kara Janx from Season 2?

Comments

[Number4of5]

Wow, you really did sum up exactly how I felt about the show. I didn't feel a tiny bit bad for Angela's Mom. You can't expect a fashion designer, who is trying to win a creative challenge, to stick to your normal taste. He needs to win, he needs to be creative, suck it up or go home. And quit bitching.

The bias toward the smaller sizes was obnoxious. Uli did a great job of making her model feel comfortable, and even though I am not a plus size woman, I would have worn that outfit in my own size. I think that says a lot.

Laura, ugh. Who tells Michael Kors that they are pregnant before they tell their own husband, or mother? I think THAT says a lot.

Michael, Uli, and even Jeffrey, are my favs that are left. I really would have loved to have seen what Allison would have done here. Oh well. It ain't season 2. And you are right, writing about it doesn't have the excitement that it used to.

[Michelle]

That second Hoidi outfit had Chloe written all over it. I think Chloe actually wore that exact dress in "Chloe blue" last season.

So, is it just me, or did Hoidi look like she'd just swallowed a little vomit when she announced Vincent as the winner?

It's probably just wishful thinking but I felt like I was starting to notice the judges getting pissed about the producer input last night.

I can only muster excitement for Uli and Michael now. Hopefully, they'll both make it to the top three... I don't even care who gets the third spot.

[Stephen]

Angela's mom did seem oddly well-composed on the runway, but what happened the day before (or how they edited it) looked like Jeffrey was throwing an accelerant on their disagreement. It's not his place to psychoanalyze or tell his client her physiological or psychological shortcomings. Still, his work stands out (Mr. Kors delivered THE best line of the season!) and his crying at the end showed a more human side.

Did you find his mom's interaction with Angela's mom insulting and condescending?

I wish Uli had won, too. I hadn't thought of producer intervention. It makes for a better story and good way to stir up Internet chatter. After all, it's just a show.

[Dan Vera]

I just don't think I can trust the editing on those exchanges. They leave so much out. When Jeffery comes back from visiting with Angela's mom, Jeffery asks her, "how did it go?" This clearly means there was some chat between him and his mother. What was that? We weren't allowed to see that. I think the editing process is highly suspect exactly because they trim and hem things to make a more interesting story. You're right, it is a story. I just don't trust the narrative in this case. I don't trust Angela and her mother. Sounds weird I know, but I just didn't see any tears and something about the woman just struck me as suspect.

[Bo]

I can't believe I was stuffing myself with Crispy eel and crab and pork dumplings last night, and missed the show! What kind of a fashion fag do I think I am to miss PR? My only consolation is knowing it will rerun and I can catch up.

I have to say, there does seem to be the same kind of bias on PR that we've seen on Queer Eye with respect to normal vs anorexic size on the former and natural hair vs shaved on the latter. Right on Pete with the comment that using the term "zaftig" with respect to any of these models is ludicrous.

[Diane]

Vincent's collar reminded me of the wings from the hat Sally Field wore on the Flying Nun (I know I'm dating myself with that comment). Angela's mom totally fake trying to get back at Jeffrey for picking on Angela. She definately was trying to get him kicked off.

Loved when Laura said she was pregnant. Did you catch mom's reaction? Not "congrats honey when do I get to hold my next grandchild." More of a "oh that's interesting. You never know what Laura's going to do next." Hope the nanny and housekeeper are up to taking care of 6 kids while Laura does whatever it is Laura does. Quite obvious that she and mom aren't in charge of taking care of anyone but themselves.

Sad to see Robert go but really it was his time.