Project Runway All Stars: "The Business of Fashion"

Kenleys attitude in the work room did not do her any favors on the runway.

Michael tried to create a feminine look with this too-long garment.

Mondo is the winner this week.

Photo: Lifetime Television

The designers are challenged to design a garment for Nanette Lepore and are schooled on the business of fashion. Each designer shares their sketches and designs, and are given a fabric budget based on the retail price for their would-be garment.

All fabric is picked from a collection of Nanette Lepore prints and the focus is on creating ready-to-wear looks for the average shopper rather than a model. The winning design will be sold for charity to support the New York City Garment District.

This week, tensions are high and the alliances in the work room are easy to see (M&M vs. K.A.), and then even those quickly breakdown under the stress. The judges liked each of the garments, but also had something negative to say about each one. They loved Austin's raincoat and respected Mondo's fabric composition. They thought Michael needed to show a stronger point of view, but it was Kenley's attitude and uninspired garment that sent her home this week.

Do you agree that Mondo, Michael and Austin should be the final three or would you have liked to see a different designer in the mix?

Austin:

Kenley: (out)

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Victoria North, executive web producer
Posted on Mar 9th, 2012 in sewing, design, Project Runway, all stars

Comments (17)

michellepaganini writes: I loved Mondo's dress. It was fresh and fun and you could wear a bra and flats or heels - really fun. Kelly's dress was too 80's and the print match was awful. Austin's coat was okay, weird collar.
Posted: 1:11 am on March 19th

thomy writes: I wanted to add to my previous comment. I agree with some of the other poster's/commentors that Michael's work is very one dimensional. He sews a pretty dress, but they all are in the same vein. He reminds me of Anya in a sense. Both were one trick ponies.
Posted: 3:20 pm on March 18th

user-1109841 writes: My favorite was Austin's coat - but primarily because I could never wear Mondo's dress. I am too curvy and too old. But I could do the coat and thought it was really cute. Would love to see it in a sturdier fabric and lined!

I expect Mondo to win. I loved him as my first choice in his season. Because of age and figure, many of his designs are better suited to a younger and slimmer woman, but I love his aesthetic - the way he combines prints and fabrics is just phenomenal. I have used his ideas to create some interesting garments for myself that are better suited to my peculiarities. Unfortunately, I don't think he will make a good guest editor. He is too bipolar, whiny, and negative. I think Austin or Michael would be better at that job. Mondo needs to be able to concentrate on design. I would love to see him work for a fabric manufacturer designing fabulous clothes with their newest assortment of prints each season.

I do think that both Michael and Austin should/will be snapped up by companies that suit their sensibilities. Michael for resort and/or glam dresses. Austin for over the top, fun/crazy, beautiful garments.
Posted: 10:44 am on March 16th

sofil writes: That's what I predicted, Austen, Mondo & Micheal. Happy Kenley is gone. I think Mondo will win!
Posted: 10:10 am on March 15th

JDNow writes: I was VERY disappointed when Rami got eliminated-I was hoping for a final between him and Mondo because their aesthetic is so different.
As someone who is a slow sewer I find the ability to design and create garments under crazy time restrictions amazing!
I will definitely be watching the finale and am excited to see all the designs.

WeSew.blogspot.com
Posted: 7:10 pm on March 14th

mandymarie20 writes: Again, I did not like any of the clothes. The only one that seemed remotely wearable was Kenley's. I haven't been inspired by any of the clothes this week and would definitely not purchase any if I saw them in a store. I have found All Stars a let down and don't really think anyone deserves the prize. I like Austen's designs, but they never look quite finished; Michael always has the same low-cut caftan that only stick-thin models on vacation could wear; and Mondo's designs are supposed to be so ugly they are cute, but I just find them ugly.
Posted: 6:03 pm on March 13th

sewnsew43 writes: I am tired of seeing Micheals caftans. I would never wear a dress like that even if it covered me more. It seemed less of a design, rather 2 strips of fabric sewn together leaving a neck opening. That does not require talent in my opinion. I would like to see him go. I am glad Kenley is gone, not only because every dress she made was a retro 50's style (I wore them when they were in fashion, but also her attitude is very poor. She is very defensive and argumentative. She was very rude to Mondo who is a great designer even if he can't draw. I felt bad for him and the After Show was a pick on Mondo night.
Posted: 3:21 pm on March 13th

CHL writes: While I generally like Mondo, I was not a fan of this dress as a WEARABLE option. Like other women with curves, I'd look like a circus tent in this. Even a belt wouldn't help the horizontal lines for me. Still it's cute and for some one tall and thin, it's a nice alternative.

I liked Michael's dress. It is admittedly an echo of J-Lo's Versace dress. But if it's made at a price point that mere mortals can afford, I'm okay with that. It's deceptively simple and flattering. In a variety of fabrications I can see it as a formal, a beach cover up, and a elegant robe/gown set.

I also liked Austin's coat. As a dress, not so much. As a coat, it's cute and different.

Kenley's dress was okay... reminded me of a Vogue patterns dress I made for a wedding in 1991! I too made it out of a floral. However, I took time to match the pattern. A lot of work, sure. I wish I still had that dress!

And, I agree with the others who indicate that it appears that PR is trying to right the wrong done Mondo in the season. Still scratching my head on that one.
Posted: 12:37 pm on March 13th

DaughterofLevi writes: Sorry, although I love Mondo's designs and combination of colors, he blew it on this one! I would NOT buy that dress if it was selling for $15!!! Even a belt would not improve it. Didn't like Kenley's dress either. Am I the only one that noticed the judges kept pushing Michael through with his rehashing of JLo's outfit (same dress just different colors and fabric). I do believe it was the same dress at least 3 times! I don't think I would wear it to bed, things just might fall out! Austin's coat was sloppy. I think the judges are going to have Mondo win to make up for the mess when he should have won, so they eliminated Rami and Mila; he can claim the victory now. Too bad, they played fashion politics.
Posted: 9:26 pm on March 12th

sewsilky writes: I love Mondo's use of fabric, and his design does work for many body types. If someone wants, they can throw on a belt. I think the look is very versatile and with something retailing for that much money, you would want to be able to wear it on many occasions. I even envision it under a blazer at the office.
Posted: 6:08 pm on March 12th

camillepdx writes: For me the perfect final three would have been Mondo, Rami, and Mila. I believe they are the most talented of the bunch. Still, I love the show and look forward to seeing the collections.
Posted: 4:25 pm on March 12th

Joen_Green writes: I loved Mondo's use of pattern and color in this challenge and glad he won. Austens coat while getting raves I found it sloppy. So over Kaftans!!had enough of them last season. They are not cutting edge they are beginner sewing no sewing techinque nor designing needed. I have enjoyed AllStars though - nice to see judging based on the garment design and construction.
Posted: 9:39 am on March 12th

Soli writes: Once again, I didn't find any of the looks inspiring this week. I doubt that it was due to the budget consideration, but time and aesthetics. Kenley? Good riddance. And since she's singing full time with a band now, I didn't think she had any place there at all. Austin's coat was sloppy. I've seen photos of his bridal line, and yes, when he has the time, and when a factory's building his designs, they're wonderful. However, this was just a sad mess (insert Nina Garcia voice). Michael has done this dress before, but he did have the option of having hooks on the front and back plunges, and so it's not that far off from Anya's resort wear. But then again, that's Michael's thing. His shop in in Palm Springs and he does resort wear and cocktail/evening. A caftan that is properly draped is a great option to have for vacation, and truth be told, the last Kohl's commercial I saw for JLo's line had her wearing a shorter version of Michael's dress. Mondo's was cute, his usual mastery of color and prints, but as someone else pointed out, it's not going to flatter that many real women. I hope it comes with a belt...

At the end of the episode I'm glad that the top three went on, and I'm glad that the producers didn't feel the need to force a chick to stay in the competition for fear of losing their audience. Tom and Lorenzo had photos of Michael decoy collection his season, and most of it was absolutely lovely. Looking forward to seeing what all three of them come up with. I still think that Mondo should be working for Betsey Johnson...
Posted: 9:58 pm on March 11th

thomy writes: I did agree with the decision that Mondo should win this week. This is a very ready to wear look garment. Technically though, it was a little too shapeless. Not many women who would buy ready to wear would look good in the shiftless dress. I think a drawstring or soft elastic placed at hip level would have been a great addition. That would give any wearer options and versatility. Austins coat was gorgeous but fabric choice proved fatal. The color was gorgeous. Michaels work is same old same old. RTW it was not. Kenley missed the mark. That dress could have been a win if she had simply been strategic with the placement of her fabric and kept the keyhole feature. It turned out to be a dress off the rack, not remarkable at all. I like her aesthetic but she does have tunnel vision and needs to translate her design to be more current.

Posted: 8:23 am on March 11th

sews4fun writes: I am VERY happy that Michael got to stay, I have always wondered what a collection from him would look like and now I get to find out, I just hope it doesnt overly consist of his seemingly new found love for draping, I got over that when Rami was doing it so often.
I am also glad to see Kenley go, I am sick of her tunnel vision of the forties in everything she does and I see she still has that same nasty snarky attitude she always had, I guess she could keep up the "party manners" for only so long. Her dress was so 1980's, she didn't even bother to try to line up any patterning on the fabric and it looked cheap because of that.
I wasn't impressed with that sloppy wrinkly mess Austin sent down the runway even though I love swing coats. I wasn't crazy about his choice of fabric color which looked like dried blood to me.
Even Mondo's was .....okay but not his best work.
In spite of it all, I am glad Michael and yes, even Austin get to at least show their line this time because they were the last ones cut on their episodes of P.R. in the past.
I am glad Mondo also gets a second chance at winning since he was cheated out of a deserved win last time. I honestly wont care if Michael or Mondo win but Austin is just too sloppy and 8th grade home ec project for me and while he is entertaining, I don't see what the judges see in his work.
Posted: 11:14 pm on March 10th

Stitchy writes: Michael should have gone home. It reminded me of the Versace dress Jennifer Lopez wore to the Grammys. I think Rami should have been in the final three. I am not a Kenley or Michael fan.
I have to say I enjoy watching the All stars over the last two seasons.
Posted: 9:09 pm on March 10th

dorothysheldon writes: If the idea was to create ready to wear for a shopper and not a model, I don't know why Kenley was removed. How could you shop in something as long as Michael's. The winner and Kenley make more practical sense for a shopper. Austen's is just OK.
Looks like the old shirt waist with a lot of fabric.

d
Posted: 3:35 pm on March 10th

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