Tim Gunn was worried when Malvin described his jodhpurs as "chicken thighs," but he should have been more worried about the "egg" part of Malvin's top, which was not flattering. At all.

Here's the side view:

My boyfriend saw this and made a comment about dumping/placenta, and if you throw in "Ace bandage," that seems fairly accurate. Malvin is the perfect example of a designer who is into design but not fashion that women can wear. Or would want to.

Just a note: Rebecca's belly did not look anything like those pillows the models were wearing.

Mitchell made some giant shorts, which he found simply hilarious. Clothing in big sizes is always knee-slappingly funny. FAT IS SO FUNNY.

Heidi, Nina, Rebecca and guest judge Monique Lhuillier (filling in for Michael Kors) did not find the jumbo shorts amusing. Nina scolded Mitchell, saying his model was "a mess." MItchell's excuse: "I had some difficulties with the shorts." Right, it was so difficult to laugh about them and have your fellow contestants each stand in one leg.

The judges were also not impressed by Malvin's egg/chicken ensemble. "I don't think any pregnant woman wants to be thought of as a chicken," Heidi said, quite rightly. "I don't want to look like an egg," Rebecca agreed. Nina declared the design "bizarre."

Of all the dresses on the runway, I really liked Shirin's, and she was declared the winner.

But! I also really liked what Louise Brooks Black created.
Flirty retro-chic, in a sophisticated color, with lots of well-thought-out details.

Even though Mitchell's FAIL shorts FAILED, he was safe for another week.

But Malvin? His egg was cooked.
Auf Wiedersehen, Malvin! Oh, what's that? You have some last words you'd like to share with us? Okay.

[Sketch and runway images via MyLifetime.com]

A piece on CNN.com profiles a number of families who travel in the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Daniel Raffo, tiger trainer, is a fifth-generation circus performer. His wife, Andrea, performs the same "aerial ballet" that her mother and grandmother did. The couple has a four-year-old son, Davian. This isn't uncommon and, as might be clear from the whole "family business" traditionalism of circus life, there's a certain stability to it: lots of family together time, an extended family of fellow performers, but also most of the comforts of — well, society. For all the sinister associations and the profusion of clowns, the circus seems like a pretty solid way to grow up. Barnum & Bailey has a teacher who travels with the circus, tutoring in what he terms "a rigorous curriculum" in a one-room tent; he adds that the small class size means far more personal attention from the teacher than they would probably receive in a conventional school. Says one circus dad, "Instead of just reading it in books, they're going to see these things, and to me, that's more fulfilling."

Perhaps the oddest and most intriguing element of the story is the circus nun who travels with them. Sister Dorothy Fabritze is a former missionary who arranges weekly clerical visits, provides spiritual counsel and holds Bible study. For a few years, she operated the curtain in the circus tent. Says the sister, "I saw that these people needed to find that they too were a parish, that they too were a community...We can support and walk with each other in this journey that we call life."

Interestingly enough, today also brings the obituary of legendary tightrope walker Pauline Penny Cosby, "Queen of the Silver Wire," who lived and worked under the Big Top for 30 years. In a time when few professions command such loyalty, it's heartening and romantic to see the legacy being carried on. Nowadays a lot more people are devoted to entertainment, but how many can call it a way of life? Ironically, this most old-fashioned of art forms retains far more mystery and mystique than all the arts of technology. And yes, in case you're curious, my friend Eleanor was still working as a bareback rider last I heard.

This Family DOES Live In A Circus [CNN]
Circus Performer Cosby Dead At Age 92 [UPI]

[Image via Wired]

Leanimal.com [Official Site]

[Project Runway images by Alex Wright.]

Tim stars in a new anti-fur video for PETA, and even though there's a CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES warning, the fashion guru has such a irresistible allure, you may find yourself watching anyway. The video will be launched during New York Fashion Week in February, and  good news  Tim Gunn has announced that the embattled show Project Runway will, indeed, be filming during Fashion Week.

Tim told New York magazine: "I'm making my home visits to the finalists starting on Sunday. It's an incredible season. It really is. And I just want people to see it. And I want the designers on the show to get the exposure." Hopefully they will! But since we still don't know which network the show will end up on or when the show will air, we'll just have to be patient. To kill time, we'll imagine what would happen if Tim Gunn styled a professional basketball team. Oh, wait! The Onion beat us to it.


Video below, view with caution.

Project Runway mentor, Tim Gunn, fronts new PETA campaign [Telegraph]
Tim Gunn: Project Runway Will Shoot at Fashion Week [New York Mag]
Tim Gunn Takes Wizards Shopping For Less Hideous Uniforms [The Onion]

Season 1 winner Jay McCarroll says of his burlap cocktail-length dress, "We need to live within our means and get back to basics."

But for his spring 2007 collection, Jay designed this citrusy gown and this metallic gown. Either one could be an elegant choice for Michelle Obama!

Season 1 finalist Austin Scarlett created this washed burlap strapless gown.

Here's a more formal choice, from Austin Scarlett's line, Kenneth Pool.

Season 2 semifinalist Kara Janx made a dress "about patriotism and change, with a pop culture spirit."

But can you picture Michelle Obama in one of Kara's famous kimonos? The gold trim adds a more glamorous touch.

Malan Breton of Season 3 cut the stars out of the flag and used them to highlight his dress.

But a more simple, regal shape from his 2009 spring collection seems more fitting for a First Lady.

Mychael Knight, Season 3 semifinalist, created a "youthful and sexy" gown. "She’s becoming the first lady, not an old lady!"

Mychael's designs are so youthful and so sexy (think: leather bikinis) that the only appropriate gown to be found was this one from an old episode of Project Runway. Still, Ms. Obama could rock this.

Alison Kelly of Season 3 says she "thought back to the Great Depression and remembered Coco Chanel’s dropped waist silhouette" when she dreamed up this black gown.

But what if she took this top from her line, Dahl by Alison Kelly, and lengthened it into a dress? It has a quiet yet impactful "wow" factor. And Michelle Obama has great shoulders.

LOL. This is from the lovable Chris March, Season 4. Due to dire financial straits, "The first lady will have to resort to wearing a barrel. Of course, hers will be glamorous."

Checking out Chris March's site, it was tough to find anything Michelle Obama-appropriate. This was the best I could do. It's very "after the revolution," no?

Rami Kashou of Season 4 used draping, of course. The stripes are awfully distracting, though.

Could Michelle Obama wear a Rami Kashou divine golden goddess number instead?

Last, but not least: Season 5 winner Leanne Marshall. Her gown features a dramatic collar and "a very full, pocketed sweeping skirt of 50 horizontally paneled potato sacks." Not bad, but…

This beautiful dress from Leanne's final collection would be much, much better.

The Ball Gown Challenge [The Daily Beast]

Related: Jay McCarroll
Austin Scarlett
Kara Janx
Mychael Knight
Dahl By Alison Kelly
Chris March
Rami Kashou
Leanimal

Kenley tells EW:

I teach sewing in New York. It's in the Fashion District, on 37th Street, called Sew Fast, Sew Easy. I teach a beginner's sewing class and intermediate pattern-making. I'm just trying to make some money right now. I lost all my money because I did Project Runway, and I'm just trying to get my money back, plus more. And it's working. I'm gonna expand my website and keep selling dresses.

Kenley swears her website, kenleycollins.com, where she sells headpieces, is doing really well, but it was down as of 11:15 this morning.

Kenley also knocks Korto's line: "Korto sent really bad, unfinished pieces down the runway, and underwear was showing, too. I don't care if you have the best line in the world, if your stuff is showing underwear, and it's unfinished, that's unacceptable at Bryant Park. That was really insulting, to have my beautiful, couture-made line come in third next to that was really insulting." Kenley also talks about the knock-off accusations (she thinks her floral dress looks "nothing like" Balenciaga) and says there's one good thing that came out of being on the show: "I came out of this competition with my two best friends, Stella and Daniel." Daniel is living with her, subletting her apartment. And Kenley talks to Stella every day!

As for Korto, who won $10,000 for being the "fan favorite," she says: "I'm still mad. I wanted to win… I'm glad that women got that I was fighting for the real women, women with curves, women that don't look like Heidi Klum. We need to go buy high-fashion stuff, and we want to look hot and sexy. Those are the people I design for. I represented for them, and I'm glad they got it." Korto is super close with Jerell, and fairly friendly with Leanne: "She's a classy lady. Kenley doesn't apologize for her statements." Korto's taking her family Liberia next year; she was invited to visit and design a gown for the president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. "Maybe I'll make Michelle Obama's inaugural dress," Korto sorta-jokes.

As for Leanne, she is super excited that Sarah Jessica Parker has asked for clothes. "I guess she watched the show […] and she wants to be my customer. It's amazing. When I was creating my collection, I listened to music all day, but at night I would kind of feel lonely and want someone to talk to, so I watched every episode of Sex and the City."

'Project Runway' Winner Leanne Dishes On Kenley And Her First Big Splurge [LA Times]
'Project Runway' Exit Q&A: Kenley Collins [EW]
'Project Runway' Runner-Up Q&A: Korto Momolu [EW]
'Project Runway' Q&A: Season 5 Winner Leanne Marshall [EW]

(Click on any image to begin galleries)

Kenley's collection was first. The judges liked the bright color palette and the fact that each piece was unique and different. Michael Kors said it was "full of charm" and had "a lot of personality." Tim Gunn pointed out Kenley's "impeccable construction." Nina Garcia was worried that the floral dress was very Balenciaga and Kenley admitted: "I realized now maybe I need to do some research." Finally: Something got through that hard head! That said, I reluctantly admit that I liked Kenley's the best. It was whimsical and made getting dressed look like fun. Oh. But. At the runway show, when Kenley said, "No one touches my clothes," I was quoting Nell Carter. Gimme a break!

Korto's collection was inspired by nature. Michael Kors declared it "great." Tim Gunn said she "hit a bullseye." Heidi Klum thought some pieces were "overworked." My mom said she was the only one who made clothes women who are not stick figures could wear. I love Korto, but I didn't love this collection. I did feel awful when Korto did not win, and said, "My heart is bleeding."

Leanne, the slinky little Leanimal, was named the winner of Project Runway. Michael Kors said her "workmanship looked divine." Nina Garcia appreciated that her collection had diversity, showing skirts, jackets and long dresses. And honestly? Leanne created stunning, innovative pieces. Congrats, Leanne! And thank you, Project Runway, not only for being entertaining, but for showing the passion, craftsmanship and artisanal skills involved when people really love fashion. Get your shit together and come back in January.

Photography by Alex Wright.

Project Runway Season 5 [Bravo]

Kenley's dress was inspired by purple leaves. Jerell said it looked like "Kenley the dragon slayer" or a "purplezilla costume." Tim Gunn thought the bottom of dress looked like fish scales, which Kenley took as a compliment. I wanted to smack Kenley when she said, "I wasn't going for elegance, Heidi." You do not get snippy with Heidi Klum!

Guest Judge Georgina Chapman (sure, she runs evening gown company Marchesa, but she's also conveniently married to producer Harvey Weinstein!) loved Leanne's gown, which was inspired by a blurry picture of lavender flowers. But Michael Kors thought there was no "joy" in the elaborate ruching.

Michael Kors thought Korto's evening gown contained "every cliché." Nina Garcia seemed angry, and Georgina Chapman looked disappointed.

Jerell was the winner of this challenge, even though his hem was totally unfinished, messy and wonky. Still, his gown inspired by layers of rose petals was one of the better ones on the runway.

So: The "twist" is that all four designers will go home and create collections, even though only 3 will "compete" on the runway at Bryant Park. When I was watching the shows during Fashion Week, I felt sure that the three ladies were the three finalists; now I'm not so sure!

In case you want to see the collections again, find them here:
Project Runway Fashion Show: Jerell
Project Runway Fashion Show: Korto
Project Runway Fashion Show: Leanne
Project Runway Fashion Show: Kenley

Project Runway Season 5 [Bravo]

What does this mean for Nina Garcia? For Tim Gunn? For Marie Claire, the magazine taking over the role previously played by Elle on the show? What about guest judge Lindsay Lohan? What about the contestants??? Lately, the show seems a little… uninspired. But the concept: To showcase emerging talent in the fashion world, to give the designers "challenges" in a way that allows the audience to witness a garment go from thought to sketch to runway  is still really powerful entertainment. It's too bad all the product placement and money troubles cloud the vision. Maybe the show should go to a pay channel, like HBO, where, ironically, it could really run free? Let's just say you were Harvey Weinstein: How would you save Project Runway? Do you think it can be saved?

Bad News All Around... [WWD]

Leanne designed this country look for Korto. Nina Garcia didn't love it. Michael Kors thought it was like "a woman going out to eat ribs."

Kenley said, "Being sexed up by Jerell is a little scary." But she looked amazing, when she kept her mouth shut! Coworker Jessica wrote an email to me: "So I was watching with my friend Leah tonight, and she freaked out because Jerrell said his outfit was like the 'budussy cat dolls.' Apparently in and around DC, budussy means a rank combination of butt, dick, and pussy, otherwise known as the 'after sex smell.' I think it got past the censors because they had no idea what it meant." Hahahaha, ew! Anyway, the judges loved this look. Nina Garcia said it was revealing without being trashy, and Michael Kors agreed that it was not "vulgar." Guest judge LL Cool J looked like he wanted to eat Kenley up with a spoon. I liked it without the blue vest but whatevs.

Here is the "hip hop" fiasco that Kenley created for Leanne. Kenley tried to say that hip hop is all about attitude, and Leanne didn't bring any to the runway, and that's why the outfit didn't work. Sure, sure.

Korto was the winner of the challenge with this punk look she designed for Suede. LL thought it was "authentic."

Suede made this "rock and roll" outfit for Jerell, which Nina thought was too safe. She's right: It's rock and roll, but like Lenny Kravitz on laundry day. Suede was auf'd, so we no longer have to hear Suede talk about Suede in the third person. Bye Suede!

Project Runway Season 5 [Bravo]