Project Runway 9, Forever Darling 4
‘One of them just walked off the show and the other just dropped dead.’ -said my wife, Thursday night
Something interesting happened this week on Project Runway. And it wasn’t Cecilia throwing in the towel or Oliver collapsing on a track at the Armory. Nor was it the general bitchiness from teams Joshua or Anthony Ryan.
Heidi Klum actually gave the designers MORE TIME to complete their work. And for the first time this season, I was able to see what I came for: Some good fashion design. Not great, but good.
(Okay, the first challenge was really good, but there was a drop off after that)
A dark cloud of schadenfreude seems to be the Project Runway modus operandi this time out – and frankly, I’m not enjoying it very much. Sadism on tee vee, not a big draw for me.
The Project Runway formula is the same as usual: Take some great talent, surprise them with challenges within a quick time frame, and see what they can do.
Only so far, all we’ve been able to really see are some harebrained stunts for the designers to work with (models on stilts, really??), insane time limits, near nervous breakdowns, panic attacks, Nina saying ‘no’ a whole lot. This show that has become legendary for showcasing incredible designers and pushing careers forward had devolved into Project Sweatshop. Workflow of getting things done over getting things done well.
fallene
For starters, it’s not easy to get on the show – one has to have talent. And one of the portfolios that caught my eye this go around is that of Denver-based Fallene Wells (above).
Her work is inspired by the 1920s – which is something I like to see done well. She told me recently, ‘I have loved the 20s for years maybe since I was 10 or so, I used to watch Chaplin films. Today, I’m finally able to showcase the 20s to its fullest potential.’
Unfortunately, it just won’t be happening on Project Runway or this year, at Lincoln Center. Fallene was one of the earliest casualties this brutal season – tho in the scheme of things, this just gives her time to work on what she’s become known in Denver for: Forever Darling. And a Fallene-produced 1920s-inspired collection will be showcased September 30, 2011 as part of the fourth edition of this annual event.
dahling!
‘The Forever Darling Fashion Show is an annual high-energy, high-profile event that recognizes and promotes Denver’s fashion design scene. Our mission: to raise the profile of Denver’s local independent fashion leaders, to build excitement in the possibilities of individualized fashion options, and to raise money for charity.’
This year’s theme is all about the 1920s and will feature collections from ten local fashion designers, in addition to Fallene. The lettering on the promo materials (above and below) was crafted by illustrator Michael Dee.
In or around the Denver area? Tickets can be snagged here – with a tumblr blog posting updates here.
Fallene Wells’ Facebook fan page can be found here, Etsy here.
As for Project Runway, I’m hoping they get their groove back. It’s one of the few places that is capable of challenging the status quo of reality programming. Tee vee these days really needs the shot in the arm.
