All over the place today. Like probably all of you Miss Things.
But there were a couple of things on the Queen’s mind that need musing on.
Project Runway All Stars: Gretchen can now leave the Witness Protection Program
So, instead of a Fierce Black Queen, we have a Fierce Latino Queen winning Project Runway All Stars. This FBQ can definitely live with that. Continue reading
So it was finally that time.
It was time for our final FBQ to go. I don’t know about you Miss Things, but for me, the fun of this show now is to predict which contestant will be kicked off next before handing the win to Mondo. Not necessarily because of his talent (which, don’t get me wrong, is considerable), but because Mssrs. Bunim/Murray will be run out of town on a rail if he doesn’t. I hope none of these designers were delusional enough to think they had a shot in hell once they found out that Mondo was in the cast. But if any of them did, I put my money on Jerell.
The Queen hasn’t been shy about saying that I don’t get him. Granted, I was more impressed with his overall work during Season 5, but even then I was perplexed by his aesthetic. Granted, all the designers are phoning it in and re-hashing their own work–but Jerell just seemed to take the worst of his aesthetic and showcase that. Father should take Coco Chanel’s famous quote, frame it and put it next to his sewing workstation.
You have to admit it: the man is FINE.
I thought Joanna Coles’ comment to Jerell about being “…impervious to suggestion and criticism” on After The Runway was incredibly apropos. I think a good deal of it has to do with youth and the need to create a definitive design profile. In his defense he was able to admit that some of his choices shouldn’t have made it to the runway. I just hope he sees the sublime benefit in constructive criticism, and how following a form can indeed set you free to find a refined point of view.
Anyway, I wish him the best.
Who’s going next?
Okay. Okay…WTF??!!!
The Queen is the first to admit that I am about as fashion forward as a powdered wig. So I must be missing something. Would someone please…PLEASE explain to me…
WHY HE IS STILL HERE??!!!
Is he fashion forward in a way I just can’t see? 
When I look at his work, it really does seem to me as if he takes everything he buys at Mood, creates a basic garment, closes his eyes and throws the rest of the fabrics and notions onto it. Wherever they stick-that’s where he tacks them. Is that it? Is looking like you are playing dress-up from the stuff in mommy’s closet the new trend? Is taking cliche’d and stereotypical ideas about a country’s culture and putting them ALL INTO ONE GARMENT the latest thing in couture? Please help me understand. Because right now I feel as if I’ve gone mad. I feel as if all of the things I’ve picked up over the years about fashion and design are wrong. 
I feel as if I worry too much about being meticulous and precise in my garment construction. That my work would be much more relevant and “on trend” if I tack embellishments onto sleeves so that they look as if they could fall off at any minute. I thought that Heidi, Michael and Nina had taken their crack pipe with them when they left the runway. Apparently however, they taped a couple of rocks under the seats and the current group of judges found, and smoked them. 
How else do you explain overlooking such shoddy construction? The shoulder seams were HORRIBLE and that trim looked like Miss J got it from the bargain bin remnants section of the store. No way…NO WAY did Mila’s impeccably sewn and bold design deserve to go home ahead of this. 
As jarring to Isaac as it may have been, it showed such a clear point of view. That alone should have kept the designer in the competition. I really would like to know what it is about Jerell’s aesthetic that keeps the judges wanting to see more? It was interesting to me that during After The Runway, (which by the way, I enjoyed more than I thought I would–even though Bunim/Murray still tried to wring out drama from a relatively drama free cast) Jerell was the only one who had no clique attached to him. Maybe his overblown conceit is just too much for the rest of the group to take.
As a Fierce Black Queen (and he IS a FBQ), I am glad he is doing well. As I’ve said in earlier posts on him, I admire his strong sense of aesthetics–even if I don’t understand it. I just wish to GOD I understood it. Any help you Miss Things can give around that subject would be gratefully appreciated.
Look at that face.
In his early twenties, the Queen had quite a scare when one of the only girls he ever dated seriously thought she was pregnant with his baby. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Anthony Williams was the secret offspring of that relationship.
Whether or not Miss Thing is the Queen’s love child is the topic for another discussion. The fact that we have to say goodbye to the Beeotch of Bon Mots, is the subject of this one.
It’s no secret that I give preferential treatment to the black people on the reality programming that I watch. If they dazzle me with their talent, then I will faithfully ride the emotional roller coaster with them–even though I know that %99 of the time, it will end in heartache. That’s IF they have talent. I’ve gotten over rooting for someone indefinitely simply because they happen to be black. And though Miss Williams has given me smiles and laughter from day 1, as I have stated in another post–I have never been a big fan of his aesthetic. So since All Stars is more about talent than personality (thank the Good Lord), I can’t say that I’m very broken up about his leaving. Besides, I get the strong feeling that he had no real interest in being there any more. He is a very smart man. 
He’s played the PR game before. He knows that adhering to the parameters of the challenge is paramount. The fact that he would send something to the runway with less than %50 of the fabric he adeptly retrieved from people, says to me that he wanted to go. Taking clues from his exit dialogue, it seems to me that he was using this appearance as a tool. This wasn’t a proving ground for his talents. In the bio section of his website, he says “Television introduced me to the world as a funny, southern, gay, black man that is sassy and full of entertaining one-liners. I am more than the image and personality that was projected through that reality show.” Unfortunately, I fear that that still remains his primary Brand. The Queen is very disappointed that Anthony didn’t step up his game on PRAS, however he joins the thousands of others that wish him MUCH success in his future endeavors. I sincerely hope he finds a satisfying place in which to showcase his sparkling personality and spirit.
…was Anthony L. Williams.
No Miss Things, not for the dress. I mean, it was absolutely lovely. But we’ve seen it before. Can you say Jessica Alba?
He nabbed an even BIGGER win. But more of that in a second.
I understand why Austin won. And I THINK I understand why Mondo’s wasn’t up for the win–even though I gave a gay gasp when I saw his garment. Mondo is the real deal: a true Designer. 
I agreed with Mila’s assessment of Austin’s gown: “basic.” And even though I loved the clean lines of Mr. Scarlett’s creation, I wasn’t too crazy about his choice of textiles. It seemed to be tissue lame as opposed to, say, pearl. And unfortunately, I think it looked a little cheap and wrinkled. 
I’ll have to pay closer attention when I watch the episode again (as a side note: it is such a pleasure to actually WANT to watch an episode of PR again. If anyone ever desires to extract government secrets from me, they need only strap me in a room and force me to watch the last season of PR. I’d sing like a canary).
No. Miss Williams was the clear winner for a much more important reason:
Now of course, we can never truly know what that whole exchange was all about (*cough*little bitch*cough*). However, it’s been my experience that a FBQ NEVER lets someone touch their Jheri Curled head unless they’ve gotten REALLY close (*cough*dark and lovely little vixen*cough*). Even if it is just a close friendship, I have to applaud Lady A for stepping up his game (*cough*fierce little bitch*cough*).
Forget the damn gowns. Wrap me up in some Kashou, and send ME off to the Opera.
I can’t quite see doing a weekly post on Project Runway. There are more than enough wonderful blogs and sites that do a fabulous job in recapping and reviewing the show. However I will of course be watching, and—as is usually the case in reality shows—be inexorably drawn to the FBQ of the cast. So I will probably give my take on them from time to time throughout the run, if you REALLY care to know.
In regards to the show itself: I will say that after the last season of PR, the first episode of PRAS was like a sweet, refreshing and cleansing gulp of fruit juice after having vomited in your mouth.
But, before I run down the two FBQ of the group…
…’Cause he’s fine.
Rami Kashou. Ooooh. I done give myself the vapors *sips his sweet tea*. Now onto my Brother-Sistahs.
Anthony Williams
Aside from the fact that physically we resemble each other enough for him to be my baby brother; Anthony Williams is that burst of sunshine that flashes through your curtains first thing in the morning, and jump-starts your day. Earthy and effusive, the man captured my heart and funny bone immediately and never let go. Like a lot of FBQ he is smart and self-aware. He drew on his strengths during his season and almost rode them to the finals.
I will be the first to admit that I wasn’t a fan of his aesthetic. I felt his pieces were somewhat one-dimensional and repetitive. It was often pointed out that he was more referential than fashion-forward. But none of US have Heidi Klum and Jessica Alba wearing OUR clothes, so what I think of his work and $4.50 will get me a Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks. My hope is that he sheds the naive country boy schtick (which I’m sure is genuine–but sometimes we black queens use it to keep from scaring all the white folk), and shows the group his fierce creative and competitive side (which I also believe is there).
By the way…did I mention that Rami Kashou is HOT?!!!
photo by Brent Dundore
Jerell Scott
Though I don’t always understand this FBQ’s Point of View, I very clearly understand that he has a strong one. In terms of the black cultural aesthetic of “More Is More”, I found his take on that design theory to be the most successful from all the seasons. And while I don’t share his personal style, I am in awe of any artist who makes such bold garment choices. The man has flair and panache. And he is all ready in his mantle to take his place as a New Millennium Apostle when Jesus comes back.
I wish these two FBQ MUCH success in the new season.
…but I’m still rooting for Mondo.
And I can’t remember if I mentioned the fact that…
RAMI KASHOU IS SO DANG HOT!!!
FBQ 