Project Runway -- which challenges have you liked the most

[Longhorn]

and which have you liked the least?

I thought the jet-setter challenge was cool. They had to design for themselves but they also got to see how their clothing traveled with the trip to Paris.

I liked the everyday woman challenge but I think they should have kept it a little more fair. They should have been allowed to design for their own relatives so there couldn't be any suggestion of sabotage by the "models." And the challenge wasn't the same for all of them since some had plus-sized models and others did not.

I tend to like the challenges that most mimic what it's like in the fashion industry. For that reason, I thought the restriction that they could have no left over material in this last challenge was silly, especially since it wasn't announced until after they made their sketches. When in the industry do they have that kind of limitation? I also thought it was stupid that they had to make "couture" in just two days. Why not give them the time to really do something with all that money and handiwork?

[pepperbear]

1. I'll field that last one....

"Why not give them the time to really do something with all that money and handiwork?"

Because they absolutely have to eliminate someone. They have to make the challenges difficult enough to throw the contestants off. If you gave designers of that caliber all the time in the world, they'd have a much harder time judging. Consequently, the current model allows for such monstrosities as vince's couteur gown and kane's recycling material design. Plus, the time crunch allows for the drama and tension.

I love this show, but it is totally designed to manipulate both the viewers and the contestants.
Otherwise, you'd just have fabulous designers taking all the time they need to make hit and miss clothes....with no objective.

I LOVED the couteur gown, the pagent gown, and the fashion icon challenge (where michael made that to die for pam grier magenta hot pants ensemble. OH SNAP!)

[Longhorn]

3. I agree that the rules of the challenges are mainly for dramatic purposes.

I didn't think about how it makes it easier to eliminate folks -- that's a good point! I just thought for this one challenge, when intricate handiwork is expected, they should have been given more time.

[dsc]

2. I loved the Icon challange

and the real woman challenge. I didn't like the jet set challenge because it was unfair in that the men had to make men's clothes which they didn't necessarily know how to do.

[Longhorn]

4. That's true but I guess they come into the competition knowing

that they may have to design menswear. I remember they had to design for each other last competition and, of course, some ended up designing for men. Who was it that designed pants with no pockets? :)

[dsc]

5. That is true

I can't remember who did the pocketless pants but it was funny.

[AngryOldDem]

6. My favorite and least favorite

Favorite: Macy's INC. I really liked Angela/Laura/Michael's outfit
Least favorite: Trash-your-apartment-for-materials challenge

And I too have found the restrictions this season to be bordering on the ridiculous. The "no scraps" BS last week is a prime example. I'm amazed that they allowed them to be stuffed into purses, but I guess that's making use of them.

Also...did anyone else see the trailer on CNN Saturday that said the **four** PR finalists had their Fashion Week show this past week?

[Longhorn]

7. One of them may be a decoy.

I think last time that all four got to present their collections so that it wouldn't leak out ahead of time who the final three are. Maybe that's what's going on.

I liked the INC competition, too. Of course, we only see the edited version but it seems to me that Laura tried to take too much credit for Angela's design. She argued against a lot of it and then when Angela took one of her suggestions, she acted like that's why Angela won. They could only show one example when she brought that point up again last week. I understand her point about Angela coming back on a group project but Angela didn't make the rules, either.

[AngryOldDem]

9. Sounds like there may be four finalists...

...saw a commercial on Bravo where Heidi tells them that the show this season is not committed to having three finalists as in the past...that was followed by the obligatory jaw-drops.

To a point I could see Laura's complaint about Angela being brought back. Both she and Michael had a lot of input into that outfit -- remember when Angela wanted to put those stupid floret-thingys on it? -- and it was definitely more of a team, than an individual. effort. However, Angela was more hands-on than Keith was. It was also her design that was chosen to be developed, and she was the team leader. Like Jeffrey with the mom challenge, Laura needs to let it go. They are still there. Angela isn't.

[MaineDem]

8. I think the "everyday woman" challenge had great potential

I was extremely disappointed by the lack of style most of the designers showed with the plus-sized clients. There was so much potential for these young designers to show real everyday women that their size does not mean they can't have stylish clothing. I think the designers blew it big time.

Also, I agree that the challenge was unfair. I much would have preferred to have them all designing for plus sized models.

I think my favorite actual challenge was the couture designs. Least favorite was the one with the dogs. That was just plain bizarre.