As we keep cutting the designers down by numbers, we seem to be moving higher and higher up the scales of talent and we are really moving into the better ones and eliminating them seems to be tougher and tougher...even painful...
Allison must be one of the hottest Mama's in town. She is so confident and chic. Her designs are sleek and usually uncomplicated. Perhaps it was just far too clean for the judges to give them their stamp of approval or decline her ascend to the ranks of the top designers. Her outfit for Danny was just far too simple. Not bad, but just too simple. It seems like Danny just got dressed with stuff off his own wardrobe - for a makeover challenge! I think that maybe Allison thinks that Danny looks good enough with his own style and just did not have the heart to change Danny's style. But must add that I think that the outfit that Danny did for Allison's make over was fab! Allison looked wonderful! Personally, I love Allison, I think that she was easy to chat with and very nice to hang with. I'm not afraid or worried for Allison. I know she's got what it takes to make it in the real world of fashion. Rock on! Hot Mama!
How about Danny? When we auditioned Danny, I had thought that his work is so-ever market-ready. He seems to have such clean lines, undisturbed, streamlined, and ready to wear gems. I had wondered how he would do with Haute Couture, as his work is so Prêt-A-Porter, I did worry a little. When I saw Danny's Bridal outfit, I was rather concerned. I know that Danny was rather weak in Haute Couture and would be much better handling RTW. I hated the way he created his bustier, the chiffon frills/train on the sides of the gown, and also the jewelled buttons on the angular seams on the skirt of the gown. What were you thinking off? Besides, he has changed the model/client's design right through, I was surprised that Eloise actually bothered to "drama" with the gown on stage! But Danny as a person seems to have a happy-go-lucky attitude that helps make any tough situation a breeze. I think that he would really excel in the world of Prêt-A-Porter. A name to watch.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Peter & The Runway - designs and designers - Nurita n Mumtaz
Wow! Having the idea of putting them both in the same blog is kinda weird for me...!
In all fairness, I did fight really hard to get them into the Top 15 during the auditions. Initially we had seen a huge potential in Mumtaz and Nurita. We had really thought that they would have stepped up to the challenges and really give the viewers a run for their money. But sadly, like I have said before, when a designer leaves, we usually see them at their weakest and that's how the cookie crumbles...
When Nurita was given the challenge of National Service Uniform, I was immediately worried for her, as her silhouette is generally un-bashly feminine and flowy. Having to design a structured item such as a military training uniform, I had thought right at the start that it would be a real challenge for Nurita, but at the same time I had sincerely hoped that she gets to turn it around and show us what she's all about.
As early as the auditions, Nurita had come across to me as being not unlike Winona Ryder in the role of a spaced-out rebel fashion designer. She had a certain vague style, even up to the point of be a huge snob that really had a few tricks up her sleeves. Her clothes were feminine, soft, flowy and dreamy.
During the pressure of the weekly challenges, I could really see Nurita's shy, nervous nature come out even more and more. She was getting more and more un-certain and somewhat lost when I have to ask her about her work. No wonder they took most of it off the screen time.
During the challenge of the National Service Uniform, I was deeply disappointed when she showed round-neck jacket top. When we all would know that we would need more structured and least to have a collar to show some formal aspect to something as important as a Military trainee's uniform. The judges were not wrong to have dismissed her, but I had wished that the producers had switched the challenges around and with the Commercial Appeal challenge up instead....
The next to leave...Mumtaz.
I am very sure that a lot of our viewers had not been able to picture Mumtaz as the next big thing in the fashion industry, but her work does have a lot of elements of design in them. During the auditions she showed us some really interesting pieces, the one I remembered the most would probably be the beautiful pewter lace top, where she pleated, then cut and pieced together into a beautiful market-ready designer top. And she also showed us a unique pleated skirt.
True that her fabric selection is way, way, way weak. Her colour scheme needed a re-fresher too. But when she failed to charm the judges week after week, I honestly hoped that her suffering being in the bottom three; week after week; would end even quicker. I can also see her spirit being ripped apart slowly, painfully each challenge. It's also sad when she, like Kak Ani, did not click with the other more trendy designers. In all fairness, I think that given a chance to know her, she is not a bad person, but just like everyone else in this world, just would like some form of respect and deserving some love. I really hated the idea that she gets picked as the bottom three each challenge, if I knew that her understanding of the challenges were this bad, I would not have fought that hard to even get her into the show...I do hope that some way you can forgive me Mumtaz.
But I am sure that both Mumtaz and Nurita will continue to make their way across the fashion world. Mumtaz will continue to please her regular customers with her work.
While Nurita will leave her mark in our hearts and wardrobe really soon with her new collection sold at a leading department store (no, not Parkson, that would be kept for the winner of the season). Nurita, in reading this, please for goodness sakes, have more faith and believe in yourself and remember that the fashion industry is very cut-throat and it moves at a thousand miles an hour! So pick up the gears and get into the groove with them!
In all fairness, I did fight really hard to get them into the Top 15 during the auditions. Initially we had seen a huge potential in Mumtaz and Nurita. We had really thought that they would have stepped up to the challenges and really give the viewers a run for their money. But sadly, like I have said before, when a designer leaves, we usually see them at their weakest and that's how the cookie crumbles...
When Nurita was given the challenge of National Service Uniform, I was immediately worried for her, as her silhouette is generally un-bashly feminine and flowy. Having to design a structured item such as a military training uniform, I had thought right at the start that it would be a real challenge for Nurita, but at the same time I had sincerely hoped that she gets to turn it around and show us what she's all about.
As early as the auditions, Nurita had come across to me as being not unlike Winona Ryder in the role of a spaced-out rebel fashion designer. She had a certain vague style, even up to the point of be a huge snob that really had a few tricks up her sleeves. Her clothes were feminine, soft, flowy and dreamy.
During the pressure of the weekly challenges, I could really see Nurita's shy, nervous nature come out even more and more. She was getting more and more un-certain and somewhat lost when I have to ask her about her work. No wonder they took most of it off the screen time.
During the challenge of the National Service Uniform, I was deeply disappointed when she showed round-neck jacket top. When we all would know that we would need more structured and least to have a collar to show some formal aspect to something as important as a Military trainee's uniform. The judges were not wrong to have dismissed her, but I had wished that the producers had switched the challenges around and with the Commercial Appeal challenge up instead....
The next to leave...Mumtaz.
I am very sure that a lot of our viewers had not been able to picture Mumtaz as the next big thing in the fashion industry, but her work does have a lot of elements of design in them. During the auditions she showed us some really interesting pieces, the one I remembered the most would probably be the beautiful pewter lace top, where she pleated, then cut and pieced together into a beautiful market-ready designer top. And she also showed us a unique pleated skirt.
True that her fabric selection is way, way, way weak. Her colour scheme needed a re-fresher too. But when she failed to charm the judges week after week, I honestly hoped that her suffering being in the bottom three; week after week; would end even quicker. I can also see her spirit being ripped apart slowly, painfully each challenge. It's also sad when she, like Kak Ani, did not click with the other more trendy designers. In all fairness, I think that given a chance to know her, she is not a bad person, but just like everyone else in this world, just would like some form of respect and deserving some love. I really hated the idea that she gets picked as the bottom three each challenge, if I knew that her understanding of the challenges were this bad, I would not have fought that hard to even get her into the show...I do hope that some way you can forgive me Mumtaz.
But I am sure that both Mumtaz and Nurita will continue to make their way across the fashion world. Mumtaz will continue to please her regular customers with her work.
While Nurita will leave her mark in our hearts and wardrobe really soon with her new collection sold at a leading department store (no, not Parkson, that would be kept for the winner of the season). Nurita, in reading this, please for goodness sakes, have more faith and believe in yourself and remember that the fashion industry is very cut-throat and it moves at a thousand miles an hour! So pick up the gears and get into the groove with them!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Peter & The Runway - screentime and screen personality
Hmm...as a review of the show came up in the papers today. Seems that the show is not making the cut. Everybody was "examined" and "criticized". The journalist was probably trying his best to sift out the weaker elements of the show.
Well, it has been about 5 episodes on now, and I really think that my screen time barely adds up to 15 minutes! And to think that I'm suppose to be the co-host! I know it's not always about me! But really! What's the point to have me on the show then? I do ask myself each time I watch the show.
As for comments to the designers, for each and every challenge, I talk or rather interview the designers and question them about their work and design and progress. As most of my friends and people whom actually know me had asked me why am I so "nice" to the designers. In actual fact, there were times, I had talk to designers and given them my thoughts (not always nice) but it's done with an eloquent manner with a dose of politeness thrown in. But whatever happened to those comments, I guess they did not make the cut!
How can anyone have any screen personality when their screen time is cut to bare minimum (sometimes even more!)? I guess even a co-host or Mentor’s role is also at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the Director/Editor…live and learn…
Well, it has been about 5 episodes on now, and I really think that my screen time barely adds up to 15 minutes! And to think that I'm suppose to be the co-host! I know it's not always about me! But really! What's the point to have me on the show then? I do ask myself each time I watch the show.
As for comments to the designers, for each and every challenge, I talk or rather interview the designers and question them about their work and design and progress. As most of my friends and people whom actually know me had asked me why am I so "nice" to the designers. In actual fact, there were times, I had talk to designers and given them my thoughts (not always nice) but it's done with an eloquent manner with a dose of politeness thrown in. But whatever happened to those comments, I guess they did not make the cut!
How can anyone have any screen personality when their screen time is cut to bare minimum (sometimes even more!)? I guess even a co-host or Mentor’s role is also at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the Director/Editor…live and learn…
Monday, September 3, 2007
Peter & The Runway - designs and designers - Jenny n Khairi
Along came Jenny, when she showed us her work during auditions. She really captured the essence of contemporary with her works. She had a hand-painted cotton dress worn under an A-line plastic dress. It was modern and creative. Her sense of colour was spot on and it screamed modernist! I almost could imagine the like of Kylie Minogue don on an outfit like that in her music videos! But guess when it came to red carpet style her canary yellow dress overwhelmed the judges and sent her walking off the runway in a hurry. When she came back stage, she was so downtrodden and shattered by the judges’ comments and decision. She even made me worry and cry when I talked to her. She had wanted to leave the design and fashion world. I kept reminding her that all that had happen is only a small episode of her whole entire life! That she should learn from this and move on to prove to all and sundry that she deserves to be in the fashion world. Jenny, in reading this, I do hope to see your name in fashion again soon!
Cheeky little Khairi, he was cheeky during the auditions, he was cheeky during the show and he was still as cheeky even after he left the show. Khairi shown some of the most intricate embroidery works that I have ever seen from a young designer at the auditions. That actually made me rather concerned if he would be a better embroider or a designer? Charm and cheekiness aside, Khairi is indeed talented and with more understanding and experience in the fashion world, I'm confident that he can do well. But sadly, when a designer wants to stand out among his piers - he tries to come out with the more dramatic and hopefully more stunning outfit - but sadly that is not always the way. With Khairi's exit outfit, I thought it would have been much better if he had just done a simple pencil skirt and not attempt to cut the already brightly contrasting Kain Songkit into Bermudas with mis-matched seams. It was all too clown-ish and like what Datuk Bernard had pointed out, that he (Khairi) destroyed the Queen of Malaysian fabrics. I guess there is a fine line between being cheekily creative and clown-ishly bold. I would have liked to see Khairi grow and mature on the show, but I guess that's how the cookie crumbles....
Cheeky little Khairi, he was cheeky during the auditions, he was cheeky during the show and he was still as cheeky even after he left the show. Khairi shown some of the most intricate embroidery works that I have ever seen from a young designer at the auditions. That actually made me rather concerned if he would be a better embroider or a designer? Charm and cheekiness aside, Khairi is indeed talented and with more understanding and experience in the fashion world, I'm confident that he can do well. But sadly, when a designer wants to stand out among his piers - he tries to come out with the more dramatic and hopefully more stunning outfit - but sadly that is not always the way. With Khairi's exit outfit, I thought it would have been much better if he had just done a simple pencil skirt and not attempt to cut the already brightly contrasting Kain Songkit into Bermudas with mis-matched seams. It was all too clown-ish and like what Datuk Bernard had pointed out, that he (Khairi) destroyed the Queen of Malaysian fabrics. I guess there is a fine line between being cheekily creative and clown-ishly bold. I would have liked to see Khairi grow and mature on the show, but I guess that's how the cookie crumbles....
Peter & The Runway - designs and designers - Anizam and Kak Hanizam
Alright, this would be first of my personal views of the designers and their work on Project Runway Malaysia. I may seem bias, as I have actually worked with them through the season and I got to know some of them and of course got to know their work with greater depth. It's always nice to be remembered for our best, but sadly with reality telly contest, we are often remembered for our worst...
Hmm...? Who would I pick on first....?
How about the designer who left us first? Anizam had attempted to move from a shoe designer. He had convinced the judges at the auditions that he is competent and will stand a chance to show us more than just fantastic shoes...(and he had designed some really great looks for footwear!). Sadly, he really did not come up to par with the other designers and also failed to impress the judges at the Q&A and was literally given the boot very early - in fact as early as the premier episode...
Anizam sent me some pictures of his work after he left PRM, and I must say...if only he had stepped up the way he did with his own collection, and not the weak showing on the Runway, he might be around for a little longer.
Given the chance, it would be a surprise twist if our Producers would have kept all the Top 15 contestants in for the first episode and only to eliminate two contestants on the second episode...then again, that would be my suggestion, of course our Producers would know better...
Next out is Kak Ani, when she first came in for the auditions; she charmed all of judges including myself. Her workmanship and cutting is way above most of the other designers who came in for auditions. Indeed, she was not trained professionally as a designer. But her ability to understand cutting and her workmanship and her craftsmanship had won us over. Though we have given her tips to start preparing herself by updating her design skills, sadly her "funky streetwear" was more like a "flunky streetwear" and thus sending her back to the streets of K. B.
What the viewers would not have known was that she had even taken the raffia trivet apart, soaked in water to mould the "bra-cups" and she actually re-sewed them to hold the newly moulded shape! She did not just attached two flat pieces of trivets to the top and sent them down the runway!
Her designs are indeed dated and seem to have been caught in some bizarre time warp, but I think that if she had more time to live and study what urban people are wearing and how they style themselves - I bet she would give any designer on the show a run for their money.
Stay tuned for more of my comments.
Hmm...? Who would I pick on first....?
How about the designer who left us first? Anizam had attempted to move from a shoe designer. He had convinced the judges at the auditions that he is competent and will stand a chance to show us more than just fantastic shoes...(and he had designed some really great looks for footwear!). Sadly, he really did not come up to par with the other designers and also failed to impress the judges at the Q&A and was literally given the boot very early - in fact as early as the premier episode...
Anizam sent me some pictures of his work after he left PRM, and I must say...if only he had stepped up the way he did with his own collection, and not the weak showing on the Runway, he might be around for a little longer.
Given the chance, it would be a surprise twist if our Producers would have kept all the Top 15 contestants in for the first episode and only to eliminate two contestants on the second episode...then again, that would be my suggestion, of course our Producers would know better...
Next out is Kak Ani, when she first came in for the auditions; she charmed all of judges including myself. Her workmanship and cutting is way above most of the other designers who came in for auditions. Indeed, she was not trained professionally as a designer. But her ability to understand cutting and her workmanship and her craftsmanship had won us over. Though we have given her tips to start preparing herself by updating her design skills, sadly her "funky streetwear" was more like a "flunky streetwear" and thus sending her back to the streets of K. B.
What the viewers would not have known was that she had even taken the raffia trivet apart, soaked in water to mould the "bra-cups" and she actually re-sewed them to hold the newly moulded shape! She did not just attached two flat pieces of trivets to the top and sent them down the runway!
Her designs are indeed dated and seem to have been caught in some bizarre time warp, but I think that if she had more time to live and study what urban people are wearing and how they style themselves - I bet she would give any designer on the show a run for their money.
Stay tuned for more of my comments.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Peter and The Runway - wardrobe! hair! make up! (mine! all mine!)
Of course most people would not be wondering (or even care to know!) what I was wearing for Project Runway Malaysia, but if you are reading this blog, you would probably get to know because I'm gonna tell you!
My wardrobe for the series was predominately by brands under FJ Benjamin. The fabulous shirts that I had the pleasure of wearing were by RAOUL. The other parts of the wardrobe smart casual shirt, jackets and vests were by GAP and there were least a few funky printed shirts by GUESS. The rest of the stuff are bit and pieces from my own closet.
My hair was created by the fabulous team at The Met - the superb Song for the wonder precision cuts and the slick Randall Wong for the supreme colour works.
Although the wonderful make up artists from L'Oreal did my make up everyday, but I must be honest that I sneaked in a few stellar products that I would not leave home without and litterally forced the makeup artist to use on me! The are my fabulous Oil Free Foundation Primer (to make sure all the make up stays on and not slide off my face) and Secret Concelear No. 3 (for my very dark eye circles), both by Laura Mercier, the supreme Taupe Powder Blush (to slim and contour my puffy face), the delicious Vanilla scented Soothing Beige Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 (to give me that smile!), and to stop my face from shining more than the light on the sets - the Blotting Powder, and to take it all off in a hurry - Wipes, all by M. A. C.
One more important thing that most people would miss out, the stylish pieces of accessories that I wore during the show were mainly from my wonderful friends at LACONIC. They created some beautiful pieces of necklaces that I wore from Stainless Steel and one of my favourite coloured gem - smokey quartz. They were done as prototypes and I got to wear them first!
Frankly, I know that I not a hot hunk or with the looks to stop traffic, so I had really needed all the help to make sure that I look good enough for telly!
So to my dear friends at FJ Benjamin, Laconic, MAC and The Met - a big THANK YOU for making me look good!
My wardrobe for the series was predominately by brands under FJ Benjamin. The fabulous shirts that I had the pleasure of wearing were by RAOUL. The other parts of the wardrobe smart casual shirt, jackets and vests were by GAP and there were least a few funky printed shirts by GUESS. The rest of the stuff are bit and pieces from my own closet.
My hair was created by the fabulous team at The Met - the superb Song for the wonder precision cuts and the slick Randall Wong for the supreme colour works.
Although the wonderful make up artists from L'Oreal did my make up everyday, but I must be honest that I sneaked in a few stellar products that I would not leave home without and litterally forced the makeup artist to use on me! The are my fabulous Oil Free Foundation Primer (to make sure all the make up stays on and not slide off my face) and Secret Concelear No. 3 (for my very dark eye circles), both by Laura Mercier, the supreme Taupe Powder Blush (to slim and contour my puffy face), the delicious Vanilla scented Soothing Beige Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 (to give me that smile!), and to stop my face from shining more than the light on the sets - the Blotting Powder, and to take it all off in a hurry - Wipes, all by M. A. C.
One more important thing that most people would miss out, the stylish pieces of accessories that I wore during the show were mainly from my wonderful friends at LACONIC. They created some beautiful pieces of necklaces that I wore from Stainless Steel and one of my favourite coloured gem - smokey quartz. They were done as prototypes and I got to wear them first!
Frankly, I know that I not a hot hunk or with the looks to stop traffic, so I had really needed all the help to make sure that I look good enough for telly!
So to my dear friends at FJ Benjamin, Laconic, MAC and The Met - a big THANK YOU for making me look good!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Peter and The Runway - Bahasa Malaysia and Peter
When I first got the role of Mentor for Project Runway Malaysia, our Producers had asked if I could speak Bahasa Malaysia. In all honesty, when I was about 5 or 6, I learnt to sing "Burung Kakak Tua" as "Burung Kakak Dua"! Hmm....
Sadly, I only had about 6 years of school here in Malaysia, and my Bahasa Malaysia was not one of my stronger subjects. I was seriously flunking out of school here. But when I was sent to Toronto Canada, my English assessment test was way past the level of a 14-year-old student! And while in Toronto, I actually skipped two Grades and completed my Grade 13 when I was 16 1/2 (and that was even after failing 1 semester!).
So to say the least my command of Bahasa Malaysia is indeed crippled or limited. But even saying so, my understanding of the language is not bad, as I do understand most of the Malay dramas and telly shows and I can even read letters and I can order my food and converse lightly in BM.
But of course, BM is not my daily spoken language, nor is Chinese (as I cannot read nor write Chinese either).
Of course, I can understand some of the viewers of the show may find my spoken BM as painful to the ears (I have to agree with you here and I only wish I was better at it), and they may much prefer that I speak in English (I do too!). Well, maybe you guys can appeal to 8TV to have Project Runway Malaysia Season 2 in English only!
Gee, and if I have the privilege of being back for the second season, it would be a sheer dream and delight for me to speak in English, as I too, feel that I do so much better and am more comfortable to do so!
Sadly, I only had about 6 years of school here in Malaysia, and my Bahasa Malaysia was not one of my stronger subjects. I was seriously flunking out of school here. But when I was sent to Toronto Canada, my English assessment test was way past the level of a 14-year-old student! And while in Toronto, I actually skipped two Grades and completed my Grade 13 when I was 16 1/2 (and that was even after failing 1 semester!).
So to say the least my command of Bahasa Malaysia is indeed crippled or limited. But even saying so, my understanding of the language is not bad, as I do understand most of the Malay dramas and telly shows and I can even read letters and I can order my food and converse lightly in BM.
But of course, BM is not my daily spoken language, nor is Chinese (as I cannot read nor write Chinese either).
Of course, I can understand some of the viewers of the show may find my spoken BM as painful to the ears (I have to agree with you here and I only wish I was better at it), and they may much prefer that I speak in English (I do too!). Well, maybe you guys can appeal to 8TV to have Project Runway Malaysia Season 2 in English only!
Gee, and if I have the privilege of being back for the second season, it would be a sheer dream and delight for me to speak in English, as I too, feel that I do so much better and am more comfortable to do so!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)