Initially I had some serious reservations about "Project Accessory." A necklace wandering down a runway isn't quite as captivating (or easy to see) as an entire outfit, no matter how large your TV screen. The other issue I had with the concept was shoemaking. Having taken a shoemaking class, I can say that making a shoe -- a shoe that isn't crippling or dangerous, at least -- is no easy task. Several producers have already tried to make a version of "Project Runway" focused on footwear and failed (one show was sponsored by a well-known design house). Shoes are just plain tricky, and the issue then becomes -- do you penalize a designer with a great idea (and who doesn't usually design shoes) for crappy execution when they probably wouldn't be starting off in the footwear realm in the "real world" anyway? Is that fair? What about pitting a designer with metalworking experience against one who has a handbag background on a jewelry design challege? Is it realistic to think one designer has mastered all these skill sets? Fashion is obviously apples and apples, but lumping all accessories into one category is not. Naturally, I did not have high hopes for "Project Accessory."
Last week's debut also disappointed, though for other reasons. While I agreed that Cotrice's corset-style belt was a bomb and her T-shirt design was too busy, I liked her chandelier necklace and bracelet. As for Brian's ugly, fuzzy belt, it looked like it had been yanked out of a moving blanket -- and more importantly, it committed the cardinal sin of making the model look fat. And yet, a few (thankfully, not all) of the judges loved it. I'm putting my faith in Kenneth Cole to be the voice of reason on the judges' panel.
This week, our designers find themselves at the Swarovski Crystallized store with Richard Chai and Eva, who inform them that they must grab (they only have ten minutes, to grab is apt) a piece of jewelry and create two other accessories to complement it -- one being A SHOE. This should be interesting.
James, being the only one shoe designer (!) on the show, is pretty sure he has an advantage. I'm pretty sure he does, too. Surprisingly, though, everyone whips out their masking tape to make a pattern on their lasts, so I'm wondering if there was a quick tutorial on this or if James simply clued everyone in. A few designers mention they're able to use a stiletto heel provided to them, so that makes things easier. Still, Nicolina can't believe James is being so helpful to everyone, as she wouldn't be, and I have to say, I'm surprised, too. Get tough, James!
Right off the bat, I have to say -- I love Brian's studded wedge heel. He seems to know exactly what he's doing as well, and I'm beginning to think that horrible belt was an aberration. Or I hope it was. Nina tells him she would buy his shoes, and while we haven't seen the finished product yet, I might be down with that, too.
While Shea and James make goo-goo eyes at one another in the workroom, things aren't going so swimmingly for some of the other designers. Kelly wants to make a stacked heel. For someone who hasn't made shoes before, and has to make shoes in two stinkin' days, this seems awfully ambitious. Nicolina seems overwhelmed. But then, Nicolina always seems overwhelmed. She also has crazy eyes. I suspect we will be seeing plenty of crazy from her later.
Eva drops in to play the role of Tim Gunn. Sigh. I miss Tim! Anyway, Eva tells Nicolina to make sure her second accessory ties into her necklace. She tells David to hustle, as he hasn't started on his shoes. She urges Kelly to work with her stacked heel. We don't see any other conversations. Eva is obviously smart, but she doesn't have the warmth and connection with the designers we get with Tim.
As expected, Nicolina begins freaking out full-bore. There's a collective effort to encourage Kelly to do her best, though increasingly I suspect her best isn't good enough. Yellow shoes? With a Victorian necklace? David tries to keep Nicolina from jumping out a window. I think this is a very real possibility.
Molly Sims invites the designers down to the runway. She's trying to be Heidi, but she'd be better off just being herself. Go ahead and smile, Molly, we won't hold it against you.
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