![]() ![]() More: Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn on why 'Making the Cut' is the perfect escape amid coronavirusīoth shows try to create "global brands," but most viewers don't want corporate-speak when they come to view pretty clothes. Considering that winning designs are instantly available to buy on Amazon, worker treatment is likely not what the retail giant wants us to think of during what's essentially a clothing commercial masquerading as a series. Keeping the seamstresses invisible (the designers leave instructions and the workers sew overnight, off-camera) feels icky, almost like an exploitation of labor. Bobby Flay doesn't cook in every restaurant he owns, either, but when he shows up to compete on "Iron Chef," we expect him to roll up his sleeves and fry a steak. Yes, most major fashion designers don't sew their own garments, but audiences aren't tuning in to see what really happens in the Prada factories. "Cut" marks the biggest departure from "Runway," by allowing its designers to use seamstresses to help complete their looks in the short time frame. France and Chung, while appealing personalities in other contexts, are cringe-worthy as they try to make terrible jokes. Gunn and Klum are their usual sweet selves on "Cut," but "Fashion" has little in the way of charm. An emotional connection with contestants is key to building audience loyalty in any reality show (producers of "Survivor," "The Bachelor" and "Top Chef" all keenly understand this). Both shows have a piecemeal judging process – "Cut" details the work of a few designers each week without their designs next to them. "Fashion" judges, in small groups, awkwardly offer criticism backstage to a handful of good and bad teams. Both strategies make it hard to keep track of who made what look in each episode. "Fashion" also starts by putting its designers in teams, making it impossible to tell where one aesthetic ends and another begins. ![]() More: 'Project Runway' contestant goes viral after bringing up the Kushners to host Karlie Kloss ![]() But the established designers name-dropping Jay-Z and other celebrities is tiresome, as is their disdain for the menial labor of sewing their own designs. The two new series tout the experience and credentials of their contestants – who are further along in their careers than the usual newbies on "Runway" – and their highly produced runway shows. Each new series tries its very best to differentiate itself from "Runway," but the basic model (pun intended) remains: Designers are challenged to make garments, they put on a runway show, are judged and one goes home. Perhaps it's a blessing, since it's hard to do "reality" twice.What has become quite clear, after sitting through the dull episodes of "Cut" and the excruciatingly terrible episodes of "Fashion," is that unlike, say, food or dating series, there aren't that many ways to make fashion reality TV. Weinsteins split with Miramax come September. And it looks like the show's renewal is up in the air though, given the We hope that the fashion spread in Elle and $100,000 in seed money to start a clothing line will help put Jay's clothes on our backs (or at least on our wish lists). So, it's auf wiedersehen to Heidi Klum and the gang. As for Kara's and Wendy's futures, we can only imagine they will have more success: Kara because she's skilled and Wendy because she's a character. Gothamist does applaud Bravo's chutzpah for making sure Wendy's wispy-voiced daughter pulled our heartstrings, though. Wendy's collection was all right - skillfully tailored, but pretty ugly. Kara's collection was sexy and beautifully put together, but, as Michael Kors said, it was too Gucci (and if Gothamist can see that, then there are problems). Jay's runway collection was an explosion of color - a little overwhelming, but still, a lot of great, interesting pieces (the detailing on this sweater is sweet, and the final dress was great). One of Gothamist's addictions, Project Runway, aired its finale last night, allowing us to sleep better knowing that evil (and ugly) and good (and boring) were soundly defeated by the fun, crazy and exciting! Jay McCarroll, giving little towns in Pennsylvania a good name, beat Kara Saun, the poised costume designer, and Wendy Pepper, the "mom from Virginia" and villainess of the show, and Gothamist couldn't be happier. ![]()
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