project runway recap: the finale, part 2

andy south spring/summer 2011

now that everyone has had a few days to process the unexpected upset of the project runway finale and heaps of candy to medicate any regrets, let's review local designer andy south's spring/summer 2011 collection and send happy congratulations his way on being hawaii's very first PR-finalist to show at new york fashion week!

on the small chance that the show is still lingering on your dvr, i'll resist sharing the big reveal until after the jump where you can peek the finale runway looks, show links, and the dreaded spoiler.

hooray andy!

after presenting a gorgeous mix of provocative styles episode after episode, andy opted for a refined, ladylike look much to the consternation of the judges. and, while only a few pieces matched my personal aesthetic, the collection as a whole looked quite polished and wearable for a certain style set.

despite the judges concerns over the surprising lack of warrior chic in his collection (which resulted in an immediate dismissal to the ranks of the previously auf'd), can we all agree that the fashion gods will continue to smile down upon andy? i predict his much adored, edgy frocks will be happily rocked by the beautiful people around town while his elegant separates are style perfection for asian sophisticates from hawaii to hong kong.

with the interweb's collective shudder at gretchen's win, it seems quite telling that the tally from the seenon sale (now over if you missed the mention in friday's scoop) broke down to mondo's offerings selling out, andy scoring sold out banners on half his looks, and the winning collection selling the fewest styles.

{insert innocent whistle here}

before we bid aloha to S8, enjoy the final behind-the-scenes peeks from the show.

andy: make it work! | judgement day | video diary | designers dish | S8 highlight reel

and, for my fellow team mondo fans - were you also baffled by nina & michael's rationalization in favor of gretchen's all knowing crystal ball o' fashion?

p.s. mahalo nui to all the readers who stopped by to chat during the season! it was great fun for me, and hopefully i will learn the magic trick of wooing more of you (and you and you!) to shake off your anonymous reading habit and click over to comment and meet new friends.

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

Comments

[conn]

while i did not partake in this season with any viewings... i have to say this collection is somewhat boring, not really that wearable or current. each piece has just one too many elements to it in my opinion and i find it a bit on the crisp yet sloppy side. he should have done the "Coco Chanel" and "taken one thing off" before it hit the runway.

i did see a few of his other looks throughout the season and agree this full collection was lacking that "warrior chic" aspect. it may go to show that he is good at one single look but not cohesive groupings... which is ok, but then each look needs it's own identity.

i do love the acid green and silver gray, but i would have loved one other little pop... the headwear can go... it's too gimmicky. NO ONE IS GOING TO WEAR ONE OF THOSE... are they?

having said all of that... GRETCHEN's COLLECTION IS A DISASTER!. what on earth?
what is that brown doodie hanging from the back of that one dress? and i'm, sorry... store bought prints as a statement? without so much as a little embelishment on them? shame.

now i loved MONDO's collection and he really should have won based on this final showing alone. cute. modern. sophisticated. current.

you could easily take his collection apart and pair up the items with something you already own. my favorite hands down

[leigh]

aloha conn! while i do agree that the head gear was a bit of a distraction, a certain type of lady would be delighted to add a few of andy's pieces to her wardrobe. after all, not everyone can rock the playful whimsy that is viva mondo!

after browsing through a few post-finale writeups, gretchen's description of her design goals seem more aligned with the responsibilities of a creative directive rather than head designer of a fashion house. lots of emphasis on providing a complete look from garments to accessories which makes sense after reading an interview with mondo and discovering that, in addition to her jewelry, hats and knits were sent out to be made elsewhere.

overall, this season's emphasis on styling and the endless criticism leveled at designers for lacking an inner zoe left me just a little bewildered. there were so many conflicting statements made by the judges that it's hard to believe there were not other factors influencing the final decision.

mondo's fan base is quite passionate so here's hoping his collection is put into production somewhere. his clothing is pure design happiness and i still covet his fabulous jackie o. creation. swoon.

[Kristin L]

All three were so different I can see pros and cons for each. After reading Andy's interview with Nadine Kam in the Star Advertiser on Sunday, it appears he will be just fine. I totally see the Asian sophisticate angle, and I'd happily wear his shorts and a few of the blouses. I'd wear the silver dress too, but I doubt I'd do it any justice. I agree with Conn that a little editing could have been nice. Maybe not everyone needed to wear the starry headpieces (I saw them as part of the fantasy but not something anyone would actually wear). I could also see Gretchen's line in the Sundance catalog. Not that there's anything wrong with that -- I like a lot of the stuff in there -- I just wasn't expecting Sundance catalog to win out over Laotian Moonlight and over the top drama. I mean really, who can't see Gwen Stefani in all of Mondo's clothes? I kinda wish I were tall and dramatic so I could wear that polka dot dress -- it rocked!