project runway recap: race to the finish

andy south couture & rtw

finally squeezed in a viewing of last week's episode of project runway! the challenge was to whip up a couture fashion look to accompany a makeup palette finish from show sponsor l'oreal. except the producers decided to throw in a last minute, complementary ready-to-wear design that also needed to walk the runway the very next day. a bit unfair to the designers, if you ask me. did anyone else wish one well-made style had been presented rather than half-done couture and slapped together rtw?

after last week's brutal runway crit, andy south rose to the challenge and sent out head-to-toe warrior chic separates rocking muted metallic accents accompanied by a sexy little black dress with a subtle dose of shimmer. on the other end of the rainbow, ivy higa opted for bright and whipped up a gown and cocktail dress translating hawaii's gorgeous ocean waters into chiffon waves.

more peeks, links & a spoiler (fair warning!) after the jump below.

ivy higa couture & rtw

designers' sketchbook

andy: make it work! | judgement day | video diary

ivy: make it work! | judgement day | naeem kahn's take | nina garcia's take | video diary

the designers dish is a little less dish-y since only two were deemed safe enough to skip the judging in this round.

do you think it was time for ivy to be auf'd? or would you have sent home another designer in her place?

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

project runway: a rough day on the runway

andy south * ivy higa

last night's episode of project runway looked back to the past but with a 21st century twist. the challenge: create an outfit befitting a modern day jackie kennedy who was dressed by designers from oleg cassini to lilly pulitzer. it seems straightforward enough, however navigating the line between classic american sportswear and staying true to their aesthetic proved to be a bit more complicated.

just like last week's runway results, our two hawaii designers made it to the final judging round. oahu's andy south paired a jersey top with billowy asian-inspired pants similar to one from his fall 2010 collection, and the big island's ivy higa designed a sophisticated asymmetrical blouse, tuxedo pants & gauzy wrap.

andy: make it work! | judgement day | video diary

ivy: make it work! | judgement day | video diary

and, the designers dish on this week's top and bottom.

the winning design was one of my favorites of the season so far. which of this week's looks would you love to add to your closet? and, do you think the judges were too harsh or on point this week with their comments?

p.s. the top 10 project runway designers showed at ny fashion week last week. we won't know for a few more episodes who officially made the top 3, but click away if you want to preview the spring 2011 collections of andy and ivy.

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

project runway recap: what's mine is yours

resort designs by andy south & ivy higa

goodness, my september has been filled with a succession of ailments, but i managed to buck up and shake off my latest malaise to watch project runway last night.

considering our two hawaii designers grew up in one of the world's most visited island destinations, one would think andy south and ivy higa would have had last night's resortwear challenge in the bag. until tim gunn walked into the workroom and announced that, in addition to their design duties, they would be handing off their sketches and fabric and focusing their efforts on producing another contestant's look (andy was paired with valerie and ivy was matched with michael d.).

quelle surprise!

andy's maillot & wrap * ivy's tank & skirt

andy: make it work! | judgement day | video diary

ivy: make it work! | judgement day | michael kors' take | video diary

and, the designers dish on their favorites to win the challenge.

are you still 100% behind andy and ivy or do you find yourself fancying another designer after the recent on-screen shenanigans?

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

project runway: you can totally wear that again

andy south & ivy higa's wedding belles

considering i am guilty as charged for telling my one wedding maiden that her dress, with a simple alteration, could be more than a one night look, last night's project runway challenge hit a little close to home. the models had a little runway holiday while former bridesmaids surprised the designers and happily relinquished a collection of satin, bowed and shimmering frocks for some reconstruction fun.

local boy andy south offered one of the biggest transformations by dying what was once a periwinkle cocktail dress to create a sassy bustier (constructed of elastic) and shorts combo. ivy higa opted to transform a white floor length gown into stylish tuxedo capris paired with a flowy silk blouse.

andy south's before & sketchbook

ivy south's before & sketchbook

i must apologize for the poor quality of the before photos. i was hard pressed to find suitable images and resorted to snapping pictures off my non-hd pr recording, but thought it would help if you had a hint of what the designers had to work with.

andy: make it work! | video diary

ivy: make it work! | video diary

plus, more behind-the-scenes drama and gossip in the designers dish.

do you have any bridesmaid atrocities hiding in your closet? and, are you surprised at the level of animosity towards michael c.?

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

project runway recap: there is an "i" in team

team luxe: andy south (top/skirt) * ivy higa (vest/top/shorts)

with the exception of my mister, does anyone else return from a trip home to the islands completely and utterly exhausted? my jet lag continues to linger on, but i finally had a chance to watch last week's project runway (despite one of the local news broadcasts spoiling the results as i walked past the family television - curses!).

two words: team challenge. i will simply say that, as expected, drama abounds and tim gunn's last minute observation is spot on. our hawaii designers, andy south and ivy higa, ended up together on team luxe which chose to parcel out garments so more than one set of hands touched each look before it walked down the runway.

team luxe sketchbook

video diary: andy & ivy

team luxe: judgement day | make it work! - part 1, 2, 3 | designers dish

did you agree with the judges' decision last week? what's your take on team luxe's self-appointed leader?

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}