Seth Aaron’s art print pops on Project Runway 7, Ep. 10
March 26, 2010 by karenvitt
Filed under Neat STUFF
By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor
We’ve made it to double digits in PR7 this season, and it’s safe to say that the judges have officially lost their minds to mark the occasion of Episode 10. Or perhaps their usually impeccable sense of style was given a mandatory day off due to budget cuts. Either way, the judges’ level of taste was noticeably absent during this week’s episode, entitled “Hey, That’s My Fabric,” in which the seven remaining designers were tasked with creating their own textile design.
The episode began with designer Vivienne Tam (guest judge du jour) plugging HP’s latest touch screen technology, which the contestants would be using to create their own fabric. Most designers were delighted at the opportunity, but a few (ahem, Mila Hermanovski, Anthony Williams and Maya Luz) weren’t crazy in to it, given the fact that they weren’t really “print designers.”
Seth Aaron Henderson quickly sketched out a Warholian Pop art print of a woman’s face that was repeated in block form, while Emilo Sosa chose to do his initials over and over again in graffiti style. All the other designers choose to work with simple lines and bold colors, with the exception of Jonathan Peters, who instead of going bright and linear, did a delicate watercolor design in pastel.
Because this was a two-day challenge (the extra day was required to print the fabric they made), things weren’t quite as rushed in the workroom. The designers were able to chat and joke, and Anthony was given ample screen time to wax poetic on the healing powers of various Beyonce songs.
There was much confusion over Sosa’s print in the workroom, as no one could figure out what it said. The print was a repeating pattern of “esosa” with a heart replacing the “o” in the pattern. Tim Gunn’s assessment of his fabric assumed it was some kind of bromantical shout out to fellow designer and last week’s co-winner Henderson. To Gunn, Sosa’s pattern read more like E.S. Loves S.A. (a.k.a. Seth Aaron), a Freudian analysis that clearly rubbed Sosa the wrong way.
With only seven designers left, the runway show was disappointingly short. Jay Sario was quickly given the safe word, which left the six remaining with the highest and lowest scores. Surprisingly, the judges loved loved LOVED Sosa’s 1940’s French-meets-graffiti look, one of our least favorite prints of the bunch. Hermanovski struck out with her overly simple, Crayola bright striped pattern and 70’s “porch dress” silhouette, which reminded us of a beach ball.
Once again the judges were impressed with Henderson’s expert sewing ability and unique design aesthetic. His multi-piece look was part punk, part Pop and totally Seth Aaron. Maya also nailed the print aspect of the challenge, and made a structurally interesting dress that wowed from all angles. Micheal Kors called her electricity-charged fabric his favorite of the night.
Williams and Peters were the designers left floundering in the bottom two. Williams was accused of being too safe and always giving the judges excuses, while Peters was charged with being too risky and weird. The judges full-on attacked Peters’ print, calling it reminiscent of a “dirty tablecloth,” but instead sent Williams home for essentially doing the same simple cocktail dress every week. (At least he can be consoled by the fact Heidi Klum is wearing his design on the April cover of Marie Claire magazine).
Sosa’s ugly (seriously, what were they thinking?) print won over the judges over, garnering Sosa his third win and putting Henderson at a close second. There are now six designers left, but we can’t help but wonder if it will come down to these two for the win.
Watch extended judging of Seth Aaron Henderson’s Pop art print in Episode 10:
Meet Seth Aaron Henderson in person! Henderson will appear at Anne Bocci boutique in Multnomah Village on Friday, April 2 as party of the First Fridays in Multnomah Village, and The Neat Sheet also landed Henderson to design an outfit for the mystery pet on the runway at the Boutiques Unleashed people and pets fashion show coming up Friday, April 9.
Project Runway Poll! The votes are 63 percent YES vs. 37 percent NO over whether or not Portland-area designer Seth Aaron Henderson has what it takes to win Project Runway Season 7. Cast your yes or no vote now in our poll in the right sidebar of The Neat Sheet’s home page. Also, don’t forget to join The Neat Sheet for Project Runway viewing parties and cocktail specials at Tanker Bar every Thursday.
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