Project Runway [uh-vahnt-gahrd] Challenge

Avant-gardeuh-vahnt-gahrd; noun: is a term used when talking about something that is pushing the limits. Something that is going well above everything else usually used when talking about the arts, politics, and culture.

Even though the designers usually don't "get it" the avant-garde challenge is one of my favorites. With only five of them left, things are getting thick on Project Runway. So, lets breakdown these garments; who made it work and who didn't. 

Dmitry

produced good work. His biggest breakthrough was creating separates rather than the usual dress. He is obviously listening to the judges and pushing himself. Once again, Dmitry was praised for his skills set. That will take him far in this competition. Was his suit avant-garde? Not really. But it was different enough to stand out, well designed and of course, beautifully constructed. The collar piece, however, did not work. Not only was it hideous, it was so costumey that it served more as a distraction to the outfit than good. Edit Dmitry, edit!!

Oh

Christpher

. Sweet, young, pretty Christopher. About 20 years ago,

Vivienne Westwood

created a collection that featured exaggerated hips. The difference between hers and yours? She committed to the design and substantiated it with references, confidence and intelligence. You were probably wearing pull-ups then. Look, its a beautiful dress and the feathered arms gave us runway drama but this is not enough to make a garment avant-garde. But, hey, your safe so who cares.

Irony at it's best.

Fabio

did not win this challenge and was criticized for his look. Why is that ironic? Well, as

Michael Kors

pointed out [to Heidi], the avant-garde designer got flack for being too avant-garde...

Seriously judges

... Michael was the only one who got it right apparently. Clearly, the multifunctional coat- a showpiece- was innovative and experimental. The black shear outfit complemented it. He should have won ! Fabio was the only designer that understood the challenge.

Auf Wiedersehen

Sonjia

.

This is when Project Runway gets really tough. This was a good dress but someone had to go home. Okay, so I wasn't crazy about the color or the moiré pattern and the nude-esque fabric on top wasn't sheer enough. It was distracting. Still, I liked the dress and Sonjia is a good designer.

Melissa

! Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats called. He want's his Rockabilly chick back. OKAY judges, explain yourselves! How is this outfit more avant-garde than Fabio's?? Maybe you guys need to brush up on history. Melissa was the winner. Yup.

...and there you have it.... Tune in Thursday to Lifetime for a new episode of Project Runway!

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Comme des Garçons 2012

There are fashion designers and then there are artists who design fashion. And though I love them all, my heart always leans towards the ones that utilize the runway as theater, canvas or a pedestal for their vision. The garments are sometimes, not necessarily wearable. But they make statements just like a song writer does with powerful lyrics or a painter with a brush and an opinion. You may not always "get" it but keeping an open mind is critical.

Enter, 

Comme des Garçons

Spring 2012.

Designer 

Rei Kawakubo

takes us on a dramatic journey in lavish white satins that displayed a collection about life, birth, death and every major event in between.

The pieces are more conceptual than referential in some cases. Kawakubo interpreted life's major events through garments that represented ritualistic tradition such as christening and wedding gowns.

The result was a collection empowered with the spirit of the avant-garde and the structural presence of couture.

All photos: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

fashionado

the Maá experience

My mother and I knew instantly that we were in for an experience of the senses from merely walking unto the Atlanta Symphony Hall sod-covered stage to take our seats for

Maá

.

Maá, which means "earth" in Finnish, treated the audience to a dancerly, sometimes ethereal journey of discovery. The movement was graceful at times and abrupt at others, leaving you engaged and intrigued. The set was visually dynamic as the seating was in the round and the performers utilized the entire stage, even incorporating the orchestra into the dance sequences.

Finnish composer,

Kaija Saariaho

, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Maestro Robert Spano

, GA Tech's

Sonic Generator

and

gloATL

, collaborated on the project.

The music score, choreography and larger than life visual projections fused together seamlessly. At one point, even audience participation was encouraged.

Maá was an avant-garde production - an artistic endeavor of a higher intellectual plane than most theatrical performances in the city. It was refreshing and inspiring.

[caption id="attachment_10057" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Photography by Thom Baker."]

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