PR: Mondo Gets Tweedy

We propose they change the name to "Mondostooth."

He's such a special little pixie, isn't he? Of course he'd have a rainbow umbrella.

Nothing against him, but we were a little bored with the "architecture" inspiration. Too many designers default to it because you can pretty much explain away any design element as being inspired by architecture.

Also, we think they're all trying to recapture the glory of Jay's Chrysler Building dress, even if he didn't win that challenge.

Like the judges, we were pleased with this entry.

Unlike MOST of the judges (with the surprising exception of Heidi), we were kind of disappointed that in a pure inspiration challenge, he cranked out a typical Mondo design.

Not that he shouldn't follow his own muse. This is a challenge designed to showcase the designer's point of view, after all.

It's just that colorblocked tweeds and houndstooth kind of loses its impact when you keep breaking it out.


However, as usual, he employed his contrasting fabrics beautifully.

And he does know how to style a girl so she looks sassy, chic, and urban.


Despite our boredom with architecture inspirations, he did manage to include elements that remind you of the Brooklyn Bridge.

It's just so ... we don't know. It's a beautiful design, really it is. And we probably would have given it the win. We realize the designers are exhausted at this point and the last challenge historically has always yielded piss-poor results. We were just hoping for a little more from him, is all.

But he's earned his spot in the finals and it seems most viewers have him picked for the win. We can't say we disagree with that. He's clearly the most talented of the remaining designers. He's (much like Christian Siriano) a publicist's dream, which is as important if not moreso than actual talent. And he's so darn lovable. He was the only designer willing to say that he was wrong about Michael C and that's quite admirable, especially since he knew he'd be going against the grain with that answer. No, Mondo deserves to be in the finals. We just wish the dress had been a little more creative. As it is, it looks like it belongs in a Mondo collection, but it doesn't look like the signature piece of a Mondo collection, which is what the judges are always looking for in the final challenge, whether they articulate it or not.


Tim Gunn's Workroom:


Extended Judging:


[Screencaps: projectrungay.blogspot.com - Video Credit: myLifetime.com - Photo Credit: Barbara Nitke/myLifetime.com]

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Labels: Mondo Guerra, Project Runway, Project Runway Season 8, Project Runway Season 8 Episode 12