Bitches. We've been saying for a year that Diane von Furstenberg was fierce and always supported black models and designers. Unfortunately, almost no one else was willing to co-sign.
It took last night's episode of Project Runway to bring it home. Thankfully, once she and Michael Kors (finally) arrived to judge, they told us what we knew all along: ATL's very own Michael Knight "made it work."
He won last night's challenge with the most important prize so far—an editorial for TRESemmé in Elle. Did you watch it? Boyfriend let them HAVE IT.
The Knight look: Updating 70s style icon Pam Grier with a new model, hair by TRESemmé, color by L'Oreal Paris (have to include those plugs!) and his own creation, this killer pink magenta two-piece. The pant was supposed to have been long, but, a freakin' fierce last minute improvisation ...
Bam! TAKE THAT, you derivative, so-called "designers." Except for Laura. And Uli. And Angela. Kayne, you're a back-stabbing Annie Oakley but you're good. The rest of you—EAT IT.
DVF: "The proportion of the short is perfect. I wore a lot of hot pants back in the day. And these are good ones."
By the way, have you seen Diane's legs?
Girl. You can still serve 'em.
Michael Kors: "Fabulous! But it's nothing like the lil two piece that I'm going to wear to the White Party. Let me tell you..."
Nina Garcia: "The top is another fabulous piece by itself."
Which top has a fabulous piece? Michael? Or Liza Ricky?
This morning, we're sure that many a gay from West Hollywood to West Hampton are waking up with a collective gasp of "What. Happened?" after Michael's STUNNING win.
But why? From his wildly creative coffee filter dress on the first episode, it's been obvious that he is quite talented. Michael has been a sleeper. He's quiet and not the stereotypical angry black man or over-the-top black gay that reality shows tend to gravitate toward.
Most importantly, Michael is a chameleon: He can get along with anyone, from Laura and Angela to Robert and Kayne. Many of the gay blogs and Out.com prematurely anointed those last two as the "gays to watch."
Interesting. Last week Kayne engineered Keith's dismissal. This week he can't even smile when his roommate wins the challenge. Aren't southern pageant gurlz supposed to be gracious and lady-like? Watch your back, Michael.
But he carried on for that Marilyn Monroe creation, no? It really was between Kayne, Angela and Michael. Laura's creation was wonderful ...only these had more drama.
"I'm not going to back OKLAHOMA without a title, bitches!"
Meanwhile, backstage, Angela is congratulating Michael. Say what you want about Angela's biker-chick style, she nailed them with that Audrey Hepburn dress and has a good heart.
SIGH. Obviously, Robert is a train wreck and survived the last two weeks only because Heidi and Nina "believe in [his] vision." Hasn't impressed us and that annoying voice is reason alone to vote him off the show. Laura is a much more clever designer, but, suffers in popularity because she's older, fierce and not a groupie.
One more thing: We kinda figured out after scenes like this ...
And this ...
That Michael is definitely out. Of the closet, that is.
Previously:
Michael: Is He in or Out? (Rod 2.0) Wait, Who? (Four Four) Are Horses a Fashion Accessory? (FourFour) Fashion Week: Diane von Furstenberg (Rod 2.0) I Am a (Fashion) Survivor (Rod 2.0) Project Runway: Michael Knight (Concrete Loop) Runwaymani (Dan Renzi)
I have resisted getting sucked into PR all these seasons, but this most recent season knocked up. I'm in love and havin' Robert and Michaels' lovechild. I'm just hopin' the conception involves both of 'em.
Posted by: Midnight Lounge | 10 August 2006 at 10:44
Resistance is futile, chile. * Rod, I love that you've "outed" Michael. He can be in my family ANYtime. And thank you for calling out Kanye and Angela as you did here. Let's keep it rollin' :-)
Posted by: demetrius | 10 August 2006 at 11:45
i was happy that michael won, and even happier that they let him actually let him speak! that cain is a diva wannabe, the eye rolling, smirks and plain old cattiness is a turn off, along with his clothes in my book. he is a snake,he reminds me of that buddy character from kids in the hall, and the rest had better watch thier backs. i still have to admit, i liked keith and bradley, maybe that crazy factor!
Posted by: jared | 10 August 2006 at 11:49
Michael worked that shit. Period. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the final design. This boy better win!
Posted by: Natasha | 10 August 2006 at 11:57
Michael and Laura are the hot socks. I don't want it to come down to the two of them against one of the others though! They're both so good.
Posted by: Ben | 10 August 2006 at 12:06
Great recap, though lay off of the Southern girls, Rod. :-) OK. Glad to see Michael win the challenge and I loved the sweet phone call to him mother.
Posted by: James | 10 August 2006 at 13:07
OOH YES!!!! Rod THIS.RECAP.IS.FIRE.DAMN.YOU! DAMN.YOU! lol
Michael served it and served EVERY damn body last night...
Diane von Furstenberg: yes, she's fierce, no? always have been always will be..if i ever decided to become a drag queen, you better BELIEVE im wearing one of her wrap skirts for full effect!
I love how ALL the judges FINALLY gave him props..he's been doing well the entire season.
actually glad that angela got through it this time. her audrey hepburn inspired number was classic and flawless...:)
Posted by: Ryan | 10 August 2006 at 13:48
AWWWW DAMN! I knew I should have waited until later to check you out today. I haven't seen the show yet. I'm RUNNING to the DVR now!
Posted by: ronjarasmo | 10 August 2006 at 13:54
It's about time Michael won something. He has been overlooked for too long.
Posted by: killervirgo | 10 August 2006 at 14:09
Thanks for the fierce recap, Rod. Between you and Rich, I don't even havta pay for tv anymore. You're gonna make me go and cancel my cable and spend those extra coins on Vuitton sneakers and cd's! :-)
Posted by: Crisp | 10 August 2006 at 16:06
Mike served it up SMOKIN' HOT on last night's episode, for real! But truth be told, he's BEEN serving it up, why the hell the judges are just now noticing is beyond me. Michael would wipe the floor up with any one of 'em in the finals, believe that!
And as far as him playing on the same name team... I'm not 100%convinced...
Posted by: Hip Candy | 10 August 2006 at 18:26
I love Mike and his cool personality. I hope he goes all the way. I would not consider this his first win however because his team won last week. He was not the leader, but he did play a major role in helping to tone down all those flowers and shit that other one wnated to put on the outfit.
Posted by: Will | 11 August 2006 at 09:53
I LOVE MIKE MIKE!!!!
whew....its about damn time honey..
Posted by: lady jay | 11 August 2006 at 16:04
I LOVE MICHAEL I'M GLAD HE WON HE DESERVED IT
Posted by: Persia | 11 August 2006 at 22:21
I LOVE MICHAEL I'M GLAD HE WON HE DESERVED IT
Posted by: Persia | 11 August 2006 at 22:21
when and what channel does this show come on
Posted by: kim | 13 August 2006 at 17:37
I know I'm a little late, but I just wanted to chime in and also say that I am so glad Michael is finally getting some love! When they showed a little bit of his portfolio in the beginning episodes (really weird and skimpy outfits) I wasn't so sure about him, but I was hooked when I saw the coffee filter dress, it was extremely creative. I also loved the dress when they had to design with the dog in mind. It was perfect!
With this last episode I think he did so well because he was really in tune with the essence of Pam Grier back in the day. That was more evident in his piece than anyone elses.
I predict that Michael will be at least in the top 4 and more hopefully wish that he will make it make to Fashion Week. I would love to see a whole collection of his!
(for the previous poster, this show comes on Bravo TV at 10pm on Wednesday nights)
Posted by: Elle | 14 August 2006 at 18:38
I know I'm a little late, but I just wanted to chime in and also say that I am so glad Michael is finally getting some love! When they showed a little bit of his portfolio in the beginning episodes (really weird and skimpy outfits) I wasn't so sure about him, but I was hooked when I saw the coffee filter dress, it was extremely creative. I also loved the dress when they had to design with the dog in mind. It was perfect!
With this last episode I think he did so well because he was really in tune with the essence of Pam Grier back in the day. That was more evident in his piece than anyone elses.
I predict that Michael will be at least in the top 4 and more hopefully wish that he will make it make to Fashion Week. I would love to see a whole collection of his!
(for the previous poster, this show comes on Bravo TV at 10pm on Wednesday nights)
Posted by: Elle | 14 August 2006 at 18:39
Well, I must admit...Michael and Laura are BY FAR my fav's this season and have the best and most consistant work.
but I kinda liked Kayne's Marilyn dress and Angela's Audrey dress better, I think they were more representative of the icon being portrayed. Michael's out fit was as hot as he is, but I just could NEVER picture Pam Grier or her character's Foxy and Coffee wearing it. Pam almost always wore pants and jackets, and was almost always in very dark browns, blacks and maroons....this was more like Beyonce in the Austin Powers movie, which I guess was an up-dated Pam, but was still way more Beyonce than anything.
Posted by: jacknasty | 15 August 2006 at 14:31
Well, I must admit...Michael and Laura are BY FAR my fav's this season and have the best and most consistant work.
but I kinda liked Kayne's Marilyn dress and Angela's Audrey dress better, I think they were more representative of the icon being portrayed. Michael's out fit was as hot as he is, but I just could NEVER picture Pam Grier or her character's Foxy and Coffee wearing it. Pam almost always wore pants and jackets, and was almost always in very dark browns, blacks and maroons....this was more like Beyonce in the Austin Powers movie, which I guess was an up-dated Pam, but was still way more Beyonce than anything.
Posted by: jacknasty | 15 August 2006 at 14:34
Well, I must admit...Michael and Laura are BY FAR my fav's this season and have the best and most consistant work.
but I kinda liked Kayne's Marilyn dress and Angela's Audrey dress better, I think they were more representative of the icon being portrayed. Michael's out fit was as hot as he is, but I just could NEVER picture Pam Grier or her character's Foxy and Coffee wearing it. Pam almost always wore pants and jackets, and was almost always in very dark browns, blacks and maroons....this was more like Beyonce in the Austin Powers movie, which I guess was an up-dated Pam, but was still way more Beyonce than anything.
Posted by: jacknasty | 15 August 2006 at 14:35