TV and Movies

[momtochloe]

This is the cheating scandal I remember (from Wikipedia) with designer Keith Michael being disqualified for having pattern books:

Project Runway[edit]

Despite having a design focus on men's wear, Michael auditioned for Project Runway, a women's wear design reality television show competition on the Bravo Network. Michael came out as a front-runner from the beginning by winning the first challenge and receiving immunity for the second. Michael was also told on air by show host, Heidi Klum, that he might have won the third challenge, but did not because he did not fully complete the task (the third challenge was to make an outfit for a woman and her dog; Michael refused to make a dog outfit). Michael was made the leader of his team in the fourth challenge based on his sketches for the challenge.

Disqualification[edit]

According to Tim Gunn, the contracts which are signed by the designers upon qualifying for Project Runway clearly state that pattern-making books, fashion how-to books, fashion magazines, or other such materials are not allowed anywhere on the production.[1] Designers are also not allowed to leave the production without being accompanied by a member of the production staff, to ensure that they do not gain even temporary access to such materials, outside assistance or suggestions, or materials for their challenge garments not acquired according to the challenge parameters.[1]

During the episode "Reap What You Sew", it was revealed that designer Kayne Gillaspie discovered pattern-making books in Keith's room at their Atlas apartment.[2] Upon consultation with other designers in the apartment, he brought the books to the attention of the producers.[2] When other designers found out about the pattern book discovery there was a confrontation between the designers over the presence of the books, and Michael left the production for several hours, during which time, he accessed the Internet when he e-mailed one of the producers.[1]

Kayne Gillaspie: Actually, a couple of the people that had been kicked off in the first three episodes, Malan [Breton], Katherine [Gerdes] and Stacey [Estrella], during the two-day photo shoot – they were the ones who were ****** and actually confronted Keith first. They're the ones who blew it up. I never said a word to Keith. Of course, afterwards, I had to say, "Yeah, I did see it. I did tell a producer." But I wasn't being malicious. Robert Best: That's a really good point. I remember specifically, Katherine, she was really sweet, but she confronted Keith and they had a huge shouting match at the photo shoot. It was really unpleasant, and that's when he was like, "I was being attacked, I felt scared. Blah blah blah," and he bailed. He left the photo shoot.

— Kayne Gillaspie and Robert Best [2]

Keith's side[edit]

Keith's version of the events is that:

A) there was no disclaimer in the contract stating that pattern-making books were illegal in the context of the competition.[3]
B) the books were taken from him, and later returned to his room by an unknown person.[3]

When the books were discovered by the other designers, there was apparently an off-screen altercation between the designers prior to the producers making any kind of decision on the issue.[3] Keith stated that he informed a production assistant that he was leaving pursuant to the confrontation and was allowed to leave unescorted.[3] He then went to his boyfriend's apartment and used the Internet to e-mail a few people. He stated in his exit interview that he never used the pattern books 'to give myself an unfair advantage'. This statement was coupled with a scene of Keith persuading the staff at MOOD to give his team a substantial discount (reducing a $98 cost to $80) on fabrics so that they could purchase other materials for the challenge.[4]

[Icegoddess]

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@MarnieRez3 wrote:

@Icegoddess  Oh I am going to investigate that APP right now. Thank you, Ice Ice Baby, and neighbor of Amanda Valentine.

Let's plan a group field trip to MOOD - we can check on Swatch (or Swatch II) and buy some of that incredible fabric!  I know you are a true seamstress and there is NO fabric or notions store that looks anything like MOOD where I live. But, we also have no axe-throwing bars near us either!

And, you sweet person, I love pit bulls too...actually, all animals and living creatures, especially rescue cats and doggies. =^..^= 

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@MarnieRez3, speaking of Amanda Valentine, I had forgotten she was the runner up to Sean Kelly (aka fringe guy) that season.  That may be why I had high hopes for her in All-Stars, but she was quite a disappointment.

I would LOVE a trip to MOOD, but I would probably clean out my retirement fund.  We now only have a JoAnn's Fabrics. Blech!  I never realized how much I appreciated Hancock Fabrics until they went bankrupt.  That leaves online shopping, which is a real drag for fabric which needs to be fondled before buying.  

I have no experience with dogs, except being bitten by one a few years back, but I have 3 rescue cats.  Two of them are siblings they wanted to go as a pair since one of them is blind.  The other one developed asthma 2 yrs ago.  I don't know about the brotherly love though.  Sambo and Houdini seem to fight a lot.

[wilma]

My fave designers this season are Sebastian & Garo. Glad they made it to the finals. I am ok with Bishme. Not really a fan of Hester’s designs. Of the 4, I hope she doesn’t win. Glad Tessa is gone. Interesting (and IMO valid) that they reviewed all the designs from all the challenges before making a decision. 

Really missed Heidi & Tim at first. Christian as a mentor has grown on me this season. 

[momtochloe]

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@dooBdoo wrote:

               Wonderful insight, everyone!   @LoriLori, your enthusiasm and comprehensive knowledge of PR and also the world of fashion (and NYC, too!) inspire me to learn more!   Thank you for your perceptive and thought-provoking comments.   Thinking of Hester's father, you remind us of the human element, too, and the myriad of emotions in the mix.   

               Regarding Sebastian's design, I didn't really feel it was derivative of Leanne's "wave inspired" collection, it just caused me to think of her.   This garment and his winning look in the 2nd? episode tickled my memory of Leanne's waves and also, in some ways, Dimitri's and Michelle's architectural, well-engineered and crafted, designs.   This issue reminds me of the concerns raised by the judges (and maybe by Tim?) about Kenley's designs being derivative, and discussions about inspired by/derived from/imitation and subconscious happenstance vs. conscious intent.   I took an array of college art courses, and some classes after that, too, worked with exhibits and shows, and I have close friends and family who make their living in the arts community...   and I've learned it can be very difficult to separate what has registered in the recesses of our brain (and also what is intrinsic to our own personal creative fountain) from what we intentionally use as part of our works.   

               From the interesting background I've read of Sebastian, my reaction was that his beautiful engineering and design are at least in part coming from his experience with ballet costume construction and the specific, precise techniques needed for that.    I also suspect that he has some fine craftsman's skills and aesthetics from his family leather business.   Artists are complex and fascinating humans, and it's a difficult world for them in so many ways as they try to balance personal originality, inspiration from history and the world, necessary practicality, and of course criticism and judgment.   I do love my artist friends and family, and I've learned so much about human nature from them.   Even though I've seldom been able to actively participate,  I do so appreciate all of you here and the PR conversations, too!❤️

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Hey @dooBdoo so good to see you my friend and your always wonderful information and more importantly insights!  

Thank you for putting into words what has been rattling around in my noggin.  I agree for me the connection between Sebastian and Leeann's designs are their meticulous detail and impeccable crafting.

This is more than slightly off topic but I once read the costumes that Bob Mackie designed for Carol Burnette were so beautifully made you could wear them inside out and that's what I think about when I see their designs floating down the runway.  Nothing is left to chance.  Again, I hope he gets some rest and crafts a collection of what I believe he is capable of creating.

Ok, after reading through everyone's posts these past couple of days I am pumped for the finale!  

[LoriLori]

@MarnieRez3  Now I can't heart your post because it says "all hail" me.  Nobody hail me!!!  LOL!

@momtochloe  @Yahooey 

The reason I didn't go into Keith Michael's (who was turned in by his roommates) was because Yahooey's post was specific to the finale when they're on their own at home.

But since you mention Keith I'll add that another person was thrown off, that horrible twin not worth Googling who was caught with a tape measure at the residence also by roomies.  She was had been secretly measuring her clothes.  Auf with her.

As for confirmed cheater Andy, I took a closer look at that link and it says it was a cult pattern book in Japan.  The people that noticed it, they know a lot, not me!  People brought it to the show and Tim's and Heidi's attention on social media yet they ignored it and brought her back.

[momtochloe]

Ok @MarnieRez3 time to get off my lawn my friend . . . 

I totally get how folks have the spoiled/entitled vibe from Laura Bennett (I was not surprised she lived in that fabulous loft although the amount of children/turtle poop did throw me for a loop) but I am sad to know she lost her husband as they seemed very happy/suited to each other.

My take from Laura that season was she was totally over Jeffrey's what could be considered rude/entitled attitude as it was clear in his mind he was the winner from the jump and she clearly felt otherwise and I agree as when he hit the bottom two he landed with a resounding thud (that dress with the medium blue velvet top/pearls and that outfit with the faux leather stockings(?).  Yikes no).  I don't think any one of the other contestants had the courage to stand up to him so she took what she thought she saw and ran with it.  Maybe if they had had a better relationship throughout the competition she may have taken him on the side and let him explain/correct what happened but he also didn't exactly invite team commeraderie throughout the season himself either.

Laura had impeccable but predictable designs throughout the season.  You never knew what Jeffrey was going to send down the runway but I think if anything he won based on that stellar dress he created when they were in Paris.  I think the whole show changed based on that gorgeous dress and that was all she wrote.  In terms of "designers" he was the right choice for that season.

Ok, Grandma Ranty is done so please now join me back on my lawn . . . 

[momtochloe]

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@LoriLori wrote:

@MarnieRez3  Now I can't heart your post because it says "all hail" me.  Nobody hail me!!!  LOL!

@momtochloe  @Yahooey 

The reason I didn't go into Keith Michael's (who was turned in by his roommates) was because Yahooey's post was specific to the finale when they're on their own at home.

But since you mention Keith I'll add that another person was thrown off, that horrible twin not worth Googling who was caught with a tape measure at the residence also by roomies.  She was had been secretly measuring her clothes.  Auf with her.

As for confirmed cheater Andy, I took a closer look at that link and it says it was a cult pattern book in Japan.  The people that noticed it, they know a lot, not me!  People brought it to the show and Tim's and Heidi's attention on social media yet they ignored it and brought her back.

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@LoriLori 

@Yahooey 

Oh sorry folks, I'm trying to catch up and missed that this was already posted . . . 

And I remember the one with the tape measure!  Didn't see keep making shorts/clothes off clothing she brought with her and then she was using the tape measure for the inseam and couldn't imagine why anyone had a problem with that?

Hee!

[LoriLori]

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@MarnieRez3 wrote:

@LoriLori 

et al...

Re: CHEATING ACCUSATIONS

Okay...do NOT get me started on Laura Bennett, from the July 2006 season. She was so UNGRACIOUS to falsely accuse another contestant of cheating - and I think the other two finalists may have joined her in her accusations. I remember Bravo doing an investigation, including examining receipts and the actual garments, and finding no proof Jeffrey Sebelia cheated. And then he WON. 

She actually had a capsule collection on QVC a few years after that season. It was an Epic Fail.

For a long time, she wrote for the Daily Beast - mostly about her life as a rich woman on Park Avenue and raising her kids - I think she has five, including one she was pregnant with on PR.

She was married to the architect Peter L. Shelton, which is the design firm responsible for the groundbreaking Polo Ralph Lauren HQs, (Credit: Wikipedia) but her husband died of cancer in 2012.

Full disclosure: I always find her entitled and privledged beyond compare, but I may just be jealous! 

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@MarnieRez3  cringeworthy, nasty human.  I don't believe you're jealous of her privilege (granted by inheritance and the great success of her husband).  Who would want to be her, looking down upon all other women from the delusional throne she seated herself on?

Remember when she said on PR that women shouldn't wear jeans, that it's lazy.  I have five kids blah blah I would never.  What a thing to think and then to say out loud to the cameras, with no irony (and she repeated it elsewhere).

One of the judgiest, most tone-deaf things I've ever heard anyone say anywhere!  We've all known or known of women with great privilege and what Laura said is pure judgy garbage...Just imagine Jackie O. saying that.  You can't because she would never have.

[Yahooey]

@momtochloe @Icegoddess @dooBdoo @MarnieRez3 

How do you all remember each cast member and who did what to whom? From years ago...

I remember plotlines from every I love Lucy episode but that's bc I probably watched each one so many times.

I don't follow fashion as much as I used to which consists of thumbing through some magazines. Never followed who showed what at where. Kudos to you @LoriLori for having the gumption to do all the research and spoon feeding it to me.

I would be lost at Mood - you'll find me in the corner playing with Swatch while you ladies shop. I can't sew except for stitching a fallen hem or a button. There was a home eco class I took and the item I sew was hideous. Never attempted anything again.

OT I hope Bob Mackie wins the Tony - his collection of work is breathtaking

The Cher show plays homage to him in a number with all the costumes he designed for her over the years. 

Great show to catch when you are done shopping at Mood

[momtochloe]

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@Yahooey wrote:

@momtochloe @Icegoddess @dooBdoo @MarnieRez3 

How do you all remember each cast member and who did what to whom? From years ago...

I remember plotlines from every I love Lucy episode but that's bc I probably watched each one so many times.

I don't follow fashion as much as I used to which consists of thumbing through some magazines. Never followed who showed what at where. Kudos to you @LoriLori for having the gumption to do all the research and spoon feeding it to me.

I would be lost at Mood - you'll find me in the corner playing with Swatch while you ladies shop. I can't sew except for stitching a fallen hem or a button. There was a home eco class I took and the item I sew was hideous. Never attempted anything again.

OT I hope Bob Mackie wins the Tony - his collection of work is breathtaking

The Cher show plays homage to him in a number with all the costumes he designed for her over the years. 

Great show to catch when you are done shopping at Mood

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Ah my ffriend @Yahooey please give some thought to sharing your Swatch time as that is all I would be good for.

Poor Mrs. Roberts.  I tried so hard and failed so spectacularly.  She told me to follow the seam in my lime green double knit jumpsuit I was making and ended up fusing the legs together.  To this day I can still see the look of disbelief on her face.  At the very least I am obedient . . .