Fashion + Beauty

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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Project Runway conspiracy theory: Why does Heidi kick off all the hot blonde girls?

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I've had a complicated relationship with Project Runway this season. All of the upcoming changes make my love affair with the show increasingly tenuous and bittersweet, and in general, the program is beginning to feel redundant and contrived. But over the past couple of weeks, things have gotten worse. I have not only passionately disagreed with the judges' elimination choices, I've discovered a disturbing trend: They always kick off the hot girl. Even if her design is better than her challenger's, even if she has a history of creating really good stuff and maybe just one night had a minor slip-up— because she is pretty, she must go.
The best example of this ever was when they kicked off season three's gorgeous-to-the-point-of-irritating Alison Kelly (pictured, left). She had amazing style, good taste and decent skills and her losing design, while not great, was certainly better than anything annoying, rosettes-on-everything fellow contestant Angela ever produced in her life. But Angela, who (no offense) was not terribly beautiful, stayed on long into the season.




The next time this strange too-pretty-for-PR phenomenon occurred was last year, during season 4. Poor Kit. A blond hipster with cool style, she was another attractive woman kicked off far before her time. Again, her elimination dress was not the finest piece ever presented on the show, but others have moved on by showing far, far worse. Which brings us to this season...







On Wednesday night, the PR powers that be got rid of designer Kelli, who up to this point, had never been in the bottom two and had even won the first challenge. Yes, her outfit for Brooke Shields kind of sucked (as Michael Kors astutely remarked, "Slutty, slutty, slutty"), but she was also partnered with complete loser Daniel who, for all his talk of having "great taste" doesn't really even know how to sew.  Also, she was up against Blayne—stupid, stupid tanorexic, desperate-for-a-catchphrase Blayne who made SHORTS as the ideal outfit for a professional woman going out to a party after work. I mean, seriously? What are you smoking Project Runway? Why can't one pretty blonde make it after all? Would that be one too many pretty blondes on your show?
Grrr. You be the judge below.











Blayne's design:


























Kelli's design:



























Related:
Dear new Project Runway contestants: I smell your desperation, and it smells bad
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 171
  • Laura's Avatar
    Posted by Laura Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:29am PDT

    I've never seen the show but I would not wear the shorts outfit and I love the one Kelli designed!

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  • mabcosmic's Avatar
    Posted by mabcosmic Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:32am PDT

    Blonde women seem to be the acceptable scapgoat for modern society. A blonde woman isn't a minority, and isn't a male, so she is "safe" to hate. While other groups of people get protection from negative, stereotypical portrayals of their ethnic or religious class; blonde women have virtually no protection from being portrayed as affluent, thankless, brainless w----s who merely exist to serve for the entertainment of men until they bored and eventually dump them for a more preferable brunette. Some of these portrayals depict violence, of which people laugh at as if violence towards someone is acceptable as long as it's someone who looks a certain way.

    Since the "blonde girls are spoiled and have it all" has become an ingrained, acceptable stereotype the judges of this show won't be held accountable for their obvious discrimination. Apparently the definition of "bigot" doesn't apply to people who hate caucasian, flaxen haired people.

    I don't think Kelli's design is "slutty slutty slutty." At all. These judges must be smoking crack.

    On Blondes by Joanna Pitman is a good read if anyone is interested in the historical aspects of blonde stereotyping.

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  • Alexis's Avatar
    Posted by Alexis Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:23pm PDT

    I AGREE 1 BILLION PERCENT. Their elimination choices have made no sense these past couple of weeks. FOR EX: the "take a picture of something inspirational on a rainy new york city evening challenge". They eliminated the cute girl who's design (black shoulder dress, w/multi colored frill) was far more appealing than the the ugly girl (boring as hell blue silk mess). I'm starting to believe that the are trying to make the eliminations unexpected, but its seriously UNfair.

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  • Jessie's Avatar
    Posted by Jessie Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:36pm PDT

    i like neither outfit and although it doesn't really bother me about kelli, i was dissapointed when kit had to go.

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  • devadiva's Avatar
    Posted by devadiva Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:40pm PDT

    Number one, Kelli's outfit is superior in every way to Blayne's. Blayne's is appropriate for Saturday afternoon at the local mall, perhaps, not for any serious kind of endeavor. Whether one likes Kelli's design or not, it is suitable to be worn anywhere, and is a modern, original, uncliched take on the classic black suit.

    Second: I get the feeling that indeed another - ANY other - pretty woman other than Heidi is unacceptable to "Her Highness". A young, fresh, and especially attractive one, such as Kelli, no doubt "has" to go out the door as soon as Klum can arrange it. I have watched this show a number of times, in sequence, and still do on occasion, but Heidi Klum really ruins it for me. If anyone, blonde or otherwise, seems to "have it all, undeservedly" it is that woman. Her relentless hard edge and smugness totally cancel out any physical attractiveness she may have, in my book. While it is true that today the "fashion" is for outright rude and nasty behavior in general, that by no means makes it the decent way to conduct oneself. Professionalism is important in any business situation, but it is best combined with a sense of humanity and at least a hint of kindness. The contenders on this show are nervous and uncomfortable enough without having some "expert" stare coldly at them while they exhibit their honestly labored-over creations, then having negative assessments of their worth snapped out with all the warmth of a Luger being fired at an enemy.

    The audience is often reminded of what these competitions mean to the contestants. What we don't see is the impact later on the "losers", emotionally and psychologically. It is one thing to be defeated in a fair fight (that isn't fixed - for whatever reason); it is another to never really get a chance due to the biases, prejudices, or issues of one or more judges. It is still worse to remember and reflect on, for the rest of one's life, completely unnecessary personal cruelty directed at oneself, broadcasted on air and viewed by many thousands of people. Cruelty that is delivered simply out of spite and just because one feels like doing it - and can.

    Those in the public eye would do well to realize that their temporary positions of power call for an increased level of responsibility towards, and awareness of, how their actions affect others, especially those whose lives they have a direct and lasting impact on.

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  • Sweet T's Avatar
    Posted by Sweet T Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:48pm PDT

    Kelly's outfit without the jacket really was slutty-looking, but she was stuck with nasty Daniel, who constantly talks about his "high-end, glamorous, impeccable taste." He should have been the one to go home, esp. after his disappointing dress from the week before. His taste is in his mouth, and that's all he's got.

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  • A's Avatar
    Posted by A Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:59pm PDT

    I totally agree. My sister and I have been noticing this trend too! Very annoying

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  • Beckster's Avatar
    Posted by Beckster Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:04pm PDT

    I watched an interview with Heidi, (I think it was on the Ellen show). It was right before season 4. Ellen's like, "So are you excited about the new season"? And Heidi goes, "Same crap, different season". I'm like gee, that's the spirit! NOT!! What is her deal?? If she hates hosting, get out! I'd rather see more of Tim Gunn than Heidi anyway! Plus, they can get rid of Nina too. She thinks her s--- really doesn't stink......

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  • Ace Wasabi's Avatar
    Posted by Ace Wasabi Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:13pm PDT

    I was totally livid when they eliminated kelli over blayne. but i didn't really think about this trend until i read this! so true! i totally agree! i mean i liked kit and alison's designs, and were just so shocked when they got booted but kelli's being booted is so ridiculous. i just loved all her designs bc they were so fresh and original and something i could actually see myself wearing. so frustrating bc i was really hoping to keep seeing more of her innovative designs.

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  • prmom's Avatar
    Posted by prmom Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:56pm PDT

    Daniel SO should have been the one to go! Kelli's bustier wasn't appropriate for the challenge, but Blayne's outfit TOTALLY missed it! I could not see Brooke wearing his outfit anywhere.

    FIRe-what is up with you? I didn't think the blond idea was inflammatory at all. And yes, I am a blond, and no, not a dumb one. I would have to say YOUR comment was what's inflammatory. If you don't like what the show is doing, don't watch it. But remember too, love the sinner, not the sin.

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