gelato and dresses: a final thought: Project Runway Episode 4

Christian Dior Haute Couture 2011

Project Runway is one of my favorite reality TV shows. It's a great showcase for talented people doing something, using their creativity, using their skills, partaking in a traditional centuries-old respected craft. Superfluous backstage drama is kept to a minimum. Yes, it can be entertaining but ultimately, the drama should come from the creations. For the most part, this is the case on Project Runway.

Taking all the limitations the contestants face into consideration (time limits, limited funds and the constraints of the challenges themselves), often one still gets the impression the designers forget what design is: translating dreams and visions into clothes. The gelato challenge presented itself as the ultimate opportunity.

Christian Dior's haute couture dream of a gown is the epitome of pure fantasy. And if translating an ice cream flavor into a dress isn't a dream challenge, I don't know what is. It seems some of the contestants are too wrapped up in their personalized construction of flamboyancy and eccentric behavior at the expense of their craft. The honing of their inner celebrity appears to be getting in the way of truly unforgettable creations. And I'm not talking about re-inventing the entire industry, I just mean being a bit more fanciful.

more on Project Runway All Stars recap Episode 4

about "pretty different"