What Would Project Runway Shoe? Episode 9: $20K Pageant Dresses aka Couture

This is my 9^th week of doing 'What Would Project Runway Shoe?" (#WWPRS) is where I suggest a shoe to go with the winning look of this week’s episode.  My love for Project Runway and fashion helped me come up with this little ditty.  Spoiler Alert!!  Stop reading if you want to wait to watch last night's episode first. ;)

Last night’s antics were nothing short of dramatic, from the added ready-to-wear look, to Valerie’s endless tears, to the slicing judges’ remarks.  The designers also brought drama to the runway with Andy’s uberchic futuristic dark angel samurai couture complete with faux boots to Michael C.’s exaggerated cathedral train gown.  Mondo took the top prize, and Project Runway first, of $20,000.  Inspired by L’Oreal’s brite High Intensity Pigment  (HIP) eyeshadows, Mondo translated these colors into a beautiful and original couture gown in true “Mondo-ern” (Mondo Modern) style. I honestly think that Gwen Stefani should be dying to wear it since it really goes with her aesthetic.  His ready-to-wear look was incredibly well edited that was still consistent with the couture dress.  And I totally believe that I would wear that “very slimming” dress when I would want to be channeling Gwen Stefani. ;) See the designs here: (Project Runway on LifetimeTV).  

On the flipside, it was Ivy’s “bridesmaids under the sea” with “nursey” necklines that got her sent home despite her hard work.  Michael C.’s Scarlet O’Hara look and Valerie’s Miss Guatemala pageant dress were spared the ax.  It’s clear that even Valerie agreed that she made it an “unbelievably tight race for hideous.”  But, in another PR first, Guatemala got a shout out! Holla! ;)

Mondo paired his winning couture look with some thicker strapped sandals and his ready-to-wear look with classic black pumps.  I think the pumps were a good choice but I would have gone in a different direction for the couture look.  I think that you have to commit from head to toe with a look like that.  And Mondo did a great job with the head part making that super cute hat and great hair and make up choices.  But that’s why he need me to help him with the shoes. ;)  I think that the ‘Nixie’ platform pump by Sam Edelman really do the look justice.  The front laser-cut detailing really compliments the bodice of the dress perfectly.  The platform on this shoe has that edged square finish that works much better with the striped geometric element of the dress than thick sandal straps.  In the words of Tim Gunn, the thick straps were too literal of a translation.  The peep toe keeps the pump, and overall styling, from being too heavy but still commits to being high fashion.

For the ready-to-wear look, I found that the ‘Mason’ by Elizabeth and James platform pump carry the Mondo-ern edginess better.  Again, going with that square-edged platform compliments the geometric detail of the dress in a fresher way.  The almond toe gives the pump a classic and ladylike feel.  Its great balance between high fashion and timeless style make it very wearable which is why I really love it.

I’m curious to see what the designers will make for their HP textile challenge, if the designs will make Heidi ask “boobs or legs”, and who the special guests are next week.  Hope your first Fall weekend of the year is great!