Project Runway Season 9 Episode 2 and 3

A lot has been going on for the last 2 weeks so I apologise for my tardiness with my blog post on Project Runway but here we go.  So happy to report that #PR9Anya voting is going very nicely.  She is ahead and keep voting people.  Caribbean unite.  Go to www.lifetime.com or go on twitter @projectrunway.  Vote for #PR9anya for #ProjectRunway Fan Favorite. Vote for your favorite designer at http://bit.ly/rlwDVi via@projectrunway.  Now for my reviews on Episode 2 and 3.

The challenge for Episode 2 was to use unconventional materials from a Pet Store and it is amazing what creative minds can conceive.  I must say I was disappointed with Bert's attitude towards this challenge.  Just because you  have immunity from elimination does not mean you must disregard the challenge.  That should be the time you take a huge risk and experiment, but maybe that is just me.  I would have taken the opportunity to come our of my comfort zone and think outside the box.  Bert dropped out of my Top 3 because of the attitude and even more so because the outfit he sent out was not cute.  The outfit made from bird seeds looked better than an outfit from fabric.  Shame on you Bert, too early to get into Diva mode.

Anthony's brid seed creation Episode 3

The outfits that I did like were:  Anya's top I loved the colour combinations.  I could rock that with some wide leg pants.  I agree with the judges for the most part with the top three.  I have an appreciation for Joshua M's design but it reminded me of the 80's a little too much and I would have put Anthony's birdseed dress as my first choice and Olivier's as my second.

Bryce's send me home creation

Fallene oh Fallene, it is like you are getting lost and overwhelmed.  I think the pressure is getting to you already.  Same for Julie and Viktor, it is not quite coming together.  I kind of see the vision but the execution is way off.  There is no wow factor still for me seeing Kimberly, Cecile and Danielle's outfits.

Now I totally agree with sending Bryce home, it wasn't the worse outfit but being in the bottom last week, then playing it safe with mostly fabric wasn't the smartest choice.  What happened to that belt you had when Tim Gunn came to look on your progress after the first day?.  Bryce did not heed Tim's warning about take your cue from what you have done so far.  The bottom of the outfit would have made it spectacular.  Bryce you have a lot of potential I don't think a competition is the best way for it to come out.  You are a laid back easy going person and stress is not your friend.  I wish him luck and keep doing what you doing.

Now for Episode 3.  The Go Big or Go Home Team Challenge.  Nothing like a little Caribbean luck for Anya to be paired up with Olivier.  I couldn't wait to see Olivier deal with colour.  There was colour other than beige.  The colours were still muted but at least we got some colour.  The challenge for Episode 3 was an outdoor fashion show with models on Stills and if that wasn't challenging enough it was a team challenge.

Team Anya and Olivier Episode 3

Let the drama begin.  The drama between Bert and Viktor partnering up was not surprising.  Two Divas in one pen and as expected the results were disastrous.  Once again, I am not loving Bert's attitude at all.  Kids you need to play nice.  The winning of the first challenge has clearly gone to his head but he surely got a rude awakening after this challenge.  Their main problem was the choice in fabric.  Viktor was so right in that comment and Bert could not even own up to it.  Once again shame on you Bert.

Ugly fabric choice for Team Bert and Viktor

So it was Project Runway's first outdoor fashion show which made it interested.  Now the designer got to see the reaction of the audience as well.  Which is tricky when you add a few additional feet to the model.  I must say this episode did not really grab me.  I got a little bored.  No real wow factor for me.

Once again I agreed with the judges top 3 and bottom 3.  Unfortunately they sent home Fallene and rightfully so, she choked in this challenge.  Team Anthony and Laura won the challenge, with Laura getting immunity from eliminations for the next challenge.  Well deserved.

Winning creation from Team Laura and Anthony

So until Episode 4, remember Go Hard or Go Home.

Project Runway Season 9 Episode 1 _"Come as you are"

One of my favourite shows on television, I love Project Runway @projectrunway I have watched every season and it gets better and better.  Hence my excitement when the Jamaican version Mission Catwalk @mission_catwalk had their first season this year with the winner Sheena and runner up @yannizle.  Caribbean talent at its best.  I digress.  Now for my review of Project Runway Season 9, looks like it will be the best season yet, I agree with Tim Gunn.

Watching the talent of 16 designers that made it to the show in both the casting special and episode one for the most part I am impressed.  So apart from being one of my favourite shows you know it got even better when I heard that one of our Caribbean Queens was on the show.  A Queen not because she was Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2008 but a strong talented Caribbean woman is always royalty in my book.  Her name is Anya Ayoung_Chee @AnyadeRogue  #PR9Anya.  Who by the way you can vote for as the fan favourite on twitter but typing #PR9Anya in your tweet.  With that unapologetic bias aside here is my unbiased review of Episode 1 in a nutshell.

Tim woke up the designers at 5am and the challenge was to "come as you are" and carry the white sheet on their bed.  Challenge was to design an outfit from what they were wearing (sleepwear) and the sheet as their fabric.  What they came up with showed their talent.  Think about what you slept in last night, what would you design using just that and a white sheet as your fabric and you will have a greater appreciation of what these designers did.

My favourites are as follows:

• Bias aside Anya's clothes I would wear in a heartbeat.  There were 4 pieces that I want like now.     (1) Loved the white and black romper jumper she wore in the casting special.  That with a chunky piece neckpiece and a pair of Bridget Sandal @bridgetsandals and I am dressed and out the door.  (Check our recommended websites).  Actually that could be said for all my favourite pieces.

          (2) and (3)Obviously the top and the pant that she did for the challenge - just WOW!  and 

          

          (4)  That long bronze skirt that you had at the casting special and had on the rack at the final interview

               Wish I got a better look on it but my eyes were drawn to it.

• Bert oh Bert my second star, the simple but classy cuts I love.  The day to evening pieces that should be in every woman's closet.  I like that his clothes just look easy to wear.  The just slip it on and you are dressed.  The cuts have that edge to them that I love, a few more inches in length.  I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us. #PR9Bert  

• Fallene is that touch of crazy that I love.  I would have worn that white and black dress with the clown over the toilet.  She is one of my overall favourites between the casting and the challenge.  I preferred Bryce's and Cecile outfits in the challenge.    #PRFallene

Now for my least favourite category:

• Not surprised Rapael got the boot because not only was his hair A HOT MESS but so was that outfit. I can't say there was any piece that I saw in the casting special or episode 1 that I would wear

• All the judges seem to be in awww of Oliver and I am just not getting it.  His clothes just don't speak to me at all.  It is still early days so maybe my position on him will change.
• And Viktor I don't get it either.  I just can't see the vision.  The clothes in the photos from the casting special looked nice but the actual pieces not so much.  I am just not clicking with his work.

I have my eye on Becky I liked what she carried to the castings but on the runway no so much.  I see her cuts as fantastic and that pop of colour in the lining.  I love it.  It was the opposite for Cecilia didn't like what she carried to the castings but liked what she had on the runway (just a little more length to the skirt).  And I loved Bryce's outfit on the runway,  the pieces from the casting are not my style but I appreciate his work.

All and all I am excited about the new season and I can't wait for episode 2.  I already watched episode 1 twice for today.  You can watch the full episodes on the Project Runway website (click on link)

Good Job Guys

The Caribbean, long referred to as the West Indies,includes more than 7,000 islands; of those, 13 are independent island countries and some are dependencies or overseas territories of other nations.

In addition, that large number includes islets (very small rocky islands); cay's (small, low islands composed largely of coral or sand) and a few inhabited reefs: See Belize.

In geographical terms the Caribbean area includes the Caribbean Sea and all of the islands located to the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America and Mexico, and to the north of South America. Some of its counted cay's, islands, islets and inhabited reefs front the handful of countries that border the region.

The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are not considered a part of the Caribbean, however, we show them here because of their cultural, geographical and political associations with the Greater Antilles and other Caribbean Islands.

At the beginning of the 15th century the population of the Caribbean was estimated to be nearly 900,000 indigenous people immediately before European contact.

Then in 1492, Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer began his exploration of the Caribbean, becoming the first European to venture into the area.

After reportedly landing in the eastern Bahamas, Columbus named these islands the Indies, because he thought he had finally reached Asia (and the East Indies).

Numerous explorers followed in his path, then tens of thousands of settlers arrived from the Americas, China, European countries and India. Included in that mix were religious outcasts and a small army of pirates. 

Across the Caribbean, slaves from Africa were imported in great numbers to work the sugar and tobacco plantations.

By then the indigenous populations of the islands were in severe decline as exposure to disease and brutal genocide wiped out much of their number.

Great military powers continually fought for control of the islands, and finally, a blended mix of African andEuropean cultures and languages transformed this large group of islands and its peoples into one of the premier tourist destinations on the planet.

Long called the West Indies, the overall area is now commonly referred to as the Caribbean, a name that became popular after World War II.

Over the last few decades legions of travelers have journeyed to the Caribbean to enjoy the amenities. They frequently arrive in cruise ships that sail in and out, from ports in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Overall the Caribbean is a magical place of palm trees, white sand beaches, turquoise waters and sunshine, all blessed with a climate that consistently offers a much-needed break for those stuck in the cold weather doldrums of the north.

If you haven't been, you should, and if you've been here more than once, you will come again, as these islands, these beach-ringed, jungle-covered rocks are home to thousands of historical surprises and activities galore.
So, come dance, come drink, come eat and sleep under the stars in the Caribbean. You won't be disappointed.


Source of post : World Atlas

CARIBBEAN INFORMATION

AREA

The Caribbean is the 2,500,000-sq. km (965,000 sq. miles) of the Caribbean Sea and the countries in it. The nations making up the region have a surface area of 90,000 square miles. This region is bounded by the Greater Antilles (larger Caribbean islands) in the north, by the Lesser Antilles (smaller islands) in the east, by the coasts of Venezuela, Columbia and Panama in the south and by the eastern coasts of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and the Mexican Yucatan peninsula in the west. By this definition, countries such as the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands are not in the Caribbean as they are in the Atlantic . They are, however, considered part of the Caribbean for reasons of similar history and culture.  

POPULATION

The Caribbean region consists of 26 islands, with a total population of approximately 38 million people.  

LANGUAGES

Four main languages are spoken: English, Spanish, French and Dutch. Currently, University of the West Indies is conducting an initiative to have Creole included as one of the region’s main languages.  

NOTE:  Excerpt from the International Association of Caribbean Organization website