Lack of trust puts Higa in tight spot on ‘Runway’
Hawaii’s Ivy Higa barely made the cut last week.
Michael Kors brands Hawaii designer with dreaded “seamstress” label.
It was another nail-biting week on "Project Runway" last Thursday, this time for Ivy Higa.
Episode 7 of the TV design competition had the designers going on a boat cruise with designer and "Project Runway" judge Michael Kors to set the mood for the resort-attire challenge, "What’s Mine is Yours," a category in which you’d expect Hawaii designers to excel.
‘PROJECT RUNWAY’Airs at 6 p.m. today on Lifetime; repeats 8 p.m. Saturday ON THE NET:» We are tracking the progress of Hawaii designers Ivy Higa and Andy South through the conclusion of the season’s episodes. Visit the Fashiontribe blog for Thursday night updates. » Follow the link to see @nymag images of Higa’s collection: http://bit.ly/awoYMi |
It was after the designers had completed their sketches and selected their fabric that they were given the real challenge of pairing with another randomly assigned contestant who would execute the design per the designer’s instruction.
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South was paired with Valerie Mayen, who hasn’t been impressive, but there was no drama there as the two worked well together. South’s swimsuit and flowing wrap were popular with judges who appreciated the sophistication, fit and colors, but top honors went to April Johnston for an edgy black babydoll dress and short set.
Higa was paired with Michael Drummond, whose vision came to life through Higa’s work.
Her reputation on the show is that of a great technician, and she completed Drummond’s design impeccably. But for her own design, Higa devised multiple layers of fabric and textures in a pant design that she didn’t trust him to produce. So, she kept stripping away at her design until all that was left was a simple top and long skirt. Tough. No one wants to go home based on someone else’s work.
In the end she was safe only because Casanova revisited the granny look, though in the judging process, Kors used the dreaded "S" word, seamstress, to describe Higa, the last thing a designer wants to hear.
Both Higa and South showed collections during New York Fashion Week’s "Project Runway" fashion show last Thursday. Bloggers and fashion websites have been making predictions ever since, with The StyleList placing South in its pick for the Top Three finalists.
It’ll be several weeks before those of us stuck in the limbo of TV land catch up with reality.
