Wednesday, March 30, 2011

All on the Line

Sundance and that "powerhouse" stylist/editor/media meister, Joe Zee have brought us a cutting edge fashion reality show designed to take struggling designers and through expert advice and tough love, showing them the way to success. The premiere was last night and I think this is a brilliant new reality format: fast paced edits, a cheesy music track best suited for flaccid porn and NO VOICE TRACK. (Due to a technical error the broadcast in Brooklyn Heights that night was was missing the voice track.)That's right, from the moment I tuned in and for the complete hour of this nail biter, I heard nothing with the exception of commercials where Joe imparted his wisdom on everything from coffee shop mugs and spoons he collects and the advent of the BCD vs. the LBD, fash-o-nyms for the little black dress (dead) and the bright colored dress (ALIVE).

This ultimate reality show looks to have tons of pathos, strangely passive designers and a wildly gesticulating host. Joe Zee's hand gestures are clear proof of his expert credentials as an editor of consequence. Even the way he holds his Blackberry or tips a champagne flute at a meeting between his pet designers and a team of Barneys Co-op buyers and a few king making freelance fashion writers drives home his unquestioned authority. At one point he hammers away at the importance of a hanger's aesthetic appeal, I think. The design company Radenroro, a struggling pair of designers whose names I didn't catch, seem to be suffering a certain malaise. Joe swings his arms alot and they stare dumbly, smile sweetly and weep (silently) throughout the show. They even design what will be a winning collection in under 3 minutes on scrap paper, without any fabrics and also waste more precious time repeating these sad sketches on state of the art computer screens with Joe looking on in grave seriousness. Can't he see the waste of energy if energy is the right word? What about thought? Imagination? Skill? Fashion design has worked its way down, down, down the evolutionary ladder at break neck speed.

The clothes look random and the quality, fabric and concept are mysteriously lacking in substance. The only unifying element is an inexpensively made over sized label haphazardly tacked on by a surly sewer who clearly hates her job. Joe's mission statement is to guide, cajole, educate and basically wipe the butts of these clueless savants so they're ready for their close-ups. He looks to be the only one on screen who's ready, I think.

The endgame is a meeting with the fashion director of Nordstrom's. These poorly constructed, ill-fitting and ill-conceived clothes are trotted out to their unwitting audience complete with an army of dressers, a sea of shoes and tables of accessories. The same bad stuff that is definitely the worse for wear-ing gets the nod and we see in the credits that Radenroro will be available at Nordstrom's this spring. I'm happy for them but can't help feeling I missed something, I think.

11 comments:

spirou said...

I am with Tom ford. Away , away, away from madness.

chris in sf said...

I'm with Tom Ford, too... hanging around the house butt naykid! ;0)

spirou said...

Please Fluff read the last entry of www.thestylerookie.com
Her comments are very interesting.
Something is in the air. Beside radiations from Japan, I mean...

Anonymous said...

You didn't miss "something" you missed a lot. The show itself had some lame moments but it's still one of the most genuine around; certainly head and shoulders above typical reality fair like Project Runway. The Radenroro line is actually really nice and quite original. It's been around for a while in good stores like SCOOP (and now Nordstrom).

I suggest you watch the show again WITH SOUND. While it's downright pathetic that it aired for a full hour without a voice track, I think you'll find upon a repeat viewing that it's a lot more sincere than you've made it out to be.

Edwina@FASHION+ART said...

Don't care who's 'starring' or how they try and dress it up, a reality show is still a lot of contrived, drama-driven drivel served up as a form of entertainment for those who don't require much to be entertained.

Fluff Chance said...

Dear Anonymous,
I stand corrected and will take another look. Assuming the voice track is included in next week's episode we'll see the true nature of the show. The premise is clear as I created it with the original production company. Sundance took it an let Joe Zee take the credit. So much for truth.

a reference said...

i am glad i don't have a tv.

Anonymous said...

In fashion for more decades than I care to admit to, I'd rather have my hair pulled out, strand by strand, slowly, than watch this.

Tried "Project Runway" one time and the posturing and faux and/or aggravated angst was beyond nauseating.

"Reality shows" are more thoroughly scripted and choreographed than anything I can think of. It shows.

Anon2

chris in sf said...

last night's episode (maybe last night's, we Tivo so I have NO idea when it aired) the designer did not follow any of his suggestions and decided to do as she pleased (which she has done all along leading to her business to near collapse) and the buyers from Neiman's pretty much made the same suggestions that Joe had made... and she still didn't care!
the sheer ego!
I felt bad for her business partner who's sunk over 150K into this horrible venture. (why are some straight men so easily bullied by the women they date? Beyond pussy whipped. It baffles me how, otherwise smart men, let their common sense and their spines go out the window and allow these women to steamroll all over them. I'd be "later B-ach I'm taking my money and myself away from this lunacy".
Yes, these show's are not "real" but, if you apply to go on a show to get help to save your company, why wouldn't you follow the advice you are given?

Patty O Club said...

I stumbled across the second episode last night, and watched it like you drive slowly past a car crash. The takeaway for me is my astonishment that someone so obviously untalented would also be arrogant enough to ignore good advice. Those clothes were plain nasty--the only suitable venue for that designer's line is a stripper pole. I will watch, in lurid fascination, again next week....

spirou said...

Hey Fluff, If I have to stare at Mr. Zee's face any longer on your site I will go nuts, can you please post something soon....