Chic and Untroubled

In remembrance of the life and times Project Runway shared on Bravo, the network took the contestants back to where the madness all begin last night for their first challenge this season.

Gristedes, where Austin Scarlett created his infamous corn husk dress, once again supplied the materials the contestants could use to impress the judges.

The majority used table cloths, but not like Montana Native Jerry Tam. His outfit which included a white lab coat, wellies, and cleaning gloves looked like Marc Jacobs spring ‘08 gone terribly wrong. Or as one of the contestants shrieked: “It’s so American Psycho.” Jerry was sent home packing.

Speaking of contestants, they are a lot more cocky this year. One of them has orange skin, too. Yeah. Overall, this episode was so-so. Hopefully, it won’t be like this the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Bravo took the message of diversifying runways seriously. There are a lot more models of color this year.

Until next Wednesday….

In it’s own weird and bizarre way, last night’s season finale of America’s Next Top Model was quite epic for the following reasons:

1.) Right on the heels of model Ali Michael’s testimony on struggling with a eating disorders, a pleasantly plump and beautiful Whitney wins ANTM cycle ten title.

2.) After having Wal-Mart and Apple Bottom push their products on the contestants, the Donatella Versace’s one-night sponsorship was nice. Plus, the final runway production was couldn’t have been more gaudy or over-the-top, which is the essence of Versace’s brand.

3.) With Whitney’s pageant charm, next season’s “This is my life” commercial spots are going to be those of legend. I’m talking CK, but on a low budget.

4.) And the shocker: Whitney could actually — (gasp) — have a career in full figured modeling or on television. She has the height, a great body, the face and Elite management behind her.

Meanwhile, after the jump, I posted a video of the other Tyra Banks production everyone is talking about. And if you can watch without laughing out loud, you might win a prize.

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I’m currently on MTV overload right now.

The Hills finale last night coupled with the after show, a performance by Usher (Ah!), previews of MTV’s the fall line-up (OMG!), and thirty minutes of The Paper has lead me to right this post in a digestible and easy to follow bullet format for your sanity as well as mine.

Here we go:

1. Audrina to Lauren: “It’s not about you.” Amen.

2. Season 4 of The Hills actually looks promising (everyone’s acting abilities seem to have matched those of Heidi’s and Spencer’s; Audrina is badass). But will the faux industry jobs still keep my interest when Elle’s little show airs. Eh, I’m not so sure, especially since Tyra is producing it.

3. Usher! How awkward did he look walking down those steps packed full of screaming teens? But I guess a baby can do that too you. He’s performance was

4. Exiled: Can.Not.Wait.

5. I’m convinced that the blue Marc by Marc Airliner clutch Lauren is carrying in this photo is the bag of summer. Hands down. It’s sold-out practically everywhere, which means I still don’t own it. Ugh…

The end.

Okay, so Anya didn’t say our title for this post last night on America’s Next Top Model. Sad, we know It would have been pretty amazing. But she did receive a $10,000 check from 7-up after she won the party challenge as well as an advertisement with the beverage company.

How gorgeous and relaxed did Lauren look at that faux party? By appearances alone, I would have never guessed she was a closeted psycho who revels in the occasional forty ounce. Oh! Almost forgot. She nearly cut off her thumb trying to make potato pancakes. Yeah, we love her.

Anyways, Fatima skipped this week’s photo shoot because she had to get her legal papers to travel abroad and still managed not to get kicked off — sending a visibly upset Stacey Ann home.

Wow! Talk about a major upset. Holly Kiser — the lone woman on Make Me A Supermodel — took home the grand prize last night. Leaving Ronnie, Ben, Perry, and myself in complete shock.

The Florida native won $100,000, a contract with NY Models, and the approval of casting director Jennifer Starr — one of the show’s judges. Why is the latter important?

Well, Ms. Starr is the casting director for Ralph Lauren and Holly has the whole waspy look down pat, especially with her new short hair cut a la Cecilia Mendez — one of Ralph’s runway favorites.

FYI: the show is produced by Tiger Aspect Productions, a division of IMG Media. That is why we got the random appearances from Naomi Campbell and Jessica Stam — two of IMG’s stars.

Meanwhile, did you hear Ben swoon once he laid eyes upon Miss Stam last night? And did you all see how he was less than excited to be greeted by his own wife whom he hasn’t seen in almost three months?

Yup, I smell a divorce in someone’s future.

Earlier this week, I reported that Claire was hawking a $7500 Hello Kitty diamond necklace on Ebay to help fund a charity that she was trying to upstart with her mother called Green Acres.

Typically, when ANTM is in session on the CW, the models on the show stay way out of the view of the public. So, once I saw Claire’s bid, I knew the blonde babe was out of there. And lasts night’s episode just confirmed my suspecions.

After almost breaking her neck on this piece of plexi-glass with water on it, Claire never recovered her poise for the photo shoot — which lead her and Lauren (who messed royally as well) in the bottom two. Ultimately, the panel choose the latter and sent the cool mommie home.

Meanwhile, why is the ANTM confessional camera so unflattering? It’s makes all of the girls look so old. Dominique gets the worst of it and she actually looked kind of cute last night. Did I just type that? I even scare myself sometimes.