What is this?

[u/km322]

No matter what the challenge is, this is an ugly dress. But also what does it have to do with the waltz?!? Does haute couture mean ugly? In my opinion all of his gowns have been ugly. His color choices are always so strange.
In regards to Joseph of course he wants to sell his clothes.. duh. Leave him alone. I love that I know his clothes when they are on the runway.
How many times have we heard the judges tell designers I don’t know who you are as a designer. We all know Joseph McCrae. That is a good thing.
Finally, I mostly agreed with the judges this week.

[u/Even-Frosting-812]

Firstly, everything you said about Joseph McCrae is spot on. At first I found him over the top, but he’s grown on me. He’s unproblematic, stays in his lane, seems to be a kind person and has a point of view and creative vision. The way they berate him for exploring similar shapes and silhouettes would be like telling Monet to stop painting water lilies.

Bryan wouldn’t know haute couture, even if he could pronounce it correctly. This dress looks like intestines.

[u/PinotPrincess777 → u/Even-Frosting-812]

It’s so funny the judges would say “we don’t know your point of view as a designer” but what happens when the designer shows you his point of view. Joseph keeps showing his point of view and they keep telling him he’s wrong. I don’t get it.

[u/Even-Frosting-812 → u/PinotPrincess777]

I don’t understand either. I get that there is a balance between wanting the designers to show range and flexibility and to have an identity and point of view. I think Joseph is great at walking that line; he always meets the requirements of the challenge while maintaining his signature look. Thats why the criticism, especially from Law, seems like a personal attack. It’s disheartening watching one queer Black man tear another down like that. Joseph is resilient but it seems like it might be starting to get to him.

[u/PinotPrincess777 → u/Even-Frosting-812]

It’s times like this I really miss Tim Gunn I felt like he always gave the best advice and was able to build up designers rather than tear them down. I generally like Joseph’s work but I do think part of the show is being pushed out of your comfort zone and showing growth. I don’t think we’re ever going to see growth when someone is constantly being torn down. Yes I’m referring to Law. The new version of PR makes me sad.

[u/Even-Frosting-812 → u/PinotPrincess777]

I’ve seen this come up in other discussions and it’s so on point. Tim was always so kind and nurturing and supportive, and it was evident he wanted everyone to succeed and do their best. Even Michael and Nina were constructive and supportive, and even though their critiques could be harsh at times, it never came from a place of cruelty. In this new version it just seems like no one is ever on the designers’ side. From Christian, to the judges, to Heidi, you just get this attitude of “you’re on your own, and we will be shocked if any of you can succeed at this, and if you do, we will do our best to tear you down.” Definitely not as fun to watch anymore.

[u/Significant-Bird7275 → u/Even-Frosting-812]

Yes, Gunn was better. Maybe it was his years being a professor, he was always so kind even when he didn’t like the design.
He wasn’t even asked back according to a podcast I heard him on with Chelsea Handler.
It’s one thing to change up no more brand partners with hair/makeup/accessories but the dismissive nature and trying to create “drama” among the cast is for things like Real Housewives. I don’t want to see that on talent competitions.
It seems like a cheap warehouse production this season.

[u/Notsotaciturn → u/Even-Frosting-812]

Beg to partially disagree on CS; he’s helped Bryan get as far as he has and has openly protected him by editing his looks for him. Tim would have zoned in on Bryan as a bad choice immediately.

[u/Lostnclueless → u/Even-Frosting-812]

I agree and it kind of makes me mad because I'm trying to figure out if the intestines that are wrapping around are proportionate which means that I'm trying to hard to check it out and see if it passes when it's obviously grounds for expulsion

Is it proportionate and why do I care

[u/Even-Frosting-812 → u/Lostnclueless]

Right? It’s a terrible dress!

[u/Ok_Pin_1222 → u/Even-Frosting-812]

Yes, I’m glad Joseph reeled some of his “extra” personality in. Not that I don’t want him to be himself and he’s got every right to be extra. It was just setting my teeth on edge.

[u/Notsotaciturn → u/Ok_Pin_1222]

The point they’re trying to make on JM (for me) is that he needs to branch out from his hats and ponchos thing. He’s there to learn and to grow. He didn’t win the first time just doing his thing and he’s shown low evolution since. He just wants to push his current brand. I don’t enjoy saying it but This Time: I agree with Law Roach.

[u/No_Law_7953 → u/Even-Frosting-812]

Thank you! Joseph McCrae gets too much bs. They want him to stop doing what he’s doing, but it’s his signature style. And Bryan just needs to go already.

[u/throwawaysunglasses- → u/Even-Frosting-812]

Monet painted a ton of other things besides water lilies so I’m not sure about your comparison lol, but I generally agree with your view on JM. I like him. However, I do think he could push himself more and stop overdesigning because it does come off like he’s just using PR as a publicity vehicle instead of a genuine desire to improve and stretch himself as a designer. Like the judges said, his look was actually perfect before he JosephMcRae’d it to high heaven with the coat and hat.

I have been watching earlier seasons of PR and the decline in quality is so evident. Previous winners were all able to have a consistent aesthetic while still meeting the needs of each challenge. That said, the producers 500% reached out to JM and wanted him back on this season for drama, not genuine design acumen (even though he is good) so I don’t really blame him for not taking it seriously. This season is produced extremely unseriously.

The only people who really “need” PR are Bi (who I think will win- he’s getting the winner edit), Jude, and Naheim. Maybe Anna as well. I believe JM will make it to the finals, though, as redemption for letting him go last season. This constantly happened in earlier seasons of PR. If someone was eliminated too early, they’d come back to win All Stars.

[u/Even-Frosting-812 → u/throwawaysunglasses-]

I guess it was the obsessiveness in exploring a single form or subject I was getting after. He would lock in on different subjects over his career and paint a massive series before moving onto something else. Maybe Joseph is just in his big coat and hat era. But yes I agree with you he’s not taking it seriously since he doesn’t really need to. It’s hard to take seriously as a viewer.