Jerell’s mother says he was always creative. He tells Tim he cut tube socks up as a child, to make Barbie dresses. Jerell grew up in South Central L.A., two blocks from the flashpoint of the 1994 L.A. riots. After that, he says, his parents decided the family should get out of there. Jerell chokes up as he talks about missing his father, who was always away because he worked as a long distance truck driver. As Jerell talks about the way his parents have inspired him to take risks and be confident, Tim appears to be moved; his face reddens, and his eyes well with tears. Jerell’s mother says she is very proud of her son.
I hope Tim didn’t have to drive that Saturn 3,000 miles. Someone offer this man a private jet! Kenley Collins’ home is the last stop on Tim Gunn Tour ’08. Tim, please, leave some bread crumbs behind you as you go! And if she asks to feel your finger, stick out a chicken bone. Tim knocks on Kenley Collins’ door. Kenley, rested from her fresh feasting upon tired souls, er I mean, by the solitude and silence away from the rooms full of strangers, greets Tim with a double air kiss. Her apartment is nice and tidy, with wood floors. It’s a fair size for a young person’s apartment, Brooklyn isn’t cheap these days. There’s a black and white photo of a young woman in 1940s attire on the wall. Is it Kenley? No, it’s her grandmother — “she was a calendar girl,” Kenley says. Next, we see photos of the two from Kenley’s childhood. Kenley says that her grandmother recently died and would be very proud if she could see what Kenley was doing.
Kenley shows Tim her collection. She says she was inspired to paint directly onto the fabric by Alice in Wonderland. I had a feeling Kenley was enamored of that book ever since that ‘avant garde’ garment which was suggestive of the Queen of Hearts. In part of the story, the Queen of Hearts has people paint white roses red. That notion is what has inspired Kenley’s collection. She has stuck with her preferred vivid, jewel-tone prints, but this time she has designed them herself, painted directly onto silk. “Fab!” Tim enthuses. Tim isn’t as keen on the green ropes Kenley has wound around one dress at the collar. “I’m into ropes! My father was a tugboat captain!” Kenley protests. Oh, Kenley. Save it for therapy!
Kenley’s wedding dress assignment has been fulfilled as a feathery 1950s tea length dress suggestive of a tutu from Swan Lake. It’s gorgeous, and constructed beautifully. Kenley seems thrilled with Tim’s positive reaction to her collection. Other than the rope collar on one dress, which reminded him of a hanging victim, he loved everything. Kenley cries with relief. The two air-kiss goodbye. It is a bit poignant that of all the finalists, Kenley had no visitors while Tim was there. There was also no socialising and no breaking of bread (that we saw). Chalk it up to life on a tugboat, I guess. Tim seems to have enjoyed the visit, however, and Kenley was pleasant toward him. Phew. Now — run, Tim, run!
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