Since 2008 is a Presidential election year, the outside of Bryant Park is festooned with red, white, and blue banners. Only these say “Vote for Fashion.” Good to have one’s priorities straight. And I’m only barely being facetious. Inside the tent, Heidi Klum - clad entirely in black - appears on the runway to huge cheers. She introduces Nina and Michael, and then has to explain the guest judge quandary. Jennifer Lopez fell prey to a sudden “foot injury” and canceled at the very last minute. It’s been explained elsewhere that no celebrity could be found to replace her that quickly, so Tim Gunn was asked to fill in. He has said in his own blog that he agreed to do it only if they could not find anyone else; also that Heidi had to reassure him. She had faith that he, a longtime educator, could put any possible personal feelings and experiences aside and judge each collection objectively. It’s a mark of the man’s integrity that he was so concerned about fairness and how his filling in as judge might affect things. But, I think no rational person would doubt his ability to be professional and fair. They would certainly have a hard time finding anyone more qualified.
Heidi introduces Tim, who walks smiling onto the runway to huge applause. Backstage, Kenley sees this on a video monitor and spits out, “Are you kidding? Okay, maybe I should’ve improved my attitude.” No, Kenley. You should have improved your attitude because that would denote decency, maturity, professionalism, and integrity. Not because the cameras were on (not that it stopped you) and also not because the person might rise in perceived position over you one day. You should also have improved your attitude out of respect — for the man’s qualifications, history as an educator, courtesy toward you which was unfailing, and because it would’ve been the right thing to do.
Now I’ll try to take a page from the zen master’s book and put my outrage at that remark aside. It’s time for Kenley’s runway show. She steps onto the runway and as her mother snaps her photograph, Kenley says she was “inspired with painting, fantasy things, Alice in Wonderland - I made my dream wardrobe.” In the audience, Kenley’s mother nods and smiles through tears. Her father and sister are more stoic. “Enjoy!” Kenley calls out as she leaves. The show begins.
First piece down the runway is a strapless dress. It has a black bodice, thin blue sash at the waist, and a cape-like skirt. The skirt is hot pink with big black stripes. Second dress is emerald green, with long puffed sleeves, a high collar, knee length hem. It has a semi-fitted silhouette. In closeup, we see those green ropes are still wound around the poor girl’s neck. The next piece is the vivid print mini Kenley showed Tim earlier. Nothing on it has been altered. The rope is still there. By contrast to these fussy garments, the next dress, Kenley’s bridesmaid mini, looks bright and refreshing. The solid color does not compete with the design elements. Also, this shade of blue is beautiful. It doesn’t really go with the rest of the collection but could be viewed as standing out in a good way.
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