Fraccers

In a recent article over at People Magazine, Tim Gunn, host of Project Runway, revealed that the winning creation had been dyed in the toilet with such little time left in the contest, that the model was forced to wear it still-wet only minutes later.

Is fracas crazy, or has the fashion industry totally gone to shit?

I kid you not. From the article:

Designer Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman, 31, dyed his winning neon green neoprene avant-garde dress in the toilet, Tim Gunn, 56, revealed to PEOPLE on Thursday.

“What the audience didn’t see is me going into the men’s room, saying to Ra’mon, would you please get that neoprene thing out of the toilet? If you’re going to dye it, dye it in the sink. It’s more hygienic.”

Apparently Ra’mon wanted a deeper basin to dye the garment, so he resorted to the deepest dish of water he had.

So how did Gunn convince him to use less murky waters? “I just said, you’ve got to get it out of there. Get it out. Out, out, out.”

Eventually, Coleman came to his senses and moved to the sink, which is what was shown in the episode.

But Gunn wasn’t the only one appalled by Coleman’s idea. His model had to wear his still-wet creation down the runway minutes later.

Gunn said, “It was one big hot mess, and his model was refusing to wear it because she knew it had been in the toilet. I had a showdown with her in the sewing room about how you’re a professional, this is what you have to do.”

I’ve written about my disdain for the whole industry before. I believe we simply wouldn’t have legions of young girls suffering from anorexia and bulimia if the fashion industry would take responsibility for pushing the image of a stick-thin waif with near six feet of height. Creating samples and runway clothing that’s all sized where the only person who could naturally fit them are the 11 to 13 year old crowd is reprehensible.

Add this crap (pardon the pun) to the list. I’ve decided then, to write an open letter to Mr. Gunn. Please feel free to leave your name/internet handle/blog link in the comments as your agreement and equal disapproval!

An open letter to Mr. Gunn, the Project Runway Show and the Fashion Industry

Excuse me Mr. Gunn… but the asshole who chose to stick the garment in the toilet should’ve been eliminated right there and then for being unprofessional, not the model bullied into wearing an unsanitary, coliform-ridden outfit[1] so as not to appear unprofessional.

Yes, a model may have to endure some inconveniences for a good shot or show. We’ve all seen the artsy photos of a swimsuit clad model in the snow or understand that under hot stage light, a model in a parka isn’t exactly comfortable. These things, they do because they’re a professional.

Wearing a wet garment that’s been in the toilet though? Unacceptable. It’s unacceptable that you fought with the model and bullied her into believing she was unprofessional for refusing, intead of disqualifying the contestant for an act that should’ve rendered his garment unable to be shown.

For shame Mr. Gunn. For shame.

I hope the general public takes you, the show and the industry to task for the attitudes that perpetuate what can be accurately now referred to as the shit that goes on in your line of work.

Regards,

Fracas

[1] Where the germs are: a scientific safari.