I’m back for another week, and this looks to be good and bring the LOL’s! Last week, the girls were punked at a fake photo shoot, to bring home the week’s lesson being professionalism in any circumstance-dealing with bitchy stylists and photographers at the lesson, posing with ice sculptures at the challenge, and at the photoshoot, working in the desert. With lots of flies. Cassi continued to meltdown, and Maddy was sent home. Sadly, the Snoop Dogg hoodie was not burnt.
Back at the Elimination Shed, Laura says she can’t describe the crazy feelings…being called was a relief. Well yes, it would be. Tahnee is sad that Maddy left, because she was closest to her and they had a lot of inside jokes. Adele proves her mathematical prowess by saying that “now that Maddy’s left, the group seems that much smaller”. Well, she did have a big personality, but still. She then says that they aren’t worrying about who is going to go next-it’s who’s going to win. Back at the mansion, they are sitting on the lanai, reading gossip mags and throwing Wiffle balls at each other, when Tahnee runs to the washroom to brush her teeth, and there’s Sarah Mail: “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the trendiest of them all?” She runs out and tells the girls, who immediately become the Khaki Barn clones from 6teen and run up and see it. As Tahnee reads it, Cassi answers “I am!” They figure out that this week is about style. This week is always an interesting one because it’s not only about their personal style, but in many cases what they know about fashion. Anyways, Adele says that fashion isn’t Cassi’s thing, and she thinks it’s ironic that she walked in wearing that damned Snoop Dogg sweatshirt. Tahnee thinks that they’re going to be checking their clothes, in which case Cassi should be VERY afraid. Clare says that it’s not just about who has the best personal style, but who has the best knowledge OF style! She’s definitely going far, that one. She’s done her homework. The girls then leave and “are in front of a really big building, and then we go inside” (thanks Adele) to the Harper’s Bazaar offices. On the top floor, they are met by Pease and then a lady from HB. Pease says “I look around, and I realize this lesson couldn’t come soon enough for a lot of you”.
NO SHIT!
Pease then introduces them to Clauda Navone, the fashion director for HB Australia. He tells the girls that she worked with Vogue Italia and British Elle, to name a few. She then tells the girls that to be a good model, they need to have a good understanding of style, as well as a good personal style. Then, it’s critique time-and Cassi fails, as her white shoes, acid-washed jeans, and electric blue top are not working. Also the length of the jeans fails (too short for heels), and Tahnee says “I think Cassi knows she’s not very stylish, and the rest of us know she hasn’t been taught”. Claudia then goes on to say that the heart (presumably necklace) with the jeans is sweet. Clare is given high marks for the top of her outfit (a black floaty minidress with beige vest) but the shoes-a brown ankle-strapped monstrosity-are all wrong for the outfit. And the worst part? She actually thought that the shoes were going to be the high point of the outfit. Claudia then tells the girls the trends that are big on the runways are “new power dressing” (exaggerated shoulders, skinny pants, a rock ‘n roll element), “English garden” (soft neutrals, very feminine), and “world traveler” (bits and bobs from various places, like you traveled the world and picked up a piece in each country). Pease then tells the girls that behind the curtains, there are racks of clothes and shoes and accessories, and they will be split into teams to try and put together a look. Franky and Cassi are given “English Garden”, which Lola finds funny because they have opposite styles. Adele, Laura, and Tahnee are “Power Dressing”, which Tahnee says will be an advantage because Adele studies in “that area”, working with textiles and what not. Clare and Lola are then left with “World Traveler”. They have 5 minutes and it’s a mad dash for the racks of clothes and accessories. With that little amount of time, the models (Lola, Cassi, and Adele) are having random pieces thrown on them. Time is up, and the girls are back for judgement-and the verdict? “Oh, my, God”. Adele is seen as the positive, and Clare says that power dressing is an easier look. Claudia isn’t happy about the lack of denim, but an 80′s-inspired look was very well recreated. She was wearing a black boyfriend blazer, a black LBD, and black booties. Cassi is next, with a giant hat, huge floral earrings, a silk camisole, a skirt, a fugly purse, and a leather belt. That’s a lot of accessories-and to Claudia (and me), the outfit is ruined. As soon as she hears, Cassi reaches for the earrings. She then VO’s that she wouldn’t have done the belt OR that many accessories! See, she knows one of the cardinal rules of style: DON’T OVERACCESSORIZE! Finally, it’s Hot-Mess Lola. Pease says that he understands that world traveler means collecting, but it doesn’t mean discarded. She’s wearing a shredded tee, a vest, an ugly hat, and a skirt. The tee had potential, but with a denim skirt? Not so much. Pease then is shocked to hear that Lola was dressed by Clare, and she gets a “What were you thinking?” but she says that she only had 5 minutes. Well played. Pease then tells the girls that it was just a lesson, but Claudia is a very important client-so good luck for the girls who did well, and for the ones who didn’t, HB may not be for them.
Back at the house, Cassi is talking with her mum who is apparently flying SOMEWHERE. Where exactly? I dunno. The next morning though, the pool is filled with glorified bath toys-namely little sailboats and so forth. Clare thinks that it might be a Sarah Mail, and she is right-there’s an RC boat that Tahnee got the controls for that has it. “Some are born into royalty for others it is bestowed-fashion royalty awaits” Clare immediately thinks that it might be a fashion show on a boat, but the royalty thing throws them off. Laura says it’s the very first Sarah Mail they’ve actually been puzzled by. They all head to the Strand Arcade, passing boutiques of designers like Wayne Cooper, and then Lola figures out: it’s Alex Perry himself. He tells the girls that he is doing probably the most special show he has ever done, and he has cast most of the models, but he needs a couple more. That’s why they are there. Adele says it’s just “insane” to be casting for an Alex Perry show at that stage in the competition. They are then introduced to Trevor Stones, who used to work for Vogue Australia, and his opinion on the models is the one he relies on the most. Alex then says that they’re all going to walk. Laura is nervous thanks to Trevor. Cassi is up first, and she fails. She probably has the worst walk in all seasons-her legs go one way, her torso another, and her head side to side. She explains that one shoulder and one hip are higher than the other, which Franky calls “the usual excuses”. Lola is trying to “look like a lady” as the usual whistle music plays, and Trevor says that the walk “looks like she’s walking down the street”. Clare is next and she tries to do it like she’s actually in the show, and it gets high marks from Trevor. I definitely agree as well-she has the hair right too. Franky, however, says that she never has and never will like Clare’s walk, because it looks way too OTT and very much like a horse galloping. Very possessed. Adele is next and she also wins rave reviews, as her walk is seen as the most natural of the bunch. She takes comfort in knowing that she is better than Cassi at something, because her walk is better and her photos are getting better-she hopes to beat Cassi in the end. Well guess what? You won’t. Deal with it.
Franky is next and very nervous-she needs to take longer steps. She admits she’s at her worst, while Laura…well, just sucks. Period. Tahnee is last and she’s trying to focus and be confident, and it certainly comes off well as she has a little bit of swagger in her walk. In a good way, though. The girls are then told that the show will be aboard the Queen Mary 2-Lola tells us it is the first time that anyone has ever done a fashion show aboard the ship-and Clare and Adele are chosen for the show. Clare interviews that one of her main goals was to be in an Alex Perry show, but she didn’t think that would actually happen. Cassi says that Clare’s personality might not let her win the competition, as it’s very “bland” while Cassi is young and bright. Alex then says that there’s a dilemma-regarding Tahnee. They love her, they’re just not sure how she’d fit in with the rest of the lineup (ie: she’s definitely bigger). She will be fitted with the rest of the lineup, and then they’ll see. She doesn’t care that it’s just a maybe though-she’ll take what she can get. Anywhoo, the girls return to the mansion, and Sarah is there waiting. Sarah tells the girls that she is proud of how far they have come, and how hard it must be for them to be away from home for so long. She especially knows it’s tough on Cassi whose mum is leaving on Saturday to go overseas. Her mum then comes out, and it’s quite the emotional reunion. Lola says that everyone is emotional because Cassi gets to see her mum. See, that’s good that they actually have hearts-in other circumstances some of the girls would have been like “Oh, who cares” or something like that. Sarah then tells them that it wouldn’t be fair for Cassi to be the only one to get a visit, so Virgin Blue (product placement alert) flew out a loved one for each of them! In groups, all the other mums come out-Lola’s and Clare’s, Adele’s, Franky’s, and then Tahnee’s and Laura’s. After a few minutes of kiss and cry, Sarah says that there is a high tea out on the lawn. All the mums and daughters are talking, and Sarah says that Cassi’s mum must be proud. “You should see her shots” she says. Lola says that she hasn’t watched her shape since she’s been there, to the horror of Sarah. Franky says that Sarah is one of the “most nicest” people she’s ever met, and she actually goes around and talks with all the mums and daughters! Then, all the mums have to leave, and it’s really hard, especially for Franky, who likes hearing someone believes in her. For Cassi’s mum, it was more tears than Cassi herself, and Tahnee wants to lock her mum in her room.
It’s the night before the Alex Perry show, and Clare is quite sick. She was throwing up, so she has a sick station-of a bucket, a glass of water, and a bottle of sparkling water. And, oh yeah, THE GODDAMNED KOTEX BEAVER! To add insult to injury, she wakes up even worse and it’s a very early morning. She, along with Tahnee and Adele, leave for the show, and Tahnee is not sure whether or not she will be there. They get into the Blue Hotel, and Trevor tells Tahnee that she will be getting in the show (which she didn’t expect, due to being shorter). Adele says it’s weird, being in makeup with all the other established models…and oh look! It’s the Queen of ANTM, Alice Burdeu. Clare says that her aim is not to puke, as her head is spinning. Alex then asks Tahnee if she is nervous, and when she says yes, he says he thinks that it’s good for her-it makes her focus. After hair/makeup, they meet up with Charlotte and the losers. Charlotte says that the ship carries 3000 passengers-and has 2000 washrooms. The losers have to individually tie numbers on the chairs, and Franky is “so over it”. The creme de la creme of the Australian A-list are there, and Adele is excited as the show is about to start. Trevor is very confident about using Tahnee, saying that all the girls have been practicing in their shoes and getting used to how their dresses will be. The runway is a U-shaped one, and there are the losers, forced to STAND and watch. The show starts-hey look! There’s Queen Alice! Clare is first, and Alex gushes about how spectacular her walk was, and says that she was a real professional as you couldn’t tell she was sick. Tahnee is next and she was quite nervous, but Cassi said that she was the best-and that her ass looked good in the dress. Adele goes out to give it her best, and Alex says that her walk is easy, relaxed, and long. She was also mistaken for Alice Burdeu a lot, which is a compliment. Show ends, Alex comes out to take a bow, Alice is one of the girls to give flowers. Sarah was nervous, but the girls did well. Franky is nervous because the girls in the show will have an advantage, as the judges have seen that they can cope under a real fashion-show environment. Then they pose, and Clare is right next to Alex. After the show, Alex, Sarah, and Charlotte go to talk to the girls, and they are nothing but proud. When questioned, Clare says that she doesn’t feel too sick. Alex says that they were amazing, and Sarah said that not only did they not look inexperienced, but they were better than most of the girls in the show.
As they disembark, the captain gives them a Sarah Mail: “Places to go, people to see. Even when surrounded by adversity, who will use the camera best to arrive at their destination?” The girls all try to figure it out-Franky thinks it’s a travel shoot, Laura thinks it’s runway, and Lola has no idea. It’s another early start though-make that 3:45 AM, and “pitch black” according to Tahnee. They head to Wylie’s Baths & Kiosk, and are met by Pease and their photographer, Richard Freeman. He says if they know what the early bird gets, and he asks who will get the worm this week. This week has been all about fashion-the photo shoot? High fashion. Specifically-CHANEL!!!!
HOLY CRAP!!!!
After my shock ends, Lola is shocked, saying that it’s not her usual kind of stuff. In a positive way. She knows she has to “posh up”. Pease says the shoot is called “Stranded on a Pilon” and they need their wits and courage. Richard Freeman is the photographer, who has shot for Vogue and HB, as well as being Giorgio Armani’s personal photographer when he was in Australia. Richard tells the girls they’re going to be on a 3 meter area, that is surrounded completely by water. Laura says the thought of her being completely surrounded by water in Chanel is quite scary, and her balance is bad. That explains the crappy walk. Pease then says they have to look like they’re going somewhere. They are in hair and makeup, and if there was any doubt that it’s Chanel, see all the bags, the accessories, the thousand-dollar pieces. Very rarely do they use actual designers on Top Model, so this is big. Cassi is first to shoot, and well, she flounders. So much so that Pease says she isn’t making it look like Chanel. Richard is appalled, saying he’s never seen someone stick a thumb in the pocket of a Chanel suit. After she finishes failing, Franky says that the fact that she doesn’t have the versatility to do high fashion and commercial both will work against her-if she doesn’t get a good photo, she’s screwed. Speaking of which, she is up next. The interesting thing is that people are swimming in that area while the girls are shooting. They’re not in open water-just a swimming area. She takes her shots, and Richard says she looked relaxed and refined. Tahnee is next and at first, she looks a little catalogue “which I know isn’t good, because Chanel isn’t catalogue-it’s high fashion”. Pease is satisfied with her, although he says she is getting a bit lazy. Indeed, more interesting than some of her shots is the guy in the Speedo behind her. Adele is scared because it’s really high up, and she starts slow but quickly gets into the groove, with Pease saying “it’s like shooting a real model wearing real Chanel”. Um, this is real Chanel. Lola’s face works, but Richard says the truth-”to be a model, you can’t have thighs of that size”. Her dress doesn’t suit her, as you can see some stomach pudge, so Richard is right-she needs exercise and toning. Laura is up and it’s worse than Cassi. The swimmers are more interesting, and Pease says it’s flatlined. Finally, we have Clare, in a more intricate piece-and she flounders! She wasn’t taking the direction well and Pease says he has no idea who will win-Cassi is average, Clare is average-but you have Adele and Tahnee, who are dark horses. Over the last three weeks, admittedly, they have gotten better, and he sees them as the top two girls.
Elimination warehouse time! Cassi, who is dressed the best she has so far, is not confident. Franky is nervous as well, as it’s going to be the top 6. Sarah welcomes them and is glad they are all still standing after the rollercoaster of a week that they had. Usual prizes, Alex is introduced as the “strongman of fashion” (to which he brings out the guns, albeit in a fugly plaid shirt), and the guest judges are Richard, the photographer, and Priscilla, their future agent. Cassi is first, and Sarah doesn’t know if she is giving enough. She knows she did badly, saying that she wasn’t as confident as usual, but she was trying her hardest. Not according to Richard, because the last 30 frames were a waste of time. Laura is next-and judge for yourself whether it’s good or bad: “You almost look like a swimmer in Chanel than that Parisienne chic”. Thank you, Alex. He goes on to say that the package is there, but she has to do the job. Richard says that there was a sophistication missing. Clare is next, and I’m not liking it. She half-heartedly says that she likes it, and Richard says that in half the frames her eyes were dead. Alex loves it though, with the kind of faraway look. After getting another look, I actually like it too. Lola actually turns out a decent shot, with Alex saying that she is statuesque. Adele? Let’s just say Sarah says it could be an actual Chanel ad, and it is her favourite photo of the competition so far. Tahnee has an interesting shot of her looking down-however, it was shot before the actual start of the shoot, as all of the shots she did take were catalogue and boring. Speaking of boring…iiiiiiiiiiit’s Franky! Holy shit it’s a hot mess. It is definitely NOT her best shot, and it’s only halfway decent from afar. Up close, it’s abysmal. Worst shot of the season-worse than anything Mikarla did.
Deliberation time! Cassi is confusing Sarah, as she says that she can stand up and say that she tried her hardest, but you have a photographer there who says she didn’t. Priscilla says that the lying isn’t as much an issue, she managed to take a good shot. Alex says it isn’t good, however. Definitely “unsafe”. On the subject of Franky, Charlotte says “Beautiful body, but her face looks like it wants to tag my wall”. Definitely unsafe. Priscilla says that Tahnee’s shot is more about the skill of Richard than anything Tahnee did, however Alex says that she is definitely safe. Laura, however, they are not so sure about. Alex says that she made Chanel look like average catalogue, and Sarah says she thought it would be Laura and Lola in the bottom-but she likes Lola’s shot! Alex hates it, Charlotte loves it. Priscilla notes that she’s lost a ton of weight. Hello, Photoshop. Clare’s shot is not their favourite, however she is 100% professional, which doesn’t go unnoticed. Finally, Adele is “the ideal Chanel girl”. Take that, Heidi Mount. The girls are then called back in, with Adele (not surprisingly) getting her picture first. Sarah asks if the dark horse is becoming the frontrunner, and she gets her picture. Clare, Tahnee, Lola, and Cassi all get their shots, and when Cassi gets her photo, Sarah tells her to cut the excuses, because actions speak louder than words. Honestly, thank you Sarah. Cassi may be my favourite but she needs a reality check and an attitude adjustment, and hopefully this will be what she needs. Laura and Franky are the bottom 2, and I honestly would send them both home. Laura was insecure, unsure, and awkward-three words that should not be in a model’s vocabulary. Franky wasn’t HF enough to make the Alex Perry show, and her photo was reasonable at best. Reasonable wins though, as Laura is sent packing, with Sarah saying that she has a career ahead of her. As a model? OVER MY DEAD BODY. It’s kiss and cry goodbye, as a disappointed Laura packs her stuff and leaves. She picks Adele to win, as she has gotten better every week.
Next week, it’s media week! The girls are grilled, and one girl-sounds like Cassi or Lola-makes threats. One of the journalists says “Making death threats is not a way to get us on your side”. Then it’s an event at Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, in which Clare says that she is “sharing armpit sweat with Nicole Kidman”. The photo shoot is on a trampoline, and one of the girls is told to stop, as she is totally out of control. At elimination, which is billed to be the harshest yet, Alex is appalled and says that they are all getting a caning. This is going to be good, but I would have to say it’s Lola or Franky going.
Tags: AusNTM
