Katherine Gerdes

Episode 12: They’re Back! Reunion Show

10 October, 09:14 - thus far 10 insightful comments have been made

So before I start talking about the reunion show, let me just remind everyone that I’m still under contract, so I cannot give any “dirt” or behind the scenes info. Sorry!

So as I’m sure everyone knows, we shoot the reunion show a few days before the final OFW fashion show. It’s really the first time that most of us are in contact since the taping and for the most part it was really great to see everyone and talk to them about what’s going on in their lives. Sadly we don’t get to have any interaction with the final four, other than the actual reunion taping, so I didn’t get to talk to them much other than to congratulate them and get some contact info. I have to say that while I’d rather be in their position and showing, it was kind of nice to be involved in PR stuff and not be stressed out! The only thing the rest of us designers were a bit stressed about was whether or not we might get called to help with a “surprise” challenge like they did last season… none of us really wanted to get thrown back into it again!

Okay…so the reunion show… It seems that most people know this, but the hour you see on the show is really only a fraction of the hours and hours and hours of taping that we sit through. My main reaction to the show was that the editing really only seemed to focus on the same people that the show focused on (no surprises there). I think there were a few of us who felt like it was almost pointless to be there since we felt that if we didn’t say something mean or dramatic, that it wouldn’t get shown. Plus, obviously, with the editing and the small amount of time they have, not everyone’s part of each conversation gets shown. So for times like the “Amateur” conversation with Vincent, the things that I said didn’t really get shown, they only show Vincent cutting me off. I understand that they have to edit it down, but the only way I can explain how it feels is that imagine you’re listening to a conversation and really want to be a part of it, but you’re not allowed to talk. Grrr…. Oh well.

I’m going to try and remember all the topics that were covered in the reunion show, but please excuse me if I miss any…First off, I’ll say that I absolutely loved all the funny clips they put together and think they should edit the actual show with more of those involved and less of the drama that gets old (yes, we know that Angela and Jeffery don’t get along. Next please!). Like the clip of spead talking Kayne… Wouldn’t that have been hilarious if they had put that in the actual episode? Or I know it grosses some people out, but even the clip of Jeffery farting would have been pretty funny to see in an episode. Or Malan laughing? Season 2 seemed to have a lot more funny moments shown in the episodes and I really enjoyed that.

Speaking of funny, a little funny (at least I thought it was) tidbit I think I can share… in the beginning when we were getting into our “places” (yes, they tell us where to sit), there was a producer who kept calling us “Ex-Designers.” “Ex-designers quite down…Can I get all the ex-designers attention over here…” You get it. To be fair, I don’t think he meant it in a mean way and stopped as soon as Malan said something to the effect of: “Daarrling… I just showed at fashion week on Monday, I am most certainly NOT an ex-designer…” Oh, you’ve got to love Malan!

Anyways. So in the beginning of the show, the ex-contestants (as he decided to call us) were asked by Heidi what we’ve been up to and how our lives were changed. She also asked us how being “famous” and being recognized felt. Personally, I was sad that they choose to show the “how is being famous” question, I think it would be much more interesting for you guys to hear what everyone is up to instead. I can’t remember what everyone said, but it was interesting to hear that Stacy has been doing some motivational speaking about disappointment and how to deal with it (I can’t remember for sure, but it’s something like that) and Kayne is starting his own bridal line and shoe line. Also, in a shameless self-promotional way, I was crossing my fingers that they would show the part where Heidi asked me about my website and how I was doing the “AUF’d Runway” challenges!

I guess I’ll get to what everyone wants to know…. Keith. We didn’t know for sure, but we assumed Keith was going to be there. I have to say that I think Keith came off looking pretty good when he got kicked off. He cheated, but he got a lot of sympathy from people and it could have come across a lot worse than it did. So from that mindset, I was pretty surprised to seem him SO angry at the taping. For those of us sitting around him, it really felt like a big ball of hate surrounded him. He was so angry and pissed off and for part of the taping I kind of felt like he looked like Gollum from ‘Lord of the Rings” because he was so hunched over and angry. I think most of us were nervous to be a part of any “Keith” conversation because we didn’t know how he’d react. As far as his story about having the books returned… well… I guess it’s a good “story.” I don’t think anyone in the room believed him for a second. I don’t necessarily believe that the production just sits back and doesn’t “help” the show at all, but I fully believe that they would never tamper with something as serious as someone cheating, getting kicked off and ruining their reputation. I wasn’t there at the time, but I have heard from other contestants that Keith actually ripped out pages from the book and brought them into the workroom during the Macy’s challenge. Plus, even if he didn’t do that and just looked at the books, what Stacy said was right. As a designer, it is really easy to look at a basic patternmaking book and get ideas from seeing something as simple as a dart style or a pleating technique. (Just FYI: This was written before Keith’s letter appeared and while I have read it, I decided to leave my comments based on what happened during the reunion show and not get involved in that mess.)

I’m not sure what everyone thought watching the show, but personally I felt like it was pretty pointless when they brought out Nina and Michael for us to talk to. The gesture was nice, “hey guys…here’s a chance to ask the judges what they thought,” but it was obvious after the first 3 questions that they weren’t going to change their mind or take back anything. Basically all of us designers realized that if you asked them something, you were just going to relive the horrors of the runway judging. What was the point? Why would I put myself through something like this:

Me: “Hey Nina, did you really hate my dog dress so much?”

Nina: “Yes. Yes I did.”

Why would I do that? Especially after M. Kors said that they had never made a mistake and he wouldn’t change a single “auf’ing”… why would any of us ask anything after that? To me it just felt like they were there to defend themselves, not to really talk with us and discuss our designs.

Hmm… what else happened on the show? Oh yeah, I don’t think it was a surprise to anyone on the show or in America that Michael won the “fan favorite” (well, maybe Michael was surprised). I think he really deserved to win because he is very talented AND super nice, I’m glad you guys thought so too!

That’s all I can remember right now. Let me know if I forgot anything!