insouciance & aperitif review zee elle

Commentary on episode 11 (what the elle?) by French models and kih-pr guest fashion critics, Insouciance & Apéritif.

• click here for information on insouciance & apéritif.
• click here for assistance with zee french.

We were très 'appee zees week because zee show waz all about zee models (click here for "runway model theatre").

Zee drama!

Zee beaucoup bitchy!

Zee 'ippy girl allemande: we zink she 'as lost her senses.

We zink she 'as spent too much time in Ibeza --
leestening to Morcheeba on zee ecstacy.

Zees man, 'ee does not know 'ow to model:

Zees is no way to walk on zee runway.
Why does zee poseur rock star wear zee 'ippy dress?
What eez with zee ugly blue shoes?
Et zee scarf - 'ee does not wear it properly:
zees eez une erreur grave in La France.

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Now zees girls: zay know zee modelling: Ils sont fèroces.

Et la Nazri: She is too good.
Et we are trés shallow.
We don't zink we like her verry much.

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We like zee Clarissa.
She can pout like zee French woman. She too suffers from zee ennui.
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Zee matching wis zee dress and zee model.
Eet is a nice picture non? Zay are les amis, qui?
Elles son tres sympathique.
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Zees, we are not so sure: Mon dieu!!
We must warn zee Marilinda to get away from zee angry poseur rock star.
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Mais, zees man: Oo la la!

Le beau Michel:
we would like for him to call us.
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C'est une mauvaise idée: Zee running about in zee jardin and on zee avenue:
eez not naturelle for zee model to work en zees conditions.
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Nous préférons zee bureau de zee fancy editor
espagnole wis zee beaucoup windows. but zees strahnge garçon in her closet-- -- zee enfant terrible wiz zee pretty girl hair
zat zay call zee Rucherre.
Le joli Rucherre will also contact zee Insouisance et Apéritif, mais qui?
He and le beau Michel come to Paris
We will have zee soirée with zee champagne in zee chambre.
C'est bonne?
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Insouciance & Apéritif say:
nos bons amis,
joli Rucherre & beau Michel:
contactez-nous!
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fashionably late: laura wins (at last!)

There was no comparison.

This dress was at a higher level than all of the other designs -- and in some cases it was many, many levels higher. Laura's dress was really the only look that said "cocktail party." The other dresses were for meeting friends for a drink at a bar (of various types). Even Michael's was more casual. I think we also have to acknowledge that Nazri looks fabulous in just about anything.

And how great was it that Camilla was collaborating with Laura? Given that the models have had less face-time this season than ever before, it is ironic that this season has particularly demonstrated how important the models are to the design and selection process.*

We saw some of that last season with the whole Zulema "walk-off" debacle. We saw that a smart designer stays true to their model and that if you don't treat them with respect you are going to have problems. We also saw how, as with Nick, a model can be an important muse for a designer and there is an unwritten code of ethics that says that you don't screw other designers by stealing their muses. You mess with this at your own peril!

This season I've noticed more than ever how certain models have really sold an outfit. Nazri is the obvious example: she is iconically beautiful in the way she looks and moves. Amanda and Marilinda have really stood out as well -- they have more performative styles on the runway, especially Amanda. She can really inhabit a character.

Like Laura, Camilla's look is more spare and elegant. Neither of them are girly. Amanda and Marilinda can play that role but Camilla's look and style makes it harder for her to pull that off: just as it was a struggle for Laura to make a dress that said "party girl!" (with an exclamation point).

It was interesting to see how Laura and Camilla struggled to create something that succeeded beautifully, without compromising the style of either of them. And because of this, the win was especially rewarding for the viewers. Also, Laura deserved to win long before now.

As for the story regarding Laura's emotional arc -- that did help build the drama. And it is about time they showed that the judges treatment of the designers does take its toll on their confidence and mental well-being. Of course the designers have to have thick skin in order to stand up to the critiques but often the judges do not critique so much as insult. Apparently the producers think that viewers like to watch people being eviscerated.

The problem for Laura is that fashion worships youth. No one ever asks the designers to make something that isn't so immature. But calling something "mature" is usually an insult. You can't make clothes just for women who are over 40. Even though women like Laura and Catherine Malandrino -- and Joan Kors -- are certainly as important to the fashion world as the young socialites who are milking their 15 minutes of fame.

*I am wondering if I'm noticing the models more because they are better this season? Or is the show training me to be more attentive to how the models work?