DWTS-Season 8: Week 3 Costume Critique

Satin Stitches | Mar 27, 2009 | 0

Not so Mellow Yellow on Lacey this week!

I received an email this last week, from a Randall Designs big-time fan! She chastised me for seemingly not knowing who designed all the luscious costumes. She felt I was not giving enough credit to the costume designer for Dancing With the Stars. She had not read my very first blog about the show, last year, when I had researched who was responsible for all the wonderful dance costumes, and had given him the credit.

I give huge kudos to designer Randall Christensen and all his staff, for creating incredible costumes for everyone, week after week. As a 3-decade businesswoman, I know all too well, what the stakes are with deadlines and working with clients with all different personalities and taste levels. His fabulous costumes are additional stars on the show. Without them, the show would be really dull! The glitz and the glamour of Randalls costuming makes Dancing With the Stars the dynamic show that it is! Oh, and the dancing, too!

My favorite dance costume this week-on Melissa!

This weeks show started with Denise, who ended up being the unlucky star to go home. But she looked good. She wore a black tulle, tutu-like costume for her Samba. It had large jet paillettes on the skirt and some silver criss-cross trim on the midriff area of the bodice. It seemed a rather somber color for a Latin dance, but it was flattering and fun. Maybe she mourned her prospects for the week? Her partner was wearing a stylish, yet basic, sheer black mesh shirt with open neckline and high-rise pants. He looked good and his outfit complimented Denise.

Julianne glistened in a light blue or was it gray? gown for her and her boyfriends Fox Trot. Her rhinestone-studded lace gown featured a classy bateau neckline with a slight shoulder capped sleeve and then a beautiful open back. It was stunningly elegant! Her ruffle-trimmed short gloves added a touch of retro-elegance! My second viewing of their routine, showed me a contrasting lining color, under the skirt-fun!

Accompanying Juliannes costume, was an elegant tuxedo that Randall does so well. Note how the sleeves are cut! The tuxedo sleeves on proper ballroom jackets are cut totally different from the standard wedding or prom tuxedo, so there is a clean line with the arms, when they are up and extended, in dance position.

Holly, our Playboy dancer definitely showed off her ample bosom in her hot red fringed 2-piece Samba costume. LOVED that the front of the glitzy bra-top was balanced out with it continuing around the back. Did you notice that the short little shirt was an inch or so longer on the back hemline? This is one of those secrets of flattering design-costume or fashion. It is much more pleasing to the eye, to have a slightly longer hemline in the back. The classy, basic look for her partner included the red-hot shirt.

Lacey disappointed me this week. Her golden gown with beautiful flowing georgette skirt and glitzy corset-look bodice was nice. The off-colored huge ruffle around the asymmetrical neckline was a distraction. In my opinion, it could have worked, maybe made out of a different color or fabric. But to me, it looked stuck on. Sorry, Lacey, I did not like it-it did not work for me. Steve-O wore a traditional, tasteful and yes, debonair glittery, brown suit.

Edyta was actually a little more covered than usual, even though the host quipped something about finding the other half of her dress. For her Samba, Edyta wore a 2-piece bright aqua blue and green flippy little skirt with a one-sleeved bra top. It was classy, glitzy, cute and fun. Lawrence was dashing in his basic black vest and trousers and light blue shirt.

Shawn Fox Trotted in a frothy seafoam chiffon gown with a interesting asymmetrical bodice with wonderful texturing with the combination of fabrics and trims. Using at least two different color shades of chiffon,highlighted the layering of the skirts. The uneven hemlines of the skirt layers added a youthfulness and uniqueness to her dress. Her back drape was not too distracting, and I loved her rhinestone covered back straps! Her partner wore black, with what it looked like a silver necktie. I am assuming it may have been a matching seafoam tie, but it did not look like it matched. If it actually did match, this is an example of how colors can seem different, when they are seen against a large section of another color. It shows how our eyes can play tricks on us.

Cheryl wore one of my favorite color combinations. Pink and red-hot-red! Poufy and pretty for a sensational Samba! Lots and lots of ruffles can be a scary thing, but did you notice that the waistline area of Cheryls dress had a nice V-shape to it? It started at her natural waistline and then dropped at the center front. This design detail was instrumental in creating a flattering skirt, rather than just a puff-ball. Miles of ruffles can overwhelm a dancer, but they worked on Cheryl this week. What can I say about hunky Gilles? Hot-hot-hot! In red. The fluidity of the fabric of his shirt, gave it part of its sex appeal. Beautifully cut, matching trousers completed his smoldering look!

Kym was pretty in pink for her Fox Trot, but gets the Naked Award this week! How low can you go? Not much lower. Despite the low sides and back, the costume was very elegant, especially with the addition of the long gloves and bracelets. Her partner wore a pin-striped vest and pant with white shirt and black bow tie. Classy and debonair.

The nerd vote is out in force, saving Steve Wozniak from the dreaded dance-off. He credited Karinas costumes with helping him stay on the show! I enjoyed her costume fully, this week. The fun horizontal stripes with a little red trim worked well, to offset Steves poor, but enthusiastic dancing. The glitzy black banding on the back of Karina dress was a very nice touch. Was Steve wearing a jumpsuit? If he was wearing two pieces, luckily they seemed connected for a more slimming effect. Some body shapes are more difficult to work with, and creating flattering, classy dance styles for the Woz is definitely a challenge! Besides trying to flatter, part of successful dance costuming to to make sure parts of outfits stay in place, rather than riding up or down.

My favorite costume on this weeks competition was Melissas eggplant Fox Trot gown. Her hair was done in a 40s style, a clue that the dress had a little retro feel to it. The skirt appeared to be dip-dyed charmeuse, a shiny, fade from eggplant to light pink or cream, it was hard to tell, on my television. The bodice of her dress was very unique and interesting. The dress had a Middle Eastern vibe to it. It was very modern and stylish, not a cliche dance costume at all. I am not sure I liked the embellishment that she has been adding on her lower back, but I LOVED this dress! Her partner wore a retro-inspired double-breasted vest, as part of his ensemble.

Despite her wardrobe malfunction, Lil Kim was radiant in her bright yellow Samba costume. If you noticed, it was cut high on her waist, at or near her natural waistline, which created great camouflage for her bountiful hips. Her partner was wearing a yellow shirt with some flair. It had different textured, fabric panels, all in yellow. Much more interesting to look at, than ho-hum, plain. Thank you!

Last, but not least, Chelsie was wearing a classic black gown, suitable for the red carpet, but it danced the Fox Trot very well. The back was surprisingly interesting and fun! And surprise of all surprises, Ty was dancing in an elegant tuxedo. No western yokes! Yeehaw! Thank you, again!

I hope that all the fans of Dancing With the Stars realize the magnitude of the work that goes into creating all these wonderful costumes! It has to take a monumental effort, each and every week, as each garment takes hours and hours to design, cut, sew and fit, not to mention the hours and hours for adding all those rhinestones to each piece. Take a bow, Randall and staff! But not for too long, the next show is calling.

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Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Studio, Costume Design, Costumes, Dancing With the Stars, Reality Television Shows (all tags)