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I like him a lot more now.
+Milton
Yay, I can love him again.
*sigh* BPR makes me a gossip whore. Now I gotta tell my friends a whole new deal. I love this. Give me more BPR. "no doubt" though ... i don't know. there's always a reasonable doubt. Is it Wednesday yet?
Sorry, I'm WAAAAY not buying into what smells. This matter is not closed in my mind. For some reason, I keep thinking Keith's winning design has already "been published." BPL fans, let's make him honest. Are his designs his OWN or not??? What about his "wining" design? I just feel I've seen it before. Til Wednesday (or whenever), let's play a little game. If we're right, PR fans owe us for "outing him". If we're wrong, MEA CULPA---I'll hertidly admit I was WRONG. I smell a fish.
I thought Bravo was doing a bad job on the advertising because we were figuring out all the surprises. Maybe their advertising is better than I thought?
Thank you for the explanation Keith. I am not at all informed on the fashion industry (learn alot via this show though!) so I don't know why a client would request a designer to analyze fashion trends. Well, I guess Austin Scarlett's employer would be interested in Vera Wang's opinion on wedding fashion trends. But why would a client request this assignment from a fairly new designer? Women's fashion trends from a primarily menswear designer. What would a client want to gain from that? Again, showing my naivete in this industry.
I'm sorry, but I don't buy it. Why would you submit a research project on other people's designs for consideration in a design contest, especially if you had four other portfolios? You're supposed to review what YOU can do, not key fashion trends. And if in fact this was a research assignment, why would you erase the background, the models' faces, etc? That's not how it's done in the industry.
It makes no sense at all, at least to moi.
I still think he's smarmy. Slap a plaid polyster suit on him and he could get a job as a used-car salesman. I never understood what Gone With the Wind and the Carol Burnett Show spoof had to do with his design skills or his design philosophy. I guess that's just "slick" mumble-jumble to sell his stuff.
The caption on the "trend study" of the photoshop-distorted Marni Spring '06 picture says "Highline style 2006 - Style #2." Does anyone know what "highline" mean?
I guess we'll see in a few weeks.
As much as he tries to save himself, Keith still doesn't delineate whether or not he specifically told the judges that those sketches were from a research project and that they were taken from actual runway collections (not of his own design). I bet you that if the judges were made privy to such information earlier in the selection stage, he would have had slimmer chances of making the final cut. To be honest, the last line Keith writes in his note, in reference to the judges, is subversely sarcastic and very rude. If anything, this letter makes me like Keith LESS.
Honestly, I did like the dress he made in the first ep. I didn't LOVE it, but I liked it. His ego just kills me though. Keep that thing in check, dude.
What client, Keith? C'mon, this is really interesting. What client would want you to PhotoShop other runway designers' ideas (ok, let's be honet, STEAL?) ideas? Honestly, I'm flabbergasted. Swiping ideas is an industry trend, unfortunately. But these images stop me in my tracks. Answer this: what (verifibale) client would honor such theft? Bigger yet, how did Project Runway not verify this data?? C''mon Kieth, you've been publically outed!
Just a comment here...
He wouldn't be able to give too many details without giving away whether or not the conspiracy theories are right or wrong because I can guarantee you that he signed an iron clad contract with the show that he would not reveal anything that happens on it until the season is over.
Give the subject a break...time will tell.
Can we just stop the bashing and let this show run its course? I, for one, am VERY hesitant at Keith's "response"...to quote elsewhere, it's a bit "smarmy" and questionable. But he guys, let's let things just roll out. What a great show, what even better-yet drama! I love PR and for sure appreciate bloggingprojectrunway.com so we can ann our two cents' worth!
For the record, mass market clients (i.e. Macys, Target, kmart, WalMart) will sometimes ask for magazine "tearsheets" or "concept /trend boards" to justify them buying into a design (i.e. Major designers are showing Puff Sleeves on the runway so there will be a demand for it on a mass market level and here are some pictures to prove it).
However, IMO, such trend/concept boards has no place in this competition especially if it can be easily misconstrued as one's own. It is, after all, the search for the next great American DESIGNER not STYLIST (there is a difference).
I just find it shameful that Keith's lying (yes, he lied) and deception prevented somebody more qualified a spot at PR.
i dont believe his explanation
please he got caught red handed now he is back pedaling
I dont believe.
You were supposed to submit your OWN original designs. Not master studies! Cheater.
FWIW, in a pre-season interview (Chicago Tribune? reporter
named Maureen? And, I'm paraphrasing from memory here)
Tim says: "We'd like to believe what we are seeing is original work done by the applicant."
hmm, the plot thickens......
I believe you, Keith.
Besides, don't you guys think that our expert panel of judges would have noticed these pictures BEFORE they picked him out of all the others at be a finalist?
I have no trouble accepting Keith's word on it. The people making the cast selections certainly do due diligence during the casting process: H*ll, these days folks hire background checkers to run your past if you want to get a job at a copy store, for goodness sakes. In addition, anything he'd write to us here would probably have to go through the Bravo Lawyers to ensure he's not giving away any secrets about future episodes. It's possible that Keith might have sent the note without the approval of the network, but that would probably be considered worse than cheating to the producers!
If this was a trend report, how come it didn't list the DESIGNERS of the trends he was "showcasing"? We can see the whole sheet if you do a step function--no designers were identified with the "trend report"--which I find very weird. Each sheet in this "trend report" actually had each design with slightly different colors, and yet none of the pages indicate the designer of the original piece.
I also agree with the others--why submit something highlighting OTHER designers, when they specifically ask for HIS designs? Especially after he was ripped to pieces by Miss Joann from Elle in the initial interview? Who thinks, "Wow, I should submit this trend report I did for so-and-so to prove to her I can do womens wear." I'd be more likely to react like Bonnie (I think it was Bonnie, the one who hadn't sewn in 10 years)--go home and spend a week whipping up original designs to showcase in your biotape. Or, if you only had something like 72 hours--whip up at least one design.
I can understand doing research for a trend report for a client, but submitting it for a competition? Not very plausible. While I commend Keith for submitting a statement, something is most definitely amiss. How could it be at all possible that the judges were all so taken by Keith that they neglected to do a background check? The man had no credentials, a questionable portfolio and did not come to interview with appropriate samples of his work. Personally, I'm still in the "this is a very contrived scandal to increase viewership of PR3" camp.
I think he explained a whole lot of nothing. Would you think these experienced judges would allow a "trend report" to be presented on national television as Keith's portfolio? Like you said, these judges aren't ignorant and surely they told the producers that these are just "trend reports".
I'm probably in the minority here, but I am perfectly willing to love Keith and accept that the judges and PR people did their research on his background. I seem to remember something in the audition tape where they gave him a hard time about using sketches of work he did with someone else, and yet they decided to give him a go anyway. So it's not like he took someone else's position by WOWing the judges under false pretenses. They gave him a spot despite their doubts. It's possible that the production team said, "hey, let's put this guy in the mix b/c he will make for good TV and ive us free publicity". And it worked didn't it? We're all here talking about it!!!!! Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if PR people posted the damn sketches themselves just to stir the pot a bit (after last season's debacle with Santino making the final 3 when he should have been out after the make-over episode, I have no doubts that ratings count for far more than talent!).
Hey Keith! I can't wait to see what you pull out of the bag this week!!!!!
Ok, here’s a transcription of part of the RTTR episode where Keith Michael appears:
Tim Gunn: So, this is Keith Michael, and we saw him in N.Y. (talking to Michael Kors in the office)
Tim Gunn: Hello. (at the audition process)
Keith Michael: Hi, how are you?
Joann Pailey (Elle Magazine): Did you only bring men’s wear?
Keith Michael: Yes, I did.
Daniel Vosovic: Do you have any photos of anything?
Keith Michael. Yes, I have. I have photos of women's wear.
Joann Pailey: Let me see the photos…But this is for Wyeth.
Keith Michael: Yeah, I designed the line with Todd (or Tom)
Joann Pailey: Ok, but, is this your own personal label?
Keith Michael: Well, it’s not my personal label, but me and him collaborated on the line.
Joann Pailey: Why didn’t you bring these if you completely collaborated with him?
Keith Michael: Well, because I focus on men’s wear right now.
Joann Pailey: But that’s not the focus of the show.
Keith Michael: Well, I think that the structure that I put into the clothes translates into women’s wear. Would you like me to explain it?
Joann Pailey: Not really. It probably sounds like I’m being really tough on you.
Keith Michael: That’s ok.
Joann Pailey: But I'm sure you can appreciate that thrown into this situation. I'm being easy on you comparing to how the other judges will be.
Daniel Vosovic: We have to understand what you want to do as a woman’s wear designer, and you can paint that picture in our heads, but we have to be able to see it.
Tim Gunn: You, know, I have to tell you…I’m responding to the fact that you’re coming back at us with responses as opposed to “Oh, ok”
Tim Gunn (to the camera): I saw something in him and I saw very wonderful men’s wear and a very confident and in his own way kind of a powerful guy…
Michael Kors (back in the office): I love the book.
Tim Gunn: There’s something in there.
Nina Garcia: Presentation.
Michael Kors: Listen...
Tim Gunn: Don’t you think?
Michael Kors: And taste.
Nina Garcia: He might be a little tricky, this Keith Michael.
The episode does show Michael Kors (I think) flipping through one of Keith's books, and the camera shows two pages of the book. The first page says "highline style 2006" and the second page with one of the sketches. I have no idea why he would present that to the judges. And why would you photoshop that to death, especially combined with Michael Kors saying "I like the book". Meaning what? I like those trends? I like the binder?
As someone who has an education in design and marketing/merchandising...and...as someone who has spent the last 12 years in the fashion industry in New York and Europe...I can tell you many people in the business do consulting/forecasting. I did it for four years. How do you think mass market lines like Express, Gap, etc determine what to offer their customers? Many of the people in this line of work, consulting and forecasting, are highly respected and highly paid. Industry experts are often hired to take thousands of looks from hundreds of shows and condense them into a small and managable 'look book'. The fashion business is just that...business. Business with a splash of creativity. I wouldn't disregard Keith just because one of his portfolios is a look book...a look book can really prove someones 'eye for design' in this business.
I also agree with chippy's comment:
"To be honest, the last line Keith writes in his note, in reference to the judges, is subversely sarcastic and very rude."
Is he implying that we don't know what we're talking about here?
Just for the record, I have years of experience in the fashion industry, and in my view, you do not have to be a fashion expert to understand the very basic concept of the show.
1) Designers present their own women's wear collection(s) and/or samples of their work.
2) Judges decide whether they have potential or not to be on the show.
He failed to comply with item number 1.
Now, if that is just footage/editing intended to lead the viewers to God knows what, then producers/Keith whoever can't really blame us for being suspicious and feel a litlle cheated.
If those sketches weren't the main material used to decide on him, then Bravo has some explaining to do. Why show them, then? A great number of the show's viewers breathe and live fashion, eventually they would see similarities there and question it.
Ok, said my piece, and as Laura says , let's just "watch what happens."
I have to say, I'm a little surprised at some of the harsh comments. We are looking at a very incomplete version of events, here, and a lot of you are really trashing Keith right now, which is not right- this is supposed to be a supportive site about all the designers. I'm not saying not to discuss all the possibilities, I'm just suggesting we try to maintain the integrity of BPR as a positive place for some PR love, and withhold judgment until the facts are in. Innocent until proven guilty, okay?
All the negativity is why I stopped reading the Bravo Boards and came here. If you just want to call people names, there are other places for that kind of thing.
I hate to be cynical (no I don't) but I think the producers were onto him from the beginning...hence his rather undeserved with in the first challenge. They're building him up, to take him down hard and dramatically.
Then again, I could be totally wrong....
Well, of course, it's time to interject Moi own .02...
If Keith wasn't so "smarmy", if he wasn't Mr. 'Tude, Rude and Obby-Noxious, then it would be a lot easier to believe him. As that isn't the case, Moithinks he should take what he gets and keep his mouth shut lest his foot Really get caught too far down.
Not only that but whatever PTB at Bravo need to realize that the PR audience is NOT stupid. Have they not been reading this blog for the past 6-8 months??? Do they only read their own miserable forums? ANYONE who has read this blog knows how savvy the people here are....but I don't think Bravo's PTB even peeked in here. They couldn't have.
Because I think Tim et al get it - hence Nina's comment about Keith being "tricky." If the Bravo PTB didn't think we were stupid, they wouldn't have put the bottom three on there for a poll, now, would they? Whatever PTB it was that think we are the typical Sheeple - Those PTB should be Auf! You can see first hand what a lack of research and assuming gets ya!
So, whether or not Keith is the one who's ejected, whether or not he copied or plagiarized or lied or whatever, we're still stuck with him as long as he's there. You can like him or believe him or not, but since we've only watched the first epi, and I don't want to see the whole season ruined because of idiotage, I say, let the tape roll on, and to quote - "Watch What Happens..."
methinks the lady doth protest too much.
LorenZZo, that is not entirely true. According to Tim, people are asked to bring a two dimensional portfolio, and a look-book with pictures of there past/present collection and three garments (not specially women’s wear).
Kirsten Ehrig only brought in swimsuits at her audition. This show’s primary focus isn’t swim wear, but they put her through because her work was well-made and she presented herself well. Same with Emmett, only brought in men’s wears. These contestants were asked to show more women’s wear fashion in their autobiographical video.
Based on this information, it’s obvious that Keith did not get any special treatment or leeway at the audition.
I guess what I STILL don't get is, if that percale dress was the first piece of womenswear he made, how does one accumulate five lookbooks? Why were people being dismissed left and right for being "studenty" while Keith, who hadn't sewn a dress before was waved on?
Further - doesn't that sound a bit strange in retrospect - Keith crowing about winning with the FIRST dress he ever made - and thinking back to him saying "Because I focus on menswear right now" at his audition?
My thoughts exactly, Professor X. I likes the way you think.
Quang, you said they are asked to bring in a portfolio and a look-book of their past/present collection. Not a trend study of what the industry is doing. Having that knowledge is great! Even if Keith identified the book as "a trend study and NOT my own designs" (either verbally or with a disclaimer on that book) and say if I were on the panel I would say, "Well that's great that you are aware of the current trends in womenswear. Here's your trend study book back. Since it's not a representation of your own work, we won't 'move it up the line' to make our decision.
Now, can a menswear designer do womenswear? Most certainly. And I think there are other ways to convince the panel that he has the chops to do it. Just like you said they gave Kirsten a chance even though she's never really done anything besides swimsuits. Or how they would give Laura Bennett a chance even though she has no real-world experience outside of making her own frocks. It's because they saw something in them and believed that they could cut it.
While I'm not entirely satisfied with the explanation, I recognize that Bravo only shows us what they want us to see, and they don't show us what they don't.
So we can't really be sure with the limited info that we have. Even though the logic seems to fit a certain way, it's not necessarily the only possible way.
I love it when people come off reality shows, complaining about their negative portrayal. Yes, I will admit, edititing has a lot to do with it, but the editors only use what you give them. So it's silly to complain about the way you looked on television, when the truth is (and I don't mean to get Marshall Mcluhan about this) the camera is the third eye, picking up things about you that you don't want others to focus on.
Also if Keith designed for Wyeth a womenswear company...than why is he saying he never designed/made a women's dress before in the show? He obviously didn't know they were going to air the auditions. Otherwise he wouldn't have said he never made a dress before. Very questionable.....hmmmmmmm
Keith said that the sketches were from a line he collaborated on with someone else, not a project of current trends for a client.
Whether he "cheated" or not, if he made final four he won't get booted for this because the episodes up until final four have already been taped.
I think it's safe to say Keith Michael is not in the Final 4? I mean, he says....I read BPR often.....,
because if he was in the top pool of candidates, wouldn't he be way too busy on preparing for Olympus Fashion Week?
Of course he swiped the stuff and was fairly certain that no one would notice, but, poor puppy, he didn't count on people who have nothing better to do than to surf around to get even more information about Project Runway. I wouldn't hold this against him, don't these people steal shamelessly from each other all the time?
I wonder if Tod Magill of Wyeth has made a statement of whether or not Keith co-designed his line with him.
Blue- I don't think it's strange. They did the exact same thing with Chloe in the Makeover challenge.
Lauren- I have noticed how most reality show contestants whine how their personalities were unfairly portrayed by the editor, but this matter is about his work ethics rather than how he looked on television. Acusections of plagiarism can quickly kill someone's career, so it's expected that he'd post some kind of rebuttal in BPR.
I'm sorry, but I don't buy it. Why would you submit a research project on other people's designs for consideration in a design contest, especially if you had four other portfolios?
In Keith's case, I could see how it would come about. He's a mens wear designer and the only book of womens wear he had was a colaborative effort... in that case, I can see bringing a book showing his industry forcasting work, to show that he had a good eye for womens' fashion which, combined with the quality of his mens wear, show he could make it on PR.
As for why the pictures were Photoshopped and uncredited, it is possible that the were "blinded" so that the client would be looking solely at the dresses and commentary before any prejudices they have towards a designer can color their reaction.
It is curious that the way we see those pictures, it looks like Michael and Nina think that the Photoshopped pictures are Keith's work, but considering "Frankenbiting" I can buy tricky editing if this goes nowhere.
Here is a link to Wyeth's website.
http://www.wyethdesign.com/
I wonder if Laura can clarify how she knows that the note is from Keith? He has signed a confidentiality contract with PR, and cannot comment on the show even if he wanted to. Not without getting into serious trouble with Bravo. And the admins of BPR really should know that. You DO know that, right?
Bjorn, it originated from his email address from his website. We have the IP address.
Keith did not reveal anything that would have been in violation of his contract with Bravo. There is a line and we are very careful not to cross it. That is one reason that designers do contact us. We heard from all of the Season 2 finalists prior to their finale show last year. We are very respectful of the designers and do not want to put their chances of winning in any jeopardy.
Thank you for your quick answer. The issue of Keiths message being credible and/or in violation of his contract was raised on the boards of TWoP, I am glad you could respond to it so quickly. (I still believe Keith is a has-been that never-was, but that is just me..)
Regardless of all the gossip and speculation that this has started, Keith is still the hottest one on PR3. It's too bad that they don't have a menswear version yet of the show.
Michael that is a brilliant idea! Bravo's viewers would love it. Janice Dickinson could provide the models!
I believe Keith.
He's my absolute fave on the show, and I hope he goes far.
Still.... I miss Santino. and Andrae. *tear*
I'm beginning to think that menswear is an interesting route for entry into the womens wear field. It starts off from a very restrained place with a lot of attention to subtle detail, rather than the no-holds-barred screaming queen place that too much bad fashion starts from. Loud bright stuff in bad fabrics? Value City Labor Day sale. Restrained subtle stuff in bad fabrics? I find it still very interesting -- and with really good fabric it's the kind of thing you'd want to buy and keep forever.
Keith reminds me more than a little of Chloe in the early days of Season 2 -- she came across as a bit arrogant when she said that she just thought that the first couple of eliminations were ... correct. Keith's observations about having more taste than the rest of the designers just seem to me to be ... correct.
I just want to point out that at this point we have only seen ONE epidose of the new season. I will admit that my initital reaction to Keith isn't a positive one, but we know so little at this point. You know, after the first couple episodes of last season, I didn't like Daniel V.? He was so quiet. I thought he was boring. Then the season went on and I LOVED Daniel V! I don't know that anyone is going to have an about-face about Kieth, but I think it's a little early to start vilifying him.
Also, if he is telling the truth about the pictures (and let's assume he is, because the truth would come out eventually so making an inaccurate public statement about the rumors seems foolish), then there may be a more detailed explination which, as another commentor noted, he cannot possible go into at this point as the information is confidential. Any of the designers who contact BPR at this point would really have to limit what they say, and rightfully so.
Wow, my head is dizzy with all this speculation. I agree with Marisa, it's too early in the game to be making judgements. I believe Keith is limited in what he can and can not say and Bravo loves to keep us in suspense. So I vote to reserve judgement for now. I will patiently wait and watch before I cast the first stone. Tim Gunn (choir of angels) will reveal all, all in good time.
Quang - what I meant by "strange" was - to say at the auditions "But I focus on menswear right now" seems to me purposely fudging in light of a later claim of winning the first challenge with "the first dress I ever made." Not having made womenswear means one has only focused on menswear ever. "Ever" vs. "right now": that's a huge difference especially as a response to Joann's line of questioning and one that I don't think can be excused as a grammatical one-off.
I don't see any parallels with Chloe in the Makeover episode save that they each did mens/womenswear for the first time.
mtfbwyaawy - i agree completely. i cant believe the way everyone is dragging keith across the coals b/c of a couple of sketches that he says were part of a trend report. I think it's way too early to be judging him so harshly. Seems that some of the newbies haven't yet embraced the BPR spirit!!!
As for a menswear version of the show...I believe that Sir Tim commented on this at one point saying that all of the construction involved in creating menswear would be too time consuming to do for an entire season. I think we all remember last season when Chloe ('first time menswear') and Nick did their menswear pieces. They turned out decent but remember Nick didn't put pockets in his pants or closures on his jacket. There's just a lot more structured detail that goes into menswear. I believe in the same article that I'm vaguely remembering that Sir Tim also alluded to a potential menswear challenge this season.
Since they were able to source the sketches to exact replicas of the official show photos of those designs, it's clear it's still plagiarism of the photography even if the designs weren't presented as his own work.
Well, it's only plagarism if he presented the photographs as being his own. He may have misrepresented himself in the competition, in which case I am certain we'll see him get the boot. But if it was some sort of trend study and he clearly noted that he did not take the photographs and was simply using another person's photograph - that's not plagarism.
Plagarism is presenting the work of another person as your own. No one knows for certain at this point if that is what took place. ... and I think most of us are much more concerned as to whether he misrepresented the work as his own designs.
The good news is - it's Wednesday - so we should know soon! (unless this week's promo is another tease!)
Note to Keith Michael:
Pay no attention to all of the "squawking" around you. You're a great designer....just keep your mind clear and rise above all the bullshit! Warmest Regards,
Michael Jenkins
Ok, normally I can't be arsed, but in this case (when someone has been totally wronged and backstabbed by self-interested publicity machines of reality tv) I really felt I had to defend Keith.
As a friend and industry affiliate of Keith Michael I can vouch for his honesty and integrity as a designer. The pictures that have led to his being labeled a 'cheat' were taken from a trend report put together for a client and were, quite obviously, a compilation of the work of several other designers in order to represent the trend direction at the time. That is what a trend report is! The effects applied to the images were not intended to be seen as sketches and at no time were the designs claimed to be Keith's own. They were in fact presented honestly and stated to be exactly what they were.
He submitted 5 portfolios for the Project Runway audition - the rest of which featured his own original work. It was his capacity evidenced in his own work that got him onto the show. It is a shame that people are stupid and gullible enough to go along with all the hype. One wonders who acquired his portfolio in the first place and went to the effort of sourcing the originals and posting them throughout the web. Bravo Press Office anyone....???????
It will become obvious during the imminent departure of 'someone' from the show a couple of episodes away why these untruths have been spread. Quite frankly it's f**king awful and it would be a crying shame if Keith's reputation as a talented, innovative designer were to be wrongly tarnished by all of this. He also happens to be a really lovely guy and doesn't deserve this at all.
That's all.
um.. will you marry me keith?
Anon, since you are vouching for Keiths honesty and integrity- can you explain why he presented Wyeths lookbooks as his own work?
He never made a woman's dress before this show so why would he have sketches of women's dresses?
I think y'all are paranoid.
He hasn't acted like he has a big ego at all. He has acted very humble from all I have seen.
Get a grip.
I am curious as to why people are commenting on what a great designer Keith is when all you have seen is one rather basic halter twisty dress made with a bedsheet. I sent to see it at Macy's the other day and while it is ok it is certainly nothing special. What do you baste his great designer designation on?
The Wyeth thing. I was shocked during his audtion when he annoucned he "designed" the Wyeth collection. You have got to see their faces. They were shoked also., Her mouth actually dropped open. WYETH is a gorgeous, high end and creative line. A very hot young designer. Take a look so you all know what you and he are talking about.
http://www.wyethdesign.com/
Gorgeous clothes beautifully made. When he backtracked and said well I collaborated with Todd I was even more surprised. Wyeth is out of LA. Keith is a menswear designer from NY who stated he has never done a dress. Hello. Wyeth is a womens line designed as far as the world knows by Todd Magill. Who has a wonderful reputation in the fashion world. They knew Wyeth the minute they saw it. If Keith Micahels is the collaborater behind the Wyeth Spring 06 collection he does not need Project Runway for ANYTHING. People would be banging on his door to back him He would not need a mentor and $100,00 bucks from Bravo. Then the whole thing about his 5 protfolios, they were trend forecasts for clients? Now he is in the fashion forecast business for clients? Not a menswear designer?
Somethin is fishy in Soho.
OK. I just looked at Keith Michael's website. The one time I believe him now is when he said I don't do womens clothing. . Cuz that is some ugly stuff. The badly fitting draped jersey thing with the string neck and the too tight black leggings ($489!??) They look like high school home ec class stuff. Unbelievale. And he is claiming he helped design Wyeth"s clothes and on his website has those? Whats up folks?? Hmm, shall we post and compare?
The guy in the horrid WAY to small white shirt with the WAY to tight white pants? Help me here...what is that cheesie catalog for guys full of tight pants and sleazy shirts with badly colored underwear. Come on someone remembers it from like 1983.
International Male!
Gone G-g-g-g-GAY!
YES! International Male!!!! Spot on Weevil..You win..what can I send besides love.
Justin. Please, you know the gaydar was up from day one. And I loved his 'Issac gay guy grab the boobies moment' with Miss USA. I now have all my gay friends feel me up to make sure the puppies are in place. What I don't get is he went right into his slimey 'what big eyes, I mean great legs you have...'and she actually looked like she was buying it! Hello, she lives in the world of pagents. Was HER gaydar down that day?
The guy admitted on episode one he's never made a dress before.
That should be everyone's first clue.
The clothing he brought in for his audition was all menswear. There's clue number two.
I don't sew, but I am a professional art director and illustrator. Perhaps I should draw some gorgeous fashions, bring in a rack of my brother's clothes and get my lying butt on the show, too.
Besides, I think he looks like the love child of Jacob Dylan and Greg Kinnear.
Between him and that guy with Detroit tattooed on his neck, I;d give the girls the odds on this season.
:D
i would THINK, and hope, since project runway is a show of higher integrity than say, America's Next Top Model, and because of its affiliation with some of fashion's top folks that the research would have been done. I am certain that Nina Garcia, regardless of her "tricky" comment, would be FULLY aware if there were some finking on Keith's part. These sorts of rumors surrounding these sorts of shows are usually exciting, and great for ratings, but rarely pan out. I mean, there was a rumor there was a tranny contestant on top model 2 seasons ago. that TOTALLY didnt pan out. i hope, since Keith has a great design sense, that he gets to hang around for a while. they really really need to weed out the dead weight quickly.
If you look at the photos, you can clearly see Nina Garcia in one of them. Are you telling me she looked at his portfolios and didn't see a dress she saw from the front row seat of a runway? Of course not.
The judges knew exactly what those designs were. There were part of 1 of 5 portfolios submitted. Most likely to showcase work he has done professionally (ie trend report). It would be different if they were mixed in with his original designs.
He probably had his portfolios separated by category. Menswear, womenswear, collaborations, client requests, etc.
Keith (sort of sexy in a sinister way), is kicked-off for screwing with the machines & likely other sabbotage activities...
The "questionable portfolio" hypothesis doesn't hold (as the reason he's removed), because it would bear down negatively on the research / background capabilities of the production staff of Bravo & would tarnish the reputation of Bravo's most profitable & successful show.
This show is operated & marketed like a well-oiled (money-making) machine by the Weinstein's & its not their style to create "tacky" controversary (with blame on their part), to further generate interest for one of their projects. Instead, the blame will be held solely on one of the designers.
I loved loved loved when Heidi actually JUMPED up and went for the doggie collar and said, you made this?? you made this? You didn't make this! He had to admit well no, it's a bracelet but I put on the piece of cloth connecting it!! OMG. He has LIED in every single show and appearance. He comes on saying how his design is perfect each time, I win, blah blah. And he is smarmy beyond belief. By the way, the whole five portfolies, idone for trend reports, is simply a requrgiatation and rewording of HIS explanation for how he possibly had designed from other people in his portfolion. He did not design Wyeth, he did not 'accidently' photoshop in other peoples work and mix up portfolios etc. He is am Eddie Haskell cheat all the way and I will be glad when he goes. And Angela makes bad hooker clothes that look like home ec projects. Send back the Cydni Lauper outfits she wears please please, mine went to Salvo years ago. God.
Now if only they would spend some time on the damm clothes. The drama gets boring at times. There should be a 2nd reshowng where you get top see the actual clothes. A sahow version where you actually see the designs and they spend some time on them. Even the camera work now as they come down the runway is all swirly and whoosh..clothes gone never to really be looked at.
I wanted to see Michaels cut out tweedy thing and would have loved a closer look at what the others did. I wanted so much to see Kaynes doggie deal it looked fablous!
Well, I have to see exactly what transpired to make up my mind for sure. I have my own label designing accessories and can't see any reason why I would turn in a trend report to anyone (especially judges) rather than pictures, even just sketches, of my own things.
As for how photoshopped the images in his portfolio looked, that may not be Keith's doing, that may be Bravo TV covering their @$$es on the legal end.
He 100% did NOT design Wyeth. When they asked him in the initial interview where those garments are, he had no good answer. If he designed Wyeth (which he didn't), then he would have a giant rack of samples to bring them for review. AND, the judges would not have been interested in seeing a book of "trends". They know what the trends are, they wouldn't accept that as a portfolio, nor would a real designer submit another designers trends for a design interview of this caliber. Dude's a liar and a cheat. it's so obvious.
I think it really takes away from the talent of the other designers who are truly "creating" , not just copying. I'd rather look at original dress that is ugly but original, than something that's been copied and passed off as original.
I'm sure he'll get caught soon. Those dresses he's making look very familar. From my personal industry experience, those garments he's making are WAY too complicated and resolved for the time constraints the designers are given. Those don't look like drape and cut dresses. He has to be working from patterns or designs that he smuggled in. My guess is that they catch him with a cut-up Balenciaga dress shoved in his bag after he cuts patterns from it.
Plus, they seemed so on to him this week. Have you ever seen Heidi get up and examine someones work? She totally nailed him on that dog collar. Must not of had any dog patterns in his bag........
Keith Michael, you're a real talent.
Your designs--beautiful.
Best to you and your career, I wish I can wear a hat as good as you do 
Rumor has it..sort of based on someone at the produciton. Keith is removed from the show for a number of reasons including the fact...he is caught screwing around with the other disigners machines in the Parson workrooms.
He did not design Wyeth. (what balls to even claim that!!) he was not doing "trend reports" for clients. What clients? The guy is a menswear 'maker' with a business out of his apartment in brooklyn. He lied in each and every episdoe, from he "found" the beads in the apartment. for Wall to Wall to he made the dogs collar-ok it was really a bracelet-to he designed the Wyeth fall collection with Todd Magill. He gets caught sabotagingn the other designers work and is gone.
And good riddance. May we please see a little more of the CLOTHES next time. It is a show about fashion. Not just design divas. Who all end up going nowhere and being 'designutaunts' when the season is over with minimal success and absolutely NO impact on fashion anywhere.
Go see the dresses at Macy's if you are in NYC. It is intersting to see them. The blue halter is rather boring. The Miss USA is totally pagent over the top like it should have been though. Bravo to Kayne
I can understand liking his clothing, but he's such an ass.
Has anyone checked out the Wyeth website at http://wyethdesign.com? Either Keith really did colloborate with Todd Magill (who I have deduced must be his friend in LA that he mentions in his Bravo Q&A video) or he stole the design from Wyeth for the Miss Universe dress (see the last dress in the Wyeth Spring '06 collection). I think he is telling the truth. He may have never made a dress before the first episode, but that doesn't mean he's never sketched one or draped one or collaborated on designing one.
funconditional....todd designed that dress....trust me....and he wants to remain out of this...
exactly. he stole the dress design from Wyeth (seems like a re-occuring problem for him). Can someone get a still from the show and put those side-by-side? it's the same dress.
Isn't it clear to everyone that he's a bit of a cheat? Let's be honest, the fashion industry is ripe with people who make a living off copying pieces from other lines. It's part of the business. But there's no place for that in this competition.
Here's the thing. I'd like to believe him because I'd like to think the Project Runway judges would have caught him sooner. But we see some of the sketches in question on the show. And if he submitted five design portfolios (I know it would be horrendously catty of me to say "just like he made four dog outfits..." but I'm thinking it anyway) why would they choose ones that admittedly were based on other designers for the show, when there were so many others to choose from? Unless of course the PR editors hoped we'd catch on and create some scandal and press, but I just don't see them as being quite that cunning.
keith, i'm sorry you had to go. just know that some of us aren't easily duped by careful editing and do not think you are a "bad guy." you are extremely talented and you should have won that show hands down. even though you were "caught" with books, many of us know you didn't use them to your advantage. you're just a strong-willed, talented, intelligent guy who likes to rock the boat and make a challenge for himself. i wish you all the best. can't wait to get some of your designs on my bod!
As a graphic designer who just completed my education and am out pounding the pavement I leave you with this retrospective.
What Keith did was no different than the dozen of students I saw during my years at school who "lifted" works of others and plastered their names on it as if it was their own work.
Many of critiques I spend biting my upper lip in horror that these students weren't expelled for plagorism! Art theft in my industry is serious, getting paid for what you do & making sure no one else profits from it is just the same.
What he did was worse because it was a contest of talents and its cheating to have those books, access the Internet and "disappear" for whatever reasons..
Christopher
p.s. And to burn his fellow designers (and the judges) for his shortcomings is COWARDLY.
As a graphic designer who just completed my education and am out pounding the pavement I leave you with this retrospective.
What Keith did was no different than the dozen of students I saw during my years at school who "lifted" works of others and plastered their names on it as if it was their own work.
Many of critiques I spend biting my upper lip in horror that these students weren't expelled for plagiarism! Art theft in my industry is serious, getting paid for what you do & making sure no one else profits from it is just the same.
What he did was worse because it was a contest of talents and its cheating to have those books, access the Internet and "disappear" for whatever reasons..
Christopher
p.s. And to burn his fellow designers (and the judges) for his shortcomings is COWARDLY.
Keith was by far the most talented designer (when it comes to sketching out his ideas on paper). He did an excellent job constructing his garmets for PR, I doubt his possession of a few books were not responsible for his incredible designs.
I sense that some of Keith's fellow contestants wanted him out of the competition because Keith's a major talent , and the judges adore his work. IMO, Kayne is a designer w/ gaudy taste, his sketches shown to Tim Gunn at the PR auditions were hideous; as Tim Gunn gazed out at Kayne's 3 outfits, he proclaimed to have liked Kayne, but he "hated" what he was looking at, just a gaudy mess. I thought his dresses in his sketches looked cheap. I think Kayne wanted Keith out, he knew he would be filmed going to his roomates to "discuss" the fashion books; he wasn't confused and unclear, he was trying to eliminate his major competition. When I heard of Keith's running out of the van (w/ his PR fellow contestants inside), it looked to me that they were trying to make him feel miserable; and that just exposes what jerks they are in doing so. Had Star (from PR season 1) been exposed for having a few fashion books/pattern making books, I doubt her fellow contestants would have ratted on her or verbally assault her to the point where she runs off in tears.
Keith was clearly in the drivers seat to make it to fashion week, and people like Laura, Kayne, and Jeffery jumped at the opportunity to get rid of him. Ever since the dog competition, when we see Laura roll her eyes as Tim is praising Keith's dress, I could feel her envy. Jeffery's envy could be felt, as he expresses his negative attitude on how the judges positively respond to Keith in the fact that they favor his work (even if it's not completed i.e. no dog outfit). Kayne just took advantage of an opportunity to turn Keith in. I severely dislike these 3 people and I hope neither of them make it to fashion week.
Keith you rock, your taste in womens wear is exceptional, you're the best designer ever to have been on PR.
he is soo hot...too bad i think he is gay...if any knows email me please i really wanna know....mullally_cm_8@hotmail.com..please and thank you!
Kicking Keith off of Poject Runway is the end of this show as something interesting. Clearly Project Runway has shown it's true colors, it's really about finding safe media savy mediocrity instead of true talent. I think this show was well respected before for it's attempt to offer something real. Having been through architecture school and gone through similar situations, I can safely say that almost all of the people on show are most likely guilty of something along the lines of what Keith was booted for. He was a true talent, and not a cheat. The producers of this show are clearly the cheats.
Keith was by far the best designer on the show! Project Runway was the only show I watched do to talents like Keith!! Having him off the show shows that the priorities of Project Runway are no different than any other show. Ratings!Ratings!Ratings!! That seems to be all that matters. I believe his matter should have been investigated more thoroughly off camera and not used on Keith's career's expense to get more rating for the show!! I think this really makes Project Runway look like a scam. Once again robbing from the poor hungary starving artist and making it look like you are doing them a favor.The sad truth of it all it is that having talents like Keith off the show will only hurt Project Runway even more in the long run!! So everyone loses. Keith has proven to me that he was not only talented but by far way more advanced than any other so called "designers" on the show! I am sorry to see that a show with so much care for "true talent" would turn it's back on one.
I have to say that the German designer Uli seemed to appear envious of Keith's successes on the runway; in addition to Jeffery, Kane, and Laura. I thought it lame when Uli rationalizes that in taking Keith's model, she'll have better success on the runway. What BS! Keith's model wasn't what was thrilling the judges, it was his designs. I think Uli and the others subconsciously feel like Keith represents everything PR is looking for in the search for america's next big designer. All Uli can do is produce clothes w/ prints on them, her own fashion show in Miami had nothing but print clothing, she's a one trick pony in a major way. Jeffery, like Uli, is a bit of a one-note himself in the fact that he keeps producing designs that look "rocker-ish" as well as deconstructed. Jeffery's designs are not elegant, and he walks around thinking he's so fashion forward, when he's anything but. Jeffery obviously wanted Keith out so he can up his own chances, however, the judges will get tired of his limited looks, and they'll send him packing. I am still wondering what Jeffery meant in the PR promo where he says sabbotage happens -or something to that effect.
What we all saw last night was an example of how ruthless people can be when it comes to a competition: Uli takes Keith's model in thinking she'll get the praise from the judges(dumb bit%#), Kane wastes no time proclaiming in a very fake way (in front of cameras) that he's confused about the whole fashion book situation(give me a break, as much as production pre-warned them, theres no way that Kane was "confused"), Jeffery stirs the pot by telling everyone that Keith was using fashion books and its mentioned that Keith took hour long showers throughout the night -this one I can smell the bs behind it, and Laura in basically saying good riddance to Keith (I'm sure what she meant was "I have a better shot at winning now that the most talented designer is gone".
As far as the sketchbook goes, I'm willing to accept Tim Gunn's explanation on the Bravo site that they were legit. I wouldn't give Keith the benefit of the doubt after watching his tendency to lie on camera even when the tapes of the show could easily prove that he's lying.
Keith had some nice dresses out there, but it's BS to say he was the only one, or even the best. He was among the best, but his "above the rules" Michael, Laura, Kayne, Robert and Uli have all been performing just as well as Keith, but without the smarminess.
Everyone makes mistakes, but Keith has conisistently creeped me out with his immature "mommy" references and flagrant disregard for the rules and guidelines of the contest. I think the man has some growing up to do. Too many people get away with too much dishonesty in our culture, and I applaud Bravo for enforcing the rules, eventually. The fact that they got so much publicity for Keith's smarminess is a little smarmy itself.
I hope that Keith learns something from the whole thing. Otherwise it's really tragic. Nobody forced him to break the rules, even if Bravo benefited from the drama.
It's a shame that it had to come to this. I thought Keith was an exceptional desighner. Except the moment i think many people suspected that he was a LIAR was when he lied about making a garmet for his dog to hiedi and the panel. That to me is unprofessional and he made a bad name for himself. I happen to like Keith and i even like his stuck up attitude. I think that if he practiced and really took the time to master his art of design he could go very far. He is very talented. Next time Keith you should be more honest and loyal to yourself if this is something you really genuinly love.
The guy hid pattern books in his room and people are still talking about his portfolio?
He's a liar and a clown.
End of story.
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