Project Runway Season 8: The Wretched Three minus one more...

When Valerie Mayen, 29, of Cleveland, Ohio (aka Flaky Girl) came to participate in this season's of Project Runway, I thought she was going to be a real force to be reckoned with. And for the first 4-5 episodes she kinda was--and then all of a sudden...NOSE DIVE! What happened to Valerie?

I'LL TELL YOU...

She is too unsure of her talents and she couldn't make a decision on what her garments or her aesthetic in general, really WAS. When you routinely ASK your competitors a question about your garment or ANSWER questions in a inquisitive manner--you're doomed on this show and pretty much in this business. Let me tell you, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia (and even Heid now) are pretty tough customers. Sheesh! On most episodes, they are unmerciful so you can't be coming in their all week and meek. Like Michael Kors said last week, "fashion is NOT for sissies"! LOL. It's true. You better have your own vision or you are screwed! That's what did her in. I also think, that she was too flaky to be apart of a clique. Gretchen Jones was the only "Wretched 3" member who could back up maybe a semblance of the trash talking she does. She was in a gang of elitist and quite frankly, she shouldn't have been anywhere NEAR that. The minute Gretch and mean girl, Ivy, started ragging and critiquing other people's designs--she should've EXCUSED herself. I think April could've withstood that drama better than Val. Even at the VERY tender age of 21, Miss April knows her stuff and her point of view is clearly defined. Up to the DAY she was eliminated from competition, no one KNOWS who Val is via fashion design.

On a positive note, they did portray her in a much better light this past Wednesday. And she received mega brownie points with me for APOLOGIZING to Michael Costello for being mean to him and more importantly, UNDERESTIMATING him. Yay, Val! I ALMOST feel bad for calling you out as a member of "The Wretched Three". Almost. Out of all three of them, Michael hugged you when he left the stage--the cattiness doesn't suit you. It dulled your shine.

When Valerie finally finds the answers to her own questions, she will be an amazing designer. Because this competition shows you--good, bad or ugly, you need to have your own VOICE. Be a leader, not a follower.

..And NEVER apart of a wretched, elitist clique. It always bites you in the end. Right, Val?

'Til next time! Smooches!

-onyxxDiva