Episode 7: "What's Mine Is Yours"

With Peach's exit off of episode 5, April is forced to move in with the other remaining girls: Valerie, Gretchen and Ivy. However they welcomed her right into the fold (as the "Fab Four"):

The next buzz on the street is the flash back to how disappointed everyone was that Michael C won last week. Andy is seriously doubting his design skill at this point and wondering if he has what it takes to be there.

The designers meet with Heidi Klum on the Runway and Twitter was all abuzz with discussion of her "MC Hammer" or pirate pants:

Heidi informs the designers that they deserve some relaxation and that they would be meeting with Tim Gunn at the Harbor to discuss the next challenge.

The designers walk up to the port and SURPRISE! It's Project Runway Judge and American Fashion Designer Michael Kors!!

The Challenge

This week's challenge is to design resort wear based on each designer's point of view. MK informs the designers that it must be luxury, trendy and all that jazz. Resort wear includes swimwear, casual and evening looks.

Tim invites the designers for a cruise around the Harbor and MK gives the designers MK sunglasses (JEALOUS) for the ride. Of course they aren't just cruising around in a tour boat; They're riding in style:

Seriously...a yacht

While on the yacht, Tim tells the designers that he brought their HP tablets so they could start sketching right there! How thoughtful! So the designers get right to work brainstorming:

After their relaxing cruise, the designers head off to Mood with Tim Gunn to pick out their materials for executing their design. Swatch, the Mood mascot, made an appearance to help Tim Gunn announce the 5 minute warning:

What a cutie!!

The Workroom

Back at the workroom, the designers get to work unloading the Mood bags, when...Tim Gunn shows up with...the dreaded Velvet Bag!!

All the designers know that nothing good ever comes out of the bag. It usually signals a twist in the challenge. (so of course...there's a twist this week).

The Twist

Tim Gunn tells the designers that they will be "wearing two hats" in this challenge. One as a designer for their own work and the other as the sample room for another designer's work. The designer will be ultimately judged on their design, not on the one they sewed. I probably don't have to tell you, but the one who's probably freaking out the most: Ivy the control freak. So basically they would be working in teams of two:

Valerie and Andy; April and Chris; Michael C and Mondo (who was definitely NOT happy about his partner choice); Casanova and Gretchen; (poor) Michael D and (OCD) Ivy.

Soon Tim Gunn pops in (yet again) to surprise the designers with a guest critiquer: Michael Kors!

Michael Kors is concerned with Ivy's print looking too professional. He also is worried about Gretchen and Valerie's color choices. Gretchen is still hanging on to the color combo that got her on the bottom for the team challenge. Overall, MK leaves impressed. However, Ivy continues to hover over Michael D in the sewing room and he's getting nervous because she keeps simplifying her design due to her lack of faith in his abilities.

"Serenity NOW!" (Seinfeld reference...sorry)

After the first day is completed, back at Atlas, Ivy is beside herself with frustration. She is freaking out because Michael D has not finished her design in the specified time frame (one day). However the next day it was announced that 10 mins before the looks went out on the runway, the designers would be given that time to take over their designs and tweak whatever needs fixing. Ivy could not have jumped on the sewing machine any faster.

Runway Show

I was actually impressed with Michael C's design. He might be a bad seamstress...haha but he's not a bad designer. I also liked Christopher, April, Andy and Casanova's designs. My "eh" category were Gretchen (I know I love her but the colors ick) and Mondo (thought it was a little too aeropostale/justice (or limited too for us old farts) for me. Dislikes: Ivy, Michael D, Valerie.

Judges Weigh In

This week's guest judge was Kristen Bell (from forgetting Sarah Marshall and shamelessly plugging her new movie "You Again")

Top 3

April: MK: "Tough punk baby doll" The judges claimed that it was editorial and very wearable.

Andy: The judges thought the garment was very commercial and sophisticated. They felt that he was able to stay true to his dramatic aesthetic and create something wearable. The judges loved the bathing suit.

Michael D: Michael Kors was impressed with the cutouts and the interesting neckline of the garment. I'm sorry I thought it looked awful...it looked like a priest's vacation robe.

Bottom 3

Mondo: The judges were really disappointed. They thought it looked inexpensive and junior. They also thought Mondo's excuse that he didn't know what resort wear was a cop-out. Nina Garcia stated that it looked like a jumble of clothes from KMart.

Ivy: The judges were BORED with her "design." The worst part too was that she threw Michael D under the bus by stating that she had to keep dumbing down her design in order for him to sew it. Heidi thought that it had NO design. Nina Garcia thought it looked bland.

Casanova: Honestly I didn't think it looked that bad. Definitely not worse than Ivy's design. The judges thought it was too matronly and MK thought that it didn't "read vacation to me." Heidi stated that there was "nothing cool about [the design]." MK was wondering if Casanova was designing for "hooker[s] or a grandmother" feeling that they didn't get where his aesthetic was.

Results

In the end, the Judges felt that April's design was the winner. I was happy with that. I also would have been happy if they had picked Andy's design.

The judges decided to send Casanova home. I was SO surprised with this decision. I really felt that Ivy should have been sent home for that gray potato sack. However the judges warned her after telling her she was in, that next time, she had to wow them.

So that's the rundown on what happened this week. Stay tuned to the Runway Rundown if you've missed any episodes. Click on the tabs above to see the "Winner's Circle" and "Designer Stats" to see who's still here and who's on top! Project Runway airs Thursday 9p EST on Lifetime.

I know I've Gotten Lazy...

But I have been watching and keeping up with the show. I've actually become rather disappointed with the judging and slightly jaded with Tim Gunn's recent blow up about Gretchen. I really feel that Gretchen is a great designer and I really feel that she wasn't trying to manipulate the team on the team challenge. From watching the show, I feel that there is WAY too much drama included this season and not enough about the design. So I'll catch up on the Winner's page and start back up tonight on the episode summaries.

Also on another note: New York Fashion Week is in full bloom and this morning was the Project Runway final runway show (all of the designers who are left were presenting) but @ProjectRunway was Tweeting about all of the designs:

10 designs about to walk down the catwalk! #nyfw #mbfw#projectrunway

Michael Drummond work is inspired by x-rays, Rothko and womens panties...oh boy nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

@yellowcakeshop Valerie -" melted crayons and David Bowie- really cracker jack"nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

Valeries collection is like what Judy jetson might wear to the beach, in an awesome way #nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

"Roots, grace and romance" are Christopher's inspiration#nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

Inspired by "grandma, and no more plush puppies!" the one and only Casanova #nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

Casanova's looks are shot and shiny... Heidi seems happy :)#nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

@ivyhiga was inspired by her home beaches of Hawaii #nyfw#mbfw #projectrunway

Note: Most of these are decoy collections showing today. No one knows who the final three really are but the judges! Find out October 28.

@michealcostello collection is gorgeous, congrats. Such rich color! #nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

gretchen's collection is called "running thru thunder" #nyfw#mbfw #projectrunway

I love me some mondo! He hopes we have fun because that inspired him! #nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

April was inspired by "dusty dolls going to a tea party and getting washed away." #nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

Andy is up! Inspired by a dream and statues coming to life!#nyfw #mbfw #projectrunway

And that's all folks! Tune in tonight for a new episode! nyfw#mbfw #projectrunway

So don't forget to check out the new episode tonight! 9pm on Lifetime!

Episode 3: "It's A Party"

[Sorry for the hiatus, but I've been on vacation at the beach and working hard!]

SO anyways, after Gretchen's second win, many of the other designers' claws come out. April, Peach and Michael D seem to have the biggest problem with Gretchen. Maybe if they put the same amount of effort into their actual designs they might get out of the bottom or the middle of the pack.

The Challenge

This week, Heidi announces on the runway that getting through the first 2 challenges is a "cause for celebration." She tells the designers that they will be meeting Tim Gunn for a party and the designers are automatically skeptical (as they should be).

Tim is waiting for the designers outside of a party store called "Party Glitters." He announces the challenge for the week: The Unconventional Challenge. This season, the designers were to take party supplies and transform them into a runway look. Tim also pointed out that the judges haven't responded well to items that resemble fabric for example: tablecloth, wrapping paper etc. Then the designers were let loose into the store. AJ declared that this was his element. Apparently he loves designing with unconventional items, as well as talk about his love for using unconventional items. Casanova is lost. He decides to grab the "plush puppies" and tablecloths. The designers grab their items and head off to the workroom.

The Workroom

The winner of this challenge would win immunity for the first time in Season 8. So all of the designers are eager to win the security of immunity and start working away. Casanova starts to tear up his "plush puppies" and draping the "skin" over the dress form:

After brutalizing the "plush puppies" Casanova declares, "I feel like I workin at meat market instead of designer." Casanova is not happy with the challenge. It's almost as if he feels like he's too good to make clothes out of party supplies. "We're not making a pinata. We're making a dress, you know."

Andy has started a weave for his dress. His goal is to weave ribbons and use the weave as the entire dress. It seems a little ambitious and the going is verrrry slow.

Michael D...again I am NOT a huge fan of his. He seems to spend a lot of time criticizing everyone around him. Michael D doesn't like the fact that Gretchen is going around the room and giving her opinion:

I think that if the girl who won twice was giving advice, I would definitely take it into account. I feel really bad for Gretchen that these petty designers are taking out their jealousy on her.

Tim enters the room and talks to each of the designers. The highlight of the trip was when Tim was talking to Kristin about her "Animal Wooly Balls:"

Tim visited Peach, who tried to explain that she was going for subtle. Tim balks at this idea telling her that he feels she's too uptight. "It's like you have a piece of coal up your rear end," he tells her. Tim wants her to take a chance--it IS a party supply challenge.

Sarah seems to have a good idea brewing. She had taken a palm tree decoration and spray painted it different colors. Her dress form had potential as she was layering the leaves:

Tim walks over to Casanova and he looks distressed. Casanova explains to Tim that he only bought tablecloths and "plush puppies." Tim tells him he just has to "Make It Work!"

At the end of Tim's visit, he announces to the designers that their models will be coming in for a fitting with a "surprise." Again, the designers know better than to think this is a good thing...

The Surprise

The models enter the workroom with silver gift bags. Tim explains to the designers that they must make an accessory out of the supplies in the bag. All of the designers groan as their workload just got heavier. I was kind of disappointed in the designers because none of them really gave the accessory much thought. Just a lot of bracelets.

Runway Day

Gretchen is fearful of winning again because she feels that if she does, everyone would hate her. Isn't that awful? I really feel like the other designers are really into the petty high school dynamic. They are so consumed in their jealousy that instead of actually trying to get over it and beat her, all they do is constantly b*tch about it.

This week's Guest Judge: Betsey Johnson. This is a great match for the challenge.

I'm kind of disappointed that she didn't do a cartwheel on the runway!

This week my favorites were: Christopher, Andy, Michael C, Gretchen and Valerie. My "eh" picks were: Mondo, Casanova and April. I didn't like them but I didn't dislike them either. My NOT favorites were: Michael D, AJ, Ivy, Peach, Kristin and Sarah.

But let's see what the judges picked...

The Judges Weigh In

After sending the designers who were safe, the judges called the top3/bottom 3 models out for the evaluations.

Top 3

Valerie: Nina Garcia called Valerie's design fun yet sophisticated. She created her dress from paper napkins that she had cut and folded so that they made a pleated skirt. The judges were not impressed with her bracelet accessory, but over all were pleased with her design:

Andy: His design was truly pure craftsmanship. Andy had woven ribbon into intricate braids of black and silver that covered the entire dress. The judges were very impressed that it didn't look like party supplies. Betsey noted that she thought that it might have been a little TOO beautiful, "it could have been more fun."

Gretchen: She is definitely my favorite designer. Gretchen's design aesthetic is right up my alley. She used metallic fringe as a skirt and crumpled paper to create a faux leather jacket look. I LOVED the over all look. So did Nina Garcia. Nina is so impressed with her styling and that she created separates. Heidi liked the look, but not the boots.

Bottom 3

AJ: Awful, Hot Mess. Heidi said that she thought it looked "silly." The dress looked like he just took a lot of shiny decorations and hot glued the hell out of everything.

Michael Kors pointed out the crotch area and AJ explained that he ran out of fabric:

Casanova: The judges are really starting to doubt Casanova's taste level. He tried to explain that he was going for a "couture" look. Michael Kors stated that it looked like a "transvestite flaminco dancer at a funeral."

Sarah: All I can say is SNOOOZE. She had SO much potential in the beginning. Nina Garcia thought it was too simple. Heidi said that she had written sad in her notes.

Results

In the end, Andy ended up winning the challenge and immunity for the next week. The judges narrowed it down to Sarah and Casanova, with Sarah ultimately being asked to leave.

At the end of the show, apparently Ivy fainted in the hotel and had to be rushed to the hospital. You'll have to tune in next time find out what happens, here at the Runway Rundown!!

Episode 2: "Larger than Life"

This season just gets better and better with each episode! This week's episode had a BIG challenge and lots of twists! Here's the Rundown:

The Challenge:

This week the Guest Judge was Joanna Coles, the Editor in Chief of Marie Claire magazine.

The designers were assigned to create a look that embodied the Marie Claire woman. The winner of the challenge would have their look featured in a giant billboard in the middle of Times Square! Ms. Coles told the designers that the Marie Claire woman was fun, sexy and fashion forward; the design needed to tell the world who was a Marie Claire woman.

The Workroom:

The designers rushed off to the workroom to sketch and brainstorm. Then it was off to Mood with Tim Gunn for fabric. Peach seemed a bit lost at Mood and it escalated in the workroom when Tim started to make his rounds.

Peach ultimately decides to scrap her first dress...and her second dress...

Another designer that Tim was worried about with Jason. I am seriously doubting his aesthetic right now. His fabric is a metallic satin and some sort of skeezy bedspread you would find in a 40 yr old bachelor pad. (But don't worry--his design gets MUCH worse).

Casanova did a complete 180! He even said himself that he went from "prostitute to nun" this week. Tim was worried it was too matronly. Casanova pretended he didn't understand what Tim was saying. Nicholas stated that Casanova is playing the judges and he speaks perfect English in the workroom without Tim there.

Nicholas' top looked suspiciously like the back of Gretchen's dress (which won last week)--Gretchen pointed out. Look:

Interesting, but I don't think Gretchen has anything to be worried about...

Twist #1:

Tim enters the room once more and announces the first twist--their design was going to a photoshoot BEFORE the runway. Many of the designers groaned knowing that their morning before time would be cut. However I really don't think anyone was really behind schedule.

The Photoshoot:

During the photoshoot, it seems that all of the flaws were unravelling. Jason didn't finish his design and decided to hold it together with...safety pins. He used staples last week and now safety pins? I am really starting to think he can't sew at all! Jason also chose the WORST picture for his dress, showcasing the hole in the middle of the garment.

I also think Peach has given up at this point. Her model couldn't exactly model. Even the photographer noted that her model was very flat.

Runway Show:

Again a lot of designers, a lot of garments. My favorites were: AJ, Andy, Michael C, Casanova, Christopher, Gretchen, Sarah (her dress was Clemson colors!) and Valerie. My not so favorites were: April, Michael D (I really can't stand him), Nicholas, Peach, Jason and Kristin.

Judges Weigh In:

This week there was an actual top 3/bottom 3.

Top 3: I really liked all of the top designs this week. I wouldn't have minded any of them winning. I would have been happy with any of the designs on the billboard.

Valerie: The judges raved about her red trench dress. The loved that it was sexy yet not vulgar. Joanna loved the red, commenting that it was powerful and sexy; and said that it would be a perfect color for a billboard.

Gretchen: Heidi really loved the opening on the front of the jumpsuit, how it could open up more for a sexy night time look. Michael Kors stated that she was a "modern woman from head to toe." Nina Garcia loved that it had no season, no age and a modern aesthetic. I wish I was model skinny to pull this look off haha.

Mondo: He went from not having any confidence to being in the top 3! The judges loved that the garment had great spirit. They also loved the photo stating that it was "wimsical." Michael Kors commented on his use of tweed "in a cute way."

Bottom 3

Peach: Oh my goodness. This whole episode has been a train wreck for Peach. Michael Kors told her that it looked like an "amish cocktail dress." The judges called her styling matronly and said it looked too much like ladies out to lunch. (Which is EXACTLY what Peach stated was her aesthetic in the opening of last week's premier)

Jason: Too many excuses. The judges called him out on the safety pins in the picture. Joanna commented that it was "unsexy" and even questioned if he's ever talked to a woman before. After judging, Jason blamed his model and the fact that the judges didn't get his "infinity, 8" idea for getting him into the bottom 3. Man up, your outfit was AWFUL!

Nicholas: He seemed a little lost puppy when he was called for the bottom 3. The judges explained that there were too many things, too many details going on in his outfit. They hated the cape, they hated the back of the blouse and just thought it was just plain unsexy. Later in deliberation, they felt he might have been too ambitious in making so many pieces because each one of them had SOMETHING wrong with it.

Results:

Winner: Gretchen! She got the chance for her design to be out on a huge billboard in Times Square! Check out my page "Winners' Circle" to see her actual billboard!

Who Went Home: Jason...and for Twist #2: the judges also sent Nicholas home as well.

So tune in next week for the "unconventional challenge"! Where it looks like they'll have to make an outfit out of party supplies? I love these ones. Some people can get really creative and some people...will of course be "out."

Project Runway on Lifetime @ 9pm Eastern and if you miss out--you can always get the synopsis here at the Runway Rundown!

What a First Episode!!

It was an intense episode of Project Runway tonight and if you missed it--don't worry...I took notes!

The episode opened with the designers meeting up with each other to let the audience get to make their first impressions of the cast. Some were normal and of course...some were not so normal.

Casanova, an obvious standout, is originally from Puerto Rico. He started out wearing a very odd outfit with a small tie. Another designer I thought was really odd without trying was Mondo. He made a comment that people thought he was a "little strange." My dad decided that he "was missing something [in his brain]."

Peach reminded me a little bit of Sweet Pea (Project Runway Season 4). She's the eldest of the crew but she's seems like a sweetheart. Although her aesthetic isn't really my scene; self described "ladies out to lunch" style.

So the Challenge:

Heidi and Tim Gunn explained to the designers that they were still in the selection process. This whole concept was odd to me because...isn't that the whole premise of the show? A giant selection process? The whole time the designers were saying they weren't on the show yet, but...what was I watching the whole time? (I digress...)

So Heidi told the designers to reach in their bags to pull out an item to use in the challenge. And as a "twist" they were told to hand off the item to the person to their right. O the faces they all made. That wasn't even the kicker! Heidi then told them they had 5 hrs to create a finished piece and the article of clothing had to be noticeable in the garment.

Rush off to Mood...Or NOT??

Instead of going to Mood, Mood came to Parsons! In case you have never watched the show before, Mood is where the designers head off to find fabric and supplies each week. This season, Mood has its own annex in the Parsons Institute making it much more convenient for the designers on such a tight time schedule. Soon the designers were off and Tim Gunn popped in for his usual advice/critique dialogue.

Tim Gunn really enjoyed McKell's dress and I agreed with him. She had to work with a man's shirt which she cut and pieced into a razorback top and created a cute, short flower skirt on the bottom. Next Tim moved onto Nicholas, who in my opinion was not a fav. He stated that he was an architect who "accidentally" found fashion design. He greeted the other designers with "I can't wait to beat you." O the drama... Tim told Nicholas his wasn't quite there yet.

And then there was Casanova's garment. He somehow managed to make a blouse into a very trashy looking "outfit." Tim Gunn asked, "Is it sexy or vulgar?" I went with vulgar.

Jason decided to wear a bowler hat as his first impression. According to him, it's intimidating. According to me, it's stupid. Jason received a kimono from Andy and basically just flipped it around and put a scarf around the middle. Nicholas decides to put in his 2 cents in and declared Jason's design "worse than [his]."

Poor Peach was stuck with one of Michael D's awful knits. The knit sagged in all the wrong places. After brainstorming with Tim Gunn, she decided to use it as a halter tie for her dress. Peach also had some trouble during the model fitting. She seemed confused as to what hair and makeup would be good for her look.

The Finishing Touches

As Tim Gunn announces that time is running out, the designers start to panic. Ivy is confident in her garment and announces that she is a very fast seamstress. Jason starts to panic and resorts to stapling, yes stapling, the back of his garment. He seemed to be very distracted with his model's breasts...

At the last call, all the designers and models marched out of the room to face the judges. O wait, Casanova's model isn't even dressed. For some reason, Tim Gunn allows him extra time to quickly dress his model and "scoot." I thought the rules were if you weren't ready, you were disqualified?

The Runway Show

As the (many) models walked down the runway, some were good, ok and just plain awful. I wish I wish I had a still of Nina Garcia's face when Casanova's train wreck came down the runway. Gretchen's cute and flowy black dress was definitely a stand out. Another one I liked was Michael C's garment, a hot pink sleeveless blouse and a black pencil skirt. The ones that I did NOT enjoy: Ivy's capri mess. She was given a pair of pants from Peach, which were an awful print to begin with. She decided to make capris with pleats? Yeah it looked as weird as it sounds. Nicholas' was also a miss for me. He used the bottom of a bomber jacket as a neckline for a boring evening gown.

Judges Break It Down

This week, the guest judge was Selma Blair.

After dismissing those that were safe, There were 7 designers left. The judges unanimously decided that they didn't need a top 3. They all concluded that Gretchen was the winner. She really did have a fabulous garment. (See Picture Below)

However, that meant that 6 designers were in the bottom this week!! They were: McKell (I was disappointed), Nicholas, Casanova, Ivy (to her surprise), Jason and April.

McKell: The judges HATED her look. They commented that the dress was not bad, but felt that the accessory and hair choices were totally wrong. However after talking about it, Heidi stated that it was "butt ugly." Michael Kors went on to call it a "disco apron." The judges also commented on the "side cleavage" that was happening on the dress.

Nicholas: They thought it was boring. Didn't say much else and I don't think anything else needed to be said. Although I would have called his "butt ugly."

Casanova: I'll just use Michael Kors-isms "odd" "mother of the bride crossed with a belly dancer" "poll dancer in Dubai" (I also included Ivy's reaction to the dress--thought her face said it all)

Ivy: Ivy was very confused as to why she was in the bottom. The judges explained that she just turned a pair of pants...into another pair of pants. Ivy battled every word of the judges claiming that there was nothing wrong with her garment.

Jason: Jason stated before the judges said anything that he agreed with everything they were going to say. The judges stated that there wasn't much of a change to the kimono. They also noted the staples.

April: April went with the "deconstructed" look, however the judges made comments about how they wanted to see her "constructed" look first. Nina Garcia stated that it looked like an "80's street walker"

After the judges debate, they ultimately decide to send McKell home. Needless to say I was disappointed. Heidi at the beginning had hinted that numerous people might go home, but they decided to keep Casanova...

I feel that, yet again, the judges are letting the older, more established designers glide by as they ruthlessly cut out the younger designers with more to learn.

Well that was the Rundown for this week. Stay tuned Thursday nights @ 9p Lifetime for Project Runway. If not--you can always catch...the Runway Rundown!