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!!