Note: I did not forget to post a recap of last week’s unconventional challenge episode—rather, I am going to pretend that it never happened. Why, you may ask? Because it was a lousy idea to use children’s school and art supplies to make an outfit, because everything produced was pretty hideous, and because it didn’t count—no one went home. I thought the designs looked cheap at best and unwearable at worst. Christopher won, but the models all looked like Transformers to me. It was a gimme challenge, and I’m responding by sticking my fingers in my ears and singing La-la-la-la-la. If they won’t eliminate a designer, I won’t write a recap.
Anyway, on to this week: Alyssa greets the designers and tells them that one of the hottest trends today is the glamor of the 30’s—all thanks to a new miniseries premiering on Lifetime. Huh, what? This series hasn’t debuted yet and it is setting fashion trends already? I can understand how a motion picture with a kick ass soundtrack like “The Great Gatsby” and coverage by Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily can sway fashion before its release, but a Lifetime miniseries? I’m finding this hard to believe, but whatever.
In any event, Alyssa introduces us to two of the stars (via video) of “Bonnie and Clyde” who inform the designers that they are to create a 30’s look for a young, modern couple. They will work in pairs to do this; Elena freaks out right away, of course; she has not done menswear. Alyssa emphasizes that the couple’s outfits must complement each other, and of course they have a day to do it. Christopher selects Viktor to work with him, Seth Aaron picks Jeffrey, Irina takes Mychael, and Korto and Elena are de facto partners.
At Mood, the designers tear around selecting fabrics, and Viktor jokes that he is on Project Runway Total Fitness. Whoa, that purple fabric that Seth Aaron is purchasing looks like something The Joker might wear. I do not like what Mychael is buying, either—too much metallic.
Back at the workroom, Zanna checks in. From the front, Viktor’s jacket looks like something Thurston Howell III would wear, while the back is channeling Tina Turner. Zanna has a lot of doubts about most of these outfits, and wisely tells the designers that they should edit themselves, and ask their partners lots of questions. Which no one does.
I do feel for Jeffrey when he throws a temper tantrum—his model’s measurements are a year old, meaning the fit of his jacket is off, translating to much work in a little bit of time. But he sucks it up, apologizes for his tirade to model and coworkers, and gets back to it.
When it’s time for the runway, we have four judges besides Alyssa—and I have to say, this is just too many conflicting voices to hear from, as some folks love something, and the person next to them hates it. In any event, this week (besides Isaac Mizrahi, who I think is one of the truly authentic fashion voices because of his years in design and the failures he has sustained as well as the triumphs), we have Austin Scarlett (from the oh-so-long ago Season 1 of Project Runway), Elie Tahari (hoorah, another experienced designer!), and Bar Refaeli, a model (meh).
On the runway, I like Jeffrey and Seth Aaron’s pairing, and think both pieces go together well. Elena’s design looks like Elena’s designs these past weeks, and she’s looking more and more like a one-trick pony (albeit an entertaining one). During the critiques, I’m confused by Bar’s remarks—I’m scared of him, I’m not scared of her. Who cares? Alyssa sends the designers away, telling them “We’re going to have our debate.”
Boy, is Viktor a poor loser—he seems really pissed off that Christopher received a sterling critique while his was poor. In the end, Jeffrey wins (as he should) and Mychael goes home. And once again, how refreshing is it to see a class act thank everyone for the opportunity, tell the judges (singling out Isaac) that he has heard their feedback and will take it to heart, and wish everyone a gracious farewell. The majority of these designers really are all-stars and with their willingness to try, fail, and learn, have a leg up on the other designers who whined when they were eliminated.
Doris' Closet Consignment 