Dec 13 2007
New Models, Old Clothes
Heidi seemingly began as usual by wanting to 'bring out the models.' However, instead of the fashion models that the contenders were used to working with, Heidi brought out ordinary, 'normal' women who were wearing ill-fitting clothes, including one woman who was wearing a wedding gown about 3 sizes too big for her. Heidi explained that the women had all recently lost a significant amount of weight, and they were wearing their favorite ‘pre-weight loss’ outfits.
Recycle!
The challenge required the contenders to create a new look for the women using their old clothes. Because the old clothes should have given them all the raw materials they needed, they are only given $10.00 and 15 minutes to shop.
Untimely, but Wise Exit
Jack, the 38 year old from Seattle, started the day with a problem with his lip/nose, which progressively got worse. He revealed that he has been HIV positive for 17 years now, and that because his immune system is compromised, it is most likely a skin staph infection (MRSA). A call to his doctor confirmed that he needed to seek 'aggressive treatment' which would mean he'd have to leave the competition. Jack noted that he's worked so hard to get to where he is now, and doesn't want to quit 'for a stupid reason.' While we understand his reluctance to leave Project Runway, taking care of his health, is not quitting, and it’s certainly not a ‘stupid reason.’ As Sweet P so bluntly stated, it’s his ‘[bleeping] health’ and nothing is more important. We wish Jack well, with his health and in his professional life.
As One Door Closed, Another Opened
Because Jack's client/model would be left without a designer, the producers of the show decided to bring someone back to fill Jack's spot - Chris. The other contenders are delighted, especially Sweet P, who had bemoaned Chris's elimination, stating that she missed his 'joyful energy.'
Who Do You Think Buys Clothes?
Victorya talked about how her client is not the 'ideal model' because she was 'kinda normal' looking. We're not sure what Victorya has been doing in the fashion world but we're pretty sure that she has to know that the majority of women who buy clothes (i.e. her potential clients) even the high-end, couture clothes tend to be 'kinda normal' and aren't tall, thin, willowy models.
'No-Brain' 3 am Decisions Are Bad. . .
. . .but probably pretty funny judging by the cute exchange between Tim and Chris. Tim had warned Chris that he should make all his decisions while he still, as Chris put it, 'had a brain.' Tim noted that he made a lot of bad decisions at 3 am, and when pressed for 'names,' he laughingly replied, 'I really am an old fart because my mind doesn't even go there.'
Collaborative Spirit
We must say that we were very impressed when the other contenders pitched in to help Steven out when he began to panic just hours before they had to hit the runway. Kevin, in particular, helped to sew the collar to Steven's dress, and Victorya helped him with final fittings as they rushed out the door toward the runway. It was nice to see this kind of cooperation on a competitive reality show, especially since most shows seem to showcase the backstabbings and manipulations.
The Schtick's Getting Old
Christian, the 21 year old from Baltimore, once again declared that the other outfits were ugly and used the same, 'die for or die because of it' line he used in the last challenge. If you’re gonna be catty Christian, at least be original.
In the Guest Judge's Chair
This week's guest judge is fashion designer, Patrick Robinson.
Young, Cute, Sexy and Fun
Those were the words to describe the top 3 designs. Kevin designed a sexy, fitted bustier made out of what used to be his model's yellow blazer and paired it with black leggings. The judges thought that the look was great and clearly gave his client/model confidence, which is what 'fashion's all about.' Christian made a fitted black top with cropped jeans for his model that the judges thought was 'young and fun' as well as commercial. They also thought it reflected his view as a designer while also meeting his client's needs well. And Jillian created a sexy, red halter dress for her client, but while the judges thought the dress was wonderfully made, they wanted her to use more of her client's old clothes. Jillian actually purchased the red fabric, and only used trace amounts of the black fabric from her client's pants to trim and accent the dress.
Costumes Are Not a Good Thing
Two of the bottom 3 designs were too 'costumey' for the judges and the other design was more a reflection of the designer's taste, as opposed to the client's. Chris created a turquoise blue top with black trim and a short black skirt, which he accented a bold red scarf-belt. The judges thought the top was great, but paired with the skirt, it made his client look like she belonged back in '1950's Paris' or like a 'hooker with a heart of gold.' Elisa created a layered look for her model, with a loose black top over a short black slip and topped off with a red cropped jacket. The judges didn't think the look was suited for her client (even though her client said that she liked the outfit), and that the layered look unflatteringly 'chopped off' the client's body. Finally, Steve, who was assigned the enormous wedding gown, decided that he couldn’t work with the polyester-satin, beaded material and decided to purchase a black fabric to make a dress and use the wedding gown to accent the dress - very similar to what Jillian did. However, unlike Jillian's dress, which was well-made and looked sexy on her model, Steve's dress was declared too somber looking, and made his client look like a 'French maid at a funeral.'
Immunity Granted
Christian was declared the winner and he's granted immunity for the next challenge.
Boring and Cliché is Out
It came down to Elisa and Steven, and while Elisa was chastised for creating a look that was unflattering to her client, she was saved because the judges felt Steven's outfit, which transformed a 'joyous' wedding gown with lots of interesting materials like beadings and lace, into a boring, cliché French maid outfit was worse, and Steven is eliminated.
