Episode Report Card Jeff Long: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Cuckoo Couture
By Jeff Long | Season 8 | Episode 12 | Aired on 10.14.2010
Andy says that, though everyone has had different struggles getting to where they are now, the show has been a crash course in getting to know yourself. Other Michael adds that he's learned a lot about who his customer is and it has been surprising. That's pretty interesting. I can imagine that knowledge might do a lot for helping him focus on what he needs to learn. April says that the show has made her do things she has never done before, which has made her a stronger person. She's proud of herself. She gets a little choked up after she says that. April's a good egg. She interviews that it would be cool if she won, being so young. Mondo says that this show has been a journey that has freed him.
The next morning, the designers meet Tim on the roof of the hotel. Mayor Mike Bloomberg is there! Other Michael interviews that he wants to show Hizzonner his "I Heart New York" tattoo on his chest. We get to see it though. Hopefully, this show will also teach him about laser tattoo removal. Gretchen is excited that the Mayor is the ambassador for this challenge because it shows how the city feels about Project Runway. That's true and pretty cool. Mayor Bloomberg presents the challenge. The have to design a look inspired by New York. He tells them that he's offering them the entire city. He also tells them to "Make It Work" and Tim laughs. I would really love to get quoted by the mayor of New York one day. Tim reminds them that this challenge decides who goes to Fashion Week. Also, they're getting their largest budget of the season. $500! He says that the budget is a sign that the judges really want to be wowed by the design work. The Mayor wishes them good luck, then Tim sends them off to get inspired.
Here's Other Michael on a ferry. He says that, as soon as he heard about the challenge, he was thinking of the Statue of Liberty. Now, I don't know what he has in mind, but considering all of the criticism that he has gotten this season, could he have chosen a worse muse? He chooses the New York landmark that is already wearing a dress. Sigh. Hand on head. And this isn't to cast aspersions on what he might do -- I'm just saying. He says that he wants to do something structured yet drape-y.
April's in Brooklyn! She chose the Brooklyn Bridge. She's inspired by how the bridge is constructed. It really is a marvel. First, the stone portion is majestic and, then, all of the wires and whatnot. It's pretty amazing. Mondo chooses the Brooklyn Bridge too and seems most inspired by the cables and beams. The shapes of negative space are pretty remarkable.