| Season 9 | Episode 6
In a hurry? Read the recaplet for a nutshell description! Finished? Click here to close.Just before everything begins, I'm wondering if it's going to be open season on Bert or maybe everyone has broken down and they're just going to move past everything and take care of business. Also, in the "last time on Project Runway” bit, they show an interview with Laura talking about how Becky is too emotional -- an interview we haven't seen -- so I'm wondering if these guys just gave away the outcome of this episode? We'll see, together.
The episode begins with Bert and Anthony apparently calling a truce! So, it's the latter! Hopefully. Becky moves in with the other girls and Laura tells us that she really doesn't like her. Heidi is so pretty. The designers are sent to meet Tim at a school. They're going to be working with children. Viktor is not excited. They will collaborate with a kid on a work of art, then create an avant-garde look for the runway based on the work. That's kind of rad. Viktor's collaborator makes him want to drink. I am. Drinking. Josh C.'s girl is so sweet, I'm adopting her. So, they're all painting and Anthony's work with a lovely girl is so beautiful, I want to cry.
They have to sketch stuff based on the paintings and it seems so hard to me, because the paintings are fantastic and living up to them seems like such a challenge. Olivier is starting to feel unsure about himself. The designers don't want to be too literal, regarding the paintings, which is weird since avant-garde moments are the time to really go for that in the weirdest way, right? Olivier decides to work with chiffon and Josh C. is working with fake fur.
Viktor thinks, based on everyone's fabric choices, that everyone is going down. Josh M. tells us that he lost his mom a couple of years ago. People have a lot of fears about Josh C.'s fake fur moment. God, I love him and hope he's not failing. Josh M. hopes that his direction in the last challenge helps Becky be more creative. We'll talk more about that later.
So, Bert. I know I'm going back and forth but the designers didn't even know he was gay, much less that his partner of many years died of AIDS. Ugh. It just does mean something in the whole scheme of things. The students come into the workroom to see how the progress is going and everyone but Viktor seems happy about that. Erg, Josh C. is making a wolf costume. Viktor was eventually sold by his student, because she freaking SOLD his design to Tim. Everyone feels like Olivier is in trouble, which is frankly shocking. No one believes in Josh C. But, they all so badly want him to do this right.
Kenneth Cole is the guest judge. All of the young artists sit with the designers near the runway. The show is so scary. Who knows what to think? Saying this before the judges say anything: I think Josh C.'s piece is the SAUCE. Shit, Anya's got style.
They like Josh M. I don't. But, they do. They don't like Josh C. Sad. He looks so sad. I love him. They like Laura. They do NOT like Olivier, though Kenneth is more complimentary. They LOVE Anthony's piece. Anthony wins the challenge! It's down to Josh C. and Olivier. Olivier is... in. Poor JOSH! Jesus. How sad. I love him.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously:Cecilia dropped out of the competition. Bert and Anthony were on a team challenge together and all hell broke loose. Josh M. was a total jerk to Becky. And, this is news to all of us, Laura finds Becky to be overly emotional and that's just something she can't understand. Uh oh, danger's a-brewin'. Danielle went home. Josh C. came back!
It's early morning at the Atlas Building. Boys' apartment. Dead body. We all knew it would come to this. Kidding. For now. The guys are gathered around and Anthony says that he doesn't want to be in the bottom two again. He says that he and Bert have come to an understanding and are going to try to start over with each other. Bert agrees with the bottom two thing. He congratulates Viktor for his win as team leader then interviews that he just wants to do what is necessary to stay in the competition. He doesn't want to be an asshole to anybody nor does he want to have to make amends when he wakes in the morning. Everyone agrees to put the claws away and be nice. I don't see Josh M. in the room, so I don't feel confident in this truce.
Here we are in the girls' apartment. First off, we see Laura glaring at Becky as the poor girl shoves a little breakfast in her mouth. Anya asks her how her first night in "Casa del...us" was and Becky says that she was nervous but it was fine. Laura interviews that it has been no secret that she's not the biggest fan of Becky. Wha? It actually has been a complete secret. At least to the audience of this show. Maybe Kimberly knows how much Laura hates Becky, but she hasn't been sharing. Laura says that she's going to make the best of it though. Seriously though, did I black out during the parts when Laura's feud for the ages with freaking BECKY of all people was heating up? Smells like contrivance, which is far sweeter but less sexy than teen spirit. And, it cleans its room. Anya, who we saw at least near Becky during actual conflict, says that it's clean slate time.
In the other boys' apartment, the Joshes are high-fiving over their reunion. Josh M. tells Josh C. that he has to make it work this time. It's that easy.
On the runway, Heidi reminds Viktor and Josh M. that they have immunity this week. Then, she tells the designers that she's sending them back to the classroom -- a place some of them probably haven't seen in a while. Flash to Bert. Of course! Because Bert's so old! I get it. More jokes like that please because sometimes I forget that there's someone over the age of 35 on my teevee and that is a cause for derision and, anybody got something I can poke with? Like a stick? I want to poke at the old person! Anthony figures that they are either dressing students or teachers. Oh shit. Lunch Lady Challenge. Thought of HERE. Would that not be amazing? Oh please happen, Lunch Lady Challenge! Heidi says that the designers will meet some special guests at a school.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
The designers head to the Harlem School of the Arts where Tim is waiting with a couple of teachers or at least adults. Tim introduces Yvette Campbell, who is President and CEO. School's have CEO's? He also introduces Byron McCray who is the interim Director of Visual Arts. Byron looks super effin' psyched to be on Project Runway. There are also a group of kids standing beside paintings that they made. Viktor, accompanied by horror movie music, says, "Working with children... how cute is that?" There's something, and this probably has more to do with my own pathology and an attraction to coldness, really cute about Viktor when his fear/hatred of children is revealed. I am ashamed and excited. Tim tells the designers that they will be collaborating on a work of art with the students. Then, they will need to create an avant-garde look based on the work of art. Everybody looks really excited. In fact, Anya tells us that her parents run a foundation for children using art for transformation. I want to be a part of Anya's family. I'm not kidding about that. We can make this happen.
The designers head to an art studio. The students have been randomly matched with the designers. They all get to work. Wu Qing, Anthony's student, is adorable. She tells him that she likes to paint expressively and she seems really earnest and committed. I like her. Anthony does too. He loves kids. He says that he imagines he's having an easier time than some of the other designers. Cut to Viktor. His girl tells him that she thinks they should make something "bustier-ish." Seriously, Viktor is so attractive when he's coiled like a rattlesnake. His partner is Skyy. Skyy talks a lot. She is sort of directing his design instead of just creating a work of art with him. This is fun. He says that he's not sure if all 12-year old girls are as "vocal" as Skyy. They start painting this lovely blue-green... thing. Skyy asks him what art was like for him as a kid and he says to us that he would have dealt better with the child if he'd had a cocktail in him. They do say we are attracted to our parents. I'm beginning to understand now. Skyy sort of hoots and says that she's a New Yorker, which could have been a normal part of their conversation. Feels like they're trying to make this a retread of the Christian/Maddie Showdown from Season 4. Viktor loves the swirls she makes on the canvas.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
Bert is working with Antonio on a rather abstract, geometrical painting. Bert is very excited about it. Bert asks him if he's been to the Guggenheim. He hasn't and Bert prods him to go. Are we all back on Bert's side yet? I'm feeling that maybe we are and mostly because, though his behavior during the last challenge was pretty heinous, it came from a pure place instead of the Josh M. Grandstanding On Television method of confrontation. Josh C. and his girl student are painting a wolf. He says that, since this is his first challenge post-return where he really has to prove himself, he's feeling a lot of pressure. You can really tell. He seems sort of collapsed in on himself in his interview, like acid reflux or something has claimed several of his internal organs. Josh's girl is so cute. She says that she's going to cry anytime a judge says something negative about the work they're making together. Becky's girl sort of has to explain that their painting is outer spacey. Olivier's partner, Tonyalee, asks him if he listens to music while he works. He does. He likes really depressing music and you see a light bulb go off in Tonyalee's head. The baton has been passed. It's easy to not realize when you're young and learning to be badass that you're supposed to listen to depressing music. Sometimes you really just have to be told.
Josh M. sounds like an idiot as he describes the work that he's making with his young student partner. "It looks like the earth is crying in to itself." No, that was us -- the people that heard you say that. Laura tells her girl, Kai, about the problems that her team had during the last challenge. Also, she admits that she got her first negative feedback of the competition. Kai starts to glow, so that everything around her grows dark. Then, she whispers, "Every failure is an opportunity in disguise." Then, a lightning bolt flies out of her chest and throws Laura across the room. Laura disentangles herself from the mannequins she just knocked down like bowling pins. They are pissed. She tells us that Kai is a little Dalai Lama. She tells Kai that she's going to call her when she's upset. Anthony and his girl made self-portraits that he found empowering. He says that he could use some empowering right about now.
Tim calls time with the art work and all of the designers seem earnestly psyched about what they've created. Yeah, you know what? These kids all seem pretty freaking talented. They are doing this correct up in Harlem! The kids leave and the designers have 30 minutes to sketch. Viktor says that he's never having kids and everyone laughs. Bert is excited to try a different silhouette. Olivier tells us that, when he started the competition, he was in a good place. However, he has gradually lost his way and is feeling very confused. That's sad. I wonder if it was the fall on the track that started all of this. It's a shame Kai wasn't his art partner. She'd know what to do. Josh M. isn't sure what to make because his painting is of a tree and it's organic and he likes things that are fake. He says this and it's kind of funny. You know though, I'm just sort of over this nozzle. Anthony says that he's going to make a nude dress with appliques that will resemble brush strokes. Josh C. is trying to work to make something that's not too literal.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
The designers go to Mood and get to work. Bert makes a very good point. He says that Mood is the hardest part of the challenges, because once you leave there is no changing your mind about your fabric (and, ultimately, your design). So, while we've been thinking that being a great sewing person is the ace in the hole, it's also being a great shopper. Laura says that calculating the yardage is a big deal because you'll need a lot of fabric for an avant garde look. Olivier gets a lot of chiffon, a fabric he has never worked with. Things are not looking great for him right now. This is Josh C.'s first time at Mood and he's finding it super stressful. He only spent $170 of the $300 he was allotted. Wha? Grab some gum at the counter or something. I'd spend ALL OF THAT MONEY. Don't leave with money, Josh. I swear.
Back at the workroom, Viktor is skeptical of everyone's fabric choices. He thinks that Josh C.'s fake fur is gonna be crazy. Wow, he has lots of opinions. He thinks Anya has too many feathers. Anya has too many NOTHING, that's what she has too many of. He doesn't like Kimberly's irridescent fabric. He's not sure Becky knows what avant garde is and he saw Bryce's sketch and thinks it's a mermaid dress from 1985. Anya shows this paisley material to Viktor and he thinks everyone is going down.
Tim comes in to tell everyone that they will have until the end of the day to work, as well as the entire day. Bert asks him to repeat something he said at Mood. It was that this is not a red carpet challenge. To Bert, this means that the look should be exaggerated and forward-thinking. Tim tells everyone to make it work, which is sadly losing its power. Ah, words. Becky thinks this challenge is "Go weird or go home." Not a terrible read on what's needed. Laura says that she considers avant-garde to be something that can't be worn in real life. She also corrects Becky and says that she's not sure "weird" is the right word. She prefers "out there." Ah, words... that mean the same thing as other words. Laura thinks that Lady Gaga wears avant-garde. She is right. They should have gone to the meat shop for this challenge instead of Mood. Viktor thinks that avant-garde is something that makes you wonder how it was done.
Olivier is seeing a lot of bright colors around the room, which is different from his muted palette. Bryce is using a bright red, which is unusual for him. So, Josh M. has an idea. He's making a circle skirt treated to appear like wood. He's thinking of fire traveling across the bodice. He's going to put a heart and initials on the breast, to mimic when someone carves their initials into a tree. He tells Anthony that he might put his mom's initials. Then, he interviews that his mother passed away two years earlier from ovarian cancer. He says that she was his rock and inspiration and the reason he is able to be on the show. Anthony says that he likes the story behind his sketch, then he wipes his eye in a way that I think was edited in a way that is supposed to imply that Anthony was crying just then. I don't think he was.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
It's time for everyone to talk about Josh C.'s faux fur now. Anthony says that you have to be the right person to use faux fur. Anthony says that walking down the runway looking like the Abdominable Snowman is not avant-garde. But, maybe, isn't it? I'm confused about how avant-garde is essentially everything beyond boring or normal, but everybody thinks there are all these RULES. Shouldn't it just be compelling? Screw the other limitations. It's like Jennifer Carpenter on Dexter. There's really nothing attractive or even correct about her performance, but it's incredibly bold and exciting and you can't not look at it. Josh puts some fake fur on his head and giggles that it's all the rage, but someone corrects him and says that's only in Paris. There's this weird group think that's happening in the workroom this season and, while I find something about the intensity of it kind of intriguing, I think it's ultimately anathema to true creativity. I wonder what everyone's signs are. I'm guessing you got a lump of Libras in there. If Olivier or Anya were Aries, this shit would be off the hook, but, alas, I probably don't even know what I'm talking about.
Anya asks for a "really long ruler" and Bryce starts to giggle. Viktor says that he has a "semi-long" ruler and more guys start giggling. Viktor tells them to get their minds out of the gutter. Don't listen! More minds in gutter, PLEASE! Bert is trying all sorts of new stuff. He's dyeing fabric and he's making this really interestingly-shaped pant. They are going to balloon over the hips and his challenge is to not make his girl look silly. There's an accident and Bert knocks several mannequins over. They're like, "Is this some sort of trend? Ow." Laura says, "Man down." Bert replies, "Two man down." Anthony says that the fit of his dress has to be perfect. Laura is burning the edges of her organza to keep in from fraying, which lends itself to the floral theme of her design by resembling wilted petals. She makes a remark about fear of starting a fire and Josh C. says that he is an Eagle Scout and would be able to put out the fire. Love. Is it gross to have a thing for grown up Eagle Scouts? Anyway, Laura hears, "Needle Scout," which is frankly awesome.
Josh M. says that he's interested to see what Becky does for this challenge. He hopes that his direction in the last challenge maybe helped her be a little more creative. That's a crazy thing to say, but I sort of respect him for it. I haven't seen anybody, save maybe Olivier or Anya, do anything so purely creative that it makes Becky look like Holly Hobbie, but clearly people don't have a lot of faith in her ability to innovate. Viktor says that this is the first time he's nervous for a challenge. He's hoping that his dress doesn't look like a House of Dereon design and, shit, that is funny. Somebody says, "Blasphemy." He says that he loves Beyoncé though.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
As Bert is picking his teeth, Laura asks him if he's gay or straight. Gay. She tells him that he could play the "straight card" and he replies, "Yeah, well." I don't know what she means by that. Like, be the designer that comes on and says he's straight so that he seems different from everyone else? Truth be told, as many straight guys as gay guys have won this thing, haven't they? That seems disproportionate. Whatever. Laura asks if he's married and he says that he's widowed. Several people "Aw" at the news. She asks if it was sudden and he says no, he had AIDS. Man, Bert is an interesting guy. Just his delivery -- when the facts of matters have been as intense as the facts of his matters, most everything sounds pretty matter of fact. He says that they were together for 18 years and it was love at first sight. He interviews that, when his partner John died, he'd never lost anyone that had meant that much to him. It took him to a dark place, which lead to alcohol abuse. His life spiraled out of control and he's glad to be out of that now and enjoying his life again. We get to see Bert Skype with his family. His sister is watching his dog for him, which is cute. She's super excited to see him and says that she's proud of him and that he looks great. He's happy that there are people still around who are rooting for him. Damn. Sentiments like that are earned from having a really fucking hard time. His sister tells him to "make it work" and he does that thing that I have no name for. That gesture sometimes accompanied by an extended middle finger. You know, where you bend your elbow up and grab the crook with your other hand. On some Discovery Channel show about body language I saw years ago, they said it was a sign for an "aggressively erect penis," which is apparently insulting. Who knew? Bert says that you can forget that there are people to go back to that you love and miss.
Kimberly is not as far along as she had hoped. Josh C. is feeling good about his work. Bryce announces, "Ok, it's 10 o'clock. Let's get your stuff and go." This gets laughs and I'm assuming he's doing some sort of impression, but it doesn't really sound like Tim, so I'm not sure who he's doing. He actually sounded like Michael Kors, but you know Kors ain't having to be a tour guide on this resort.
That night, Laura says that she's feeling a lot of anxiety being at the same work table as Josh C. His wolf thing is making her nervous. They're talking about it in the boys' apartment too. Josh C. loves his wolf and Josh M. thinks it was inspiring too. Kimberly says that Josh C. probably has a lot to prove, seeing that he was in the bottom twice before and here he is on his own for the first time. Becky adds that this is a competition and somebody has to go home. There needs to be a moratorium on the sort of game book of reality competition spewing that happens. Yeah, we've been watching the show for 72 years, Becky, somebody mostly always goes home. Don't ever fucking tell me how this show works again or I will set fire to your back issues of Sassy.>
| Season 9 | Episode 6
The day, as they return to work, Viktor comments that Olivier is like a turtle. He takes a long time to do anything. Also, he's a worrier. Not a "warrior," but a worrier. We got it. Sometimes, I feel like people hear "lawn" when I say my last name. When I was a kid, once pizza was delivered to my house and they'd heard "Wong," per the receipt. This got a wot of miweage in the Wong Househowd. Josh C. is describing his look to Laura and she is barely masking her bad thoughts about the look.
Tim comes in and brings the artwork, accompanied by the child collaborators. Viktor says that he just plastered a smile on his face when he saw Skyy. Kai is super supportive of Laura. She's a deity, what does she really care? Anya's girl loves the feathers on the dress, so take that, Viktor. Sasha, Josh C.'s art partner, suggests that he emphasize the rib cage, similar to their painting. He says that he could do that. Skyy is a trip. She tells Viktor that if she found a dress like the one he is making and it was very cheap she would definitely buy it. I just find that freaking adorable.
Tim consults. He starts with Anthony who says that Wu Qing and he decided that the orange in his dress should go. Tim agrees that it was a good idea and is excited that Wu Qing is inserting ideas. Anya says that she is working to avoid costume. Tim says that he thinks it would be impossible for her to make anything that wasn't tasteful. He tells Kimberly that she wants to avoid giving Michael Kors the opportunity to talk about a "Hiawatha Moment," which suddenly apparently is a bad thing. Tim reminds Laura that her look needs to be provocative, not just pretty. Becky comments that Laura's design looks like a prom dress. These two, I just don't get the amped up animosity. There better be payoff. The bloody kind. So, Becky has all these weird fabric boxes on her dress, reminding me of something that GWAR might wear as lingerie. Tim warns her to avoid looking like a crafts project. Oh, and the gown is in denim. Viktor, who is going full-stop old men in the balcony on The Muppets for this episode, says that, first, who makes a gown in denim? Second, the weird boxes look like an abandoned FedEx shipment. Tim says that he doesn't think that Becky has gone avant-garde.
Bert tells Tim that he loves the work that he made with Antonio. Kimberly thinks that Bert is going too literal. I'm sick of that criticism. He tells Bert that what he's making is unexpected. He agrees. Olivier explains his look to Tim, but he doesn't think he's taking his look far enough. Olivier tries to draw more advice out of Tim but it looks like he's left even more confused. That's interesting to me, because, like Tim says just now, avant-garde means "to lead." Which means that you need to know where you're coming from. Now, Becky or Josh C., for instance, I can imagine not having a really thorough knowledge of the history of high fashion. It just doesn't seem totally conducive to their backgrounds. Olivier has to know though, right? So, juxtapose what you've seen with what you can do, right? Maybe it's coming from a theatre background, but you don't have to imagine that you are the first person making anything ever to make something that leads. In fact, knowing what came before helps you make something new. If everything we created was in a vacuum, chances are a lot of it would be similar.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
Tim tells Josh M. that his look should be able to stand alone without explanation. Tim wonders if Josh C.'s look is too literal. JESUS. Anthony interviews that he doesn't think Josh's design process is refined enough. OK, I could see that. He says that he thinks it will develop, but unfortunately, for this competition, he needs it now. Tim says that he's not trying to criticize his design, he's just posing questions because he doesn't want Josh to go home again. Josh says that it's hard to take criticism, but Tim is right. NOT REALLY. Seriously, what's on that mannequin is not that bad. It's a little safe, but it's neat too. He says it could just be a wolf costume. Urgh. Did ya'll see Sarah Jessica Parker's outfit recently, where it looked like she was Little Red Riding Hood and her heels were in the shape of wolf paws? That's literal, right? Still fucking cool and edgy, right? This obsession with the literal is almost as obnoxious as the misuse of the word "literally" and additionally, only half as obnoxious as the constant complaining about other people misusing the word "literally." Now, I'd just like to say what I'd do if I were working on Josh C.'s look. What's the first thing you think of when you see a wolf? That t-shirt with the dream catcher, right? You make a giant freaking hoop like a dream catcher or some nonsense! Done. Enjoy your immunity week. Seriously, that's some clever shit.
Skyy talks to Tim about Viktor's look and really sells it. Viktor could learn a few things from her confidence. The kids leave, but Tim says that they will be back for the runway show. Viktor tells everyone that he has learned to appreciate Skyy. He's excited to see if she shuts the judges down during the talkback. Anthony thinks that his design is a big risk, but he's having fun with it. Bryce is trying to make some sort of straightjacket look. Laura thinks that Olivier is a phenomenal designer, but she thinks that he has problems with time management. He's already a minimalist, but she thinks he should have maybe gone super-minimal, in a bold way. I don't even know what that means. Same design, big color? Anyway, she doesn't believe that he has taken his design to the right place.
Anya and Josh C. are sewing to each other and she asks him if he's nervous. He says that he's glad to be able to show his point-of-view. Anya interviews that she thinks he should be making more of a point of proving himself. Josh C. makes himself a faux-fur mohawk that's oddly effective and realistic.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
The models come in for their fittings. Bert tells his girl that he hasn't made pair of pants in 25 years. Becky thinks that she's still in the middle. She hasn't been in the bottom or top. That would be sort of the definition of middle, wouldn't it? Bert and Laura talk as they're working. Laura's doing a lot of gluing, which Bert comments on but makes sure to add that he thinks she's doing a good job. Laura asks him if he's happy with his jodhpurs, but he says they are "fat pants" or "big booty pants." Then, he just sort of adds, "If you got it, shake it." Laura says that his comments are delayed but hilarious. Those two are like becoming friends or something, it would seem. Viktor says of Bert's design, which now has some geometrical shapes on it, that it might not be the most tasteful but it's fun to look at.
Josh C. is still literal. He doesn't seem to know what to do to change it. DREAM CATCHER. You know, though, everybody likes him. Laura tells him that his look has got a vampire vibe and Viktor adds that it's a "Carmen Miranda-Vampire" look. Laura felt like she needed to give him the straight talk. He seems totes freaked now. It's a shame that they've all been conditioned to think of their designs with really reductive terms, but maybe that's just what fashion is. Josh interviews tearfully that, as much as he would love to always be on the right track, he's not sure that he is. He doesn't want to blow his second chance. Gah, he's so sweet. I really love it when men cry on this show. It's weird. I need to have that checked out.
The day, Becky dyes her bangs a new color because it's 2002. Josh C. and Olivier both say that they have a lot of work to do on their looks before the show. Anya says that she thinks that Olivier is ready-to-wear and not avant-garde. She doesn't even feel like she's making a qualitative statement. However, she would be really sad to see him go. Josh M. says that he feels like this is the most subjective challenge that they've had so far.
At the workroom, with three hours before the show, they all get to work. Josh M. says that this is the first time since his mother's passing that he has felt inspired. He's putting her initials on his look. Tim comes in and tells everyone to work like there's no tomorrow, because for someone that's true. Olivier is freaking out. Hair and make-up, including some time with hot make-up daddy. Olivier tries gluing his dress to his model. Tim hears about this and quickly comes in and tells Olivier that it's against the rules. Viktor, who has something to say about everything, says that he thinks gluing is cheating. Now that's unfair. It might be wrong, but I don't think he's trying to do anything nefarious. He's trying to have the girl not be naked on the runway. Becky still thinks that Laura's dress looks like a Barbie. Josh M. thinks that it's time for Bryce to go home. Hmm, second time we've heard that from the designers. He thinks that Bryce has spent more time on being safe than having an honest point-of-view. Well, yeah, I'm completely uninterested in anything Bryce does. Kimberly isn't sure how Bert's look is going to go over with the judges.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
Runway time. Heidi greets the designers. Zanna Roberts Rassi is sitting in for Nina. She's Senior Fashion Editor at Marie Claire. That name is special, huh? Kenneth Cole is the guest judge! The kids are sitting with the designers and Skyy is excited to see Kenneth Cole. Cute. The show begins.
Kimberly's look is first. It's a short dress in pleather, with feathers on top of it. There's an asymmetrical ruffled skirt over a tighter skirt. The coolest part is the pleather skull cap on the model. I guess this qualifies, though the fabric looks pretty cheap. Also, the painting was of a bird and this shit is literal.
Here's Becky's look. The painting is outer space and dress black gown with square rosette-like pieces of interest in green and black. I mean, it's not crazy bad, but it feels like a costume on a children's show. The bottom part which is an asymmetrical hem that goes from short skirt to floor length is the worst part to me because it's just flat and bland and cheap. Becky's partner loves it.
Here's Olivier's look. It's a mess. It's this Grecian thing that's barely put together. I'm just not entirely sure what he was thinking. The colors aren't bad, but the construction is really very bad.
Now Josh M.'s look is up. He has created this circle skirt, that is cinched at the waist and falls out, with a voluminous fire-colored top. It looks kind of like an angora sweater worn backwards, but kinda in a good way. The sleeves end at three-quarters and brown cuffs continue from there downward. The back plunges and it's pretty cute.
Here's Bert. Super high-waisted pants with a lot of volume above the knee, coupled with a strapless bodice. There are little 3-D geometrical shapes scattered on the garment. It's weird and I like it. Like Viktor said, it's fun to look at. Also, there's pleating in the pants that looks really elegant. You see Bert's delicate sensibility inside this weird design. It's really cool. Hate the stupid shapes though. Also, LITERAL.
Here's Viktor's look. It appears that someone used my dream catcher idea after all, but like a really small one. And, the girl is wearing it. It's a dress of white and blue shredded fabric that has rope wrapped around the bodice and the arm that isn't exposed. This is gross to me. The model is super thin and the rope effect makes her look kind of like sausage. Skyy loves it.
Here's Laura's look. It's a shimmery gown that is beautiful and not one bit avant-garde. Beautiful though.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
It's time for Bryce's look. It's a floor-length gown in orange and blue. The sleeves are really long, like a straightjacket. The neck is high and the blue is incorporated in the skirt, which flares (like a mermaid). He thinks it's great, but he's worried about the colors.
Oh Josh C. He has essentially made his look something you could grab at Macy's. What was once a long and ruffled dress is now a short tight skirt. No fur. No interest. Josh likes it, but he's wrong about it being avant-garde.
Here's Anthony's look. It's a sleeveless high-necked gown and his brush stroke effect is interesting, if a tad craft-y. The fit is gorgeous and it moves beautifully.
Anya has created a bubble skirt that is long in the back -- it has kind of a period feel. The bodice is plunging, with lots of feathers. The feathers are amazing. She's unsure if it's actually avant-garde. That girl has style.
The show is over and the designers are lined up. Heidi calls Kimberly, Becky, Anya, Bryce and Viktor all make it through to the challenge. We're left with the best and the worst. Backstage, they try to figure out who is in the top or bottom. Bryce thinks that Bert will be in the bottom, but Viktor disagrees. Bryce says he'll jump out the window if Bert wins the challenge.
The judges start with Josh M. He describes it quite beautifully. He says that the idea is that things may burn but memories remain. Heidi likes it. She loves what he did to the fabric of the skirt. Kenneth likes the draping of the skirt. Michael likes the skirt, but thinks that he went overboard with the styling.
Josh C. explains that he wanted to depict the wolf exposing its heart. Michael says that she looks like a Victorian cocktail waitress and you see Josh C. realize that he's gonna get the shit. It's weird how they don't really know until the judges start talking. Zanna thinks that it's trashy. Heidi says that it's like a Halloween hooker. Josh does something that I really appreciate. He just respectfully says that he disagrees. He knows this is subjective, but he had a different feeling when the model came onto the runway. This doesn't get him any points, but they at least shut up and treat his efforts with a little respect. Zanna says that there is a consensus that the garment is not beautiful. Kenneth says that he doesn't mind the different elements, but they don't come together in the right way.
Zanna doesn't feel like Bert's look doesn't marry the art and fashion. He says that he was trying to pump up the volume. Michael thinks it doesn't feel modern. Heidi liked it, even that it was literal. Kenneth thinks it's too weird.
| Season 9 | Episode 6
Zanna didn't see the inspiration in Laura's look, but got it after hearing the explanation. Is that the way this should work? This ain't Duchamp. You either get it for looking at it, or you don't. Reading materials shouldn't be necessary. What, am I going to need an audio tour to look at her work in a store? Kenneth likes the boning in her bodice. Heidi likes the soft/hard combo.
Olivier describes his look. Afterwards, she asks him if he thinks she loves it. He says that he thinks she doesn't. He's right. She thinks everything about the look is sad, while the painting was not sad. Zanna thinks that the bodice is expert and the lower part is a mess. She also thinks it's boring. Kenneth thinks it's anything but boring. He thinks there is too much going on. Michael thinks the constructed part of the bodice is fantastic, but the rest is a mess. He says that Olivier shouldn't be afraid of being powerful.
Heidi loves Anthony's dress. She's reminded that he's colorblind yet does such great things with color. Michael loves all of the elements. Kenneth thinks that it looks homemade. Zanna likes the brushstroke technique.
The judges confer. Backstage, Laura says that the people in the bottom got really trashed. Josh C. disagrees. Josh M. tells Bert that his look was one of his favorites. The judges say Josh M., Laura and Anthony are their favorites. Kenneth is really not a fan of Anthony's look though. Michael thinks that Olivier makes "Valium clothes." Heidi agrees that it's all sad. They love the painting Josh C. had to work from, but hate his look. Kenneth thinks that the harness at the shoulders is the only thing that distinguished his look. Michael says that Bert's look resembled something a Teletubby would wear to a party. That joke is tired.
The designers return to the stage. Anthony wins the challenge! He has immunity! He's so excited. He says that he's finally a bride. Laura and Josh M. are in. Bert says "Congratulations" to Laura. Heidi tells Bert that he's lucky she liked his look. He's in. Heidi tells Olivier that he was sad and Josh C. that he was uninspired. Olivier is... in. Ugh, again. Josh is a good sport. He interviews that it gets easier being eliminated. Awesome. He says that he's grateful for everything that he has learned. Tim comes in and Josh says that he muffed it up again. He interviews that he's not happy to be leaving, but he's happy with his effort. Per usual, this is only the beginning.
Jeff Long is a writer/performer in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com or followed on Twitter at @jblong.