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Lots of Project Runway red tape in this episode. First, the designers move into their apartments at the Atlas Building. I'm assuming they've mopped up all of the spilled booze from Season 1. They also choose models, and are informed that the model they have chosen will be with them all season.
Heidi throws a party for the designers and the models. At the party, they are told that the new challenge is to create a design from the clothes that on their backs.
Little bits of people's personalities are starting to show. Strongest is Santino, who has a massive ego (and, I think, the talent to match). Daniel Franco appears to be our candidate for breakdown. Andrae is our candidate for Best Actress in a Leading Role as he apes Joan Crawford in a hideous runway crying jag. Ultimately, cutie Chloe Dao is the winner of the challenge. Kirsten Ehrig, who wouldn't use a scarf she was wearing due to sentimental reasons, is justly eliminated. Crazy ugly outfit she made. Want more? The full recap starts right below!
Heidi welcomes the Season 2 designers while on the runway. She tells them that she is hosting a party for them that evening. Tim Gunn will be there to tell them about their challenge. Now, it's model-choosing time, and Heidi has the velvet button bag. Though their models were randomly assigned to them in the challenge, this time they will choose. The girls all enter in black slips. There are 16 of them, and only 14 designers, since two were eliminated in the last challenge. Santino gets to choose first, since he was the winner of the last challenge; he chooses Heather, his model from last time. Nick calls Danyelle his "little Naomi Campbell Part 2." If you were a personal assistant, that would mean that you would definitely not be choosing her. The contestants continue choosing, and few designers choose a new model. The two models that are eliminated aren't identified. I think they are the two that modeled for the eliminated designers. Heidi tells the designers that the model they chose will be with them for the entire competition. This could be very awesome. It would be so funny if one of the models just started gaining a lot of weight. The designer would be stuck with her. Now, it's time for the designers to move into their apartments at the Atlas building.
Santino, Nick, Andrae, and Daniel V. are in an apartment together. Nick interviews that his father was a Greek diplomat and he watched his mother getting ready for parties and that is what made him interested in fashion. Non sequitur much? Santino interviews that it will be really sad when his roommates start being eliminated and he is still there. This guy, he's pulling our legs. However, I don't think he's joking when he declares that he "wants to leave a mark like Shakespeare." Fucking slacker, aim high or something. Apparently, the airbrushed t-shirt is his "thing," as we see him display a purple shirt adorned with a painting of a unicorn and say, "I saw this and had to have it." I have to say, not necessarily my cup of tea, but Santino's working a pretty original look.
Marla interviews that living in an apartment in New York City with a bunch of other people is a big change for her, since she is coming from Allentown, PA. I must say, for having an uncomfortable number of similarities with Wendy Pepper (i.e. Pennsylvanian, mother, oldest of the designers), Marla seems pretty cool. She interviews that Kara and Lupe (Guadalupe) are "easygoing." Lupe is still freaking me out. She's jumpy. Marla notes that Zulema's "style" is different from hers. Translation: Zulema's pushy. We see Zulema laying out her shoes in the shared closet. Marla suggests that maybe she "double up" the amount of shoes vs. space she is using. "Fair is fair," Marla says like a good mommy. "That's not going to happen," replies Zulema. "I don't believe in fairness." Trouble radar beeping. Zulema getting closer. Zulema interviews that she is the oldest of seven children, so living with others is not a problem for her. She then relays a story about how, when she was five years old, her mother couldn't afford to buy her a sewing machine. So, "for the longest time," Zulema had to make clothes by hand. Okay, now I'm hearing some action on the Liar Radar. Yeah, that's you too, Zulema. For real, how many five-year-olds do you know who are sewing their damn clothes? And do you know many mothers who would let their five-year-old operate a sewing machine, whether she could afford it or not? Sorry, I don't buy it. I think we see the world's first confrontational gifting of a clothes hanger as Zulema hands one to Marla and says, "If you would like one I'm more than willing to give [it to] you."
Emmett interviews that when he, Raymundo, and Daniel Franco entered their apartment, he quickly claimed the bedroom with one bed. Emmett thinks that Raymundo and Daniel had no complaints because they don't "want to mess with someone who is 6'6"." Jesus, wouldn't they have to have a special bed for him anyway? Emmett seems a little bitchy, no? It remains to be seen if this bitchiness will be used for good or evil. Currently, I'm pinning him to be the "I didn't come here to be friends with my fellow designers" guy.
As they're getting ready for the party that I'm sure Heidi is sweating right now, making sure the centerpieces look just right, Daniel F. tells Raymundo that the print on his t-shirt is of Rasputin, "the Merlin of Russia." Raymundo replies, "Like Marilyn Monroe?" Daniel laughs and says, "Sort of." Raymundo is wearing these yellow and blue striped socks that I think are pretty cool. He also says that he is wearing his favorite pants because "It never hurts to have, like, little lucky charms." Indeed, they're magically delicious. Daniel interviews that he was the first person eliminated in Season 1 and one of the six designers called onstage during the last challenge. He interviews that he is anxious to show the world what he can do. Poor guy is becoming a little neurotic. The mannequins are worried about him.
We see the ladies getting ready. Chloe interviews that they were only given thirty minutes to prepare for the party. She says that she is wearing a jersey dress that she made for herself recently because it's cute and comfortable. We see Diana ask Kirsten her opinion of what she is planning to wear. Then, we see her wearing a caramel-colored formal gown. Diana interviews that it was her PROM DRESS. It's immediately recognizable as a prom dress. Diana interviews that she feels that she chose a pretty cool prom dress when she was in high school, making it appropriate for repeat wearing. The editors include an interview where Diana says that her fashion sense is derived from science and technology -- she doesn't read fashion magazines. I'm searching for the words right now to express how much this makes me love Diana. She's just so genuine. We see her questioning whether or not she is overdressed.
Kirsten interviews that she is changing her outfit by wearing a gold jacket and tying on a scarf "in remembrance" of her mother. The scarf is tied to her purse, which her mother must have done. Kirsten interviews that she is a lawyer and would love to pursue fashion full-time. Currently, her swimsuit line is just a side project.
They all go to their party. The models are there too. Tim is there! Chloe tells Kirsten that she's going to give Diana a makeover. There is, surprisingly, very little nastiness to that comment. Oh God, Diana, you're in your prom dress. Oh wait, she is now wearing a red dress but with the prom dress's long sheer coat. Still.
Kirsten tells Lupe that she wants her challenge. She interviews that she is sure the challenges will get harder and harder, but she will just "stay true" to her vision and "what [she] think[s] is beautiful."
Tim gathers all of them. He tells them that the challenge is a test of "how far [they] will go for fashion." He commends the designers' personal style and informs them that, for the challenge, they will be using the clothes that they are wearing right now to create their design. Everyone seems really shocked, and, for the first time, I can imagine that they are really stunned. Whoever thought of this twist is good. Nick interviews that "it was like the record was skippin'." He is wearing a leather jacket that he loves. Tim continues -- when they go home that evening, they will put all of their clothes in this snappy little linen bag and bring it to Parsons the day.
When they get to the apartments, they proceed with stripping and putting it in the bags. It kind of resembles some sort of prison procedure. Nick again bemoans the loss of his vintage leather jacket. Andrae, in his interview, mimics Tim telling them about the challenge. Except Tim is Australian to Andrae. For real, he says, "When Tim told us we'd have to 'literally take the clothes off our backs and turn it into fashion,'" and he starts using an Australian accent at "literally." That's fucked up. He thinks Tim Gunn is Robin Leach. Andrae is sad to give up his jeans and jean jacket because he bought them right before he opened his boutique, which just recently closed. They represent something to him. Dear producers of Project Runway: Please don't make me look at Andrae taking off his clothes ever again. Nick holds up his printed brief underwear and says, "Hopefully, there's a sink with soap." Shit, I shouldn't have sent that letter yet.
Kirsten interviews that she is upset that she wore the scarf that she wore, because it's a family heirloom. She is not sure if she is going to use it or not.
Chloe interviews that when she first heard the challenge, she was nervous because the garment that she wore is very simple. She's ready to rock, though. I like Chloe -- confident without any attitude.
At Parsons, Tim tells them that their challenge is about invention, innovation, and transforming materials. They only have this one day to work on their designs.
Santino sings to his leather jacket as he starts to deconstruct it. He interviews that he is excited because he wore enough clothing to allow him to design successfully. He also says that he doesn't treasure any "material possession" so much that he would have a problem using it for his design. Zen or mercenary? You decide.
Emmett is staring at his clothes when Santino bellows, "Emmett, get to work. Stop effing around." Nick advises Emmett to just start cutting. Emmett hears no one. Like a robot, Emmett explains that he spent two hours conceptualizing because, without a good concept, all else would be "futile."
As Zulema is cutting a gold sweater that is on her dress form, she says, "I like it. I mean, if I didn't like it, it wouldn't be on the mannequin. I wouldn't be cutting. I would never cut if didn't like something. I cut when I'm certain." I hate when people talk about themselves in absolutes. She then interviews that you should "just do it." Don't conceptualize. Those two philosophies don't really jive together. Don't cut until you're sure vs. don't overthink, just cut. Seems like being the oldest of seven children made Zulema a little too used to an audience for her bullshit. She also laughs off the idea of missing her deadline. Because -- yeah, you guessed it -- Zulema NEVER misses deadlines. She also never shuts up.
Kirsten interviews that she is not using the scarf. Instead, she is making a skirt with the gold jacket and jeans that she wore. With the Porsche printed t-shirt that she was wearing, she will make a…shirt. The lore of the scarf gets larger as we hear that it was given to Kirsten's mother by her grandmother around the time of Kirsten's birth. Later, we'll find out that it was used to smuggle refugees out of Communist Cuba. Kirsten models her top (which seems to be a smaller version of the t-shirt it was earlier) for Andrae and he asks her what her "intentions" are. Is she going to bring the shirt in before curfew? Will there be any drinking at the party? Adult supervision? Andrae interviews that bad design is design without intention.
Raymundo flatly interviews that Kirsten's top is like a bra "with a napkin on top of that." That's really funny. Andrae tells Kirsten that her design should look like she "really mean[s] it."
We see Kara floating around the workshop asking for thread as Zulema starts interviewing that Kara gets flustered easily. Kara's having a problem with the sewing machines. She asks for help, and Santino refuses. Wow. These guys are hardcore. Kara seems to understand, though. She interviews that as the challenges go on, there will be less time for assistance from the other designers.
At one point, Santino jokingly asks Lupe if she will finish his design for him. "Sure," she replies, "don't expect to win, though." Laughs all around.
Tim comes in to check on everyone. We see Chloe explaining her design to Tim. Along with the blue jersey dress that she was wearing, she will use the black coat that she wore over it. She interviews that it was not a lot of fabric. She's shooting for a "geometric, pretty cool minidress."
It appears that Kirsten has realized that her design really resembles what she was wearing before. Tim doesn't like the top, particularly the napkin effect. Kirsten interviews that she was overwhelmed by his comments and did not know what to work on first. Tim is worried that Andrae won't have enough time to finish his design. He interviews that he is creating a chi pao, which is a traditional Chinese dress. All right, I'm buying it so far.
We see Lupe going to each of the designers and coaching them. She gives Diana advice on her tailoring. Also, she asks several designers to describe what is innovative about their design. Nick nails her in her interview for being "kind of nervy." He suggests that she might "get hurt" if she tries to do the same with him.
Daniel Franco has spiraled into a web of anxiety. Kirsten interviews that she can feel his stress. Santino says that Daniel complicates things. Daniel is trying to add a lot of tailoring to his garment, and there's no time. Santino interviews that he admires Daniel for coming back to the show, and wonders if Daniel will be back for the third season if he doesn't win this year. Well, it started out nice. At midnight, Tim tells everyone that they must stop. Emmett interviews that 80% of the designers weren't finished with their garments, which "really surprised" him. Sounds like someone finds himself above this whole process. He thinks the others should have considered the time, and he's right, but it's not hard to understand people getting ambitious. They want to be impressive. Andrae's dress is unassembled. Daniel is not finished either, and interviews that he feels like he failed.
The morning, we see Zulema waking. With much originality, she coins "D-Day" as her description of occasions when her work will be judged on the runway. She says that she is unsure of whether, upon entering Parsons, she will love her design or hate it. You know that feeling. You stayed up all night writing a paper and think it's brilliant. Then, you take a nap. When you wake up you're afraid your paper is incoherent. I think that's what she means.
Daniel is still freaking out. He interviews that he just wants his garment to be beautiful. He's kind of heartbreaking right now. The mannequins are suggesting medication. Kirsten interviews that, though she will be disappointed if she's sent home by the judges, she is very proud of her design.
At Parsons, Tim tells the designers that they have only two hours to fit their models, as well as stops at the hair room and the makeup room. Tim expresses concern about the unfinished garments in the room. He recommends smart time management.
Once they get started, we see Daniel interview that his aspirations for quality get in the way of his completing the challenges. That's understandable. But, dude, learn.
The models arrive and Tim declares it "Make it work time." Tim tells Raymundo that his model has dropped out of the show. Damn. So, they've called one of the eliminated models to be the replacement. That's really embarrassing, because Raymundo was the last person to choose his model, which means he quite specifically did NOT choose the model that he is about to get. And she might hate him a little. Except: Allison is the model. She was John Wade's model and I recall her seeming very friendly. She's beautiful too. What a trouper, Allison!
Zulema's dress is showing her model's ass. Zulema, with much delusion, interviews that while the dress is "short for [her] taste," she sees women wearing dresses like that "all of the time." Where? In the gym locker room before they've put on their pants? That's a shirt, Zulema.
Hair! Makeup! Dude, we see a little airbrush makeup action happening. That's cool.
Kirsten, upon fitting her model and watching her walk, declare her model "fierce." If she tells her to "work," we're going to have problems. She interviews that her design is going to stand out and is "totally rock and roll." Kirsten is a dinosaur.
Daniel is still freaking out. He finishes, though. With fifteen minutes remaining, Andrae's design is still on the dress form! Tim understates that it is "a little alarming." Emmett interviews that Andrae was freaking out. Emmett helps sew the model into the dress while lecturing Andrae about not being prepared. Where was he when Kara needed help? Andrae is pushing it until the very end. Tim finally tells him that he has to stop working. We hear Andrae repeat that the design is important to him because of its symbolism. It represents that last three difficult years of his life.
Heidi welcomes the designers to the runway. She is really gorgeous. Pregnancy suits her. The judges are Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and Diane von Furstenberg. She smiles and wishes them good luck as the designers "ooh" and clap for her. They're really impressed.
The show begins. Santino's design is first. His leather jacket has been fashioned into a skirt. There's some bustle action in the back that gives it a kind of period funk look. The bodice is white cloth (I'm not sure what part of his outfit this was originally) that is fashioned into sort of a sweetheart neckline. There's pleating on the bodice that makes it look really luxurious. Part of the leather jacket is used to create a tiny jacket that just creates cap sleeves for the bodice. It is certainly innovative and all of the things that this challenge is supposed to be. Santino interviews that, as he was draping the mannequin, the lines of his design were revealed and he thinks it is really cool. The one thing that looks a little weird is the zipper on the front. It opens into the bodice of the design, and only right at that point am I aware that this girl is wearing a leather jacket as a skirt.
Lupe's is . She used her multicolored skirt to make a shorter skirt. The purple blazer that she was wearing is the top. It has been transformed into a tank top with lots of different pleats. There's a red strip of fabric on the bodice. Not sure where that came from. It's cute and fits the model nicely, but I'm not into making the skirt another skirt. It seems like cheating a little.
Here is Emmett's design, worn by Ashley Judd with a wig, a.k.a. Shannon. His shirt has been turned into a short dress with a sash at the waist made of shirt fabric. The shirt is sleeveless now, with a blue trim at the arms. The jeans have been turned into a jacket, which resembles jeans worn on the arms. Not so much transformed there. The dress is pretty in the back. There's some bunching and a little bow, but all I can see is that hideous jacket. Emmett interviews that he could defend his design.
Raymundo's design is , worn by good sport Allison! Okay, problem. With the shirt, pants, and jacket that he was wearing at the party, Raymundo has created a shirt, pants, and a jacket. They're just fitted to the model. The only thing he did was take the sleeves off his polo, and he made a waistband that is white and black. He also made the windbreaker a sleeveless blazer, so maybe my first impression was a little off. Still, it's like he just tailored the garments that he had. It looks hot, but that was not the challenge. She should totally wear that out, though. Raymundo interviews that he wants to stay for the "long run."
Daniel Franco's design is . Due, I'm sure, to the fact that he was wearing black, we see more of his signature black on black. It's a high-waisted skirt with a short blazer. The skirt is fitted and flares at the knee. It's not bad. The jacket fits a little weird, but it is still cool. There's no sign of his red t-shirt. He interviews that attention to detail is his forte.
Andrae's design is . His model, Danyelle, is adorable. At the end of the runway, she does this kneeling cat scratch pose that's very cute. Now, the dress. It's falling off of her; the seams are not sewn tightly enough. Otherwise, it seems pretty cool; it's a little Chinese dress. Andrae has a sympathy pose with Danyelle when she's doing her thing at the end of the runway. He's like a mom at her kid's pre-K Christmas pageant. He interviews with that same song and dance about how his store closed and this dress is important because of that.
Daniel Vosovic, from whom we've not heard one word during this episode, has his model walk . His safari jacket has been turned into a skirt and his scarf is a halter top. Simple, but cool and really nicely tailored. Daniel says that he is confident with his design. I am confident that he and his model Rebecca are cuties.
Marla's design is . It's a miniskirt and denim camisole-shaped top. The skirt is made out of the top and the top made out of her blue jeans. There is a white fringe on the top, created from Marla's white blazer; the top is backless. Marla interviews that her design doesn't have to be amazing, just good enough to stay. Marla sounds like Catherine Keener a little bit. She's right -- her design fulfills the requirements of the challenge, though probably no one would wear that design out.
Chloe's design is , and rocks. It is a sleeveless, spaghetti-strapped blue dress with black pockets. The pockets are big and deep. The black continues from the pockets to the back of the dress, where it completes the back of the bodice. In the fabric continues from the straps in a thin strip until it widens into the skirt, essentially creating really large wide holes for her arms. Chloe says that she is honest with herself about her work, and this piece is honestly really good.
Nick's design is . He has created a leather skirt. The top creates cutouts on both sides of the model's torso, while a belt strap on either side gives the design a little more edge. The top is backless and there are some chains decorating her. There is a single vertical strip of fabric in the middle of the skirt. I bet that makes the skirt move a lot more easily. There's also a fox tail hanging on the back of the skirt. Nick is proud of his design.
Here we have Kara's design. She has turned her jeans into short bloomers and her scarf is a really nice spaghetti-strapped top. Her white coat has been used to create a hat. Kara describes the look quite accurately as a "very urban Oliver Twist hipster look." I could totally see someone wearing this. It's cool.
This is followed by Kirsten's design. The skirt is interesting -- alternating gold leather and denim vertical panels. The top is missing the napkin effect now. It's just a cheap-looking halter. Kirsten says that she has mixed rock and roll with Parisian chic. I really can't stand it when she describes things.
Diana's design is . She has taken the red dress she was wearing and added some asymmetrical stitching to the bodice. The prom coat that she was wearing has been transformed into a petticoat of sorts, over which the shortened a asymmetrical bottom of the dress falls. I'm not sure the dress is "transformed," but in her interview she says that she wanted to explore movement with the dress and I would say she has accomplished that.
Zulema's dress is . It is so short. It was a cardigan to start out with, and it looks like she transformed the neckline. It's a scoopneck now, whereas before, it had a traditional cardigan neckline. The back is scooped too. Zulema knows it's too short. She interviews that she didn't wear much to the party. You were ready for winter in Nova Scotia compared to your model, Zulema. On another note, I thought I'd enjoy model butt a little more than I did.
The designers are called onto the stage. Lupe, Emmett, Raymundo, Marla, Nick, Kara, Diana, and Daniel Vosovic are safe. Remaining are the highest and lowest scores. The models return. Santino tells Heidi that the jacket in his design was his favorite. He also adds that he would give his skin for fashion, which Diane quite accurately points out he did. Leather being skin and all. Santino says he wants to be a billionaire and, when he is, he'll buy a whole bunch of jackets.
Diane asks Chloe about her design. Chloe says she liked the lines and shapes on her design. Heidi replies, "I love it. If I didn't have this bump, I'd wear it right now." That's the first time I've actually heard a person describe their own pregnant belly as a "bump." I thought only US Weekly called it that. Nina likes it too. Diane says that it shows Chloe's personality and the dress is beautiful.
Daniel F. tells Michael that he reset the sleeves, polished the denim, and he changed the silhouette. After looking quietly, Michael tells him that it is very "good-looking." They're yanking this guy around now. I've never seen them wait so long to tell a person that they like his stuff. They know he's squirming. Nina seconds that it is beautiful. His model pats his back, which I think is so sweet.
Heidi points out that Zulema's dress is very short, and Zulema says about poor Rachael, her model, that "she has a lot of booty." This episode is not going to be fun for her to watch. ["I really don't know where that comment came from. The model's ass looked pretty flat to me." -- Sars] Nina tells Zulema to not make excuses, and she whines that she did the best that she could with the materials she had. Boo. Kirsten explains to Nina the importance of the scarf that she didn't use. Nina asks why she didn't use the scarf in a way that didn't destroy it (though I'm sure all of the designs become property of Bravo). Michael says that Kirsten went over the top with her design.
Heidi asks Andrae what he was thinking. He starts talking about that fucking store closing again, and begins crying. It's so very painful. Santino is looking down and chuckling, thus showing on behalf of America what we all felt from our living rooms. Heidi, nonplussed and making me love her, goes, "Are those happy tears or sad tears?" To which Andrae answers, "Both." Andrae is dead to me. Heidi saves the day a little more by saying, "I can't tell if you like what you did or you hate what you did. I'm completely confused!" He responds, without responding, that he wore clothes that night that reflected his "bedraggled" emotional state. This is so hideous. Nina drolls that she wishes Andrae had put this emotion into his design. "I don't need to hear all this." Love you, Nina. Santino is still laughing. Essentially, everyone is acting exactly how they should except for crazy crazy Andrae, who now screams to the clouds, "I'm not supposed to be crying! Jesus." Michael adds to the pile of appropriate behavior by remarking, "I fear for you that you can't offer us just a nice, simple explanation." Oh my god, thankfully, they leave the runway.
The judges think that Andrae is a big ham. Nina says she is confused by his reaction. They remark that the bottom of his design was unfinished. They hate Kirsten's design. Michael says that the top looked like "a bad Guns 'n Roses" concert, which I didn't know existed. Axl forever. Michael nails Kirsten for saying earlier that she would wear the top with something different and the skirt with a different top. "Then why did you put them together?" Diane likes Zulema's dress, but Heidi is really disturbed by the butt showing. "You wouldn't let a girl walk down the runway with her butt hanging out like that, would you?" Heidi implores Michael. "No, I wouldn't." This episode is going to be on the Heidi's Greatest Hits reel one day. She's really funny. They like Daniel Franco's design. Even more so, they love Chloe's design. Seemingly even more than Chloe, they like Santino. Diane gives him props for his vision.
The designers return. Zulema is "in." She effusively thanks the judges, telling them that she won't be making anymore mistakes and will show them what a good "draper" she is. Daniel Franco is "in." Heidi gives him a "nice job," which is sweet. Chloe is the winner of the challenge. She walks off to the strummy challenge winner music. Santino is "in." When he goes backstage, he says, "They just didn't want to give me two in a row." Bitch doesn't even congratulate Chloe. He's pushing it, that one. Heidi tells Kirsten that they wish she'd used more of her resources and "[her] taste level wasn't there." Way to dress up a fucking nasty left hook. Your design career is really going to flourish after being told you're tacky. Andrae is told that his story is moving, but his designs should be more moving. Andrae is "in." He hugs Kirsten and, oh no, starts to sniffle. "I really like her. That's what's so awful." Stupid baby. He wipes away his tears in an arm-wide production, and stumbles off the stage. Auf wiedersehen, Kirsten.
She interviews that she hated having to say goodbye. Then she says that she doesn't have many things that belong to her mother or grandmother, so she doesn't regret her decision to not use the scarf. That kind of makes me admire her a little, but she could still have made something different. Turn the fucking Porsche t-shirt inside out, at the very least. As she is cleaning her workspace, Kirsten ties the magic scarf around her neck and suddenly disappears! Oh, now I get it. Invisible never works very well on the runway.