Bravo. Not just a network, but also a kudo to the people who faked me the fuck out. I am stunned.
First, the designers threw themselves into their thirteenth designs. Everyone seemed a vague mixture of confident and desperate.
Then it was runway time. Daniel went first, sweetly thanking his family before the show. His collection was lovely. Rebecca almost fell while wearing his gown, which was a little scary.
was Chloe's collection. Pretty stuff. Nobody fell.
Santino's was the final collection. He sweetly pointed out his mother before his show. The girls who walked for him were serious. For a second, I thought they were storm troopers. But they weren't. They were soldiers of fashion.
With Debra Messing as the guest judge, the panel mulled over everyone's faults. Daniel was too young, Santino didnât know where to put boobs, and Chloe wasn't original enough.
In the end, it was COMPLETELY surprising. For real, who was the very last person you thought would win? No matter who you hated or who you loved, Chloe was the last person you expected to win. Right? You and I were wrong. I guess I'm happy, because the least the cosmos can do is give her a Banana Republic mentorship after she spent years in a refugee camp. And we got to see her sisters and mother congratulate her on the runway. It was a lovely scene. You know, I don't expect to see Chloe's stuff in the Met anytime soon, but it's good to see the nice girl win every once in a while. Just don't let it happen too often.
Previously: Santino, Chloe, and Daniel V., after months of preparation on their lines for Fashion Week (as well as a visit to each from Tim Gunn), met back in New York. They chose their models, designed the hair and make-up motifs for their show, worked feverishly to polish their designs -- they just generally worked their asses off. Then just as they light was visible at the end of the tunnel and they started to acknowledge their own fatigue, Heidi and Tim told the designers that they would have to design a thirteenth design for their twelve-piece collection. Everyone was freaked out, though Chloe seemed to be especially devastated. She pulled herself together and managed to find a little humor in the situation. Could it be that someone's favorite emotion is laughter through tears? That's my girl.
The show begins with forty hours remaining before the fashion show. We see them returning from Mood, where they shopped for supplies for the thirteenth design. Everyone seems flattened. I can see why. Imagine -- you've spent months and untold hours planning and creating a fashion line that you hope takes you to the level of your career. This is after a month or however long it takes them to film the challenges, where you're using an entire different part of your brain, design-wise. A lot of the designers have said in interviews that a designer doesn't usually do his or her own sewing or have the time constraints that the Project Runway challenges use. So, you spent that time stretching your abilities and dealing with personalities and cameras and sleeping in a strange bed (that actually sounds like my first year in New York). You're in the final stretch and focused and doing your best on a lack of sleep. You're already pooped out of your mind when someone tells you that you have to switch gears and use that Project Runway Challenge part of your brain again. Not only are they asking you to use energy that you probably don't have, you run the risk of sending something unfinished down the runway when you've been working so hard to tailor your collection to your exact preferences. That seems like it would really suck.
Santino reminds us that the designers got to choose one of the season's eliminated designers to help with the thirteenth design. Santino chose Andrae, Daniel chose Nick, and Chloe chose Diana. Nick, who is identified in the onscreen graphic as "Eliminated Show #10," says in an interview that he really loves Daniel's collection. He describes it as elegant, classic American sportswear. However, along with the thirteenth design, a lot of finishing touches have to be applied to the collection. We've heard that tune before, as sung by Tim Gunn. I guess I can't see it as clearly when filtered through television, but it sounds like his shit is ready to fall apart. Successful in concept but junky in execution. It doesn't look that bad from home, though.
Chloe is describing to Diana an idea for the thirteenth design. At first, I thought she said that it would have "that valium look," which sounded really fabulous to me. I'm seeing 1970s housewife, frosted lips, Virginia Slims. But my closed captioning tells me that she actually said "volume look," which saddens me. You've not come as long a way as I was hoping, baby. She interviews that this collection is her "fantasy fashion show." I'm not sure if she means this is the show about which she has always fantasized, or if fantasy is the theme of the collection. She adds that the new challenge has offered her the opportunity to have "another gold piece" in her collection, which she felt like it needed. The connection of gold to a "fantasy fashion show" seems kind of nebulous, doesn't it? I guess people fantasize about having lots of gold. Are there going to be unicorns in the collection? The models should all wear unicorn horns. That's very fantasy.
Diana says to Chloe that they should be careful to make sure the length of the gold dress they're making is not the same length as the gold dress already in Chloe's collection. Chloe almost snappishly replies that a six-foot model will wear the gold dress she made already. She says it looking at Diana just below eye level, then meets her eyes at the end of the sentence. "The first dress is going to be worn by a six-foot-tall model." Then, eye contact! Diana interviews that Chloe is pretty distressed about the new challenge. Chloe says that she told "Miss Diana" that she was responsible for the thirteenth piece. Their exchange is kind of cool, because Chloe tells her that she trusts her to "knock it out." It's an interesting side of her that she can delegate effectively.
Santino seems really out of sorts. He says that he bought some jersey fabric at Mood, but is still not sure what he's going to make. It looks like Andrae is doing his best to keep Santino calm. He reminds Santino that they need to make the new look fit with the rest of the collection. Santino says (with equal parts humor and panic), "I'm freaking out, Andrae." He interviews that he's "dragging his feet" making the new piece. The mannequins are like, "Dude, don't blow it now."
Later, with thirty-three hours until the runway show, everyone is racing against the clock. Their deadline that evening is 1:00 AM. All of them interview that they don't have enough time to finish. Santino cuts to the chase and says, "I'm fucked." Chloe says that Diana is "killing" her, apparently because she has made the new design too complicated to finish. Hey, count your blessings. I don't see any Bunsen burners or Ethernet connection outlets integrated into the design of the dress -- you can only expect the girl to change so much. 1:00 AM arrives and they retire for the evening.
The morning, the designers wake up in what is arguably the ugliest fucking building in all of New York -- nay, North America. The Westin Hotel. It looks like a Mondrian fake mixed with baby poop. As Chloe is getting ready to go back to the Banana Republic workroom, she says that she is exhausted. She's a businesswoman, though, she says. So, she will do what she has to do.
Santino is starting to show signs of weakness. Maybe he'll finish the thirteenth design. Maybe instead he'll send a "naked model" down the runway. Either way, "it's not the end-all be-all of [him] as a designer." That doesn't sound so good. What does sound good is an obviously dead tired Santino calling for Chloe and doing his Tim Gunn impression. "What happened to Chloe?" His voice cracks while he's doing it. He gets a good laugh out of Daniel.
When they get to the workroom, Santino says, "The objective is to stay awake today." Then, to the amusement of the designers and their helping hands, Santino does more Tim Gunn. "Do you know how many designers would kill for this opportunity? To make shit and send it down the runway in front of all of New York and the world?" Then, unbelievably, Tim walks in. How many times did that happen this season? It's as if Santino summons him with his imitation. Either that or it's editor-created tension. The quickly edited these-two-things-happened-at-the-same-time is the Kitchen Aid standing mixer of reality show tools. Everybody's got one.
Tim has Collier Strong with him. With arms akimbo, Tim introduces Collier. Mr. Strong tells them that they are going to the L'Oreal Tech Center to work on the looks for the fashion show. Rebecca, Heather, and Grace are Collier's canvases. Daniel interviews that he wanted a "windblown rosy-cheeked look." He seems very happy with the results. Chloe says that, since her clothes are "strong," she wants to make-up to be "light and pretty." Collier puts some white eye shadow all around Grace's eye. It looks really striking and pretty. Chloe is thrilled. Santino wants his girls to look like pigeons. Kidding! He wants intense eyes for all of the models. Santino, who is itching to get back to the workroom, says, "I've still got so much to do, Collier. One eye is fine. I get it."
Back at the workroom, Nick, Andrae, and Diana are working on the thirteenth design. Andrae interviews that they will be making "a dress, or some permutation thereof." Santino has pulled it off before while under the same pressure, but he has also…not. But Andrae feels good. He thinks they are in a good space for creating. In his interview, Andrae's wearing an orange polo with a blue t-shirt underneath. Those colors really work for him. I don't even like orange that much, but Andrae looks smashing. With eighteen hours remaining before the fashion show, the designers return to the workroom. "Hi kids, Mama's home," says Santino. He explains in an interview that his collection's theme is 1940s Hollywood glamour and…okay, I just needed to finish yawning there. So, his theme is seen-it-before Hollywood, and Andrae has some ideas for the thirteenth design that will fit in with the rest of the collection. I'm not trying to rag on the guy, but Hollywood glamour? I just can't get excited about that.
Later, Tim Gunn enters the workroom. Hey, there's Danyelle! I guess the helping hand's model will be modeling the thirteenth design. That's good, because Danyelle was a sweetheart. And the dress looks great. Tim thinks it's beautiful. Santino interviews that it is "amazingly beautiful." Everyone aboard the Santino ship seems very relieved.
Daniel tells Tim that the thirteenth design is "by far a benefit." He says that Nick did a very good job sewing it and that it "invigorates the collection." Tim says that he knew the challenge would be good for Daniel. I wonder why. Is it because Daniel's designs seemed to hit the mark more when they were challenges that removed him from his comfort zone? Or did he just think something was missing from Daniel's collection? Daniel says to the cameras that the dress accentuates and pulls the collection together. It adds an element that was needed.
When Tim asks Chloe about her thirteenth design, she tells him that it is still in pieces. Diana kind of smiles, because what else are you going to do when you're all but fucked? Pieces? They've only got like a few more hours. Diana has the muslin version of the dress kind of wrapped around her as she explains to Tim what the bodice will look like and that there will be pockets. Tim says, "Why are you bothering with a pocket at this hour?" Chloe responds that it won't be that hard to build a pocket. Diana says that the dress will look really cute when the model has her hands in the pockets. Tim seems to be calmed a little bit by this idea. Me too. I mean, ten seconds ago it looked like their design was in pieces and they didn't know what they hell they were going to do. They seem pretty solid on the pockets idea, though. Chloe tells Tim that one of her models hasn't been in. This is followed by an interview where she says she is neither finished nor organized. She's a stress pot.
At 10:00 PM, Tim Gunn asks the final three to "gather 'round." He adds that the assistants should keep working. He reminds them that they should think about what Banana Republic accessories and shoes they want to use for the fashion show. The designers are like, "For real? You're going to talk sponsors right now? Blood is coming out of my eyes, Gunn! Don't talk to me about the sponsors!" He has the lovely black velvet button bag to determine what order the designers will present at the fashion show. Daniel is chosen first. He doesn't seem very happy about that. They're so tired, though, who can tell? Chloe is chosen . "That's perfect," she says for reasons unknown. So, Santino shows last. Tim Gunn shows him the button with his name on it to rule out any fancy reality show lying.
He tells them that they have until 4:00 AM to work, and a 5:30 AM call at the tents. What are they whining about then? With showering and getting to and from the hideous Westin, that should give them like ten minutes to sleep. All we've heard is, "I'm so sleepy. I'm exhausted." Relax, kids, you're going to get a ten-minute slumber. Enjoy. Tim gives everyone a hug and kiss before leaving. Man, Tim Gunn. He reminds me of those teachers that you are just desperate to impress. I love him more than my luggage. He probably brings out the best in a lot of people.
Daniel says that he doesn't even have an order yet for his show. Models start showing up for fittings, as Santino explains that sometimes you're fitting models "hours before the show." He says that he will be working on his designs up until the moment the models walk onto the runway. "I can break down completely after it's all over." Diana and Chloe are organizing the shoes and accessories for Chloe's collection. There are A LOT of gold accessories. Chloe interviews that she is really emotional right now and trying to hold it together. Possibly because she can run all the way to Texas and back, but her collection can't. It never could. Or it's because "this is extreme."
With five hours remaining before the show, all of the designers and their assistants, pumped and smiley, leave the Banana Republic workroom for the final time. Commercials.
With four hours before the show, Daniel is interviewing that he has had four hours of sleep in the past three days. They will have twenty minutes to get themselves ready to go to the tents. The mannequins are like, "Well what the fuck are you doing sitting here? Get a move on, Vosovic!" Before leaving their suite, Chloe compliments Daniel on his jacket. He's all, "I bought it with Tim." Daniel adds in his interview that he doesn't mind skipping sleep in order to make his "first impression" on the fashion industry.
Chloe tells Daniel that she won't be excited until she's at the show, because "there's still work to be done." She interviews that showing at Olympus Fashion Week is something that most designers will never get to do. I think the weight of the moment is starting to get to them. As they are walking through the lobby of that blight on the New York skyline (seriously, it's so ugly), Santino says, "You guys…" It's really heavy with meaning. Daniel replies, "Shut up!" But Santino doesn't. He says, "Did you think this day would ever come?" I think he's just trying to make them nervous. On the way to the tents, Santino's nodding off. The kids look rough.
Once they reach Bryant Park, they all say their good-lucks to each other. As they enter the tents, they all stand on the empty runway and "take it all in," as Santino says. Olympus Fashion Week is the "Mt. Everest of American fashion," so I'm guessing he's feeling a little lightheaded right now. Altitude sickness. That shit's attitude sickness up here in Fashion Week, yo. Daniel says that he was intimidated by the size of the audience (1,000). Chloe interviews that, at different times during the competition (and this is one of those times), the magnitude of this opportunity sinks in. It makes her heart beat faster and freaks her out. The mannequins begin their rendition of "A Moment Like This." Santino mimics a loudspeaker and says, "Santino is now showing!"
With three hours before the show, the models start arriving. As Santino is delegating, Daniel says he doesn't know where any of his stuff is. Chloe can't find "Miss Diana." I think she's programming the laser light show. Daniel's, like, asking models if they can sew. Finally, the assistants arrive to help.
Tim finds Nick, Daniel, and the models (or whoever they are) all sewing. Daniel explains that there were some finishing touches that had to happen and Tim replies, "I'm just surprised is all." "Likewise," says Daniel.
When Chloe checks on the hairstyling of the models, she is not happy. "I don't like it." She doesn't like the make-up either. She interviews that she "didn't want to be a bitch about it," but she didn't want to compromise on the biggest day in her professional life. We see her walking a make-up artist through the look she wants. She says, "Lack of sleep is making me a diva." If that's as bitchy as she ever gets, she's gonna have a lot of friends.
Nick explains that they are finishing the hems and whatnot of Daniel's collection. We see him fitting Rachael into a dress. I hope she's all, "Hi Zulema! Looks like I'm walking in Fashion Week! Tell She-tangi she can bite me." Nick tells us that he wants Daniel to win, but then he adds, "Of course, I want him to win." The last part makes me feel that he doesn't, in fact, want Daniel to win. It was like he was arguing with someone, but no one was talking. Perhaps there was little argument occurring between outside Uncle Nick and inside Uncle Nick?
People start filing into the tents. There's Chloe's family. Backstage, it looks like she's finally getting the hair and make-up results she wanted. Daniel, meanwhile, can't find his purses, which you'll recall Tim no likey. When he tells Tim that the handbags can't be found, Tim replies, "Sometimes things happen for a reason." Oh my God, that would suck to hear at that moment. Someone asks Daniel if someone is looking for the purses and he says, "A thousand people should be, but I don't know if anyone is." There's Richie Rich at the show.
We see Santino making some final alterations on his designs. He says that he came there to win. Then we see a shot of a lady on the front row. It's Santino's mother. He says that he hasn't seen her since 2002, because of the cost of flying. He says that she always let him be who he is and that he loves her for that. Mrs. Rice says, "I just want to kiss him and hug him and tell him what a great job he's doing and how proud I am of him and I'm getting verklempt." She seems totally adorable. She's a schoolteacher and I bet she's great. There's Jay McCarroll and Austin Scarlett!
We see a shot of Daniel's family as he's making a "mad rush" backstage. His purses were found! He says that he's been trying to suppress the feelings of how huge this opportunity could be for him. "It's here! It's fucking here!" Chloe's lining up her models. She interviews that she struggled so much making this collection and is so happy with the result that she will be happy with whatever the outcome of the competition is. Can I see the hands of the people who believe that? The mannequins are like, "We don't have hands, but if we did, we'd slap that bitch for lying."
Heidi enters the runway to much applause. We see all of the eliminated designers on the front row. Heidi introduces the guest judge, Debra Messing. I mean, I guess I understand. She's kind of the demographic for designers (and the show, I guess). And she wears clothes. She's gotten some red carpet notice before. She's on an NBC show. Otherwise, huh? Nina Garcia and Michael Kors are also introduced. Michael is wearing sunglasses inside, which makes him just a little more disgusting than usual. Heidi starts the show.
Daniel enters the runway to screams. Then, louder screams. He tells everyone that he's nervous. He says, "I don't know where my family is, where my sister is --" and they wave at him. They are sitting directly to his left. He kind of drops the microphone as everyone laughs and says, "I love them very much and this collection is for them." His sister gets a little emotional when he says that and Andrae, who is sitting to her right, touches her arm. How sweet is Andrae? Daniel thanks everyone then leaves the runway.
The first look on the runway is a skirt and jacket. The jacket is fitted at the waist, with full shoulders and an upturned collar. The fabric of the jacket is black and white brocade. It's a lovely pattern. The skirt is fitted and navy. is a fitted navy dress with buttons down the middle. The bodice is high and made of a different fabric than the skirt. It's kind of sexy, but I don't know how I feel about the two-fabric look in this situation. Daniel says that this is "a very proud moment for him."
up is a white coat that has some of that military theme Daniel was talking about. At least, I hope that's a coat. If it's a dress, it's far too bulky. It's got a pea coat formation of buttons on the front and a full collar. At the bottom, there's some pretty movement, but I still hope that's not a dress.
Following the pea dress/coat is a slacks and blouse look. The top is kind of gray. It's loose around the waist. It's sleeveless, with wide straps on the shoulder. It creates a v-neck. The slacks are white and look nicely tailored. It's kind of boring, but I think I like it. The model's carrying one of the handbags. I like that too, crafty or not.
is Rachael in a fitted blue dress, with a sort of bustle-y interest at the bottom. It has straps that expose a lot of her décolletage, but the bust is not fitted well. It's kind of flapping in the breeze. There's a little patch on the bust with metal buttons. Hmm. is a skirt made of the brocade fabric and a top similar to the one worn with the slacks.
Here we have slacks, blouse, and the corset that he apparently can't give up on. Cute, but bad memories. It's not made of leather, though, so it doesn't seem quite as harsh.
Here we have the thirteenth look. It's a short camel hair dress with a cowl neck that hangs low in the back. And it has pockets. It's really cute. After that are a pleated white skirt, tight purple shirt, and navy vest with shearling poking out from the sleeves. I think it's adorable. is a white kimono-styled wrap top over purple slacks. There are metal buttons along the outside leg of the slacks, as well as over the butt.
is a simple red top with three-quarter sleeves over black slacks. She's got a purse. Cute, but you're showing at Bryant Park. That seems a little too simple for this setting. There's a little flair at the end of the sleeve, which makes it somewhat more interesting. Following that is a purple dress with a matching short coat. Once the coat is removed, we see that the dress has spaghetti straps. Pretty, but…well, underwhelming. And the straps are loose.
Here comes Rebecca. She's wearing a long brown evening gown. It's fitted all the way to the floor, where there's a fairly long train. The straps are thin and create a v-neck. There's another one of those patches with buttons at the center of the bust. It looks like a pincushion. There are dark brown horizontal strips around the waist, and the back is cut out except for two strips cutting across the waist. As she walks away, she trips. Naturally. Daniel's mother and sister almost scream. All of the girls walk down the runway, and Daniel joins Rebecca. He gets a kind of half-ass standing ovation. Before he leaves the runway, he hugs his family.
Chloe comes out on the runway. She thanks her family for coming. Also, she breathlessly thanks her boyfriend, the sexy chrome-domed dude sitting to Kara Saun in the front row. She says that people had questioned whether she was passionate. Well, she says that she was so passionate while designing her collection that she feels that she experienced immaculate conception. And the collection is Jesus. Chloe Dao's collection might be my personal savior? This is heavy. Here come the girls.
First is this puffy pink concoction. It's very satin-y with huge sleeves and a really puffy short skirt. Looks like she got hosed down with Pepto Bismol. is a green halter dress with pink flowers on it. There is a pink satin sash around the waist. The back is cut out. I'm not a huge fan, but it looks pretty original. Here we have a floor-length evening gown of the same green fabric. The bust is cut bikini-shaped over the bust, providing some side cleavage. Most of the back is exposed, with the two straps meeting at the waist. Again, not my personal aesthetic (not that I wear dresses…shut up), but I don't see a lot of stuff like that.
is a short pink dress with a three-quarter-sleeved shrug. The hem of the dress has some interesting vertical pleating all around it. It has kind of a column shape along the bodice. It's cute, in a Houston cocktail party sort of way. Okay, now we've got something. is a short gold dress with a mutton sleeve shrug. The bottom of the dress has a pleated fringe. It's really cute.
Following is a burgundy pantsuit with a white stripe along the outside of the pant legs and pockets. The jacket has an open neck and buttons just above the waist, exposing a red and white shirt. The jacket has some interesting gathering in the back. It's cute, almost edgy.
Here's their thirteenth look. It's an empire-waisted halter dress in gold. There's some interesting pleating along the bodice, and of course the pockets. It's sweet. is a burgundy dress that's fitted with some tulle showing at the bottom. The bodice is completely covered except for a small cut-out over the bust. The seams are vertical and they run in the front of the dress, creating a pretty interesting pattern.
is a slacks and top set. The slacks are burgundy and the top is a black, fitted camisole thingy, with a lace shrug. It looks very delicate and pretty. The shape of the cutout on the back is really gorgeous. A blue dress follows. It is fitted, with a small flair at the hem. The bodice is cut like a jacket, with lapels. The back is cut-out, with more interesting seam-work on the back of the skirt. A couple of floor-length dresses follow that are made of the same blue and…more blue fabric.
Here comes Grace. She's wearing a floor-length turquoise gown that has a flair that begins at the knee. The sleeves are short and there's a small v-neck shape to the bodice. The back is where the interest is. There are multiple vertical cutouts that make the dress very dramatic. And, I must say, Grace models the hell out of the thing. She kind of reveals the back of the dress, and it's just really cool. There's the Queer Eye guys! Chloe comes out with the models. She looks like she's an entire two feet shorter than Grace. She says, "At the end of the day, a beautiful thing came out of me." …Jesus.
Santino comes out and says, "Surprise!" He's really boisterous. He says, "Whether you love to hate me or hate to love me, I'm not just good TV. I'm a great designer." The crowd sounds a little bit like they're about to turn on him, when he goes, "Where's my mom?" Then, as what sounds like Santino's voice is piped into the tents, he says, "I love you, Mom. My mom's the shit." I've been wondering what to say to my parents if I'm ever in front of a lot of people and they're there too. They'll love that. I guess I could say I gave birth to Jesus too. ["Can I ask what was with that urbanoid accent he was speaking in during his intro? Totally affected." -- Sars]
The first dress is a champagne-colored off-the-shoulder floor-length gown. There are some interesting strips of fabric on the bodice. Santino tells us that he is indeed the voice that we are hearing; he created this music for his show. is a top and pants. The top is like a strapless bandeau top with pleated fabric over the waist. The pants are cropped at the knee and red leather. It's a pretty hot look. is a blue dress with black lace trim. The neckline is a plunging v-shape. The lace is the straps, and wraps around the waist as well. The skirt is flowing and ends mid-calf.
is a strapless red top and a short skirt. The skirt is made of two fabrics, and there's a lot of interesting movement and color to it. So far, his stuff is pretty. The textures are more interesting than the looks, though. Here we have a variation on a slip dress. It's peach-colored and fairly simple. The back has some interesting bunching at the waist.
Here's Danyelle in the thirteenth look. It's a knee-length purple dress with purple lace on the bodice. It's gorgeous, and Danyelle looks truly beautiful. She flashes a smile at the end of the runway, and it dazzles. On the back, there's an interesting cutout. Really pretty dress. Daniel's sister congratulates Andrae.
The girl is modeling a deep purple shimmering tank top over slacks. A flowing red shawl covers the tank top. And: the model looks like Fiona Apple. That's pretty damn interesting. Yeah, I'm thinking I love that. Following that is a girl in a super-short lavender dress with a jacket over it. The jacket has purple stripes at the end of the sleeves. That one doesn't look great. Sometimes Santino's "interesting" veers into "ill-fitting." is a floor-length red evening gown, with some red leather/vinyl on the bust. Eh.
Red alert. is this black corset thing with, for real, like, parachute sleeves. And a puffy gray skirt. That's pretty editorial, but…I'm left really confused.
A lovely (and completely unrelated to the design) strapless dress follows. The fabric is multi-colored -- different purples, mixed. is a purplish dress with a lighter strip of fabric at the waist. The skirt flows nicely, and it's sleeveless. Here comes Heather; she's wearing the pleated dress that Tim Gunn liked so much when he visited Santino in California. It's so beautifully textured and intricate. Heather works it, too. Santino comes out with his girls. We hear him interview that he toned down some of his impulses for his collection. He gives his mom a kiss before he leaves the runway.
After the show, we see Santino talking to the press. He introduces his mom at one point, and almost starts crying. I'm such a sucker for shit like that. I can't help it, I think that's really sweet. Chloe hugs her family and tells a reporter that she feels that she has already won.
Jay McCarroll says that, though he is not a "Dan Fan," he thinks that Daniel will win. Someone named Kay Unger thinks that Chloe will win. Kara Saun thinks Santino's collection was strong. Commercials!
Later, they are all on the runway. Heidi congratulates all of them. Then, the models come out. Debra asks Daniel what his "story" was. He says he wanted to match Japanese sleekness with military. Michael says that the dress is pretty, but that there's nothing military about it. Um, I think he's right about that. He says he wanted to rip the pincushion off of the dress. Daniel seems stunned. Heidi says that it was distracting, and Daniel replies, "But, it kept you looking, didn't it?" I don't think that's gonna work for these guys. Heidi says, "But not in a positive way."
All of the judges loved Daniel's thirteenth design. Nina says that his collection showed that he can do a range of things, but it really didn't reflect a theme. Michael adds that he wasn't seeing an Asian influence.
Nina says that Santino's line was "out of character." It looked "quiet" to Michael. Santino tells Debra about his Hollywood idea, which makes Nina say that she felt the collection was "safe." However, she appreciates his attempts at maturity. It is revealed that Santino never saw any of his clothes on actual bodies before Fashion Week. Heidi is disturbed, because "none of the boobs were where they were supposed to be." As a woman who has created an empire based on boobs, you can imagine how offended she sounds right now. Nina tells Santino that he definitely belongs in fashion and she doesn't want him to ever feel differently.
They ask Chloe why all her designs were for evening. She says that she tries to design for all ages. Heidi was not into the shrugs. Chloe says that you can remove the shrug. As well, she thought it created a through-line for her collection. You just been FACED, Klum Seal! ["Good answer, but I'm with Heidi. The shrugs came off lazy and not forward-thinking, to me." -- Sars] Debra loved the thirteenth design. Chloe says that she made a collection of things that she loved.
Heidi asks the designers what they have that the other two don't have. Santino says that he knows beautiful things and he's confident. This gets an unnecessary eye roll from Mr. Vosovic, and I'm hoping that's just a cheap edit. Chloe says she's a good businessperson. Daniel says that he's young and willing to learn and thinks that his point of view is unique.
The judges deliberate. Michael says that he was underwhelmed by Santino's collection. Without all of the drama, though, you could see that his pieces don't fit well. Michael says that he has "gut and emotion," which is what fashion needs. Nina wonders if they have beaten Santino down with their criticism. It does seem a little like that. Here's hoping he finds a place in the middle. Nina adds that Santino is a "great creative thinker."
Nina says that Chloe has been very polished and professional for the entire competition. Debra thinks that her clothes are "mesmerizing." The seams are what Heidi likes. They are unusual and flattering. Michael thinks that Chloe knows women and their bodies, though perhaps she doesn't know how to put on a show. Giving birth to Jesus isn't enough for you, Michael? Perhaps year she can make a nativity scene completely out of sparklers. Nina would have liked to see versatility in Chloe's collection.
Michael thinks that Daniel is pretty sophisticated for a man of twenty-four. No one thinks there was a clear theme to his collection. Michael mentions his youth again and Debra says, "But he wants to learn."
Nina is torn between Chloe and Daniel. She seems really invested. Michael says that Daniel needs experience and Chloe needs to learn how to put on a show. Heidi asks if this means that Santino is "out of the picture," and Nina looks seriously torn. She says that she likes all of them very much. I kind of think she could cry a little bit. It looks like Nina is the last one to make up her mind.
The designers return to the stage. It's the final commercial break of the season. The results of the online poll are revealed: Daniel is chosen by 45% of voters. Santino is second with 35%. Chloe is last with 20%.
When we return, Heidi tells Santino that they respect his creativity, but they didn't "see enough" of him in his collection. He's "out." Heidi kisses him and gives him an auf wiedersehen. He interviews that "it sucks" that his attempts at being sophisticated were seen as safe. "It sucks to be a loser. But I'm not a loser -- I'm a winner!" Tongue planted firmly in cheek for that last part.
Back onstage, Chloe and Daniel embrace. Heidi tells Daniel that his range, versatility, and taste level have been "impeccable." To Chloe, she says, "You know women." Chloe responds, "I hope so." Heidi adds that Chloe's designs were beautifully made and that she has great business sense.
Then, after an eternity of the giant techno snare drums of Project Runway, Heidi says, "Chloe, congratulations. You are the winner of Project Runway." "Are you kidding me?" she says. "No way!" I'm right there with you, Chloe. This is crazy. Daniel hugs her tighter and gives her a kiss on the head. Heidi tells Chloe that they believe that she will be the great American designer.
Heidi tells Daniel that he is "out." You'd think she could let go of the protocol for a second. He responds, "I know." He's being nice, though. I'd be all, "Really, Heidi? Because I just saw someone crowned the winner of this whole fucking thing! I thought that meant I was president or some shit now!" Heidi says that they will see him around. Michael says that they had a really tough time deciding and that if Daniel needs a job, he should call Michael. That's really nice. He gives Chloe one last hug before he leaves the runway.
Daniel hugs Santino when he gets backstage. In his interview, he says that he is still proud of his collection. This is kind of sad. Okay, who am I kidding? I'm really sad. Daniel hugs his family and tells them, "It's all good."
Grace joins Chloe onstage. In Grace's first interview on the show, she says, "Hell yeah, I think Chloe did a great job." She thinks it's "amazing" that she will have a spread in Elle. Chloe's family joins her onstage and they're crying. Chloe interviews that she loves designing. She hugs her mom and tells her that they are going to make her cry. It's really touching. They are so happy for her. One of her sisters is blonde. Michael says, "Now you're making us cry." As she leaves the runway, we hear her say in an interview, "I am a real designer!"
Outside Parsons, Tim presents Chloe with the keys to a brand new HOT Saturn. "Nothing like a convertible, baby!" she says as she slides behind the wheel. And that's our show, folks.