Holy crap. Did Sarah Jessica Parker just show up on this show? Yes, she did. She's looking for something to go in her Steve & Sweatshop line. Chris March starts crying when he sees her because she is the reason that he moved to New York in the first place. Each of the designers presents his or her ideas to Sarah Jessica, and she chooses seven designers to lead. The chosen designers then each have to choose one other designer to partner with. Everybody does a fairly nice job. Sarah Jessica is particularly enamored with the work of Victorya (with help from Kevin) and Elisa (with an assist from Sweet Pea). Yes, I said Elisa. Her design was actually quite sophisticated, and she and the Pea of Sweat worked really well together. Christian, with an unflattering design, and Marion, with his misshapen maybe sexy/maybe hospital garb are the bad guys. The eventual winner is Victorya, and she is told that her design will be sold at Steve & Vulture Capitalism as part of her Bitten line. Marion is sent home for his confusing Pocahontas design. Through it all, though, SJP is pretty darn amazing. I'm not sure if it's too late to have her run for President, but maybe somebody should think about that.
Previously: We met the new designers. Rami won the first challenge, and the lovely Simon Le Bon was sent home.
It's early morning in the Gotham apartment, and Chris March is enjoying a glass of H2O. Rami discusses the elimination of Simone with Christian and Ricky. He says that he wishes Simone had been safe because he liked her and thinks she's talented. He interviews that he thinks Simone has a better understanding of how women should dress than Elisa. Okay, now. You've seen one garment. Granted, it was supposed to express who she was as a designer, but it was still just one dress. Let's lay off the grand pronouncements.
In other news, Elisa is the awesomest. She interviews that, when she was selected to stay in the competition, she was excited to incorporate the judges' criticisms in her "process of creation." Seriously, if Michael Kors doesn't call her "whackadoo" at some point this season, then I don't know him at all. I'm sure she's annoying to some, but I find her sweet and sincere.
On their way out of the apartments, Jack makes like a cheerleader, which seems very appropriate.
Heidi greets the designers on the runway. She's carrying the lovely black velvet button bag! She tells the designers that they will be choosing their models for this challenge. Something has been lacking on the modeling side of the competition since the first season. The models had personalities that first year and haven't really since. And it's not like they've traded the personalities for better-looking models or anything, because though there's a stunner or two each year, I'd say the first-season models were also the most beautiful. Anyway, here's preemptively hoping that this mixes up the whole modeling thing and makes it more exciting. ["Or that they bring back Morgaaaaaanza, who made for great TV." -- Sars]
The models enter the runway in black slips. Rami gets to choose first, because he won the first challenge, and HE STAYS WITH ASHLEY. His loyalty is impressive, and a huge mistake. Ashley leaves the runway, and Heidi starts pulling buttons from the bag. Chris is chosen first and he stays with Marcia, which seems like a good choice because she's gorgeous and he loves her. Kit chooses and stays with Marie "Antoinette." I don't believe she had that second name last time. Carmen chooses and stays with Anna. Okay, I'm sure that all these girls may be drop-dead to the average person, but I'm calling MISTAKE on Carmen's choice. Christian is , and decides to "stay with the fabulous Lisa." She looks like she might have a spark. Entertain us, Lisa! She's the one who said everyone was the best. That hints at some magic, people. Marion stays with Cheron. I want to call her "Chevron" so bad. She's very lucky she didn't attend third grade with me. Victorya stays with Jacqueline. Ricky says that he wants to try something new, and decides to choose Lea, who was Elisa's model! Both Lea and Wendi, Ricky's old model, have gulpy, uncomfortable looks on their model faces. Ricky interviews that he doesn't care if everyone thinks that he's the bitch that stole Elisa's model, because it's a competition. Actually, I think what everyone thinks at this point is that you're the crybaby, but maybe stealing Elisa's model will help your image. So, Elisa chooses and takes Aviva, Jack's model! It's getting crazy up in here. Steve stays with Sam. Kevin chooses Jillian's model, Amanda! It's like we're beyond borders here! Nations rebuilt! Jack chooses Christina, Sweet P's model. Could it be that we're due a visit from Mean P? Christina's really lovely. Jillian chooses Lauren, who was Simone's model. Lauren seems really thankful to have been chosen. Finally, it's down to Sweet P, and she chooses Katie, Kevin's original model. That means that Wendi, Ricky's model, is sent home. She's really pretty, too. Good luck, Wendi!
Can anyone explain to me why Ricky is dressed like it's 2002? Wife-beater and trucker cap…NO. And on a fashion designer?
Heidi tells the designers that their challenge is to design for a pop culture and fashion icon. Carmen says that she considered many possibilities and couldn't figure out who it was.
In the workroom, before Tim arrives, the designers toss around ideas for who the icon might be. Someone thinks Madonna. Someone else considers Britney Spears. Carmen offers that Britney needs help, and I would very much like to see that intervention. Rami considers Snow White, which makes me think he's a hundred years old, and one of those people who brag about not watching TV. Sweet P's down with the Snow White idea, though. I'm really not sure what's happening, but I like Sweet P more every time I see her talk. No one seems to land on anyone who could actually be a possibility.
Tim enters the workroom. He asks the designers to gather round. Then he brings in their icon, and it's Sarah Jessica Parker. As expected, the designers go apeshit. Frankly, I would too. I love me some SJP. Like, seriously. Love. It's an undying sort of thing. I know this because Failure To Launch didn't kill it and The Family Stone actually made it stronger. …I know. She seems really tickled that the designers are so excited to see her.
Carmen interviews that they were flipping out. It's the most honest reaction coming from the designers -- I'm really loving it. Chris March has to wipe away tears, because SJP is the reason he moved to New York. I gotta get some backstory on Chris. Where was he designing those wacky costumes before?
SJP tells them that their challenge is to create a two-piece look for her clothing line, Bitten. She asks them if they agree to do the challenge, which I think is sort of sweet. The look needs to fit into their fall/winter line, and the goal of Bitten is to provide high-end American sportswear at affordable prices. At Bitten, they believe that fashion shouldn't be a luxury, and quality shouldn't be a privilege. I guess that quality shouldn't be a privilege, but why shouldn't fashion be a luxury? I'm not trying to be facetious, and I'm sure there's an answer that could be convincing, but in the meantime, I'm thinking that with all of the problems in the world, fashion is most definitely a luxury. I'm not even saying I don't care a lot about fashion -- I'm just saying it is actually kind of a luxury.
Tim tells the designers that the challenge is about affordability -- the entire two-piece look has to retail for under $40. Carmen poops herself when she hears this, and for good reason. Tim reminds them (and us) that there's a big difference between the price of raw materials and retail price. Sooo, their budget for the challenge is $15. Hmmm. I'm sure the poor little kids in Ecuador that are probs sewing this crap for pennies a day have nothing to do with the affordability. …Okay, I don't actually know where Bitten is manufactured, but shades of Kathie Lee Gifford -- don't you think of this stuff when you hear about "affordable" celebrity-fronted clothing lines? I want someone to convince me that there's no sweatshop action happening here.
The designers are freaked by the $15 budget. Chris is crying, for a different reason now. He interviews that they are going to have to use toilet paper and Scotch tape. This segment of Project Runway was brought to you by 3M. And the tourism department of Ecuador. The designers will have 30 minutes to create a design concept for the challenge, at which point they will present their concepts to SJP. She will choose seven designs to move forward, and the designers will work in teams of two. Yay, teams!! Sweet P is worried about the team aspect. She interviews that she likes working in teams, but she wants it to be a good team. Well, you're lucky that you are at least 50 percent responsible for the quality of the team.
Tim passes out Bitten dossiers that "Sarah Jessica has thoughtfully brought." I'm sure lugging those around was no fun at all. Poor thing. Why are they making me doubt my SJP? Jack says that in order to design for a mass market, you have to appeal to everyone. Unless, I suppose, you want a market for the masses full of unsold clothes. Which could be a thing. Christian says that he knew he wanted to make a dress and a "really creative" jacket. He doesn't want to imitate any of the shapes he has seen in the dossier.
Ricky's crying again. He says that he sucked during the first challenge and he really wants to prove himself. It's a shame he's not striving to be seen as a blubberhead; he'd feel really accomplished. I kinda have a soft spot for Ricky because of his circumstances when he was younger, and I hope he pulls it together, but I really can't deal with a crier all season. Right?
When time is up, Jack pitches to SJP first. The other designers applaud him when he is chosen. I really love how excited they all are about SJP's involvement in this challenge. It's like they're getting an audience with the Pope.
Jack presents his idea to SJP, and she tells him he did a nice job. He says, "Oh my God, it's my pleasure," and they giggle. So cute. Chris is , and seems like he's about to hyperventilate when he's presenting. He interviews that he was very nervous to meet SJP; then we see him stumbling through his presentation. Finally, he stops and tells her how excited he is to meet her, and she graciously thanks him.
Elisa tells SJP she makes things that are "polymorphic." Parker seems stunned, which is amazing. She continues explaining the fairly complicated design, and it's unclear if SJP thinks that Elisa is crazy or "clever" like she says.
Sweet P tells SJP that, since Bitten doesn't have many skirts in its collection, she has designed a skirt. That is the kind of logic that could return to Bite her in the ass. Kevin also designs a skirt that is described as a "button story." As he's leaving, SJP extends her hand to shake his but he gets up and walks away. She shakes the air. It's awesome. Poor Kevin; I'm sure he was just nervous and didn't see her or whatever, but it was still kind of amazing.
Christian explains his design and declares that he wants to take it "forward." Then he asks for a hug, which he gets. Cute or precious: you decide. I don't want to hate him. Kit dryly explains her design. SJP wonders whether or not the wide belt that Ricky pitches would actually look good on people. Ricky assures her that it won't show people's "bumps and bruises." Or Bite marks. Jillian says that her design will balance femininity and strength, but SJP wonders if the jacket will be too difficult for children to construct. Victorya pitches a shirtdress and vest. Marion of the constantly pained expression describes a cape and skirt combo. Steven pitches a skirt and top that is simple and classic. Rami's idea is for a shirtdress and tights combo that apparently can double as maternity wear. Carmen describes for SJP a tunic and denim bottom. As she's leaving, she says "Carmen Webber" to SJP, then "'Carmen' like the opera, 'Webber' like the baller." Ew. I really can't stand it when people have some sort of phrase/joke that you hear and can tell they've repeated a million times. I'm talking to you, Dad.
SJP tells the designers that she thinks they are all very talented, and she hopes that she will have some part in their careers (read: send me a free dress). Her first choice for the challenge is Elisa, which draws stunned looks from Carmen and Sweet P. SJP thinks the design is very ambitious and she can't wait to see what Elisa pulls together.
Kit is her choice. SJP thinks it's youthful and that Kit really thought about the Bitten line.
Victorya is chosen . SJP thinks that she has the skills to take something simple and make it "startling." I like that description. The time a friend of mine is wearing something I like, I will tell them how startling it is. That might not work out the way I plan, but I still like the use of "startling" as fashion-speak.
Marion is the designer chosen. He seems thrilled. SJP thinks his approach is very sophisticated. She takes a break from all of the choosing to tell the designers how much she hates this and how impossible it is. I don't know, maybe that's true.
She chooses Ricky . She thinks his design can be very sexy and grown-up. Will he cry? Let's see.
Now SJP whispers, "Christian." She was very impressed by his sketch and while she doesn't know how he's going to be able to create the design, she thinks the sketch is very sexy.
Rami is the last chosen. That makes me a little sad for Chris. I'm sure he would have been over the moon to make a design for SJP's line, though of course all of them would be. SJP thinks Rami was very thoughtful about the broad appeal of his design.
The designers who weren't chosen look very sad. Chris is planning on putting his Sex and the City DVDs on eBay immediately. Tim tells the designers that SJP has one final announcement -- she seems a touch embarrassed by the pomp and circumstance. Anyway, the winning design may be sold as part of the Bitten line in Steve & Barry's stores across the nation. Everyone is thrilled. Christian says that if he gets picked, it's going to be "so fierce." Attention, gays: No more with the "fierce." People who say "fierce" have proportionally the same knowledge of fierce things as people who say "classy" have of things with class. NEW RULE.
Tim tells SJP to deliver the line that she has been "waiting" to say, so she giggles and says, "So, see you on the runway! Is that right?" She says goodbye as they all applaud.
Tim chooses the team leaders' names randomly, and they choose their partners. Marion is first, and he chooses Steven. He interviews that he chose Steven because Steven is low-key (or creepy) and he felt like it would be a "calm journey." Oh my.
, Ricky chooses Jack. Victorya is , and she asks Kevin if he would work with her. He says no. Kidding. What the hell else is he going to say? Kit chooses Chris, and he claps. Rami chooses Jillian.
It's down to Carmen and Sweet P. Christian chooses Carmen. Sweet P looks really upset to be the last chosen. She interviews that she was unhappy when she knew she'd be working with Elisa, because of Elisa's preference for hand-sewing garments. Sweet P does not want an unfinished garment representing her on the runway. Elisa, for her part, says that she wanted Sweet P from the very beginning, and I think that's so sweet. I liked Elisa earlier because of her potential train-wreck value, but I'm starting to wonder if maybe she's just pretty cool.
They go shopping for their $15 of supplies. Victorya interviews that $15 doesn't go far, especially at Mood. Kit breaks it down for Chris: they're going to use fleece and jersey. Sweet P interviews that Elisa was pulling out colors that had nothing to do with the Bitten line. Elisa says that she handed over the color choices to Sweet P, because shape and texture are her specialties. I mean, come on! You have to love that. She's ready to take advice, and I like that. There's also the possibility that she's not talented enough to be there and is simply sponging off of someone else, but I'm going to be optimistic. For now. We also see Sweet P warn Elisa that she will want to finish some of the edges of her garments; otherwise she's going to be known as the girl who…doesn't finish her garments. Elisa seems to recognize the criticism and take it to heart.
Back at Parson's, they all scramble to get to work. Chris remarks that they have very little time to complete the challenge. Victorya is excited about her dress/vest combo; she thinks that it really fits the Bitten girl. Rami wants to create something loose that will flatter many body types. Marion is excited about this challenge and thinks it's a chance to prove himself. Steven thinks the design is intriguing, but he's worried that it's too complicated.
Now we come to Elisa and Sweet P, and Elisa wants to use Sweet P as the dress form. There's some plinkety-plunkety keyboard music to make sure that we know Elisa's acting real wacky right now. She's making a cape and the polymorphic dress. Elisa interviews that she knew she and Sweet P would have very different aesthetics. Then Elisa uses her spit to mark a spot on the fabric. Sweet P seems really freaked out by this. The mannequins are like, "People pin shit into us all the time. We'd love to try spit for a while." Sweet P inquires about the spit method as if Elisa is crazy, and it looks like Elisa takes a little offense. She says that she likes to "imbibe" the garment with "energy and essence," and that's how she marks it. I think she meant "imbue," but I get it. Sweet P interviews that she is from Earth, but Elisa is from some "happy planet." I would think a woman who goes by "Sweet P" and has tons of tattoos and a diamond piercing in her lip might possibly be sensitive to unfair judgments. I would be wrong!
With six and a half hours to go, everybody's rocking and rolling. Kit says that SJP's involvement in this challenge makes it really special and important. Ricky cries. He hopes that his work will make him appear to be more than a lingerie designer. We see him bossing Jack around.
Tim enters to advise. He starts with Marion. He thinks they have a lot of work to do, because the design is so elaborate. Steven is creepy, giggling in agreement. He interviews that he has "a mountain of work to do."
Tim steps over to Christian and Carmen. The two designers think they're doing great work. Tim asks them to make sure they're designing for 2007 -- they don't want a design that's too retro. Christian breathily announces, "I think it's perfect." He interviews that he takes everyone's "opinion to heart" but he doesn't always agree or follow their advice. I haven't really seen him take anyone's advice yet. Maybe that's good for him, though. He thinks his design is hot, and he's staying the course.
Victorya and Kevin seem like they're basically done. Their vest has a racer back, which Victorya calls their "little surprise." Tim thinks it looks great and that their palate is very sophisticated.
Elisa and Sweet P show Tim their design. Tim totally comes down on all of her hand-stitching. He says that it's not sustainable. Sweet P laughs and says, "Now I don't feel so mean!" Okay, they're totally right. Tim tells them to listen to each other. Elisa interviews that she was told that her methods were ridiculous. She feels overwhelmed, so she's just going to do whatever she's told and make it look great. She's not trying to be an asshole or anything; she's just trying to be an artist. Her feelings seem hurt and it really makes me feel bad for her.
Tim calls 35 minutes, then leaves the workroom. Sweet P gives Elisa some advice and says, "It's kind of like a spit mark, only better." Steven says that he's not anywhere near done with the skirt. Marion says that being eliminated would be really bad for him. End of day!
Commercials. Bravo shows an ad for Kathy Griffin's new comedy special, and it looks hysterical. And her hair extensions are amazing.
The morning, as the ladies are getting ready, Kit says that she can see the "intrigue" behind Elisa; however, she doesn't see how Elisa will make it through these challenges not knowing how to sew on a machine. Sweet P says that she is really nervous about this challenge -- so she's going to work her hardest to create a beautiful garment.
With one hour before the runway show, everyone is scrambling. Carmen and Christian are finished and feel really happy about their work. Sweet P is showing Carmen the unfinished seams in hers and Elisa's garment and calls them "unacceptable." She interviews that she's trying her hardest to make it work, and she thinks that it will.
Tim comes in and tells them all to knock SJP's stockings off. The models enter, and everyone starts dressing. Christian tells Lisa that SJP is the guest judge, and she flips. Jack is very happy that Ricky has Lea, because she is the "sickest." His belt is the second part of his twofer, and he thinks it makes his already pretty dress a little edgy.
Kit and Chris put a beret on Marie, since their top looks French to them. Marie loves the outfit, which Chris says is always a good sign. Steven and Marion are not happy with the fit of their garments.
Elisa is very happy with her design. Sweet P thinks that their collaboration worked! She thinks they might win. Victorya hopes that her design will hit the mark. Christian loves his design. He says that he wouldn't be surprised if he were in the top two, but lost again to someone who was "boring." Oh, Christian, we're going to have fun with you. It's a little something called…the reunion episode. Should be interesting. As they're all leaving for the runway, Steven interviews that he doesn't think it's going to be pretty.
The Bravo question of the week: "Whose fashion eye do you trust the most? A. Michael, B. Nina, C. SJP, or D. Tim." That's actually difficult to answer. I'm going to say D will win, but I'm feeling a pull for C myself.
Heidi enters the runway and reminds the designers that SJP may sell the winning design as part of her Bitten line. Then she introduces our judges, including SJP. Carmen makes the craziest face when they introduce SJP. Seriously, you only see it for a split second, but she is smiling; then it turns to this evil face. Minutes of pleasure I had with that one.
The show begins. It's Kit and Chris's design, worn by Marie. It's a cute blouse over some seriously unflattering tights. I think the top doesn't fall low enough. It stops right on the upper thigh and just does something verboten. The top is black and has puffed sleeves that end in a band on the middle upper arm. It has a scoop neck that is very cute, and smart little semi-circular pockets at the waist that are also very cute, and it ends in a wide band. I like the top completely, I just don't think it works on any sort of mass level with those tights. Chris says that he is shocked at how well he and Kit did.
up is Elisa and Sweet P's design, worn by Katie. Sweet P says that they were sweating in their seats, but Katie really worked their outfit. It really looks awesome. It's a turquoise dress covered by blue-gray cape. The cape comes to the waist and ties at the neck. When Katie removes the cape, we see that the cape has full long sleeves and a long tie around the neck. The polymorphic aspect is that you can do different things with the tie, but we don't see that functionality.
Rami and Jillian's look is . Also very cute. It's a long black blouse over black tights. It looks like it falls just a little bit lower than Kit's, which is a very good thing. The top is sort of like an overgrown oxford shirt with a belt around the middle. The sleeves have little straps that button to the higher part of the sleeve. They make the sleeves hang in a very chic way. The belt has an Asian feel that is also very modern and sophisticated. Rami feels very good about the design.
Here comes Exxon in Marion's outfit. Disaster. I am not sure what to say. I see a burlap sack with a shredded bottom that is belted. Upon closer inspection, it's supposed to be a tunic over a skirt, but you can't even see the skirt. It's misshapen and unflattering and way too bulky. Marion says that it looks very expensive for the budget that they had. Steven notes the problems with fit, but finds the outfit charming. I like his optimism.
Victorya's design is . It's a shirtdress that falls just above the knee, with full sleeves that end at the elbows. The dress is very full, yet still manages to look flattering. The dress is dark blue and topped with a small vest of dark tartan. Jacqueline is also wearing a long tie around her neck that is the same fabric as the dress. The whole look is very sophisticated. Victorya is very happy with how the design turned out.
Here we have Christian's work. Lisa is wearing a long-sleeved, skin-tight aqua dress. It has a turtleneck and they've belted it. It is topped with a complicated little jacket of black and gray. The jacket has long sleeves that are puffed at the shoulders and very tight below the elbow. It has some cute pleating at the neckline and interesting darting throughout. And it would look good on exactly two people worldwide. It's made for a model and, uh, that's it. Christian thinks it's a little "risky," but feels that it looks expensive.
Ricky's dress is . It's a beautiful bright red dress with a scoop neck and little cap sleeves. There's a lot of pleating at the neckline and it's belted, so there's a lot of movement in the skirt. It's belted with this wide braided belt that is really cute. I kind of LOVE this dress. Granted, it's on their tiny model right now, but I feel like it could look nice on a lot of different body types. Ricky is very happy with the dress. In addition, I think it was really sweet how excited Jack got when their model came out.
All the designers are lined up on the stage after the show. Heidi calls out Elisa and Sweet P, Victorya and Kevin, Marion and Steven, and Christian and Carmen. The rest are safe. The other designers leave the runway and are greeted by the models backstage.
The models for the designers onstage return to the runway, and we commence with the judging. SJP tells Victorya that she liked her sketch because of its simplicity, but she wondered how she would make it interesting. She feels like Victorya was very successful at the interesting part. I'd have to agree. Those colors are amazing and make the whole thing seem really cool. Nina thinks it's charming, and wearable by a large group of people. Michael loves the racer back. SJP says that Victorya really listened to what she said they wanted to see for the Bitten line.
They begin discussing Marion's design. Nina blows over this house of cards of a design by asking Marion to remove the belt. Oh my God. It's a wreck. Nina reservedly says that it's a nice idea, but the proportions are off. SJP says that she liked the sophistication of the sketch, but feels that the final design falls short of that intention. She points out that the armholes are drape-y and reveal the model's bra, which is apparently a no-no. Who knew? Michael thinks it looks like Pocahontas, and all she needs is a feather in her hair. Marion says that the material he worked with stretched as they worked with it, creating the overly drape-y look. Heidi doesn't "get it" at all. She thinks it looks like a "rag," "out of the basement," and "dirty." Damn. Marion looks like his ulcer is flaring.
SJP tells Elisa and Sweet P that they did a great job, which makes Christian bite his a lip a little. She thought their design moved well, and was sexy yet appropriate. Heidi thinks you get a lot for your money, and Elisa mentions that the dress is polymorphic again. Then, I'm sure prompted by the producers, SJP asks how their partnership worked. Sweet P kind of surprises me here. She says that she doesn't understand Elisa's language (she doesn't even know what "polymorphic" means), and Elisa doesn't use the same tools that the rest of them use. All of that's fine, except she keeps looking at Elisa like, "Sorry! They asked!", which seems kind of shitty. It's that thing people did in high school to the creative kid -- to let everyone else know that they think that person is weird or whatever. It just seems kind of cowardly and needless, since it's pretty obvious that they aren't in danger of being eliminated. Elisa says that she sometimes spit-marks her work, which gets a big reaction from the judges. Heidi suggests that Elisa not tell anyone that she does that. I second that. Heidi adds that some people might not like that their dress has been spit on. Heidi's accent is so freaking perfect for moments like that. She then asks Elisa what planet she is from. Poor thing -- Elisa handles it like a champ, but she seems a little hurt. She says, "The planet where I am is one that has been trained to respond purely to material and doesn't necessarily understand the language but knows how to make it work on the body. So, I'm coming to your planet, but with gifts." Rad. That was amazing. Victorya laughs at Elisa's response. She seems to have won them over. Michael says that the fact is, the dress is great-looking and a ton of girls are going to wear it. SJP loves the draping and thinks the sleeves are "stunning."
They move on to Christian and Carmen. Michael says that it's very ambitious, and Christian responds that it's "a lot of look." Michael asks if he thought about fit and whether a lot of girls would look good in the jacket. "100 percent" is Christian's response. Nina thinks it looks really 1980s and Michael agrees, comparing it to "Addicted To Love." Nina repeats that it looks very retro, which I remember one Tim Gunn saying a while back. Christian brushes them off and asks for SJP's opinion, because he feels that the dress is identical to his sketch. SJP says the color is stronger, it's shorter, and is overall more severe a look than the sketch. Heidi then asks Carmen, if one of them had to go, who should it be. I'm going to recommend that Carmen stick with designing and not acting, because her response is so overwrought, it's gross. She whispers, "You're asking me to make a choice," through a faux-cracked voice. Christian's all, whatever, I told her what to do; I would go home. But Carmen's still biting her lip and rolling her eyes everywhere. Fake Fanny. Heidi presses the point and asks Carmen if she thinks Christian should go, and she says yes and drops her head and FAKE-cries. Fake Fanny does not have fake tears. She has NO tears. SJP is like, "What the hell is going on?" Heidi then poses the question to Marion, who says that, if it's between him and Steven, he should go home. She asks Steven the same question, and he answers that he can't say Marion is totally responsible for the failure of the design. So Heidi's all, does that mean you should go home? And he replies, "I don't like the idea of that, no." That's funny. Steven is so weird. He seems like a really nice guy, though.
The designers leave the stage, and it's time for judging. They really liked the look of both of Elisa's pieces. SJP says that the cape had the "swing" that is the ideal of American sportswear. I love that description. She also thinks Elisa took something insane and whimsical and turned that idea into two great pieces.
Nina felt that Victorya's entire outfit was versatile and beautiful. Michael also thought both of the pieces were beautiful. SJP loved the simplicity of it and the "taking it one step further" aspect of Victorya's work.
Heidi hates on Marion's design a little more. Michael and Nina both think it looks "sad." Michael adds that, if you were short, you'd look like Cousin It. Ha! SJP thinks that they were going for Hermes, but it was too sloppy. She has a great vocabulary for all of this stuff. It's certainly an upgrade on Heidi's "it looks like poo" descriptions.
Nina hated Christian's design. She thinks it was retro, and Michael says that you could add "big button earrings" and you'd be on The Facts of Life, which suddenly gives that outfit infinitely greater worth for me. They point out that Christian doesn't have the same reference point for '80s fashion that they have. I feel so old right now.
With the decisions made, they bring the designers back to the stage. Commercials. Tim is the most trusted fashion eye with a whopping 53 percent. He should have his fashion eye insured by Lloyd's of London. That's no more ridiculous than J.Lo's behind.
On the runway, SJP tells Victorya that she is the winner. And they will be selling the design in Steve & Barry's stores. Elisa and Sweet P are in.
Steve is in. Carmen is in. Heidi tells Marion that his fabric choice was off, and the construction was poor. "You have left us very sad." Sweet Jesus, that's funny. She tells Christian that his look was '80s, and would not work for the everyday woman. Christian is "in," so Marion is a goner. He looks like he's going to cry. He's out, and SJP can't even look at him!
Marion interviews that he doesn't feel like he was on the show long enough to show his real viewpoint as a designer. Sweet P is crying backstage. Tim ushers Marion out to clean his workspace as we hear him say that he wishes he'd won, but "it just didn't happen out that way." With as much manipulation as probably takes place during production, you'd think someone would give Marion a chance to leave without saying "happen out." Poor guy.