This whole Chris and Rami thing was actually kind of cruel, wasn't it? Up until the very last moment, I was thinking, "There's no way they let these guys work on collections for five months only to not let them show at Bryant Park." I was wrong.
The show begins with Heidi sending the designers on their way to make their collections. They'll get eight grand and five months to work.
Tim Gunn visits each of the designers at their homes, after they have been working on their collections for three and a half months. Christian lives in a shoebox. Granted, he has plenty of room because he's like the size of a shoe, but I think he hangs his bed on the door. Sounds wrong, I know. Tim actually has a few problems with Christian's collection. Turns out Sister knows a thing or two about creating a costume himself.
Then Tim visits Jillian and seems to like her collection, except for the stormy colors. He also visits her family on Long Island. They are lovely people, and a psychic apparently told her mom that her child would be famous.
In L.A., Tim visits Rami, who tells us about his childhood dreams of designing. There's much more than just draping in his collection. In fact, Tim finds some of the pieces to be too heavy. Chris, in New York, is using human hair in his collection. It disgusts Tim, and he likens Chris's fashion perspective to being in a monkey house.
Back in New York, Rami and Chris have to show three looks from their collection to the judges. Only one of the two will make it to Fashion Week. Rami has made some fabulous things, including a tailored coat. Chris's stuff is over the top and really beautiful. The judges seem to like it all. Though America disagrees with them on who should get to show (the Bravo poll was 58% for Chris and 42% for Rami), it's Rami who is in. And Chris gets to take home the entire collection that he made over the past five months. He's a much better sport about it than I would be. Or am.
Previously: The designers created art-inspired designs. Christian and Jillian were passed through to Fashion Week, while Sweet P was sent home. Chris and Rami were sent home to create collections for Bryan Park, though only one of them will be chosen to compete in the end.
The designers are at the runway, having freshly shed Sweet P. Heidi enters, holding the button bag, and tells the designers that their challenge is to create twelve looks for Fashion Week. AND they have to create a collection for Fashion Week? That is some crazy rigor we are discussing. They are going to get $8000 and five months to complete their looks. Heidi reminds us that Christian and Jillian are guaranteed spots at Fashion Week, but Chris and Rami are competing to fill the other spot. The outcome will be based on the three strongest looks from their collections.
Heidi introduces "familiar face" Tim Gunn. He gets a round of applause and remarks that it is unusual for him to be on the runway. Not in my dreams, Mssr. Gunn. He tells the designers that he will be visiting them at their homes to check on their progress on their collections. I would totally make my mom's mac and cheese for Tim Gunn if he came to my house. He would never leave. He reminds the designers that, at Fashion Week, they will be showing to the largest and most influential audience in fashion. That is if they show at Fashion Week.
Heidi suggests that they celebrate with a toast on the rooftop of the New Gotham apartments. Then, Heidi and Tim leave in one direction while the designers leave in another. Heidi doesn't do little people. On the rooftop, Tim plugs Moet & Chandon as they pour the bubbly. Jesus, they don't give the man a break, do they? He's like that loudly dressed guy on The Price Is Right. Tim and Heidi toast the designers and their new collections. Christian interviews that he is very excited about Fashion Week. Then we see him doing his best Riff from West Side Story. He continues, "How 'bout that? Don't play games. And I'm 21 years old. That's fierce." I feel like that little poem holds everything wonderful and horrible and correct about Christian. It just does. I shan't try to explain. Christian leads the designers on a catwalk strut across the roof. Where's a pigeon with an upset tummy when you need one?
We see Jillian packing and of course everything looks fastidiously folded and in order. She says that she has worked her ass off and all she can see is winning. The boys joke about Rami's suitcase being bigger than Christian. I've seen colostomy bags bigger than Christian so I'm not catching the relevance of the joke, but we all have to try to relate to each other in whatever way we can. Christian struts away from the apartment (presumably to his apartment...across town. He's a New Yorker, yes?), saying, "Goodbye. I love you. Love your hair." Rami said that he thought the roller coaster was over, but there is still another loop. Very appropriate analogy. Rami says that he is aware that the judges are expecting more drama from him. Chris says that he is going to do the best that he can and will see what happens.
Flash forward to six weeks before Fashion Week. I guess they're all like three and a half months into their work on their collections. Tim arrives at Christian's place first. He is in New York. His apartment has a red door, which I think is pretty cool. Christian interviews that he is very excited for Tim to visit his place and see his stuff. He says he "hopes" he likes it, but then he remembers that he's Christian and adds, "Of course he will. It's fabulous." So, Christian works AND sleeps in the tiniest room. It's really tiny. Not to brag, but my first room was smaller. But his is very small. Mine was like half that size, but, no, his room is very small. He shows Tim that he keeps his bed somewhere(?). I don't know, but he picks his bed/cot up each day and stores it somewhere near the door. He adds that he keeps his bed linens in the closet and, I'm not sure why, but it seems like he just made that part up. Like, he sleeps on the bare mat each night with just his fabric scraps to keep him warm, but noticed the revulsion in Tim's eyes and added the linens part. Christian interviews that he thinks his room was originally a closet. Can you imagine Christian living in a closet? It boggles. He says that he has to be very organized while sewing in such a small space, or he would go crazy.
He shows pictures of his family to Tim. They are all posted on a wall. There's a shot of him and his sister praying. Not really, they're posing. Very serious and fashion. There's a picture of his mom and his mom's boyfriend. Then, we see pictures of Christian when he was a baby and a little boy. Very cute. He was blond when he was a baby. He says that he grew up in Annapolis, Maryland. There's this really weird shot of a pre-teen (or now) Christian holding a hip-hop stance? Or a Tin Man stance. Something unnatural for him. He says he started working in a trendy hair salon when he was about 13. There's a picture of him working on the funky haircut of a guy who was wearing super short shorts. They didn't judge him in the hair world, and his time there jumpstarted his fashion career. He went to design school in London for three years and he says that was the best decision of his life.
He starts to show Tim his collection and says that he's shooting for a gothic romantic look. He says that every piece is a strong look, which is his "thing." He shows Tim a jacket that has a neckpiece, and Tim seems a little disapproving. He tells Christian to think about when something takes away from a look. Christian shows Tim some really elaborate feather pants and Tim just sort of stares at them in silence. Finally, Christian says, "Aren't these amazing? What's wrong with you?" Tim says the pants look "a little costume-y." Christian doesn't disagree. He adds that he thinks the pants are fabulous and would hate to tell Christian to consider taking them out of his collection, but...it's a lot of look. What's the point then? If they're good, leave them. Why can't we all go back to wearing costumes? Those were simpler times. Except for the clothes. Christian interviews that he is going to take it in and think about everything that Tim said, but he doesn't know how much he will change. Tim reiterates to Christian that he needs to look at his work with an editing eye. Christian interviews that he has never wanted anything as much as he wants to win this challenge. As he is leaving, Tim tells Christian to "work hard, think harder."
Tim visits Jillian, who also lives in New York. We see the view from her apartment, but I can't figure out where they are. Financial District? Long Island City? I can't tell. Tim says that the view is amazing. Jillian's collection is hanging along the wall in her living room, and Tim calls it "really compelling." Jillian interviews that, when she left the show, she did not go back to her job at Ralph Lauren. Congrats on your freedom!! She says that she has never had this sort of time to concentrate on her work. She shows Tim a jacket that she has made and he says that he loves the detailing. She says that it took forever and he says that it looks effortless. She interviews that she was so moved by the last challenge that she is continuing in that direction, with the take on armor and all. 15th Century armor, to be exact. Tim praises the collection's femininity and strength. But he feels like her palette is too gray, like a "stormy day."
, Jillian invites Tim to visit her family on Long Island. She interviews that the greatest designers come from Long Island: "Michael Kors, Donna Karan, and Jillian Lewis." She forgot Ralph Lifshitz from the Bronx! Jillian's family seems very excited to meet Tim. We also meet Lewaa, Jillian's boyfriend. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but no. That is not the man for Jillian.
At the dinner table, Tim asks Jillian's mother if she had any apprehensions about Jillian pursuing fashion. She says that, before she was married, she saw a clairvoyant who told her that one of her three children would be famous. Jillian tells Tim that she was raised with that idea. I wonder if Jillian's mom told all of her daughters that. Jillian interviews that her mother raised her to do something amazing in this life and she has always been chasing that accomplishment. There's the best picture of Jillian at 5 or something wearing a denim skirt (I think maybe the same one she wore on the show) and a straw hat and posing stone-faced with her leg up on a jungle gym and her fist holding up her chin. Her golden retriever is beside her. Awesomest picture ever. I'm taking my own version RIGHT NOW. Watch out Ryan McGinley, it's my amazing accomplishment. Jillian says that she wouldn't have done what she has done without her mother pushing her. Jillian says that she wants the world to know her and to seek out her designs. She knows that everyone says that they are going to be the big thing, but she will be. Wow. She's kind of convincing.
Tim visits Rami in Los Angeles. He knocks on Rami's door and is greeted with a big smile and hug by Rami. He introduces Tim to two of his best friends, Jeff (no relation) and Jen (maybe related-- must check). Rami interviews that it's weird to see Tim in this context. Tim asks Rami how his family likes the show, and Rami says that they are very proud of him and he is very lucky to have them in his life. He reminds us that he grew up in Jerusalem. His mother was Miss Jordan and passed away when he was five. Then, we see the cutest picture of little mop-topped Rami. He says that it was very tough losing his mother at such a young age, but his father remarried and he thinks his stepmother is the greatest. He tells a story about hiding his love of fashion from his family because of the sociological ramifications, but his brother showed their parents Rami's sketches when he was 12. He thought he would get a condemning response, but instead they were amazed by his talent. He says that it slowly became clear to him that he would become a designer. We see a couple of cute pix of Rami as a grown up. He's a really good-looking guy.
They drive, IN TIM'S SATURN, to Rami's studio. Tim loves the space. Rami says that his inspiration for his collection is Joan of Arc. Hmm, you mean armor? He shows Tim one look that he really likes, but he thinks the others look "hammered and nailed." Too constructed. He doesn't see the softness that is usually a part of Rami's best stuff. Tim says that one of Rami's pieces is about as heavy as actual armor would be. Tim calls it a "heavy duty effin' coat." He thinks Rami should "pull back" a bit. Like Christian, Rami says that he liked a lot of what Tim had to say, but he's going to believe in himself. As Tim is leaving, Rami says that he is not wild about being pitted against Chris and he's sure that Chris feels the same way. Whatever will be will be.
Back in New York, Tim visits Chris. They could have saved Tim a little time if he had just done all the New York folks at once. Tim gives Chris a big hug and kiss when he sees him. Chris says in an interview that he had missed Tim. Tim loves Chris's studio space. Chris interviews that his biggest challenge on Project Runway has been taking expressiveness and creativity and translating it for the fashion world. He says that he doesn't want to march a costume parade down the runway, but he doesn't want it to be not him either. Chris says that his inspiration is "beauty, with a quirk." He considers his collection 95% fashion and 5% costume. Tim seems incredulous.
He shows Tim one of his looks that includes crocheted hairpin lace. Tim thinks it's beautiful. Another design, which Chris acknowledges is provocative, employs human hair. It looks like ostrich plumes, but upon hearing what it is made of I'm nonetheless totally disgusted. I don't understand why it should bother me, as I have hair on my head, but it bothers me. Tim thinks he's going to gag. He really hates the hair. He thinks that the look is more "believable" without the hair. Chris says that he's not shocked that Tim doesn't like the human hair. He has hair on another design too, and Tim exclaims and starts giggling. Chris says that he can take it off. Tim has a saying for Chris: When you first enter the monkey house at the zoo, you're all, "It's smells so shitty in here!" Then, after a while -- because apparently you don't leave the shitty smelling monkey house? I don't know, maybe you work there or you just really fucking love monkeys and don't care about the pain of bad smells or maybe you've gone to the monkey house to commit suicide and the smell of shit and whatever is the least of your worries -- the smell is bad, but still bearable. Then, after an even longer time, you don't smell anything at all. (Unless you were there to commit suicide, in which case you'd already be dead. Or maybe you're having second thoughts. Choose life! See? This monkey house doesn't even smell anymore! Things are looking up!) He explains to Chris that the monkey house might not smell bad to him anymore, but anyone walking in is still going to find it pretty funky. Chris is getting a kick out of this story. He interviews that Tim gave him some editing advice and maybe he has been living with the looks for too long. But! There will definitely be some human hair in the collection. You know, as freaking disgusted as I am by the thought of the hair (or standing really close to someone on the subway who was wearing it. I'd seriously lose my mind), it seems so perfectly Chris that I'd hate to not see him use it. He's kind of the John Waters of fashion right now, isn't he? Tim tells Chris that with the three looks that he shows the judges, he needs to leave them begging for more.
Chris is taking Tim to meet his friends -- his "New York family." They go to Chris's friend Larry's apartment. Chris warns us that Larry has lived in the apartment for 30 years and everything we see he has built himself. Hmm. This could be frightening, but no -- it's the most amazing place on the planet. Chris describes it as a "baroque rococo nightmare," but I seriously have never seen anything so freaking awesome. It's...I don't even know how to describe it. It's ornate. There's stuff everywhere. I can't tell if he added paneling or if it's just wall hangings or what. Floor to ceiling, baby! Tim is stunned. He says it's "Versailles, the Sistine Chapel, you've got everything!" Hear me now, people. Okay, I haven't gone to Mood yet so maybe I'm not totally a man of my word, but I will FIND A WAY to visit that amazing apartment, if only as a cater waiter. I'll never get over this place. Ever. Along with Larry, we meet Nelson, Ramona, and Eric. Chris says that they've been a family to him. He grew up in the Bay Area, and has four older brothers. He says they are unimpressed with his stint on Project Runway. They think it's "just another thing that Chris is doing." He compares that reaction to the reaction that they have of him "walking down the street in drag." Hmm, I'm sensing some tension in the March family. And that's all we hear about them.
He says that his entrée into fashion was a costume contest in San Francisco that he won. After his victory, he decided that he wanted to make costumes for a living. Meanwhile, we are seeing some crazy pictures. One is a Cruella De Ville drag outfit, and the cape has stuffed animal Dalmatians on the inside. He says that he had a successful costume career in San Francisco, but he had always wanted to move to New York.
His friends are sweet. Nelson tells Tim that he watches the show for him and Heidi. Larry says very earnestly that Chris adds a lot to the show. Chris tells a story about being approached by someone with a police badge who said, "You're under arrest, for being the best designer on Project Runway." Chris interviews that he would love to show his work at Bryant Park. He got into fashion because he wanted to add some laughter and fun into the world and he loves that his work can make people happy. As Tim is leaving, Larry says to Chris, "Well that went pretty well." His friends seem really sweet.
The Bravo question of the week is: "Who do you think should go to Fashion Week?" That's pretty bold of the network. They're putting themselves in the position of having the viewers be at odds with the judges. Maybe that's good.
With 5 days until Fashion Week, Rami arrives at the airport. He interviews that he is nervous and excited. At a hotel, Chris arrives. He says that he has been anticipating the "three-piece walk off" since the day they left. He goes over his trajectory of being on the show, then eliminated, then back on, then in the final four. Could he win? He thinks that the shower in his hotel room is bigger than his first apartment. Well, I don't want to brag but....
We see Christian in a taxi. He thinks it's nerve-wracking to be back. He loves his collection and of course finds it "so fierce." He's in his hotel room when there is a knock at the door. It's Jillian. He says, "Tina. Diva." It's so funny. They giggle and seem excited to see each other. He makes fun of her for bringing a plant. Perhaps unrelated, she asks him if he's going to be nice to her. He asks her if she's going to be nice to him. Yeah, she's been out of control. She says, "Love you, mean it" at the same time that he says, "Your hair looks good." Jillian interviews that Christian is fun but has never been a huge fan of hers. I like that she possesses a self-awareness at the same time that she's a total space cadet weirdo. I realize that I've sort of been falling in love with Jillian over the past couple of weeks and, for the life of me, I don't really know how it has happened.
Rami knocks on Chris's door and they give each other a really warm embrace and seem excited to see each other. Back in Apartment Ferocious, Jillian asks Christian if he finished his collection months earlier, and he seems a little embarrassed and says no. He says that he can't wait to see what everyone has done. Chris and Rami arrive at their room and everyone hugs big. Chris says that, no matter what has happened, they all really like each other. But then, Chris tells Christian that people don't believe him when he tells them that he misses Christian -- because they all think he's so annoying. That's not very nice, but Christian talked a bunch of smack. He should expect something like that. He says to Chris, "Don't worry. People said the same about you." Christian did not like that. Rami interviews that he wonders who will be sharing the room with Jillian and Christian later.
The morning, they head to Parson's. There are only three tables, which chills Chris. He and Rami share a table. Tim arrives and asks everyone to gather round. He congratulates everyone for making it that far. He tells them that the judges will be choosing between Chris and Rami today. They have three hours to get their models ready. There are sewing machines set up for alterations, and they each get a partner. Chris gets Christian and Rami gets Jillian. Tim says that, no matter what happens today, he is very proud of both of them.
Rami starts scrambling and Jillian tells him to give her whatever tasks he can. Christian says that he found Chris's work very "interesting." He thought it was innovative, but I think he was a little freaked out by the hair. At one point, he of course tries on a wrap that is part of a look and Chris yells at him for letting it get on the floor.
After hair and makeup, Chris says that he's starting to feel like he might make it to Bryant Park. Rami is unsure. Tim comes in and says it's time to start.
On the runway, Heidi greets Chris and Rami and introduces Michael and Nina. No third judge! Heidi says that they believe in both of them. The show begins with Rami. His first look is a full blue coat that belts in the middle. There are balloon sleeves and a high cowl neck. It's a touch heavy, though the hem of the jacket is draped nicely and moves very naturally. The model opens the jacket to reveal a shimmering black cocktail dress. It's draped to hang with lots of sexy folds in the fabric. When the model is walking away, you see more detail in the sleeves of the jacket (there are pleats along the length of the sleeve), but it's still too heavy.
The look is a black wrap that ties at the waist. The model unties the wrap to reveal a strapless cocktail dress. It's made of contrasting white and black striped fabrics. The contrast in the fabrics creates a swirl starting at the waist and expanding outwards. Okay, I know that others might feel differently, but I do not find this dress to be flattering. The way it's draped over the hips and legs, it suggests a softness that I'm not sure a lady would want to suggest. You want to be soft, but not that soft. Soft that says "feminine" not "veal."
The last look is a black, floor length evening gown. It's strapless and looks very corseted and constructed along the bodice. The skirt flares and has a long train. There appear to be rows and rows of little pleats on the dress. The fabric looks like crepe paper. It's really beautiful. Rami says that he is happy with his collection and feels like it celebrates women.
is Chris's stuff, and he's got the hair front and center. He has made a black velvet suit with hair all along the neckline and down the front. It's fitted beautifully and there is tons of detail in the skirt and top, without the hair. I almost feel like he's distracting from how lovely the other elements of the look are.
The look is a halter dress in a flapper cut. The bodice is flesh colored with black brocade stitching/beading. The skirt is, uh, hair. It looks like Wilma Flintstone, and I love it, but again -- it's really beautiful and all they are going to want to talk about is that damn hair.
Lastly, we see a floor length evening gown in velvet and the crocheted hairpin lace, worn by Marcia. She's carrying a large knit wrap that is very dense and beautiful. It also is fit like a glove, which makes it a bit severe. A lot of the criticism of Chris this season is starting to make me wonder-- why don't we go for the dramatic a little more? Let's reclaim the costume as actually wearable! I mean, if you're wearing an evening gown, it's not like your everyday stuff anyway. Why not go whole hog? Chris says that his collection is really "him." It's dark and beautiful and he's very proud of it.
After the show, the models return and they start talking about their designs. Chris tells the judges that he used human hair. Michael finds it creepy, but admires that Chris was thinking outside of the box. And the skirt of the first look? Made with black chrome safety pins. Get the fuck out!! That's amazing. Every row took about eight hours. Michael says that he thinks it's beautifully crafted, but he thinks Chris's models look overly designed and dark. He thinks that the third look is like a "velvet condom." I don't recommend that anyone use one of those, by the way. Nina thinks that everything looks great, but she thinks it can go overboard.
Heidi asks Chris why he chose the looks that he did. He says that he wanted to stay in one color section, and he felt black was the most dramatic. Heidi thinks that everything was very original. She asks him why he thinks he should go to Fashion Week, and he says it would be interesting for an outsider to be in Fashion Week. And his head might explode.
Nina says that she appreciates Rami listening to their advice. She loves the second look. Well screw me. Michael thinks it's beautiful. Nina doesn't like the proportion of the coat. Does anyone else think Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley should be wearing that? I can't stop thinking that. Heidi loves the evening gown, but Michael thinks that the swirly things on the hips are unflattering. Nina doesn't agree, and neither do I! It's corseted, so who cares if there are some swirls on your hips. Rami says that he was born to do this and that's why he should show at Fashion Week.
Rami and Chris leave the runway, and Nina says that both designers were very dark. They both loved Rami's second look. They think he's commercially viable. Nina thinks that the coat was overdone, but she appreciates that he listened to them. Michael thinks that Chris's work was beautiful and intriguing, but it's still costume. Nina says that many costume designers have become successful fashion folk.
Rami and Chris return to the stage. 58% of voters think that Chris should win. Well, he doesn't. Rami is in. Chris is out. Rami seems really happy, and he immediately gives Chris a big hug. He's such a good sport. Heidi says that he's an incredible designer. He thanks the judges and leaves. Backstage, Jillian gives Chris a big hug when she hears he's not in. He says he's happy for Rami.
Tim comes to get Chris and says that he is great. Chris interviews that he didn't expect "the amount of love that the universe sent [his] way." So sweet.