We start with a model-choosing. Joe's model gets the boot. For this challenge, the models are the clients and are having cocktail dresses made for them. That's not all -- the fabrics have to be environmentally clean. Still not all -- the models are going to do the shopping for supplies. Most of the designers hate what their models bought. Rayon continues talking about himself like he's not there.
Mid-challenge, Tim tells the designers that no immunity will be won this week. Also, Bluefly.com will be selling the winning design. There's a whole segment of Stella saying "leathah" with Blayne making fun of her. It was cute except that Stella gets super personal with her insult at the end. Luckily, Stella had her model on her side. Though they were the clients, Stella totally went in her own direction, but her model Kendall loved the dress.
Leanne and Wesley end up using the exact same fabric in the challenge, which is nerve-wracking. Before the runway show, Daniel is sewing until the last moment. Rayon does that thing where he points both of his "guns" at the camera and it makes me want to have a serious heart-to-heart with him.
The guest judge for the challenge is Natalie Portman! Kenley, Stella (can you believe it?), and Rayon are the top three designers. Wesley, Leanne, and Korto are the bottom three. Rayon is named the winner! Nice dress, but Wesley is out for his ill-fitting, brown mess. Too soon!
Get to know more about the designers as they discuss TV's best dressed celebs.
Previously: The season got off to a bleh start. The seemingly colorless new designers repeated the first challenge of the series. Does anyone have a problem with the lack of innovation on the part of the producers re: the challenge repeat? Just putting that out there. Kelli from Columbus won the challenge while "successful designer" Jerry was out. We were also introduced to Rayon "Suede" Mustdie.
It's morning at the Atlas apartments and Rayon tells us as via interview as we see him rising and shining that "reality has set in" for him. Jerry was his roommate. And, though "any decision that's not Suede going home is the right decision," he didn't foresee Jerry going home so soon. He must be thinking that reality = "a loser like Rayon might win this bitch." Reality is on crack right now. I can't take the third-person stuff, people. It's sooo incredibly self-conscious and it's killing me. And, he's either had work done or he's wearing a ton of make-up. Just saying. Hate the hair, the clothes, the talk -- hate it all.
Stella is making a health drink with spirulina, wheat grass and several other grasses. She's full of surprises, this one. I'd have imagined that her typical breakfast would have been more along the lines of Stoli and gold teeth. In her interview, she thanks the heavens that she's still here. She says that there is truly "no messing around" in this competition. Five seasons in, I'm a little stunned when people make comments like that. Maybe I'm misreading something -- she sounds surprised that it's difficult, no? It took my mother three years to finish Hawaiian shirts (ala Magnum P.I.) for me and my big brother (once they were done, I fit into the one she was making for him). You'd think that someone in the actual fashion industry would be aware of how difficult it was to make something in the 18 seconds they have to finish these challenges. She tells Terrie that she's not a cow and she doesn't like grass, but she's drinking it. I love her accent.
Kelli interviews that she is excited to have immunity. She adds that she is innovative and creative and she "definitely" felt like she would win that challenge. Good for her. I think I like her, but there's something very 1998 about her. The whole tattooed pin-up girl thing has been really really done, right?
We see the designers leaving their apartments and Blayne says, "Delicious and nutritious" just as we see that "Team Licious" has been written on the chalkboard. Again, that feels very very 90s to me. These people are so cliché that it reaches beyond the history of this show even. Why do I hate them all so much? Feel me, people. These guys are all reality show contestants more than they are designers looking for a break, right? I'm almost feeling like Jerry was the most authentic now. Here's what I like in a Project Runway contestant: someone who is incredibly ambitious and wants to be a huge fat fashion star -- so much so that they don't think about their likeability or how funny they are. They just do it. Think Laura Bennett or Austin Scarlett or even Christian Siriano. Sure, they may have had some lines that they knew would kill and they dispensed them purposefully, but more importantly they were focused on the prize of the show. I feel like most of these people have already gotten the prize that they wanted -- face time on the tube.
At Parson's, Heidi greets the designers. Before they talk about the challenge, she brings out the models. Heidi reminds them that they were assigned their models for the first challenge. Now, they get to choose. Kelli chooses first because she was the winner of the last challenge and she decides to stay with the same model, Germaine. I don't know if that was the right choice. Also, are the models a little catalog this year? And, not great catalogs. Like Home Depot or something. Joe chooses Topacio, a different model than he had before. Blayne chooses Polina. Emily stays with Leslie. Keith stays with Runa. Jennifer chooses Alex. Jerell interviews that Jennifer snatched his model. He doesn't know what to do. "I am salty!" OK. Wesley chooses Alyssa. She seems thrilled, flashing a sort of crazy smile. Jerell chooses Nicole and he doesn't seem happy about it. Kenley chooses Shannone. Stella picks Kendall. Korto chooses Katrina. Terri stays with Xaviera. Daniel chooses Elena. Leanne has the last pick and it's down to her old model Karalynn and Bell (Joe's model from before). She stays with Karalynn. Way to go, Joe. Bell is out and Joe doesn't really look upset about it.
Then, Heidi brings out the models again which Emily says she finds suspicious. I just find it tedious. They're on, they're off. Let's cut manufactured suspense, shall we? The models are going to be the designers' clients and they will be making cocktail dresses for them. Blayne, while pointing his fingers at the camera, interviews that this challenge is going to be great, because Polina is "golden." I can't work like this. Heidi sends them to the workroom where Tim will fill them in on the details of the challenge. Then, she leads the models off of the runway.
But, the models and designers are all together in the workroom, so I'm not really sure why Heidi took them away. Perhaps to change into clothes? Tim says that this challenge is about "the young, glamorous woman." Tim adds that they will all be using green fabrics -- environmentally responsible textiles. I'm not sure what it's like now, but I know that a decade ago textiles were responsible for an enormous percentage of the world's pollution. This is a neat idea. Leanne tells us that she always uses green materials. But there's a "Project Runway first" -- the models will do the shopping. Way to undermine the idea of promoting green textiles. You know those models are going to choose some stupid shit.
Stella interviews that someone who probably doesn't know much about fabrics will be choosing her materials. Well, her model's likely to at least look at it first before buying it, which is more than she can say for herself. Jerell turns to his model and asks, "You have taste, right?" Shannone interviews that Kenley seemed disgusted by the idea of her choosing fabric. Tim says that the models will have a budget of $75. Then, he takes them a way. No consultation or anything. Really though, they could have added this little twist during a challenge when they weren't trying to show how great green textiles were. Unless they're just big polluters and want to give the green stuff a bad name. Emily says that she screamed at her model Leslie as she was being taken away that she shouldn't forget to buy closures.
At Mood, Tim, who seems relieved to be away from the designers, tells the models that they will have 30 minutes to shop. Then, he sets them loose. They all seem to be taking the task very seriously. There is apparently a whole section in Mood for organic fabrics, but something tells me that sign was made just for this show. I believe that they have organic fabrics and all, but the sign looks like it was just Scotch taped onto the shelf a second ago. Elena, Daniel's model, says that she has no idea how much fabric to get, what trims will match with what fabrics, what color will look good in the first place. Another reason this challenge is a little off. Perhaps it's a lesson in making it work? Xaviera, Terri's model, says that she has no idea what she's going to get. She very honestly adds that she knows absolutely nothing about fashion. That's sort of awesome. Leanne's model Karalynn says that a lot of the models are getting the same material, perhaps because Mood's organic fabric section wasn't as large as it appeared on our TV screens. Tia, Rayon's model, says that she wasn't thinking about what her designer would like. She was thinking about what she liked and what would look good on her. I mean, she might be endangering her future on the show to not be considering the designer, but truth is she has a better chance succeeding with getting something that she knows will look good on her than trying to think like someone else. Runa, Keith's model, found some peacock feathers that she liked and she picked fabrics to match them. That's pretty bold.
As they are leaving, the models very loudly thank the Mood staff. Tim says that they are an enthusiastic bunch as he ushers them out the door and back to Parson's. In the workroom, Tim enters saying that he has returned with the models. Jerell interviews that his nightmare is that his model has purchased "remnants of nonsense." You see, Jerell, you were trying so hard to be quotable that you just said the most annoying phrase possibly ever. And, you were just quoted, so job well done. Tim sends the models in for a half hour caucus, then the designers will have until midnight to finish.
The models enter for their consultation. We see Shannone and Kenley first. Kenley is kind of a bitch about the whole thing. She grabs one piece of fabric and says, "This, I can't use." Fine, it was satin-y and yellow, but let's be nice. Kenley interviews that she's worried. We hear her sort of raising her voice at Shannone because she got jersey fabric. "This is T-shirt!" In her interview, Kenley says that jersey fabric is just not right for a cocktail dress.
Keith doesn't appreciate Runa's peacock theme. She got champagne and peach fabrics, which Keith says don't go together. And, he's all, "What am I gonna do with peacock feathers and peacock trim." Runa's gonna be real embarrassed when she sees this. You know though, we've all seen some designers trot some tacky-ass stuff on that runway. Sometimes the nature of the challenge pulls you out of your own personal world of taste. Give them a break. Why am I the model advocate?
Jerell likes what his model got. Wesley doesn't like what his model got. She got a light green fabric and a brown fabric-- and not enough of either. Rayon asks of Tia the first question I've heard posed to the models. Because, they're supposed to be the clients right? Anyway, he asks her if she's looking for fullness in the dress. He's really happy with the fabrics that Tia purchased. She got a silk and hemp blend plus a red jersey. He says that, since there isn't a lot of green fashion, he wants to make it sexy and chic and just as I'm about to think that Rayon is OK, he adds, "and still keep Rayon into it." It has to stop. Second episode. We can't go on like this. He does pull it back for a moment-- he says that there is a reason that they have been asked to consult with the models and that was to find out what they liked.
Stella says that her model, Kendall, is pretty crunchy and wanted something beachy and flowing. She says that's not her design aesthetic. Well, problem solved, I guess. With her nasal drone, Stella drawls to Kendall, "Here are the key words-- 'elegant' and 'classy'." She interviews that she is completely confused because this isn't what she does.
Emily "Al Gore" Brandle tells us that she likes the green aspect of the challenge because of how "gnarly" it is that the fashion industry pumps pollutants into the world. Blayne hopes that Heidi will like his dress. Jerell assures him that she likes bold, bright colors. Isn't Heidi often wearing black? Blayne says to Jennifer that he has to prove himself to "Darth Vader." That's his name for Heidi, except he calls her "Darth Licious." Is licious the "fetch" of Project Runway? I'm afraid it is. It's never going to happen, Blayne. It's stupid, it's not new, and it doesn't even mean anything. Cease. He explains that Heidi is Darth Licious because she's all shiny on the outside, but inside she's "cu-raaa-zee." I honestly never thought I'd say this, but I really wish Jeffrey Sebelia were here to be mean to this douche.
Wesley is worried. He doesn't have much material and it's satin -- which shows every mistake. Since his model wants a very tailored dress, he feels like he needs more time than one day to finish it. Kenley finds out that Daniel has the same black fabric as she does, so she decides to use a champagne colored silk.
Korto loves her model, Katrina. Because Katrina is Puerto Rican and Korto is African, she feels that they really bond over having booties and hips and all. They understand each other. She wants her dress to enhance the curves on Katrina. Hmm. I'm sure she'll love that.
Stella's dress form is draped right now because she's trying to make something in the way that Kendall asked for it. Kelli calls her "Drapey Draperson." Stella interviews that she's not going to make a dress like Kendall wants her to make-- she's going to do what she does.
With 8 hours remaining in the workday, Rayon tells us that "Rayon decided" to cut a bunch of strips on the bias. "Rayon loves that," he says to himself. There are no more words for how I feel about that. He takes all of the strips to the machine and starts sewing. While sewing, he says, "Rayon is a bisexual Sagittarius who loves long walks on the beach and really loves working with small pieces of fabric." Leanne mentions to him that he also loves talking about himself in the third-person. She interviews that he needs to stop that.
Wesley, Joe, and Leanne all have the same fabric. Wesley seems unsure about what direction he should go in. In order to stand out from the others, Leanne decides to add cutouts with different shapes to her design. Kenley interviews that she is worried about Leanne because the additions are starting to look like too much. Korto feels like Wesley has copied her design because he's using pleating that she finds similar to hers. She goes up to several people and asks them if they think she's crazy for feeling that way, and they all do. Stella says that people shouldn't even be worrying about other people's work. She thinks it's distracting, which is pretty good advice.
Tim enters and starts consulting with Kenley. He seems to like what she's doing. He goes to Korto and says that her dress looks like it's going to be very pretty. He talks to her for a few moments before he realizes that her dress isn't inside out. He is seriously shocked. You've never seen Tim like this. He tells her that everything has to be perfect on the dress or she will be dealing with a "hot mess." Korto just drove him to that -- I'm not sure about how I feel about her now. She just made Tim Gunn say "hot mess."
Rayon says that he's crazy. He explains his design and Tim tells him that he's excited about it. Tim tells Wesley that the fit on his dress has to be perfect. Tim thinks there's a lot going on with Leanne's design. She interviews that she loves the way that her design looks. Tim announces that there will not be immunity for this challenge, instead the winning designer will have his or her design manufactured and sold by bluefly.com. Not bad. Korto interviews that she doesn't mind the lack of immunity, because the prize is so awesome. He also says that one of Hollywood's hottest young stars will be the guest judge.
Wesley says he's worried. He doesn't feel like his model picked out very good materials for him. He's psyching himself out. With 12 minutes until 12, Stella reminds everyone to "get your last stitch, your last zip." She says that she's not used to fabric like this -- she wants to stick to leather. She's firm on that now. She really loves leather. Blayne laughs at her and goes to the sewing room and talks about how Stella wants every challenge to be leather. He mimics her and says, "My husband's leathah. All my kids came out of me made of leathah." Not that creative, really. Whatever, I think Blayne is brain dead or something. Stella hears that Blayne is poking fun at her and interviews that he's 12 and what does he know? She says to him, "Remove that piece of leather from the center of your teeth, you look like you got a gap tooth." Ouch. Because, as emphasized by the tan around them, Blayne has a space between his 2 front teeth. Blayne hugs her and says, "I love your leather face."
The day, all of the designers are getting ready to go to Parson's. Wesley looks good ironing that shirt. Keith makes Daniel's bed and announces that he's doing that for him because they're buddies. In the bathroom, Daniel tells Rayon that he's confident about his garment. But, he needs to finish it.
At Parson's, everyone scrambles to finish. Daniel says that he's going to need to sew until the very last minute. Korto says that she's feeling a little better knowing that everyone else is freaked out too. Wesley asks Leanne how her work is coming along and she tells us, via interview, that she's feeling very confident. Tim enters and asks everyone how they're doing. Blayne answers, "Dandelions." Kill. Tim notices that there is a lot of work remaining to be done. He reminds everyone that they were supposed to finish the night before. They're turning him into a wreck. He sends in their models.
Kendall tries on Stella's dress and it's not flowing and crunch at all. And, she likes it. Stella is super happy and Kendall interviews that she's glad that Stella went with what she was good at-- she's very proud of her.
Hair and make-up happens. Tim approaches Daniel and tells him that he has five minutes-- to finish SEWING. These guys are not fast. Wesley is stitching his model into her dress and the look on his face is not great. For good reason, the fit is not great. And, the satin shows you every single flaw. Jerell interviews that "Team Ugly Brown Fabric" is registering some looks of concern, which he thinks is appropriate.
Rayon says that he's confident that the judges will like his dress because he pushed himself. Then, he does that thing where he points his fingers at the camera like guns and says, "Rayon will be rocking it!" I really can't handle that. Can't someone speak to him about that? Daniel finally finishes his dress.
On the runway, Heidi (in black) greets the designers. She introduces Michael and Nina. Then, she brings to the runway our guest judge, Natalie Portman! Holy crap. Heidi reminds us that Natalie just launched Te Casan, the vegan shoe line. Rayon blows her a two-handed kiss, which should sign his death warrant, people. Can I get some consensus here? That's absolutely the most annoying thing ever, right? Natalie says that eco-fashion is the challenge of her generation.
The show begins with Keith's dress. I'm starting to see a trend with his stuff. He does a lot of billowing, couture-like dresses. It's fancy, but it's not that original. He used the champagne fabric. It's a halter dress with a ruched, billowing skirt that falls above the knee. It's pretty, but it actually reminds me a lot of the tablecloth dress he made from last week. The bodice and the length are really the only things that changed. And tablecloths are not eco-friendly. Keith says that he's happy -- the dress embraces his point of view.
Terri's dress is and it is gorgeous. I'm afraid I'm misreading the color -- but it looks like a blue/violet(?) jersey. It's super-fitted along the skirt area. At the bodice, there is a high, wide, black, pinstriped belt of fabric. At the neck, there are layers of pleated fabric. It creates a sexy plunge. There's a strip of fabric that hangs from the back of the neck, which is a pretty cool touch. This dress is hot. Terri says that Xaviera is her muse.
Here comes Wesley's dress. Oh no. It's that copper/brown fabric, which I can't understand how three models purchased this stuff. Maybe Mood only had really like 4 organic fabrics. Anyway, This is a super short dress with a tight Givenchy neckline. There's a faux-ribbon concoction hanging on the front of the neck. There are really obvious darts showing on the side of the bodice and there's a window on the back of the dress that is puckering. This doesn't fit well. Wesley says that he's happy with the look, he just wishes the fit were better.
Jerell's model is up . It's a very short dress with a halter neckline. There's a triangular cutout on the neckline that gives us a little more skin. There are two primary fabrics and they are paneled around the skirt of the dress. There are feathers at the base of the skirt. At the neck, it is bejeweled with more feathers. It's not the most tasteful thing I've ever seen, but it looks impeccably made. Jerell likes it. He says it's young (it's not) and it's not made of ugly brown fabric (right about that one).
Here is Jennifer's dress. Apparently, her model got all of the fabric at Mood. It's a long, flowing dress made of panels of orange and gray fabric. I'm kind of digging the color combo, to be perfectly honest. It falls below the knee and is a simple dress with lots of music. Most of the rigor in her design looks like it occurred in the paneling.
Daniel's dress is . It's black, with a high waist. The skirt length is high in the front and dips lower in the back. The straps cinch under the arm and expand over the shoulder, which is a pretty effect. There are pockets in which Daniel has instructed his model to keep her hands.
Joe's dress is . It's nothing crazy, but knowing that he used the fabric as Wesley and how much that fabric shows mistakes-- this looks terrific. It's a simple cocktail dress in brown, with spaghetti straps made of rhinestones. There's a small circular cutout lined with rhinestones that is right below the bust. It fits like a glove, which is really the accomplishment here.
Rayon's dress is . It's short with cream and red strips crossing every which way. The bodice falls below the waist and is attached to a small cream skirt voluminized by some crinolines. Rayon says that he's happy with his dress. He feels like it's very young Hollywood and would look great on the runway. He sounds so full of shit.
Here's Kenley's dress. It looks like she went with the champagne fabric. It's a sleeveless, fitted dress with a skirt that falls below the knee. The collar is high and frames the model's face. It's OK. Kenley loves it. She thinks it's youthful. I don't really think it's that great.
Kelli's dress is up . OK, I think I like her. It's hard to know in the first few challenges if someone's as bad ass as they first appear, but I think Kelli's got the goods. She uses cream and blue fabrics. The skirt is cream. The bodice has this twisting effect that uses panels of cream and blue. The blue covers most of the bodice and has a cinched, sweeping feel. The cream fabric covers the sleeves and has an asymmetrical look. There is a cutout on the back and there are streams of crinkled fabric hanging like ribbons. It's really gorgeous. Kelli says she's not wild about it, but it's not something that she would usually do and she's glad that she got the opportunity.
Leanne is up and she seems really psyched. Oh wow. She's really happy with what she has done. It's a short, sleeveless dress in the brown. It's cinched at the waist. There are pockets in the front. All the little do-dads she put everywhere are taking over this dress. It's very confused.
Here's Stella's dress. It's a short cream-colored dress. It's one-sleeved, and that's a long sleeve. It's stitched up the sides like a shoelace. It's fitted perfectly. Stella says that she's very happy with the dress, most of all because Kendall likes it.
Blayne's dress is and it looks pretty good. It's a short pink dress with an asymmetrical shawl contraption that covers one shoulder. The other shoulder is sleeveless and there are black panels along the vertical length of the bodice, under the arms. He says that he's happy with it and he looked at the judges and they seem happy too.
Emily's dress is very short and strapless. Very short. The bodice is white with gray fabric threaded through the edges. The skirt is black and...short. There is a dangerously low cutout panel in the back. Emily says that she wishes she'd had more fabric.
Korto's dress is a mess. It's a kind of mustard or something. I understand her idea of the seams on the outside (they almost seem like under different circumstances they could be fins), but they do not work. The model looks misshapen and it's terribly unflattering. Korto likes it and says that she would wear something like it.
Afterwards, Keith, Terri, Jerrell, Jennifer, Daniel, Joe, Kelli, Blayne, and Emily are called forward. They're all safe. The models for the remaining designers remain onstage. Heidi asks Kenley about her dress. She says that she wanted to make something simple and elegant. Her model says that she loves it. Nina concurs. She likes this dress. Natalie thinks it's gorgeous, glamorous, and adult. Though it's an overused word, Michael says that it's chic. Wesley says that he felt limited in the amount of fabric that he had. Natalie says she thinks the bowtie is cute, but that the dress didn't fit the model. Heidi says that she gave him a low score. The dress looks overworked. The bottom is wavy. Michael says that, in order for satin to work, it has to look like human hands didn't touch it. Wesley's dress looks like 20 sets of hands touched it. Also, he thinks it's way too short. Nina says that "shiny, tight, and short" are the easiest ways to look cheap.
Stella says that she was trying for simple -- but also modern with the one-sleeved aspect. Michael likes the lacing on the sides. He also feels like Stella managed to fit her style into the challenge. Natalie thinks it fits very nicely, though she personally is not into asymmetrical stuff. Nina says that Stella is much improved.
Korto says that she was trying to accentuate the model's curves. Natalie thinks the bottom of the dress looks inside out. Nina thinks it makes the model look like she has wings. Michael says that he loves curves, but even a curvy girl doesn't want fins on her butt. This gets a laugh out of Natalie. Korto covers her face with her hands.
Rayon describes how he cut strips and made a pattern for his dress. Natalie says that she would wear it. She loves his dress. She thinks it's fun and young. Rayon says that he would honored if she would wear it, and she's all "thank you" but it reads like "I was just saying, dude. Don't get excited." Nina says that she can tell he thought about the challenge. Michael likes that he took the problem of having the same fabric as other people and created a solution. Heidi says that she would wear it.
Leanne describes her dress and Heidi asks Karalynn if it's what she wanted. Karalynn says it's not what she pictured. Natalie thinks that it looks like Peter Pan. Michael thinks there's far too much going on. Nina agrees that it's all over the place.
The judges confer. They all felt like Stella's dress was well made. Heidi also likes that she fit her personality into the challenge. Michael agrees, adding that "biker chic" is not an easy look to accomplish. Michael thinks that Rayon's dress was the right dress on the right girl. Nina thinks that Kenley is the only person who used her fabric properly. Natalie thinks that she has a great vibe, like "a broad out of the 40s."
Nina thinks that Wesley's design was too tight and too short. Michael thinks it was overworked and Heidi just doesn't like it at all. Natalie thinks it could have been a cute dress had he not gotten carried away at the bottom. Michael says that his ambition got the best of him. They were disappointed in Korto's dress. Michael thinks that the dart "idea" is kind of neat, but it's a mistake when you try to make something out of a fabric that you shouldn't.
Nina says that she likes Leanne's ideas, but it was all over the place. There was no balance. Michael says that editing is part of the design process. Natalie adds that she didn't like the look of the pieces on top of draping. Backstage, Leanne is crying and Karalynn looks like she knows she kind of fucked up. You always say that you love your dress! It's a competition for you too, models!
They've made a decision and bring the designers back. Stella is in. The winner is Rayon. Great. His dress will be sold on bluefly.com. He does that fucking two-handed air kiss and leaves the stage. He interviews that "Rayon fucking rocked it." Stop it. Wait, and "bisexual?" I'm so sure. I'm sure it's split right down the middle. He starts to tear up and say he's just thinking about how happy his mom is going to be, then he kisses the air again and says, "Love you mom."
Kenley is in and leaves. It's down to the losers. Korto is in. She starts crying and leaves the stage. She bawls backstage and says, "I worked so hard." Uncomfy. Wesley is really so cute in those shorts. But, his design was ill fitting. Leanne's was overworked. Leanne is in. She leaves. Wesley is out. Poo. He goes backstage and Leanne fake cries and says, "I can't imagine you not here." He seems really bummed, which I realize is normal. But, still. He interviews that he wishes he'd stayed longer, but he is so happy that he made it on the show in the first place. He wants to make it to Bryant Park and will make it there with hard work.