This week, the designers are asked to created a day-to-evening look for Brooke Shields to wear on Lipstick Jungle. She chooses six sketches and the designers work in teams of two to create the looks that Brooke wants. The groups are Korto and Joe, Blayne and Leanne, Terri and Rayon (a.k.a. Suede), Keith and Kenley, Kelli and Daniel, and Jerell and Stella. With the exception of the Jerell/Stella and Blayne/Leanne pairings, all of the groups seem to have a lot of tension. Terri has a minor meltdown because Rayon effs up the blouse in her design. She interviews that she's not his mother and he needs to man up. But he pulls it out in the end and Tim loves it when he visits the workroom. Daniel and Joe are totally lazy about their contributions. Kenley is really critical of some of Keith's choices and it offends him.
Jerell's and Keith's designs are the top two. Kelli's and Blayne's are the bottom two. Keith and Kenley, with their opposing aesthetics, actually made each other a little better. Keith walks away with the win. Blayne made this outfit with shorts, which was totally inappropriate. Kelli made a design that ended up looking pretty slutty. Though, when asked by Heidi, she said that Daniel should go home if one of them were to be eliminated, an angry Kelli got the boot.
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Previously: the designers had to design outfits for the US team to wear at the Olympic Games opening night ceremony. The highs were high and the lows were low. And, then there was Jerell. I'm still not sure how I feel about his design. I almost feel like, were that design to have been accepted by the US Olympic team, it would change the way people thought about the US. We'd get a pass for a lot of the stuff that other cultures currently give us grief for, because, well, it would be clear that America was batshit crazy. We'd be liberated. No more defensiveness. We'd be all, "CAN I HELP YOU? I'M AMERICAN." Either that or Canada would invade us. Ultimately, Korto won the challenge and Jennifer was sent home. I felt a little bad for her after she was booted, but her designs were pretty dull.
It's morning at the Atlas Building. Korto says that she's happy that she has immunity so that she can leave the drama to the other designers. Keith is working out in the in-house gym (that Atlas is a nice facility). Daniel is working out too. It's a funny image because of how stacked Keith is and how anemic Daniel is. Nothing more to really say about that, except "Tee Hee." Daniel interviews that, for this challenge, he will insure that he's not in the bottom two designers. Seriously, he looks kind of like he has never worked out in his life. His handling of the dumbbells is mighty awkward. Plus, Daniel is kind of a whiner, I've come to realize, so let's make fun.
In the apartment, we see Blayne leaving for Parson's as he says, "Team Dramalicious." Still not done with that, are we? Blayne has to come back though because he forgot to close the door and it's in the contract of the camera crew inside that they absolutely WILL NOT close doors.
At Parson's, Heidi takes the stage and greets the designers. She says that we have to get the model stuff out of the way before they will hear about the challenge. She brings out Katarina and Alex (Jennifer's model). Korto has the Grateful Designer Syndrome and stays with Katarina. Some would question this decision. See ya, Alex!
Heidi tells them that the designers will be working for a high-powered, glamorous businesswoman. Blayne interviews that he really hopes it isn't Hillary Clinton, because he would never win with a neon pantsuit. First of all, Blayne thinks he's so funny when he says that. He is wrong. Second, you're never going to win, Blayne. Period. Neon, not neon, hemp, it doesn't matter. Let's be real. Heidi says that Tim will introduce the fancy lady in the workroom.
In the workroom, the designers talk about the possibilities. Daniel thinks it's Heidi Klum. Creative. Kelli thinks it's Nancy Grace. Weird. Leanne wonders if it's Joan Rivers. This makes me think that either Leanne is the least cool person in the world, or perhaps she is a genius. Seriously, you have all of the high-powered, glamorous business ladies in the world to choose from and you choose Joan Rivers? Stupid or amazing, you choose. Stella says that she would like to design for Sharon Osborne. So, this is apparently the lost season that was actually filmed 6 years ago. Someone's going to whip out their new Michelle Branch album or some shit in a minute.
Tim enters. The suspense is palpable. The designers gather round and Tim introduces Brooke Shields. So, I guess her character on Lipstick Jungle is the high-powered and business lady part. Rayon says that he has loved Brooke since her Calvin Klein days. Brooke tells them that the challenge will be to create a look for her character, Wendy Healy. Apparently, her character is changing in the second season. She is now running a film studio, so I guess she needs to get fancier or something. Anyhoo, Tim has dossiers for the designers documenting what Wendy wore in the first season.
Blayne points out in his interview that Wendy is married to a musician and he happens to know lots of women who are married to musicians. The mannequins are like, "And my ass is made of muslin, what's your point, Tan?" Brooke says that the look will need to be day-to-evening. Doesn't anyone bring a change of clothes to work anymore? Tim tells the designers that they will be working in teams of two and we get the scary death chimes. Kenley interviews that she's nervous because some of the designers "don't know what they're doing." I'm not sure if she means that generally or regarding this challenge.
There will be 6 teams of two and Brooke will be choosing the team leaders from their sketches. The sketching begins. Jerell says that he wants to make something sexy and simple. Keith describes some blouse with a sleeve that changes. Kelli wants to use leopard print. That's classy. Daniel interviews that he wants to win the challenge. "I think I'm extremely talented." In a really ham fisted way, they squeeze some Daniel back-story in and try to make it relevant. He says that being from the Middle East (his mother is Moroccan and his father Israeli), he has been exposed to the different styles of women in different cultures. I know, pointless.
Rayon is the first person to pitch to Brooke. He tells her that he's a big fan. She's not so much a fan of his. And, he doesn't refer to himself in the third-person when he's talking to her, which kind of cinches the fact that it's a completely self-conscious little quirk in the first place. Hate him. Kelli pitches her design and Brooke connects with the jungle aspect of the leopard print. Kenley's design has a boat neck, which Brooke likes because it balances out her "friends," meaning her hips. Yeah, you're enormous, Brooke. It's really a shame how you've let yourself go. Call Jenny. Terri pitches a design with pants. Blayne pitches Bermuda shorts and Brooke says that it's not a bad idea. I must have misunderstood, because it sounded exactly like a bad idea to me. She tells Daniel that she likes the mixture of textures in his design. Keith explains his skirt to Brooke-- it's one of his layered fringe concoctions. He tells her that he has worked on all body types, though none of them as tall and possessed of legs as nice as Brooke's. She tells him that flattery will get him everywhere. Stella explains that she wants to make a corset and Brooke reminds her that her character has to go to work in the outfit. Stunned Stella. Korto presents her design with a suggested color palette of orange and lime green. Brooke says that it's perfect. Joe's idea is a tuxedo top with a jacket for the day. Brooke looks really bored but plays nice. Leanne's design (the sketch is really beautiful) is a wrap dress with a little tie-on cape for the day. Brooke says that she wants it for her real life wardrobe. Jerell presents his sketch with a lot of confidence (he thinks they should stick to khakis and camel for the business look, with little splashes of color) and he sings that if she chooses him she will love it. She replies, "And he sings too?" She seems pretty nice, doesn't she?
Back in the workroom, Brooke tells everyone that she will wear the winning look on the show. Korto interviews that Brooke doesn't know what she just started-- everyone's going to compete for this prize. Unlike when they are all competing to NOT GET KICKED OFF THE SHOW. Keith's design is the first one chosen. He finds special pleasure in the fact that his name was called first, though there's no indication that it was anything other than random. is Korto. Jerell is -- she likes that his design shows leg. Kelli's design is , though Brooke cautions that they can't be too literal with the leopard/jungle thing. Terri's design is -- Brooke likes the pants. Last, she chooses Blayne. She tells him that she's scared of his design, but she's hoping that he can do something original without being too shocking. He interviews that he thinks his shorts idea is brilliant.
With Brooke gone, Tim draws names from the velvet button bag to see who will choose teams. Blayne is first and he chooses Leanne. She interviews that they are very different as designers so she is like, "OK, here we go." Keith chooses Kenley. He interviews that if he can get her to shut her mouth and stick to sewing, they'll be good. That gave me butterflies in my tummy. OK, against my better judgment, I'm sorta feeling the hots for Keith. I know, I know, Mormon issues -- but c'mon. You know you feel it too. I like the big giant tattoo. Moving on. Terri apparently suffers some sort of head wound and chooses Rayon as her partner. He's thrilled. Korto chooses Joe. That means that Daniel and Stella are the last to be chosen. This reminds Daniel of that time at boarding school when they were choosing cricket teams and he was last. This reminds Stella of that time at CBGB's when that singer spat on all of her friends but not her. Kelli cringes and chooses Daniel. She apologizes to Stella, but interviews that she didn't know if Stella could handle the construction in her garment and didn't want her to go home if it went poorly. She says that Daniel didn't look too happy about being chosen by her, but she thinks it has to do with him being chosen so close to the end. Also, it has to do with Daniel never ever looking happy. Jerell says that there's leather in his outfit anyway, so he's happy to have Stella. I guess it's common sense to make sure that your teammate is feeling confident, but I always like how the designer who gets the unchosen teammate always tries to make them feel better. Tender.
With a budget of $150, they go to Mood. Keith and Kenley butt heads a little bit. He interviews that her opinions are so strong, it can be a bit insulting at times. She's in love with this really bright, flowery print. Keith doesn't look as excited. Daniel interviews that his tastes are more refined than Kelli's -- though we see her ask very specifically for his opinion on a fabric combo and he says he thinks it's pretty. Daniel's a bitch.
Back at the workroom, the designers have 10 hours to work. Jerell and Stella get right to work. Tim enters and tells the designers that he wants to emphasize how large a prize the winner of the challenge will be receiving. Accordingly, there is no immunity for this challenge.
In the sewing room, Daniel asks Kenley if she likes the design on which she is working. She says she doesn't, that it's not her style. She interviews that she is working on a flowy chiffon skirt, which is a departure from the structured pieces that she usually makes. Someone off screen tells Kenley that they don't think she's going anywhere and she replies, "Better not be."
We see Daniel showing Kelli the progress he has made on the skirt portion of their design and she tells him very brusquely that it's "almost" there. She interviews that she likes to do things herself, a personality trait she attributes to her upbringing. Her parents weren't really around, so she essentially raised herself with the help of her handicapped grandmother. Because of her disability, her grandmother hasn't been able to enjoy much of Kelli's work, so being able to see it on Lipstick Jungle (or Project Runway) would be a huge deal for her. OK, that's pretty touching. Kelli has had it rough.
There are problems in Terri's world. Rayon says that he is afraid to cut the fabric, because they don't have a lot and he's afraid of screwing it up. She looks at him like he's speaking in tongues. He interviews that he draped the top, which is the most elaborate part of the outfit. And, there's really not enough fabric to cut what he draped. And, there's no time to drape it again. Essentially, it sounds like they have to be perfect and can't re-cut if there are mistakes. In the sewing room, Terri asks him how the sewing is going and he says that he's very uncomfortable. Terri interviews that she doesn't want the challenge to be about her doing everything, but every time she looks at Rayon, he has a look of concern in his eyes. She says, "I don't know what he's packing -- balls or vajayjay, but he needs to work that out, 'cause I ain't got no babies, ain't nobody sucking on my titties, so please, man up." OK, I'm inclined to think this is funny because she's talking about Rayon and it's just funny when ladies talk about their titties. But, there's some gay slurriness to her comments that I find a little bothersome. Not to mention the mixed metaphor quality of the insult (first we're calling him a girl, then a baby, then a girl again -- infantilize or emasculate, make up your mind). Most importantly though, a certain word choice annoyed me. School's out, the bell has rung -- VAJAYJAY IS OVER. No more. Let's just call it a pussy again, shall we?
Blayne describes an idea to Leanne and she tells him that she thinks it may be too much. His response? "Way to collab." He interviews that he's from Yakima, Washington, a small town where he "stuck out like a sore thumb." He says "both of my parents divorced and remarried." Hmm, indeed it would have been really interesting if only one of his parents had divorced. He says his family is crazy and he thinks that's where he got his own odd personality.
Korto asks Joe for his opinion about her garment and he says he likes it. Meanwhile, Kenley is telling Keith that his top looks "South Beach-y cheesy." She tells him that he needs to make a clean silhouette. She interviews that Keith needs someone opinionated like her. For his part, he looks like he's handling her input with a fair amount of grace, because she's not saying this stuff quietly. She tells him that she wants to win this, and he says that they are going to win.
Stella is hammering out the leathah belt for Jerell's look and it looks like the noise is starting to annoy the other designers. Jerell says to himself that he's not going anywhere, until he has to go to Bryant Park. Keith overhears this and says that they can ride together.
Tim enters with a surprise -- he's sending in their models for an early fitting. Kelli and Daniel are having problems. She doesn't like the way that Daniel made the skirt. Only half of it is ruched, the zipper is "all swably," and it's just crooked. She tells him that he has to remake the skirt.
More problems for Terri and Rayon. She doesn't like his sewing work. She says that the back of the top is "jacked up." A favorite phrase of mine. She wants him to fix it and it's tense, because Rayon feels like he warned her that this could happen. She interviews that if it's between her and Rayon going home, "Peace Out."
With 2 hours remaining, Tim arrives. Blayne explains his look and Tim feels like the Bermuda short isn't dressy enough for nighttime. He says "Holla Atcha Boy" to Tim again, which fills me with a rage best left stuffed way down deep. Tim compliments Jerell and Stella on the amount of work that they have gotten done. He loves the leather waistband, as well as the entire color palette. He says it looks like an example of true collaboration and it excites him. Kelli and Daniel try to explain their look to Tim. He doesn't like it, but I can't tell what's bothering him. Kelli asks if it's "too dominatrix" and Daniel (actually trying pretty hard to be helpful) says that there is an intimate apparel feel to the daytime-to-nighttime transition. Tim still says he's "dubious" and they need to "Pull. It. Off." I mean, it's not my favorite thing in the world, but I wish he'd have been just a little more specific about what he didn't like.
Tim approaches Terri and Rayon. He can sense that Terri is "concerned" and he wants to know what the problem is. Rayon says that he and Terri work very differently and Tim asks what that difference is. He drapes and she "cuts right into fabric" sayeth Rayon. Tim thinks it works. She confirms that he doesn't think it's tragic and he says that the neckline of the top is gorgeous. Terri is so relieved that she asks for a hug. Rayon joins in. Terri interviews that the shirt was horrible, but the two of them hustled and now it's beautiful.
Tim talks to Keith and Kenley. He loves the fabric that they are choosing for their top. He asks fairly pointedly where the floral fabric from earlier that Kenley liked so much is. She's like, "Tim!" Because he hated it. Keith, in a perfectly executed little burst of passive-aggression, says, "Oh, she's so cute. Gets so defensive." I have to say though, for the power struggle that appears to be happening between the two of them, they're keeping it pretty cool. Tim loves what they're doing.
Tim approaches Korto and Joe. There's an orange jacket that covers the sleeker nighttime look. Tim has questions about the proportion of the jacket. Joe says that he agrees and thinks that it's a little too baggy. Korto says that he never said anything before. She's pissed. He says that he has been focused on the dress and the jacket was her vision. She points out that she has immunity, so if something goes wrong, it would be him that goes home. She's feeling faced because he didn't say anything until Tim got there. I understand that. I don't know of the time issues involved and maybe he really didn't have a moment to do anything but focus on the dress, but it's still pretty lame to only speak up when Tim is around. Korto presents the following analogy: if a bus was coming and Joe was crossing the street, she wouldn't say, "Well, Joe wanted to cross the street." Instead, she would grab him and say, "A bus is coming." You know what? She's absolutely right. Asshole move, Joe. He interviews that talking to Tim was his way of subtly (read: cowardly-like) way of making suggestions and he was surprised at how quickly she took offense. In the break room, he tells her that there's no reason for her to be angry and she says that if he has a problem with something, he should tell her. He says that he had planned on telling her. Then, she gets hardcore and says that she doesn't want any enemies -- he'll be dead to her and she'll cut him off. You know, for someone who talks about being out of the drama, girl is dramatic. She interviews that Joe could easily turn on her on the runway, at which point she will turn on him.
The morning, we see more of Keith's full-body tat. I like it, I don't know what else to say. Giggle. Blayne says that it's going to be really exciting to see his design on Lipstick Jungle. Wake up, Sleepy Jean.
At Parson's, they all start working very quickly. Kelli says that she has lined a jacket in a couple of hours, so she expects Daniel to be able to make a skirt in that time (apparently skirts are easy to make -- seriously didn't know that). Kenley pipes in, via interview, that Daniel cracks her up because he's always talking about his refined taste, yet she has never seen it. Kenley may not be wrong, but she should probably try shutting up every now and then. Too much talky.
New drama-- Jerell says that Terri acts like her "shit don't stink" and that her outfit is "off the rip." He doesn't agree. He thinks her shit is WAY stinky. And, he's not fond of the outfit. More importantly, why is he even talking about her right now? Blayne thinks that his outfit is amazing, yet a risk. Leanne says that Korto and Joe's dress is really poorly constructed. Joe says that, since Korto has immunity, if there's a problem with their design, he's the one who gets punished.
Tim enters and brings the models in. Hair and make-up begins. People are still sewing, even when Tim comes in to bring them to the runway. Kelli and Daniel look like they're in trouble.
On the runway, Heidi greets the designers. She introduces Michael, Nina, and Brooke Shields. Heidi introduces her as "fashion icon" like Tim did earlier. I understand the whole Calvin moment was pretty huge, but doesn't that make her more of an advertising icon? I don't think of Brooke Shields as a real template for fashion. No one does -- I'm confident stating that. We get it -- you're pushing the show because it's on NBC. We don't have to overstate things. The whole fashion icon thing has been very square peg/round hole to me.
The show begins. First up is Joe and Korto's design. It's an orange, India-inspired jacket over a khaki strapless dress. The jacket is much more fitted than it was before and looks pretty good. There is a cut-out on the back of the dress and there's a little bit of buckling around the bodice because of the lack of tension. It's not horrible, but... Joe says that the jacket is much better than it was before.
Kelli and Daniel's look is . It's a short black jacket that has rippling fabric at the bottom. It matches a black pencil skirt. Under the jacket is a bodice of leopard print, black fabric, and tufts of turquoise fabric at the top of the bust. It's too short -- the model's waist is showing. It looks pretty bad. Kelli says that she's not totally happy with it, but it's a nice silhouette. She's right. Daniel thinks it looks like Dynasty to him, but it definitely changed from a suit to a two-piece ensemble. That's the totally wrong reference. It's Melrose Place, not Dynasty. No one on that show worked.
is Jerell and Stella's look. It's a really pretty camisole and skirt, with a really funky leather waistband. The camisole is a sort of an earthy brown color in silk. The skirt is a matching print, with a sort of pebble pattern. Brooke totally looks at Jerell and grins when the model is on the runway. Jerell is totally happy.
Here we see Keith and Kenley's look. It's a flowing flower print top and a high-waisted brown layered skirt. It's really beautiful. At the end of the runway, the model unties something on the sleeve and suddenly it's our nighttime look. The sleeves become longer but the top exposes most of the arm. Not the biggest fan of that look -- it's kind of Xanadu, which some people might really like. Kenley says it fulfills all of the requirements that Brooke had, which is pretty faint praise.
is Terri's look. It's that top -- a vibrant print on a flowing fabric. The neck is asymmetrical and very feminine. It is belted and covers super-fitted trousers. Terri says that she is very happy. If the judges don't like it, she can't help it. Rayon says that it's a very chic outfit.
Here's Blayne's outfit. It's casual shorts with a halter-top and vest. Kind of pretty, but totally inappropriate. The top, in particular, is really nice, but the shorts are all wrong. Blayne, of course, is oblivious and loves it. Leanne says that it's eclectic, but fits the description of what Brooke was looking for, which may be part of the problem. His design should never have been chosen. It also should never have been designed. Can we just blame everyone?
After the show, Blayne and Leanne, Kenley and Keith, Kelli and Daniel, and Jerell and Stella are called forward. They are the top and the bottom, which means Terri and Rayon and Korto and Joe are safe.
Heidi starts questioning with Jerell. Brooke says that she likes the texture of the outfit, but she's worried about the belt. Heidi loves the belt. Michael thinks it's chic and good-looking.
Kelli says that she worked on the jacket of her design and Daniel worked on the skirt and belt. They both worked on the bustier together. Brooke says the shape looked cheap. Michael calls the bustier "slutty, slutty, slutty." Nina says that she's worried about Kelli's taste, because you have it or you don't. Kelli says that she should have edited more. Michael adds that Daniel should have said something. Heidi asks Kelli who she thinks should go home between her and Daniel and she says that she won the first challenge and hasn't been in the bottom before, so she chooses Daniel. He says that he has impeccable, high-end taste. This makes Kenley start laughing. What a jackass. I totally agree that it's funny, but it's so rude. Heidi and Daniel ask her what she's laughing about. No answer.
Keith describes his design. Brooke thinks it looks impeccable and appropriate. Nina thinks it looks a touch "cocktail" but thinks it is very beautiful. Michael thinks that Keith and Kenley made a great team.
Blayne says that he based his idea on Brooke's description of her character as someone who grew up aware of fashion. Brooke thinks it's not sophisticated or businesslike enough for her character. Blayne says that he's crazy and that's what he does. Michael says that the pieces should have been more special if that's his point of view. Blayne says that he would go home if it were between him and Leanne. Leanne agrees.
The judges confer. They really liked Jerell's outfit. Brooke and Nina both say it was their favorite. Keith's was very unique and they love it. They think that Kelli was just showing what Kelli wanted to show. They question both hers and Daniel's taste. And, they think that Blayne is bratty for not listening. Heidi wonders why Leanne didn't do something about it and Michael offers that she may have lost her confidence in her own point of view.
The designers return to the runway. Brooke tells us that Keith is the winner. He seems thrilled. He and Kenley leave the runway. He interviews that he's very excited and wants to keep proving himself. Jerell and Stella are in.
Leanne is in. Daniel is in. Heidi tells Kelli that her construction was questionable, but her taste kind of sucked. She tells Blayne that he left them speechless and they wonder if he can step outside of himself as a designer. The rest of us wonder if he can step outside of himself as a user of totally dip shit phrases. Anyway, he's in. Kelli's going home. She looks pissed.
She interviews that she's angry because she doesn't feel like she's the one who should have gone home. Backstage, she says, "It is what it is." I feel bad for her. Everybody's crying. She says that she took a risk, even if "it was too hoochie mama." She tells the others that everything happens for a reason, so she may go back home and "hit the jackpot." Still sad. This is not the end for her. That's what they all say.
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