In a hurry? Read the recaplet for a nutshell description! Finished? Click here to close.
The challenge is to create a high-fashion design that will "wow" the judges. The prize is 20 grand and an appearance in a L'Oreal Paris ADVERTORIAL. Yes, an advertorial.
Everybody's super-tired when Tim comes in and tells them that they'll need to create a second ready-to-wear companion piece for their high-fashion look. April decides that she will use the prize money to buy a miniature pony. Valerie has a meltdown, and Gretchen and Ivy have to talk her off of a ledge. Valerie is thankful for the support, while Ivy is sick of having to talk to her. [Although she was the first to run into the bathroom to see what was wrong. - Zach] Mondo's outfits are amazing. Meaning, the ones that he wears.
The guest judge is Naeem Khan. I love his glasses. I hate her, but Ivy's ready-to-wear is bombish. April and Christopher are in the middle. Ivy, Valerie and Other Michael are in the bottom. They love Gretchen's high fashion. In fact, they think it's ready-to-wear itself. They hate Ivy's dresses, finding them very bridesmaid-like. Ivy felt inspired by Audrey Hepburn, but no one agreed with her. They think she has bad taste. The judges are kind of nasty to her, and Nina laughs like a mean girl. Other Michael gets a kinder treatment, but they think he's a bit old-fashioned.
Mondo wins the challenge! April asks him to buy her a pony. Ivy is OUT. Hallelujah. Valerie thinks it should've been her, but we're all glad.
Discuss this episode in our forums, then see who we think will win!
Want to immediately access TWoP content no matter where you are online? Download the free TWoP toolbar for your web browser. Already have a customized toolbar? Then just add our free toolbar app to get updated on our content as soon it's published.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously: The designers had to create an American sportswear look inspired by Jackie Kennedy. Mondo nailed a classic look, while retaining all of his wackiness. Then, some sort of evil was unleashed and resulted in the ousting of Cute Michael for reasons that I find hugely suspect. Fine, Tim hated the skirt and we all trust Tim, but I for one just didn't think it was that bad. I'm still upset about this.
It's morning at the Atlas Building and April and Gretchen are trying to wake up. Gretchen interviews that Cute Michael was a gift in the workroom and kept things very light. Not having him around will make this feel more like a competition. I really wish Cute Michael weren't dead. Mondo and Christopher wake up to the reality that they have to move in with Andy and Other Michael. The wake of Cute Michael's expiration knows no bounds. Mondo is not excited.
Ivy and Valerie wake up with Valerie complaining about the judges and declaring that she's going to just try to design the best thing she can. Valerie, is this a new tactic for you? My guess is that you should have tried that all along. I don't know though. I'm no hero (NOT TRUE -- I am completely a hero).
Christopher and Mondo roll into the new apartment and Andy interviews that he's glad to have them around. He likes it that they are people that he can 'trust." Jesus, this guy. Andy is SO self-serious. It actually embarrasses me. Trust? They're not overseeing your health care. They are just going to be making dresses beside you then sleeping for a couple of hours in the same apartment unit as you. No real leap of faith is necessary there, so drop the West Wing bullshit.
They make it to the runway without deep analysis of how the move of the boys into the new apartment will CHANGE EVERYTHING. I'm glad for this. Heidi, probably exhausted from how hard this job is, tells the designers that she will let Tim fill them in on all of the details of the challenge. She will, however, tell them that the winner of the challenge will be the recipient of a "big chunk of change." She must be beat after powering through and giving them that information. Heidi's so brave.
At the workroom, the designers are greeted by Tim Gunn and Collier Strong. I love Collier. He greets the designers after Tim announces that he will be helping the designers create make-up looks. And the challenge? To create a high-fashion look for a L'Oreal Paris advertorial. Tim clarifies what he means by "high-fashion" -- a look that would be at home during Paris Couture Week. A real "wow" moment. Other Michael is excited about the exposure resulting from an ad of this nature. Mondo likes the idea of being allowed to make something over-the-top. The ad will appear in Marie Claire magazine. Make that a vomitorial.
Also, the winner of the challenge will receive 20 grand. Everybody is floored. Mondo tells us that he has never made more than 12 grand in a year. Damn. Where does he live that he can survive on that? Tim tells Ivy that she looks "stricken." She explains in an interview that she's currently struggling to survive financially, so the prize money would mean a lot to her. Collier explains that the L'Oreal tie-in is the launch of these new two-tone eye shadow packs that they're launching. They get to choose from the finishes. Mondo chooses first and goes with bright. Tim picks a name from the button bag and picks Christopher who goes with crystal. April goes with matte, Other Michael with metallic, Ivy goes with bright because she wants to prove to the judges that she can do something besides muted colors. Valerie goes with crystal. Gretchen chooses velvet, even though Tim warned the designers that it's a hard look to master. Other Michael interviews that velvet is a boring fabric and Gretchen designs boring clothes. Match made in heaven. Other Michael seems to really have taken all of the snobby bullying to heart. You know what? Good for him.
They start to sketch and they find out they have 300 bucks to spend at Mood. Also, they'll have two days for the challenge, which makes everyone gleeful. Gretchen interviews that this challenge is built to show the judges whether or not they can be true designers. Mondo says that he's going to go literal and actually make a bright design, taking after a kaleidoscope. Mood is uneventful, though Swatch the dog seems to have problems with Tim Gunn.
Back at the workroom, April notes that everyone is working at a leisurely pace because of the two days they have to work, but she wants to get her shit done early because "you never know." Except you do. You know this isn't what it seems. Valerie regrets choosing silk, because it's difficult to work with. Gretchen notes that Other Michael chose the same bordeaux color that she's using. He interviews that they are both addicted to the color. She feels like he's copying her. She goes on to say that she doesn't feel like Other Michael has any point-of-view in his work. She thinks he's a replicator. She thinks he's one of the Transformers? That's just crazy.
Now, it's time for consultations with Collier. Andy is going for a warrior look and he wants his girl to look a little like an alien. And, look at that, she comes out looking like a fierce alien. Later, Tim comes to the workroom for consultations. Valerie is still in the mock-up stage. Christopher interviews that he doesn't think it's avant garde enough for a Paris runway. Andy says that the last challenge awakened a fighter in him and we're going to see that in his design. So pretentious. I think I maybe just enjoyed that it was so ridiculous. Gretchen is going for a sort of kimono look, but Tim thinks it looks like a robe. Other Michael, who apparently always has an opinion about her behind closed doors, does not like what she's doing. Ivy's got this shiz in mind about waves of water on her dress and Tim thinks it's too literal. He also things she's treading dangerously close to pageant territory.
The models come in for fittings and apparently Mondo's girl is actually smaller than his dress form. I didn't know this could happen. I'd love to tell a model that she needs to fatten up a little. For the JOB. Anyway, so Mondo feels that she's his muse and is being loyal to that, but now he has to take in the bodice a ton and he feels like it's ruining the entire shape of the piece.
The morning, everyone drags themselves out of bed. April notes that everyone is exhausted in multiple ways. Valerie is moving into the whiny zone. At the workroom, everyone gets cracking. In the sewing room, Gretchen notes that the challenge is tricky because you're supposed to be super bold and original while still retaining your design aesthetic. Mondo says he's going balls to the wall, even if his girl will only have panties and a bustier.
Tim comes back to the workroom... with a surprise. He actually seems nervous about this. He tells them that they have to create a ready-to-wear companion to their high fashion looks. They're only going to have until the day to finish. People are gobsmacked. Mood is like crazy town. Ivy gets the same fabric that she's using for her high fashion piece. Valerie is freaked out.
Back at the workroom, Christopher starts taking short cuts. Other Michael says that he isn't worried about time. April says that with the prize money for this challenge, she would pay off her student loans. And, she would get a miniature pony. I'm not sure that she's not serious. Gretchen says that she wants credit card companies to stop calling her and that's the realest she's been on this program so far. She interviews that she's been poor for a long time. She says with great seriousness that 20 grand would change everything. I hear ya, sister. Mondo says that he needs some drinking money. He interviews that the prize money might distract some of the designers.
Tim comes back to the runway. Valerie says that she's not happy with her progress. Tim tells her that she has to make it work. She feels that she has lost a day of work, so she goes to the bathroom and cries. Gretchen and Ivy follow her. She cries that she doesn't want to make an ass of herself. Psst -- this is kind of ass-y too. I mean, I know you're tired, Valerie, but don't be such a baby. Ivy thinks she's just exhausted. Then, she interviews that Valerie's behavior is wearing. Valerie finally pulls herself together and it's back to work.
Models eliminated from earlier challenges come in for fittings for the ready-to-wear looks. As they're leaving, Gretchen calls out "Bye Model!" Didn't even bother to get her name. Classy. Can't blame her though.
The day, Ivy is worried that she has been to ambitious. Valerie's trying to keep it together. In the boys' room, Andy says that Valerie is always using wool. Damning. He says that he thinks this might be the week that the judges get tired of her schtick.
Back at the workroom, Mondo says that he's going to have to "time management" himself. Designers and grammar are like oil and water. Who am I to talk? These recaps come out like grammar Swiss cheese sometimes. I do talk right though. Tim comes in and tells everyone their time limitations. Other Michael is still hating on Gretchen's look. She, in turn, interviews that his dress is a mess. So, I think the mustache dude in the L'Oreal Paris make-up war room is the crushiest guy left on this program.
Everybody's scrambling and Mondo interviews that the stress of rushing can bring out someone's best work. This doesn't appear to be the case for Ivy. Valerie tells Tim that she can't find the shoes she set aside for her model, but Tim just pulls her out the door.
Here's Heidi and her bangs. She introduces Michael, Nina and guest judge Naeem Khan. He has dressed Michelle Obama. Hey. The show begins with April. It's this dramatic short black pantsuit with a train and feathers. Her ready-to-wear look is a short dress with a similar silhouette. Mondo's look is . Tons of colors and a neat, sculptural bodice. His ready-to-wear look is a black and white dress with similar patterning. Ivy's dress is . It's a plane bodice with two blues. The other dress is just a cocktail version. Pretty boring. Ivy thinks she's safe. Other Michael's look is and it's a pretty evening gown with a massive train. The ready-to-wear look is skin tight and sexy as hell. It's just a shorter version of his other dress.
Christopher's look is and I think this is beautiful. It's an evening gown with nude panels and flowing white and purple chiffon. His ready-to-wear is a short white dress of similar silhouette. Gretchen's dress has a period feel. Otherwise, it's that kimono shape, just with a dash of old school Edwardian. She thinks it's her best work. Her ready-to-wear is gorgeous and retains the flow and spirit of her high fashion look. It's really beautiful. I didn't like this as much the first time I saw it, but it really is very pretty. Not so much a fan of that kimono thing, which, though creative, kind of seems not very cool.
Here's Valerie's look. It's a white gown with this weird sculptural strap on one shoulder that is truly unfortunate. It's like she forgot to take the dress off of the hanger before she put it on. Valerie knows. She says it looks like Rainbow Brite on crack. And bleach. It's just white. Her other look is a black halter dress and it's ridonk. Nothing to do with anything. Andy's look is a pantsuit with tons of military-style ruffles that are very sculptural. His ready-to-wear is a simple black dress with panels that imitate the sculpture in the first look. He's thrilled with the outcome.
After the show, April and Christopher are safe. Michael, Valerie and Ivy have the lowest scores. They leave while the winners get some stroking. Ivy tells everyone backstage that she didn't think she would be in the bottom. April says she's surprised that Gretchen made it into the top. Onstage, Gretchen is such a good talker. Michael thinks her high fashion dress is very wearable. Heidi likes the beading on the back and wishes it were the front of the dress. Naeem tells her that the front should be the most interesting part. Michael's not a fan of the hair, which is a little costume-y. Nina loves the make-up though.
Naeem loves that Andy stuck to his vision. Michael thinks that Andy's "boot pants" are ultimately very wearable. Nina likes the blend of metallics that Andy used, as well as his far out make-up. Heidi's not wild about the high fashion look. Mondo explains his kaleidoscope idea. He says that his ready-to-wear look was supposed to have an absence of color, which actually makes me like it more. Heidi is crazy about the hat he made, which is this black skeletal thing. Naeem loves his styling -- his girl has frizzy hair under the hat. It is awfully cool. He points out that Mondo used different stripes with a lot of skill. But, Michael thinks the dress is too short and Nina thinks the fabrics look cheap. Michael loves the back though and thinks it's sort of Kentucky Derby horse ribbon explosion. Yes. Nina loves the brightness.
It's loser time. Gretchen says backstage that she thinks all of the bottom people belong there. Michael thinks that Ivy's dresses look like pageant underwater bridesmaids. Nail on the head. Nina thinks that her high fashion model looks ancient. Naeem notes that she tried hard, but he doesn't think any of it works. Heidi thinks that it's all over the place but doesn't hate it as much as the others do.
Valerie says she was going for Audrey Hepburn in multiple movies. Seriously. Naeem doesn't think that Valerie was imaginative enough and used her fabrics improperly. Nina thinks her high fashion look is very Miss Guatemala. Valerie says that's where her family is from. Damn. Nina's all "no offense." Michael hates that stupid strap. Nina laughs as he rips it apart. He thinks the ready-to-wear look is pedestrian. Other Michael explains his look and giggles that he's nervous because he's not used to being in bottom. Nice way to plant that in their heads. Seriously. Naeem doesn't like the color, but he likes the cocktail dress. Heidi thinks that you have to choose between boobs and legs, while the cocktail dress has a lot of both. Michael thinks the ball gown is ridiculous and costume-y.
The judge confer. Heidi seems bothered that everyone likes Andy's look. Naeem likes the effort he put into it. Michael likes the day look. Nina likes that Mondo embraces color. Michael points out that his day look is slimming. Heidi likes the bohemian flavor of Gretchen's look. Nina thinks the richness of Gretchen's fabric would be good for an advertorial. Heidi thinks the day look is boring, but Michael liked the movement and silhouette -- including that slit on the side.
Michael thinks that Other Michael just used too much fabric in his high fashion look. Heidi thinks there were some good things about it and Naeem agrees that his looks were salvageable. Michael finds Valerie's day look to be a Xanax. He thinks she doesn't understand fabric. But, Nina says that Ivy's high fashion look was "tragic." Naeem thinks the use of color was a disaster. Michael points out that Ivy bites off more than she can chew. Naeem says he thinks that Ivy was the worst, but Michael says it's a tough race for who was lousiest.
The designers are back onstage. Mondo is the winner! He interviews that, before the show, he had 14 bucks in his bank account. Now, he has $20,014 in his bank account. Backstage, April asks him to buy her pony. She and Christopher seem very happy for him. He kind of cries. Andy is in. Gretchen is in.
More loser time. Other Michael is in. He hugs Valerie and not Ivy, before leaving. Heidi tells Valerie that her concept was unclear. She says Ivy was disappointing and her looks unflattering. Ivy is... out. Valerie seems stunned because she is... in. Backstage, Ivy cries that she's going to miss designing. People remind her that she doesn't have to stop. Valerie says that she thinks it should have been her. Tim enters and says that he's sad because her looks were unfinished. Ivy tells Valerie to stop complaining before leaving. She interviews that she's going to keep on going. I feel bad. Ivy seemed like such a pill, but it's clear that she's just trying to forge ahead. Creative lives are a bitch sometimes.
We see the shoot for Mondo's advertorial. He says that winning this prize proves to him that he can do this.
Jeff Long is a performer/writer in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com