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Gretchen wakes up and says to April that she's glad Valerie and Ivy are both gone, because they talked too much and pulled focus all of the time. On the runway, Heidi makes everyone change models. Mondo's model goes home! That doesn't seem quite fair, does it? Heidi is the client! They have to design something for Heidi's activewear line for New Balance. She shows them a few looks to give them inspiration. For someone always harping about high fashion, it's not very wow. But, that's just me.
Everyone is a little confused about how to begin, except maybe for Andy, because they've never really made activewear before. Gretchen says she doesn't like Heidi in the workroom. Christopher's model leaves, so Mondo's model gets another chance! Mondo has a meeting with Heidi and it goes beautifully wrong. She's snarky about his work and he sort of throws it right back at her. Then, she says she thinks he's being rude and he says that, actually, he's being hurt. That said, she was going to hate his work on the runway, so it's good he got a chance to save it. He gets really upset, and Christopher gives him a really generous pep talk. Gretchen also freaks out when Heidi criticizes her. She had some moments where she went a little too far, but I think some of her frustration was warranted, though you wouldn't talk to your boss that way. Other Michael gets a bunch of criticism again, but Heidi digs his stuff. Before she leaves, she tells them that they have to create 3 looks total.
Former designers are sent in to help. Other Michael is freaked because so many of them were assholes to him. Mondo chooses Valerie. Gretchen chooses Casanova. Christopher chooses Ivy. Other Michael chooses AJ. April chooses "the hot blonde" Peach. And, Andy gets Cute Michael! YAY!
Ivy calls Other Michael a cheater. Huh? She is an asshole. Sadly, no one really checked her, which I found upsetting. Maybe I missed something? He doesn't seem like a cheater to me. Lucky? Yes. Unsophisticated? Perhaps. Devious? I, uh, just don't think so. Mondo and Gretchen at least interview that it's ridiculous to act like Other Michael isn't appreciated authentically by the judges.
Norma Kamali is the guest judge. Mondo, April and Andy are in the top. Gretchen, Other Michael and Christopher are in the bottom. Gretchen argues with her on the runway. Andy wins! Not really excited. Christopher is out. Sweet guy.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously: This show was amazing. The designers had to create textiles that were inspired by their own lives and Mondo created this pattern that paid tribute to his years as a person living with HIV, which he hasn't shared with his family or many people at all. Valerie's expiration date came and she was sent home, while Mondo won the challenge and the admiration of a ton of people watching.
It's morning at the Atlas Building and Chris tells Mondo as he's trying to wake up that his hair resembles Edward Scissorhands. Mondo interviews that he's won three challenges in a row and is very excited. He seems so buoyant right now. It's almost disconcerting, like someone's holding a gun to his back or he has been possessed.
Gretchen and April are lying in bed and staring silently at each other. Gretchen finally says, "Hear that?" Pause. Pause. Pause. "Exactly." April starts laughing and tells her that's fucked up. Gretchen explains that for weeks she had been awoken each morning by two giggling girls. April agrees that Valerie could talk too much. Gretchen says that Valerie was always thinking about what was going on in her head. She needs some time to figure out her own feelings as well. That's true and all about Valerie talking too much, but I kind of feel like Gretchen has positioned herself to be consulted about everyone's choices. She shouldn't have offered her two cents all of the time if she didn't want people to eventually start asking for it.
Christopher says that the dwindling number of designers (there are only two women remaining) makes real for him the possibility of going to Fashion Week. Mondo says that the stakes are high and he doesn't even like steak. Do you see what he did there? "That's deep, Mondo," is Christopher's reply. Mondo interviews that he's feeling that he has a good chance of winning as the person. Andy interviews that, since he was in the bottom three last week, he needs to redeem himself in this challenge.
At Parson's, Heidi takes the runway while carrying the lovely black velvet button bag. The designers see this and immediately groan with fear. "Hello," she chirps. There's a touch of evil to Heidi, no? She never sounds more genial than when she's giving someone horrible news. She says that, before the challenge is presented, the designers will have to choose new models. They at Project Runway feel that the designers have gotten too comfortable. She really ripped the words out of my mouth. That is exactly what I think of when I see these designers -- FAR too comfortable. The models come onto the runway. Mondo gets to choose his new model first. I don't know any of these women. The model who gets the boot? Mondo's girl. Gretchen apologizes to Mondo as his girl leaves the runway. That seems weird that she left. Mondo interviews that he feels bad for her because she probably assumed she'd be going to Fashion Week if Mondo won. You could say she helped him win those three challenges in a row too. This is odd.
But, anyway, she's dead now. Moving on. Heidi explains that SHE will be their client for the challenge. This should be fun, and, by "fun," I mean, really horrible for the designers. Their challenge is to create a head-to-toe look for Heidi's new activewear line for New Balance. Hey, by the way, Heidi has a new activewear line for New Balance. Do you think this is why she got the bangs? Gretchen interviews that she's feeling good about this challenge.
"Fashion activewear, here we come." I don't believe Gretchen. I don't believe she's actually feeling good. Andy, however, seems genuinely excited about this challenge. Heidi presents six models wearing looks from her actual line. I'm almost uncomfortable with exactly how hardcore this product placement/synergy moment is. The designers sketch then head to Mood with a hundred step-ups. That's my reality show fashion euphemism for dollars.
At Mood, everyone ends up in the same area, which I guess is odd. They're usually all over the place, but they're looking for the same variety of fabric for this challenge. Gretchen interviews that she's not worried about looking for the same fabric that's in Heidi's collection. She's looking for something that speaks to her. In the history of this show, that means that she's either the winner or will get bitten in the ass. Christopher is looking for a bunch of grays. Blah.
They finish shopping and get back to the workroom. Andy and April seem confident about their designs. Mondo interviews that he's less concerned than the other designers about making something that completely gels with Heidi's line. He doesn't want to do that. He wants to make something more cropped and a different silhouette than "a box." Negative emotions towards Heidi's line aside, he seems confident. Gretchen, though always on a super judgmental mode, correctly notes that this line is not intended for exercise. I'd say it's for that niche of mom that needs nice-ish clothes to wear to drop their kids off at private school before putting on their real clothes.
Tim comes for a consultation and he has Heidi with him. Gretchen interviews that she doesn't like Heidi... in the workroom. Wait, is Gretchen married? Have I forgotten something? She's wearing a band on her left hand. What's with all the mysterious marriages this season? Anyway, she's not "sure" if not liking Heidi in the workroom is because she tells people whether they're in or out, but it wigs her out. Tim says that this is an honor to have her there and I'll just take his word for that.
They start with Christopher by telling him that his model has a family emergency and will no longer be with the show. He's getting Mondo's old model. Well, good for her. It's a make it work moment for Chris, per Tim. Heidi asks him if he came up with anything. While he describes his look, Gretchen interviews that she's worried about Christopher because his look is "flat." Sadly, that's a good description of a lot of the work he's created this season. I think he has a lot more in him than we've seen. His look has really large armholes and looks like it could be problematic to keep in place. Heidi reminds him that it's for the busy mom...who needs to be able to grab a latte on the run while barking at the nanny.
, they speak with Mondo. He has this short top that's worn over a sheath. April interviews that, though Mondo is using some pink and purple fabrics, his work is dulled down without the use of prints. Without his prints, she says that his work could look like Ivy did it. Damn. That's like telling Laura Linney that, without her voice and empathy, she's Jennifer Lopez. Heidi thinks that his little top looks small and decides to try it on. She gets it on and asks if he can see her shopping in it. I'm not terribly sure what her point is. She looks kind of cute in it. Maybe she thinks it's not casual enough? He says that he can see her shopping in it, because he would. So, she kind of concedes then starts on the sheath. It's see-through. What if she takes off the short top? What is she going to wear under the sheath? It's clear that Mondo is not ready for these questions at this point in the process and is annoyed. He gets a little sassy and says that he HASN'T DONE A FITTING and would she like to try that piece on too. She says "why not?" and takes off the short top. Mondo rolls his eyes and she asks if he's "rolling eyeballs." No, he insists barely. Well, Heidi can't fit the top over her head. If Mondo were me, he'd say that maybe Heidi's not the right size. She jokes about the small head hole and says that maybe a Yorkie can fit its head in there. He says that, yes, maybe he'll take the piece home and dress his dog in it. Other Michael interviews that Mondo is talking to his boss, not his client. She says that he doesn't need to be rude and he says that he's not being rude. He says he's being hurt. Heidi insists that she's just telling Mondo what her worries are, but that's bullshit. She's
being pretty glib about the work that he's had moments really to produce. Tim interjects that this meeting is about trying to figure out what the problems with the designs are.
They move on to Andy where Heidi says that he's off to a good start. She tells him to use the "inspiration" that he got from her line and take it to the level. Mondo who we see listening to this, interviews that dealing with all of the personalities on this show has been difficult and this critique was the icing on the cake. He goes into the break room and pouts. He's drained because half of the day is over and he has to start over. Christopher comes in to console him. He tells Mondo to not let go of his voice, because he thinks he could maybe win the whole show.
Back in the workroom, Heidi likes April's work. Now there's Gretchen. Heidi doesn't like Gretchen's fabrics. She reminds her that, if Gretchen were to win, the design would have to be made in the fabrics of Heidi's line. Now, that's fairly reasonable. Heidi's a bitch and all, but it makes sense. Gretchen is super passive-aggressive about the critique and throws her own fabrics across the room, because she doesn't want to talk about fabric. April interviews that Gretchen can't take criticism and can be pretty disrespectful. I mean, I kind of admire her push back right now, but, ultimately, she's wrong. She interviews that she's bummed about having to use the same fabric that everyone else is using, which is kind of second grade.
Other Michael describes his look for Heidi, which is pretty simple. April interviews that it's all he can do. Why are they so nasty to this guy? Heidi likes the look and commends him for making it, while all the while being a guy who can't sew. Who said that? Oh that's right, she's not here anymore. Ouch, Heidi.
Finished consulting, Heidi informs them that she wants to see three looks total for the challenge. Gretchen interviews facetiously that she is "stoked." Mondo has his back to her and is "blocking her out of [his] life." She says that they don't have to do it alone though. She's sending in help. Uh oh. Other Michael says he'd feel better doing it alone. Of course you would, because you know who she's sending in. First, they're going back to Mood.
Back from Mood, Tim announces that he's sending in this help we've heard about. And, you guessed it, it's a group of the former designers. Here we've got our Valerie and Ivy and Casanova and Cute Michael and AJ and Peach. The designers get to choose which loser they want to work with. Mondo chooses first and, without hesitation, he goes with Valerie. Gretchen says she had such a fun time with Casanova in a challenge that she'd like to do it again. Ah Casanova. We have missed you. Christopher chooses Ivy. Bleh. Other Michael chooses AJ. April says that she's going to go with "the hot blonde." It's Peach! They're reunited! Andy chooses Cute Michael then interviews about how he's worried about his fashion vocabulary. Geez, they've gone a long way on this show towards making Cute Michael sound completely remedial.
Gretchen's talk-free workroom (at least talk that's not about Gretchen) is no longer. Everyone's all chatty Cathy once more. So, a lot of them are in the sewing room. Ivy is in front of Other Michael. She asks him how it feels to have gotten this far in the competition. He says it has been great. Then, like a freaking 6th grader, she says that he's a cheater. Wha? Oh my God, Ivy is such an uncontrollable bitch. Other Michael, unfortunately, is completely defenseless against this sort of thing. I wish I could inhabit his body for a few moments to properly fight back. And shave. He asks her what she's talking about and Ivy, who has clearly been chomping at the bit to say this crap and looks like she's about to explode from the build up of bile, says that during the Jackie Kennedy challenge he used tape on his model and that was somehow illegal? Other Michael interviews that his model uses tape all of the time. It wasn't even his. And, don't they use tape on actual runways? Ivy is a total asshole. She has, however, just highlighted what Other Michael is actually very good at. You wouldn't think it from having a front row view of his taste level, but the guy is a pretty good stylist. His stuff looks better coming down the runway than anywhere else. That's a pretty hard thing to accomplish.
He doesn't know what to do and the other designers in the room don't come to his defense at all. I can't tell you how stupid I find this. Ivy interviews that Other Michael has no integrity and is taking a spot in the competition that belongs to either her or Valerie or Cute Michael. NEWSFLASH -- neither you nor Valerie went home during the Jackie challenge and, had Cute Michael not lost, Valerie would have gotten the boot -- not Other Michael. Even with a boob hanging out, there's no way they could have enjoyed his look less than they did Valerie's.
This whole Other Michael thing has gone on far too long and makes every one of these designers look like dick faces. From time to time in our lives, there are people near us who achieve some sort of success that we feel they don't deserve. More importantly, we innately feel like their success belonged to us and was somehow stolen from us. These people I like to call Shia LaBeoufs. But, as I mentioned earlier, success is not a zero-sum proposition. Sure, only one person is going to win this game, but Other Michael succeeding in the world does not mean that you, Ivy, cannot achieve success. What can affect your success? Looking like a complete fucking pill in front of the entire world and not having the good sense to let bygones be shits and giggles during a challenge that doesn't even have real stakes for you. If, like Mondo (and I thought Cute Michael, but he's just sitting there kind of grinning at this showdown), she'd just embraced Other Michael for who he was instead of constantly calling him names for stuff that he DOESN'T KNOW -- I mean, what a fucking snob! Not everyone got to study! It's an actually admirable trait that he was able to teach himself to sew. Sorry that you're better at it, Ivy. Take your superior knowledge and go into the world and knock 'em dead. Don't sit around picking on a guy that you know is less talented than you. Unless you don't know that.
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Other Michael, naturally, gets defensive. He calls Ivy a bitch and who can blame him? But, as a schoolyard mean girls fight color commentator, I will tell you that he quickly loses ground. He's unfocused and Ivy goes in for the kill. She says that his language is inappropriate and he doesn't disagree. Oh My God, I need to be speaking for Other Michael right now. He needs me. I'd knock this shit outta the park. She even interviews that his use of curse words (because NO ONE on this show uses curse words. The mannequins tape a "Fucking Kick The Shit Out of Me" sign to her back as she's talking) shows that he has no class. I'd show her some class by taking her to SCHOOL. Finally, he mentions that the judges liked his work and not hers. This stings a little bit, but she brings up again that he cheated.
Other Michael leaves the room and Cute Michael tells Ivy that she has huge balls. Balls? No, Cute Michael, and cross me again and I will so start calling you Michael D. It doesn't take balls to attack a guy that you've all been ganging up on from the beginning. Gretchen and Mondo both interview that it's crazy to think that Other Michael has gotten this far in the competition without having been authentically compelling to the judges. Poor Other Michael tries to confide to AJ that Ivy was being mean to him and even that little prick says that he didn't "trust" Other Michael when he was still in the competition.
Everyone gets to work. April, though she loves her, gets a little frustrated with Peach's inability to just work without doubting and questioning herself. Tim comes in and brings up the cheating allegations. He (kind of opaquely) says that the situation has been reviewed and the show is content that there was no cheating. He asks who saw the tape and everyone raises their hands. So stupid. He reminds them that there are like 700 cameras in this bad boy, nobody's getting shit past anyone.
So, now that's over-ish. Gretchen comes up to Other Michael later and says that what's done is done and they should all just move on. Funny, sounds like she's telling him that it's OK that he cheated. She should be apologizing. It's time for some runway. Heidi introduces Michael, Nina and Norma Kamali! She's a superstar. And the show begins. We'll start with Andy's looks. This looks like it's right up his alley. He made a hoodie, an off-the-shoulder blouse and a dress with mixed fabrics that created wave-like patterns that are incredibly flattering for a figure. April's clothes are . They retain that sort of constrictive April thing, while having loose elements as well. She makes black shorts with a bandeau top with a loose see-through top over it. Also, she made two dresses that manage to use Heidi's casual fabrics while still seeming fashion-forward. Christopher's looks are . He made a couple of variations on harem pants that are kind of cute, but he also made a dress that lays flat. It looks cheap in the extreme. He also made a hoodie that manages to look stuffy and uncomfortable. Gretchen's looks are and, while they are not bad, she really missed the point of the challenge. All of her looks seem like ace bandages, which I actually sort of like. That said, they're wrong.
Here's Other Michael's stuff. The other designers were making fun of this earlier, led by Casanova -- the colors are autumnal in the extreme. Like, they just seem like Thanksgiving. And, the looks are not good. He made some for real harem pants that are just not good. Also, he has a dress with a belt. No. And, Mondo really pulled it out. He managed to keep some interesting color blocking, while utilizing the shapes that are more conducive to Heidi's line. Good on him.
Afterwards, we find out our top three are Mondo, April and Andy! Andy is commended for his hip and wearable styles. April gets kudos for sticking to her vision while delivering the specifics for this challenge. Andy is the winner! Back from the edge of destruction!
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Christopher gets lambasted for being boring. Gretchen defends her designs and again seems super defensive. And, Christopher gets the boot. Heidi tells Gretchen that constructive criticism is a good thing and lets her leave the stage. Backstage, she tells everyone the final comment and says that nothing they were saying to her was constructive. That's not true. She doesn't want to follow their advice.
Sweet Christopher is ready to go back to his husband. He feels proud of his work on the show and I'm sure we'll see more from him. I totes think he should work for Michael Kors.
Jeff Long is a writer/performer in Brooklyn.
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