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Heidi tells everyone that their challenge (the "Unconventional Challenge") is going to "unleash" their inner beast. Josh M. thinks that they're going to some sort of fetish shop and I'm not surprised by his assumption. Tim tells everyone that they are going to make looks from supplies found in a pet shop. Olivier tells us that he has never had any pets, except for rabbits, which died. He's amazing. Bert, who has immunity, does not give a rat's ass about doing anything at all.
So, Olivier. Easily the cutest guy of the season. But... the accent? He apparently moved to England from Columbus, Ohio six years ago. And, he already has that accent. Still cute, but I don't believe anything about him now. Josh C. is really worried about the judges approving of his fit on the model, so he doesn't think about design at all. Josh M. thinks about turning up the volume to the fullest extent. Laura uses dog collars to make a skirt that has volume. People are worried, but she rocks it. Tim sort of admonishes Bert for being so lame about this challenge, but he doesn't really seem to care.
On the runway, Josh M., Anthony and Olivier have the top looks, with Olivier being the ultimate winner for his chic doggie bed-constructed look. A lot of people use pee pads for dogs as their fabric and that works well for some people, not for everyone. Also, Josh C., Bryce and Fallene have the bottom looks. Now, anyone watching will be like, "That Bryce seems like a nice fellow. Too bad he made an entire look out of pee pads and has to leave now." You, as I was, would be wrong if you did that. It's Josh C. -- whose Mormonism, along with everything else he is, I was really interested in hearing about -- who gets the boot.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously: We met the 16 designers for the season. The first challenge was to create a look from a bed sheet and the pajamas on their bodies. Josh C., a Mormon former banker, barely made the cut with some ill-fitting shorts and a tank top. But, it was Rafael, with those pants... I'm still thinking about those pants. Rafael was sent home so he could think about them too.
Nina and Michael are in the title sequence now. As Tim Gunn might say, I'm not sure it's promoting of the spirit of seriousness of purpose of the competition to have our esteemed judges jumping around in front of a green screen. Maybe that's just me.
It's morning at the Atlas building! Josh C. tells his roomies that he's feeling better today because he can only go up... hopefully. He interviews that he's hung up on the critique that he got. For the challenge, he's not so interested in winning as staying in the game. Bryce says that they should use Rafael's empty bed as motivation to work hard. Josh M. says that it was "different" to not have Rafael, the dude that he's known all of maybe 36 hours or something, in the apartment. He says that he'll miss him and his hair.
In one of the lady-filled apartments, Kimberly cracks that Rafael is probably back home entering Beyonce lookalike contests. This joke is met by guffaws. Lame. He looks nothing like Beyonce. Justin Bieber? Oddly, yes. But, not Beyonce. I guess you don't actually have to look like her to enter the contest though. And, the pants... I'm just saying that we know he doesn't have the best judgment. But, seriously, those pants that he made. I don't think I can get over them.
Anya explains to the girls that the six designers that were chosen for the top and bottom during the challenge judging were all surprised. Anya interviews that being in the top 3 makes her feel like she can DO this. Back in one of the boy huts, the guys are joking to Bert about how they're all gunning for him. Wait, that's "joking" with Bert. He replies that it's a small price to pay for being fabulous and everything seems weird and charged, like this is some weird production of The Children's Hour. I don't ever really need to see another production of that play.
The designers head for Parsons and are greeted on the runway by Heidi. Whoever is doing her hair and makeup this season is doing a bang up job. She looks fantastic. She tells them that the challenge is designed to help them "unleash" their creativity. Oh, leashes. I get this. Josh M? His first thought is some sort of fetish/S&M thing. He's a sicko. They're going to meet Tim at 14th and Avenue B (three blocks from my former apartment, as well Life "La Vie Boheme" Cafe) for details.
Tim meets the designers outside of Petland Discounts, where he tells them that they are about to take part in the "unconventional challenge -- a Project Runway favorite." How exciting! Anthony thinks that they are going to be dressing dogs. Olivier tells us that he is not much of a pet person and has never been to a pet store. He did have some rabbits when he was younger, but they all died. That's all we get. Old age? Cosmetics testing? We don't find out how they died. We just know they're dead and that Olivier's accent is AWFULLY thick for a person who spent, what, like two years in the UK after growing up in Columbus, Ohio? I think Olivier's pretty damn cute and I'm really interested in touching his hair, but I need answers and I need them now.
Tim explains that the designers will be creating looks from supplies in the pet store. He warns them that the judges frown on designs made of a lot of fabric, however, they are free to use muslin as infrastructure in their designs. I wonder if Olivier's going to try to get rabbits. I think that's against the rules. They will have 300 dollars and 30 minutes to shop. And, they're off!
Bert asks Tim if the live animals are off-limits. They are. Then, Tim makes a face of disgust, presumably at the idea of animal products being used in the challenge. Fallene says that she's looking for fun and whimsical stuff- she doesn't take fashion too seriously. Anthony seems revolted that the other designers are using lots of leashes and plastic plants. He vows to make something from items that no one else is using. Someone asks Tim a question about what they are allowed to buy and he explains that they can buy anything they want (aside from live animals? Rude!), however, they don't want to show the judges, say, a doggie bed that has merely been deconstructed. Cut to Bert asking for help reaching the doggie beds. He interviews that costume-y challenges such as this one are really not his thing. He's going to leave the clown work to the other designers. I can't really decide if that was super honest or a little bitchy.
Bryce grabs a whole bunch of pee pads for puppies. Bert thinks that Laura is doing a good job shopping. She grabbed a plastic dog collar/cone- those things that dogs wear when they're not supposed to lick something and humans want to embarrass them.
Back at the workroom, everyone unpacks their shit. Viktor sees that Becky got some green plastic plant thing that he wanted. He sings, "That's alright. That's OK. You're gonna pump my gas someday." After a small delay, Becky enjoys this and laughs. Julie was going to use the packaging from dog food, but she doesn't like the material once she's working with it. Becky notes that Cecilia is going to use dog food like beads, waits a beat, then laughs her head off. Bryce is still going to town with his pee pads.
Laura seems confident. She's using the dog cone as a foundation for a skirt. She talks to Bert about what he's doing and tells him that she can't wait to see what he shows. Hmm, she's got an interesting respectful tone that makes me feel like I've underestimated her a little bit. Fallene says that she never uses the color orange, but it looks like she's using it now. Viktor says to her that this challenge should be right up her alley and she explains in an interview that she grew up in a very artsy family. Her siblings and she were allowed to write on the walls and such at home, so she is now able to think outside of that box. You know the box. She's wondering what the judges will want and Viktor reminds her that they'll never know. So, anyway, everyone feels like this should be Fallene's sweet spot, this challenge.
Josh C. is using some pretty obvious textiles (umbrella, dog bed, etc.) but he seems relatively confident, so just go with it, Josh. Olivier says that he is the exact opposite of craft stuff. He tells us that he lived in Ohio until he was 16, then moved to London by himself. Later, he went to Milan for "University." He says that, because he has lived in 20 different countries and is a massive fancy pants, culture is very important to him. Something is missing from his story. I don't know what it is, but I'll find out.
Viktor tells Josh M. a little about what he's doing. Josh M. does the same, realizing that he's missing connecting parts for these weird tube things that he's using. Connecting parts of which Viktor is in possession. "Let the games begin," says Becky. Viktor tells us that he's very competitive. Josh M. and his eyebrows tell us that they are going to rock this challenge.
Anya feels weird about cutting the head off of a stuffed animal pelt. I believe that the eradication of teddy and binky poaching is a pet cause of the Miss Universe organization. She's making a lot of people proud right now by championing the... OK, that was a lie. Josh M. tells us that he grew up in the theatre and has a costume-based aesthetic. Instead of a "less is more" approach, he prefers a "more is better" mindset. Kimberly points out that the designers are not used to working with any of these materials, so there's a giant chunk of unknown about the whole thing. Julie tells Bert that, in her mind, her outfit is going to work out perfectly and he jokes that, in her mind, she's also the Queen of Spain. More jokes like this, Bert, and we are going to be friends. Because, Queen of Spain... why? Because its glamour, baby. Julie tells us that she likes her design, but the materials are behaving a little oddly. Becky has some reservations about the colors and materials that she has chosen. She doesn't want her outfit to have a "mother earth" look to it.
Josh C. is dyeing some stuff and Olivier remarks in an interview that he is worried because the judges were not a fan of his during the last challenge. Laura is chugging along. She tells us that she grew up upper class, so she has spent a lot of time around luxury and knows that she can't send crap down the runway and have the judges see it as luxury. She feels good about it, but is waiting until she sees it on her model to decide whether it looks "classy or assy." Or, in this case, Lassie. Hooooooo! Fallene says that she's just as lost as everyone else. She makes her living as a hairstylist and designs part time. Everyone expects her to knock this out of the park but she's feeling really pressed for time.
People are starting to notice that Bert is using really conventional materials. He, meanwhile, has never forgotten that he has immunity for this challenge. Anthony plans on making a dress with birdseed that looks like beading, but he's worried about having enough time. Olivier appears to be using a dog bed as fabric for his look, which Anthony notes is predictable. He also mentions though that Olivier's tailoring and taste level suggest a lot of skill.
Viktor, who is working overtime this week to be catchphrase honey, mentions as he is dyeing some pee pads that it is worse than doing laundry in the river. Bryce thinks that Viktor's dress is looking really good. He says that he wants to be in the top 3 this week.
Here's Tim! He greets everyone but no one really looks up. Busy peeps. He starts with Viktor and is stunned to hear that the dress was originally pee pads. He moves onto Bert and is not excited. The dress he's working on is totally blah. Becky chimes in that Bert is phoning it in. Tim says that Bert is really sitting pretty in the judges' minds right now and he doesn't want his lazy effort to recalibrate their opinion of him. Then, he moves onto Josh C., who I find really sort of charming and sweet. Josh says that he's feeling a lot of pressure. He really just has a bodice to show Tim, but Tim seems to really like it. Kimberly adds that Josh has gotten off to a nice start, but he needs to pump up the volume for the judges.
Olivier's stuff is looking impressive. He asks Tim (as Anthony appears to be eavesdropping) if he has a problem with him using bedding as his fabric. Tim says that his plan for his skirt is very ambitious, so the judges should be happy. Anthony does not seem happy. Laura didn't get as much love for her skirt as she was expecting. Josh M. has SO many plans and nothing to show Tim. He suggests to Josh that, if he can't pull off exactly what he has described in the timeframe they have, he should revise his plan.
Anya's plan seems very difficult. Becky's design seems kind of tacky, which Kimberly seconds. Tim is really impressed by Anthony's vision, though there isn't that much to see yet. He's really worried about Fallene's ability to finish her look in time. Tim tells everyone that he's really excited to see everyone's finished products. Once he's gone, Becky remarks that it will be nice to partake of a challenge when they finally get to go to Mood. Then, the models come in for fittings. Viktor's dress is very tight. We hear Bert badmouthing the challenge to his model. Bryce interviews that he's not a fan of Bert's attitude, especially since the rest of them are so happy and honored to be there. Josh C. works really hard to make sure his look fits his model and, from what I can see, it looks like he's pretty successful. Josh M. gives himself some tough love (nothing sordid) and ruthlessly edits his own design in order to get all of it done. Laura notices that her model's boohiney is hanging out of the skirt she made. So, when the models are gone, she starts experimenting with some cat scratch to cardboard stuff to see if it would work. Olivier says that she would be terrified to use paper as a material and Laura notes that lots of materials seem to terrify him. Bert says that Olivier is very high fashion.
Julie tells us that she is always feeling like she's up shit creek. Josh C. feels the same way, because there's not a lot of stuff glued to his outfit. Also, we hear how Josh M. really loves his energy and thinks that he's great and all that. It's very sweet. Everyone else feels that Bryce is up shit creek. Because his skirt looks like a bunch of pee pads sewn together.
The day, everybody gets to work. Anthony has decided that the grass he was going to use as his skirt is too "hula," so he's going to cover his entire skirt with birdseed. That seems really difficult, no? What a stupid thing to type. Of course it's very difficult. Anya says she is not even close to finishing.
Tim comes back. Josh M.'s changes to his original design really impress Tim. He tells them that they have two hours before the fashion show begins. In hair and makeup, Olivier instructs the artist to apply wood shavings to his model's eyebrows. The model seems completely psyched but everyone else thinks it's the worst idea ever, though they don't say it. Everyone scrambles to get it together and they manage to make their way to the runway in record time!
On the runway, Heidi is looking seriously awesome. She introduces Michael, Nina and guest judge Stacey Bendet, who started Alice + Olivia. She looks like Judy Tenuta. This is not something that is bad. The show begins with Danielle's look. She used rope dog toys and pee pads to make a skirt and a rope top. It's pretty cool. It all seems to fit really well. I feel like the silhouette of the top could be a little bit cooler. It's very symmetrical, which seems odd given the construction and materials.
Fallene's look is . She made a strapless dress with a dog bed and aquarium seaweed. It's cute. There are all of these orange pieces glued to the skirt and I really like the texture. She says that she recognizes that her look isn't the most interesting on the runway, but she still likes it.
Anthony's look is and it looks fantastic. He's happy that it looks as expensive as it does. The dress is belted in the middle, the neckline has sunflower seeds and it melts into birdseed, which covers the rest of the dress. Bert's look is . Snooze. He used a dog bed and bird cage netting to make a black dress with a lace overlay at the neckline and along the back. It's really dated and not cute at all. I'm recalibrating. He's happy with it.
Julie's look is and she used leashes and dog food bags. She made a weave of fabrics and it looks really cool, but it looks difficult to walk in. She feels like it has a military feel and loves the silhouette. I agree with her.
Anya pulled it off again. With leashes and rope dog toys, she made a fabulously constructed halter top and amazing black skirt. Bryce tells her that the blouse was worth all of the work. That is nice of him but, unfortunately, the same can not be said of his design, which follows. It's just a paper mache disaster. A midriff baring halter top over a ridiculously voluminous skirt. All from pee pads. He says that he likes the movement, but he's not sure about the look.
Kimberly's look is and it was created with a dog pillow and aquarium tubing. She made a strapless dress that has a very architectural feel. It's cute. Josh C.'s look is . It's exactly his mentality. He made it perfectly, but filed down all of the interesting parts of himself in the meantime.
Here's Viktor's look and it's adorable. It's a strapless dress made of pee pads and the dye job he did is pretty spectacular. He's proud of the look. Cecilia's look is and is made of dog collars and hamster bedding. It looks really good. It looks like mostly stuff added to muslin, but it looks really good.
Olivier's dress is and it's remarkable. He used a dog bed and hamster bedding. The top is sort of an unstructured thing of the dog bedding. The skirt is full and has an hombre effect where it gets darker towards the bottom. Well, I kind of like Becky's dress, so take that, Kimberly. She used aquarium flowers and they are all placed expertly. She's excited about the dress, though she's nervous about the colors.
Laura's look is and she managed to save herself. The paper thing she was sewing covers her skirt, so no model booty hanging out. She has a strap across one-shoulder that I think is really neat. Josh M.'s is up. It's kinda cool. He waves his finger at his model all sassy-like as she walks the runway. The look is a short black skirt with just a little volume. He made a short sleeveless blouse that is completely beaded and looks really cool.
Afterwards, Danielle, Julie, Laura, Viktor, Becky, Cecilia, Kimberly, Anya and Bert are called forward. They are all through to the challenge, however, Heidi tells Bert that he's very lucky that he had immunity. He agrees. As the safe people are leaving, the Joshes reach out and touch each other and I love it. All of the safe people celebrate backstage.
Bryce tells the judges that he used all pee pads. Michael is sick of "ugly napkin clothes." It never works, but Bryce fudged the styling too. Heidi doesn't think he manipulated the materials at all. Also, she doesn't know where his girl is going.
Everybody is digging Anthony's design. Nina loves the dramatic neckline and the tailoring. Olivier explains his design. Nina loves it. She finds the shape simple, yet dramatic. Michael thinks it's a very interesting use of materials. Stacy loves it. No one is digging the weird eyebrows.
Josh C. gets slammed for using conventional materials. Nina doesn't think it's terrible, but she thinks he was too safe. Josh M. gets praise. Nina loves the shape of the skirt. Heidi loves it too. Michael thinks he went overboard with the styling. Heidi is not excited about Fallene's silhouette. Stacy and Nina think that the accessories hurt as opposed to help the look. She agrees with them about everything -- she's not excited about it. Michael thinks it looks dated.
The judges confer. Heidi says that Bryce's outfit was one of the worst she has seen in a long time. Michael felt that Fallene was boring. They think that Josh C. played it too safe. They loved Josh M.'s top and all of the aquarium jewels. Nina loved the pattern of the top but she thought his styling was off. They loved Anthony's look except for the length. Stacey liked Olivier's dress, except for the fit. Heidi and Nina don't agree about who is best.
The designers return to the stage. Olivier... is the winner of the challenge! He has immunity for the challenge. He goes backstage to applause. Heidi tells Anthony that his dress was her favorite. Josh M. is in too! Bryce...is in? What? This is stupid. It's down to Fallene and Josh C., both of whom were better than the dude who just walked away. Josh is... out. He puts his face in his hands and it's really sad. Fallene goes backstage and starts crying, which she says she never thought she'd do. Josh goes backstage and it's very tearful. He's a sweetheart. Even Tim gets choked up. Boo. I hate it when the good ones go home too soon. Josh says he's still going to try to make an impact. Good luck!
Jeff Long is a writer/performer living in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com