The designers get nine grand and five weeks to collect a 10-piece collection. Heidi, once again, looks completely freaking stellar as she gives the news. Three weeks later, Tim goes to check on Kimberly in bucolic White Plains, Maryland. Poor girl interviews that she hasn't really slept at all yet. She tells Tim that her inspiration is her pre-gentrified Brooklyn roots and how she has elevated herself from her rough beginning. So "Urban Transformed" is sort of the theme. She really is such a delight. Tim says the designs are very clearly "her," but implores with her to take some risks. She interviews that she's afraid of boring Nina. Tim meets her sister and two best friends in the kitchen. Also, her little niece Avery is there and is too cute. Her friends grew up with her and Tim asks all three what Kimberly was like when she was younger. They say she always had a confident look.
Oh my God, he goes to Trinidad . Tim meets two of Anya's young brothers. They're adorable. One says that he's glad that people are talking about Anya's talent instead of her beauty now. Anya says that her other brother, Pilar, died when he was 18 and she feels a responsibility to pursue her dreams since he doesn't have that opportunity. She has a tattoo of his name on her hand and says that he walks with her every day. She says she has been unable to draw a new shape, so she has NO CLOTHES to show him. He tells her to just start making muslin shapes. Just "make."
Back in New York, Tim checks on Viktor. He says that his inspiration is "urban coast." He took a bunch of photos in Guadalajara for the anniversary of his brother's death and they and he are serving as inspiration. Other than his final look, Tim thinks that the entire collection is a winner. We meet Viktor's cute boyfriend, David.
In Queens, Tim visits Josh. Except, they meet at Elmo in Chelsea and OF COURSE THEY DID. He brings his sister McKenzie. She's beautiful. He was apparently a track and field star in high school. He has always been very tan. He is worried that he doesn't have enough stuff to show Tim. What he has, Tim hates. It's all the obvious tacky stuff.
They get "back" to New York and move into the penthouse at the Hudson Hotel. They have to show three looks for the judges. Poor Anya is in the bell jar after Tim's critique. He tells her that it looks like she retreated into a safe place. She's devastated. She works until the last moment to finish her stuff and manages to pull herself out of her funk.
Viktor's seem stuff seems pretty strong. Anya's stuff is cute too. Kimberly's stuff is... interesting. Maybe a little garish? Josh's stuff is really cute too and puts his most "out there" tendencies in a tasteful setting. The judges give Anya a pretty hard time for her STYLING. I know. They really hate one of Kimberly's skirts. They tell Viktor that he didn't edit enough. Too many tricks. Nina tells Josh that, amazingly, his styling was the strongest. Josh makes it through, then Viktor. Kimberly is showing too. ANYA'S IN TOO! Oh my God! That was a close one. Josh is, of course, a horrible shitty sport about the whole thing.
Previously: The designers had their final challenge. Josh was all crazy about the fact that Anya hasn't been a sewing person her whole life. WHATEVER. Laura was eliminated. Sad times.
Heidi greets the designers on the runway. She's wearing this little coral dress that is so cute. I really can't get over how profoundly pretty Heidi has been at like every moment of this season. She asks Kimberly if she has recovered, remembering that she was a little stunned on the runway. Kimberly answers that it has been quite a journey. Oh Kim, you just used one of my least favorite reality show phrases, along with buses and things that you throw under them. Can you imagine being a bus driver in a world where people are actually throwing things under your bus? Don't bother. It's stupid. Heidi tells the designers that all four of them will be creating collections, but only three of them will present at Fashion Week. Anya interviews that, tired as she is, the competition has just started. They will each get nine grand and five weeks to create their collection. Josh, sounding more and more like Mrs. Howell from Gilligan's Island with every sentence escaping his blindingly white teeth, says that five weeks is a short amount of time to create a 10-look collection. Tim enters the runway to applause. He reminds the designers that he's going to be visiting them at home. Heidi tells them to wow the judges. Then, she and Tim leave the runway and do a little dance behind the scrim.
The boys are packing at the Atlas Building. The girls are doing the same. Anya admits that she didn't totally unpack at first because she didn't think that she would be there as long as she was. She interviews that she's nervous, exhausted and maybe sad about leaving. She tells Kim that it doesn't feel real. Kimberly interviews that she doesn't know how to feel. She's going to give herself a couple of days to just "be." On his way to the subway, Viktor says that he knows the other designers are going to "bring it." Josh, also taking the train, says that it's time for him to go home and build a beautiful collection. Kimberly interviews that she'll miss...wait. It doesn't seem like she misses anything.
3 weeks later, Tim is visiting the bucolic vistas of White Plains, Maryland. Kimberly lives there. He walks up the sidewalk to her house, as if he walked all the way from New York. They were just like, "Tim, here's the address. You have three weeks to get there." Kim greets Tim at her front door. She interviews that she's very excited to have him there. She's gorgeous and Tim says she doesn't look like a person who has been toiling away on a collection. She promises that she has. She interviews that she hasn't slept since leaving the show. She takes him to her studio and he remarks that she has so much space as compared to New York. Regarding her inspiration, she says that she grew up in pre-gentrified Brooklyn but elevated herself. She wants to design for the same girl. "Brooklyn transformed." She shows him some stuff, including a leather jacket, sweat pants and some jewelry made with rope that resembles gold. Tim tells her that the collection is "her." He tells her to take some risks. She interviews that she doesn't want to bore the judges. "We don't want to bore Nina!" Jesus, no. We don't want that.
And so begins the most special time of the season. Unlike the reunion shows that do or do not happen per the cruel whimsy of various network executives and whatnot, the Tim-meets-the-family moments of the finales are maybe my most favorite segments. Tim goes into Kim's kitchen where waiting for him are Kimberly's sister and best friends. And, there's Kimberly's niece, Avery, who happens to be insanely adorable. Avery is just a toddler, but her mother Shelly tells us that she has been walking around the house saying, "Tim Gunn. Work." Werk, Avery. Kimberly tells us that her mother died when she was 17. Her two friends there grew up across the street from her. Tim asks them what Kimberly was like as a youngster. They say that she was always very confident in her look and was a trendsetter. Kim interviews that she got her fashion sense from her mother. She idolized her and is fortified by her desire to make her mother proud in some way. She wants to be the first African-American to win Project Runway because she feels that they are underrepresented in fashion. You know, that's probably true. Entirely serious -- I wonder why that is?
Oh my God. I've been waiting for this. Tim is in Trinidad. I wonder if he got laid while he was there. He arrives, in a suit, at a dock and Anya greets him from a boat because OF COURSE. Where the fuck else would Anya be greeting you from except for a fancy yacht-looking boat? She looks amazing because why wouldn't she? Tim says that he thought of dressing more casually, but was afraid that she wouldn't recognize him. As they are being boated around, she tells Tim that the sea is a big part of her inspiration. She interviews that it means a lot for her to have Tim there. She takes him to her house, which is beautiful. Waiting for him are Yves and Will, two of her brothers. She says that words cannot express what they mean to her. They're adorable. One of them tells Tim that, because of Miss Universe, he was used to people commenting about Anya's beauty and elegance, but now people talk about her talent and that makes him happy. Anya says that her bros are her biggest fans. No they are not, Anya. Her brother Pilar died when he was 18 and Anya says that event inspired her, because she wants to live life fully since he didn't get that opportunity. She has a tattoo of his name on her hand and she says that he walks with her every step. Why does this show think it has to make you cry? I mean, mission accomplished, but I just wonder why someone's death or life/death struggle is always front and center. I guess I don't really wonder. I get it. It's just a weird marriage -- clothes and death.
Anya shows Tim her inspiration wall. She is using pictures of Tobago, the sister island of Trinidad. She shows a fabric that looks like the sea. However, she doesn't have anything made. She says that she can't draw a new shape. Wow. This is not good. Tim tells her that he's there to support her and it's clear that she needs it. He confirms that she's aware that she can't have any help with construction. Glad that's out of the way. Then, he says, "Rise, Anya!" which is the single gayest thing that has come out of anyone's mouth since Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin wished us all a Happy New Year and makes me love him so much. He tells her that she needs to spend the few days just making muslin shapes.
Back in New York, Tim is visiting Viktor, who tells us that he's excited to have Tim there. His studio is huge. Tim had to walk five flights to get there and says, "Grandpa needs a rest!" His inspiration is "Urban Coast" and he's using photos he took in Mexico. He went there to honor the passing of his brother. See? More death. He feels like a little piece of his brother will be in the collection. He cries and says that he told his brother that he would make him proud. I trust Viktor's feelings are authentic, but it seems like they forced him to feel these things on air. Tim finds his vision clear. He shows Tim this leather skirt that goes on top of a dress and Tim says that it makes the entire look. He shows a jacket that Tim finds very impressive. He tells Viktor not to overthink. Tim goes to Viktor's apartment where he meets his boyfriend, David. Cutie. He tells Tim that he and Viktor met "the old-fashioned way," at a bar. Touché. He says that it may be cheesy, but it was love at first sight. Not cheesy. He's like a waifish Patrick Wilson. Viktor tells Tim that he's the youngest of seven and grew up in Mexico, where it was more family-oriented than it is for him now. David leads a toast to Viktor saying how proud he is of him.
, it's on to Queens, where we will be subjected to Josh. But, instead, they meet at Elmo, the gayest restaurant in the gayest neigborhood this side of Wisteria Lane. He brings his little sister McKenzie. She's cute. Very tan. Very white teeth. She asks how he feels about Tim coming to his apartment and he says that he just hopes that he can fit. Tim gets there and asks McKenzie what Josh was like as a youngster. She says that he was good at everything he did, like theater and sports. Tim is intrigued by the sports part. Yeah, so Josh was a track and field star of sorts and had won scholarships based on his talents. He felt a lot of pressure to be involved in athletics, but his dream was to come to NYC, so he left all of that behind. We see photos of him in action and it appears that Josh has been sporting an overwrought look for a while now. Eyebrows, ironed hair, eyebrows. Eyebrows. Why? Would you do that? Why would you do that? What aesthetic do super black, hyper-shaped eyebrows on super tan skin belong to? He seriously looks like Joan Crawford. I'm not even sure how you would soften up Josh's look, but it really needs to happen. He tells Tim that he hasn't made as much stuff has he would like, but he thinks that Tim will be able to see the direction. I hate everything about him. He shows Tim his inspiration, including a print that is at the center of his collection. Tim hates it. He hates all of it. He manages to get Josh to drop some of the more ridiculous fabrics. Interestingly, Josh is open to his suggestions. Tim tells Josh that his print is one of the homeliest textiles that he has ever seen. He says that there is no sex in his collection. Josh interviews that he has more work that he thinks he can handle now.
So, that's all done. Now, they're coming back to New York! I like it when one of the designers has a different look when they return. It makes me feel like they've been on some sort of vision quest and that is satisfying for me as a viewer. Josh is rolling his suitcase full of buttonless shirts and hair gel into the Hudson Hotel. The penthouse, baby. He walks onto the terrace and gets choked up. He says later that he felt his mother telling him he'd arrived via some breeze or something. He wishes she was there. Anya arrives and gives a big hug to Josh. Then, Kim gets there. Finally, Viktor gets there. He interviews that it's a love-hate relationship with his fellow designers. I wonder if the rest of them are aware of the hate part? Then, Tim arrives and leads a champagne toast! He leaves them to enjoy the evening. A free evening? Never.
The day, they arrive at the studio where they are going to be working and it is swank. Viktor jokes that this is the way you treat designers. Anya tells Kimberly that she likes her pinks and blues, then interviews that she doesn't like them. Viktor thinks that Anya's stuff looks like her other stuff. Kimberly thinks that Viktor's stuff is showy. Viktor thinks that Josh needs to be less casual. Tim enters an tells them that their final challenge is to present three looks to the judges. The models won't come in for a fitting until before the show. He says that only three of the designers will be moving forward.
Tim does consultations and Josh is blown away by Viktor's leather jacket. He says it's "everything" which is quite the compliment! Seeing that jacket shook him in his boots. Josh feels like he has done a 180 in his own collection, though he is trying to stay true to the proverbial self. Tim thinks that the three looks he is choosing aren't cohesive. He asks Josh to disagree with him but he has nothing to say. He asks Kimberly how she's doing and she says she's "excellent." I'm not digging some of Kim's shapes. Tim tells her to center herself. He wants her to focus on showing her customer with three looks. Anya has made things! She has used an inverted pleat for several looks and Tim is unimpressed. He says that he's disappointed. It looks like she has retreated into her comfort zone. Uh oh. She seems upset. She interviews that this is the lowest she has felt during the entire competition. This is the worst critique she has gotten. He says she needs to commit to what she has started and just finish things. She sobs in her interview saying that she knew what Tim was going to say. She feels that she has let herself down. Josh says that he's nervous for her. This is the first time he has seen her without confidence. She says that she hasn't taken this too seriously, because she didn't really have to answer to anyone. Now though, she feels the expectations of her family and friends and countrymen. She didn't expect this to be such a big deal. She knows she has more in her, but there's no time now.
Kimberly tries to center herself, but I'm not sure she's terribly successful. The day, Viktor says that he feels like he's getting ready for prom. Josh wears a pin that belonged to his mother. At the workroom, Tim greets the designers. He tells everyone that he loves them, then sends in their models. One of the zippers on Anya's looks breaks. She interviews that it's important that she calm down. She changes course and decides to show a bathing suit as one of her three looks. Meanwhile, Josh asks her opinion of the blue shoes in his look. She says it's very him. He agrees. Viktor's really feeling his place in the sun. In the make-up room, he sits in a chair and gets his eyes done. He says that he doesn't want to look like a drag queen, though that's easy for him because he's beautiful already.
Josh remarks that Anya is focused and frantic and sewing really closely to her work. Viktor says that he's not surprised because she finishes everything at the last moment. Kimberly is doing some finishing sewing on a dress with her model still in it. Josh wants the judges to find his work refined. Anya is proud that she pulled herself out of a funk and kept working. Viktor has dreamt of Fashion Week for a long time and he fake cries again that he is going to try to go on the runway and be fierce. They told him he couldn't leave the room until he cried. I know it.
On the runway, Heidi enters wearing pants and the hottest t-shirt. There's no guest judge! No guests allowed for this shiz. Viktor's stuff is up first. He shows a dress, with a leather skirt on top. The girl looks kind of heavy in it. is some nicely tailored slacks and a top with little mirrors all over it. On top is a blazer that I think is super cute. Last is a gown with his leather jacket on top. The jacket is pretty cool. The gown has a train but hits above the knee in the front.
Anya's stuff is . She shows a dress with a tropical fabric that has her traditional open back and the inverted pleating in the back. , she shows a bathing suit that isn't terribly original. Last, she has a gown that looks hastily made, but I think the styling is still pretty good.
is Kimberly's stuff. First is the sweatpants and an off-the-shoulder top that also has a cut-out in the back. Second is a top and skirt with details everywhere. Last is an evening gown that I think is really beautiful and pretty modern. That said, I really have a problem with the other silhouettes. All of her bodices are boxy and I don't like that.
Josh's stuff is up . He opens with this really great jacket over pink slacks. Then, he has an amazingly tailored black dress. The thing is, it's really low cut but has a little band across the open boob area. Meh. Then, he has a gown/pantsuit? with a plastic halter top. Yes. No. I mean, that's a big idea. But, I'm not sure it's in good taste.
It's judging time and they kill Anya. Heidi hated all of it. She says that her gown looks like she made it in a day. She doesn't like the back, which I kind of disagree with. Michael thinks that her gown shows every imperfection, of which there are many. He thinks that Caribbean glamour should have been her approach, but it looks labored. They aren't crazy about Kimberly's shapes, but they like that she has a point-of-view. Nina doesn't like the styling. Heidi hates the skirt she made. She thinks the bubble butt is horrible. They love Viktor's stuff, but they think he covers up the gown with the leather jacket. He has all these pearls on the sleeves and the judges aren't crazy about it. Also, they love the gown. They make him take the leather overlay off of his dress and they like it much better that way. They like Josh's stuff, led by the jacket that he made. Heidi isn't wild about the nylon belt on his jacket, though Michael likes it. He hates the "modesty tab" on the black dress. They hate the pants portion of his gown/pantsuit. Michael thinks the notion that a woman will let her ass hang out in Olivia Newton-John pants.
Backstage, they all acknowledge that the bottom is down to Anya and Kimberly. The judges think the boys did pretty well, though Viktor needs to edit and Josh needs to make some more clothes. They like Josh's styling the most. They liked Anya's first dress a lot. Heidi was really disappointed in the evening gown. They really hated Kimberly's styling. Again backstage, Viktor tells everyone that he loves them and is honored to have been on this journey with them. They all hold hands. Sweet!
Onstage, the designers return. Josh is in. He claps for himself. He goes backstage and touches his mother's pin and says, "Oh God, my heart." Viktor's in! He gets a hug from Josh backstage, then Josh feels his heart. It's down to the girls. Please, don't do this to me. Heidi says that they have a lot of potential. Kimberly is...in. Good for her, but STOP DOING THIS TO ME. This can't be real. Onstage, Anya is so composed. Heidi tells her that she is in as well. She is stunned. She thanks the judges and Heidi tells her she has a lot of work to do. Anya thanks each of them for the experience. Backstage, Kimberly is so excited that Anya is going through. Josh interviews snappily that he thinks neither Kim nor Anya should go to Fashion Week. He doesn't think critiques like Anya's make her collection worthy of the main stage. Heidi and the judges are happy with their decision. So is Tim! He goes backstage and hugs everyone. He tells them that they're not out of the woods, but they're at least still in the woods. I love that!
Jeff Long is a writer/performer in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @jblong.