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We start the show with all of the designers spouting the platitudes about "I thought my look was the strongest" and "every challenge, someone has to go" that we've come to know so well. It makes me wonder if one day many, many years from now there will be some sort of new-ish religion where the Lord's Prayer includes lines like "I didn't come here to make friends."
The designers meet at Dylan's Candy Bar, a truly special place. This is the unconventional materials challenge and they are going to have to create a look out of candy. Gunnar interviews that he dreamt this challenge before he came to the show. Dude is a pill. Also, I'd like to add that Dylan Lauren seems like someone it would be fun to be friends with. She has a fun voice.
Gunnar and Christopher are still at odds and it really makes Gunnar look like a psycho jerk. Ven is not into Buffi, who I really thought that spelled her name with a y. At the consultations, Kooan is such a complete little weirdo and it's so authentic that Tim doesn't seem particularly fazed. Tim rips Andrea APART at the consult. He tells her that her work is a throw-away and underwhelming and disappointed. She is hugely affected by the critique and it makes me kind of upset for her.
At the fittings, a model eats a piece of candy. We see it. It's recorded.
Christopher is totally freaked out by how Gunnar has flipped from being completely bitchy to being everyone's best friend. He vows to keep his distance. Andrea decides to stick with her original idea. Everyone is getting burnt by hot glue. Elena gets particularly hurt and medics have to attend to her, though Christopher makes the valid point that she shouldn't be wearing hoochie shorts to work.
On the runway, there are a few stand-outs, but the distance between the bottom three and the rest of them isn't that far. Top three are Sonjia, Ven and Gunnar. The bottom are Buffi (who giggles at her critique in the best way), Elena and Lantie. Ven gets huge praise for his stained glass-style dress. They slam Elena for being humorless and severe, but she does a pretty remarkable job of defending her work. The win is between Sonjia and Ven and Ven pulls it out! He looks like he's probably super talented, but he has the personality of a goldfish. Elena is in. Our bottom two are Lantie and Buffi and Lantie is... out. Buffi tells everyone backstage that she was so nervous she pooped a little bit. Heh. Lantie is really defensive about her loss, and hopefully she can have a little more perspective down the road.
ATTENTION: it appears that Anya is going to be on week's episode!!
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously: We met our new designers. They presented looks at a fashion show in Times Square. Beatrice, who seemed lovely, will continue to be lovely beyond the prying eyes of reality television as she was informed that she was not in. Kooan, who dressed his model like a clown, was told to make sure that his fashion didn't come off as a joke. I would remind the judges that clowns are also often terrifying. Christopher deservedly won the challenge with a spectacularly constructed evening gown. There's already a rivalry for the ages brewing between Christopher and fellow designer Gunnar. It's like Gore Vidal and Truman Capote (RIP, everyone!) if both of them were Truman Capote.
At the top, Heidi reminds us of what's at stake this season. The winner will get a package worth 50 grand from HP and Intel of office equipment and "space." I wonder how that works. Like, do they just help you lease something or could you actually have an office in the HP HQs? They also get a fashion spread in Marie Claire. And a 2013 Lexus. Wow. That's nice.
L'Oreal Paris gives them 100 grand to help start their business and they get the "chance" to design and sell their clothes for Lord & Taylor. Now, I guess that I don't do as much investigation as is probably warranted before posing this question, but... I still don't really see any Project Runway clothing in traditional outlets. There's the occasional Christian Siriano dress on the red carpet, but where does one BUY this shit? I'm still reminded of the Jay McCarroll days when he essentially thumbed his nose at his prize and didn't end up getting any of his shit made. There was a bunch of lip service paid to him being true to some sort of vision or whatever, but it felt an awful lot like he'd become more interested in being a personality than making anything. That's purely my opinion, but having seen it played out like that season after season, I don't know (yes I do). So, Heidi also tells us that the winning model will receive a fashion spread in Marie Claire (I'm, um, assuming that this will be the same fashion spread that the winning designer gets) and 25 grand from L'Oreal Paris. Wow, that'll buy a lot of salad with the dressing on the side.
At the Atlas Building, the boys are rising and shining. Kooan explains excitedly how he hates the morning. It doesn't affect his energy level, apparently. Fabio, who exhibits a calm and smart kindness that is always fun for me to watch, says that he was sad to see Beatrice go and that she was really sweet. Gunnar, who looks THRILLED to be the idiot who says this season after season after season, remarks that you don't want to see other designers go... but you DO want to see them go. The reason is that it is actually just super INSANELY evolved to exhibit signs, simultaneously, of both self-interest and, wait for this, empathy. I mean, Jesus Christ, we'll be breathing underwater.
Lantie interviews that she was really surprised to be in the bottom two designers during the last challenge. In the moment, she thought that she would be going home but had vividly visualized Heidi telling her that she was in. Damn, man, if only Beatrice had done that. When someone laments that Beatrice shouldn't have been the first to go, Elena cracks that she should have been the second.
Christopher says that he was very excited to win the Times Square challenge and he has no idea what will be coming . He looks really tired and like there's a producer immediately off-camera with some note cards and a cattle prod. Ven interviews that he definitely thought that his own look was the strongest and was very confused by Christopher's win. This is going to be hard. Ven, there's something about him and you can just tell that he's the real deal, has the personality of a pillow. A pillow being placed over your sleeping face and pressed down real hard. In a way, I find it kind of fascinating though because I think the popular assumption, and Project Runway has certainly supported this theory, is that fashion designers are dramatic people with artistic temperaments and pocketfuls of kryptonite and bon mots. Then, you get this guy. He seems like he would be more comfortable doing your taxes than deciding what you're going to wear. It takes all kinds, as they say.
The designers start activating and talking about how they're going to kill the challenge and Gunnar says, "It's about to be a 'game on'/'make it work' moment." He is really just working overtime to make sure he is featured heavily on this program. It's as if he recently picked up Dale Carnegie's How To Win Face Time On TV And Be A Real Person For Once: If It Didn't Happen On TV, It Didn't Really Happen.
At Parsons, Heidi greets all of the designers while wearing a plaid dress that, while I think I like it, maybe doesn't flatter her? This is disorienting. Holy shit, Elena is wearing some sort of ninja mask/burkha? Kooan interviews that he was really confident during the last challenge and still found himself in the bottom three designers. This time he's going to make sure that everything is perfect. The mannequins really just don't know what to think about him. Christopher has immunity this week and we see Gunnar's slack-jawed response as Heidi reminds Christopher of this. I'm really pleased that the folks in charge are already invested in playing up this rivalry between these guys. It gives me hope that maybe it's going to intensify and MAYBE we'll see a slapping match on the balcony of the Atlas before all is said and done.
Heidi says that this competition is not "child's play" though Tim is waiting for them at a very "sweet" location. Hmm, they're on their way and Dmitry interviews that sweets and kids are not for him. Tim meets the designers at Dylan's Candy Bar. Yeah, that place is the fucking best. Like, if you don't like candy, you'll still like it here. Also, you're weird if you don't like candy. Dylan Lauren is standing with him. She is the proprietor of the shop as well as the daughter of Ralph Lauren. Tim says that, because of this, fashion and candy have always had a big connection for Dylan and that really doesn't make any sense at all. So, if Dylan had become an astronaut, space and fashion would always have had a big connection? I understand the need to wrap everything up but we're going to have to do a little better than that.
Tim announces that this is the unconventional materials challenge. They're going to make fashion out of clunky segues. But really, they're going to use candy in the store to create a look. Gunnar, who just continues to seem so incredibly high strung, says that he dreamt about a candy challenge before he came on the show! And, now it's here! He's gonna tear it up, so says he! The designers are getting $250 for the challenge and Dylan is giving them half off, so that's $500 of candy that can be purchased for these looks! That's a lot. Dylan jokes that they can't eat the product. The hell, I'd say. Anyway, they get to shopping. Tim seems enthralled with the store. He finds some candy Legos and is stunned. Dude, I don't need Legos to be made of candy in order to eat some Legos.
Everybody's dashing around and Elena and Sonjia accidentally smack heads and it looks and sounds incredibly painful. Buffi, who spells her name with an i everyone, knows the score and says it's wise to stay away from actual fabrics that might be available for purchase the Bar. Cut to Andrea who has asked a store clerk to hold some t-shirts so she can decide which she likes best. Like, if they had a challenge at a truck stop, it would be wisest to try to make your look from Slim Jims and Bugles instead of trying to refashion the "Bet mine is LONGER" hat with the long bill into some sort of corset. Melissa and Gunnar are giddy when they find some jelly beans in shades of purple and black. Kooan also wants to make sure that his look is completely made of sweets. Lantie says that she's less concerned with the candy, which she is also EATING despite Dylan's orders, and more interested in what fabric will be used to support all of the candy. I guess they're not allowed to use muslin? Cause that would be a helluva lot better than the wrapping paper she has in her basket. Christopher makes some joke to a clerk that goes like this: "How much is a chocolate boyfriend?"
Everyone checks out without incident, though we do see Gunnar boss the staff around and demand to be treated nicely regarding the price which is already half-off. Fabio tells us that he's thinking Jackie O as his inspiration- something kind of Chanel-inspired. He decides to smash some rock candy and use it as texture. Buffi is going to make a circle dress and really wants the judges to think that it's wearable. Elena is using licorice because she finds it very linear. Yes, She plans on making some really pronounced shoulder pads too.
Tim comes in for a consultation and notes that everyone is very quiet. They're probably sugar crashing. He encourages everyone to push at the boundaries when attempting to wow the judges. He reminds Christopher that he has immunity for this challenge (shot of Gunnar looking on) and, though he could take a nap for this challenge, he doesn't advise it. Christopher jokes that that's why he bought the pillow he's holding. The winner of this challenge will also receive immunity. He reminds them to have fun then leaves.
Tim leaves and Christopher interviews that he saw Gunnar rolling his eyes at him. Gunnar says that Christopher must be intimidated by him, either his talent or his personality, but he's definitely intimidated. Or? Maybe he's just uncomfortable around him because you're so nakedly gross and mean. You little prick. And, here's the point where I reveal that I am not a fan of Gunnar's. I know, right? I kept that a pretty well-shrouded secret for all of 15 or 20 minutes of the last episode. Life is just too short to pretend that shrill little assholes like him aren't exactly that. Hey, congrats, you want things. The rest of us have some fucking things that we would like to happen in the world too and you're sucking all of the oxygen out of the room, so stop.
Alicia tells us that she's going to make a one-shouldered overall. It will be green and red at the top and filter into some dusty chocolate at the bottom. It's all supposed to represent the earth. Sonjia is making this really elaborate breastplate and it looks like they are allowed to use muslin. Does Lantie know that? We see Gunnar offer half of a gummy worm or something to Buffi and Christopher says that he wants to keep his distance from Gunnar. He thinks that Gunnar is the evil twin and he's the nice twin. It's funny, I like Christopher so much and I wonder if it's because he actually seems like a nice guy or if it's because he's charismatic. I feel like he could get me to rob a bank.
Buffi is using an umbrella as part of her design, so she has to hammer off all of the inside umbrella stuff. Ven is not happy about this. He interviews that she's loud and obnoxious and I just feel like he really hates her. That said, everyone does seem kind of pissed off at her. Lantie has a headache after all of the racket. She tells us that she is happy just to have the chance to attack this challenge after being in the bottom three. Then, she relays a story about how four years ago she was about to open a store when the economy went into the shitter. She had to file for bankruptcy, but she's back!! She says that she plans on making a one-shouldered bodice top that has a skirt. "Eye-catching" is what she's shooting for. Dmitry, who is seriously the dark prince of the room, says that Lantie is not pushing herself hard enough. I'd buy that. There does seem to be a sort of apathy and defensiveness about her.
Andrea tells Fabio that she's feeling very relaxed today. She's sure that will pass though. Then, she sews through one of the dots on those sheets of candy dots. She did that. She tells us that her birthday is on Halloween, so she has a strong attachment to candy. And demons. She says that she's going to make a long apron that perhaps would have been worn by a "Victorian candy bar clerk gone wild." Damn.
Fabio notices that Kooan is being very quiet today. He explains that it's just because he really wants to survive the competition. He's making a sweater dress out of Twizzlers and it looks effing rigorous. Melissa thinks that he's having a hard time right now. I think that hot gluing the ends of Twizzlers together is the perfect punishment for people who have done really horrible things and I really wouldn't poor Kooan in that category. Yet.
Sonjia and Ven are in the sewing room discussing the challenge as they work. Sonjia says that this shit is not supposed to look like Candyland. Ven goes further and says that the look should be covered in candy from head to toe but from far away it should just look like a great garment. He tells us that, when he graduated from FIT, he was named Designer of the Year and he won all four awards for which his class was available. OBNOXIOUS. Whatever. And, it had never happened before. He's a fucking nerd fashion unicorn. Great. And, he's here to win Project Runway. He certainly won't be winning Miss Congeniality.
With eight hours remaining in the work day, Tim comes in to give everyone their pep talk. He starts with Nathan who is making some sort of bubble skirt. He tells Tim that he's concerned about the weight of the garment. Tim tells him that he should be fine, provided that the waistband he creates is good and secure.
Tim makes his way over to Christopher and says, "How's Christopher?" He replies, "How's Tim?" I love that he sort of flirts with Tim all of the time. It seems to me that it makes Tim nervous and uncomfortable and I can't say that I don't find it kind of compelling to watch. Sorry Tim. He finds Christopher's design to be very ambitious and reminds him that, after winning the first challenge, he'll want to keep himself on the pedestal that the judges no doubt have him on. Speaking of, No Doubt has a new album and Gwen Stefani looks EXACTLY THE SAME AS SHE DID IN 1995. That's bizarre. Forgive me, but has she guest judged this show? It seems like she should have at some point, yes?
Well, anyway, stupid fucking Gunnar needs to interview that he would have done something MUCH different from what Christopher is doing, ESPECIALLY if he were working with immunity. He would have just pushed that envelope all the way into the mailbox or wherever the hell we push our envelopes when we feel like we need to be just OUT THERE. God, Gunnar, you're going to make this simultaneously very, very easy and miserable for me this season, aren't you?
Raul has fashioned a fabric from candy that shows very little trace of its candy origins. Tim says that he is flabbergasted. We can't really pick much out about the design, but that fabric is pretty remarkable. Melissa is making this intricate top with licorice and Tim thinks that it looks beautiful. She is visibly relieved to hear that. Elena tells Tim that she's making a monochromatic look. After explaining her design, she tells Tim that she's worried about the judges telling her that there is not enough color in the design. Well, she's only using white. What else are they supposed to think? Tim explains gently to her that, since she has chosen white as the only representation of color, she will really just have to commit to that. Raul says that he thinks Elena is a very good designer, but he's not sure that her aesthetic will appeal to the judges.
Wow, Sanjia's bodice is gorgeous! All of these jelly beans and gummy sharks create the look of sea glass. Tim says that it's really spectacular. Ven interviews that she might really be competition for him. When Tim talks to him, he is typically blah and Tim just sort of nods along in agreement. Fabio, who had earlier seemed to have a pretty good handle on what he was trying to do, has had real severe issues with execution. He said he plans on gluing the shit out of his garment and Tim says that it is certainly that kind of moment. Yikes. Buffi is making a weave with... candy. Jesus, I'm not a brand manager here. IT'S ALL CANDY. For some reason, I'm feeling pressure to know what kind of candy it is and I just don't, OK? It's taffy? I don't know. Anyway, Tim's into the weave. It's the construction now that will determine whether or look is a success. Lantie interviews that she finds Buffi's style garish and I'm wondering, other than a few loud moments, what it is that has turned people off so much. She really hasn't made a lot of friends here. Christopher likes her though.
It's Gunnar's turn to talk again. He is making a dress and creating a checkered pattern for the fabric. He has a lot of ideas about his dress and if it's flattering to a figure, which is definitely on message for him since he'd discussed his customer as older Southern ladies. Tim wants to know what he's going to use to color his skirt, since the licorice that he's using for the bodice would weigh down a skirt. Seemingly on the spot, he decides to use foils from some chocolates that he bought. That's pretty resourceful.
Dmitry's not so sure of himself. He hasn't even started beading his bodice, because he wants to wait to fit the model. Tim is apoplectic. He insists that Dmitry can't wait any longer to get started. There's this brilliant moment where he's like to Dmitry, "Well, when are the models getting here?" And Dmitry's like, "I'm not sure. Do you know?" It's horrible and brilliant. The things we do when we overthink what's in front of us. Poor Kooan is having a hard time too. He has apparently had to start over with his design and he doesn't communicate much to Tim except that he's nervous. Tim tells him to try to get to a calm place. Alicia found that calm place. She is seriously very cool.
Lantie describes what she's planning and Tim's worried about her time management. Also, on top of everything she's worrying about making some shoes and Tim's like forget that part. I don't get her. Christopher thinks that she'll present something, but it might not be good. Andrea presents her apron idea to Tim and he does not like it. Her work is not clean or transformed and it looks like a crafts project. In her interview, she gets very upset and tells them to take the camera off. That hasn't really happened before!
Dmitry has still waited to complete some vital parts of his design before his model arrives. Buffi isn't even ready for her model. She gets there anyway though! A lot of them are unfinished. Dmitry fits his girl and feels good about what he sees. Elena bitches to her model about how labor intensive her design is while her model blithely chews on either a piece of candy or a giant laxative.
"Why do you look so good in everything I make for you?" Gunnar asks of his model. She should be like, "I do this shit for a living, homie. I should look good in a damn plastic bag." She just giggles politely though. Christopher gives a look at that little display though. Then, Gunnar decides that he wants to just check out what other people are doing. He's really nice and it freaks Christopher out. He remembers how he was such a bitch when the competition began and now he's acting like everyone's best friend. He's not sure what's going on but he decides to keep his distance. Well, I certainly don't think that's a bad idea.
Ven is pretty convinced that it will be either him or Sonjia who wins this challenge. I could buy that assessment. For her part, she has respect for Ven but feels that she's edgier than him. She also, in general, likes edgier things than Ven makes. So, in case you weren't listening, she does not like Ven's work.
We're back with Andrea. You know, for all of her hippie dippy speak, she revealed herself as having quite the artistic temperament with her on-camera fit. I mean, we're all allowed to be upset about stuff, but to me that behavior indicates someone acting like they've been surprised and there is NOTHING surprising about the way things have gone. They've been 100% par for the course to this point. So, she says that she takes Tim's critique very seriously in the same way that she would take seriously telling a student of hers that if they didn't get something right they would flunk out of college. That's "heavy," indeed. But, she regrets taking apart her design. Now, she has lost time and she was going to believe in herself all along. Lame. So, she's going with her original idea, but to be fair she assumes that she will be going home the day.
Lantie is a disaster. She just seems to shut down at some point, which it appears that she has done once more. She's starting over with her design and really just using some fabric from umbrellas. She said she'll be using a little candy but it seems that she's not really invested in transforming the materials. Gunnar says that she has dug her grave and now she's stepping in the coffin. OK. Sounds like a lot more work than what she has actually done, but I'll go with it. I understand what you mean, G. Ven thinks that Kooan's design exhibits some humor, but he isn't sure how many women will want to buy those clothes. You have been heard, Ven.
Everybody burns themselves with hot glue, but finally Elena drops some on her thigh and has to get a visit from the medic. She's wailing and feeling really sorry for herself. Christopher feels badly for too but wonders why she's wearing hoochie shorts to work. That's really unfair. I mean, no one asked Mondo that. The day is over and it looks like everyone lived.
The morning, Elena is still in pain but brave girl pushes through. When they get to the workroom, Kooan's cotton candy had disappeared after absorbing moisture from air. Buffi has the same problem but it's only for her headpiece. Tim comes in and wishes everyone luck. Then, the models come in. Licorice is falling off of Elena's dress. Fabio is really sweet to her as she's fighting off a freak-out. Ven very wisely tells his model to stay away from the other models so that his dress doesn't get injured. Sonjia is the last person out of the room and Tim totally scolds her!
On the runway, Heidi is wearing another weird outfit. Like, seriously, she's never ever worn anything that I've liked less. It's, dare I say, dumpy? She introduces Michael, Nina and Dylan Lauren. She seems sweet, no pun intended. It's time for the show!
We start with Gunnar's dress. It's a sleeveless black and white dress with a skirt at the very high waist. The pattern is checkered and the skirt is totally black. I'm not a fan of the design but the workmanship is pretty splendid, especially considered the boxes in the checkered pattern are not very large, so that took a lot of careful consideration, in order to make the pattern cohesive. He loves it, but that's no surprise.
Sonjia's look is and it's spectacular. It's a short dress with like side bustles. All over it's decorated with nautical-styled beading and, no like, ya'll people should wear candy if this is what it means. Because, while it's transformed, I still want to eat it and that, I say, makes it special. Sonjia's very happy with it. She says that all of the hot glue burns have been worth it.
Here's Melissa's work. It's a short black skirt with a slinky black camisole-shaped top. There's all sort of texture happening and frankly, none of it looks like candy. So, really, bravo to her. Also, it's very much like her traditional aesthetic, which I find impressive. I have a feeling that Melissa's going to start getting bashed soon for not being diverse enough, but right now it's so completely competent that I enjoy it. She's thrilled that the licorice looks like leather.
Here's Nathan's look and that skirt that he was working on weighs 20 pounds. I guess you would get a workout from wearing it. Or joint damage. There's is foil-wrapped candy all over. It's beautiful but very costume-y.
Well, here we have Andrea's look. It's the apron and there's a bustle skirt poking out of the back. Yes, it's all wrong. Yes, it does not look like anything that anyone would wear or has worn. Is it the worst thing ever? No. It is not. I don't know what to say. It has an appeal. It's an ultimately dumb design but it has some whimsy and history and, I don't know, it's not that horribly made from my vantage point.
Alicia's jumper is up now and it's hot. It almost looks like a hula skirt. Since the jumper is one-shouldered, she has also created a little beaded bandeau top that is just the cutest. Alicia feels like this look really makes a statement. There's probably the teensiest bit too much non-candy fabric happening but I don't think you can argue with the interesting pattern she made with the candy.
Now, we have Elena's look. Design-wise, great. Super modern and powerful. The construction is just a complete and total disaster and you can see it all over her model's face. Elena feels good about it, until candy starts falling off of that shit. Wow.
It looks like Fabio pulled it out after all. It does certainly have the Jackie O quality that he was talking about earlier. It looks like he used some sort of sugar as a way to color and texturize his piece. It's really beautiful. He's so happy with it and decides to give himself a pat on the back.
Here's Dmitry's look. It's a halter dress with a very intricately beading on the skirt. It certainly has its place in the pantheon of ballroom dancing costumes. I'm not sure if that's what he was going for. He's happy with it though, so good for him.
Oh my. Here's Kooan's girl. She's walking so slowly because this shit is NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. Candy is dropping all over the floor. You know, there's a clear thought-process behind his visuals, but they're so crazy.
Christopher's look is and it looks really good. It's a cocktail dress that he patterned using crushed candies of different varieties. He's happy with it because he put so much work into it and he hopes that the judges feel the same way.
up is Raul's look. It's a dress that's fairly demure except for a cut-out over the belly, effectively making this dress right for exactly no body? Maybe Miley Cyrus? Anyway, he's right about one thing. It looks like a real dress made of real fabric. He's at least sure that he's not out this week.
Oh my God, here's Buffi's outfit. Sour strips. She used sour strips. And, while it may have been lovely lying flat in the workroom, it's an absolute disaster on the runway. It makes the poor model look enormous. Buffi is laughing when she sees the model and I'm thinking it's because she's just given into how horrible this is, but I'm wrong. She thinks that the model is doing a great job. AND, that she looks like Sarah Jessica Parker.
And, then we have Lantie. Her girl is wearing a halter top and skirt made of umbrella material. On the skirt are a few simple flower-like appliques of candy. Buffi is disgusted, which must be some ploy to try to psych the judges into thinking that Lantie's design is worse than hers. In a way, it is, but come on!
And, then, there's Ven look. There's not much to say about it except that it's perfect. It looks like a stained glass window, yet it's a dress.
Afterwards, Heidi calls Gunnar, Elena, Ven, Sonjia, Buffi and Lantie to stay onstage. Backstage, everyone is relieved. Christopher says that he hopes that Buffi doesn't go home. Onstage, Buffi says that she was shooting for an SJP vibe. Heidi doesn't like that so much paper was used in the skirt and also she thinks that she overaccessorized. Michael thinks she looks insane and homeless, which actually makes her laugh. Dylan thinks it's fun but she doesn't love the skirt. Heidi loves the texture and shape of Sonjia's look, but she isn't wild about her little hat. Dylan loves all of it because turquoise is her favorite color. Nina thinks all of it is whimsical and fun. Michael slams Lantie for just ornamenting and decorating her designs. She gets really defensive when Michael says that she's a decorator. She says that it was the time factor that played the biggest part. Not the smartest thing for her to say.
Heidi tells Ven that his taste is great. Nina calls it refreshing and candy couture, hence the title of the episode. Dylan was a little disappointed that Ven only used one kind of candy, but she still appreciated what he did. Oh my God, Elena's look has shed more licorice. Heidi says that it reminds her of when she makes noodle art with her children. Michael thinks that it's like staring into a cloud and everything's changing meaning, like the boobs are becoming old man eyes and the crotch looks like a mustache. Heh. Nina and Dylan and even Buffi a little bit get a kick out that. Elena says that she likes her silhouette and doesn't think every woman wants to be girly. Dylan thinks that she wasn't creative in the challenge. Heidi likes that Gunnar created a print with his look. Nina feels that it looks like he had fun. Michael likes that it's body conscious. Sweet Jesus, he just eats it up, which wouldn't be such a bad thing if didn't slam other people for enjoying competitions.
The designers go backstage where Buffi, though seemingly glib, seems really upset that she got such a bad reception. Onstage, Heidi says that Gunnar is cute. Heidi loves her gay boys. Dylan feels that Sonjia really took advantage of the challenge. Michael felt that Ven's work was whimsical and well made. Heidi points out how confident he is. Dylan is torn between Sonjia and Ven, but Heidi says she is confident with her choice.
They're all really disappointed with Lantie's cop-out about time. Nina hates Buffi's taste so much, but Michael points out that she actually listened to the challenge requirements. They appreciate Elena's preference of silhouette but she gave no consideration for the body. Dylan says that she was offended by Elena's insistence that she was staying true to herself. They all think she was crazy for not agreeing with them, but I think the point is once you're up there, your best chance for survival is to just sell it, right? The idea that you would go up there and be like "Yeah, it's shit" instead of trying to fight. I mean, I'm sure there are ways to do that but I can understand people just feeling the need to stand strong by their ideas.
The designers return to the stage. Ven is the winner of the challenge! He tells them that he nervous right now, but I don't believe him. I don't hate him at all, but he just seems so freaking over everything. But, he does repeat that he still thinks he should have won the first challenge. Shit, dude, leave it alone! Sonjia is in. So is Gunnar. Now, for the losers. Elena is in. Lantie is... out. Buffi thanks the judges and leaves the runway. Backstage, she gets a big hug from Christopher. She says that she pooped a little on the runway. They joke about how she's going to stop wearing pink entirely and Gunnar tells her to never change her personal style. Fuck him. Survive!
Onstage, Heidi thanks Lantie and she replies, "That's quite alright" as if someone had apologized to her? She's not happy right now. She says that bit about how everything happens for a reason but then admits to not really knowing if that's true. She ends her interview pretty bluntly saying that she doesn't have anything else to say. I actually kind of like that she did that.
Guys!! Anya is going to be on the show week!!
Jeff Long is a writer/performer in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @jblong.