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Tim begins the show telling the designers that he doesn’t have the adequate words to describe how proud he is of them, but I’m not sure I believe him. Maybe he’s just not trying hard enough. Heidi tells them that they will have nine grand and five weeks to complete their collections. THEN, she tells them that only three of them will actually be competing for the big prize. Somebody’s going to be eliminated after creating a collection.
Tim does his famous home visits, beginning with Christopher in Long Island. He lives with his parents and works in the basement, near the corner china cabinet. I’ve never seen Tim so positive about someone’s work before the big day. He loves everything, though I’m not sure the judges will be as wild about his back X-ray turned print. He actually just turns a picture of an X-ray into a print. I’m not sure Nina’s going to be into that. We meet Christopher’s sisters (adorable) along with his boyfriend, Ryan.
, Tim goes all the way to Manhattan, where Fabio is working. Jason, Fabio’s boyfriend, is there. His Brazilian mom is also there and she seems great too. Fabio is dreaming hard about this and it’s kinda beautiful. Tim likes his work in the beginning, which Fabio describes as Cosmic Tribalism, but it goes downhill. Tim is bothered by a lot of little details, though he stresses that Fabio’s currently collection has a lot of potential to impress. Poor Fabio is beside himself.
Then, Tim crosses the... Hudson River to see Dmitry in Jersey City. He shows him his collection and it doesn’t seem like Tim is really that excited by it. Dmitry asks him if he likes the color selection that he made for the collection and Tim just says no. Tim also wonders if there are enough surprises in the collection. Dmitry tells us that he wants to be successful so that he can give back to his family who let him explore his creativity always.
On to Melissa’s place in San Francisco. It looks like she gained a lot of confidence at home. Her collection is out of this world and Tim really responds to it. He notices her confidence. Then, she takes him on a boat ride with her boyfriend Nick and her parents. Nick seems like a cool cat. He doesn’t say a word. Her parents are absolutely adorable.
Back in New York, at Yotel, the designers stay in a swank suite. They all seem so happy to see each other, which is so fun! Could this be the most generous (towards each other) group of designers in the history of the show? Melissa starts feeling some self-doubt as soon as they see each other’s collections. Tim comes in and tells them that they will be presenting their three top looks to the judges the day.
Jesus, they all become terrified. On the runway, Dmitry’s looks are bananas. Christopher’s print looks a lot better on the runway. Fabio’s stuff is super cool and toes the line between polished and chill. Melissa’s stuff all looks really cool and nicely made, though we have seen a lot of it before. Afterwards, the judges were generally complimentary to Fabio, though they felt it should be more luxurious. Nina could see that Dmitry worked very hard on his collection, but she’s not wild about the styling. Michael doesn’t think that it’s cool enough. They felt that Christopher’s volume was not nearly enough. Heidi uses the word "boring." They’re torn on the print. They also wanted more from Melissa. Michael said that the wigs she used were hideous. Nina isn’t thrilled that most of her collection is black and white.
In the end, they are all going to Fashion Week. BUT, they have 2 days to reorganize and restyle their collections. Before the big show!
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Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously: It was the avant-garde challenge! Nothing too crazy this time around. It suddenly became a plot point that Sonjia was not living up to her potential as a designer, seeing as she had won multiple challenges and all. Dmitry won the challenge, while newly anointed slacker Sonjia was sent home.
So, this takes place some time after the last runway show. It seems like they could have done it immediately after the last elimination, but everyone is wearing different clothes. Which still could have been planned. Apparently, I really need to get to the bottom of this. Anyway, all of the designers are sitting by the runway, wearing clothes that are different from the duds they donned for the elimination. Heidi enters, also wearing a new outfit. Who do we trust? I'm going to stop talking about this now. But, I feel it's my duty to make sure everyone has seen The Real Dragwives from TWoP alumnus DJB. It's hysterical and you should see it and the possibilities for future reenactments are endless. If I were to cast the people on the screen with some of the queens, I'd go with Raja as Heidi, Manila Luzon as Christopher (and the boys would have to be done in a boys-as-girls-as-boys fashion), Raven as Dmitry, Pandora Boxx as Melissa and Rebecca Glasscock as Fabio.
Heidi congratulates the designers and asks them how they feel. All but Fabio say "amazing" or something happy like that, while Fabio is "nervous." Heidi says that he should be nervous and he hangs his head and giggles and says, "I know." Wow. Guys. I love him so much. He interviews that he's dying inside because he wants this so much. Then, Heidi calls Tim to the stage. Fabio says "aw" as Tim comes out and tells the designers that he doesn't even have adequate words to describe how proud he is of them. Well, he could at least try. Heidi says that the designers will all be given nine grand and five weeks to complete their collections.
Then, she says that they are not all guaranteed a place in the Final Three. Well, obviously, because of the differences between four people and what "three" means. But, why is there a Final Three? What's the point? I wonder if more people showed at Fashion Week this year as decoys. Maybe she's saying this because they are all going to be showing, but they may knock someone out of the running if their collection isn't strong enough? Everyone groans at the news. Christopher says that he would be devastated for anyone who would have to leave the competition at this point. Tim says that he will be visiting all of them at their homes and Heidi jokes that they'll need to clean up. Tim and Heidi leave the stage and we see their silhouettes give each other a little peck behind the scrim. Sure.
, we see the designers all packed up and ready to leave in the lobby of the Atlas Building. Melissa, who is obviously the last to arrive, interviews that it's all about Fashion Week and she has to kick the asses of the three guys. Everyone says their goodbyes and Fabio says that, in a perfect world, they would all be showing at Fashion Week. But, alas, this is not a perfect world. Now you tell me.
Flash forward four weeks. Wasn't that fun? Tim is in Massapequa, Long Island to see how Christopher is doing with his collection and he's wearing THE cutest outfit. Khakis and a red blazer! I love it. Chris's family lives in a split-level house in a cute little neighborhood. He's sitting at a table with his parents and another gay boy talking about how Tim is coming to their house. Tim knocks on the door. It's a glass door that is in front of the proper wooden door. When knocking on doors like that, I always have this dilemma where I'm like, "Maybe I should open this first door and knock on the main door, because maybe they can't hear me knocking on this outside door. But, I don't want anyone to see and think that I'm just like walking into this house. Because, obviously I'd need to be invited. Forget it, no Girl Scout Cookies for them." Christopher answers the door and hugs Tim.
Christopher takes Tim to the really well lit basement, which doubles as his work space. Tim marvels at the amount of work Christopher has completed. Tim asks what Christopher's inspiration was and he says that he came across an x-ray that his mother had taken after a minor car accident. He thought it would make a great print. Literally. Like, the print is a photograph of the x-ray. Tim seems a little surprised by this. "Literal" is never a favorite word of his. Christopher wanted something simultaneously haunting and alluring. He starts to show Tim the items in his collection and Tim seems approving, if somewhat reserved. He tells him that a leather bustier that he has made is too sweet. He tells him to toughen it up a little. He loves a coat that he made and says that it is a representation of the classic "Christopher silhouette."
Tim pulls this skirt that has bleach stains on it. Christopher is embarrassed by it and says he wanted to know what effect bleach would have on leather and he found out that it corrodes it. Tim LOVES it. He loves how unique and one-of-a-kind it makes the garment. He thinks he should consider using the technique on the bustier. Tim tells Christopher that he should feel really good about where he is. He says that he's now very excited about Christopher's collection. Christopher interviews that he's feeling confident. Tim's last words of advice are, since Christopher has fabulous silhouettes and knows how to make clothes, he should be taking more risks. Then, he interviews that from the changing from an indecisive designer to a confident designer will make a huge impact on the judges. Did I hear that correctly? Is that what he thinks his arc has been? I've found him pretty confident from the get-go. Right? Whatever. It's just rhetoric anyway.
Christopher takes Tim to the kitchen of his house where his parents, other people and a ton of desserts are waiting. Tim says that the spread looks very... caloric. Big laughs from Christopher's mother, Joann, who explains that they are Italian and thus enjoy eating. This family is really cute. They retire to the family room. Christopher interviews that winning the show would be great for his family too. He's very thankful for them and all of the support they have offered him. As they sit, Christopher says, "Hello and welcome back to Tea Time with Tim." Tim asks his adorable sisters, Christina and Katie, what it was like growing up with Chris. Chris and Christina in the same family. Love it. You name your kids the same thing as Joan Crawford's twins and you really have to expect that the boy will be a fashion designer. Joann tells the girls to be nice and they shyly answer that it was fun growing up with him and there was never a dull moment. He explains that he's a free spirit. Joann says that he always has a way of entering a room dramatically, often times with a pirouette. Christopher just says that he's a fabulous dancer. More laughs. I wonder if they laugh at him this much all of the time. I bet they do.
Tim asks his parents how they feel about his success and Joann says that she's proud of his skill and integrity. That's really sweet. Ryan, Christopher's boyfriend and the dude from before, says that, though you always want things for your loved ones, he has never wanted something so badly for someone else. Golly, that is super nice. I really believe him too. Christopher says that he has a lot of work to do but he's going to make it to Fashion Week. He seems so completely chill all of the time. Even during the textile challenge when he sort of gave up, he really never lost his cool. Which, hmm, you know, I think back and it makes his whole display during the challenge with Andrea seem even more suspect. I've gotten over that whole thing and think he's generally a nice guy, but his hysterics on the runway seem a lot more calculated seeing how calm he has been the rest of the time.
Later, in Manhattan, we find Fabio working. There's Jason, ruining everything. Kidding. He's great. I'm so happy that they're happy. He asks Fabio how he's feeling and he says that he's nervous. He tells Jason that, if Tim doesn't like his collection, he should kick his ass. Awesome. Tim enters and gives Fabio a big hug. He's wearing grey and purple right now and it's really great. Who dressed Tim for all of this? It's stellar. Tim looks around the huge ass apartment and asks Fabio if he lives there. His response is, "Are you kidding? Look at what I'm wearing?" For the record, he's wearing a white t-shirt and looks adorable per usual. He's not rocking a skirt, but whatever. Anyway, the apartment belongs to Fabio's friend's father, who has been nice enough to offer the space for Fabio to work.
Fabio takes Tim to another room to meet his mother Elena. He asks her if Fabio was always as creative as he is now. She says, with a thick accent, that he has always dressed differently, which makes Fabio laugh. He shares this thing with some of the most talented and creative people I know where they never seem more excited about other people than when they're being really honest. I'm not describing that well, but I feel it. Whatever. I'm sure I seem legit wacko regarding my devotion to Fabio, but isn't that one of the joys of reality television? Sort of plugging into a personality and enjoying the ways they are familiar and unique? Fabio interviews that getting to Fashion Week is not about the money... screech. Lie. The money's awesome but that is not why he's doing this. This would make his career, which he currently does not have. Elena says that all of their family in Brazil is very proud of Fabio. Tim says they all are. Jason's really cute.
Fabio says that his mother has lived in the US for 25 years and, when he was growing up, he would spend two months of the year in the States and the rest of the time in Brazil. He thinks that adjusting to the cultures is what cracked his school. That and that time he fell down the stairs. Only kidding. I don't know about any accident like that.
Fabio says that it's not difficult having confidence in his collection, but it's difficult knowing that people are going to judge it. He likens it to having a baby and having people come in and tell you that your baby is ugly. If you have ever earnestly told someone that their baby is ugly, please write to me. I'm not sure what my response will be, but I'm just really interested in what sort of person might do that.
Fabio shows Tim his collection and says that his theme is Cosmic Tribalism. You heard correctly, folks. He's creating different personae within the tribe. Tim seems a little confused. Fabio is using tons of pastels. Wha? The silhouette resembles his aesthetic but this palette is different than anything we've seen him do before. Tim says that he's captivated, which makes Fabio breathe a huge sigh of relief. Fabio says that pants will accompany all of the dresses, which makes Tim pause. Finally, he asks if he can be blunt. He doesn't like the pants. He thinks they look like long johns. He also doesn't like this bra showing under a camisole, nor the shoes. Fabio stands by all of it. He wants there to be a toughness to the collection. Tim says that he is baffled by all of it. He adds that he has seldom seen a collection with as much potential to wow as this one, but it's being compromised by some of Fabio's other choices. Fabio interviews that he feels like he's about to cry. He can't bear the idea of not showing at Fashion Week.
, Tim goes ALL the way to Jersey City to visit Dmitry. He's staying at a friend's place while they are in Spain, which Tim notes as very kind of the friend. Dmitry interviews that he really doesn't have time to change anything in his collection so he hopes that Tim just likes it and tells him that he's going to win. Dmitry is using a lot of geometric patterns. Everything seems to be going well until these couple of lemon yellow dresses. Tim doesn't really like the color, but he notes that Dmitry seems very confident and thinks that is a good thing. Overall, Dmitry feels good about the critique. He thinks it's one of the best he's ever had from Tim.
They retire to the veranda for some tea. We hear that Dmitry had to leave his job because of the show. Plus, his lease came up for renewal while he was away and he couldn't afford to re-sign, so... he is jobless and homeless. He asks him how his family feels about what's going on and Dmitry says that they are very excited. They have always supported his endeavors and would love to be able to give back to them. Tim asks Dmitry where he sees himself in ten years. "Rich and famous." I think that's an hour or two outside of St. Petersburg. Florida.
, Tim has to actually travel and goes to San Francisco to visit Melissa. She interviews that it's a reward just to have Tim at your house. Her place is predictably cool. She shows him her stuff and seems pretty confident with it. She interviews that she has not been crippled with self-doubt like she had been during the competition. She tells him that she's worrying about what the others are making and he says that her work is really individual to her, so in the end it will come down to the tastes of the judges.
They go on a boat ride with Melissa's boyfriend, Nick, and Melissa's parents James and Doris. Doris says that fashion has been Melissa's obsession since she was a little girl and James say that Melissa would cry at Christmas if her gifts of clothes weren't stylish enough. I'm sure she enjoys having stories told about her that make her look like an enormous bitch. I'd seriously vet my parents before letting them talk about me in front of a camera. We'd cover acceptable topics and repercussions in case things didn't go well. You have to scare them a little bit. Melissa's mom explains that Melissa has only known how to sew for four years. Nick does not say one single solitary word.
They all get back to New York and stay at Yotel, in this super Real World-style suite. Christopher is the first to arrive and is very excited. Melissa gets there and she and Christopher scream and hug. She thinks the place is reminiscent of Austin Powers. They discuss what is left to do in their collection. Fabio arrives and looks around and says, "Thank you all for coming!" Hee. Then, Dmitry arrives.
There's a note from Heidi and Tim and a bottle of champagne. It reminds them of the pre-Fashion Week runway show. Dmitry toasts everyone and says that he hopes they all get to show. The day, they go to their new work space. There are black and white photographs of this season all over the room.
They start pulling out their collections. Melissa interviews that she loves Fabio's palette and she's very proud of him. Christopher doesn't feel like Melissa pushed herself enough. Dmitry thinks that Christopher's collection is a little slutty. Melissa really likes everyone's work and it's making her doubt herself again.
Tim comes in to say hello. He tells the designers that they will each present three looks to the judges the day. Fabio says that this is his most stressful moment. Tim tells them that they should be nervous. Melissa spirals into doubt valley.
Christopher doesn't know what he's going to show. He mixes and matches his separates. Tim comes in again and Fabio stands by his pants and shoes. Finally, Tim just has to concede that the judges will either love it or hate it. Fabio says that that's just life. Seriously. What a little muffin. Tim likes what Christopher did to the bustier re: bleaching. Christopher hasn't made a decision about what he's going to show and he's OK with that. Tim tells Melissa to chill the hell out. Christopher thinks that Dmitry's collection is crazy. He's only showing black and white stuff and Tim thinks that might be a mistake. Dmitry says that he thinks he will be able to explain.
Tim leaves and they get back to work. They are very quiet and nervous. The day, they're back in the workroom and nervous as ever. Tim comes in and tells them that they'll have three hours to dress their models and one hour for hair and make-up. Christopher didn't have enough time to alter any of the garments. Hair and make-up seems to go well. Fabio says that he feels like he's being choked.
On the runway, Heidi greets everyone. They say they have all been crazy and busy. Heidi says that three designers will move on and one will be out. Gross. There's no guest judge.
The show begins with Dmitry. He shows a white dress with geometrical shapes all over it. It fits perfectly and is very interesting. The look is this translucent top with a bra underneath and feathered shoulder pads with some snazzy white slacks. Too Easter European. , he shows a jacket with fringe all over the sleeves. I don't know about this. Dmitry feels very proud.
Christopher is showing . He shows his bleach vest with shorts and a white top. , he shows some leather shorts with this camisole that's gorgeous. Last, he shows his bustier with the x-ray skirt. He hopes that he has done enough to progress to Fashion Week.
Fabio's stuff is . He shows a pale green bikini top with white slacks and this draped long vest. His girl is wearing some triangular pastel-colored jewelry that I bet he made. , he showed a crop top with a slim skirt. It has some loose yet deliberate tailoring that Fabio is in love with. , he shows a pink dress that is ankle-length and draped gorgeously. All of this shit is super cool.
Melissa shows a top that exposes the belly. It's matched with some white shorts. , she shows a white leather jacket that is pretty similar to the one she (and Christopher) made during the season. Last, a beautiful black dress that is SO Melissa. She's not sure this enough for the judges.
After the show, Fabio is the first to speak. He says that he's nervous and apologizes if he stutters. How sweet. He says that his collection is not intended to be conventional. He wants it to be dramatic. Heidi likes that his point-of-view is really different. She loves the bags and jewelry that he made. Michael loves that he went kind of edgy with pastels. He also loves the shoes, calling them "demented." He draws the line at the wigs that Fabio used. He doesn't want Fabio to be considered a joke. Nina wants his work to be more luxurious. She doesn't like the bikini top nor the slacks with it. It's not expensive enough.
Dmitry says that he was inspired by organic architecture. Nina says it's polished and expensive. Michael thinks that the styling is too old. Christopher explains his x-ray print, which Heidi finds a little weird. She also didn't think there was a "wow" moment. She thinks his first look was very boring. Michael likes the print a lot, but he does not think that Christopher gave them enough to look at. Nina thinks that all three of the looks are too similar to each other. She also doesn't think that there are enough clothes on the runway. He says that these are the skimpiest of his looks, which Nina says is a good thing -- otherwise, they'd be in swimsuits.
Heidi doesn't feel like there is anything heroic in what Melissa showed. She said she was saving some stuff for the show. Heidi thinks that was a mistake. Michael thinks that the wigs on her models are crazy. Nina thinks that her clothes are cool, but she wants to see some more drama, since there isn't any color. She hates the long cuffed sleeves on the leather jacket and says, "Just cut them off!" Heidi and Michael get a kick out of this.
Heidi tells the designers that she's not sure how the judging will turn out. The designers go backstage and Melissa is crying. She feels like it was an epic fail for her. Christopher says that it was ridiculous, though I don't know why. The judges confer. They think that Dmitry's styling was dowdy, though they liked the individual pieces. Heidi thinks that Fabio's collection will be either loved or hated. Michael and Nina worry that it might be a joke. Michael thinks that Christopher missed an opportunity with what he showed. Michael likes that Melissa designs for herself, but they question her styling and volume. They've made their decision and the designers return.
Heidi tells them that they liked the work that the designers presented, but they had reservations about everyone's presentation. She says that everyone needs to work on their styling. Melissa, Christopher, Dmitry and Fabio... are ALL going to Fashion Week! They'll have two days to polish their collections. This is everybody's competition to lose! Heidi tells them that they can all leave the runway.
Fabio interviews that all of his "sage-ing" worked. Heh.
Jeff Long is a writer/performer living in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @jblong.