The show begins without us knowing what Michelle's "second chance" is. It seems like she is just...not eliminated. Heidi tells the designers that they are each going to a different European nation. Daniel has never been out of the country and gets really emotional at the prospect of leaving. Layana is going to Barcelona. Patricia is going to Paris. Daniel is going to Berlin. Stanley is going to London. Michelle is going to stay in New York, which I guess is her punishment for losing the last challenge.
Then, my DVR skips because Time Warner is SERIOUSLY gaslighting me, people. It's all junk. Every single thing they have in my life. Anyway, Tim is talking and the thing I see is Samantha and Layana in Barcelona. Patricia and Kate go to Paris. They are so cute looking at the scenery. Amanda and Daniel are in Berlin together, which seems like a very odd pairing. Daniel thinks a lot about the hardships of communist Berlin. As bat shit crazy as he seems, it's remarkable to watch someone get to explore the world a little bit for the first time. Meanwhile, Michelle is lonely and sad in New York. She feels like she really needs to cheer herself up.
Patricia decides her inspiration is street Paris, instead of romantic Paris. Layana is inspired by the architecture of Barcelona. Stanley and Richard go to London together. That leads me to believe they didn't get to choose their helper. I'd choose Ben over Richard. Stanley decides that he wants to go dark for this challenge. Michelle and Tu go on a tour bus together and they have a really nice time. Amanda really pushes Daniel to make his design youthful. They have to buy their fabrics in the countries they are visiting. Daniel and Amanda end up in a really crappy fabric store that doesn't even have silk. Patricia has a language barrier and almost hits a French lady. Stanley and Richard have a relatively easy time. Layana and Samantha have a problem finding leather. Michelle gets a lot of cashmere and leather.
Back in New York, Michelle and Tu are the first in the workroom. The other designers file in and it makes Michelle really upset because they are all excited about their trips. It's the cruelest thing that this show has ever done and I love it, because she is such a horrible bitch. She won't let anyone hug her, which is so petty.
Jesus, help me, this episode is two hours long. We follow them designing in real time. Oh, it looks like Michelle is OK with hugging her model. Daniel is feeling really confident about his look. Scott Patric really shows these guys the way with make-up.
The guest judge is John Legend. Cute. On the runway, Layana stinks, Michelle is brilliant, Stanley is rad, Patricia is far out and Daniel is CRAZY. He seems like he made something totally young and cool. But, who knows. The judges really like it. They loved Stanley's look as well. They think Layana is old-fashioned, which totally gave me a boner. They HATE it. They are not fond of Patricia's look either. They like Michelle. Ultimately, Stanley wins-ish the challenge. He's in. Daniel is in as well! Michelle is in as well. Good for no one except for her. That's not fair. Her look was awesome, even if she isn't. It's down to Layana and Patricia. Layana is...OUT. Yes! Oh, I'm so happy. Suck it, Layana.
Previously: The designers created looks for Marie Claire to be worn by Jordana Brewster. My computer almost got sucked into a black hole because of how anticlimactic that last sentence was. The designers "got" to work with an eliminated designer and poor Patricia really got the poop end of the stick. She worked with Richard whose uselessness in the face of how long he survived on the show I actually find confounding. Stanley won the challenge. Michelle created a t-shirt and pants though Nina specifically said she didn't want a t-shirt and pants for this challenge. Though her design was good, she lost the challenge. But, she is getting one more chance. It's a "do or die" moment. Aren't they all? Michelle does not like to be hugged.
The show begins with all of the designers backstage. The mood is tense. Stanley says that they are all waiting to hear what's going to happen. What if the judges came back and were like, "We've thought it over. That really was it for you. Later, skater."? Now, I'm no fan of Michelle because I think she's mean, but what a gross situation to have to be in. Everybody's there and safe and you feel like you're in detention or something. She interviews that it's hard to get excited about a second chance when you are worried that it won't be good enough. I'm going to chalk it up to fatigue, but it's odd that someone who has portrayed herself as top dog for much of the competition would become so unmoored by what has essentially been her first major stumble of the competition. She was on losing teams for several of the beginning challenges, but she seemed confident that her designs would have been winners had she not been grouped with such losers. Daniel tries to cheer her up and she cries that she loved what she made and she thought it would be "casual and editorial." I'm not sure that editors are often looking for casual for a photo shoot. Anyway, they all prescribe to the chestnut that "you just never know." She repeats the stuff about being on a losing team but thinking she was a winner. Now, she wonders if maybe she has a point-of-view that doesn't want to be heard. Really? It's not about point-of-view. You seriously made EXACTLY what Nina said she didn't want. Also, she said like eight times that she wanted something bold. Casual does not equal bold. The design was fantastic, but not bold. They have to do something to reprimand you. Consider it a slap on the wrist.
Tim comes in and tells them that none of them are going home. He says that Michelle is getting a second chance because of how incredibly talented she is. Now they have to go back to the runway to meet Tim and Heidi. Layana says that she is happy for Michelle and believes that she deserves a second chance, but she was hoping there would only be four designers left after the last challenge.
On the runway, Heidi and Tim stalk the runway and Heidi is carrying some envelopes. She reiterates to Michelle that this is a "do or die" moment for her. She interviews that all of them are for her. It's true. Tim tells them that this is the most important challenge of the season because it is their final opportunity to really show the judges what they can achieve. Heidi says that she thinks it is time for the designers to see the world. Canada? Please let it be Canada. No, they are all going to Europe. Heidi asks them if they have been before and everyone says that they have, except for Daniel. Oh Lord. Let the waterworks begin. He interviews wearing the most ridiculous leopard print smock. Wait, first he is just kind of rubbing his head in preparation for emoting and the accompanying music is the most pornarific Barry White bass. The mannequins are like, "We did NOT sign up to be fluffers." He cries that he is so excited and has never been outside of the US. I mean, really, if you've been to Vegas you don't really need to go anywhere else. Am I right?
Tim explains that they will be going to cities that are fashion capitols. They will be stocking up on inspiration and textiles. Layana is going to Barcelona and she is thrilled. She has never been to Spain. Patricia is going to Paris and she is equally excited. Daniel is going to Berlin and he jokes that he's not coming back. Stanley is going to London and even he is excited. That's all of the envelopes that Heidi has. Michelle isn't going to London. She's staying in New York. Tim reminds her that New York is the fashion capitol of the world. Also, they are getting sewing assistants again and they will be travelling with them. Now, this part must really annoy Michelle. People get kicked off and get to go to Europe while she is stuck in NYC? Lame.
Heidi tells Layana that Samantha is her assistant. Layana is so excited. They seem like they would be a good travelling pair. Samantha enters the runway looking badass as usual. She congratulates Layana and gives her a big hug. Patricia is getting Kate and she is so excited. She tells us that they always got along really well. Amanda is going to be travelling with Daniel. At first, I thought that wouldn't be a great match because Amanda seems so cool and Daniel is so over the top, but she interviews that she is "actually" (seemingly acknowledging that the coupling isn't exactly intuitive) excited working with Daniel because she thinks they have a lot to learn from each other. She knows that she will be editing Daniel and giving him a younger vibe. Stanley gets Richard and I'm not sure how Stan feels about that. Heidi is about to try to create some mystery about Michelle's helper when there appears behind the scrim the silhouette of a tiny person. "Oh Tutti," says Michelle. "Tutti ruined it," laughs Layana. Then, Tu just comes out from behind the scrim without even being announced. That's funny. Michelle seems thrilled to see him. "We ain't going nowhere," she tells him. She interviews that Tu is a diva and one of the funniest people." I've liked seeing Tu this season. There seems to have been a dearth of those funny types. We've just had a lot of bitching and craziness.
The challenge is to create a high-end fashion look for the runway. They will have a budget of one grand. Holla. They will have all day the day, in Europe or New York, to sketch and seek inspiration and buy textiles. Then, they will come back to the workroom to sew their looks.
Later, we see them heading off to the airport. Everyone is so excited and Daniel is still smile-crying. He's like Claire Danes. , we see Stanley and Richard in London. Amanda and Daniel land in Berlin. On their way to their hotel, they are looking out the window of their cab and Daniel says that he likes seeing the new alongside the old. Layana and Samantha are screaming they are so excited to be in Barcelona. She interviews that she got the best city. Patricia and Kate arrive in Paris and tell their cab driver, who looks appropriately cool as hell, that they haven't yet absorbed that they are in Paris. Kate clutches Patricia's arm as they see the sights on their way to their hotel.
Daniel says that he thinks of the Berlin Wall when he thinks of Berlin. All of the heartbreak that took place during the Communist era there. He gets emotional. Now, I don't want to sound ungenerous, but could this guy please get a hold of himself? He says that he can't explain how happy he is. Fine, I'm an asshole. But, seriously, cut that shit out.
Meanwhile, Michelle is back at the Atlas Building. She cries that she is homesick and lonely. She's feeling a lot of self-doubt. She's worried about creating something miserable because of her mood. That's fairly astute.
Back in Paris, Kate and Patricia are looking for inspiration. Patricia is attracted to a lot of graffiti. She tells us that she is not going to use romantic Paris as her inspiration. Instead, she wants the gritty street Paris. Her logic is that she would also not give you a Native American on a water buffalo with the wind blowing in her hair. Good point, but I'd really love to see a water buffalo on the runway.
Samantha and Layana are both wearing the shortest shorts in Barcelona. They look adorable. Layana says that she is inspired by the architecture of the city and a lot of the patterns on the buildings. In London, Stanley is really turned on by Westminster Abbey and the Parliament building. It's funny that no one is looking at what people are wearing on the streets. Stanley's inspiration is interesting though. He's looking at the dark windows on the upper levels of Big Ben and imagines a woman living there. He wants to make something dark because he wanted to be a vampire when he was a little boy. In Berlin, Daniel sees a modern building with very geometric shapes in the design. He thinks it looks like a spaceship.
Patricia wants to sketch at the Eiffel Tower, which my friend Amanda thinks is boring but I think is really nice. She wants to layer her own textiles to match the layers of graffiti and posters one would see on the streets of Paris. I love that Patricia makes such crazy stuff that you never expect. I'm expecting something appropriately wacky from her.
On a rainy day in New York, Tutti and Michelle (Michutti, if I may) are boarding a double-decker tour bus. She tells us that she was sad that she didn't get to go to Europe. She takes the opportunity to cleanse the bad feelings from herself. There is a moment where Michutti almost lose their heads. They come really close to an overhanging stoplight. Are those things dangerous? Michelle is inspired by the juxtapositioning of old buildings and newer ones. Also, the coal stains on old buildings is stunning to her. Then, they go to Brooklyn. Who knows what will happen to them there?
Daniel starts sketching and Amanda really does work to help him make his perspective younger. He decides to make a bias-cut dress, which he has not done yet in the competition. They reach the La Sagrada Familia, this incredible cathedral in Barcelona. That thing is crazy. Layana is very inspired. She wants to make her mother proud because she was a single mother raising three kids. She had a really hard time, but she managed to do it. She says that she wants to use leather. She is going to make a jacket, pants and a simple shirt.
Michelle sketches in what looks like Brooklyn Heights, looking at Lower Manhattan from across the East River. She seems to have cheered up considerably. Stanley starts to buy textiles and finds out that a grand doesn't go that far in a London fabric store. Amanda and Daniel head to a fabric store knowing exactly what they wanted, however, nothing was available. They have to rethink everything. Meanwhile, poor Patricia gets kind of crazy in the Parisian fabric store. There is a language barrier and she is over budget and the nice French lady is trying to help her and it's scary. They finally work it out and it is such a relief. Kissy-kissies all around. Daniel chooses a white vinyl for his jacket and seems totally fine with that. Amanda thinks that it might make more of an impact, even though they were sort of forced to get it. Layana goes to a fabric store to stock up on all of the leather that she needs for her leather outfit and, you guessed it, there is no leather. So, they start scrambling. At one point, they accidentally clock the lady who works there with a bolt of fabric. Samantha apologizes profusely. Layana finds some really cool black lace and decides to use that instead of leather. Michutti hits Mood and drops some coin on really nice wool and leather. Tu gives this ode to the leather and its smell and feel that is adorable. Michelle seems really charged right now. She loves that the leather is "diarrhea brown." She does like some earthy colors, doesn't she? She is terrified because she has spent all of her money on really expensive stuff.
Stanley and Richard have a champagne toast in London. Everybody else gets to chill and explore their cities. Patricia feels that she is really proving herself. She cries to Kate that she feels like all of the sacrifices she has made will be worth it. I have to say, all of the helpers are super generous and supportive. It's nice to see.
Back at the workroom, Michutti are the first to arrive. Then, a procession of giggling designers enters. Everyone is giving hugs and Richard goes to give Michelle one and she doesn't allow it. She says that she needs her space. She interviews that it hurts to see all of the designers return with their great experiences and that's obvious. So, here's the thing: except for a few people with hugely glaring holes in their knowledge, the vast majority of the people on Project Runway are talented folks. But, because of the nature of the program, we actually spend more time with their personalities than we do their talent. Therefore, personality mostly trumps talent when it comes to talking about these designers. Michelle, for instance, knows what she is doing. She knows how to match the needs of a challenge to her strengths as a designer. She knows how to argue her decisions. She's very talented. That said, she's a jerk. Without question, she has had more negative comments aired than anyone else on the show this year. More by a long shot. And, they weren't just negative. They were reductive and petty and dismissive. So, while I completely know that her work is good, I'm reacting to her personality, which stanks. I'm sure it is a rough place to be when everyone is excited about something you didn't get to do, but would it really kill you to just act a little happy for them?
Everybody gets to work. Layana notices that Michelle is steamed. She thinks that Michelle should focus on the fact that she can still beat them in the challenge. Samantha looks at what Patricia is doing with her textiles and sees amazed. "You are one fly bitch," she says. I wish we could have seen more of Samantha this season. She would definitely be on the list of people from this season that I would want to have dinner with. Patricia feels like her look is "installation graffiti." Stanley thinks that Patricia is amazing with textiles, but he feels that her work gets crafty and unwearable. I'm not sure I understand that criticism. At least, I'm not sure that I see what is so crafty about her looks. I think the problem is more that they seem very difficult to manufacture. Not crafty though. The further we get, the more I feel like I want Patricia to win. That lady has a true artist's temperament and a point-of-view that is so singular. Her aesthetic doesn't necessarily sing to me, especially in regards to fit, but I'm not sure that matters.
Stanley tells Michelle that the brown breastplate she is working on is beautiful. She seems happy with it as well. Layana is trying to get these curlicue fabric things to cooperate and Samantha says in a Jamaican accent that she'll take care of it. Daniel excitedly interviews that he is making a pair of black boots and they are going to look hot. Michelle is looking on with a nasty look on her face. Then, she interviews gleefully that Daniel is making a pair of plastic hooker boots that you would buy if you were dressing as a hooker for Halloween. I've almost lost the energy to point out how nasty she is. But, there will be a reunion.
Tim comes in for a consultation and starts with Daniel. He tells Tim that he was overwhelmed by Berlin. He describes an intricate jacket for Tim. Layana thinks that his look is cheap because he is making it with white vinyl. Daniel thinks that the look has more sex appeal than what he normally produces. Stanley is making a black dress with a black capelet. Tim thinks that Patricia's look is remarkable, however, he feels like the dress and her jacket don't relate. He convinces her to focus on the textile instead of just making it a jacket. Michelle explains her design and Tim finds it stunning. He also seems pretty enchanted by the photos of the ashen buildings. She says that she is going to create an ombre look for the fabric. He tells her to go with it. Layana charms Tim with her photos. She is making a coat with a top with long sleeves coming from the cuff. He wonders if she has enough time. She wants to mesmerize the judges, so she doesn't want to simplify anything.
Tim wishes them well and leaves. Everybody gets back to work. Michelle goes full force into creating the ombre look. Stanley thinks that it makes the fabric look dirty. The models come in for their fitting. Amanda feels like Daniel has really made a shift and his look could be really good. Richard thinks that Stanley's look is beautiful. Layana appears to be behind schedule. Michelle hugs her model goodbye. No more space for her!
Layana is not adapting her plans to her schedule and she's getting worried. The day, they head back to the workroom. Tim comes in to greet them. It's the last challenge! They have two hours before the runway show. He leaves and the scrambling continues. Layana is happy to realize that she will indeed finish her coat. Stanley feels like he is doing everything he needs to do to make it to Fashion Week. Patricia is starting to feel really nervous. Kate tells her to stop talking negatively, which is great advice. She interviews that she thinks Patricia could knock everybody dead during Fashion Week. Hair and make-up happens.
Michelle tells her model that she is feeling nervous. She interviews that she's elated with her look though. She really wants to make it to Fashion Week. Samantha tells Layana's model that she looks like a bad biyatch. Tim comes in to escort the designers to the runway.
On the runway, Heidi greets the designers. She says that this is a very important fashion show because it decides who will make it to Fashion Week. She repeats that Michelle is having a "do or die" moment because they believe in her. The designers all say that they really enjoyed their time in Europe. I'd love it if one person (Stanley seems like the perfect candidate) was like, "Meh." Heidi introduces Zac Posen, Nina Garcia and guest judge John Legend. Why? Just because. He's so good-looking. Moments like this though, I'm like, I really don't get it.
First up, we have Layana's look. The coat is remarkable. It's black lace, with all of these strips of black fabric, creating a tiled look. The neck is cowl and really modern. Then, there are the sleeves. There is this flowing pink fabric protruding from the coat and they are just silly. She's serving some Stevie Nicks realness. In another setting, I'd say yay. In a setting where things are supposed to look fashionable, that's a no. Layana feels like her hard work is apparent in the look. Those sleeves. No. Michelle tells Layana that the model looks very Layana.
Michelle's look is . There's this quilted breastplate that oddly doesn't look bulky at all. The skirt is gray cashmere with the ombre effect. The back is bare except for straps. It really is a mix of hard and soft. As militaristic as the design is, it's so feminine. Michelle mentions that the skirt is swinging and it really is. It's beautiful.
Stanley's look is . It's a long black dress with a perfectly cut capelet on top. Then, she removes the capelet and there's a lot more skin showing, which is great. Stanley really feels like he captured London. There's a zipper in the back, which isn't my favorite thing, but it does make it look young.
Patricia's look is and it's almost hard for me to describe. It's this really avant garde sort of Issey Miyake-cut top of many layers of textile. There's a black cowl neck and it's coupled with black slacks. I thinks it's extraordinary.
Daniel's look is . Wow. Sexy. Bravo, Amanda. She really pulled some neat stuff out of him. He made this bias-cut black dress that is long in the front and short in the back. It is coupled with a white vinyl jacket that fits beautifully, though maybe is kind of early '00s motorcycle jacket. His boots are hot and the dress falls over them, creating a really unified look. Daniel thinks that it looks amazing.
Afterward, the models return to the stage. Daniel says that Berlin turned up the volume for him with sex appeal. He says that the piecework in his jacket was an ode to a building he loved. Nina loves the jackets and the boots. They show Michelle forcing a half-smile as Nina goes on about it. She thinks that the dress is cut phenomenally. John isn't crazy about the jacket, but he thinks that it is very Berlin. Zac thinks that it looks terrific. Heidi thinks it is young, modern and hip. And she knows Berlin. She is very happy for him.
Stanley says that he wanted a modern twist on old English architecture. We see sequins on the inside of the dress. I didn't see those earlier! Nina thinks that was a brilliant touch. Heidi thinks that it is strong and simple. Zac loved it too! He is very impressed. John thinks that Stanley and his model make a perfect couple. Heidi says that it's nice to see Stanley smile. He admits to being very serious.
Layana says that she was inspired by the buildings in Barcelona. Zac thinks that she picked great materials, but he hates the sleeves. Nina hates the sleeves too. She thinks that it's tragic that a young designer would make something so old-fashioned. She is shocked that it's so unlike Layana. Heidi thinks that it has no sex appeal. Layana stands by it, but Zac says that he likes what she's wearing more than what her model is wearing. She takes off the jacket and Nina thinks that it looks romantic without the coat. Zac says that she should stick to her romantic side.
Patricia explains how she was inspired by graffiti in Paris. She wanted to create a textile that looks like painting with fabric. Zac thinks it's "trash couture." He likes her creativity, but he doesn't like this look. It seems dumpy and collapsed to him. Nina is underwhelmed because it looks so odd. John was worried that he just wasn't getting something, so he feels relieved that everyone else hates it too. Heidi thinks that the shape of the top is special, but she thinks that the slacks are too simple. Patricia says that she was trying to be original and Zac commends her for taking a risk and not sticking to the "chic banal." Wow, I love that term.
Michelle explains that she bought really expensive stuff. Nina thinks that it's a comeback. She says that she captured the city's spirit. John loves it. Heidi loves the silhouette, but she thinks the ombre fabric looks like a dirty horse blanket. Zac asks her to take the breastplate off. He can tell that she pushed herself. They all agree that they can see New York in her look. Also, they are really impressed with handiwork in the breastplate.
The models leave the stage and Heidi asks each designer who should be in the Fashion Week show. Stanley says him, Daniel and Michelle. Patricia chooses Michelle and Stanley to come with her. Layana chooses Michelle and Stanley, though she is very interested in what Patricia makes. Daniel chooses Stanley and Michelle, which seems to shock her, per her face. Michelle chooses Stanley and Layana.
The judges confer. Backstage, Patricia is feeling like she is not going to Fashion Week. Daniel says that he is proud of himself. Michelle says that it has been a dark ride for her and she's happy about where she ended up. Layana cries because she worked so hard on her coat and they hated it. She says that she doesn't like to argue with the judges because she thinks that her clothes should speak for themselves.
The judges love Stanley. They also like Michelle. They admire her tenacity to excel under judgment. Everyone is a little nervous about Daniel's taste. Nina thinks it's great that Daniel was able to channel Berlin having never been there before. They all sort of complain about the white pleather, but they admit that it's salable. Nina says that Layana has the most commercial designer in the competition, which is why she strains when she makes something high-end. Nina is still interested to see what she would present at Fashion Week. Heidi says that Patricia is bizarre but intriguing. Nina thinks that Patricia is a great textile artist but she needs to grow into a designer. Heidi wants to know when she's supposed to grow. When she's 80? That's a good point. She says that this is Patricia's chance. I have to say, we really need to give some credit to Heidi. It's always her that really injects some stakes into the judging proceedings, except for that time that Zac got so upset about prom dresses. John thought that her top was interesting but not beautiful. Heidi persists and says that she could see the beauty in the top. Nina says that she can see the appeal of Patricia, but she doesn't think that it sells. She says that fashion is not art. Stores are not museums. They try to argue Nina onto Patricia's side, but it doesn't seem to work.
The designers return to the stage. Stanley is in! He is going to Fashion Week! Daniel is too! You know, I'm happy for him. Hold that. He interviews tearfully that he's so proud and blah blah. It's just too much. It's like he's bleeding on us. He goes backstage and hugs Stanley. And cries. Michelle is in too! She interviews that the step is to heal and rejuvenate. That leaves Layana and Patricia. Layana is... out. Oh, I'm sorry but I'm so happy to see a Patricia fashion show! She is excited, of course. She goes backstage and everyone seems stunned that she is in.
Heidi wishes her the best of luck. She interviews that she is disappointed but she still loves her jacket. She goes backstage and cries as Michelle hugs her. Patricia tells her that she loves her work and hugs her too. She tells Layana that she is so talented and this is only a scratch on the earth of what she is going to do. I don't know that saying. Surface = earth? I don't know. Layana says that she is proud of herself. She knows who she is as a designer and no one can take that from her. Tim comes in and says that she should be proud of herself. He hugs her and tells her that he's proud of her. She cries that the hardest part will be telling her mother that she didn't make it. Well, there's no hardest part to seeing you leave. As they say in Barcelona, adios!
Jeff Long is a writer/performer in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @jblong.