You know, maybe designers shouldn't try to stretch after all."Project Runway" (and most other competitive reality shows) often slams contestants for repeating themselves and not taking any chances. However, if you look at recent "Runway" history, you'll see that Christian and Rami were both criticized last year for doing the same thing over and over again last season (of course, they did the same thing over and over again all the way to the final episode).
On the other hand, if you look at even more recent "Runway" history you'll see that Keith (who looks like he should be placed on suicide watch after last week) got kicked off for trying to prove he could do other things. Then there's Stella, our favorite leatha-loving eccentric who doesn't know how to use a coffee filter (or a digital camera), who got kicked off while mostly sacrificing her aesthetic (leatha cape notwithstanding) to please guest judge/fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg (pictured, right) who I would've assumed was Sophia Loren if no one told me anything.
Most interestingly, we also found out that the designers on the show have also noticed something I realized three weeks ago — Terri has been designing the same outfit for the past month (pants, jackets, shirt, vest). I still like Terri and her straight-out-of-an-80's-sitcom sassiness, but, with designers now directing the haterade in her direction, I hope she doesn't go the way of Keith. Fortunately for her, while the other designers might be talking smack behind her back, the judges haven't seem to have caught on (or don't care.)
The episode opened with Stella probably making coffee that was obscenely strong and another anonymous model being sent home. Tim then joined Heidi on the runway (the first time they've been together on screen since the season premiere, no?) and the due sent the designers to an address to meet a fashion icon.
As usual, the designers had their wildly inaccurate guesses (Mary Kate Olson, Blayne? Really?! Please stop talking) before arriving at the address and still having no idea where they were despite the big "D" and "V" logo on the storefront window.
Von Furstenberg introduced the challenge, to design a look inspired by the 1940's film "A Foreign Affair", starring Marlene Dietrich. The winner would not get immunity, but their look would be featured in von Furstenberg's fall collection, which is only available to American Express costumers for reasons left unexplained. The designers seemed excited about this reward, except maybe Kenley. I'm not sure if Kenley heard anything von Furstenberg said since she was crying almost the entire time about meeting her idol. A little touching and a LOT funny.
After picking up fabric (how pimp is it that von Furstenberg has her own personal "Mood") the designers went to work and appeared a LOT more relaxed than last week (who knew chic fabrics would be easier to work with than car parts?)
Overall, the designers appeared more relaxed and confident this week (no freakouts last night). It was chill enough that Leann had time to traipse around the workroom acting like a spy for reasons only she'll understand.
Since there wasn't that much happening in the workroom, the only "drama" we got was from Kenley's "controversial" decision to not create multiple looks (like everyone else in the room). Other than that, my favorite part was Stella taking a shot at last week's guest judge Rachel Zoe, by saying she was "clueless." The only thing better than that, was Tim hastily trying to cover it up by saying "we still love you, Rachel Zoe."
Then again, just because there wasn't that much drama in the workroom doesn't mean every outfit was flawless.
While Joe, Stella and Suede (deservedly) found themselves in the bottom 3, I was hoping that the judges would expand the cellar dwellers to a bottom 4 so they could include Blayne. Then again, I've pretty much had Blayne in my bottom three every single week. (Honestly, have he or Suede done ANYTHING good in the past month and a half?)
Conversely, the top 3 was stacked with talent as Korto's striking pattern and yellow pop of color battled with Kenley's (singular) pretty dress and Leanna's beautiful dress and jackets ensemble for the top spot. Unsurprisingly, Kenley almost talked herself into trouble last night, as she interrupted Heidi, apologized for interrupting her, and then interrupted her again. The other contestants already don't seem to like her, so I don't think she wants to get on the judges' nerves.
In the end Leann's beautiful ensemble won, giving her a second consecutive win and cementing her as a favorite to make it to Bryant Park. I've slammed the judges in my last few recaps for their decisions, but in this one they were absolutely right. There was no other choice.
Meanwhile, the judges would've been well served sending ANY of the bottom three outfits home. Suede's ugly, shapeless dress was bad, but Joe's Shanghai top with a gaping hole in the back and hoodie combo was even worse. Here's the dialogue between me and Erica when the judges broke down his outfit:
Erica: "It looks like a Halloween costume."
Me: "It looks like several Halloween costumes."
In the end though, the judges did the right thing by sending Stella home for her period-inappropriate cape and her poorly constructed cape, which ALMOST prompted Michael Kors to revisit his "that crotch is insane" comment. He went with "nightmare" instead. As replacement judge Fern Mills said, "Stella was not stellar." (Wow, she must've been REALLY proud of herself when she came up with that one. Bring back Nina Garcia! There she is in next week's preview! Yay!)
The bad news is that the show's greatest source for unintentional humor is gone. The good news is "Zotis and Bones" should be up and running pretty soon now.
So what'd you think of this episode? Do you see trouble ahead for Terri? Finally, who do you like in a fight? Stella or Rachel Zoe?
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