Friday, September 25, 2009

Project Runway Episode Six - Hooray (?) For Hollywood


On last week’s Project Runway, the designers became ink-stained wretches (wenches?) during the “Make clothes out of newspapers” challenge – and Irina won. But Johnny lied – so his dreams of going to Bryant Park died. And then Tim Gunn talked about him like a dog. The end.

This week opens, as always, in the apartments – but this time the lovely Logan is already sporting a shirt. Damn. And Nicolas gives us one of the preeminent reality show competition clichés: he’s “Not here to make friends”. And based on his personality, he is succeeding.

They head to the runway, where Heidi tells them that their next challenge will deal with Hollywood and the movies. They then all travel to a “real sound stage” where they meet Tim Gunn and L’Oreal Paris makeup queen Collier Strong. This will be one of those “Makeup will count as part of your look” challenges. This is also known as a “We’ll pretend this is important so Lifetime can get a big check from L’Oreal” challenge.

Tim informs the Fashiontestants that this week they will pick a film genre, and then create a character within that genre. They will then design an outfit that reflects the character and the chosen genre. The designers will have one day for this challenge.

Tim pulls names out of the bag, and the designers get to pick from “Period Piece”, “Film Noir”, “Action”, “Science Fiction/Fantasy”, or “Western”. Nobody wants Western … probably because when one thinks “Western”, one might think of an outfit like this…


Shirin and Epperson pick last and end up with “Western”. Yee-haw!!!!!

They return to the workroom to sketch, and we get a little vignette of Carol Hannah and Logan talking and working together on their “Action” characters. Logan says Carol Hannah is the only “female” he has connected with on the show, and Carol Hannah says Logan is “hot”. That’s it … the biggest Project Runway love affair since Tim Gunn and Andrae went on an imaginary date to the Olive Garden Red Lobster. Zzzzzzzzzzzz - come on Lifetime, you can do better than that. Seriously, I have a more meaningful relationship with the Subway sandwich guy across the street. Sometimes he even gives me extra cheese … SWOON!!!!!!

Anywhore, the designers head to Mood, where they have $150 to spend, and 30 minutes to spend it. The Feather Prince Queen (Nicolas) heads directly for the White Plumage department, while the rest of the Fashiontestants proceed to the “Cheap and Costumy” fabric aisle. Thank you Mood!

Back in the workroom, the designers work on their character stories while creating their outfits. Epperson’s “Western” lady … OMG – I just had a brainstorm – if Epperson ever starts his own fashion line, he could call it “Eppilady”…


Sorry – Epperson’s Western woman is taking care of the ranch while her husband is off fighting “the war”. Which war?? The Civil War. The War of 1812? The War on Drugs?. Be specific.

Gordana’s “Period Piece” will be a Flapper girl from the 1920’s. Gordana says she finds this period interesting, because women were just getting “emancipated”. At least I think that’s what she said. Between Gordana's accent and my sloppy notes, she may have said “emaciated”. Whatevs ... either one works.

Nicolas – The Feather Queen – has developed a long and involved stories about queens, sisters, and evil. Sounds like any given Saturday night down at the local gay bar to me…


Ra’mon admits that he is a total SciFi/Trekkie geek – and is going for a reptilian/human hybrid outfit. That sounds a little bit scary, because all I can think of are the “Lizard Men” from one of my favorite movies of all time … Flash Gordon


Finally, Louise admits that she doesn’t really have a complete backstory yet for her character. Silly Louise - she is focusing on things like designing and sewing – not stories about evil Queens and Reptilepeople.

Tim visits the workroom. He seems to likee Christopher’s Victorian Vampire Bride – although Tim questions the lack of sleeves. Tim pronounces Epperson’s Western outfit very “Annie Get Your Gun” and says that he is “seduced” by the ruffles on the dress. He tells Louise and Nicolas to push it and exaggerate in order to come across well on the runway. And he tells Ra’mon that his outfit could be “sublime” or a “hot mess”. SPOILER ALERT: bet on “hot mess”…

There are two more hours to go before the end of the night, and the models come in for a fitting. Ra’mon declares that his outfit is looking very “Kermit the Frog Gone Wrong” – and he needs to start from scratch. Ra’mon is right – when you create something Lady CaCa would wear, throw it away and start over…


The next morning they have two hours to pull their looks together before the runway show. Everyone scrambles to get done – especially Ra’mon, who has redone his look into a dress (rhymes with “mess”). With this new mess dress, Ra’mon states that he hopes to end up “in the middle”. SPOILER ALERT: Wishful thinking!!!

Time for the show. We are introduced to this week’s Judges: Designer John Varvatos, Marie Claire receptionist Zoe Glassner, and Oscar-nominated costume designer Arianne Phillips.

The models walk, the judges gawk. Heidi calls out the “safe” designers and they go backstage. Here are the remaining designers, and their outfits …

Christopher’s Vampire Bride…



Louise’s boring “Film Noir” chick …



Epperson’s Western Eppilady…



Gordana’s Flapper…



Nicolas’ Ice Queen/Ruler of the Universe…



And, finally, Ra’mon’s “Swamp Thing”…



The judges likee Nicolas, and his story about evil queens. They also likee Christopher, and his story of a secret Vampire wedding. And, finally, the Judges likee Epperson and his “Ruffles Have Ridges” Western dress.

They no likee Gordana, Louise, and Ra’mon.

The designers head backstage and the Judges discuss. Basically, they think Louise and Gordana’s pieces weren’t “special” enough and didn’t stand out. Whereas Ra’mon’s outfit will stand out in its "special" place in fashion Hell … forever.

Time for the results. Gordana and Epperson are safe – and Nicolas is the winner, and will have immunity next week. Christopher is also safe.

This leaves Louise and her film noir about boring dresses, or Ra’mon’s big-budget disaster flick come-to-life on a model. And in the end, Ra’mon is sent home. And this week Tim doesn't talk stank about the loser. The end.


Next week – the return of the fiercest Oompa Loompa in the fashion industry – the sorely missed MICHAEL KORS! Thank you Jeebus!!!




What did YOU think about this episode? Feel free to let loose in the Comments section…