The episode started out as you would expect...5 deserving designers, Kayne, Uli, Michael, Laura, & Jeffrey, awaiting the details of their next challenge. Oh how looks can deceive! Apparently, the folks at Project Runway had nothing better to do than to try and stir the pot, because Heidi announced she had "special guests" that would prove essential to the challenge. Okayyyyyy...Then Vincent & Angela come in the room, seemingly unaware of what was happening. All of us fans can say is, "WHAT THE FUCK?!" Here are two designers that we (me especially) have been trying to send home from day one (literally day one! do I even have to remind you all of the
horror show vincent sent down the runway on the first challenge?). it turned out that vincent & angela, just when we thought we had gotten rid of them for good, were BACK, ready to compete & participate in the challenge. Vincent & Angela were the only two designers (other than Keith who was kicked off the show) that had won challenges, therefore their previous wins qualified them to come back and participate in the Black & White Challenge. I found this to be a bit odd, and unfair. Nevermind the fact that these two skated along narrowly avoiding being OUT on countless occasions! I thought Laura brought up an interesting point to Angela, when they were discussing how Angela's only win was a group effort. In the I.N.C. challenge Laura & Michael were clearly steering her along the path to victory. I didn't buy Angela's argument about how she was judged on the design concept, because the garments are judged by teamwork (when applicable), design, styling, fit, shape, and a slew of other factors. The fact she was the team leader awarded her immunity, but as far as I am concerned that immunity ended after the challenge that immediately followed her win! Vincent on the otherhand did win on his own accord in the everyday woman challenge, but I disaggreed with the judges in that challenge immensely. It is simply really, he didn't deserve to win that challenge!Okay I'm done rambling about that. The catch was that Vincent & Angela could only continue on for a change to show at Olympus Fashion Week if they were to WIN the Black & White Challenge, otherwise they would be aufed along with one other designer Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and the AHMAZING Zac Posen (the guest judge) gave the lowest runway score.
The Challenge: To design a cocktail dress using only black and white fabric. They were required to use BOTH Black & White, and were required to use every inch of fabric they bought at Mood. The fact that they had to use the same colors & for the same occassion, the focus was central: the design, fit, & of course the overall styling of their model. The designers used their previous models, with the exception of Vincent. His model Jia Santos was struck by a bus while riding her bicycle to a taping of the show. She has since recovered from her injuries, and Vincent was assigned Javi. The designers were given $100, 15 minutes to sketch, and two days to complete the challenge.
The Designs: Laura Wins!Laura was a bit weepy this challenge (pregnancy does that!), but she knew what she had to do, she had to take her initial design concept modernize it. She succeeded at creating a youthful looking baby doll dress with a square neck line. She stayed true to herself with a simple yet sophisticated silloheute. The dress was white with a black lace overlay. The skirt was embellished with crystals and feathers (that actually reminded me of a lampshade, but looked great on the runway).
Michael:This white off-the-shoulder jersey dress was hip, young, and modern, and could have just as easily won. He belted the jersey dress with a black patent leather waistband that made this dress a night out feel. I am even more convinced Michael is taking the Runway crown. He has the most range, and has been been the most consistant of any of the designers. What is even better, I like his personality!
UliUli, seemingly doesn't get that she needs to step away from the hippie beach party look. She could have easily gone home with this look, not because it is a bad design, or was poorly constructed, but because she just doesn't listen. There were two things wrong with this look other than the fact it was yet another hippie beach party dress. 1) the bell sleeves were too long 2) the necklace (created from excess fabric) looked like "pool floats" as Michael Kors stated.
Kayne is Out:Kayne didn't get the memo and forgot to buy white fabric. I wonder if he would have stayed had he actually followed directions. Heidi mentioned that they question his taste level, but this was probably one of his least tacky designs. Heidi & Nina are clearly about designs looking expensive and sure this dress did look a bit H&M/Forever 21ish, but it wasn't THE WORST we have seen from Kayne (not that is saying much! All I am saying is from the front his dress was on the verge of chic, and it was the back with the loops & white ribbon "fringe" that made it a bit whoreish...if he had instead incorporated white fabric into this design he may have still been in.
Jeffrey:Jeffrey was going for the low rent hooker cocktail party look. His look was rather costumey, and not at all elegant or sophisticated. I agree with the judges that he could have been both edgy & elegant, and he will need to do just that to have chance to win this.
Because they did not win the challenge, both Angela and Vincent are OUT x 2: Angela: Angela chose a black dress with a black leather shurg with ivory charmeuse ruffled neckline. It looked a bit like a neck brace & was over the top. It wasn't flattering, and that wasn't surprising coming from her.
Vincent:Vincent overbought fabric in this challenge, but instead of merely making the dress longer, he made a skimpy black and white number with an ugly shawl. If he had kept it simple with a white bodice and a black cocktail (not street corner) length it wouldn't have been such an embarrassment for him.Project Runway airs on
Bravo on Wednesday's 10/9c
