"You're Gonna Cut and Cry"

Thank you, Zulema, for bringing us the catchphrase for Project Runway. During last night's Project Runway Banana Republic Challenge, where designers had to pair up in teams and design an outfit that could go from day to night that would eventually be sold at select BR stores, Zulema browbeat partner Kara (thank you, Kara, for having a breakdown that required Zulema to crack that whip!) into working, saying Kara could cry, but that she would have to "cut and cry." "You're gonna cut and cry" - so awesome.

Naturally, after winning the last challenge, Santino was insane ("I'm going to design all the accessories in Hilton hotels") and everyone knew it. It was super cute to see who paired with whom - and that Nick was upset he was paired with Santino. The teams were Nick and Santino, Emmett and Chloe, Andrae and Daniel, Kara and Zulema, and Marla and Diana. Yeah, we knew who was leaving at the end of the episode as soon as the teams were formed. The first part of the challenge was to design an outfit, the second was to design a window display that expressed the day-to-night idea (with the model as "living mannequin") where people on the street would vote for the best displays. And because we don't want to spoil things for people who didn't watch it, the post continues on below.

Now, Gothamist has to say that we loved Chloe and Emmett's design the most. And we thought the Banana Republic lady's comment that it was too "esoteric" was BS, because we've seen some pretty esoteric stuff there. And we loved that Tim Gunn and Nina Garcia adored the design - and that Tim said, "It's more fabulous than I can say" when he saw their window display, which included lovely sketches of tall, redhead Grace in the day outfit and in the night oufit. Daniel and Andrae's design was nice, but too sacklike for our tastes (you've gotta be a rail to pull off that drop waist); their window display was spare and smart.

Zulema was smart to use the pattern for the dress, but Michael Kors's comment that the jacket was very "Mugler" had us rolling on the floor. While Santino and Nick's kimono-y outfit was dismissed by the judges, Gothamist thought it was ironic that Banana Republic was making their "Memoirs of a Geisha" -inspired line this past season. But Diana and Marla's outfit was really boring, even though we could totally have seen it at Club Monaco, and their window display was wickety-wack, so they were "out." While we are sad to see Diana go, we're thankful Marla is gone.

So, we're thinking that Daniel, Chloe and Nick make it to the final three. Santino is too combative. What do you think? And you can buy the dress online at Banana Republic here: It retails for $268. Or visit the Rockefeller Store to try it on in person - let us know if it's sold out already!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts & Entertainment on January 12, 2006 1:03 PM

Comments [rss]

claudia

Oh, Zulema! Apparently, she does her best work when she's bossing around a better designer. That dress was the nicest and most wearable thing she's produced this season. And I love how during the judging, she immediately declares they didn't work well together as a team. Um, shoot yourself in the foot much?

Anybody else think Kara could pass for Rachel Griffiths' sister?

smokey

Man you watch a lot of TV! How many hours a week are you in front of that boob tube?

enid

Santino was incredibly nasty to Michael Kors, right to his face last night! I predict he's out sooner rather than later, {or as soon as Michael can exact revenge}. Would like to see Chloe win.

Michelle

I definitely think it's going to be Nick, Chloe and Daniel in the final three. Santino is going to have a breakdown when he doesn't continue to win every challenge.

homeopt

wow girl, you watch much too much tv. never even heard of this crap.

fshk

I totally agree: Nick, Chloe, Daniel. Santino's going to piss off the wrong person before we get to the end of the season, and he's kind of hot and cold anyway (he'll win the challenge one week, and everyone will hate his design the next).

Anonymous

Santino-Nick-Chloe....

Dark horse David.

Zooleema needs to GO. Now.

Jen

But Kara Saun did make the final three. I agree with your assessment of Chloe - I'd love for her to do something less predictable (as we know Chloe now) but she does have a head for what is beautiful, wearable and very accessible.

Jo

Nick and Daniel for sure; Chloe has mad skills (Tim called the reversable jacket from last night "a technical masterpiece" in his blog), but I could see the judges marking her down a month from now for being "too safe, not on the leading edge, etc." She reminds me of Kara San, not so much the style but simply because for every challenge she gets it.

Santino digs his own grave every week. Mean, arrogant, whatevs - besides being a nasty person, he is way too over the top in his designs.

I'm thinking Andrae might slide in the third spot. He's been solid ever since he had his oh-so-fake meltdown.

Pulling for Ms. Dao, however; I love her classic lines, and she her construct is awesome.