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So much drama in last night's Project Runway! Zulema did take Tarah, Nick's "muse," during a "walk-off" of three models, and everyone was all "Oh, snap!" or "Damn!" or "WTF"! But you can hardly blame Zulema for trying to get rid of her model, Rachael - it makes sense to want the best model possible. Sadly for Rachael, even Tim Gunn called her an "elongated marshmallow" and commiserated with Nick about being stuck with her; in the one-on-one interview, Rachael said it worked out because Nick was her favorite (we think that's what she said - Gothamist was so swept up in the drama, it was hard for us to compute). Nick's highest point of melodrama is when he was going throw in his Project Runway towel over this, but Daniel V. gave him a tough-love talk to shape up. Aw!
This week's challenge was "Inspiration," which meant the designers were given Olympus (and hey, did you know they were sponsoring Fashion Week too?) digital cameras and one hour to take pictures of anything that struck their fancy, and then at the workroom, each one would select one photograph to get their creative juices going to design a dress. Chloe decided to use a photograph of a building (one of those midtown buildings from the 50s or 60s that are very geometric), Andrae went for gutter water, Santino hit graffiti, Kara liked "Warning" signage, Daniel used an orchid plant, Zulema picked a red African dress (a dress as inspiration for another dress? zzzzzzz), and Nick, who barely shot much as he was still upset about losing his beloved Tarah, a photograph of a nautical scarf in the window.
But, honestly, the actual design process was boring next to the interpersonal drama. We got to see the designers having lunch and not letting Zulema sit with them and Zulema saying something about people thinking she acted shystie. And then Nick bitched to the boys back at the apartment, admitting that, yes, he wanted to cut Zulema! So so so good - plus, Tim Gunn told the designers they needed to step up for this challenge!
So, what to say about the dresses? Our favorite was Andrae's sparkling, gorgeous gutter water creation. It was returning Project Runway winner Jay McCarroll's favorite as well (he liked that he made something beautiful from something ugly). It reminded us a little of his lovely Nicky Hilton dress, but it was also very true to his photograph. Daniel's orchid-inspired top and skirt were also beautiful, but though the top was lush, we didn't think it was as wearable (the skirt, yes). Chloe's building dress looked much better on Grace than it did off the form (we thought it was an insane ribbony mess), and the pleating was very intricate (Jay called Chloe on the fact it didn't look very much like her building - as he knows about buildings as dresses). The top to Nick's outfit (inspired by water) was gathered in a fetching way, but he did a fishtail skirt again, which Michael Kors hated.
Santino's dress was less crazy, but not made with his usual precision - he's gone downhill the past few challenges - and Jay said it looked like Austin Scarlett's Grammy challenge dress. And Zulema - even model Tarah hated Zulema's dress and was upset that she had to wear it - it was just a mess of red fabrics. But the worst offender was Kara's "danger/warning" inspired dress - it was totally lame, just a black sheath with a stupid yellow and black "stay away" type stripe around it. Michael Kors totally nailed it when he said it was very Donna Karan. So stupid, but so awesome when Jay smacked Kara's lameass explanation of the dress down.
The judges narrowed it down to Daniel and Andrae (though Nina Garcia did like Chloe's dress a lot). Funnily enough, Jay said he liked Andrae's presence - if only he'd been there the first two challenges. Daniel ended up winning, and the Santino, Kara and Zulema were left on the runway. Santino was in, and then Heidi said Kara was in. Cut to backstage, with Kara entering and Nick kissing her in joy that Zulema was OUT, mainly because her dresses have been poorly constructed week after week. Oh, and because they sorta sucked too. While we agree that Zulema didn't have much time left, Kara seemed more like deadweight, with that stinky boring dress.
What did you think of last night's episode? Gothamist cannot wait for next week, when Tim Gunn confronts Santino about the impressions. And on Bravo executive Andy Cohen's blog, he has an interview with Chloe who says that Zulema totally hogged the bathroom - and that Santino really is mean!
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Santino's impressions of Tim Gunn straight up "rock the casbah!" HA!
Also, has anyone noticed that Andrae turns all "British" (like the Madonna/Golden Globes Gwyneth brand of British) during his interviews and breakdowns?
Goddammit, Gothamist. You beyotch! I hadn't gotten around to watching my DVRed episode of PR and you leaked the walk-off results. Thank god I stopped reading this post before you ruined anything else. Ugh.
Thanks for the link to the Dao interview, Jen.
How I would rank them after Week 8:
1. Daniel (superb week after week)
2. Nick (even sans the muse)
3. Andrae (coming on strong)
4. Chloe (one blue note)
5. Santino (beneath the layers, lousy construct)
6. Kara (lucky to be here)
Chloe remains my sentimental pick. Love her lines, and her technical skills are awesome. I loved the folds in last nights dress, but the ribbons lacked her usual high quality. Did anyone notice that cool (huge) bag she was toting around....wonder where she got that.
Daniel's dress was striking, but would any woman ever wear something so poufy? Andrae's dress was prettier and far more practical.
This week wasn't a high point for Kara, but she at least turned in something that was flattering and put together well. Kara is hanging by a thread anyway--it was Zulema's turn.
Daniel's top looked like a big shrimp dumpling from dim sum. Not flattering at all. Andrae should have won.
Tarah's hometown is "North Carolina?" Reminds me of being in Morocco, where panhandlers, if I told them I was from Michigan, would pat their sternums and say "Meechigan. My city. My city."
Man, this show rules. I really dug that Zulema got hoist on her own petard. Poor construction, uninspired--no model could save that thing. Andre and Daniel made great things. I personally liked Andre's better, conceptually and in execution..
And TIm Gunn is hilarious, whether it is Santino channeling him, or on his own strangely stiff yet sharpely articulate, self. He did a good job calling out the designers on being complacent.
I liked Jay last season, but he was meh as a judge.. Where was his personality..? I guess we'll find out on Project Jay?!?
Howabout that smooching at the end.. Chloe looked surprised, the camera angle was funny... heh.
I guess Nick can say goodbye to his muse next week. Most likely Daniel is going to stick with his model. But Tarah is by far one of the best walkers on the show. And Santino's model is just way too whiny.
You can hear about Andre's "accent" here: http://www.bravotv.com/Andys_Blog/060118.shtml
Adam, please! It was so obvious from the "on next week's Project Runway" scenes - Nick saying "I can't believe she did that" after Zulema asked for a walk-off. And seriously, Tarah is incredibly beautiful.
I did feel Jay was showing off a bit, as is his right. I watched a rerun just now and loved Nina's dress-down of Zulema's defensiveness about her dress and poor construction.
Also, did anyone else see in the Chloe interview that she thought Zulema's skating outfit truly was great and that Anne "Too much tooty" Slowey was unreasonable? A gold mine of information!
OMG I am really obsessing about Chloe in an unhealthy way. Just read she stopped into Emmett's new shop on Elizabeth St Monday ("in town for a trade show"). Too early to be here for OFW....makes you wonder.
http://bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com/
scroll down to "A Note from Emmett"
this season's models are all boring. Bring back Morgan!