Project Runway: Recycled Goods

Is it possible that this might be our first original challenge of the season? Ignoring previous garbage challenges, here is something green, product-placement-friendly, and potentially original from the producers. New challenges! What could possibly be in store for us?! An un-recycled episode about…recycling!

Heidi gives the designers an address and sends them to the roof. Blayne thinks it will be some crazy superstar and it’s “kind of scary.” Korto hopes it’s Mariah. Have these people never seen this show? They’re practically on their way to a warehouse full of Levi’s jeans.

On the rooftop: Cars! At a parking garage? Crazy! Also not a surprise: they’re Saturns. Tim introduces Saturn lead color designer Chris Webb, who tells us the cars are stocked with some of the raw materials used to create the 85% recyclable cars. The challenge is to recycle the materials to make an outfit of your choice, with a spotlight on being innovative. They have four minutes to load their rolling carts and bags (not plastic, I hope) with as much as they can carry.

Kenley’s surprised and disgusted that the cars are filled with car parts. Suede grabs “wackadoodle” materials. Leanne is stumped, but laughing. She’s growing on me more, if only because she seems to have a sense of humor about all the wackadoodles around her. Back at Parsons, Tim informs them they have until midnight, and the winner receives immunity.

Keith begins the first of many monologues about how he has to impress “those fucking judges.” He’s tired of creating standout outfits that the judges crap on. He complains repeatedly about the judges and their remarks, in interviews and in comments to the other designers. Keith, nobody likes a whiner – right, Suede?

Suede says he’s making a top out of thick rubber floor mats, so “that’s pretty wackadoodle.” He tells us his father gave him a car, but passed away in ’99. I hope we’re not going to get obituaries every week from Suede. This is the second, and already I’m less sympathetic.

Everyone’s using seat belts, except innovative Kenley, who draws zebra stripes on air vents. She congratulates herself on her excellent taste. Later, Tim informs her that her model has dropped out. She takes this personally, but Daniel’s eliminated model is recycled and returns. This will set Kenley back hours because of fitting, but she’s more than capable.

Tim Time. Blayne greets “Timlicious” and disappoints with his dress. Tim loves Jerell’s futuristic creation. Tim loves it. Korto’s seat belt coat is “‘60′s mod.” Stella’s longer skirt and short jacket lack innovation. Tim loves Leanne’s dress, and I can’t even describe the weirdness there. Keith explains that his dress is all about impressing the judges. Tim suggests designing something he likes, but that won’t impress the judges, Tim.

After the whispers start that Keith has a ‘tude, he interviews that he’s there to win, and though everyone feels that way, he actually deserves it more than others. Keith’s model rips her skirt during prep, and he can’t understand why a model can’t follow directions. Guess who’s going home?

Runway! Sitting in for Nina: Season 3 finalist Laura Bennett. Guest Judge is Rachel Zoe, who has a show on Bravo, in case you didn’t know.

Jerell: “Futuristic.” Keith: Tank top, skirt *cough*Kohl’s*cough*. Terri: Two-toned pants, top. Kenley: Black leather top, vent skirt. Leanne: Cocktail dress, weird hips. Suede: Shiny fringe skirt, basic top. Korto: Beautifully woven seat belt coat. Blayne: Woven seat belt dress with mirror shards. Joe: Sporty, black dress. Stella: Seat belt skirt and short jacket.

Safe: Suede, Joe, Terri, Kenley.

Judges. Rachel loves Jerell’s tailoring and Kors says it’s over the top, yet appropriate. Heidi thinks it’s exciting, interesting, and wearable. Laura likes the idea of Blayne’s dress, but the bodice is ill-fitting and distracting. Rachel wishes the dress was shorter and Kors isn’t a “car wash skirt or dress fan,” referring to the bottom fringe. Heidi announces that broken mirrors equals seven years of no sex. Don’t worry! Blayne’s not superstitious. Rachel says she would walk out the door in Korto’s jacket. Kors says it’s elegant and “restrained drama.” For Leanne, Kors thinks the silhouette is fabulous and crafted beautifully. Rachel thinks she can go straight to Paris in that dress. Rachel describes Stella’s outfit as lacking shape, and Laura thinks the skirt and top don’t go together.

Laura doesn’t like Keith’s concept, and Keith pulls out a gun and shoots himself in the foot (metaphorically). He politely rants that the model ripped the dress and the judges hate his designs, so what else could he have done? “It’s hard when you work so hard and I’m told that it looks like a dowdy chicken. There’s criticisms, and then there’s insults.” Kors breaks it down for Keith and tells him to get over himself, because when you present anything to an audience, there will always be comments. You need to be an adult, essentially.

Deliberation. Jerell’s dress had a dramatic point of view and was hot and sexy. Korto’s jacket was beautiful and chic. Leanne’s dress was flawless and a risk. Stella’s combination doesn’t work. Blayne had too many ideas and it wasn’t well made. Keith lacked inspiration. Kors points out that, all bitchery aside, you’re in charge of your destiny, not the model or the judge.

Bring them back out and Leanne wins! Korto’s amazing jacket takes second. Between Stella and Keith, no one is surprised Keith leaves. His bitterness doesn’t dry his tears, and he says in his painful exit interview that he’s upset about going home for an outfit that wasn’t really him. This week’s moral: That’s why you should always believe in yourself and your dreams. And your fashion.

Next time: Designing for a fashion legend, Kenley cries, and someone’s crotch is missing! Watch What Happens!

Wednesday, at 9pm EST, Bravo

Photographs courtesy of BRAVO and IMDb Pro