Project Runway: Life’s a Beach

Tonight is one for the Project Runway record books!  But look at me getting ahead of myself.

Heidi sends the designers on a field trip where they need sunscreen and it’s a place you have to see before leaving California.   No, it’s not Planet Hollywood; it’s the beach and Tim in flip flops and a blazer.  He tells them they are to create a fun and fashionable surfwear look.  There’s a product placement for Garnier’s celebrity stylist Philip Carreon and we don’t care because this is a fashion design competition not a hair stylist competition (that’s still on Bravo).  Anyway, this is a team challenge and they will work in pairs.  Tim selects people to be team leaders who pick their partners.  Of note, Mitchell picks Ra’mon because he thinks Ra’mon can “carry [him] in this challenge.”  Boy he didn’t learn anything from the last two challenges.

They caucus and talk with surfers, where Mitchell learns what a Brazilian bikini is (sorry, keeping it family friendly with no links) and he fondles someone’s breasts.  Qristyl does not like how her partner Epperson isn’t respecting her as the team leader, well if she keeps reminding him about being team leader I can see why they’re having issues.  While that tension simmers, we head to Mood where Team Drama (a/k/a Mitchell and Ra’mon) are already having issues.  This is what’s fun about the early challenges: planting the seeds of problems to come later in the season.

Back at the studio, amazing Nicolas is creating an amazing silhouette and an amazing swimsuit.  While I consult an amazing thesaurus, Qristyl and Epperson are downing Tylenol so they can deal with each other.  But hold that thought, Mitchell yells when Ra’mon is talking to someone while he works.  I guess he’s not allowed to talk while Mitchell’s napping on his coat tails.

Tim walks in and capital W-T-F: they need to design a second avant garde design to complement the surfwear design.  Some more footage at Mood and Qristyl keeps talking about being the captain while Epperson and I roll our eyes.  Nicolas’s avant garde is looking a little, how you say, whorish and Mitchell talks about not knowing how to sew.  Ra’mon is concerned (and growing in frustration) because he seems to be doing most of the work.  As a brief diversion, Carol Hannah’s model, Erika, is going all big beef and cheddar in an Arby’s commercial so Carol Hannah needs a new model.  (You would have known more about this if you were watching Models of the Runway.  Yes, I’m watching it.  Don’t judge.)

Tim’s Take.  He loves what Johnny’s doing.  He all but calls Qristyl and Epperson’s pull-away dress as something for a strip tease.  His “what is that” to Ra’mon’s jump/scuba suit does not go over well, and Ra’mon decides to go in a different direction.  The other designers get minimal attention, so we know they’re safe this week.

The next day Mitchell wonders if the three strikes rule applies to Runway.  We shall see but Ra’mon looks defeated as he’s working to finish up both of his team’s designs.  What Mitchell is doing, we do not see, but Tim calls out Ra’mon on whether he’s going to finish.  Let’s just head to the runway.

Runway.  Heidi introduces this week’s judges: Max Azria, Nina Garcia, and Rachel Bilson.  I like Mitchell and Ra’mon’s beachwear outfit; I don’t get their avant garde number.  I think Shirin and Carol Hannah’s and Christopher and Logan’s outfits are the best (plus Althea and Louise’s avant garde design).  This usually means the judges will pick someone else.  And that’s exactly what they do.

First we hear from Johnny and Irina.  Nina loves the macrame on the back.  Then Ra’mon explains the designs for his team.  Heidi wants to hear what Mitchell has to say and asks what he did on these outfits.  Heidi calls b-s on what he’s saying and Ra’mon says he did most of the work.  In come the losers: Qristyl begins her speech with another reminder about how she was the team leader.  She and Epperson bicker in front of the judges and it’s very unprofessional, I’m sure.  Nina does not look amused; she is also not amused by their beachwear.  Finally, Heidi thinks Nicolas’s avant garde look was not classy; Max just things it’s not good.

Privy Council.  They are loving on Ra’mon’s avant garde look and I’m still not getting it.  Heidi explains that on Runway you actually need to work and she’s unsure how she’s supposed to judge Mitchell for doing nothing.  Max notes that Qristyl was weak and Epperson took advantage of the situation–but Epperson’s work was good.

Results.  Heidi names Ra’mon the winner because he did all of the work even though he wasn’t the team leader.  He gets immunity for the next challenge.  For some reason, he interviews about having a recount.  Anyway, she excuses Irina, Johnny, Nicolas and Jordana.  At this point Mitchell should be sweating bullets, especially when Heidi also sends Epperson out.  It’s coming down to Mitchell and Qristyl.  Will bad leadership prevail over doing nothing?  Per Heidi, never before in Project Runway has someone from a winning team been sent home . . . until tonight.  Mitchell is out.

Next week: I think we’re getting a prom dress challenge and someone makes someone look older than her 16 years.

For another take on this episode, check out I Look Cool But It’s So Effortless, I Don’t Care by Jaimie Campos.

Listen to The J Factor with J.B. and Jaimie here or on iTunes.

Season 6, Episode 3: Rumble on the Runway (originally aired September 3, 2009)

For more on Project Runway, click here.

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Photographs courtesy of Lifetime