Project Runway: The Attack of the Big Hot Mess

After last week’s welcome elimination of Johnny, we’re down to the final eleven. At this point, everyone remaining is creative and talented and I’ll be sorry to see any of them leave.

I should point out now: I’m a fan of Nicolas because he’s so ridiculous with his opinions and judgments – even though he inappropriately called out Johnny on the runway last week (hilariously wrong!). He just criticizes everyone else as if he’s designing groundbreaking fashion – how funny is he? I also like Gordana but only because her accent reminds me in a comforting way of my hairdresser, but my absolute favorite is Carol Hannah. Unfortunately for CH, my endorsement is usually a curse, so let’s see how long she lasts before Heidi asks her to pack her knives. Er, scissors.

Ra’mon talks about the elevation of the contest now that Johnny Drama is gone and Gordana is starting to show signs of stress. Everyone thinks that the challenges will become tougher, as if they’ve never seen this show before and they’re clueing us into some behind-the-scenes insight.

The designers meet Tim and Collier Strong on a Hollywood sound stage to present the challenge: Create a look inspired by one of five movie genres – action adventure, sci-fi, period piece, film noir and western. Tim draws names out of his velvety bag and one by one people choose their genres (with two chances per genre). Epperson and Shirin are called last and are left with Western, because nobody in their right minds would choose that. The designers have $150 and one day to complete their look. They must create a story to accompany their outfits.

Collier expounds a bit about this being a make-up challenge as well, and L’Oreal blah blah blah – with the show’s move to Lifetime, we’ve added too much cross promotion with L’Oreal. And I will take it out on Collier where appropriate.

And so: CH and Logan: Action adventure. Ra’mon and Nicolas: Sci-fi. Shirin and Epperson: Western. Christopher and Gordana: Period piece. Irina, Louise, and Barbie: Film noir.

Immediately, I like Ra’mon more because he’s an old school Trekkie and on his design notes writes “Borg” and “Predator.” I’d never have pegged him for a Star Trek fan. Epperson and Shirin struggle with ideas, and CH reveals a crush on Logan, while Logan reveals he feels a connection with CH. Don’t let love distract you, girl! Nicolas is a daydreamer and has experience in the costume industry. Louise and her personal style should have an edge in the film noir genre, and Irina’s feeling obnoxiously confident in her abilities.

A bobbin stealer seems out to sabotage Louise. Nicolas is “worried” for Louise because she doesn’t have a story for her outfit/character and she really needs to know what her point of view is. Which is so wrong, because Louise is all about vintage aesthetic and has designed amazing pieces. CH interviews that the tension in the workroom is escalating.  Meanwhile, Ra’mon thinks he’s creating an amazing reptilian hybrid jumpsuit. I don’t understand his deal with jumpsuits.

Tim Time. He likes Christopher’s 19^th Century vampire bride, but thinks it’s too modern. He also likes Epperson’s “Annie Get Your Gun”-esque quality and the layers of ruffles. I have to say, I love it, too. Ra’mon’s green snakeskin leather jumpsuit will either “be sublime or it could be a big hot mess.” He loves Louise’s subtlety and nuance, but he warns her that those details never transfer to the runway. He advises Nicolas to exaggerate the look of his white villainess dress.

Nicolas “worries” about Ra’mon because his outfit is more Godzilla than beautiful, weird woman. Irina, also a judgmental one, doesn’t see Gordana in Bryant Park.

During model fitting, Ra’mon has second thoughts (because jumpsuits never work, Ra’mon! Unless you’re Epperson), and decides to start from scratch with two hours left. I do give credit to all of these designers for one thing: in previous seasons we haven’t seen people entirely scrap their concepts and start over halfway through the time limit. People have done that repeatedly this season, so in a way, it’s kind of amazing that most of them have been able to pull it off.  Ra’mon guesses he’ll end up in the middle.

We see people in various stages of worry and stress, and then it’s off to…

The Runway! Guest judges: John Varvatos and Zoe Glassner (oh enough, Zoe) and film costume designer Arianne Phillips. I’m seriously not happy with the continued disappearance of Michael Kors. WTH?

All in all, I enjoyed every outfit, with Barbie’s being the weakest. But you decide! (Well, you and the judges.)

Irina: Beautiful but safe. CH: Sexy, fun. Shirin: Hokey. Christopher: Gorgeous, modern. Nicolas: Very pretty. Barbie: Boring. Ra’mon: Couture sci-fi? Louise: Pretty. Epperson: Very, very cool. Gordana: Beautiful, but not very original. Logan: Safe.

Safe: Logan, CH, Shirin, Barbie, Irina.

The judges say that though Gordana’s dress reveals great skill and detail, they don’t see her point of view, or “Gordana.” They love Nicolas’s character and design. The material is a little cheap, but it will “photograph beautifully.” Zoe calls it “clever” and “risky.” He’s gracious, naturally. Louise’s story and dress are “a convoluted mess.” Zoe is bored. Well, we’re bored with you, Zoe. Varvatos sounds asleep when he says “it doesn’t come across special at all….the detail doesn’t read.” Ouch. Christopher’s dress is well done and elegant, while also being modern and “wow factor”-ish. Ra’mon takes a beating for his new dress, with it looking “shoddily made,” and “a little bit like a school project” and “a hot green mess.” It doesn’t show off his skill. Epperson’s dress is “fabulous” and creative, with a “contemporary value.”

Over deliberation it’s more of the same, with Louise just ripped to shreds and Ra’mon only less so. Line them back up and Nicolas wins! What? I thought it was all Christopher. I would have chosen him, absolutely, but he’s safe too, so … okay. Epperson and Gordana are also safe. Between Ra’mon and Louise, Ra’mon goes home. Wait, what again? I thought for sure it would be Louise. She hasn’t stood out much this season with the judges while they’ve loved more of Ra’mon’s work. In theory, the judges deliberate based on the individual challenge, not taking into account previous work. But still…was his couture-ish look that terrible up close? Not that I mind – I like Louise and think she adds a nice, different aesthetic to the competition – but color me surprised, judges!

Next week: A team challenge and Kors returns! It’s about damn time.

For another take on this episode, read We’re off to the Movies! by J.B. Perlow.

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

Season 6, Episode 6: Lights, Camera, Sew!(originally aired September 24, 2009)

For more on Project Runway, click here.

Thursdays at 10pm EST on Lifetime

Photographs courtesy of IMDbPro