Project Runway: We’re Off to the Movies

Thanks to pressing the wrong button I saw that Ra’mon gets sent home tonight.  But, taking a page out of the J.J. Abrams empire (since Ra’mon is a Trekkie), let’s jump back to 60 minutes earlier…

Nicolas talks about how he’s okay with throwing Johnny under the bus on a non-team challenge by calling out his shoddy work in the last episode.  Oh and he’s also okay with no one liking him because this is a competition.  Yawn.  Having won the last challenge, Irina has immunity.  Heidi says they are going on a field trip since they’ve been cooped up in the design studio the whole time (really?).  They arrive at a “real Hollywood soundstage” and meet Tim and Collier Strong of L’Oreal Paris.  For this challenge they are to select a film genre and to design an outfit for a character in that genre–as a bonus (for us) they get to create their own characters. (And Tim oddly pronounces the word “genre.”)  Tim draws names,yadda, yadda, yadda, but two of them are assigned to each genre.  They go back and sketch, except that Carol Hannah is distracted by Logan’s hottness.  While she’s drooling, Nicolas is daydreaming in Fantasyland about three queens watching over the universe and residing in Orion’s Belt (actually, those are usually three kings).

Tim’s Take.  He thinks Gordana’s 1920s look is too old and they debate necklines.  Christopher is making a vampire bride in Victorian France and Tim makes a funny (and fun) face at the thought of bare arms in the 1800s. Epperson is very Annie Get Your Gun, which seduces Tim.  Ra’mon’s alien hybrid look could be either “sublime” or “a big hot mess,” per Tim.  He comments to Louise about her subtleties and wants her to push it more so she can start standing out on the runway.  Nicolas and Tim agree that he’s being too safe.  Again Tim is inspired by what they are doing and asks them to look around the room to see which one of them is going home.  Send in the models and Collier while I head to the kitchen for a refill.

While I’m gone, I overhear that Ra’mon is going to start from scratch with only two hours left.  This will not bode well.  Louise cuts herself and is getting more attention than usual so I suspect this means she’ll finally stand out from the crowd.  And wait, a streak of hair just ran across the screen.  I think it’s Nicolas.  Anyway, let’s cut to the runway.

Runway.  Heidi introduces our judges for the week: Designer John Varvatos, Zoe Glassner (Marie Claire), and Oscar-nominated (Walk the Line) costume designer Arianne Phillips–oh she should be fun with the Western folks.  So what did I like: Irina and her classic film noir feel.  Shirin is very The Best Little Whorehouse.  Christopher’s is a more modern period people.  Nicolas’s model looks like she belongs in the Ice Capades.  Epperson’s western outfit reminded me of Sharon Stone in The Quick and the Dead or maybe something from Firefly.  And then Gordana’s golden flapper look, nice but nothing special.

Judges’ Review.  We begin with Gordana; they like it but it’s not memorable, but we learn that Zoe’s great-grandmother was a flapper.  Nicolas talks about his ice queen’s story and I’ll pause to note that his story is NOT science fiction but rather fantasy; anyway, they love it and I’m disappointed.  Louise explains that her design is supposed to be a design in a design or something; I’m confused but they all think it looks cheap.  Christopher apologizes in advance for historical inaccuracies and then talks about vampire weddings–I don’t remember that in history class, but what do I know?  But they all like it and I agree.  For Ra’mon and his character Lola (she’s a showgirl!) and it just sounds like an extra in V; they don’t like it and think it looks like a child’s project.  Ouch.  We end with Epperson and his character who’s husband is going off to war (which war we don’t know) but it goes over well.

Results.  Gordana and Epperson are in.  Nicolas is the winner and I shout out “WTF” at my television.  Christopher (“Good job”–i.e., this was close) is in.  Ra’mon’s design was a home designed mess and Louise should have used more drama to avoid being a “snoozefest.”  Ra’mon is out.  Louise is safe.  Next week: Team challenge!

I liked this episode and the challenge.  Unlike in past years, I think there’s some serious talent and competition this year and it’s only getting better each week.  Still, I miss Nina and Kors.  Blurgh!

For another take on this episode, read The Attack of the Big Hot Mess by Jaimie Campos.

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.

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