Project Runway: Forget the Big Guns: I’m Taking a Tank to Bryant Park

I’ve heard complaints about this season, about how the designers aren’t as creative (see last week) or have been, overall, boring to watch (see the entire season) compared to previous contestants. Both of these points are true: While the talent is definitely there in terms of sophistication and skill, many of the designers have had similar tastes and aesthetics (although Irina calls it stealing) and most of the time, the interviews given are exposition of things we’re watching happen on screen. Nicolas and Irina were kind enough to criticize their fellow designers thereby giving us some drama, but otherwise, we’ve had a fairly lackluster season, without any real breakout designs or stars (I can’t believe I miss Kenley!). Some good designs, yes, but I don’t think we have any Christian Siriano military outfits emblazoned in our brains.

Nevertheless, we’re into Part I of the finale this week, and even I’m excited.  I continue to root for CH’s win, but she’d have to be pretty spectacular to beat Irina, who has had the greatest success and some of the best work all season. Unless Irina suddenly screws up somewhere, she’s the one to beat. Unfortunately Barbie, though smarter than your average plastic doll (and much more creative), hasn’t designed much that I’ve really enjoyed. Which doesn’t mean anything, except that while I wish her success after the show, I’m hoping she doesn’t win. And that right there is setting me up for trouble.

But on to this week’s episode: Talk about filler! I was tempted to write: Tim visited the designers, they came to NYC, CH fell ill, Irina “borrowed” some copyright images, and oh wait, now design another look. That’s really it right there. But for those who want a little more detail, here we go.

Tim visits the three remaining designers: CH on Long Island (holla!), Irina on the UES (paging all Gossip Girls) and Barbie in Dayton, Ohio. CH found inspiration in the architecture and whimsical atmosphere of Duke University at night. Irina calls upon her hometown of Brooklyn and Coney Island for ideas, and Barbie’s inspiration comes from sci-fi movies, with their different fashion shapes and strong women. Each designer receives praise and advice, and each of them take Tim’s words to heart. The most notable piece of these visits is that one of Irina’s looks is based around postcard-like images screened onto t-shirts. Tim calls her ten days before Fashion Week starts to inform her that the images she chose are copyrighted, and therefore, unusable. Uh oh! Now, what’ll she do?

When the ladies arrive for Fashion Week, only Irina and Barbie show at the Grand Hyatt, fighting the awkwardness that comes from one person having accused the other of fashion plagiarism. It gives the editors something to work with, which almost makes you think someone might have poisoned CH to keep her out of the picture. Speaking of…

Tim arrives at the hotel to deliver the news that CH is sick with a contagious stomach bug and won’t be joining them. However, she does make an appearance the next day at the workroom, much to the disappointment/concern of Irina and Barbie.

Tim swings by for some Tim Time.  He uses “matronly” again to describe some of Barbie’s clothes, and wonders if the collection is cohesive. Irina takes note of Barbie’s knits, and “jokingly” says to her, “Althea, what would you do without me? You have a good memory.” It’s a really good dig, but Barbie doesn’t appreciate it as much as I do. Also, Irina didn’t introduce knits or oversized sweaters to the world, so she could back off, but then what on earth about this episode would entertain us? Tim and CH go back and forth about what does and doesn’t work, and Barbie interviews that CH doesn’t intimidate her, because her collection is “very Carol Hannah.” See? Not nearly as good as Irina’s shots.

Irina swapped images of New York for text about New York on her t-shirts. The biggest issue is that her collection is all black and gray. And a pair of leather pants that look like chaps. Hmmm. Barbie tries to get some digs in about Irina’s pieces, but she’s so out of her league there, it’s not worth repeating.

Up next is model casting. No catfights over models. Then Kors and Nina stop by to offer advice and answer questions. Specifically, Nina says that an all black collection can prove difficult to editorialize. Irina notes Nina’s comments, but sticks to her guns about excluding color.

Then it’s time for model fittings, and then Heidi arrives! Looking amazing, as usual. Guess why she’s there? You know why! It’s time to add a thirteenth look to each collection. The interviews indicate that the three ladies are surprised by this, but they’ve all seen this show before, so they know what to expect. In walk Gordana, Christopher, and Logan to provide help. Barbie chooses first and picks Logan, Irina chooses Gordana, and CH happily accepts Christopher. The designers sketch then head to Mood.

They work the rest of the afternoon, but by the end of the day, CH is back at the hotel stuck in the bathroom, dealing with another flare up of her stomach virus. This is really not good for her.

And then it’s all: Next week on Project Runway…

So, as you can see, nothing really happens except plenty of set up. Despite this and the general criticisms of the show, I can’t wait to see what comes down the Runway next week. Hopefully, CH overcomes her stomach bug so she can perform up to her standards and go through with the show. Personally, I’m hoping Tim Gunn has a meltdown.

Next week: Panic, Illness, and Tim almost loses it. It’s the Finale, Part II!

Season 6, Episode 13: Finale Part I  (originally aired November 12, 2009)

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Photographs courtesy of Lifetime