Project Runway: Hearts on Design

This week’s episode of Project Runway has the designers working with inspiring women as well as removing them far from their comfort zone as, horror of horrors, the designers find their models swapped out with real women. I know; I’ll give you some time to adjust. Calm down, catch your breath and I’ll see you in a few…

We begin this week with mirroring images as Mila and Maya sit side by side doing their hair in the mirror. Maya notices that Mila is like an older version of herself, and I totally agree; with the hair, the black colors, the physical similarities, most definitely. In fact, I am willing to say that Mila is in fact Maya come back from the future because her biggest regret is not winning this season of Project Runway. She’s been haunted by it forever so she’s come back to try to make it right. No, people, I call foul. Time traveling marvel or not, you do not get two chances in Project Runway (unless, of course you’re Chris, but that was a different season). I propose that we kick Mila out and send her back to her non-winning, regret plagued future where she belongs. It’s not happening, Mila. You’re now officially on my list. Ha!

For the design this week, the designers are tasked with making a look for a Fashion Week gala. Lisa Walker of Campbell’s Soup joins Tim in informing the designers of the “Address Your Heart” program, Campbell’s initiative to help fight heart disease. In honor of this program and the effort to fight heart disease, the designers must make a design for real women who have been impacted by heart problems. The winning design will be worn at the Annual Red Dress Awards by the winning model with the designer to accompany. The designers were given two caveats: first, the design must have red as the prominent color, and second, it must feature the Campbell’s branding.

The designers are then given their models randomly. Mila is excited to work with a real woman, while Jesus is glad that his model is thin (because as we all know, innovation and challenge is not something Jesus can withstand). The real women models tell the designers about their various afflictions, one model’s heart stops; another’s top of the heart can’t communicate with the bottom; and a wife and mother of two died for two minutes. A scary thought for anyone, yet alone to live it. Wow. The designers are all awed by these models, Jesus and Anthony cry, and Anthony recalls how scary his mom’s heart surgery was.

In the design stage, all of the designers face their own particular challenges. Jay Nichols wonders how to make his model look taller, Jesse has troubles picking out fabric, Seth Aaron’s model tries to change his dress and Jesus and Emilio annoy me. (Because yes, that is a challenge as I am now rooting for them to leave.)

Tim comes in to give the designers their daily inspiration. He compliments Anna on the detailing of her dress (Campbell’s logo traced on chiffon), tells Jesse his jacket is the only fashionable piece (that hurts), and likes Mila’s dress. Tim tells Mila the fit is a good challenge for the designers as it is something that they will have to deal with in their careers. When he sees Seth Aaron’s dress, Tim is immediately surprised. Seth, in order to accommodate his model, has turned his dress into a Grecian style. Tim notes that this style does not scream Seth Aaron and consuls him to be true to himself. With these words, Seth starts over with half the challenge gone.

It’s the day of the runway and the designers are frantically trying to finish their pieces. Seth is amazed he got the dress right, Jesus says his dress is perfect, though I say it’s tacky with which Janeane agrees. Jonathon’s model says the dress almost makes open heart surgery worth it. It is a nice dress, but I think that’s a figure of speech.

On the runway, Amy’s dress floated well, Ben’s dress ROCKED!!!, while Mila’s looked wrinkled and Jesus’ dress was all of hooker chic, or cheap as it may be. Overall, most of the designs fell into the blah category. The guest judge this week was Georgina Chapman, designer.

The top three designs were Mila, whose dress made the judges smile (as I’m sure she knew exactly as SHE’S FROM THE FUTURE!!!), Amy, whose dress Michael called elegant and modern, and Maya, whose dress Heidi called interesting. The bottom three were Jesse, whose dress Nina called lacking in creativity, Jesus who left Michael speechless with his dress’ tackiness, and Anna whose dress Georgina said did not look like evening wear.

Amy wins, and Jesus gets sent home in another good call.

In his exit interview, Jesus says that he is both shocked that he is going home (apparently he didn’t see his designs) and satisfied that he made his client happy (because, yes she did like being told she looked cheap – that’s sarcasm people, don’t know if it translated). All this just goes to prove that the right person was sent home because apparently he is just too stupid to see his mistakes, or lack of taste, either one. They both fit.

Closing note: Mila, I’ve got my eye on you…

For another take on this episode, check out The Heart of the Matter by Dianna Berrian.

Season 7, Episode 4: Design Your Heart Out (originally aired February 4, 2010)

For more on Project Runway, click here.

Thursdays at 10pm EST on Lifetime

Photographs courtesy of Lifetime and IMDbPro