Project Runway: Slip Up Under the Big Top

It’s the road to the finale, and the remaining designers on Project Runway are all conscious of the need to NOT SCREW UP! I mean, of course they all want to win, to get this far to Bryant Park and then get sent home would be, understandably, devastating. But before we get too far into the potential ramifications of failure, let’s lighten things up a bit with… a trip to the CIRCUS!!!

This week the designers are taken to the circus to get their next bout of inspiration. The challenge this week: to design a high end runway look inspired by the circus. And even though I may or may not have a fascination with the circus (I do), I think this is a pretty cool challenge. Tim warns the designers against being too costume-y, and the designers pick their models of inspiration. Both Mila and Jay pick the ringleader for inspiration. Do I smell a smack down? Not really.

At somewhere around this point Anthony gets a nudge from Tim to step up in his design, and I agree. I have yet to see Anthony take any real risks on the runway. And, no I don’t include his first attempt at making pants; that wasn’t a risk, it was stupidity.

I must say, I am surprised by how many black/white designs come from the circus. But I’ll reserve judgment on that, for now.

Tim comes in to help the designers find some sanity in their designs. I have to admit, I’m loving Seth Aaron’s style. He’s always true to form, with the whole rocker glam thing. His outfit too is inspired by the ringmaster. After Seth shares his plans to make a top hat, Tim cautions him again on not making a costume. At this point, Anthony doesn’t have much of anything put together. You can tell from his progress against the other designers’ that he will have a long way to go. Since Tim can’t comment on Anthony’s non-existent gown, he counsels him to go with what feels right.

Why does Emilio have to make things so difficult? Tim simply comments that Emilio’s outfit could benefit from more color, and know it all Emilio is off like a raging bull. Heaven forbid that someone who has proven knowledge in fashion, as well as the judges’ tastes, might be able to help him in his design. Seriously, Emilio is far too arrogant. You don’t have to be looking to gain friends, but you’re probably not gaining any fans with that attitude either. Emilio’s mission with this gown is to have the judges salivate over him and prove him to be the god he thinks that he is. Yes, go ahead and roll your eyes, Mila and I have already joined you.

Final wrap-up in design: Anthony’s model can’t fit his dress, which leaves him scrambling some more. Anthony and Mila tease Jay about his Jackson-esque jacket. Seth doesn’t like Mila’s too shiny outfit. Emilio finds, lo-and behold, that his dress does need color. So he adds color throughout the bodice, not unlike how Tim mentioned before.

At the runway this week is guest judge Cynthia Rowley, fashion designer.

Anthony’s dress is so very safe. Blue, floor-length; it’s generic and could be for any challenge. Nothing about it even hints at circus. All of the judges are disappointed. Michael and Heidi are shocked that Anthony would send a polyester gown down the line. I too am shocked by this treason. Why in the world would you choose to send polyester in a high stakes, high-end competition? It just boggles me, and makes me sick. Is this self-sabotage? Nina finds the gown a bore from the waist down and Michael says that it looks like a big blue condom.

Emilio’s gown is gorgeous. My love for this dress is proportionate to my dislike of Emilio. Yes, it is that great. Dramatic, heavenly, royal like some fashionable queen, it totally rocks. The judges do salivate over it. Nina found it stunning, Cynthia called it genius and Michael said it was his favorite garment of the season. And while I agree with Michael and Nina, I wouldn’t tell Emilio that. It is at this point that I realize the horrible possibility that Emilio could win this competition. From a design standpoint this is actually quite rewarding, but considering the designer it becomes a tragedy.

Jay Nicholas’ jacket is reminiscent of a ringleader; unfortunately it also channels Michael Jackson. Initially I couldn’t get past that. But once his model removed the jacket for the judges you could see the cleanliness of his all-black design. Nina found the jacket to be beautifully made and Michael thought that the pants were fantastic.

Mila’s design was ‘okay.’ I like her use of color (hot pink and gold) under her black and white jacket. I didn’t think it was out of this world, but it was a far cry from polyester. Michael thought the look was dramatic and very much to Mila’s taste. Cynthia liked it, while Nina was not crazy about it.

At first, I hated Seth Aaron’s design. My initial thoughts were that it looked like the rabbit from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland got chewed up by a cat. It is a little crazy and out there, but it has a charm. The white and black interrupted with red and yellow, the high collar and exaggerated sleeves created an outfit with great presence. The judges liked the design. Nina liked the sense of drama fantasy, even if it was a bit costume-y. Cynthia found it interesting.

And the designers who are going to Bryant Park: Emilio, Seth Aaron, and… Well, it’s not Anthony because he gets sent home. With this decision I must agree wholeheartedly (polyester, really?). The third designer seen at Bryant Park is yet to be determined as both Mila and Jay are given a chance to create their lines; from these two the judges will choose one to have their line shown at fashion week.

As disappointed as I am with Anthony’s exit, I truly believe that we have the best candidates for Bryant Park. Emilio and Seth Aaron have such signature styles that any show they make would be exciting to watch (that last part is mostly in reference to Seth Aaron; I don’t look forward to seeing Emilio.) But they are both solid designers and I think they would do well. As for Mila and Jay, I’m rooting for Jay, but that’s because I neither like nor trust Mila. {Insert evil cackle here…}

Season 7, Episode 12: The Big, Top Designers (originally aired April 8, 2010)

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